2010 Big 10 Football Predictions

Below, I have made my predictions on how I see the Big Ten Conference playing out this season. Check out my 2010 college football predictions to see how I like the rest of the college football conferences to shape up.  Looking for a place to bet on NCAA football this season? Bet your college football picks at BetUS where our readers can get $500 in free bonus cash!

1. Ohio State Buckeyes – The Buckeyes return a lot of talent from last season’s 11-2 Rose Bowl team, highlighted by Heisman Trophy-contending QB Terrelle Pryor and defensive end Cameron Heyward. An early season non-conference home game against a talented Miami team and a late November contest in Iowa City against the Hawkeyes figure to be Ohio State’s biggest hurdles. If they can win both of those games, the Buckeyes could be looking at the BCS championship game. College football odds makers have listed Ohio State at +600 to win the BCS title.

2. Iowa Hawkeyes – Iowa started last season 9-0 before QB Ricky Stanzi went down with an injury. His injury may have cost the Hawks a chance at the BCS championship game. Last year, Iowa went into Columbus and took Ohio State to overtime with a backup QB. This year, the Hawks get the Buckeyes at home, and they will be looking for revenge. Led by Adrian Clayborn and Tyler Sash, Iowa should boast the best defense in the Big Ten so I won’t be at all surprised if the Hawks are able to win the conference. With that being said, I’m still giving the slight edge to Ohio State because of their track record and because I think Pryor is poised for a breakout season. Iowa is listed at +2500 to win the BCS title.

3. Wisconsin Badgers – Wisconsin’s only losses in Big Ten play in 2009 were to Ohio State, Iowa and Northwestern. I’m confident the Badgers can avenge their loss to Northwestern, and they will have an excellent opportunity to pull off upsets against the other two if their defense continues to improve. Running back John Clay is coming off a 1,500-yard, 18-touchdown season, and with all five starters back on the offensive line, the Big Ten’s highest scoring team will be tough to stop once again. Wisconsin is listed at +4000 to win the BCS title.

4. Penn State Nittany Lions – Losing QB Darryll Clark will hurt enough that it should keep the Nittany Lions just outside the Big Ten title hunt, although running back Evan Royster will do his best to carry the load. Teams aren’t going to respect Penn State’s passing game the way they have the last couple years, and that is going to make yards tougher to come by for Royster. Penn State lost to both Iowa and Ohio State by double digits last season, and it must play both on the road in 2010. Penn State is listed at +5000 to win the BCS title.

5. Michigan Wolverines – Rich Rodriguez must put Michigan in a bowl game this season or he can start packing his bags. It looked like he was going to take Big Blue bowling last season when they got off to a 5-2 start, but five straight losses to close the campaign put Rodriquez squarely on the hot seat. Led by Tate Forcier, the offense has shown that it can score points, but the defense must live up to its end of the bargain in 2010. Michigan is listed at +7500 to win the BCS title.

6. Michigan State Spartans – Michigan State has a lot of talent, but there is a good chance it will fall victim to a tough schedule. Sparty must play rival Michigan, Iowa and Penn State on the road. Much like their in-state rivals, the Spartans will have to tighten the screws on the defensive side of the football to enter any conference title discussions.  Michigan State is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

7. Northwestern Wildcats – I really respect the job Pat Fitzgerald has done, but he could have his work cut out for himself after losing QB Mike Kafka and receivers Zeke Markshausen and Andrew Brewer. One thing we know about Fitzgerald’s teams is that they play hard, but it likely won’t be enough this year. However, if QB Dan Persa can follow in Kafka’s footsteps, which appears to be a big if, the Wildcats could surprise. Northwestern is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

8. Purdue Boilermakers – When Ralph Bolden suffered an ACL injury this spring, Purdue saw its shot at contending take a big hit. The Boilermakers did hand Ohio State one of its two losses last season, but it’s hard to think that will happen again. Purdue does catch a break by avoiding Iowa and Penn State on their schedule, and there is a lot of hype surrounding Miami transfer Robert Marve, but I just don’t see it all coming together for the Boilermakers. Similar to 2009, I expect Purdue to be very inconsistent. Purdue is listed as part of the field at +10000 to win the BCS title.

9. Illinois Fighting Illini – Even when Illinois has talent, as it did in 2009, it always seems to underachieve. The Illini won only three games last season and it will get no easier in 2010 with eight bowl teams on their schedule. Illinois is listed at +10000 to win the BCS title.

10. Indiana Hoosiers – If you notice, the best teams in the Big Ten are also the best defensive teams in the league. Indiana returns only four defensive starters from a unit which finished near the bottom of the league in nearly every major category. It’s just hard to win when you’re giving up 29.5 points per game. Indiana’s schedulers did them no favors either as the Hoosiers must play Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State. Indiana is listed as part of the field at +10000 to win the BCS title game.

11. Minnesota Golden Gophers – Adam Weber has shown that he is capable of playing the quarterback position effectively, but his life will be much harder after losing his top two receivers. Even with those guys, Minnesota still finished dead last in the league in scoring offense and total offense in 2009. Minnesota is listed as part of the field at +10000 to win the BCS title.

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If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

• 2010 Iowa Football Predictions
• 2010 Big 12 Football Predictions
• 2010 Big Ten Conference Tournament Predictions
• 2010 College Football Predictions
• 2010 Rose Bowl Odds: Oregon v. Ohio State Football Picks & Predictions

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