2010 College Football Preview: Breaking Down the Big 10

Regaw Reviews: 2010 Big Ten College Football Predictions

With the recent changes in the landscape of college football, this is the last season before many of the major conferences will undergo a big change. The Big Ten is no different as they have already announced they will be adding teams next year. In 2010, the Big Ten should provide some very good football as the teams chase down a shot at the BCS Championship. Below are my predictions for the 2010 college football season.

1. Iowa Hawkeyes

The Hawkeyes were a title contender all year long in 2009 and if not for an injury to superstar quarterback Ricky Stanzi, they might have been playing in the BCS Championship game. This year, he is healthy and will lead the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten title. The defense is the strongest in the conference anchored by Adrian Clayborn and with Ohio St. visiting Iowa the schedule sets up for the Hawkeyes to win the Big Ten! Iowa’s odds to win the BCS title are +2500

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes finished the year with a great Rose Bowl win and a sneak peek of just how good quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be this year. Pryor will be a Heisman candidate and has the potential to lead his team to the BCS Championship. Defensive end Cameron Heyward leads a stout defense that makes the Buckeyes tough on both sides of the ball. With tough games at Wisconsin and at Iowa it might be asking too much for this team to go undefeated. Ohio St.’s odds to win the BCS title are +600

3. Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers bring back the nucleus of a team that had 10 wins last year. The star of this team is running back John Clay and he will have his entire offensive line back to run behind.  If the defense can improve from last year, the Badgers should compete for the title. Wisconsin hosts the Buckeyes in October in a game that could decide the Big Ten. Oddsmakers have Wisconsin at +4000 to win the BCS title.

4 . Michigan Wolverines

In a make-or-break year for Rich Rodriguez, look for Michigan to respond with a bowl season. The Wolverines return 15 starters, including quarterback Tate Forcier, and will compete with the best of the Big Ten. If the defense plays better than last year, their last game of the season in Columbus could be for the Big Ten title. Michigan is listed at +7500 to win the BCS title.

5. Penn State Nittany Lions

Joe Pa seems to always have the Lions in a position to win the Big Ten, but this year could be more difficult with the departure of Daryll Clark at quarterback. Evan Royster is back to run the ball, but there's only a handful of seniors left to lead the team. With a young team and a tough schedule that includes trips to Ohio St. and Iowa, it could be a long year for the Nittany Lions. Oddsmakers have Penn St at +5000 to win the BCS title.

6. Purdue Boilermakers

The buzz in Purdue is all about Miami transfer Robert Marve, who should step in and play right away. Unfortunately, they lost stud running back Ralph Bolden to an ACL injury, but with 12 returning players and an easy schedule, they should have a decent season. They are not ready to compete for the title but if they play like they did last year against Ohio St. they should go bowling. Purdue is listed as part of the field at +10000 to win the BCS title.

7. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans bring back 15 players from last year’s squad heading into the 2010 campaign. Quarterback Kirk Cousins leads this team on offense and is very capable of pulling off a few upsets. In order to compete, they will have to navigate a tough Big Ten schedule and get an improved effort on defense. This will be too much for the Spartans to overcome and I look for them to finish in the middle of the pack. Michigan St.’s odds to win the BCS title are +10000

8. Northwestern Wildcats

The Wildcats will be hard pressed to duplicate the 2009 season since losing quarterback Mike Kafka to the NFL. Even though they took a hit on offense, they do return 13 starters and could improve on the eight-win total from a year ago. With tough games at Penn St. and Wisconsin, this team should finish below the big boys in the Big Ten and be happy if they are bowl eligible. Oddsmakers have Northwestern at +10000 to win the BCS title.

9. Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Gophers bring back nine starters on offense, including senior signal caller Adam Weber. The offense ranked so low in statistical categories that they can only improve this year. The real weakness will be a defense that just brings back two starters from a year ago. The second half of the schedule is rough and the Gophers will have to pull off a miracle to win six games again this year. Minnesota is listed as part of the field at +10000 to win the BCS title.

10. Illinois Fighting Illini

The talent in the Big Ten really takes a hit at this point. Illinois returns 14 starters, but that may not be a good thing, considering this squad won just three games last year. Redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase gets a chance to lead this offense, but anything over four wins would be a surprise for this club. Illinois is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

11. Indiana Hoosiers

Senior quarterback Ben Chappell leads a talented offense that can score against anyone. The concern may be on defense, where the Hoosiers will be vulnerable once again this year. They need to win their weaker out-of-conference games against the likes of Towson and Western Kentucky, because the conference schedule is a killer. The big challenge for the Hoosiers this year will be to stay out of the basement in the Big Ten.  Indiana is listed as part of the field at +10000 to win the BCS title.

Here are some of my other college football previews and predictions for the 2010 season.

2010 BCS Championship College Football Predictions

2010 ACC Preview and Predictions

2010 SEC Preview and Predictions

2010 College Football Big East Preview and Predictions

2010 College Football Big 12 Preview and Predictions

2010 College football Pac-10 Preview and Predictions

Handicapping the Heisman Race in 2010

Check the latest odds to win the BCS and the Big Ten at the Top Ten Online sportsbooks.