Predicting the Legends Division Champ: Michigan Still a Year Away

The Wisconsin Badgers are odds-on favorites to win this year's Big Ten Championship. To do it, they must win the conference's inaugural title game in Indianapolis Dec. 3.

Wisconsin, thanks to the addition of quarterback Russell Wilson, is expected to capture the Leaders Division.

But who will make it through the Legends and into the title game?

Each of the Legends teams have question marks at quarterback.

Michigan State's Kirk Cousins, who has been inconsistent when pressured, already has a loss at Notre Dame.

Injuries and inconsistency plagued Nebraska's Martinez in 2010, but the dual-threat quarterback is surrounded by playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Northwestern's Dan Persa, maybe the most talented of the group, still hasn't made his first 2011 start due to last season's ankle injury.

Denard Robinson is running the ball more than expected in Michigan's transitioning offense, but the real concern is his inconsistency throwing from the pocket.

Iowa's James Vandenberg and Minnesota's tandem of MarQueis Gray and Max Shortell will battle inexperience in 2011.

Here are the predictions for the first Legends Division race. Most likely it won't be decided until the final weekend.

6. Minnesota

Most football prognosticators were shocked when Minnesota nearly upset Southern Cal in the season opener. The Gophers were actually driving for the go-ahead score before a late interception secured the 19-17 win for the Trojans. 

Since then, Minnesota has returned to form, losing to both New Mexico State and North Dakota State while defeating Miami (Ohio) in between.

First-year coach Jerry Kill suffered an alarming seizure at the conclusion of the New Mexico loss, then another this past Sunday. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic are looking at alternate medications in hopes of bringing his condition under control.

At quarterback, both junior MarQueis Gray and freshman Max Shortell have seen action. Gray is more of a threat as a runner, while Shortell is a pro-style passer.

Shortell may get the start at Michigan Saturday since Gray is suffering from an injured toe.

The Gophers' main concern is defense, which has allowed nearly 27 points per game.

Prediction: 1-10, 0-8 (Big Ten-Legends)

5. Iowa

With the graduation of quarterback Ricky Stanzi and wide receiver Darrell Johnson-Koulianos, 2011 was expected to be a rebuilding year for the Hawkeyes. In all, Iowa returned only five starters on both offense and defense.

The biggest question mark concerns starting quarterback James Vandenberg, whose only real action came in a near upset of Ohio State back in 2009.

Vandenberg looked right at home against Pittsburgh Sept. 17, bringing his team back from a 24-3 deficit to a 31-27 victory.  Vanderberg completed 31-of-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns. Another surprise was junior receiver Keenan Davis, who finished the contest with 10 receptions. Davis caught only 11 during the entire 2010 season.

Prediction: 6-6, 3-5

4. Northwestern

After missing three games at the tail of the 2010 season, and the first three of 2011, Dan Persa's return to the Northwestern lineup will be pivotal.

Persa, who set the Big Ten passing percentage record last season at 73.5 percent, has been touted as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate.

The senior quarterback expects to be in the lineup when Northwestern opens the Big Ten season Saturday at Illinois.

A member of the Leaders Division, the Illini's 4-0 start has spiked the interest in the battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy.

The Wildcats began 2011 with two wins in three games, losing only to Army 21-14.

Prediction: 6-5, 4-4 

3. Michigan

In 2009 and 2010, Michigan completed the non-conference portion of the schedule unscathed before crumbling during the Big Ten season.

First-year coach Brady Hoke was brought in change all that, and bring the Wolverines back to the national prominence they enjoyed for many years. 

Hoke and new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison have already improved the defense considerably.

The offense, however, is still a one-man gang.  Returning quarterback Denard Robinson has been superb rushing the football, averaging 138 yards per game.  

But he's been inconsistent in the air, completing only 48.6 percent of his throws.  If Robinson can correct his passing woes, Michigan will improve considerably over last season's 3-5 Big Ten record.

Even if everything falls into place, Michigan is still a year away from serious contention.

Prediction: 8-4, 4-4

2. Michigan State

Michigan State has played nearly flawless football during the least two seasons, except for three specific Saturdays.

Last season, the Spartans earned a share of the Big Ten crown despite a crushing 37-6 loss to Iowa and later an embarrassing 49-7 loss to Alabama in the Capital One Bowl.

This season, the Spartans were already smacked around by Notre Dame 33-13.

Michigan State is led by senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is the most experienced passer in the Legends Division.  Cousins has thrown for 46 touchdowns against only 22 interceptions in four seasons.

B.J. Cunningham has been Cousins' favorite target this fall with 29 receptions.  Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper are back to pace the running game, but the Spartans' problems begin with youth on both the offensive and defensive lines. In fact, only two seniors start on the entire Spartan defense.  

Prediction: 9-3, 6-2 

1. Nebraska

The Cornhuskers enter their first season in the Big Ten as Legends Division favorites. Nebraska gets the nod because it has the division's best defense and it also has two key divisional games at home.

Nebraska hosts Michigan State Oct. 29 and Iowa Nov. 26 in the season finale.

Offensively, Nebraska is led by the talented Taylor Martinez at quarterback and Rex Burkhead at tailback.

Just a sophomore, the dual-threat Martinez is bouncing back from a freshman year which saw him either injured or in the doghouse.  This season, he's averaging 105 yards rushing and 162 passing. Burkhead, a 5'11", 210-pound bruiser, is also netting 105 rushing yards per game.

It's a good possibility football fans will get a preview of the Big Ten Championship game Saturday when Nebraska travels to Madison to face the Badgers. Wisconsin is anywhere from a  seven to 10-point favorite.

Prediction: 11-1, 7-1