Big Ten Football: Predicting How Every Conference Team Will Finish in 2013

Last year, the Big Ten had a down season with zero teams finishing inside the top 15 in either final poll. In 2013, the conference is looking to claw its way back toward the top, led by an Ohio State team with eyes on a BCS championship.

With the Buckeyes off probation after a 12-0 campaign and the conference pushing to return to national prominence, here's a look at 2013 Big Ten predictions.

Legends Division: Minnesota Golden Gophers

In 2012, Year 3 for Jerry Kill in Minneapolis, the season is about one word: consistency. Consistency on offense. Consistency on defense. Consistency in ball security. Consistency across the board.

That will start with quarterback Philip Nelson, who should get the reins full-time after finishing 2012 as the starter. Nelson brings experience to an offense that has to figure out how to consistently get the ball moving through the air. 

On the ground, Donnell Kirkwood looks to get to 1,000 yards after just narrowly missing in 2012.

Defensively, the Gophers have to get better in most facets of the game. In the air they have to limit completion percentages, and more importantly, they have to avoid giving up explosion plays by the opposition.

Overall the team should continue to improve under Coach Kill, despite the record not reflecting it.

Win-Loss Prediction: 5-7 (1-7)

Legends Division: Iowa Hawkeyes

Following the Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech, head coach Kirk Ferentz has seen his Iowa program go into steep decline. Phil Parker's defense will be back to fight valiantly in 2013, but after giving up just 22.9 points a game a season ago, it is clear the offense has to step up for the Hawkeyes.

On the ground that means Mark Weisman will lead the way, as he did a year ago. Expect Jordan Canzeri to get big reps. He's a back who is slippery out of the backfield and can make people miss. Damon Bullock, last year's second-leading rusher, will likely split time between running back and wide receiver.

Bullock can help bolster a receiving corps that has to find ways to get open against Big Ten defenses. Tight end CJ Fiedorowicz will end up being a major contributor, but the Hawkeyes need a field-stretching threat on the edge to go with Kevonte Martin-Manley.

Iowa's defense will show up in the Big Ten, but after a quick start, expect the inexperience at quarterback and lack of explosive players to hurt the Hawkeyes.

6-6 (3-5)

Legends Division: Northwestern Wildcats

After Northwestern rode turnovers and a dynamic offense to 10 wins in 2012, 2013 will see the Wildcats struggle to equal that stellar mark.

The plus side is that Kain Colter, one of college football's most electrifying players, is back in the fold, and Northwestern has enough returning talent to keep the team in every game on its schedule. 

Last season, Northwestern finished eighth in the league in total defense, yet found a way to win 10 games. A lot of that success was predicated on the turnover, a category in which the Wildcats led the league.

This year, expect Northwestern's turnover success to regress much like Oklahoma State, which went from plus-21 in 2011 to zero in 2012, or 2007 Cincinnati, which went from plus-16 in 2007 to minus-eight in 2008.

Teams try to force turnovers, but consistently relying on the turnover creates a problem. Northwestern will likely see some of those balls go the other way in 2013, resulting in fewer wins.

7-5 (4-4)

Legends Division: Michigan Wolverines

Denard Robinson is gone, and while that means losing one of college football's most electrifying players, it also cements the transition in Ann Arbor.

Last year was about the gradual process following Robinson's injury woes, but 2013 will be about the Wolverines' roster taking the next big step towards being a pro-style team.

Devin Gardner saw plenty of action at the quarterback position in 2012 and proved that he is capable of being a versatile passer both in and out of the pocket. Look for another Devin, Devin Funchess, a sophomore tight end, to emerge as a weapon as the Wolverines look for more help in the passing game.

Greg Mattison's defense is going to keep this Wolverines team in a lot of games as the offense figures out how to replace the production of Denard Robinson. The program has taken the biggest strides on defense, and while the offense may sputter at times, the tough, gritty defense will keep them in tight games.

8-4 (5-3)

Legends Division: Michigan State Spartans

Michigan State will have to lean on its defense again in 2013, something it got used to doing in 2012. However, in losing Le'Veon Bell, the time has come for QB Andrew Maxwell to fulfill the potential he showed flashes of last year.

Maxwell got plenty of work with receivers Bennie Fowler and Keith Mumphery, which is important because the Spartans will rely on the passing game early in 2013 as the running back position sorts itself out. Having good bodies back on the offensive line should lead to a more balanced attack and help first-year co-coordinators Jim Bollman and Dave Warner.

While the offense finds its way, Pat Narduzzi and his defensive unit will be the heart and soul of this team. Guys like Max Bullough, Denicos Allen and Marcus Rush will stop the run and keep the Spartans on track.

8-4 (5-3)

Legends Division: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Taylor Martinez is the best quarterback no one is talking about heading into the 2013 season. The rising senior revamped his game in 2012 and got on the same page with Tim Beck. The Nebraska offense found a way to move the ball on the ground and through the air. Martinez's improvement was a revelation to Huskers fans who had lived through his early struggles.

As T-Magic improved, the defense worsened. This year, with a slew of new starters in the front seven, Bo Pelini and defensive coordinator John Papuchis need to get some quality play out of the Huskers in order for this team to achieve its goals.

Nebraska has the weapons to win a Big Ten Championship in 2013. Look for the Cornhuskers to make a return trip to the title game this season.

10-2 (7-1)

Leaders Division: Illinois Fighting Illini

Everything broke at once for the Illini in 2012. Quarterback protection disappeared. Consistency in the run game went on hiatus. The defense elected not to show up.

To help fix things, second-year coach Tim Beckman, the former Toledo head coach, has brought in Bill Cubit to run the offense. The addition of Cubit should mean better play from both quarterbacks, Nathan Scheelhaase and Reilly O'Toole. Improved passing will also create more chances to use the run game when defenses give away the ground advantage.

Defensively, Jonathan Brown is one of the country's best linebackers. But with youth all over the defense, he and Mason Monheim will have their hands full in another tough year for Illinois football.

3-9 (0-8)

Leaders Division: Purdue Boilermakers

Danny Hope's slow progress at Purdue got him shown the door after back-to-back six-win seasons in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Enter Darrell Hazell, a coach with some Big Ten experience as an assistant.

Purdue not only has to replace pieces all over the field, including defensive lineman Kawann Short, but it also has to find experience while navigating the choppy waters of a coaching transition. This will be a learning experience for the young offensive players thrust into the spotlight and for Hazell as he figures out what this team can do.

Akeem Hunt is back for the Boilermakers, and they have pieces on defense, including CB Ricardo Allen, but ultimately this will be a season where Purdue takes knocks.

3-9 (1-7)

Leaders Division: Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana went 4-8 in a 2012 season that saw it drop four games—Ball State, Michigan State, Ohio State and Navy—by a total of 10 points.

This year, look for that ball to bounce the Hoosiers' way a few more times.

Offensively, expect more explosion. The Hoosiers return all of the quarterbacks who played a season ago. The top receivers and running backs are back as well, so this offense will be a treat to watch, especially following a year that saw it score points in bunches.

While the team returns several defensive starters, it does not have a lot of talent on that side of the ball. Playing sound team defense will be the name of the game. That means limiting explosion plays and tackling well.

After getting close in 2012, this is the year Indiana gets back to a bowl game for the first time since 2007.

7-5 (4-4)

Leaders Division: Wisconsin Badgers

Coming off an unprecedented run of success, the Badgers face a daunting schedule while changing coaches in 2013. Expectations are low for Wisconsin entering the season, but this team will compete for the Leaders title, as it has for the last few seasons. 

The key for 2013 will be getting more production out of the passing game, and that means utilizing the wide receivers more often than in 2012. Jared Abbrederis is back for a senior campaign, along with tight end Jacob Pedersen, but receiver Jordan Frederick has to be a bigger factor on the edge.

Of course, that starts with quarterback play, where Joel Stave is the penciled-in starter heading towards the season.

Much like 2012, expect many of the wins and losses to be tight contests where big moments decide the Badgers' fate.

8-4 (6-2)

Leaders Division: Penn State Nittany Lions

Although the Nittany Lions cannot go to a bowl or the Big Ten Championship Game, look for head coach Bill O'Brien to continue building his program.

Last year's 8-4 record was a surprise to many, especially following the early start for Penn State.

The defense absorbed heavy losses. Gerald Hodges, Michael Mauti and Jordan Hill all left the program. The lack of depth will start to rear its head this year, but the unit, led by John Butler, will still be sound and make teams earn every yard.

On offense, freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg and transfer Tyler Ferguson will likely both play in the opener. Hackenberg has been touted as the future, but Ferguson has more reps, thanks to the spring, making this quarterback rodeo quite interesting.

Whether it is Hackenberg or Ferguson, the Penn State quarterback will be in the capable hands of Bill O'Brien. That means good things for the Nittany Lions, a team poised to improve from a year ago.

9-3 (6-2)

Leaders Division: Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State, coming off a 12-0 season, is everyone's favorite to win the Big Ten. The Buckeyes have the weapons on offense, a combination of experience and talent on defense, and a head coach who knows how to get it done.

For the Buckeyes, it will boil down to putting it together.

Braxton Miller highlights an offense that should expand its diversity in 2013. That means using tight ends Nick Vannett and Jeff Heuerman in the passing game, as well as getting Miller to pass more than he runs.

Adolphus Washington and Noah Spence give the Buckeyes two explosive talents along the defensive line. There is talent all over the field on defense. Although the Buckeyes lost some big names from 2012, they return players capable of stepping into those spots.

Focus will be the name of the game here as the Buckeyes push to get back to a BCS Championship Game.

12-0 (8-0)