Alabama Crimson Tide
Preview: Last season was a bit of a disappointment for Alabama, and as in disappointment they didn't win the national championship. That's the expectation around here these days, and of course there's no reason not to have them, they have one of the best coaches and are recruiting some of the best talent. Alabama's disappointment was they actually ended the season with 2 consecutive losses, losing to rival Auburn and then to Bob Stoops and Oklahoma, who called out the SEC saying the league was propaganda before the season started last year. This season the goal remains the same, but some of the players are different, QB AJ McCarron is gone now, and his replacement has yet to be truly determined though most believe it will go to FSU transfer Jacob Coker, but whoever wins the starting job has an absolutely amazing group of running backs to hand the ball off to, Alabama is absolutely stacked at the position, they will have tremendous success running the ball despite there being some question marks on the offensive line, on the defensive side, Alabama still has lots of talent, but their corners weren't as lock down as usual last season so that will need to improve, defensive line isn't as strong as you would usually expect. In all reality though when I look at the schedule Alabama has this year, I just can't find a regular season loss on it.
Predictions: Alabama has to have one of those games where they come out unfocused in order for them to lose, but the team they play has to be good enough for them to do so, a lot of the teams on Alabama's schedule don't have that ability, it all starts in the opener against West Virginia, West Virginia simply doesn't have the talent to match up with Alabama, it's a big difference between the two, so Bama wins that one. Alabama then has home games against Florida Atlantic and Southern Miss, both will be wins. Then Alabama hosts the Florida Gators, who struggled mightily last year, but even if Florida does make a big step forward, I can't see Alabama losing to them. Alabama then plays at Ole Miss, and this would be a prime upset opportunity here, if only this game didn't come after a bye week, and I just can't see a Saban team losing after a bye week. Alabama wins at Arkansas who can't seem to match up with them anymore, and then hosts Texas A&M, who no longer has Johnny Manziel so Alabama wins that one. Alabama then plays at Tennessee, who does have some talented players but also a lot of holes in addition to that, Tennessee would have to make a big jump forward this year just to have a shot at pulling the upset, Alabama wins this one. Alabama then has the traditional big game against LSU, this time on the road, both teams have byes before it, but I just think LSU has too young of a team to beat Alabama in this one. Alabama then ends the regular season with 3 consecutive home games against Mississippi State, Western Carolina(what?) and Auburn, the Mississippi State game might have been a potential upset alert if it was at Mississippi State, I can't see them winning at Alabama. Auburn though is by far the toughest opponent on Alabama's schedule, but Nick Saban just doesn't lose two in a row to a certain team, so Alabama wins that one.
Predicted Record: 12-0(8-0)
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Preview: Last season was another that was solid, yet still filled with disappointments. Nebraska was nearly upset by Wyoming in the opener, but troubles really hit when Nebraska blew a 21-3 lead to get blown out by UCLA 41-21. Nebraska looked better for a while after, until they got dominated by Minnesota, they picked up some gritty victories though to stay in Big 10 contention until they lost 41-28 at home to Michigan State. The low point of the year though might have been the 38-17 loss to Iowa at home and the Bo Pelini meltdown. Things sure changed fast though Nebraska ended up getting a nice bowl win over Georgia and now Pelini appears to be in a better mood than ever right now, how will that hold up? Last season injuries were a bit of an issue for Nebraska especially at QB, but that makes them stronger for this season, if things go well Nebraska is a competitor for the Big 10 title.
Predictions: Nebraska opens with a win over Florida Atlantic and despite the fact that McNeese State beat a FBS opponent 53-21 last year, I think Nebraska can handle them. Nebraska gets their first test at Fresno State, but Nebraska escapes with the win. Nebraska gets a strong win over Miami of Florida and wins at home over Illinois too. Nebraska finally takes their first loss losing at Michigan State, Nebraska then hits that downward spiral as they get upset at Northwestern as well. Nebraska recovers with home wins over Rutgers and Purdue, but then loses at Wisconsin. Nebraska does end the season with revenge wins at home over Minnesota and at Iowa.
Predicted Record: 9-3(5-3)
Northwestern Wildcats
Preview: Last season was an interesting one for Northwestern, in many ways. Northwestern started out a strong 4-0 and then lost a hardfought battle to Ohio State, it obviously was a setback but most expected Northwestern to still be good. They were blown out by Wisconsin and that would only be the 2nd game of a 7 game losing streak. Northwestern would at least beat Illinois at the end of the year. It's tough to tell what exactly happened to Northwestern that they fell apart this badly. One issue was once again the close games, Northwestern had a very good chance to win 5 of those 7 games, yet lost all of them, including a hail mary given up to Nebraska, and Michigan rushing their team on the field for an incredible overtime causing field goal where Northwestern lost after 3 of those overtimes. The other thing is how focused are they? Everyone knows the political battle the Northwestern players were in this offseason, was that a distraction as well?? The good news for this year is it's a little more settled now, Pat Fitzgerald will be hoping it is gone for good. As for the team this year, they lose Kain Colter who was both a QB and WR for them, but still have Trevor Siemian and will get Venric Mark back from injury, they have a lot of skill position talent on this team, the offensive line was an issue though last year, defense brings a solid amount of starters back too. Northwestern should at least be back in the bowl, but the schedule isn't easy.
Predictions: Northwestern opens with some tricky games, Cal should be better then they were last year, but Northwestern will win that one, Northern Illinois had a great team last year, but they lost the heart of their team so I think Northwestern will that one too, and Northwestern beats Western Illinois to get off to a 3-0 start. That's when the tough part hits, Northwestern loses at Penn State, at home against Wisconsin and at Minnesota. Northwestern finally ends the skid with an upset they needed over Nebraska, as Northwestern seems to give Nebraska a tough time. Northwestern hits another tough skid as they lose at Iowa, at home to Michigan and at Notre Dame. Northwestern though rebounds and wins at Purdue and at home against Illinois to get back to a bowl game.
Predicted Record: 6-6(3-5)
Iowa Hawkeyes
Preview: Iowa after struggling for a few years finally became a solid team again last year. Iowa won 8 games, which included a big 38-17 win over Nebraska in the regular season finale, Iowa then lost in a close one against LSU(who they were supposed to be way outmatched against) in their bowl game. Now this season Iowa returns a lot of those players, their defense should be really good while their offense won't be great but solid, Iowa's non-conference is very winnable but tricky, a bad game in any of them(yes even against Northern Iowa, they're a good FCS team and got Iowa State last year) could result in a loss and send their season in a downward spiral. Most likely Iowa gets off to a good start and competes for the West as they have both Nebraska and Wisconsin at home.
Predictions: Iowa wins the opener against Northern Iowa, and then survives a tricky one against a really good Ball State team. Iowa takes down their rival Iowa State and wins at Pitt to finish 4-0 in the non-conference schedule. Iowa gets a strong conference start by winning at Purdue, home against Indiana, at Maryland and at home against Northwestern to start 8-0 on the year. Iowa finally hits a setback as they are upset on the road against Minnesota, they bounce back to win at Illinois and upset Wisconsin at home. The finale is a good win at home over Nebraska
Predicted Record: 11-1(7-1)
And now finally time for an overall look at the Big 10, feels like I've been on the Big 10 for a really long time. Big 12 previews start tomorrow!
East
1. Michigan State Spartans 10-2(7-1)
2. Ohio State Buckeyes 11-1(7-1)
3. Michigan Wolverines 8-4(6-2)
4. Penn State Nittany Lions 9-3(5-3)
5. Maryland Terrapins 6-6(2-6)
6. Indiana Hoosiers 4-8(2-6)
7. Rutgers Scarlet Knights 2-10(0-8)
West
1. Iowa Hawkeyes 11-1(7-1)
2. Wisconsin Badgers 10-2(7-1)
3. Nebraska Cornhuskers 9-3(5-3)
4. Minnesota Golden Gophers 7-5(4-4)
5. Northwestern Wildcats 6-6(3-5)
6. Illinois Fighting Illini 5-7(2-6)
7. Purdue Boilermakers 3-9(0-8)
Big 10 Championship: Michigan State over Iowa
Alabama Crimson Tide
Preview: Last season was a bit of a disappointment for Alabama, and as in disappointment they didn't win the national championship. That's the expectation around here these days, and of course there's no reason not to have them, they have one of the best coaches and are recruiting some of the best talent. Alabama's disappointment was they actually ended the season with 2 consecutive losses, losing to rival Auburn and then to Bob Stoops and Oklahoma, who called out the SEC saying the league was propaganda before the season started last year. This season the goal remains the same, but some of the players are different, QB AJ McCarron is gone now, and his replacement has yet to be truly determined though most believe it will go to FSU transfer Jacob Coker, but whoever wins the starting job has an absolutely amazing group of running backs to hand the ball off to, Alabama is absolutely stacked at the position, they will have tremendous success running the ball despite there being some question marks on the offensive line, on the defensive side, Alabama still has lots of talent, but their corners weren't as lock down as usual last season so that will need to improve, defensive line isn't as strong as you would usually expect. In all reality though when I look at the schedule Alabama has this year, I just can't find a regular season loss on it.
Predictions: Alabama has to have one of those games where they come out unfocused in order for them to lose, but the team they play has to be good enough for them to do so, a lot of the teams on Alabama's schedule don't have that ability, it all starts in the opener against West Virginia, West Virginia simply doesn't have the talent to match up with Alabama, it's a big difference between the two, so Bama wins that one. Alabama then has home games against Florida Atlantic and Southern Miss, both will be wins. Then Alabama hosts the Florida Gators, who struggled mightily last year, but even if Florida does make a big step forward, I can't see Alabama losing to them. Alabama then plays at Ole Miss, and this would be a prime upset opportunity here, if only this game didn't come after a bye week, and I just can't see a Saban team losing after a bye week. Alabama wins at Arkansas who can't seem to match up with them anymore, and then hosts Texas A&M, who no longer has Johnny Manziel so Alabama wins that one. Alabama then plays at Tennessee, who does have some talented players but also a lot of holes in addition to that. This is the unfocused game mentioned above. Against the Crimson Tide, Tennessee plays better than they truly are, giving a glimpse of the Vols future. That and a twist of fate or two propel them to pull off the upset. Alabama then has the traditional big game against LSU, this time on the road, both teams have byes before it, but I just think LSU has too young of a team to beat Alabama in this one. Alabama then ends the regular season with 3 consecutive home games against Mississippi State, Western Carolina(what?) and Auburn, the Mississippi State game might have been a potential upset alert if it was at Mississippi State, I can't see them winning at Alabama. Auburn though is by far the toughest opponent on Alabama's schedule, but Nick Saban just doesn't lose two in a row to a certain team, so Alabama wins that one.
Predicted Record: 12-1(7-1)
