Well with all the rhetoric going on about B1G, I thought I would give my predictions on the upcoming race and who will finish where.
First some idle thoughts in general:
Wisconsin got screwed by the schedule makers. The Badgers open the B1G slate at Michigan State and at Michigan. Then, after a bye week, they host Ohio State then travel to Iowa. They could be looking 0-4 to start the league schedule.
Some of the front runners in the race, particularly Iowa and Michigan, should be embarrassed by their non-league schedules. Others like Ohio State (@ Oklahoma), Michigan State (@ Notre Dame), Wisconsin (LSU) and Nebraska (Oregon) should be commended for their ambition.
Of the front runners or league favorites, Nebraska appears to have the easiest schedule as they only play Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin, but manage to avoid playing Michigan and Michigan State.
Pretty tough to get a read on teams like Maryland and Illinois. Both schools have new coaches in D.J. Durkin (Maryland) and Lovie Smith (Illinois). Both appear to be upgrades, but Durkin has never been a head coach except for a one game bowl stint as an interim HC at Florida and Smith is most likely another phone call away from the NFL.
Predictions: The B1G race will be a battle hat everyone predicted when the different divisions were formed. Tough non-league losses by Ohio State to Oklahoma and Michigan State to Notre Dame play a huge role in deterring the National Playoff.
East Division League Overall
1. Ohio State 7-2 9-3
1. Michigan 7-2 10-2
1. Michigan State 7-2 9-3
4. Penn State 5-4 7-5
5. Indiana 4-5 7-5
6. Maryland 2-7 5-7
6. Rutgers 2-7 4-8
West Division League Overall
1. Iowa 7-2 10-2
2. Wisconsin 6-3 8-4
3. Minnesota 5-4 8-4
4. Nebraska 4-5 6-6
4. Northwestern 4-5 6-6
6. Illinois 2-7 4-8
7. Purdue 1-8 3-9
Notable Games:
9/24 Wisconsin 21 Michigan State 17
10/1 Michigan 24 Wisconsin 10
10/8 Minnesota 24 Iowa 21
10/15 Wisconsin 31 Ohio State 27
10/22 Iowa 17 Wisconsin 10
10/29 Michigan State 14 Michigan 13
11/5 Ohio State 34 Nebraska 20
11/12 Michigan 21 Iowa 20
11/19 Ohio State 28 Michigan State 24
11/26 Ohio State 24 Michigan 20
*Ohio State wins East based on tie breaker
B1G Championship Game
(8) Iowa 24 (10)Ohio State 21
B1G Offensive Player of the Year
QB C.J Beathard Iowa
B1G Defensive Player of the Year
S Jabrill Peppers Michigan
B1G Coach of the Year
Kurt Ferentz Iowa
National Playoff
(3) Alabama (12-1) 35 (2) Notre Dame (12-0) 31
(1) Oklahoma (12-0) 38 (4) Stanford (12-1) 28
National Championship
(1) Oklahoma 41 (3) Alabama 38
Let's have a rational conversation. I picked UM 10-2 and State 9-3. I have stated why on State including why I picked them over the Wolverines by 1. Let's here your argument for why UM should be better and State would be worse. State has 5 double digit win seasons in the last 6 and I picked them to not do that this season. Please show your rational thought process please.
Sorry I hurt your feelings. My bad, won't happen again.
You refer to U of M as scUM. I think the guy has a point Chris, sorry.
It's not hard to make state sound good. If I tried I could make Inidana sound like world beaters.
The only reason you did a preview is so you could pick state to beat Mich. lol.
They especially dominated the last 10 seconds. There is a children's classic book called "10 Seconds to Play." Ha ha ha … still funny to think 6 linemen will block 11 rushing.
One more question. Did you cry when Michigan lost that game that was dominated statistically by State?
This statement proves my point. You are emotional and biased. Accusing me of crying. Why can't you just have a rational conversation without the silly remarks?
I picked State to win by 1 at home against Michigan and you can't take that serious? You probably thought that double digit Michigan favorite spread was a lock last year too. State has 31 players back who started at one point in their career. They have the best D tackle in the league, the best LB corp in the league, return virtually everyone in the defensive backfield including two starters who missed 10 games or more. Did you know that State started two true freshmen at safety last year against Michigan? Did you know that neither of those two are slated as number 1's? Dantonio has won 61 games in the last 6 seasons.
Do yourself a favor, watch the B1G preview that came out today on the B1G Network. They did both State and Michigan today. Watch what they say and see if I am being a homer.
That may also give some insight into your own team. They will be very good, but do you actually know why? Do this too. Ask yourself who the best defensive lineman, LB, DB, and safety are in the league. Write them down then ask yourself who is biased. I named all four players before they were chosen by Glen Mason.
Don't call me out when you are most likely a Michigan homer.
….and what bothers me is what I clearly stated. Nobody can take you serious when it comes to Mich v MSU because you are extremely biased. I don't think Mich will win the big ten. That should probably go to OSU.
I think you are doing everything possible to hang on to the fading glory of your 7 year run. It was a nice lil run. Glad you enjoyed it.
Let's get one thing clear. I am 50.
Florida wasn't the worst team to play college football, but they did struggle (OT win) with Florida Atlantic who may have been the worst team in the country. Actually that would be Central Florida, you know Michigan's week 2 opponent. If you follow SEC football at all, you would know that Florida was a shell of a team that it was after injuries and suspensions. I have heard at least 100 times from Michigan fans how impressive their victory was over Florida and how embarrassing State's loss was to Alabama. In case you forgot, 27-23 and B1G Champions. Nuff said?
Nope, not yet. It is scUM, not SCum.
What bothers you about what I wrote above is that I didn't pick scUM to win the B1G. I gave a pretty darn good analysis and it differs from your Maize and Blue goggles. That is okay. Deep down you can't handle the fact that State has been better at football for nearly a decade. What I know, is State has 31 guys that started at some point last year, they play scUM at home and they have Mark Dantonio and that scares you. Weird? I don't know, seems kind of fun.
It's almost football season!
Lost your QB, 2 best recievers, best OLineman, 3 of 4 Dlineman. But you do return most of your secondary aka The friendly fly zone. EM
"Florida was the worst team to ever play college football but Baylor was the best team to ever lace them up"
-Chris Schultz
Now Chris really didn't say this but I don't doubt his thoughts are far from it.
Anything Michigan does he belittles and everything MSU does he lauds.
Hard to take your prognostications serious when you refer to Michigan as SCum or Walmart. I can see a 20 year old referring to a school like that but not someone who is nearing 50. Just kind of weird. I know I know.. its all in fun.
Why are teams hanging their hats on the likes of bowl wins over Northwestern and Florida? Northwestern had no offense and was most likely the 6 th or 7th best team in the B1g last season. Florida by bowl season was a very bad team that had limped its way into anything and was fortunate to beat Florida Atlantic.
I will have to say Michigan is getting better but they will have to have a great season with their toughest 3 games away. They will not win all 3.
I would have to say your Nebraska prediction is off. A 6-6 season would be a suprise. I predict they will be 9-3, 7-2 conference.
Sparty wins the Big 10.
Heck, my Vols have a better chance at winning the Big 10 before the big blue and maze. Just sayin.
#9 Dad
#9 Dad just be glad your overrated Vols are in the weak SEC East and not the Big 10 East. Just sayin. EM
Over rated? Weak SEC East? Now now.
There might be one team in the big 10, maybe 2, that would even have a shot in the SEC. East or west. 90% of the time, before the play off, your top 4 teams bidding for a BCS bowl had 2 SEC teams, now with the play off, the championship game will most likely be won by an SEC team. Just sayin. Weak SEC East, funny.
#9 Dad
What happened to the SEC East champ in the Citrus Bowl? EM
Looking forward to Chris' write up for each team and scrimmages next week.
Most would agree football started at State when they were allowed to join the Big Ten conference.
Sparty has a few sheep as well. Most believe the MSU football program began in 2008. EM
Michigan fans are major line movers. Or M is going to be rather good. With M's defense they will be in every game. If they get good QB play, they will be extremely tough to beat. Vegas trusts Harbaugh in that regard. And u should too
Naturally Chris naturally.
The betting line is set by the sheep who wager. M has quite a few sheep.
M is the betting fav says Vegas. They don't know a thing though.
Why's everyone doubting sparty?
I just think it will be a rebuilding year cause they lost so much. EM
Nobody is doubting state. They will win 8-10 games. 10 being a stretch. Things will have to go very right. Dantonio is a great coach. Nobody will overlook them.
McDowell is a beast no doubt but no way the Dline is anywhere near last year. Same as the passing game, no proven playmakers at wideout. Not to mention losing quite possibly the best QB in school history. Yes O'Connor won in Columbus last year as a game manager. I'll take a QB who's been learning under Harbaugh for over a year over your game manager any day. EM
State has 31 players back that started at least one game last season. One of the best LB corps in the country. Don't be surprised if they play some 3-4 this season. Defensive line concerns me a little, but having a consensus pre season all American and former 5 star recruit Malik Mc Dowell gives me reason for optimism there. I'll take a 5th year senior who won at OSU as my QB over what UM has all day long. I'm sure State will look to run the ball as much as possible with a great group of backs and 5 offensive linemen who started at some point last season. I don't think 9-3 is a stretch nor do I think beating UM again at home is either.
Totally agree about Michigan's schedule Chris. As a Michigan fan for over 20 years this is easily the worst non conference they have had in that time span. We can thank Dave Brandon for that, at least we don't have to deal with that moron anymore. I know your trying to be funny with that Michigan-MSU score. The Spartans lost wayyyyy to much to be a factor this year. EM
Tough 4 week stretch for Vols to open Sec equals at least one loss, then loss to Bama in SEC championship seals the snub from playoff.
Chris I can not believe you did not show my Tennessee Volunteers any love. They will be in the final 4 this year.
And as bad as I hate to say it, Ohio State will win the big 10.
#9 Dad
Go Vols!!
Go Vols!!