Fansided

Predicting the conference championship games and winners of every Power 5 league

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Kedon Slovis (9)) gets off a throw as he is pressured by Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Kedon Slovis (9)) gets off a throw as he is pressured by Oregon Ducks defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) in the first quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 7, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back J.K. Dobbins (2) carries the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2019; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back J.K. Dobbins (2) carries the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half in the 2019 Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Big Ten: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin

Winner: Ohio State

Ohio State has been all over the Big Ten conference title picture since the start of the millennium, sharing or winning the honor 11 times. From Jim Tressel to Ryan Day, the talent arrives in droves to consistently lead this powerhouse school, and despite some roster turnover this past off-season, 2021 will be more of the same.

The quarterback situation is unknown due to the ongoing competition, but a deep, strong crop of players across the rest of the board gives them the edge over a very mild Big Ten East lineup.

Indiana, a still unproven team, is arguably the Buckeyes’ most challenging conference opponent. The Hoosiers surprised everyone in 2020, but they have yet to succeed over a full regular season. James Franklin’s Penn State group is the only other threat, but they were terrible last year. There is talent on both sides of the ball, but not enough to push the East standings.

The West is slightly more complicated because Iowa and Northwestern are competitive and threats to win the division. However, Wisconsin has quarterback Graham Mertz, who looks like a star in the making up north. He has a solid group of receivers to throw to, all the more important without an established run game. Plus, the front seven returns most of its ground game-stopping group from 2020 that was among the best in the nation. They should stall the less-than-potent offenses on the schedule.

A crucial Oct. 30 game between the Badgers and Hawkeyes may determine who represents this section of the Big Ten, but the former has the most potential for success. That leads to a rematch of the 2019 title game.

With that said, it’s Ohio State’s Big Ten. No question about it.