1) Iowa 11-1 (7-1)
Iowa has continually been getting better, and I think this is their year to win the Big Ten. They have a bunch of key departures that went to the draft (five Hawkeyes got drafted in the first 4 rounds), but I think they can rally behind a now-veteran Stanzi to win the Big Ten title, and maybe even a national championship. The Big Ten is brutal this year, so I do think that they will lose one conference game in the season.
Key games: Penn State(W), Michigan(W), Wisconsin(L), Michigan State(W), Ohio State(W).
2) Penn State 10-2 (7-1)
The most intriguing matchup of the season is the Alabama game. Will the preseason fourth-best team in the Big Ten be able to defeat the top ranked team? While my heart says yes, it's hard to mark that down as a win. I have Penn State losing to Iowa in the Big Ten, placing them second. The big question for Penn State is whether or not their true freshman quarterback Robert Bolden will be able to shoulder the pressure and lead his team to victory. The 10-2 record might seem like a reach, but I believe that the coaching staff will be able to overcome his inexperience.
Key games: Alabama(L), Iowa(L), Michigan(W), Ohio State(W), Michigan State(W)
3) Ohio State 9-3 (5-3)
Can Terrell Pryor shoulder the pressure of the expectations and play like a Heisman candidate all season? I don't think so. Pryor hasn't shown that he can be a consistent stud, and the team has had to win despite him in the past. With the Big Ten this stacked, mistakes are so much more costly, and I don't believe Pryor will play flawless games against elite teams.
Key games: Miami(W), Wiconsin(W), Penn State(L), Iowa(L), Michigan(L)
4) Michigan State 9-3 (5-3)
State has a great team this year, with star linebacker Greg Jones leading the way for the defense and an experienced Kirk Cousins leading the offense. Michigan State has the potential to go 10-2, but knowing them, they will find a way of losing a game they shouldn't, to a Northwestern or a Purdue.
Key games: Notre Dame(W), Wisconsin(W), Michigan(W), Iowa(L), Penn State(L)
5)Michigan 8-4(4-4)
Michigan is back on the rise! Michigan goes through a death row of Michigan State, Iowa, and Penn State, which I think we will all lose. However, I think Michigan will be able to pull off upsets against Wisconsin and Ohio State (I will never pick Ohio State to win against us), but will also lose a game against either Illinois or Purdue.
Key games: Connecticut(W), Notre Dame(W), Michigan State(L), Iowa(L), Penn State(L), Wisconsin(W), Ohio State(W)
6) Wisconsin 8-4(4-4)
Wisconsin has a history of crumbling under pressure, and this year will be no different. I love John Clay and the Wisconsin philosophy of football, but they have proven only good when they have the chance of playing spoiler. That said, I think they will upset Iowa, giving them their only loss of the year.
Key games: Michigan State(L), Minnesota(W), Ohio State(L), Iowa(W), Michigan(L), Northwestern(L)
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