STANDINGS
Leaders
- Wisconsin (11-2) - Russell Wilson lands in Madison and he'll be under center for the Badgers... but don't worry, this is a running team... they bring back 2 of the 3-headed RB monster from last year, and they'll pound it behind that always-potent O-Line... they lost their biggest playmaker on D in JJ Watt, but this will be a potent unit as well
- Ohio State (9-3) - I think the hate has gone a bit far on Ohio State in some circles... well, I hate them more than anything, but I'm sane enough to know that they're too good to fall TOO far just because Tressel and Pryor are gone... Joe Bauserman will be safe and fine under center, but they'll need some running back help to bridge the gap until Dan Herron returns in Game 6... I think they start 4-0, lose to Mich State (5th game of suspension), Nebraska and Michigan...
- Penn State (7-5) - JoePa is a figurehead... but they still have talent... the offense is the question mark, and while they return both QBs, neither were special in 2010... the big loss is Evan Royster, their do-everything tailback... they return a healthy, experienced D though, and that will help them be competitive...
- Illinois (7-5) - Dynamic offense has been a theme for the Illini recently, and that'll continue even with the loss of Mikel Leshoure... but the defense has too many holes for them to win many more than 6 or 7...
- Purdue (6-6) - Robert Marve is their QB... remember him? of Miami fame? well, he tore his ACL last year, but is back and the best option for the Boilers in their long line of pretty good QBs... the offensive line was good a year ago and returns 4 of 5 starters... the issue is on D and covering for the loss of do-everything DE Ryan Kerrigan... he was EVERYWHERE for them last year and masked a lot of sins elsewhere...
- Indiana (4-8) - Ben Chappell leads a pretty potent offense... but the defense is a disaster... allowing 400+ yards per game last year and I don't see that turning around...
- Nebraska (9-4 with a conference title game loss) - I almost put Michigan here... but by default, I'll take the better defense and the coach I trust more... that is Bo Pellini and Nebraska.. Taylor Martinez returns for his sophomore year and he's explosive under center... they lose Roy Helu, but Rex Burkhead is a beast, and if they can keep Martinez healthy, that's a big-time unit... Jared Crick (who is STILL there somehow) leads a nasty defense, and while they lose the prince at CB, they have some depth there...
- Michigan (9-3) - Forgive the length of this one... Michigan... where do I begin?.... Denard Robinson keys one of the more explosive offenses in the country... the unit remains virtually intact from 2010 (all skill players return) and new OC Al Borges has a long history of productive offense... the key is keeping Robinson upright... probably cutting down on his carries a bit, but still (hopefully) using his effective legs... the running back situation is fluid with some decent guys, and the receiving corps is deep and talented... on the defensive side? That's the issue... Bright spot? All-American Mike Martin leads a core of returning players... the dark spot? This unit was utterly brutal last year... that being said, formers Ravens DC Greg Mattison takes over for the disaster that was Greg Robinson, and the 3-3-5 is no more... also, Troy Woolfolk is healthy at CB, and he'll team with JT Floyd to form a functional cornerback tandem that didn't exist in 2010... Encouraged by what I see from Brady Hoke so far, and I could write 5000 words on Michigan, but no one would read that, so here we are... I have losses against Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan State but if Denard plays 12 games? I don't see anything short of 8 wins...
- Michigan State (8-4) - I've seen a lot of people very high on Sparty... I don't get it... they have to play on the road at Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Iowa, AND play Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin at home... good luck with that... Kirk Cousins is an above-average QB, and they have a nice stable of backs, but nothing too grandiose... the defense was good last year, but loses its leaders (chiefly Greg Jones), and they had an absolute meltdown against Alabama in the bowl game... it's a nice roster, and probably better than 8-4, but they happen to play the cream of the crop in the conference this year...
- Iowa (8-4) - Ricky Stanzi is gone!... Pardon me while I rejoice... anyway, I don't think the offense will miss a beat without him, and the O-line is one of the better units in the conference... if they can replace the key parts missing on the D-line, it could be a special unit over there, but I'll say middle of the pack...
- Northwestern (6-6) - Dan Persa is the key of the season for NW... he's getting underground Heisman buzz (which makes me laugh), but after blowing out his achilles, he needs to be fully healthy or they aren't winning 6 games... the defense was around 100th nationally last year and is pretty devoid of talent...
- Minnesota (4-8) - 9 sacks... they made 9 sacks last year...
- Offensive POY - Denard Robinson, QB Michigan
- Defensive POY - Jared Crick, DT Nebraska
- Coach of the Year - Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
- Wisconsin over Nebraska...
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