| The Big Ten has always been thought of as a power | | | | 6. Northwestern Wildcats - The Northwestern |
| conference. The media has always had a love affair | | | | Wildcats are the epitome of the word "overachiever". |
| with them and it used to be for good reason. | | | | Despite not ever getting any top flight recruits, they |
| However, the past few years, they have been on the | | | | always seem to be solid. Either Pat Fitzgerald is one of |
| down slide. The SEC and Big 12 have run away with | | | | the best coaches in the country or he is one of the |
| the bragging rights to college football supremacy. For | | | | luckiest men alive. I'm going to go with the former. |
| example, last year the Big Ten boasted a 1-6 record in | | | | Prediction: 8-4 |
| their bowl games. Some might argue that it's great that | | | | 7. Illinois Fighting Illini - Over the last few years, Ron |
| they got seven teams into a bowl game. This is true, | | | | Zook's squads have been a little up and down to say |
| but when you lose six out of seven, your conference | | | | the least. They have all the talent in the world, but they |
| leaves a little something to be desired. For the last | | | | never can put it all together. Juice Williams is very |
| several years its been Ohio State at the top. This year | | | | athletic, a great passer, and great leader. However, |
| should be no different as they reload with another | | | | they never can quite put it all together. Expect the Illini |
| talented team. Let's check out these free college | | | | to have some extremely high highs, and some |
| football picks and see just how "Big" the conference | | | | extremely low lows. |
| will be this year. | | | | 8. Wisconsin Badgers - If Northwestern is the |
| 1. Ohio State - The Ohio State University has been a | | | | overachievers of the conference, Wisconsin has to be |
| powerhouse in football for many years. With Jim | | | | the underachieving team. Last year they started out in |
| Tressel at head coach, he always seems to reload | | | | the top ten in the polls, then quickly plummeted out of |
| quickly. They lost "Beanie" Wells, James Laurinaitis, and | | | | the top 25. They're very talented, but don't seem to be |
| many more players, but they have a lot left in the | | | | very well coached. Expect them to win a few games |
| stable. One of the most exciting things for Buckeye | | | | and lose a few to teams that they shouldn't. |
| fans is new starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor. He is a | | | | 9. Minnesota Golden Gophers - The best thing that |
| Michael Vick-like player (minus the baggage) with a | | | | happened to the Golden Gophers recently was getting |
| huge upside. If he can put together a good year, the | | | | their own new stadium. While that always helps, it's not |
| rest of the Big 10 better watch out. | | | | going to be enough to allow them to challenge |
| 2. Penn State Nittany Lions - Joe Paterno has another | | | | anybody in the Big Ten. They do have several key |
| very talented team this year. They've been good the | | | | guys returning this year, but it's not going to be enough |
| last few years and this year will be no different. They | | | | to get the job done. |
| lost three of their top receivers from last year, but with | | | | 10. Purdue Boilermakers - The Purdue Boilermakers |
| stud quarterback Daryll Clark coming back they should | | | | have had some nice teams in recent years. However, |
| be fine. They will also be in good shape in the running | | | | the mastermind behind those teams is now retired. |
| game with Evan Royster toting the rock. They also | | | | With a new coach in the fold, it might be a bumpy ride |
| have a fantastic schedule with the other two top | | | | this season. Usually it takes a few seasons once a |
| teams in the conference playing at their place. | | | | new coach takes over and this is not going to be the |
| 3. Iowa Hawkeyes - They're coming off of a decent | | | | exception. |
| season last year and they should be improved this | | | | 11. Indiana Hoosiers - Indiana had a pretty decent team |
| time around. With quarterback Ricky Stanzi at the | | | | two years ago. Then last year came along and had to |
| helm, the Hawkeye offense should be pretty good. | | | | ruin the party. All of the promise that they showed |
| Although they lost running back Shonn Greene to the | | | | was quickly erased with a terrible 2008. Don't expect |
| league, they still have enough to be productive on the | | | | much out of the Hoosiers this year. They'll easily be |
| ground. | | | | the worst team in the conference this time around. |
| 4. Michigan Wolverines - The Wolverines aren't quite | | | | The Big Ten is going to be an up and down roller |
| ready to contend with the Buckeyes just yet, but that | | | | coaster ride all season. If you're wanting some free |
| won't stop them from winning a few games this year. | | | | football picks, use this information to give yourself an |
| At the moment, Rich Rodriguez is in the middle of | | | | idea of what to expect. While you never know how |
| some scandal. He's facing allegations that his program | | | | everything will play out until the season is over, we |
| has practiced more than the allowed limit. Despite the | | | | should have a pretty decent idea. Expect the |
| controversy, Michigan will still be decent this year with | | | | Buckeyes and Penn State to battle it out for the top |
| more of Rodriguez's recruits in the fold. | | | | spot in the conference again. There could be a dark |
| 5. Michigan State Spartans - Mark Dantonio seems to | | | | horse team like the Michigan Wolverines or Michigan |
| be creating a stronger team every year. His recruiting | | | | State Spartans make a run, but it would be surprising. |
| efforts have really started to pay off and he's steadily | | | | Just expect the unexpected this time around and |
| built a solid nucleus up in Lansing. Expect them to | | | | there's a good chance it will happen. |
| struggle at times, but overall, they'll have a solid year as | | | | Check out Vernon Croy's Expert College Football |
| well. | | | | Picks this season. |