Legends And Leaders: Predicting and Rating Every Big Ten Conference Game
The Big Ten has added an extra team in Nebraska and created a conference championship.
There are three teams that have fired their coaches and hired new ones. How will all the Big Ten teams do in the conference.
Here is a look at how the games might go down, and who will be playing in the Big Ten Championship.
I also rate the games with "5" being the highest and "1" being the lowest.
Week 1: Illinois Vs Northwestern
1 of 50
In a rematch of last year's game at Wrigley Field, Northwestern visits Illinois. Northwestern returns their starting quarterback, Dan Persa. Illinois also returns their starting QB.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Illinois wins, 38-28
Week 1: Indiania Vs Penn State
2 of 50
New Indiana head coach, Kevin Wilson, faces a tough opponent in Penn State in his first conference game.
Penn State has some issues at quarterback, but should be able to win fairly easily.
Rating: 1.5
Outcome: Penn State wins, 45-20
Week 1: Michigan Vs Minnesota
3 of 50
New Michigan head coach, Brady Hoke, faces new Minnesota head coach, Jerry Kill. This game should just be a stat-booster for Denard Robinson.
Rating: 1
Outcome: Michigan wins, 56-10
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Weeek 1: Michigan State @ Ohio State
4 of 50
While I'm sure a lot of people would have preferred this game happened last year, this shouldn't be a bad matchup.
Terrelle Pryor will still be sitting out, but his backup will have four games to get the feel of things. This game should be fun to watch.
Rating: 3.5
Outcome: Michigan State wins, 27-21
Week 1: Nebraska @ Wisconsin
5 of 50
Nebraska gets welcomed into the Big Ten in a big way by playing Wisconsin in Madison.
This game is winnable for teams. Nebraska, depending on which Taylor Martinez shows and Wisconsin, because of their defense.
Rating: 4.5
Outcome: Wisconsin wins, 17-14
Week 2: Indiana Vs Illinois
6 of 50
Illinois visits the Hoosiers in the second week of conference play. The Illini should easily overpower Indiana.
Rating: 1.5
Outcome: Illinois wins, 35-17
Week 2: Iowa @ Penn State
7 of 50
Iowa has had Penn State's number for the last couple of years, and even though this matchup is at Beaver Stadium, Iowa should win.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Iowa wins, 27-17
Week 2: Michigan @ Northwestern
8 of 50
In what could be a high-scoring affair, Michigan visits Northwestern. Denard Robinson will put up some big numbers, but Dan Persa should be enough to pull out the win for Northwestern.
Rating: 2.5
Outcome: Northwestern wins, 42-35
Week 2: Minnesota @ Purdue
9 of 50
Last year, Purdue suffered key injuries. With all personnel healthy this year, they could make a bowl game. Regardless, Purdue should be able to overcome Minnesota easily.
Rating: 1.5
Outcome: Purdue wins, 34-17
Week 2: Nebraska Vs Ohio State
10 of 50
This is the first game of the 2011 season Terrelle Pryor can play in. It's possible he is still rusty and will be prone to turnovers.
Rating: 5
Outcome: Nebraska wins, 28-17
Week 3: Ohio State @ Illinois
11 of 50
After facing Nebraska the week before, Ohio State should rebound and destroy Illinois.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Ohio State wins, 56-20
Week 3: Michigan State Vs Michigan
12 of 50
The Wolverines will be outmatched and Michigan State's defense will hold Denard Robinson all game long.
Rating: 3.5
Outcome: Michigan State wins, 35-14
Week 3: Wisconsin @ Indiana
13 of 50
Last year's game was a slaughterfest and this year's looks to be the same.
Rating: 1
Outcome: Wisconsin wins, 56-14
Week 3: Northwestern @ Iowa
14 of 50
Northwestern has had Iowa's number in the past, but this is the year the Hawkeyes beat the Wildcats.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Iowa wins, 21-17
Week 3: Purdue @ Penn State
15 of 50
Penn State should beat Purdue but in a close game. Danny Hope will have the Boilermakers playing well.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Penn State wins, 20-14
Week 4: Purdue Vs Illinois
16 of 50
After losing to Penn State, Purdue will rebound with a win over Illinois.
Rating: 2.5
Outcome: Purdue wins, 34-30
Week 4: Iowa Vs Indiana
17 of 50
Iowa is the next team to kick Indiana around.
Rating: 1
Outcome: Iowa wins, 42-20
Week 4: Michigan State Vs Wisconsin
18 of 50
Michigan State beat Wisconsin last year and the same outcome can be expected.
Rating: 4
Outcome: Michigan State wins, 35-21
Week 4: Nebraska @ Minnesota
19 of 50
Minnesota proves no match for Rex Burkhead and the other Huskers. It will be nice to see an old rivalry renewed, however.
Rating: 1.5
Outcome: Nebraska wins, 42-10
Week 4: Northwestern Vs Penn State
20 of 50
Penn State plays Northwestern in Evanston. It won't matter.
Rating: 2.5
Outcome: Penn State wins, 35-17
Week 5: Penn State Vs Illinois
21 of 50
Penn State hosts Illinois and squeezes out the victory.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Penn State wins, 35-31
Week 5: Northwestern @ Indiana
22 of 50
Indiana continues its roll as Big Ten punching bag, this time getting kicked around by Northwestern.
Rating: 1
Outcome: Northwestern wins, 48-20
Week 5: Iowa @ Minnesota
23 of 50
The battle for the Floyd of Rosedale is always big, regardless of the teams' records. This will be the same.
Rating: 2.5
Outcome: Iowa wins, 27-10
Week 5: Purdue @ Michigan
24 of 50
Purdue shocks the folks at the Big House and somehow contains Denard Robinson.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Purdue wins, 28-21
Week 5: Wisconsin @ Ohio State
25 of 50
Wisconsin beat Ohio State last year in Madison. This year Ohio State gets revenge.
Rating: 4
Outcome: Ohio State wins, 31-17
Week 5: Nebraska Vs Michigan State
26 of 50
Michigan State will be trying to get some demons off its back, as it has never beaten Nebraska. They'll have to wait another year.
Rating: 4
Outcome: Nebraska wins, 24-13
Week 6: Indiana @ Ohio State
27 of 50
Indiana is going to get routed.
Rating: 1
Outcome: Ohio State wins, 66-17
Week 6: Iowa Vs Michigan
28 of 50
Michigan should be getting things done on the offensive side, but the defense is the big question. Michigan will have just enough to pull off the upset.
Rating: 3.5
Outcome: Michigan wins, 27-21
Week 6: Minnesota @ Michigan State
29 of 50
Minnesota is going to get routed.
Rating: 1.5
Outcome: Michigan State wins, 48-14
Week 6: Nebraska Vs Northwestern
30 of 50
The last time these two met Nebraska beat Northwestern, 66-17. Northwestern will come to play but it won't be enough.
Rating: 2
Outcome: Nebraska wins, 31-17.
Week 6: Purdue @ Wisconsin
31 of 50
Wisconsin wins. Period.
Rating: 2
Outcome: Wisconsin wins, 35-17.
Week 7: Michigan @ Illinois
32 of 50
This should be a good game. It should be all about offense.
Rating:3.5
Outcome: Illinois wins, 48-45
Week 7: Iowa Vs Michigan State
33 of 50
Michigan State couldn't beat Iowa's defense last year. That will be the story again this year.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Iowa wins, 17-3
Week 7: Penn State Vs Nebraska
34 of 50
This is a battle of two teams that have had historic battles. It shouldn't disappoint.
Rating: 3.5
Outcome: Penn State wins, 21-17
Week 7: Wisconsin @ Minnesota
35 of 50
The game may be at Minnesota but that won't stop Wisconsin from dominating the Gophers.
Rating: 1
Outcome: Wisconsin wins, 56-10
Week 7: Ohio State @ Purdue
36 of 50
Last time Ohio State visited Purdue, they were beaten by the Boilermakers.
Rating: 2
Outcome: Ohio State wins, 38-20
Week 8: Minnesota @ Northwestern
37 of 50
Minnesota will play hard but it won't be enough.
Rating: 2.5
Outcome: Northwestern wins, 24-21
Week 8: Penn State @ Ohio State
38 of 50
Penn State will be better than last year, but they still aren't good enouhg to beat Ohio State.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Ohio State wins, 28-24
Week 8: Wisconsin @ Illinois
39 of 50
Illinois will be competitive, but Wisconsin will come out on top.
Rating: 2.5
Outcome: Wisconsin wins, 35-17
Week 8: Iowa @ Purdue
40 of 50
Purdue will upset the Hawkeyes and the grumbles about Kirk Ferentz will get a little louder.
Rating: 3.5
Outcome: Purdue wins, 27-20
Week 8: Michigan State Vs Indiana
41 of 50
Michigan State follows in everybody's shoes and beats Indiana.
Rating: 1
Outcome: Michigan State wins, 42-17
Week 8: Nebraska @ Michigan
42 of 50
Two programs rich in tradition meet in a stadium full of tradition. Michigan won't be able to score too much on Nebraska's defense.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Nebraska wins, 24-21
Week 9: Illinois @ Minnesota
43 of 50
Minnesota will have enough of losing and pull the upset over Illinois.
Rating: 2
Outcome: Minnesota wins, 35-24
Week 9: Northwestern Vs Michigan State
44 of 50
Northwestern will continue what Minnesota started and pull an upset over Michigan State.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Northwestern wins, 20-17
Week 9: Ohio State @ Michigan
45 of 50
This is one of the biggest rivalries in the country. It has been one-sided lately because of Rich Rod, but Brady Hoke will have the Wolverines ready to play.
Rating: 4
Outcome: Ohio State wins, 35-31
Week 9: Wisconsin Vs Penn State
46 of 50
Penn State visits Wisconsin and keeps it competitive.
Rating: 3.5
Outcome: Wisconsin wins, 27-13
Week 9: Nebraska Vs Iowa
47 of 50
The replacement to the Nebraska-Colorado game is Nebraska-Iowa. Many people think this will turn into a big rivalry. We can only hope.
Rating: 3
Outcome: Nebraska wins, 27-13
Week 9: Purdue @ Indiana
48 of 50
Indiana surprised the Boilermakers last year but that's not going to happen this year.
Rating: 2.5
Outcome: Purdue wins, 34-31
A Breakdown Of The Records Of The Teams
49 of 50Leaders:
Nebraska: 6-2
Michigan State: 5-3
Iowa: 5-3
Northwestern: 4-4
Michigan: 2-6
Minnesota: 1-7
Legends:
Ohio State: 6-2
Wisconsin: 6-2
Penn State: 5-3
Purdue: 5-3
Illinois: 3-5
Indiana: 0-8
The Big Ten Championship: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianpolis, Indiana.
50 of 50
The winners of the two divisions will meet to see who wins the Big Ten Championship.
They are Nebraska and Ohio State.
This is a rematch of the game in Lincoln.
This time Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes pull out the win.
Rating: 5
Outcome: Ohio State wins, 27-24
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
