2009 Big Ten Conference Breakdown: Team-by-Team Projections

Big Ten football fans, as you know, the 2009 season is almost upon us.

Fall camps have begun and coaches, players, and fans alike are excited and optimistic about how this year will unfold over the next four months.

But seriously, who wants to wait that long?

It's true, the season is too short and that's why we love it, but if you're interested at all in knowing how your favorite Big Ten team is going to fare, read on.

SPOILER ALERT!

We'll begin at the top and work our way down through all 11 teams.

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Toughest home game: vs. USC on Sept. 12

Toughest road game: at Penn State on Nov. 7

Best case regular season record: (12-0)

Worst case regular season record: (8-4)

Teams that might beat them: USC, Penn State, Illinois, Iowa

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Penn State Nittany Lions

Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on Nov. 7

Toughest road game: at Illinois on Oct. 3

Best case regular season record: (11-1)

Worst case regular season record: (8-4)

Teams that might beat them: Iowa, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State

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Iowa Hawkeyes

Toughest home game: vs. Northwestern on Nov. 7

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on Nov. 14

Best case regular season record: (10-2)

Worst case regular season record: (8-4)

Teams that might beat them: Arizona, Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State

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Michigan State Spartans

Toughest home game: vs. Iowa on Oct. 24

Toughest road game: at Notre Dame on Sept. 19

Best case regular season record: (9-3)

Worst case regular season record: (6-6)

Teams that might beat them: Notre Dame, Michigan, Illinois, Northwestern, Iowa, Penn State

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Northwestern Wildcats

Toughest home game: vs. Penn State on Oct. 31

Toughest road game: at Iowa on Nov. 7

Best case regular season record: (9-3)

Worst case regular season record: (7-5)

Teams that might beat them: Minnesota, Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa, Illinois

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Illinois Fighting Illini

Toughest home game: vs. Penn State on Oct. 3

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on Sept. 26

Best case regular season record: (9-3)

Worst case regular season record: (6-6)

Teams that might beat them: Missouri, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern

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Minnesota Golden Gophers

Toughest home game: vs. California on Sept. 19

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on Oct. 24

Best case regular season record: (8-4)

Worst case regular season record: (5-7)

Teams that might beat them: California, Northwestern, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa

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Wisconsin Badgers

Toughest home game: vs. Iowa on Oct. 17

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on Oct. 10

Best case regular season record: (7-5)

Worst case regular season record: (5-7)

Teams that might beat them: Fresno State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern

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Michigan Wolverines

Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on Nov. 21

Toughest road game: at Iowa on Oct. 10

Best case regular season record: (7-5)

Worst case regular season record: (4-8)

Teams that might beat them: Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Iowa, Penn State, Illinois, Ohio State

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Purdue Boilermakers

Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on Oct. 17

Toughest road game: at Oregon on Sept. 12

Best case regular season record: (4-8)

Worst case regular season record: (2-10)

Teams that might beat them: Toledo, Oregon, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Minnesota, Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State

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Indiana Hoosiers

Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on Oct. 3

Toughest road game: at Penn State on Nov. 14

Best case regular season record: (3-9)

Worst case regular season record: (1-11)

Teams that might beat them: Everyone they play except for MAYBE Eastern Kentucky in Week One. That is the only team I think they are almost guaranteed to beat.

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Enjoy the 2009 season everyone!

Thanks for reading and please post your thoughts in the comments section!

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