College Football 2011: 5 Bold Predictions for the New Big 10

There are many different story lines that are appealing that involve the Big Ten heading into the 2011 season.

Ohio State has some of the most talented players in the country under suspension for the first five games of the year.

Michigan, Minnesota and Indiana all have new head coaches at the helm.

The conference is now split into separate divisions, allowing for a Big Ten championship game.

Of course, the addition of Nebraska to the conference can't be forgotten.

With so many changes, it's difficult to predict what could happen in Big Ten play this year.

Here are five bold predictions for the Big Ten in 2011.

5. Denard Robinson Is Top Big Ten Player in Heisman Race

Rick Dole/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines rushes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

With Terrelle Pryor suspended for the first five games of the season, his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy in 2011 will be severely damaged.

However, there are other talented players in the Big Ten waiting to take the spotlight.

Denard Robinson was an early Heisman favorite in 2010. In four of Michigan's first five games last year, he managed to record rushing and passing totals in the triple digits.

Brady Hoke will be taking over as head coach for the Wolverines. He is a defensive-minded coach, hoping to turn around the team's recent defensive woes. He will also implement a pro-style offense.

Robinson's talents would be more likely to flourish in a spread offense.

However, he is a talented athlete. If he can make the needed adjustments, those talents will be recognized by Heisman voters.

4. Nebraska Will Struggle in Its First Year in the Conference

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Taylor Martinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers looks for an open receiver against the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

As a welcoming gift, the Nebraska Cornhuskers were awarded the toughest schedule of all Big Ten teams for the 2011 season.

The team will have the pleasure of playing Ohio State and Michigan State at home. They will travel to play Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The three Big Ten teams that Nebraska won't face in 2011: Illinois, Purdue and Indiana.

After losing wide receiver Niles Paul and running back Roy Helu Jr., Nebraska will struggle to stand out in its Big Ten debut.

3. Indiana Will Once Again Finish with the Worst Conference Record

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 9: Quarterback Ben Chappell #4 of the Indiana Hoosiers hands off against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Minnesota may have finished with the worst overall record of all Big Ten teams last season, but it was Indiana that finished with the worst in-conference record.

Expect more of the same from the Hoosiers in 2011.

The 83rd-ranked scoring offense from 2010 will likely be even worse this year after the departure of quarterback Ben Chappell. Chappell threw for 3,295 yards last season and accounted for most of the team's offense.

For a team that allowed 34 points per game last season, things aren't looking promising.

New head coach Kevin Wilson will need more than one season to turn this team around.

2. Michigan State Will Play in the Big Ten Championship Game

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 01: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball during the Capitol One Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Florida Citrus Bowl on January 1, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

For some reason Michigan State isn't getting the attention or respect that the team rightfully deserves.

Yes, they got absolutely destroyed by Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. But in Big Ten play the Spartans were extremely competitive. They finished in a three-way tie for the Big Ten championship with Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Michigan State actually beat Wisconsin in its Week 5 game, 34-24.

It's a team without big-name players or fantastic statistics, but they win games.

Three games will determine Michigan State's fate in 2011.

They play Ohio State in Week 5, when the Buckeyes will be without Pryor and other big-name players. The Spartans should be able to pull off a win against the backups.

They later play Nebraska and Wisconsin. If the Spartans can manage to win just one of these games, they will be looking at an 11-1 record and a berth in the Big Ten championship game.

Nebraska is likely the only competition they will have in the Legends Division, and it's very possible the Huskers stumble in their first year in Big Ten play.

1. Ohio State Will Win the Big Ten Championship

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to hand the ball of to Dan Herron #1 against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas will miss the first five games of the season due to NCAA suspensions.

The Buckeyes will face a challenge without those players in Week 5 against Michigan State. Miami (FL) could also present a bit of a challenge in Week 3. Ohio State needs to win one of those two games.

After the suspensions are lifted, it's very possible that the Buckeyes will not lose another game in 2011.

Pryor, Herron and Posey will come back with firepower that the rest of the Big Ten will be unable to handle.

The defense, which ranked fourth in yards allowed last season, should once again be a dominating force.

After slipping up in the regular season against Michigan State, Ohio State will face the Spartans in the Big Ten championship game.

With all the starters on the field, the Spartans will be no match for the Buckeyes.