I actually think there will be a tie for the conference title this year (again) and that no Big ten team will go undeafeated in conference play. I see 4 teams all about the same (OSU, MSU, PU, and IOWA. The second tier (closely behind) is MICH, WISC, and PSU. The third Tier (in a wider gap) is MN, IL, NORTH and IND. But having said all that here are my picks:
1 Ohio State 7-1 (if they beat iowa this weekend and Smith stays healthy)
2 Purdue 7-1 (easy schedule means at worst 3 losses probaly only 1)
3 Mich St. 6-2 (could win it all if they can upset PU and OSU- the surprise team of the league)
4 Iowa 6-2 (OSU, PU, MICH and WISC are too much this year but they won't get shut out either)
5 Michigan 5-3 (MSU, IOWA and OSU are better and Henne could cost them another one- the most overrated team in the league)
6 Wisconsin 5-3 (one year away- either MN or Iowa hands them #3)
7 Penn State 3-5 ( they face OSU, MICH, PU, WISC, MSU in the last 6 weeks of the season and their O is not good enough to pull these out- but they go to a bowl)
8 Illinois 2-6 (Indiana and northwestern are the victims)
9 Minnesota 2-6 (this is optimistic. the WORST D in the Mason Era could push them down to 1-7)
10 Northwestern 0-8 (yes, it's possible they play PSU, WI, PU, MI, MSU, IA, OSU and ILL. If they lose to PSU this weekend their next shot doesn't arrive until IL and I think ILL can outscore them by then)
11 Indiana 0-8 (ILL and MN are their best hopes and could surprise everyone and finish as high as 9th- I am tempted but it's Indiana so I'll keep them here until they prove it)
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In case you missed it in an earlier post
You are all very close but here are the correct answers:
Michigan 24
Wisc 23
As long as henne is at q they are ripe to be upset but I am not convinced that Wisc can throw with stocco and their D has yet to prove they are legit- 42 to BG and NC is the 2nd worst team in the ACC
Ohio State 19
Iowa 17
This is the game of the week and I am temped to pick Iowa- they destroyed OSU last year and have a better passing game than Texas. I give it barely to OSU on the strength of T "super" Smith, Huston's leg and being at home
Penn State 34
Northwestern 20
This is a yawner. Northwestern has no D at all and even PSU can score on them at will. The only question is how close can the North O make the score- I think not very.
Michigan State 38
Illinois 17
MSU is set up for a let down but fortunately for them they play Illinois. MSU could win this one with their back-ups. Illinois will throw at least 50 time but it won't help.
Purdue 44
Minn 26 (missed pats)
This is the worst possible match-up for Minn- a spread passing team with a running Q. Add to it the worst D line in the Big ten and a secondary that is undersized and not overly fast and Minn will be lucky to be in the game at the half.
Finally,
my lock of the week:
Iowa State 31
Army 16
yes I am still sweet on Iowa State as they continue their march to the big 12 north title.
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