Big Ten Preview

Here is a real quick preview of the Big Ten for the upcoming college football season, to include a couple of prop bets that might pay off for you.

Michigan Pretty much every magazine is swinging from there O's nut sack. But if they can't beat OSU, it doesn't matter. I think they get it done this year. I have them as an absolute lock to win 10 games and I really believe they are going to win 11. I see them being undefeated headed in to Madison. They end up Wis then OSU. Winning one will get them to the Rose Bowl.

Penn St I really like there team this year. Senior QB's in the B10 are priceless. They have OSU and Wis at home and I think they pull them both off. If Michigan stumbles late or goes undefeated, they could slide in to the Rose Bowl.

OSU First, they were 9-3 against the spread last year and were favorites in every game. That is an amazing number and it could have been better. They have 11 starters returning and don't have to play Texas again (which is a shame because they were epic early season battles). Tressel is an absolute machine, who probably cheats, but he recruits and wins. I see them losing at PSU and Michigan. Wisconsin is there only other challenge and that's at home. The over under on wins for them is 9. I see them clearing that easy.

Iowa I wonder why Ferentz is still coaching this school. I think they are as good as they'll ever be, which is pretty good, but not BCS good. They collapsed last year after the Michigan game, but it looked worse than it was. 14 starters come back and there is no OSU or Michigan. Wisconsin and PSU on the road are games they can't win, but the rest of the schedule sets up nicely for 10 wins. The o/u is 8 1/2. Can you say LOCK!

Wisconsin This should be the best Wisconsin team in the last 4 years. They have a senior QB, but he doesn't have much in the way of experience. There O-lines as good as ever. So whats the problem? Games at PSU, OSU and home against Michigan. If they win one, there in the running for a BCS game. Two a the big ten title, three a national championship. I don't think they win any of them.

Purdue Much like Wisconsin, Purdue's schedule gets in the way of having a great year. OSU, @ Michigan and Iowa are at the heart of the schedule. On top of that there is PSU and ND. I think QB Painter will have a nice year but I don't see them winning more than 2 of the games mentioned. 9 wins would be a nice season.

Illinois Shouldn't these guys be better? Seriously, with all the accusations against Zook, shouldn't he have an assload of talent? There are a bunch of good players, but there not earth shattering. Following a 2 win season, I think they make the jump to a bowl game. Juice is back and will probably win 3 games by himself. WR Benn is supposed to be a game changer. At home against Missouri to start and then an impossible stretch of PSU, Badgers, @ Iowa and Michigan plus OSU. I still count 6 wins.

Northwestern Losing there coach before the start of last year couldn't have helped. They have 16 starters coming back and should be much improved. What does that mean? 2 more wins. @ OSU, Michigan @ MSU is a really tough start to the B10. The last game of the season is against the Illini and could potentially be for a bowl bid.

MSU Last year they were 3-8 verse the spread and 1-3 as a home favorite. I don't know if there is a better way to show that you didn't live up to expectations. I'm pretty much still steaming after the ND lose. I had +3 and they ended up pushing after having a huge lead. I don't see them winning a game after home coming. Which is a problem since its on Oct 13th.

Indiana The only B10 team they can beat is MN.

Minnesota So who can the Gophers beat? There best chances for a B10 wins are against Purdue and Illini. They have a joke of a non conference schedule, so if they win both, they might be bowl eligible. I'm glad they finally jettisoned Mason and I'm optimistic about the future, but if they don't get a bunch of breaks, this could be a really tough year. A really tough year.