Big Ten Preview: Conference Coming Back or Crappy Conference?

Last season, the great Iowa saved our blushes. While the Big Ten was busy sucking in bowl games (Ohio State lost a close one against Texas, Penn State got thrashed by USC, and a list of others simply didn't show up), the Hawkeyes beat South Carolina and came away with the conference's only bowl victory.

Iowa: Bowl team in 2009?

The Hawkeyes are definitely going to be a bowl team in 2009—if they can get running back duties sorted out. If Shonn Greene's graduation wasn't bad enough, star-to-be Jewel Hampton damaged his knee and is going to sit out this season. Paki O'Meara and Adam Robinson will probably share duties, but it's still bad news for the boys in black, who aren't particularly in love with quarterback Ricky Stanzi.

The schedule isn't horrible except for road games at Penn State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin and a tough non-conference game against Arizona. We think they'll go 8-4, but it won't be pretty.

Speaking of pretty, what about Michigan?

In 2008, Michigan Football died. In 2009, Michigan fans are hoping it will be resurrected. On the first game of the season against Western Michigan—who some pundits say might beat them—the Wolverines are starting three quarterbacks. There won't be too much pocket-passing at Ann Arbor.

Expect Rich Rodriguez's "Pat White copy" to come in force. And although we hate to say it, it could work. Rodriguez isn't a terrible coach, and Michigan has recruited well. Don't expect a bowl game, Wolverine fans, but expect "The Whore" (as it's known by Big Ten Michihaters) to be a happier place.

We're going for a 5-7 year, with an upset win over either Notre Dame, Penn State or Iowa.

And the basketball schools?

Michigan State has a new quarterback, Kirk Cousins, who could be an upgrade from the streaky Brian Hoyer, but losing Javon Ringer hurts their running game. We think 6-6.

Indiana will continue to get beat up, going an unhealthy 3-10. Nice new part of the stadium, though. Purdue (not really a basketball school, but it made March Madness this year), will be looking for life after QB Curtis Painter and coach Joe Tiller, but won't be wonderful.

It also won't be nice for the Boilermakers when they lose to Oregon and the Fighting Irish. We're calling for a 5-7 year.

The bright school and the cold school?

Northwestern (the bright school) is some peoples' dark horse for the Big Ten, but we don't think it'll go that far. Having said that, schools will find it difficult playing there (Penn State! Cough! Cough! At Halloween!) and we should see a bunch of close games between the Wildcats and their opponents. We'll go with 8-4 and a bowl bid.

As for Minnesota (the cold school), we LOVE the new stadium. The 2009 team's not going to be bad at all —although they could have scheduled some easier in-conference games with road trips to Happy Valley, The Horseshoe, and Kinnick (in late November).

Props to the Gophers for scheduling Air Force and Cal in their first three weeks. Put them down to go 1-1 in those games and 7-5 overall.

And the weird school?

I'll throw this out there: I've met many Illinois fans, and they've all got one thing in common: they're weird. Therefore, it's safe to assume Illinois is full of weirdos that like to dress up in orange.

Harsh? Well, yours truly is still more than a little ticked off by 2007's loss at Champaign. This year, the VFA might be ticked off too—the Illini could well be the dark horse for the title—especially with weapons like quarterback Juice Williams and wide receiver Arrelious Benn. Ignore this lot at your peril.

Last but not least:

This Penn State vs. Ohio State thingy's turning into quite the rivalry. Both sides are beginning to hate each other (mostly on the Penn State side, if we're honest), and it's certainly livening up a sleepy Big Ten. Mark our words, the game at Happy Valley will be the Big Ten decider - and possibly (if all goes wrong for USC, Texas and Oklahoma) to see who faces the Gators in the National Title game.

Unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, they've got an off-season schedule that couldn't be more 'cupcake' than if it came out of IHOP at 3am with chocolate on it, while Ohio State plays some side from California at home on the second game of the season. If it comes down to non-conference schedule, OSU has the Nittany Lions beat.

But because I'm a PSU fan and I don't want to tempt fate, it's too early to make our selection...so you'll just have to wait.

Best co-eds: Wisconsin.

Best fans: Do you have to ask? Penn State of course!