2010 Big Ten Football Preview

College Football Season is finally less than a month away, and I could not be more excited. The Big Ten had an outstanding season last year highlighted by two BCS Bowl victories with Iowa taking the crown of Orange Bowl Champions by beating Georgia Tech, and Ohio State winning their first Rose Bowl Game since 1997 in defeating Oregon.

Other teams also look to build upon the success of a major bowl win. Wisconsin upset a resurgent Miami (FL) program, and Penn St defeated LSU in the Capital One bowl to give the Big Ten some much needed credibility against the SEC.

This is a very big year for Big Ten Football with numerous story lines to follow: the addition of storied football program Nebraska is just one short year away, teams like Ohio State and Iowa look to prove that they are still the class of the Big Ten, and with two rebuilding years under his belt, Rich Rodriguez looks to put Michigan back on the map.

It's going to be a great season, let me know how awful or amazing my predictions are,
GO BUCKEYES

1. Ohio State 12-1 (8-0)
2. Penn State 11-2 (7-1)
3.Iowa 11-2 (6-2)
4. Wisconsin 9-4 (5-3)
5.Michigan 8-5 (4-4)
6.Northwestern 7-6 (4-4)
7.Michigan State 7-6(4-4)
8.Purdue 5-7 (3-5)
9.Illinois 5-7(2-6)
10.Indiana 5-7 (2-6)
11.Minnesota 4-8 (1-7)

Bowl Projections

BCS National Title Game

(14-0) Alabama 34
(12-1) Ohio St 24

Rose Bowl

(11-2) Penn State 38
(9-4) Washington 21

Capital One Bowl

(11-2) Iowa 29
(10-3) Florida 26

Outback Bowl

(10-3) Arkansas 44
(9-4) Wisconsin 38

Champs Sports Bowl

(8-5) Michigan 30
(7-6) Florida State 18

Alamo Bowl

(7-6) Michigan State 44
(8-5) Oklahoma State 40

Insight Bowl

(9-4) Texas Tech 37
(7-6) Northwestern 20

Seven Bowl Games is definitely within reach for the Big Ten yet again this year, Ohio State, Iowa, and Penn State all should compete for spots in BCS bowls.

In just the second week of the season, the Big Ten will see two monster showdowns when Ohio State meets its opponent from the classic 2002 National Championship game in Miami (FL), and Penn State travels to Bryant-Denney Stadium to take on the reigning National Champions, Alabama.

In my opinion, Ohio State poses the most legitimate threat for a run at a National Title. If they can get past a huge early season threat as the Hurricanes travel to Columbus, and if Terrelle Pryor continues to improve of his off of his best performance in his young Buckeye career at the Rose Bowl, Ohio State should be able to run the table in the Big Ten.
After Miami (FL), the Buckeyes schedule is relatively easy up until mid November with a final three games of: Penn St, @ Iowa, and Ohio State will look to increase its winning streak against rival Michigan to seven games.

I believe Ohio State will return to the National Championship Game this season after an undefeated regular season and will likely face the undefeated team that emerges from the SEC. With Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram returning and with Nick Saban at the helm of a vaunted defense loaded with talent, and with a lack of standout superior teams this year, Alabama has a very legitimate shot to repeat as National Champions.