Big Ten Predictions (long)

[jonesyhawk982]

Illinois
Welcome to Campaign Lovie Smith, where coaches’ careers end. However Coach Smith will get Illinois off to a quick start with close wins against Murray State and Western Michigan this 2016. The Western Michigan win will be a heart attack game where offense is key. Rebuilding the Illinois program will take time, sweat and stress in 2016 with Coach Smith but that team building will lead to big wins against Minnesota and Northwestern behind. 4-8 in the first season under Smith is a good start.

MURRAY ST - W
N. CAROLINA -L
W. MICHIGAN -W
At Nebraska -L
PURDUE -L
At Rutgers -L
At Michigan -L
MINNESOTA-W
MSU-L
At Wiscy-L
IOWA-L
At N'Western-W

4-8(2-7)

Indiana
The Hoosiers continue to have a high powered offense and inconsistent defense, which will ultimately lead to a wild 2016. Indiana will turn heads by upsetting the Huskers when they visit Bloomington. The Hoosiers will lose heartbreakers against Northwestern and Maryland because of their sloppy defense. However, the Hoosiers will speak by Purdue to reach bowl eligibility in the season finale. Coach Wilson will have pressure put on by the fan base to win a bowl game.

At FIU -W
BALL STATE-W
WAKE FOREST-W
MICH ST-L
At Ohio State-L
NEBRASKA-W
At N'Western-L
MARYLAND-L
At Rutgers-W
PENN STATE-L
At Michigan-L
PURDUE-W

6-6(3-6)

Iowa
The Hawkeyes are the West division favorite and will have a huge target on their backs this 2016. The Hawkeyes will get off to a tremendous start by beginning 5-0 and stomping Iowa State at home. The Hawkeyes will struggle in New Jersey versus Rutgers, but will win. The Gophers will slide by the Hawkeyes by a special teams play late in the game in Minneapolis. The tough defense carries the Hawkeyes to close wins against Purdue and Wisconsin. Iowa comes unglued versus Penn State on the road but rebounds for a heartbreaker at home versus Michigan. The Hawkeyes will finish 9-3 and meet Michigan in the Big Ten title game as West Division champions. Iowa will finish with a 10-win season.

MIAMI(OH)-W
IOWA STATE-W
N. DAKOTA ST-W
At Rutgers-W
N'WESTERN-W
At Minnesota-L
At Purdue-W
WISCONSIN-W
At Penn State-L
MICHIGAN-L
At Illinois-W
NEBRASKA-W

9-3(6-3)

Maryland
DJ Durkin will have the turtles running in 2016. A tough defense and consistent offense will be the key in 2016. The turtles will lose games they are “suppose to lose” to Big Ten East heavyweights and win the tossup games. Combined with a non-conference strong start, the turtles will be bowl eligible by defeating Rutgers in the season finale. A very successful start for the new coach. Watch out for Maryland moving forward into 2017.

HOWARD-W
At FIU-W
At UCF-W
PURDUE-W
At Penn St-L
MINNESOTA-L
MICHIGAN ST-L
At Indiana-W
At Michigan-L
OHIO STATE-L
At Nebraska-L
RUTGERS-W

6-6(3-6)

Michigan
Michigan is back. 2016 will be the coming out year for the mighty Wolverine. Lopsided wins versus Colorado and Penn State will make Michigan look invincible, until “little brother” Michigan State once again plays spoiler. However, Harbaugh and company strike back with a close win at Kinnick Stadium. They cap off a successful season by upsetting Big Ten East favorite Ohio State at the shoe. Michigan will re-meet Iowa in the Big Ten title.

HAWAII-W
UCF-W
COLORADO-W
PENN STATE-W
WISCONSIN-W
At Rutgers-W
ILLINOIS-W
At Michigan St.-L
MARYLAND-W
At Iowa-W
INDIANA-W
At Ohio State-W

11-1(8-1)

Michigan State
The Spartans have been reloading for years, but this year is the rebuilding year. The Spartans lose quarterback Connor Cook and will need to rely on the defense in 2016. Michigan State struggles at the beginning of the season with close losses to Notre Dame and Wisconsin. However, MSU plays spoiler versus Michigan (again). Michigan State will once again be in play for the Big Ten east, until they are beaten badly by Ohio State. Michigan State rebuilds to a 9-3 record and will play in an upper tier Big Ten bowl.

FURMAN-W
At Notre Dame-L
WISCONSIN-L
At Indiana-W
BYU-W
N'WESTERN-W
At Maryland-W
MICHIGAN-W
At Illinois-W
RUTGERS-W
OHIO STATE-L
At Penn St.-W

9-3(7-2)

Minnesota
A dark horse team in 2016 for the Big Ten West. The gophers are under the radar and looking for the kill in 2016. The Gophers are in play for the west division with wins at home versus Iowa and Purdue. However, the Gophers have a season collapse in November, which will clear the path for the Hawkeyes to be the West champ. Minnesota will claw and fight in every game this season, but teams are prepared in November for their shenanigans. The Gophers will return to a bowl game and their coach will remain in place for 2017.

OREGON ST-W
INDIANA ST-W
COL. STATE-W
At Penn State-L
IOWA-W
At Maryland-W
RUTGERS-W
At Illinois-L
PURDUE-W
At Nebraska-L
N'WESTERN-L
At Wisconsin-L

7-5(4-5)

Nebraska
Coach Riley will have the boo birds out for him in Lincoln this fall. Another underperforming season for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska starts off well, but turnover Tommy dooms Nebraska’s offense versus Indiana, which leads to a very heart breaking loss against the Hoosiers. Noise will build for Riley to leave Nebraska after losses versus Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Iowa game could put some nails in Riley’s coffin as Nebraska fans scream for change. However, while they are in fantasy land, Nebraska improves to 7-5 and will be in a respectable bowl game. If Nebraska wins the bowl, Riley stays. If not, he is toast.

FRESNO ST-W
WYOMING-W
OREGON-L
At N'Western-W
ILLINOIS-W
At Indiana-L
PURDUE-W
At Wisconsin-L
At Ohio State-L
MINNESOTA-W
MARYLAND-W
At Iowa-L

7-5(5-4)

Northwestern
Pundits are picking Northwestern to do well in 2016. However, the schedule says otherwise. The season can be good and the Duke game will be very crucial. The cats will be tough to beat in 2016, as they usually are but they will be average record wise. The cats are very difficult to predict, but they will be bowl eligible in 2016. Pat Fitzgerald will lose his mind after losing to Illinois in the season finale. Another typical Northwestern football season.

W. MICHIGAN-W
ILLINOIS ST-W
DUKE-L
NEBRASKA-L
At Iowa-L
At MSU-L
INDIANA-W
At Ohio St-L
WISCONSIN-W
At Purdue-W
At Minnesota-W
ILLINOIS-L

6-6(4-5)

Ohio State
The Buckeyes don’t rebuild, they reload. This is true for this season. Behind Coach Douchebag, the Buckeyes will certainly be in the hunt for the Big Ten Championship. The Bucks lose a thrilling game to Oklahoma on the road before stampeding through the Big Ten Schedule. The East division will be decided in Columbus, where Michigan will upset the Buckeyes and deny them the Big Ten title game. Urban Meyer will make some lackluster excuse (again) and cry about another 10-win season and not making the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes will not make a playoff committee game following the loss to Michigan.

BOWL GREEN-W
TULSA-W
At Oklahoma-L
RUTGERS-W
INDIANA-W
At Wisconsin-W
At Penn St-W
N'WESTERN-W
NEBRASKA-W
At Maryland-W
At MSU-W
MICHIGAN-L

10-2(8-1)

Penn State
James Franklin is on the hot seat for a good season. The status quo is in place as Penn State starts off an average 2-2. They will ride to wins with the defense in 2016. However, some bad losses (@ Purdue) and great wins (vs. Iowa) are bound to happen in 2016. The theme is inconsistent playing. The Lions look beautiful one day and the next week they look like a JV team. The Franklin wagon has state fans jumping off, but he will return for 2017.

KENT STATE-W
At PITT-L
TEMPLE-W
At Michigan-L
MINNESOTA-W
MARYLAND-W
OHIO STATE-L
At Purdue-L
IOWA-W
At Indiana-W
At Rutgers-W
MSU-L

7-5(5-4)

Purdue
Not much to say about Purdue. They improve as a program and culture, but it doesn’t measure into wins. They upset Penn State, but lose to Indiana to close out the season, removing themselves from a bowl birth. This will be the coaches’ last season without a bowl game. With a bowl game, he may be back in 2017.

E. KENTUCKY-W
CINCINNATI-W
NEVADA-W
At Maryland-L
At Illinois-W
IOWA-L
At Nebraska-L
PENN STATE-W
At Minnesota-L
N'WESTERN-L
WISCONSIN-L
At Indiana-L

5-7(2-7)

Rutgers
Coach Ash takes over for the Knights. A new face, new vision and new system. The Rutgers rebuilding project will take time in a tough east division this season. The schedule also isn’t the easiest. The team will however be competitive versus teams like Iowa and Minnesota. Rutgers will win versus Illinois, giving Ash his first Big Ten win. Rutgers will be the basement Big Ten team in 2016, but the rebuilding project for Coach Ash may change moving into the future.

At Washington-L
HOWARD-W
NEW MEXICO-W
IOWA-L
At Ohio State-L
MICHIGAN-L
ILLINOIS-W
At Minnesota-L
INDIANA-L
At MSU-L
PENN STATE-L
At Maryland-L

3-9(1-8)

Wisconsin
One helluva schedule has Wisconsin on the ropes in 2016. Wisconsin will open up with a loss to LSU, but they will defeat Nebraska. The defense will be stingy and they will lose to Iowa in Kinnick Stadium to be taken out of West division contention. Wisconsin will be consistent, but the tough schedule will cause an average 7-5 season for the Badgers. They will win a bowl to be 8-5 and the favorite for the 2017 West division, as Iowa loses a lot in 2017.

LSU-L
AKRON-W
GEORGIA ST-W
At MSU-W
At Michigan-L
OHIO STATE-L
At Iowa-L
NEBRASKA-W
At N'Western-L
ILLINOIS-W
At Purdue-W
MINNESOTA-W

7-5(5-4)

Conference Standings/Bowls
EAST
Michigan 11-1(8-1)
Ohio State 10-2(8-1)
Michigan State 9-3(7-2) MICHIGAN vs. IOWA (Title Game)
Penn State 7-5(5-4)
Maryland 6-6(3-6)
Indiana 6-6(3-6)
Rutgers 3-9(1-8)

WEST
Iowa 9-3(6-3)
Wisconsin 7-5(5-4)
Nebraska 7-5(5-4)
Northwestern 6-6(4-5)
Minnesota 7-5(4-5)
Purdue 5-7(2-7)
Illinois 4-8(2-7)

BOWLS:
Rose Bowl Iowa/Michigan
Sugar Bowl Michigan/Iowa
Citrus Bowl: Ohio State
Outback Bowl: Michigan State
Taxslayer Bowl: Wisconsin
Holiday Bowl: Nebraska
Music City Bowl: Penn State
Armed Forces Bowl: Minnesota
Heart of Dallas Bowl: Northwestern
Foster Farms Bowl Indiana
Quick Lane Bowl Maryland

 

[millah_22]

Would the Sugar Bowl take a 9-4 Big Ten West team? If Iowa goes 9-3 and loses in the CCG, I can see being bumped down to the Citrus Bowl.

Also, if Michigan is 12-1 and conference champs, I can see the case that they'll be included in the CFP. Especially ending the year with a 5 game win streak including Iowa twice and OSU.

 

[whatsup13579er]

If Purdue wins 5 games this season I will come back and eat a huge plate of crow. Not gonna happen.

Also, Iowa will beat Minny and OSU will beat Mich.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Why is everyone so convinced that Iowa will lose to Minnesota? I'm not suggesting it's completely inconceivable, but it almost seems like people are just looking for an opponent Iowa will stub their toe against, and Minnesota is the sexy pick this year.

My honest opinion is the Minnesota game will be a point of emphasis, particularly for the defensive players and coaches after they got exposed in that game last year. I think Iowa plays well and beats the rodents. Convincingly.

 

[scotthawk1964]

I don't see Purdue beating Illinois, and I don't see Iowa coming unglued at Penn State. Usually the Hawks play pretty good there.

 

[Madman_1]

Why is everyone so convinced that Iowa will lose to Minnesota? I'm not suggesting it's completely inconceivable, but it almost seems like people are just looking for an opponent Iowa will stub their toe against, and Minnesota is the sexy pick this year.

My honest opinion is the Minnesota game will be a point of emphasis, particularly for the defensive players and coaches after they got exposed in that game last year. I think Iowa plays well and beats the rodents. Convincingly.

I agree. After last year's game, the defense will be out to make a statement, in a BIG way.

 

[RogerKint]

Michigan will lose at Iowa and Ohio State. Nebraska will get beat in Evanston. Indiana goes 8-4 by winning all of their home games.

 

[R1950]

IMHO, the key BIG game is the non-conference match-up between Oklahoma and OSU. Right now the Buckeyes are a 6 point underdog going into Norman. If they do somehow - with all of the inexperience - beat Oklahoma, watch out because - again, IMHO - they should only get better as the year goes on. Plus, I think this year's OSU team is out from under the pressure (like last year) and will be a lot hungrier group. The issue - as everyone knows is youth/lack of experience. 45 out of the 85 man roster have freshman eligibility, I'm predicting an OSU-Iowa (maybe Nebraska) BIG championship game. Normally, I would go with experience and Michigan but they - and new DC Brown - have to show me they can stop the OSU read-option first. Last year's OSU-Mich was shocking as they were absolutely clueless on defense. I keep reading from their fans that Harbaugh brought Brown on board specifically to stop Urban's read-option but I have to see it first.

 

[J_Heater]

Why is everyone so convinced that Iowa will lose to Minnesota? I'm not suggesting it's completely inconceivable, but it almost seems like people are just looking for an opponent Iowa will stub their toe against, and Minnesota is the sexy pick this year.

My honest opinion is the Minnesota game will be a point of emphasis, particularly for the defensive players and coaches after they got exposed in that game last year. I think Iowa plays well and beats the rodents. Convincingly.

Define "Everyone"

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Define "Everyone"

Yes, good point.

 

[Herkmeister]

Illinois
Welcome to Campaign Lovie Smith, where coaches’ careers end. However Coach Smith will get Illinois off to a quick start with close wins against Murray State and Western Michigan this 2016. The Western Michigan win will be a heart attack game where offense is key. Rebuilding the Illinois program will take time, sweat and stress in 2016 with Coach Smith but that team building will lead to big wins against Minnesota and Northwestern behind. 4-8 in the first season under Smith is a good start.

MURRAY ST - W
N. CAROLINA -L
W. MICHIGAN -W
At Nebraska -L
PURDUE -L
At Rutgers -L
At Michigan -L
MINNESOTA-W
MSU-L
At Wiscy-L
IOWA-L
At N'Western-W

4-8(2-7)

Indiana
The Hoosiers continue to have a high powered offense and inconsistent defense, which will ultimately lead to a wild 2016. Indiana will turn heads by upsetting the Huskers when they visit Bloomington. The Hoosiers will lose heartbreakers against Northwestern and Maryland because of their sloppy defense. However, the Hoosiers will speak by Purdue to reach bowl eligibility in the season finale. Coach Wilson will have pressure put on by the fan base to win a bowl game.

At FIU -W
BALL STATE-W
WAKE FOREST-W
MICH ST-L
At Ohio State-L
NEBRASKA-W
At N'Western-L
MARYLAND-L
At Rutgers-W
PENN STATE-L
At Michigan-L
PURDUE-W

6-6(3-6)

Iowa
The Hawkeyes are the West division favorite and will have a huge target on their backs this 2016. The Hawkeyes will get off to a tremendous start by beginning 5-0 and stomping Iowa State at home. The Hawkeyes will struggle in New Jersey versus Rutgers, but will win. The Gophers will slide by the Hawkeyes by a special teams play late in the game in Minneapolis. The tough defense carries the Hawkeyes to close wins against Purdue and Wisconsin. Iowa comes unglued versus Penn State on the road but rebounds for a heartbreaker at home versus Michigan. The Hawkeyes will finish 9-3 and meet Michigan in the Big Ten title game as West Division champions. Iowa will finish with a 10-win season.

MIAMI(OH)-W
IOWA STATE-W
N. DAKOTA ST-W
At Rutgers-W
N'WESTERN-W
At Minnesota-L
At Purdue-W
WISCONSIN-W
At Penn State-L
MICHIGAN-L
At Illinois-W
NEBRASKA-W

9-3(6-3)

Maryland
DJ Durkin will have the turtles running in 2016. A tough defense and consistent offense will be the key in 2016. The turtles will lose games they are “suppose to lose” to Big Ten East heavyweights and win the tossup games. Combined with a non-conference strong start, the turtles will be bowl eligible by defeating Rutgers in the season finale. A very successful start for the new coach. Watch out for Maryland moving forward into 2017.

HOWARD-W
At FIU-W
At UCF-W
PURDUE-W
At Penn St-L
MINNESOTA-L
MICHIGAN ST-L
At Indiana-W
At Michigan-L
OHIO STATE-L
At Nebraska-L
RUTGERS-W

6-6(3-6)

Michigan
Michigan is back. 2016 will be the coming out year for the mighty Wolverine. Lopsided wins versus Colorado and Penn State will make Michigan look invincible, until “little brother” Michigan State once again plays spoiler. However, Harbaugh and company strike back with a close win at Kinnick Stadium. They cap off a successful season by upsetting Big Ten East favorite Ohio State at the shoe. Michigan will re-meet Iowa in the Big Ten title.

HAWAII-W
UCF-W
COLORADO-W
PENN STATE-W
WISCONSIN-W
At Rutgers-W
ILLINOIS-W
At Michigan St.-L
MARYLAND-W
At Iowa-W
INDIANA-W
At Ohio State-W

11-1(8-1)

Michigan State
The Spartans have been reloading for years, but this year is the rebuilding year. The Spartans lose quarterback Connor Cook and will need to rely on the defense in 2016. Michigan State struggles at the beginning of the season with close losses to Notre Dame and Wisconsin. However, MSU plays spoiler versus Michigan (again). Michigan State will once again be in play for the Big Ten east, until they are beaten badly by Ohio State. Michigan State rebuilds to a 9-3 record and will play in an upper tier Big Ten bowl.

FURMAN-W
At Notre Dame-L
WISCONSIN-L
At Indiana-W
BYU-W
N'WESTERN-W
At Maryland-W
MICHIGAN-W
At Illinois-W
RUTGERS-W
OHIO STATE-L
At Penn St.-W

9-3(7-2)

Minnesota
A dark horse team in 2016 for the Big Ten West. The gophers are under the radar and looking for the kill in 2016. The Gophers are in play for the west division with wins at home versus Iowa and Purdue. However, the Gophers have a season collapse in November, which will clear the path for the Hawkeyes to be the West champ. Minnesota will claw and fight in every game this season, but teams are prepared in November for their shenanigans. The Gophers will return to a bowl game and their coach will remain in place for 2017.

OREGON ST-W
INDIANA ST-W
COL. STATE-W
At Penn State-L
IOWA-W
At Maryland-W
RUTGERS-W
At Illinois-L
PURDUE-W
At Nebraska-L
N'WESTERN-L
At Wisconsin-L

7-5(4-5)

Nebraska
Coach Riley will have the boo birds out for him in Lincoln this fall. Another underperforming season for the Cornhuskers. Nebraska starts off well, but turnover Tommy dooms Nebraska’s offense versus Indiana, which leads to a very heart breaking loss against the Hoosiers. Noise will build for Riley to leave Nebraska after losses versus Wisconsin and Ohio State. The Iowa game could put some nails in Riley’s coffin as Nebraska fans scream for change. However, while they are in fantasy land, Nebraska improves to 7-5 and will be in a respectable bowl game. If Nebraska wins the bowl, Riley stays. If not, he is toast.

FRESNO ST-W
WYOMING-W
OREGON-L
At N'Western-W
ILLINOIS-W
At Indiana-L
PURDUE-W
At Wisconsin-L
At Ohio State-L
MINNESOTA-W
MARYLAND-W
At Iowa-L

7-5(5-4)
umbus, where Michigan will upset the Buckeyes and deny them the Big Ten title game. Urban Meyer will make some lackluster excuse (again) and cry about another 10-win season and not making the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes will not make a playoff committee game following the loss to Michigan.

BOWL GREEN-W
TULSA-W
At Oklahoma-L
RUTGERS-W
INDIANA-W
At Wisconsin-W
At Penn St-W
N'WESTERN-W
NEBRASKA-W
At Maryland-W
At MSU-W
MICHIGAN-L

10-2(8-1)

Penn State
James Franklin is on the hot seat for a good season. The status quo is in place as Penn State starts off an average 2-2. They will ride to wins with the defense in 2016. However, some bad losses (@ Purdue) and great wins (vs. Iowa) are bound to happen in 2016. The theme is inconsistent playing. The Lions look beautiful one day and the next week they look like a JV team. The Franklin wagon has state fans jumping off, but he will return for 2017.

KENT STATE-W
At PITT-L
TEMPLE-W
At Michigan-L
MINNESOTA-W
MARYLAND-W
OHIO STATE-L
At Purdue-L
IOWA-W
At Indiana-W
At Rutgers-W
MSU-L

7-5(5-4)

Purdue
Not much to say about Purdue. They improve as a program and culture, but it doesn’t measure into wins. They upset Penn State, but lose to Indiana to close out the season, removing themselves from a bowl birth. This will be the coaches’ last season without a bowl game. With a bowl game, he may be back in 2017.

E. KENTUCKY-W
CINCINNATI-W
NEVADA-W
At Maryland-L
At Illinois-W
IOWA-L
At Nebraska-L
PENN STATE-W
At Minnesota-L
N'WESTERN-L
WISCONSIN-L
At Indiana-L

5-7(2-7)

Rutgers
Coach Ash takes over for the Knights. A new face, new vision and new system. The Rutgers rebuilding project will take time in a tough east division this season. The schedule also isn’t the easiest. The team will however be competitive versus teams like Iowa and Minnesota. Rutgers will win versus Illinois, giving Ash his first Big Ten win. Rutgers will be the basement Big Ten team in 2016, but the rebuilding project for Coach Ash may change moving into the future.

At Washington-L
HOWARD-W
NEW MEXICO-W
IOWA-L
At Ohio State-L
MICHIGAN-L
ILLINOIS-W
At Minnesota-L
INDIANA-L
At MSU-L
PENN STATE-L
At Maryland-L

3-9(1-8)

Wisconsin
One helluva schedule has Wisconsin on the ropes in 2016. Wisconsin will open up with a loss to LSU, but they will defeat Nebraska. The defense will be stingy and they will lose to Iowa in Kinnick Stadium to be taken out of West division contention. Wisconsin will be consistent, but the tough schedule will cause an average 7-5 season for the Badgers. They will win a bowl to be 8-5 and the favorite for the 2017 West division, as Iowa loses a lot in 2017.

LSU-L
AKRON-W
GEORGIA ST-W
At MSU-W
At Michigan-L
OHIO STATE-L
At Iowa-L
NEBRASKA-W
At N'Western-L
ILLINOIS-W
At Purdue-W
MINNESOTA-W

7-5(5-4)

Conference Standings/Bowls
EAST
Michigan 11-1(8-1)
Ohio State 10-2(8-1)
Michigan State 9-3(7-2) MICHIGAN vs. IOWA (Title Game)
Penn State 7-5(5-4)
Maryland 6-6(3-6)
Indiana 6-6(3-6)
Rutgers 3-9(1-8)

WEST
Iowa 9-3(6-3)
Wisconsin 7-5(5-4)
Nebraska 7-5(5-4)
Northwestern 6-6(4-5)
Minnesota 7-5(4-5)
Purdue 5-7(2-7)
Illinois 4-8(2-7)

BOWLS:
Rose Bowl Iowa/Michigan
Sugar Bowl Michigan/Iowa
Citrus Bowl: Ohio State
Outback Bowl: Michigan State
Taxslayer Bowl: Wisconsin
Holiday Bowl: Nebraska
Music City Bowl: Penn State
Armed Forces Bowl: Minnesota
Heart of Dallas Bowl: Northwestern
Foster Farms Bowl Indiana
Quick Lane Bowl Maryland

Wow brotha.............that's a lot of work. Let me know if you do a pod cast. It would be much easier.

Great effort though. And we disagree on many but time will tell. Nice job.

 

[ThomesG.Hey]

Would the Sugar Bowl take a 9-4 Big Ten West team? If Iowa goes 9-3 and loses in the CCG, I can see being bumped down to the Citrus Bowl.

Also, if Michigan is 12-1 and conference champs, I can see the case that they'll be included in the CFP. Especially ending the year with a 5 game win streak including Iowa twice and OSU.

This is what I was thinking. No way iowa loses CCG and ends up in the Sugar Bowl

 

[RogerKint]

On ESPN College Football, Ed Cunnungham kept talking how Iowa is the best team in the Big Ten. He made some good points: Beathard, defense and the schedule.

 

[blockm2]

On ESPN College Football, Ed Cunnungham kept talking how Iowa is the best team in the Big Ten. He made some good points: Beathard, defense and the schedule.

while I'd agree Iowa might be the best team in the Big Ten, I don't think an easy schedule is evidence of a team being better than any other, just tilts the odds of a better W/L record. We've all seen inferior teams that had a prettier record and/or won a conference in part because of SOS issues. So predicting a team to win a division because of schedule isn't saying they are necessarily better (at least by my definition).

(but also please note I'm still saying Iowa could be the best irrespective of schedule)

 

[eyeohuh]

The more I look at our schedule in comparison to the rest of the division, the better I feel

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Why is everyone so convinced that Iowa will lose to Minnesota? I'm not suggesting it's completely inconceivable, but it almost seems like people are just looking for an opponent Iowa will stub their toe against, and Minnesota is the sexy pick this year.

My honest opinion is the Minnesota game will be a point of emphasis, particularly for the defensive players and coaches after they got exposed in that game last year. I think Iowa plays well and beats the rodents. Convincingly.

I can't help but laugh at it. Is Minny a guaranteed win for us.....no, but no one is.
We're talking about a team that won 5 reg season games and a 6th in a 7 point bowl over central michigan. Not sure what we're missing....

 

[RogerKint]

while I'd agree Iowa might be the best team in the Big Ten, I don't think an easy schedule is evidence of a team being better than any other, just tilts the odds of a better W/L record. We've all seen inferior teams that had a prettier record and/or won a conference in part because of SOS issues. So predicting a team to win a division because of schedule isn't saying they are necessarily better (at least by my definition).

(but also please note I'm still saying Iowa could be the best irrespective of schedule)

Good point. I thought about that too.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

I can't help but laugh at it. Is Minny a guaranteed win for us.....no, but no one is.
We're talking about a team that won 5 reg season games and a 6th in a 7 point bowl over central michigan. Not sure what we're missing....

You got me.

 

[jonesyhawk982]

Why is everyone so convinced that Iowa will lose to Minnesota? I'm not suggesting it's completely inconceivable, but it almost seems like people are just looking for an opponent Iowa will stub their toe against, and Minnesota is the sexy pick this year.

My honest opinion is the Minnesota game will be a point of emphasis, particularly for the defensive players and coaches after they got exposed in that game last year. I think Iowa plays well and beats the rodents. Convincingly.

Good points. I was just trying to get that early season loss that we're used to seeing in the Ferentz era. Could be IA ST, could be Rutgers, etc etc.

 

[unoHawkeye]

I think a lot of people are expecting Iowa to lose to one or two teams they probably shouldn't (Minnesota/Penn St. are popular picks) based off the conception that Iowa always loses a game or two they shouldn't when expectations are high. 2010 is one example.

While it's entirely possible I'm wrong (it's happened before), I don't see mental lapses, overlooking teams, and bad games being a huge issue this year. We have leadership within the team that far exceeds (IMO) what we had in 2010, and at nearly every position group. This won't be a group of guys playing to up their draft stock, nor do we have (as far as I know) any prima donnas or have had any off-season drama. Beathard, King, Jewell, Johnson/Bazata, Daniels, Taylor, Vandeberg, and Kittle all lead their respective groups, and I think the offensive line in general returns much more cohesive in both the run and pass game.

That said, I predict only two losses in the regular season: once to Michigan, and once to either Wisconsin or Nebraska en route to another BTC Game appearance.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Good points. I was just trying to get that early season loss that we're used to seeing in the Ferentz era. Could be IA ST, could be Rutgers, etc etc.

True, but having an experienced offensive and defensive line coupled with a savvy, gifted senior quarterback is the big trump card. When Iowa has struggled out of the gate in past seasons, it was usually due to inexperience at the aforementioned positions (which in reality is a Captain Obvious statement).