ESPN Predicts Big Ten

[cloverleaf]

Here's how ESPN rates the Big Ten for 2016.

EAST
1. Michigan
2. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Michigan State
5. Indiana
6. Maryland
7. Rutgers

WEST
1. Nebraska
2. Wisconsin
3. Iowa
4. Northwestern
5. Minnesota
6. Purdue
7. Illinois

TITLE GAME
Michigan over Nebraska

What do you think..................................................

 

[cloverleaf]

No way in hell Nebraska wins the Big Ten West. How...?

Ohio State will win the Big Ten East....recruiting, recruiting, recruiting.

 

[RunLeeRun]

Well, Nebraska is the best recruiter of the west. So, if you apply the same method you used to decipher the east, that could be a possible answer.

Also, Wisconsin at #2 is a huge longshot. Id say 3rd, tops....but feel more comfy picking 4th. They get this years guantlet schedule.

Iowa still has the same problems. No great skill players on O, and now they lost a lot of senior leadership. Northwestern is always a hard read. Nebraska has the same ghost the last 7 years, turnovers. It's an anomoly to have those kinds of numbers year after year, and quite another to have won at the clip they have. If they ever got that under control, it could make a serious conference run.

 

[Conan]

Most people don't know this, but from the millennium (2000) on, the 3rd winningest
school in the Pac-10 was Mike Riley's OSU Beavers. They also had a way of getting
under Pete Carroll's skin sometimes ruining USC's run at a NC. Maybe the Huskers/
Riley will find a similar big time patsy in the B-10. Could be Michigan, could be tOSU.
Knowing Mike Riley a little bit, it wouldn't surprise me if that turned out to be true.

 

[RunLeeRun]

Well, even though that is how Riley's team turned out in 2015, I'd hate to think it's main role will be spoiler. Just a one year sample. Critics will point to his history. For every USC, there is a Sacramento State. Upside that I see today is recruiting. I'm thinking he'd never been in the game on so many big fish at this point while at Oregon St. It's too early to get enamored in a recruiting ranking number, but total star value is sitting mostly 3rd in the Big Ten. Plus, I like that he fired his Dline coach after one year and brought in somebody that has injected some recruiting-roids for a much needed area. That took some balls, imo.

I know returning QB has lost some of it's luster in recent years (at least when talking the elite teams going for the national title), but I still put some value there, and if each division has 4 legit candidates to make a run for the title game, Nebraska is returning a guy 33 starts. Got to like Iowa's guy too. I'm not sure he's a game winner, but he manages it very well, which is what they want in their system.

I don't want to exclude Wisconsin from this deal, they'll weigh in on who wins it all, but it's likely going to take a team that can go 7-2. Right now, I'd say that's Neb-Ia-Nw (though for transparency, I didn't have Iowa anywhere in the picture last year and they went 8-0, I did pick MSU in the east though).

The east looks even tougher. Everybody will be high on Michigan and Ohio St. I see a slight drop in Ann Arbor and Urb finally has to play a real Big Ten schedule, though they have the only returning QB of the 4 contenders. Penn State may just be better now that they lose that QB (not a fan of Hackenburg) and get something that's a better fit for Franklin. And then there is good ol faithful MSU. If they can take the ND lump early and catch some steam they might have enough in the tank to close the deal out, again.

 

[GoSooners]

Here is a Nebraska betting preview from my website. I had nothing to do with putting this preview together. So I don't necessarily share their opinion. But I think the Big 10 West is wide open. Wisconsin is always a factor, but their brutal schedule could do them in. Nebraska's season could hinge on their early game against Northwestern. It is their Big 10 opener, and they have to travel to NW the week after playing Oregon. I think NW is a must-win for the Huskers considering they have to travel to tOSU, Wisky and Iowa...

http://www.saturdayedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/NEBRASKA-2016.pdf

 

[RunLeeRun]

Nebraska-Northwestern has been a nailbiter 4 of 5 times. Nothing is given there, except that NU fan will invade Evanston....and I think the road team is 4-1, would be 5-0 if not for a hail mary. Same story on the Nebraska- Iowa series, 4-1 road team.

 

[rolltide]

I posted the SEC version in the SEC thread and here is how a single-table Big 10 conference would work:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-foo...-ten-schedule-divisions-realignment-rivalries

 

[Addicted2quack]

Mike Riley has never fared well against Oregon and I doubt he will in week 3 of the upcoming season. Then they travel to Evanston to take on a northwestern team that's trending up year after year. They play just like stanford and they love it.... Hard nosed defense, ball control and clock killing possessions. Remember northwestern had some great games last year and they follow their coach with pride. Nebraska, like almost every other big ten team lost a lot of starters, and it's going to hurt them, especially on the defensive side. Mike Riley never had an answer for the ducks pace of play or offense and I just find it difficult to believe that he will be able to win in week 3&4 going from warp speed to slow motion and playing now two teams on the opposite end of the spectrum. I think Nebraska starts 2-2 and finishes with 8 wins, maybe 9.

northwestern and Iowa are the two likely contenders from my perspective. They still play 3 yards and a cloud of dust football and I respect it in an age where everyone is uptempo (and I'm obviously an Oregon fan).... I just like the way northwestern plays at home and they have 4 straight home games to open the season. Could be a nice 4-0 start for them especially if they catch Nebraska walking in after a loss to Oregon the week before.

On a couple small side notes, no one even mentioned Nebraska's week 2 game against Wyoming. Wyoming is tied for 1st In the ncaa for returning starters with 18.... Say what you want but that team is well coached and now seasoned.... Could be a rather intriguing game, especially if Wyoming plays like I expect them too.

lastly, Ohio state and Michigan state have been gutted with departures; Ohio state is dead last in returning starters, somewhere along the line that will play a role in their season. Wouldn't surprise me to see the Buckeyes drop a game or two they really shouldn't. Yes they recruit with the best, but there's no substitute for experience. Just my two cents.

if I had to take a shot at the big 10 title game id say Iowa vs Michigan.... Urban has a funny way of getting young guys to play big roles tho....it's truly a toss up

 

[RunLeeRun]

Mike Riley has never fared well against Oregon and I doubt he will in week 3 of the upcoming season. Then they travel to Evanston to take on a northwestern team that's trending up year after year. They play just like stanford and they love it.... Hard nosed defense, ball control and clock killing possessions. Remember northwestern had some great games last year and they follow their coach with pride. Nebraska, like almost every other big ten team lost a lot of starters, and it's going to hurt them, especially on the defensive side. Mike Riley never had an answer for the ducks pace of play or offense and I just find it difficult to believe that he will be able to win in week 3&4 going from warp speed to slow motion and playing now two teams on the opposite end of the spectrum. I think Nebraska starts 2-2 and finishes with 8 wins, maybe 9.

northwestern and Iowa are the two likely contenders from my perspective. They still play 3 yards and a cloud of dust football and I respect it in an age where everyone is uptempo (and I'm obviously an Oregon fan).... I just like the way northwestern plays at home and they have 4 straight home games to open the season. Could be a nice 4-0 start for them especially if they catch Nebraska walking in after a loss to Oregon the week before.

Not sure where you got your info on Nebraska's returning starters. Its wrong. From what I know Nebraska and Oregon both suffer from oline/dline Iosses. I guess you could call it a wash, though Oregon also replaces LB's and now has to run a completely new front.

You are right about Riley not fairing well vs Oregon (though the same can be said most of the Pac during the same stretch) You've seen it up close. Yet, sometimes being too close (im guilty) to a program makes you think the shine is still there. Im afraid some of the luster is gone for Oregon. Too much coach turnover. Plus, Nebraska has as much talent as Oregon. Let's see how he faires on a level field. This is a good year to get Oregon.

 

[RunLeeRun]

Here is a Nebraska betting preview from my website. I had nothing to do with putting this preview together. So I don't necessarily share their opinion. But I think the Big 10 West is wide open. Wisconsin is always a factor, but their brutal schedule could do them in. Nebraska's season could hinge on their early game against Northwestern. It is their Big 10 opener, and they have to travel to NW the week after playing Oregon. I think NW is a must-win for the Huskers considering they have to travel to tOSU, Wisky and Iowa...

http://www.saturdayedge.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/NEBRASKA-2016.pdf

It didnt open for me.....is it me?

 

[Addicted2quack]

Not sure where you got your info on Nebraska's returning starters. Its wrong. From what I know Nebraska and Oregon both suffer from oline/dline Iosses. I guess you could call it a wash, though Oregon also replaces LB's and now has to run a completely new front.

You are right about Riley not fairing well vs Oregon (though the same can be said most of the Pac during the same stretch) You've seen it up close. Yet, sometimes being too close (im guilty) to a program makes you think the shine is still there. Im afraid some of the luster is gone for Oregon. Too much coach turnover. Plus, Nebraska has as much talent as Oregon. Let's see how he faires on a level field. This is a good year to get Oregon.

My my fault run; the Phil Steele website I viewed showed them as having less returning starters, but apparently they have 15. That's on me for sure. And I agree the luster is fading on Oregon and I'm not happy about it. This is the best year for teams to go out and get Oregon big time. Lots of schools worry me, Nebraska will play with them for sure, Washington, Stanford, wazoo and usc will all be pivotal games....

Hoping Brady hoke can turn that defense around to a top 75 defense... That's actually realistic in my opinion. He specializes in the front seven and Oregon returns all of their db's; granted they were raw, young and exposed last year but that should actually bode well for them in this season and next. Going to be a shootout I imagine..... 47-41

 

[RunLeeRun]

Well, returning starters isnt as black and white as it used to be, what with player personnel packages....Im hoping for a lower scoring game. Good luck.

 

[RunLeeRun]

I posted the SEC version in the SEC thread and here is how a single-table Big 10 conference would work:

http://www.sbnation.com/college-foo...-ten-schedule-divisions-realignment-rivalries

Heard Connelly talking about this. Some of the Big Ten schedule leaves a lot to be desired...wisconsin 2016 death schedule, Iowa 2015 cupe cake... Rematch possibilities go up, but that's a small price for getting to actually play all the other teams in a short period. Since it makes sense, it wont happen.

 

[rolltide]

Since it makes sense, it wont happen.

exactly. it's too simple to be implemented

 

[RunLeeRun]

A chart I grabbed from an article on returning Big Ten Qb's. Key at bottom.

 

[rolltide]

that is one ugly fn group of quarterbacks @)

 

[RunLeeRun]

Not the year of the QB, for sure. If you look at what are considered the top West teams (Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern), Thorson was bad but rode the D to wins, Beathard was boring (though his stats vs Wisc, NW and NU 53% comp and 5.7 ypa are not good) but he doesn't lose games. Armstrong is lightning, but you just never know when and where it strikes. He can lose a game for you with some amazingly boneheaded plays or win it in dramatic fashion. Then there is Mitch Leidner, whom by some in the guy with nfl talent....cant say I see that, but....

 

[cloverleaf]

The main reason I don't believe Nebraska will win their division is because of the quarterback play.

As RLR said, from play to play you never know what to expect from Armstrong. 52 percent completion
rate won't cut it in league play.

 

[RunLeeRun]

If you went with Armstrong, I think your focus would have to be that it's year two in the new system with better familiarity between coach/player. I think they used him right in the Bowl game vs UCLA. I do think he sees improvement....enough? He actually has a good QB coach this time. Langsdorf was the guy that saw Eli Manning have a turnaround performance after one of his worst years. Also, Armstrong has a lot of toys around him. Hands down the best WR group in the west and arguably in the Big Ten.