Big 10 Football 2010: Comprehensive Preview

This is the end of the Big 10 conference as we know it, and the change will be for the better. But before we rush off into the land of nine game conference schedules and conference championship games, let's take a look at what is going to happen in the Big 10 this season.

Predicted Final Standings:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes: Hard to put anyone but the Buckeyes in this spot...

T2. Michigan State Spartans: I know, I know I am crazy, but no one has a better combination of talent and experience except maybe...

T2. Wisconsin Badgers: John Clay, Chris Borland, Jay Valai, Nick Toon, J.J. Watt...the list of talented players goes on for the Badgers.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes: Iowa's chance was last season. It's tough to come out on the winning side of every tough battle, even if they are in Kinnick Stadium.

5. Penn State Nittany Lions: JoPa's boys will be solid, but finish in the middle of the pack.

6. Northwestern Wildcats: Expect seven or eight wins, solid, not exceptional...

7.  Michigan Wolverines: RichRod's opportunity to prove he is the man in Ann Arbor is this year.

8. Purdue Boilermakers: Miami transfer Robert Marve has got us wondering if Purdue is going to surprise some people this season. (Wisconsin, Nov. 6th)

9. Minnesota Golden Gophers: The Gophers will not have enough firepower on offense to compete with any of the teams ranked above them here.

T10. Indiana Hoosiers and Illinois Fighting Illini: Illinois has some hitters on defense, but an anemic offense. Indiana has some firepower on offense, but a weak defense...

Offensive Player of the Year: Evan Royster, PSU

Defensive Player of the Year: Greg Jones, Michigan State

Game of the Year: Ohio State at Wisconsin October 16th. Barring any great letdown by either of these teams, this will be a match-up of undefeated top 10 teams with Heisman candidates and a trip to a BCS bowl on the line.

Expect a three-way race for the title, but not the teams you would expect. Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Michigan State will be on top at the end of the season. Michigan State enters the season with a chip on their collective shoulder and the talent to do some damage. Wisconsin returns 10 starters form the best offense in the conference last season and Freshman of the Year Chris Borland on defense. OSU, well, they are Ohio State, they somehow will find a way to win when needed and remain atop the conference yet again.

First Team Preseason All-Big 10 Offense:

QB: Terrelle Pryor, Jr., Ohio State

RB: John Clay, Jr., Wisconsin

RB: Evan Royster, Sr., Penn State

WR: Tandon Doss, Jr., Indiana

WR: Keith Smith, Sr., Purdue

TE: Lance Kendricks, Sr., Wisconsin

OL: Justin Boren, Sr., Ohio State

OL: Gabe Carimi, Sr., Wisconsin

OL: David Molk, Jr., Michigan

OL: Stephen Schilling, Sr., Michigan

OL: Stefen Wisniewski, Sr., Penn State

PK: Stefan Demos, Sr., Northwestern

KR: Keshawn Martin, Jr., Michigan State

First Team Preseason All-Big 10 Defense

DL: Adrian Clayborn, Sr., Iowa

DL: J.J. Watt, Sr., Wisconsin

DL: Cameron Heyward, Sr., Ohio State

DL: Ryan Kerrigan, Sr.,  Purdue

LB: Ross Homan, Sr., Ohio State

LB: Greg Jones, Sr., Michigan State

LB: Jason Werner, Sr., Purdue

DB: Brett Greenwood, Sr., Iowa

DB: D’Anton Lynn, Jr., Penn State

DB: Tyler Sash, Jr., Iowa

DB: Troy Woolfolk, Sr., Michigan

P: Brad Nortman, Jr., Wisconsin

PR: Keshawn Martin, Jr., Michigan State

Second Team Preseason All-Big 10 Offense

QB: Scott Tolzien, Sr., Wisconsin

RB: Mikel Leshoure, Jr., Illinois

RB: Brandon Saine, Sr., Ohio State

WR: Nick Toon, Jr., Wisconsin

WR: DeVier Posey, Jr., Ohio State

TE: Drake Dunsmore, Jr., Northwestern

OL: Jeff Allen, Jr., Illinois

OL: Bryant Browning, Sr., Ohio State

OL: Joel Foreman, Jr., Michigan State

OL: John Moffitt, Sr., Wisconsin

OL: Ken Plue, Jr., Purdue

PK: Daniel Murray, Sr., Iowa

KR: Darryl Stonum, Jr., Michigan

Second Team Preseason All-Big 10 Defense

DL: Broderick Binns, Jr., Iowa

DL: Karl Klug, Sr., Iowa

DL: Clay Nurse, Sr., Illinois

DL: Ryan Van Bergen, Jr., Michigan

LB: Quentin Davie, Jr., Northwestern

LB: Brian Rolle, Sr., Ohio State

LB: Martez Wilson, Jr., Illinois

DB: Drew Astorino, Jr., Penn State

DB: Brian Peters, Jr., Northwestern

DB: Kim Royston, Sr., Minnesota (Inj.)

DB: Tavon Wilson, Jr., Illinois

P: Aaron Bates, Sr., Michigan State

PR: David Gilreath, Sr., Wisconsin