College Football 2011: Predicting the Winner of the Biggest Bouts in the Big Ten
There's quite a storm brewing in the Big Ten for 2011.
We will heavily watch how Ohio State handles the Jim Tressel scandal plus the suspension of five Buckeye players. Can they still win the Big Ten? It's very possible because only one of their first five games will be difficult.
We will have the first ever Big Ten Championship Game, when the winner of the Legends division takes on the winner of the Leaders. The Legends division is much harder than the Leaders because either Michigan State, Michigan or newcomer Nebraska could win the division. The winner of the Leaders division will either be Wisconsin or Ohio State.
How will Nebraska handle its transition into the new conference? Can Ohio State survive its suspension? Will Michigan State repeat as Big Ten Champs? Can Denard Robinson break anymore records on his way to the Heisman Trophy ceremony?
All these questions and more will be answered in what figures to be one of the best seasons ever for the Big Ten.
Here are my predictions for the 10 biggest games in Big Ten conference play for the 2011 season.
10. Iowa vs. Michigan
1 of 10
Remember the 5th of November.
By this time, Denard Robinson will be in serious talks about winning the Heisman Trophy. Robinson was something wonderful to watch in 2010 and you shouldn't expect anything less in 2011.
Iowa will struggle early to replace Ricky Stanzi, but they will thrive on the legs of Marcus Coker. This will be a very hard-fought battle—as it always is. The Hawkeyes have won the last two meetings and now that these two are in the same division, the hate these two have for one another will continue to grow.
By November, James Vandenberg should be comfortable in the pocket and able to make crucial third-down conversions. Michigan's defense must improve from a year ago and it will. I mean, honestly—could they get any worse? They were one of the worst defensive units in all of college football, allowing 35 or more points a game.
Prediction: Michigan 35, Iowa 28
9. Nebraska vs. Ohio State
2 of 10
After the Jim Tressel scandal, there is no way the suspension of the five Buckeye players will be lifted. If the appeal is lifted, then something is seriously wrong with the NCAA.
Terrell Pryor, Dan Herron and DeVier Posey are the Buckeyes three best playmakers on offense and one has to wonder how much they'll be missed for those first five games. October 8th will be their first game back and they are fortunate enough to travel to Lincoln to take on the newest member of the Big Ten.
I will be shocked if the Buckeyes come out strong here. The suspended players will be rusty in their first game back and it's going to take them a while to get back into the swing of things. The Buckeyes are a great team and will go far in 2011.
However, a slip up here and the season could be in jeopardy. Luckily, the Cornhuskers aren't in the Leaders division. Ohio State just needs to dominate their side of the Big Ten and they'll be fine.
In the end, I feel the Buckeyes will win a close one because Pryor will show the world that he's back and he means business; it just won't start until the second half.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, Nebraska 24
8. Wisconsin vs. Nebraska
3 of 10
Nebraska's first Big Ten game is scheduled for October 1st against the Wisconsin Badgers. In a tough battle between a Legend and a Leader, we will learn if Nebraska can handle new life in a new conference.
Bo Pelini's defense should be ready for the ground attack of Wisconsin. John Clay may be gone, but James White and Montee Ball will carry the load for the Badgers. Replacing Scott Tolzien is not going to be easy and the Badgers are hoping a few cupcake games will get Jon Budmayr ready for the rigors of Big Ten play.
Taylor Martinez has to think pass-first before he just takes off. He's a great athlete, but this summer he must improve his passing skills. Martinez totaled 22 touchdowns in 2010 and unfortunately for him, every Big Ten team will be ready for his motor skills since they already got a taste of the mobile quarterback in Denard Robinson.
The Huskers' first Big Ten game will sure be an interesting one. The loss of Prince Amukarmara and Roy Helu Jr. will be too much and the Cornhuskers will struggle early to get points on the board.
Prediction: Wisconsin 38, Nebraska 24
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7. Nebraska vs. Iowa
4 of 10
The Corn Bowl, Farmageddon, the Late Harvest or whatever you want to call this soon-to-be rivalry is going to be great.
The two states border one another, they're both in the Legends division and they're already scheduled to meet in the final game of the regular season. 2011 is the beginning of a long-lasting rivalry.
Taylor Martinez struggled at the end of the 2010 season and the Cornhuskers cannot afford the same fate for 2011. This division matchup could be exactly what Nebraska needs to claim the top spot in the division. If Martinez can connect with Brandon Kinnie more often this season, then the Cornhuskers could be dangerous.
Iowa will struggle without Ricky Stanzi, but they will remain a ball-control offense. Marcus Coker will be the main man for the Hawkeyes, and he figures to be something special in 2011. Coker rushed for over 200 yards in the Hawkeyes bowl game against Missouri.
Prediction: Nebraska 27, Iowa 17
6. Michigan vs. Nebraska
5 of 10
Yes, Nebraska makes this list often because all eyes are on them in the Big Ten this year. Can they handle the new environments of the Big Ten? One of the toughest places to play is the Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Nebraska makes the trip there on November 19.
Speed against speed is what we'll be watching in this game. Denard Robinson vs. Taylor Martinez is going to be electrifying. Nebraska has a much better defense, but Michigan gets the edge on offense. Robinson can take over a game at any time with his legs and now he has another offseason to improve his passing.
This game will more than likely come down to who has the ball last. Give Denard Robinson a minute-and-a-half and he'll get things done. Can the Wolverines defense make key stops early in the game? I don't think they will. However, the offense will make up for that.
Prediction: Michigan 33, Nebraska 30
5. Ohio State vs. Michigan State
6 of 10
If the Buckeyes are going to lose any games during the five-game suspension of Terrell Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas, it is going to be against the Spartans. There will be no games lifted from the suspension as a result of the most recent Jim Tressel scandal.
The Buckeyes defense will have to step up and find a way to shut down Kirk Cousins and Edwin Baker on October 1st. Can Joe Bauserman lead the Buckeyes over the Spartans? Before this game he has easy ones to get back into the feel of playing football, but a tough trip to Miami could prepare him for this contest with Michigan State.
Ohio State will struggle without their best playmakers but luckily for them, Bauserman is a senior who knows the system. Unfortunately, Herron and Posey's replacements don't have much experience and I see their offense struggling in its first Big Ten game.
Prediction: Michigan State 27, Ohio State 17
4. Michigan vs. Ohio State
7 of 10
One of the best rivalries in college football could have some extra meaning if these two teams were in the same division. However, they're not, which means these teams get a chance to ruin each other's season.
New head coach Brady Hoke knows the importance of this rivalry. The Wolverines haven't won this game since 2003. Is 2011 the year for Michigan?
Once again, the Michigan defense will crumble and fail to make the vital stops necessary to win games. Pryor and Herron will run all over the Wolverines. It won't be as ugly as last year, as I think Michigan can make a game of it.
Prediction: Ohio State 42, Michigan 35
3. Michigan State vs. Michigan
8 of 10
Edwin Baker ran for 147 yards and a touchdown the last time these two teams played, as his Spartans toppled Michigan in their meeting a year ago. On October 15th, he'll more than likely rush for over 100 again.
The Michigan defense will improve from a year ago, but they won't be shutting down one of the best players in the conference. This Legends matchup is crucial to either team's chances of making it in the first-ever Big Ten Championship game.
Kirk Cousins should have a field day with Michigan's secondary. However, Denard Robinson, Roy Roundtree and Michael Shaw will keep Michigan in the game.
The Wolverines will give us another breathtaking game and a heart-breaking loss for their fans. Michigan is headed in the right direction with Brady Hoke at the helm—they just need a little bit more time.
Prediction: Michigan State 31, Michigan 21
2. Nebraska vs. Michigan State
9 of 10
If the Cornhuskers want to make a splash in the Big Ten and make history by reaching the conference's first-ever championship game, they will need Taylor Martinez to be an all-around quarterback.
A sophomore slump from Martinez will crush the hopes of the Cornhuskers and could result in a trip to the bench for Martinez.
Many will look at these two teams as the favorites to represent the Legends division in the championship game. On October 29th, the Spartans travel to Nebraska hoping to claim the top spot in the division. The Spartans tougher division games fall early in the season, which may work in their favor.
In the end, I see Martinez making too many mistakes and the Spartans steal one in Lincoln.
Prediction: Michigan State 24, Nebraska 17
1. Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
10 of 10
After October 29th, we should know who will represent the Leaders division in the Big Ten Championship. These are the two best teams in what I consider the weaker division of the Big Ten.
We know Wisconsin will be running hard and often, but can their defense pick it up and make the stops needed to win the game? With the loss of J.J. Watt, will the Badgers be able to get any pressure on Terrell Pryor? Bringing Pryor down is not an easy task.
The Badgers won in good fashion in 2010, which means the Buckeyes will be hungry for revenge. The Buckeyes get what they want and the Badgers will fall in the horseshoe, meaning Ohio State once again have a strong chance to win the Big Ten.
Prediction: Ohio State 23, Wisconsin 17
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
