Big Elev...Ten Football Preview

Last year the Big 10 was hands down the most disappointing conference in all of football. In the 7 games that the Big 10 participated last year there was only one team that won their bowl game (Iowa). Unfortunately compared to the rest of the nation, the Big 10 will still have trouble against the other BCS conferences. On the flip side it really can't be much worse and I think that we will see some much needed improvement compared to last year. So here we go with the predictions:

1) Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2)(7-1)
2) Penn State Nittany Lions (10-2) (6-2)
3) Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2)(6-2)
4) Illinois Fighting Illini (9-3) (6-2)
5) Wisconsin Badgers (9-3) (5-3)
6) Michigan State Spartans (7-5)(4-4)
7) Northwestern Wildcats (6-6)(2-6)
8) Michigan Wolverines (5-7)(2-6)
9) Minnesota Gophers (3-9)(1-7)
10) Indiana Hoosiers (3-9)(1-7)
11) Purdue Bolilermakers (2-10)(0-8)

You can expect the Buckeyes to retain there spot back atop the Big 10. the Buckeyes have the best combination of Offense and Defense in the conference. Terrelle Pryor will continue to progress and be one of the most prolific QB's in the nation. Ohio State will also be returning 9 of their defensive starters. While they lost in the Fiesta Bowl there is no doubt that they had a good showing and that can only help in Terrelle Pryor's progression. Penn State will definitely be right behind them. Daryll Clark will come back for his senior year who had 29 touchdowns which was a school record. If they can avenge a loss against the Hawkeyes and beat a pesky Illinois team in Champaign, and beat Ohio State, this team could very well go undefeated. The 2 teams that could surprise people and make a run for the Conference Championship will be the Iowa Hawkeyes and Illinois Fighting Illini. The Hawkeyes went 9-4 last year and will return an entire Offensive Line and their top Wide Receiver in Darrell Johnson-Koulianos with a promising Ricky Stanzi under center. The only question for Iowa will be their interior line. Iowa will take a run at the Championship. As for Illinois, Juice Williams and Aurrelious Benn may be the best QB-WR combo in the conference. If there defense can perform Illinois may be a formidable opponent. Wisconsin will be tough too, they have a very easy non conference schedule but have to go into Columbus and play Ohio State. The Badgers defense remains a huge question mark, they are too inexperienced and may have a tough time. As for the bottom 6... keep an eye on Michigan, Rich Rodriguez will look to get Wolverines' fans taste out of their mouth after a horrible 3-9 season. Minnesota returns 18 of their starters so there is a possibility for a run there, but I wouldn't count on it. Michigan State will be mediocre. Indiana, Northwestern, and Purdue will not be very good at all. The Big 10 will bring parody and excitement, but it will pale in comparison to the Big 12 and SEC's of the college football world.