Can a team not named Wisconsin win the Big Ten West?

Wisconsin is the clear favorite to win the Big Ten West this season, but can any team seriously threaten the Badgers?

When looking at the Big Ten’s new divisions, after ditching the ‘Legends’ and ‘Leaders’ titles last year, there is a clear separation of talent. Many of the conference’s top teams happen to be in the new East Division while Wisconsin seems like the lone contender out of the West.

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Despite Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and Michigan all being slotted in the same division, for some odd reason, the West still has some decent competition. All four of those teams mentioned, however, will likely be favored over any West champ for the next few years, especially while Ohio State is atop the college football world.

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement (6) runs in the first half against the Auburn Tigers in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Are the Badgers the only squad that can realistically win the West this season or is there another team not named Wisconsin that can contend for an appearance in the Big Ten title game.

Last year, the Badgers head coach Gary Andersen had a ton of talent return, most notable junior running back Melvin Gordon who was set to light the college football world on fire. Gordon did just that and was drafted accordingly and now Andersen has moved on to Oregon State. Yeah, I don’t get that move, either.

That leaves us with a Wisconsin team led by first-year head coach Paul Chryst that is returning just four starters on offense and six on defense.

So can any other team win the West Division? I’d actually be shocked if the Badgers did end up winning it with the down-year that they could potentially be facing.

Sure, Corey Clement will be one of the Big Ten’s best running backs in 2015, but then again, when isn’t a Badger running back mentioned with the top rushers in the league?

The pass game will be mediocre once again as senior Joel Stave has struggled to really gain confidence in his time as starter and will hope to find a rhythm with predominantly new targets this season.

If the Badgers aren’t going to win the West, then who will, you ask?

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) rolls out to pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Nebraska beat Iowa 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

I could see Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota all contending for the crown, but the Cornhuskers will get the job done. Although they’re also under new leadership, as Mike Riley has come from Oregon State, the Cornhuskers have some solid returning talent — Jordan Westerkamp, Tommy Armstrong Jr., Maliek Collins and Terrell Newby.

Iowa may have an outside shot as the Hawkeyes are also returning just four starters on offense, but the defense will likely carry them throughout the season.

As for the oft-underrated Golden Gophers, I believe the West Division title will come down to the final game of the season against the Badgers on Nov. 28 in a blistery-cold Minneapolis.

That game will end up deciding who will be crowned the division champ, and the Gophers will squander a late lead, giving Nebraska an outright title while thanking Wisconsin for taking care of business.

Can anyone other than Wisconsin win the West? You better believe it.

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