By B Bains
With the college football season set to begin this Friday, the Big Ten Conference will once again be a battle between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes as teams favoured for the top spot however, the number three and four spots in the conference seem somewhat unclear at this point due to a significant drop off in talent and skill as teams opposed to the Wolverines and the Buckeyes.
Firstly, in my opinion, I see the Michigan Wolverines coming out of the Big Ten Conference as winners slightly edging the Ohio State Buckeyes. My predication for the upcoming season is that the Wolverines will be Over and surpass a projected nine and half win total for the upcoming season. Ultimately, the Wolverines will have a slim advantage at the head coaching position with Jim Harbaugh comparably, to the other teams in the league as a result of his past experience and success at Stanford University and with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. In addition, with Michigan estimated to be a top five defense the Wolverines should be in good reach of a playoff appearance despite, controversy at the quarterback position.
Furthermore, the Ohio State Buckeyes similarly, will be high favourites to win the Big Ten conference along with the Wolverines. My predication for the upcoming season is that the Buckeyes will be Over and will exceed a projected nine and half win total for the upcoming season. Although, most odd makers have the Buckeyes under nine and half wins for the 2016 season, I see the Buckeyes achieving higher respectively, with an established quarterback and a successful coach in Urban Meyer. To add on, with many years of winning football in the past the Buckeyes shouldn’t have trouble overcoming loses at the defensive side of the football.
Moreover, I see the third spot overall in the Big Ten conference going to the Iowa Hawkeyes. My predication for the upcoming season is that the Hawkeyes will be Over eight and half wins in this upcoming season. This is based on the winning football the Hawkeyes have produced in the last two years, additionally, with Iowa’s favorable schedule the Hawkeyes gain an added boost to pass it’s projected eight and an half win season. However, Iowa will have slim chances to compete for the top two spots in the Conference.
Lastly, in my opinion, I see the Nebraska Cornhuskers finishing fourth overall in the Big Ten conference and second in the western division behind Iowa. My prediction is that the Cornhuskers will be Under eight and half wins in this upcoming season. Despite, having winning seasons in the past seasons, I still see the Cornhuskers taking another year adjusting to second year coach Mike Riley. With all of Nebraska’s losses being lower than a score margin of ten points and a somewhat difficult schedule I see the Cornhuskers underperforming for yet another year.
Big Ten Conference:
Team Win Total EE Prediction
Michigan 9.5 Over
Ohio State 9.5 Over
Iowa 8.5 Over
Nebraska 8.5 Under
Michigan 8.5 Under
State
Wisconsin 7.5 Under
Northwestern 6.5 Over
Penn State 6.5 Under
Minnesota 6 Under
Illinois 4.5 Over
Indiana 4.5 Under
Maryland 4.5 Under
Purdue 4.5 Over
Rutgers 4.5 Over