The Sports Diva Nation: 2009 Big Ten Preview

Hello Football Fiends!

My friend Cherie from The Sports Diva Nation is one kick ass sports fan. The only downside? She’s an Ohio State fan. But hey, we can’t all be perfect, right?

Gridiron Goddess has partnered with The Sports Diva Nation to bring you the 2009 Big Ten Preview.

 

2009 Big Ten Preview

 

The Big Ten has gone through a bit of a rough patch in recent years. It has garnered nicknames like the Slow 10 and the Little 11.

The last time the conference was able to hold its heads up high was on November 18, 2006. That was when Ohio State and Michigan entered THE GAME ranked No. 1 and No. 2. All was right with the world.

But then it began; Michigan was embarrassed by USC in the Rose Bowl and Ohio State was “just too slow” for Florida in the national championship game. It did not help matters when No. 5 Michigan lost their home opener that next season to FCS (or DIV 1-AA) opponent Appalachian State. 

Then, Ohio State backed their way into the national championship to lose to yet another SEC opponent, LSU. Then in the 2008-09 season, the Big Ten went 1-6 in bowl games. 

It hasn’t been pretty for the team's part of the Big Ten. There were some games that brought a little smile to Big Ten fans, like Michigan over Florida (2008 Capital One Bowl), Penn State over Tennessee (Outback Bowl 2007), Wisconsin over Arkansas (Capital One Bowl 2007) and Iowa over South Carolina (Outback Bowl 2009). Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough.

This upcoming season isn’t going to be any easier for teams in the Big Ten. If you look at the non-conference schedules of the teams in the Big Ten, you may want to laugh. 

There are only a few games that can be called tough. The SEC may be able to get away with not scheduling tough teams because of how strong their conference is, but the Big Ten can’t. Not right now at least. Until they can get back to being the mighty Big Ten, they should look to schedule tougher teams than Montana State and Wofford.

So how good is the Big Ten this year? Who knows. 

The state of the league will rest on the shoulders of Ohio State when they face off against USC on September 12. 

A win will help the Big Ten tremendously. A loss will just be deja vu. Now I’m sure you may be sick of the Big Ten, so we will go through my preseason rankings quickly. Road games are very important when I look at how a team might fare in the upcoming season.

 

Preseason Rankings:

1. Ohio State

Why? Because I’m a Buckeye fan (I know that’s what you’re thinking).

But seriously, it is true when they say that Ohio State doesn’t rebuild, they reload.  Most of their tough games are at home but that game on November 7 at Penn State is key.

We also can’t forget about Michigan on November 21st. Michigan is still Michigan, no matter how much they have struggled lately.

Games to Watch: USC (Non-Conference), @ Penn State (Conference)

 

2. Penn State

Why?  Because they will be good.  Maybe great? 

If they do get past their not-so-cupcake road games (Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Michigan State) and tough home games against Iowa and Ohio State, they could end up in the national championship. 

Of course, they may have to hope for a Buckeye victory on September 12 for that to happen.  No one outside of the Big Ten wants to see a replay of the '06-'07 and '07-'08 national championship games. Even with a different representative from the conference.

Games to Watch: Syracuse (Non-Conference), Ohio State (Conference)

3. Michigan State 

Why?  Because Dantonio may have something here. 

If Michigan State wants to turn things around, they need to have back-to-back seasons with nine or more wins. They get their rivals Michigan and Penn State at home, but have to travel to Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Purdue.

Games to Watch: @ Notre Dame (Non-Conference), Penn State (Conference)

4. Illinois 

Why?  Because Ron Zook can recruit. 

He has the athletes; all he has to do now is coach. 

Tough road games at Ohio State and Minnesota (their new stadium opens this year, so  they can’t hide in the dome anymore). They won’t be easy to play on the road.

Games to Watch: Missouri (Non-Conference), @ Ohio State (Conference)

5. Iowa 

Why?  Because their road games are not going to be easy. 

They have road games against Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State.  The only team that won a bowl game last season probably deserves to be higher but Iowa's road schedule is just too tough.

Games to Watch: Arizona (Non-Conference), @ Penn State (Conference)

6. Wisconsin 

Why?  Because I’m not a fan of their coach. 

The Badgers have declined year after year after year. Their coach is on the hot seat this upcoming season. They have road games against Minnesota, Ohio State, Indiana and Northwestern. 

Penn State is off the schedule, but they have tough home games against Michigan State and Iowa. If they win, Coach Bielema’s seat gets cooler. If their season is worse than last year's, will he be run out of town?

Games to Watch: @ Hawaii (Non-Conference), @ Minnesota (Conference)

7. Michigan

Why? Because you can’t do worse than 3-9, right? 

Rich-Rod should fare better in his second year at The Big House. The goal for this team should be to get back to a bowl game. 

That is usually not the standard at Michigan, but neither is going 3-9. Their road games are against Michigan State, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Games to Watch: Notre Dame (Non-Conference), Ohio State (Conference)

8. Minnesota

Why?  Because it takes time. 

Coach Brewster went from 1-11 to 7-6 within a year. A nice turnaround, but a bit disappointing.

Unfortunately, they lost their last five games last season. We will have to wait and see what Brewster will be able to do with this team in their new outdoor stadium.

Games to Watch: California (Non-Conference), Wisconsin (Conference)

9. Northwestern 

Why?  Because I’ll have to see it to believe it. 

The Wildcats went 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten last season. Although they don’t meet Ohio State or Michigan this season, they do have tough road games against Michigan State, Iowa and Illinois.

Games to Watch: @ Syracuse (Non-Conference), Michigan State (Conference)

10. Purdue

Why?  Because they are rebuilding. 

New coach. Inexperienced quarterback and wide receivers.

They don’t play Penn State and Iowa this year, but home games against Ohio State and Michigan State won’t be simple.

Games to Watch: @ Oregon (Non-Conference), Northwestern (Conference)

11. Indiana 

Why?  Because bye-bye, Kellen Lewis. 

Kellen Lewis moved from quarterback to wide receiver to off the team roster. He could have been the best player for Indiana. 

We will have to see how the offense fares without him. They have a tough schedule with road games against Michigan, Iowa and Penn State.

Games to Watch: @ Akron (Non-Conference), Purdue (Conference)