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Big Ten Football: 2016 season preview and predictions

By David Rouben

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes shakes hands with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after a 42-13 Ohio State win at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes shakes hands with head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines after a 42-13 Ohio State win at Michigan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Dylan Chmura (80) holds up a sign after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Dylan Chmura (80) holds up a sign after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Projected order of finish in the conference

Even if people accuse the Big Ten for only having three contenders for the College Football Playoff, and for the East division being the only one worth watching, it’ll be one hell of a rollercoaster to watch.

When Michigan and Ohio State travel to East Lansing, the one thing they’ll have on their mind is revenge. The miraculous wins that Michigan State pulled off derailed both of their chances of winning the conference, and they would like nothing more than to return the favor. It’s hard to imagine any of the other four East teams posing a threat, but a team like Indiana, who had the best scoring offense in the conference last year, will have a real chance to play spoiler.

The Big Ten West is a lot more competitive, although Iowa is expected to come out on top. But with their number 15 ranking in the poll, they have a target on their backs as the only ranked team in the West. However, if CJ Beathard and Desmond King play up to their usual standards, they should combat the pressure.

We’ve already talked about Northwestern, but Nebraska was a good team last year that had terrible luck in close games, which is what led to a 6-7 record. Minnesota is heading in the right direction, but there will be a lot of pressure on Tracy Claeys to fill in for Jerry Kill. Luckily, they will avoid the Big Three this year. Wisconsin is a good team, but their schedule is arguably the toughest in the country. If they can survive road games against Iowa, Michigan State, and Michigan, as well as LSU, then they will turn a lot of heads.

Meanwhile, games such as Michigan vs. Iowa could very well prove to be a preview of the Big Ten Championship. There will hardly be a dull moment in the B1G this year.

East:

  1. Michigan
  2. Ohio State
  3. Michigan State
  4. Indiana
  5. Penn State
  6. Rutgers
  7. Maryland

West:

  1. Iowa
  2. Northwestern
  3. Nebraska
  4. Wisconsin
  5. Minnesota
  6. Illinois
  7. Purdue

Next: Who wins the Big Ten in 2016?