| The Big 10 put together a pretty strong season in | | | | 5.) Michigan Wolverines - I have the Wolverines |
| 2009, with Ohio State, Iowa, and Penn State all | | | | making a huge improvement off their miserable |
| finishing the year inside the top 10. The Buckeyes | | | | 2009 season where they finished the year with |
| won the conference title, and have now won or | | | | five straight losses in Big 10 play. Head coach Rich |
| shared the Big 10 crown in each of the past five | | | | Rodriguez is entering his third year, and if he |
| seasons. With the top four teams bringing back a | | | | doesn't put a winning record on the board it might |
| ton of talent and the likely improvements of both | | | | be his last. |
| Michigan and Michigan State, I look for the Big 10 | | | | 6.) Michigan State Spartans - I have the Spartans |
| to be even stronger in 2010, and very well could | | | | right there with the Wolverines, but the fact that |
| produce the National Champion. | | | | they have to travel to Michigan has them slightly |
| If you look at the college football odds heading | | | | lower in my standings. They avoid Ohio State, but |
| into the 2010 season, the Buckeyes will likely be | | | | have to travel to both Iowa and Penn State. |
| the odds on favorites to win the conference just | | | | 7.) Northwestern Wildcats - I don't think the |
| about everywhere you go, but I am going against | | | | Wildcats will be able to repeat their 5-3 |
| Ohio State to win the conference in my 2010 Big | | | | performance in conference play in 2010, as they |
| 10 Predictions. | | | | have to replace a ton of their offense after the |
| 1.) Iowa Hawkeyes - The Hawkeyes luck out | | | | departure of quarterback Mike Kafka, who not |
| getting Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State at | | | | only led the team with 16 passing touchdowns but |
| home this season, and I feel like the Hawkeyes | | | | also had a team high 8 rushing touchdowns. |
| have what it takes to beat the Buckeyes at | | | | 8.) Purdue Boilermakers - I might have the |
| home, after losing in overtime at Ohio State in | | | | Boilermakers a little lower than what they actually |
| 2009. | | | | should be, but I think the loss of running back |
| 2.) Ohio State Buckeyes - Don't get me wrong | | | | Ralph Bolden to an ACL injury this spring is going |
| the Buckeyes are loaded with talent and could | | | | to really hurt their chances of staying out of the |
| very well end up with the 2010 Heisman winner in | | | | bottom of the Big 10. It will be interesting to see |
| quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Even though the | | | | what quarterback Robert Marve brings to the |
| Buckeyes have just 6 starters back on defense, | | | | table after transferring to the Boilermakers from |
| they figure to be right there with the Hawkeyes | | | | the Miami Hurricanes in 2008. |
| for the top defense in the Big 10. | | | | 9.) Illinois Fighting Illini - Just not a lot to build of |
| 3.) Wisconsin Badgers - The Badgers figure to be | | | | their 2009 season, as they have just 12 starters |
| a force on the ground in 2010 with junior running | | | | back. Running backs Mike Leshoure and Jason |
| back John Clay and the entire offensive line back | | | | Ford will have to carry the offense, while redshirt |
| from the 2009 season where Clay ran for 1,517 | | | | freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase gets |
| yards and 18 touchdowns. The Badgers also get | | | | adjusted to the college level. |
| the Buckeyes at home, but the defense figures | | | | 10.) Indiana Hoosiers - The Hoosiers could very |
| to let them down at some point during the | | | | well end up not winning a game in conference play |
| season. | | | | this season, as they don't get a chance to beat |
| 4.) Penn State Nittany Lions - I look for a bit of a | | | | up on a bad Minnesota team, and have to face |
| drop off from the Nittany Lions in 2010, as they | | | | each of my top five teams in the Big 10. |
| must replace quarterback Daryll Clark. The likely | | | | 11.) Minnesota Golden Gophers - The Gophers |
| replacement is sophomore Kevin Newsome, but | | | | managed to play in a bowl game in 2009, but |
| don't be surprised if someone else wins the job | | | | really finished the season playing bad football. |
| this fall. The offense will need a big season out of | | | | They won just one of their final five Big 10 |
| senior running back Evan Royster. The defense | | | | contests, and will likely struggle to win any games |
| figures to be the strong point and figures to keep | | | | in 2010 with just two starters back on defense. |
| the Nittany Lions in every game. | | | | |
