The Big Ten has made the decision to move forward with a football season. There have been many complaints about how the situation was handled, BUT we are getting Big Ten football! With that said let’s get into my predictions for how each Big Ten team will fare in this year’s conference only 8-game schedule.
Big Ten West
Illinois
Coming off of a 6-7 season Coach Lovie Smith is going to have his work cut out for him this season. After taking the Illini to their first bowl game in 5 years, his team will have to go through a relatively difficult 8-game schedule. The Illini return starting Quarterback Brandon Peters, who was a 1800yd passer last season with 18TDs and only 8INTs. One of Peter’s top weapons will be Georgia transfer Luke Ford who is finally cleared to play, after having his waiver denied last season. On defense, the Illini seem to have some depth concerns as the recently announced that Corner Back Tony Adams will be moving back to safety.
My Prediction
@ Wisconsin- L
vs Purdue- L
vs Minnesota- L
@ Rutgers- W
@ Nebraska- W
vs Ohio State- L
vs Iowa- L
@ Northwestern- L
Iowa
Iowa is coming off of a very successful 2019 season, with it’s only 3 losses to ranked opponents in Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin. That team also beat then-undefeated Minnesota and then dominated USC 49-24 in their bowl game. They do, however, lose their Quarterback Nate Stanley. Replacing him will be Redshirt Sophomore, Spencer Petras. The Hawkeyes do return both their leading rusher Tyler Goodson and their leading receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
My Prediction
@ Purdue- L
vs Northwestern- L
vs Michigan State- W
@ Minnesota- L
@ Penn State- L
vs Nebraska- W
@ Illinois- W
vs Wisconsin- L
Minnesota
P.J. Fleck and his Golden Gophers had an amazing run last season. It was great to see another team step up to challenge for the Big Ten West crown. With that said the Gophers did lose both their leading rusher and receiver to the NFL. On the defensive side of the ball, they also lose their top 3 tacklers. However, they have the talent to fill those spots with ease. Minnesota returns Quarterback Tanner Morgan and Wide Receiver Mohamed Ibrahim. Although they lose their 3 top guys on defense it will still be an experienced unit with only 1 underclassman, Safety Tyler Nubin.
My Prediction
vs Michigan- W
@ Maryland- W
@ Illinois- W
vs Iowa- W
vs Purdue- W
@ Wisconsin- W
vs Northwestern- W
@ Nebraska- W
Nebraska
Nebraska, this Columbus boy wants to say thank you. Without you, this season would not be happening. With that said, I am sorry, the Big Ten decided to use you as an example. The Cornhusker’s biggest losses come in the form of Wide Receiver JD Spielman, Linebacker Mohamed Barry, and Corner Lamar Jackson. They do however return Quarterback Adrian Martinez and Running Back Dedrick Mills. I am sorry, but I don’t see this season going well for you.
My Prediction
@ Ohio State- L
vs Wisconsin- L
@ Northwestern- L
vs Penn State- L
vs Illinois- L
@ Iowa- L
@ Purdue – L
vs Minnesota- L
Northwestern
Northwestern and Pat Fitzgerald got a big-time grad transfer this year in the form of Quarterback Peyton Ramsey from Indiana. All of their Running Backs return, as well as all of their Wide Receivers. The Wildcat defense only has 3 starters that are not Seniors, they are all Juniors. This is going to be a very experienced team, and I expect them to perform well.
My Prediction
vs Maryland- W
@ Iowa- W
vs Nebraska- W
@ Purdue- L
vs Wisconsin- L
@ Michigan State- W
@ Minnesota- L
vs Illinois- W
Purdue
Purdue is a team that I saw with a lot of potential coming into this season. That potential took a big hit when Rondale Moore opted out, but he is now BACK. The Boilermakers are now a very scary team. The offense sees all of the skill position players returning, Quarterback Jack Plummer, both Running Backs in Horvath and King, as well as the other stud Wideout David Bell. On defense Purdue loses their leading tackler in Ben Holt, but most everyone else is back. This team has the potential to upset anyone as we saw in 2018 with Ohio State.
My Prediction
vs Iowa- W
@ Illinois- W
@ Wisconsin- L
vs Northwestern- W
@ Minnesota- L
vs Rutgers- W
vs Nebraska- W
@ Indiana- W
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is the one team from the West that everyone expects to do well year-in and year-out. Oh, but they lost a Heisman Candidate Running Back! Don’t worry they will have another one this year. Jonathan Taylor is gone to the Indianapolis Colts, so who will replace him? Well, it looks like starting out it will be done by committee. With Redshirt Senior Garrett Groshek and Redshirt Sophomore Nakia Watson. However, two young guys that could make a splash are Julius Davis and Jalen Berger. Other than at Running Back it is more of the same for the Badgers, Senior Quarterback, Senior Tightend, 4 Juniors and a Senior on the Line, and 3 Senior Wideouts. Defensively, Wisconsin will have to replace Linebackers, Chris Orr and Zack Baun. That should not be an issue with RS Senior Noah Burks and Junior Jack Sanborn.
My Prediction
vs Illinois- W
@ Nebraska- W
vs Purdue- W
@ Michigan- W
@ Northwestern- W
vs Minnesota- L
vs Indiana- W
@ Iowa- W
Big Ten East
Indiana
Indiana suffered a big loss when Quarterback Peyton Ramsey decided to transfer to Northwestern for his final season. Redshirt Sophomore Michael Penix Jr. is expected to take the starting job this season. Although the Hoosiers lost Ramsey, they do have both their leading rusher and receiver from last season returning. Stevie Scott and Whop Philyor are expected to continue to put up good numbers. My area of concern, especially with a young Quarterback is the inexperience at O-Line. Left Guard Mike Katic is a Redshirt Freshman and Right Tackle Matthew Bedford is a Sophomore. They are supported by 3 Seniors and they will have to perform well for the offense to produce.
My Prediction
vs Penn State- L
@ Rutgers- W
vs Michigan- L
@ Michigan State- W
@ Ohio State- L
vs Maryland- W
@ Wisconsin- L
vs Purdue- L
Maryland
The Terrapins return Quarterback Josh Jackson, however, they lost both of their top rushers to the NFL. That role is expected to be filled by Senior Tayson Fleet-Davis. Maryland did not have the best passing numbers a season ago, but they do return all of their receivers. The Terrapins lost 2 of their top 3 tacklers on defense in Safety Antoine Brooks Jr and Linebacker Keandre Jones.
My Prediction
@ Northwestern- L
vs Minnesota- L
@ Penn State- L
vs Ohio State- L
vs Michigan State- W
@ Indiana- L
@ Michigan- L
vs Rutgers- W
Michigan
Michigan is going to have a major issue at Quarterback this season. With Shea Patterson gone and Dylan McCaffery opting out and entering the transfer portal, that leaves little to no depth behind Joe Milton. The Wolverines do return Running Back Zach Charbonnet and leading receiver Ronnie Bell. With all 3 of the top tacklers from a season ago, now in the NFL, Michigan will need some of its youth to step up. Aiden Hutchinson, Cameron McGrone, and Brad Hawkins will each have to have excellent seasons while the youth around them gain experience.
My Prediction
@ Minnesota- L
vs Michigan State- W
@ Indiana- W
vs Wisconsin- L
@ Rutgers-W
vs Penn State- L
vs Maryland- W
@ Ohio State- L
Michigan State
The Spartans also have to replace their Quarterback, unfortunately for them, the most experienced QB on their roster had 21 attempts last season. They also lost their top 2 receivers in Cody White and Darrell Stewart Jr. They do, however, have Elijah Collins returning at Running Back who is still only a Redshirt Sophomore. The Spartan offense is a very young group, only the Offensive Line has experience with 2 Seniors, 2 Juniors, and a Sophomore. Michigan State returns its top 2 leading tacklers from last season however, they did lose 3 key players in Kenny Willekes, Tyriq Thompson, and Joe Bachie.
My Prediction
vs Rutgers- W
@ Michigan- L
@ Iowa- L
vs Indiana- L
@ Maryland- L
@ Northwestern- L
vs Ohio State- L
@ Penn State- L
Penn State
Penn State’s only real loss on offense was KJ Hamler, they have Quarterback Sean Clifford, Running back Journey Brown, Tightend Pat Feiermuth, and Wideout Jahan Dotson all returning. Throw that on top of an experience Offensive Line with just 1 underclassman, Redshirt Sophomore Rasheed Walker. This should be a potent attack for the Nittany Lions. Defensively, Penn State lost Linebacker Micah Parsons, Safety Garrett Taylor, Linebacker Cam Brown, and Linebacker Jan Johnson. Not only does that mean they lose 4 of their top 5 tacklers from a season ago, but they lose their entire Linebacking core as well. Luckily, Penn State has recruited well and should have the talent to fill in.
My Prediction
@ Indiana- W
vs Ohio State- L
vs Maryland- W
@ Nebraska- W
vs Iowa- W
@ Michigan- W
@ Rutgers- W
vs Michigan State- W
Rutgers
Greg Schiano is back, and he is going to have to rely on the run game. The Scarlet Knight QB room is one giant question mark. No clue who will start, no clue what to expect in terms of production. No matter who is taking the snaps, Rutgers returns Running Back Isaiah Pacheco, Wide Receivers Bo Melton, and Isaiah Washington as well as adding Wisconsin transfer, Aron Cruickshank. Defensively, it is an experienced group with just 2 underclassmen, both of whom are in the secondary.
My Prediction
@ Michigan State- L
vs Indiana- L
@ Ohio State- L
vs Illinois- L
vs Michigan- L
@ Purdue- L
vs Penn State- L
@ Maryland- L
Ohio State
Ohio State is expected to be a national title contender, and rightfully so, they are loaded with talent. They return Heisman hopeful Justin Fields at Quarterback, get grad transfer Trey Surmon from Oklahoma to replace J.K. Dobbins. Return Chris Olave, Garrett Willson at Wideout. Add to the Wideout group with two 5-star recruits in Julian Fleming and Jaxson Smith-Njigba. Defensively, the Buckeyes lose Chase young, Malik Harrison, Damon Arnette, Jeff Okudah, and Jordan Fuller. Sophomore Zach Harrison will fill the void left by Young. Shaun Wade, who opted out, and then back in, and Sevyn Banks will replace Okudah and Arnette. Tuf Borland and Pete Warner will still be holding down the Linebacker core.
My Prediction
vs Nebraska- W
@ Penn State- W
vs Rutgers- W
@ Maryland- W
vs Indiana- W
@ Illinois- W
@ Michigan State- W
vs Michigan- W
Big Ten Championship
I believe that Ohio State will be Big Ten East Champions with a perfect 8-0 record. They will once again travel I-70 to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game. Meeting them there will be 8-0 Big Ten West Champions the Minnesota Golden Gophers. I think that Ohio States’ talent and depth will be too much for Minnesota and Ohio State will once again be Big Ten Champs. Whether a 9-0 Buckeye team with only 3 good opponents will be enough to make it to the College Football Playoff, I cannot say. But, either way, we are getting Big Ten football and I could not be happier.
You can give me your Big Ten predictions and follow me on Twitter @LDub_TV and check out my College Football Podcast on YouTube Dialed Up Podcast! Also, be sure to follow Belly Up on Twitter for more great content! Also, stay tuned for more Belly Up articles and check out the Belly Up Podcast lineup!
