The Biased Big Ten Predictions

　

Year in and year out, there are always 2 teams in the Big Ten that are the powerhouse teams, expected to finish #1 and #2. Then there are the 2 or 3 teams that get mentioned as possibly challenging these 2 teams. This year, Ohio State and Penn State are expected to be the #1, #2 combo. Is name recognition creating a biased sense of preseason predictions. Can the 2 teams that may possibly challenge these 2 national names actually be better. How will OSU and PSU favor against match-ups with Iowa and Illinois?

 

What is it that Ohio State really has this year. Offensively, all preseason hype is being made under the assumption that Pryor has done a 180 on his passing game. The only real promising factor that OSU has coming into this year is, the offensive line. Beanie Wells is irreplaceable after 1 year. His debut in NFL provided him 2 touchdowns. Robiskie and Hartline are also irreplaceable after 1 year as well. Without any returning experience at either WR or RB, it will be a struggle for each of these new faces to find their groove right away. And, that is with the assumption that Pryor has turned around his passing game. If Pryor struggles in the air, this offense may be in some trouble this year.

 

Defensively, OSU really only has it’s secondary to look forward too. Their defensive front should produce just fine with Gibson leading the way, and with Heyward on the other side. But, what if Heyward doesn’t come through this year. He only made 3 starts last year due to a lack of production, but still seen plenty of time on the field. The real weakness will be at linebacker. With the loss of Laurinaitis and Freeman, both the passing and running game could be vulnerable against teams with a two-way attack through the air and on the ground.

 

When Ohio State opens up the Big Ten season, will they be able to click in time to face a potent Illinois offense? Juice Williams, as inconsistent as he may be, always plays OSU tough. With Williams throwing to the Big Ten’s best group of receivers this year, there may not be a team in the entire country that is capable of limiting the Illini air attack this year. Given the strength of OSU’s secondary, even if they can man up against the Illini receivers, Juice is a weapon himself on the ground. I don’t see OSU stopping Illinois’s offense.

 

Illinois, which will not likely have a stellar defense, should have a defense better than last year’s. With this year’s face-off between the 2 teams being played so early, the OSU offense isn’t likely going to be able to click well enough to be able to match the Illini offensively. No matter how much hype Pryor is getting, he can’t hold onto the ball the entire game himself.

 

Let’s be honest: Illinois is going to expose the weakness at linebacker, and put up 30 points in this contest. If Pryor has done a 180 on his passing game, OSU may be able to put up 27. If Pryor hasn’t, any more than 17 points will be hard to come by.

 

Illinois 30 Ohio state 24

 

Now, to take a look at Penn State. Clark and Royster have already proven themselves last year. However, are they going to continue this year and better themselves even more. How much did that all-star offensive line for PSU actually help out Clark and Royster’s numbers. This year’s offensive line has to replace all but 1 of it’s starters. Then to mention that all 3 WR’s are gone as well. It might be a struggle for Clark and Royster to repeat last year’s performance. At least during the first half of the season. Expect the passing game and the rushing game to take a huge dip. Clark isn’t use to facing pressure for an entire game, and Royster isn’t use to having to find his own holes. Until this line clicks as the season plays on, the right team will cause them their season downfall.

 

Defensively, Penn State has possibly the best line backing corp. in the country. That pretty much sums up the Penn State defense. Having to replace the entire secondary, and all but 1 on the defensive line, will spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E, for Penn State. This will leave PSU vulnerable in the air and on the ground. They will have to spread the defense to help defend the pass, and with an inexperienced line, they will be vulnerable against the run. State’s defense should not be relied on at all to help carry them this year.

 

Once again, the PSU downfall will be caused by Iowa for a second year in a year. With PSU playing an extremely weak non-conference schedule, the rookie starters this year will be in for a huge surprise. Iowa, which could arguably have the one of the best if not the best offensive line in the country, will take complete control of Penn State’s defensive front. Which should provide a returning Ricky Stanzi, who had a good first year as a starter, plenty of time to find his combo of receiving targets against a fresh secondary. As good as the Penn State linebackers are, they will be asked to carry to much of the load against a dual attack by Iowa. Hampton should be able to rush for 120 yards, and Stanzi should be able to throw for 250 at least. Iowa should be able to destroy this defense, and score at least 28 points.

 

With Iowa returning the #2 set of linebackers in the conference, and one of the best secondary’s in the nation, they should be able to shut down Clark’s passing game. The receivers will be lost matching up against Iowa’s all star corners. The linebackers should not have to provide much assistance to the passing game, and put more focus on Royster. Penn State will struggle against the Iowa’s defense that was #12 in the country last year, and should be even better this year. Keep in mind as well, last year Iowa’s secondary held Clark to 9 of 23 passing for 86 yards. And, held Royster to 90 yards on the ground for a 3.5 yard average. With this defense returning 8 players, look for similar numbers. Without the Penn State defense helping to put points on the board, scoring more than 17 will be pushing it.

 

Iowa 28 Penn State 17

 

Then right after a probable Iowa loss, Penn State has to travel to Illinois for it’s second conference game. Just as with the Ohio State match-up against Illinois, the likelihood of Penn State being able to keep up with Williams and company on offense is unlikely. Return the Nittany Lions OL from a year ago, and there should be no problem. However, the core of their offense is gone that Clark and Royster worked behind.  Meaning Penn State could very possibly lose it’s first two conference games this year.

 

As for the Iowa/Ohio State match-up, it is now too early to tell. With this game being played toward the end of the year, the OSU offense will have plenty of time to gel. Same on the defensive side of the ball, the OSU linebackers will have played enough, that they won’t be a vulnerability. Pryor will find it very hard to use his mobility against Iowa's extremely tough run defense. This game will be strictly defense and low scoring. It will likely fall onto special teams, and takeaways. Which gives Iowa a slight edge. Also, Iowa hasn't won in Columbus since 1991. Every streak has to end. 

 

Iowa 16 OSU 14

 

I am most certain to get much hatred from this article. However, facts are facts though. OSU and PSU both have to open conference play against 2 very tough teams. They both have major personnel losses that will be unable to match up against Iowa and Illinois. If these games were played later in the year, there would be no way that this article could stand it’s ground. The only outcome that could play out differently is Iowa/Ohio State. Other than that, Ohio State and Penn State will both lose their conference openers. Guaranteeing one of them at least 2 losses in conference play. Look for both Iowa and Illinois to finish conference play with most likely 1 loss this year each. Could a 3-way tie be in the making for conference champs?