West Predictions....

[DEREKoh2]

1. Wisconsin--Lose D., but offense rolls in the West.
2. Iowa--Benefits from favorable schedule, North Endzone, Water Tower and Internet posters.
3. Purdue--Lose a lot on D, but coach B has (potentially) the best QB in the league.
4. NW--Loss of QB in the bowl game keeps them from runner up.
5 Nebraska--I hate to say it, but Frost is probably their solution. Terrible lines.
6. Minnesota--They need a good QB.
7 Illinois--Lovie has a ton of guys back. I wouldn't be surprised if they finish as high as 4 and bowl eliglible.

 

[Birdmanil]

Illinois will be interesting, the played so many freshmen you think they will be an improved team. I expect Northwestern to regress. Purude has an upward trajectory but need to see another year. Minnesota and Nebraska have a lot of work cut out for them due to lack of experience at QB. Nebraska should fair better then Minny as they have more talent. I have a hard time believing Wisconsin Defense will be as dominate again, but theybe surprised me the last couple of years. I think the crossover games will be a major factor in the final standings

 

[KuwaitHawk]

All games will be a factor.

 

[Frost4NU]

I would flip flop NW and Nebraska - Anytime NW has actual expectations they are god awful.

Also flip Illinois and Minnesota, just because it is Minnesota, and because Illinois has a grad transfer qb from VaTech.

I agree with Purdue, Coach Brohm is a great fit there

 

[GolfHacker1]

Frost has brought in a lot of Juco players. A lot.

 

[DEREKoh2]

I would flip flop NW and Nebraska - Anytime NW has actual expectations they are god awful.

Also flip Illinois and Minnesota, just because it is Minnesota, and because Illinois has a grad transfer qb from VaTech.

I agree with Purdue, Coach Brohm is a great fit there

I could agree. I think Nebraska's problem is their O Line. Their D Line could be good.

 

[DEREKoh2]

Illinois will be interesting, the played so many freshmen you think they will be an improved team. I expect Northwestern to regress. Purude has an upward trajectory but need to see another year. Minnesota and Nebraska have a lot of work cut out for them due to lack of experience at QB. Nebraska should fair better then Minny as they have more talent. I have a hard time believing Wisconsin Defense will be as dominate again, but theybe surprised me the last couple of years. I think the crossover games will be a major factor in the final standings

Three different 3-4 DC's in 3 years. And still tops? Barry runs this staff. Not PC. Wisconsin has probably the largest and most massive and experienced OL in CFB next year. They will dictate scores on teams. If Iowa had their LB's back, I wouldn't be concerned. If these guys reach the second level, good night. For each of the teams in the West. I truly mean it.

 

[rchawk]

Good posts above.

1. Iowa. Probably a homer pick and I can picture the eye rolls from other posters. Hawks have a more favorable Big Ten schedule than Bucky, who also graduated a lot on defense. Also think Iowa will have the better QB. In Kinnick Stadium, Big Ten opener for both, probably a night game. I do think the winner of that Sept. 22 game will be the favorite to win the West.

2. Wisconsin. They are Wisconsin, well coached and expect to win. The best OL and best RB in the conference. They like to run right at you and always do it well. In 2018 they will do it very, very well.

3. Northwestern. This is predicated on Clayton Thorson coming back to near 100%. I know Purdue is the popular pick here but Thorson is better than Sindelar or Blough. They have other talent returning and Fitz is a good coach. The Cats won ten games last season, including the last eight in a row.

4. Purdue. The Boilers have a fine coach in Brohm and believe in themselves. They will have an experienced OL but lose a lot of defense.

5. Nebraska. Excellent coaching hire will be a boost to team morale. If the Huskers play really well and NU (Cats) or PU slips they could finish fourth but have a rough conference schedule. Both lines have to improve a lot to be better than awful. Stanley Morgan could play for anybody in the Big Ten but somebody needs to get the ball to him.

6. Minnesota. The Gophers are hurting at QB and not all that healthy at other positions. Despite a couple of blowout loses to end the season I didn't think their defense was too bad last year.

7. Illinois. Lovie Smith took the Bears to a Super Bowl. When he was hired season ticket sales in Champaign probably went up, but I don't think he's a good fit to be a P5 head coach. Yes they started a lot of young players in 2017. They also went 2-10, 0-9 in the Big Ten.

 

[Birdmanil]

Three different 3-4 DC's in 3 years. And still tops? Barry runs this staff. Not PC. Wisconsin has probably the largest and most massive and experienced OL in CFB next year. They will dictate scores on teams. If Iowa had their LB's back, I wouldn't be concerned. If these guys reach the second level, good night. For each of the teams in the West. I truly mean it.

Barry may hire the staff, but he doesn't call X's and O's, nor does he decide who gets scholarships. He may be responsible for starting a successful culture and his hirings has helped maintain the culture, but it's the coach who's most responsible for continuing the success this year. I agree with you on the offense and that alone may carry to the west crown, but I have my doubts about the defense still.

 

[scotthawk1964]

Good posts above.

1. Iowa. Probably a homer pick and I can picture the eye rolls from other posters. Hawks have a more favorable Big Ten schedule than Bucky, who also graduated a lot on defense. Also think Iowa will have the better QB. In Kinnick Stadium, Big Ten opener for both, probably a night game. I do think the winner of that Sept. 22 game will be the favorite to win the West.

2. Wisconsin. They are Wisconsin, well coached and expect to win. The best OL and best RB in the conference. They like to run right at you and always do it well. In 2018 they will do it very, very well.

3. Northwestern. This is predicated on Clayton Thorson coming back to near 100%. I know Purdue is the popular pick here but Thorson is better than Sindelar or Blough. They have other talent returning and Fitz is a good coach. The Cats won ten games last season, including the last eight in a row.

4. Purdue. The Boilers have a fine coach in Brohm and believe in themselves. They will have an experienced OL but lose a lot of defense.

5. Nebraska. Excellent coaching hire will be a boost to team morale. If the Huskers play really well and NU (Cats) or PU slips they could finish fourth but have a rough conference schedule. Both lines have to improve a lot to be better than awful. Stanley Morgan could play for anybody in the Big Ten but somebody needs to get the ball to him.

6. Minnesota. The Gophers are hurting at QB and not all that healthy at other positions. Despite a couple of blowout loses to end the season I didn't think their defense was too bad last year.

7. Illinois. Lovie Smith took the Bears to a Super Bowl. When he was hired season ticket sales in Champaign probably went up, but I don't think he's a good fit to be a P5 head coach. Yes they started a lot of young players in 2017. They also went 2-10, 0-9 in the Big Ten.

I would pretty much agree with this. Iowa has possibly the best QB in the west, and possibly the BiG depending on Stanley's progression from last year. We know Iowa has the best TE in the country, and it's OL should be second only to Wisconsin, and maybe turn out to be a draw with Bucky. Our DL should be the best in the West, and one of the best in the BiG and country for that matter. If they can play at a high level that will greatly help our learning LB's. Wisconsin is due to take a step back, and I see this unless Hornibrook takes a big step forward. He might have had decent stats, but IMOP was a liability. I figure it will be crap shoot between Northwestern, Purdue and Nebraska. Northwestern with a healthy Thorsen will make the difference. Brohm is going to have Purdue challenging for the West, but I don't see it happening this year. And Nebraska, Frost is going to make it interesting, but then again, its only his first year, but there is talent in Lincoln, how much we'll see, but I think they are a year or two away from contending. I'm not going to waste time on Illinois and the boat rowers, they might surprise somebody this year, but will not be factors in the west or the BiG.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Wisconsin wins the west again with an experienced qb and best oline in B1G. Add in solid D as usual and Wisconsin has the leg up in the west. If injuries then Iowa has a chance but must beat Wisky in IC to have the tie breaker. 10-2/9-3

Iowa a close second but replacing all three linebackers and Josh Jackson in secondary proves to be the difference in an early game against Bucky. 9-3/10-2

NW - Patty Fitz is getting it done in IL compared to his rival to the south. 8-4

Purdue is another solid team while Brohm still implementing his players into his system. Two years away. 7-5

Nebraska is trying to upgrade but can’t Get there just yet in year one. B1G is too much for a freshman qb too. 6-6

Illini is a team searching for an identity. They might have to steal one. Lovie still can’t figure it out. 5-7

Minnesota is the Alabama A&M of B1G, so kinda hard to paddle a boat with no oars or qb. 4-8. Poor Phillip John.

Wisky loses to Michigan in B1G Championship Game as JH/Michigan tweet PC sent in spring comes back to bite him in the brats.

 

[DEREKoh2]

Barry runs Wisconsin. Bret got his butt fired, and the AD at Arkansas. Gary Andersen was fired at Oregon St. and didn't even fight for his buy out. Paul was average at Pitt at best. Barry runs runs this program.

 

[Hans81]

Good posts above.

1. Iowa. Probably a homer pick and I can picture the eye rolls from other posters. Hawks have a more favorable Big Ten schedule than Bucky, who also graduated a lot on defense. Also think Iowa will have the better QB. In Kinnick Stadium, Big Ten opener for both, probably a night game. I do think the winner of that Sept. 22 game will be the favorite to win the West.

2. Wisconsin. They are Wisconsin, well coached and expect to win. The best OL and best RB in the conference. They like to run right at you and always do it well. In 2018 they will do it very, very well.

3. Northwestern. This is predicated on Clayton Thorson coming back to near 100%. I know Purdue is the popular pick here but Thorson is better than Sindelar or Blough. They have other talent returning and Fitz is a good coach. The Cats won ten games last season, including the last eight in a row.

4. Purdue. The Boilers have a fine coach in Brohm and believe in themselves. They will have an experienced OL but lose a lot of defense.

5. Nebraska. Excellent coaching hire will be a boost to team morale. If the Huskers play really well and NU (Cats) or PU slips they could finish fourth but have a rough conference schedule. Both lines have to improve a lot to be better than awful. Stanley Morgan could play for anybody in the Big Ten but somebody needs to get the ball to him.

6. Minnesota. The Gophers are hurting at QB and not all that healthy at other positions. Despite a couple of blowout loses to end the season I didn't think their defense was too bad last year.

7. Illinois. Lovie Smith took the Bears to a Super Bowl. When he was hired season ticket sales in Champaign probably went up, but I don't think he's a good fit to be a P5 head coach. Yes they started a lot of young players in 2017. They also went 2-10, 0-9 in the Big Ten.

I concur with your above projected order of finish. However, after Iowa and Wisconsin, the rest of conference is kind of a jumbled mess.

 

[Frost4NU]

I could agree. I think Nebraska's problem is their O Line. Their D Line could be good.

I think Iowa will have one of the best D-Line groups in the B1G, I didn’t realize they returned everyone also!

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

I would flip flop NW and Nebraska - Anytime NW has actual expectations they are god awful.

Also flip Illinois and Minnesota, just because it is Minnesota, and because Illinois has a grad transfer qb from VaTech.

I agree with Purdue, Coach Brohm is a great fit there

Why? Nobody else would

 

[Steve Waite]

I would pick Iowa at this point. We have the better QB, TE's and DLine. Wisky has the better OLine, RB and punter, which they will need when we stack the box and make Hornibrook throw pick 6's.
Iowa has a more favorable schedule than Wisky. Wisky is at Iowa, PSU, Michigan, Northwestern and Purdue. That's tough slaying. They benefited last year form a cupcake schedule, this year they will take their lumps.
Iowa 8-1
Wisky 6-3
The rest of the West not even in the conversation.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

I could agree. I think Nebraska's problem is their O Line. Their D Line could be good.

Why? The same D line that was torched for 1,000 yards rushing their last three games?

 

[83Hawk]

Wisconsin is going to win the West easily. They are far and away the better team. All they do is win...year in and year out.

I expect the Hawks to finish in their usual range of 7 wins, give or take. Linebacker play is going to be the Achilles Heel, as it was a few seasons ago. The ISU game is going to be key....lose to them and it will be a long season. Win..and they could get up to 8-9 wins.

 

[kceasthawk]

Wisconsin is going to win the West easily. They are far and away the better team. All they do is win...year in and year out.

I expect the Hawks to finish in their usual range of 7 wins, give or take. Linebacker play is going to be the Achilles Heel, as it was a few seasons ago. The ISU game is going to be key....lose to them and it will be a long season. Win..and they could get up to 8-9 wins.

Certainly you have to say that LB play will be key to how well the defense plays. I just have a feeling that we'll not be in the same boat we were in the last two times we had three senior LB's graduate all at the same time. In Morris's freshman year, and Jewell's redshirt freshman year we were forced to turn to raw players at the Mike and other LB positions due to injury and attrition. That SHOULD not be the case this season. Jones, N Niemann, and Welch are at least in their third season and could all be very good. Sounds like Wade, Weiland, and Taylor are making strides, and it sounds like Doyle and McDonald will see the field at least on special teams, all long with the two Juco's from IWCC. Also the overall depth and quality of the DL, and budding stars at DB should help to soften early growing pains for the LB's.

 

[Frost4NU]

Why? Nobody else would

Why? The same D line that was torched for 1,000 yards rushing their last three games?

This is why nobody likes most iowa fans, people are entitled to their own opinion, our DL wasn’t the one who got torched last year you dunce

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

Check out @landof10’s Tweet:

NW is going to be in the fight until the end. This year it isnt about what the Defense does for Iowa, it's what the offense does, imo.

 

[Pepperman]

This year it isnt about what the Defense does for Iowa, it's what the offense does, imo.

That's the case every year in my opinion. I know Iowa's defense will be above average, but can the offense do anything in important games like Wisconsin? Never mind even if Iowa beats Wisconsin (and if they do this board will be simply assuming a B1G championship appearance) can Iowa hold up against the Purdues and NWs of the schedule?

 

[hoffmkr]

This is why nobody likes most iowa fans, people are entitled to their own opinion, our DL wasn’t the one who got torched last year you dunce

Can you explain how giving up over 980 yards rushing in three games is NOT getting torched by the D-line. I know some Iowa fans like to pick on Nebraska, but this is one statement I don't understand how you argue with? Iowa had almost no RBs left on the depth chart who did NOT score a touchdown against Nebraska.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

This is why nobody likes most iowa fans, people are entitled to their own opinion, our DL wasn’t the one who got torched last year you dunce

Really? A defense gives up 1,000 yards in three games.

Whose fault is it? The punter? The QB?

Call me a dunce again, you mouth breathing hick.

Before you go all "It'll be different now that Frost is here." I remind you UCF was ranked #59 in run defense and #56 in Pass Efficiency Defense.

 

[St_Henry_Buckeye]

This is why nobody likes most iowa fans, people are entitled to their own opinion, our DL wasn’t the one who got torched last year you dunce

You had a D line last year?

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

You had a D line last year?

What year was the last time you guys had to punt against Nebraska?

 

[K OKeefe]

I would flip flop NW and Nebraska - Anytime NW has actual expectations they are god awful.

Also flip Illinois and Minnesota, just because it is Minnesota, and because Illinois has a grad transfer qb from VaTech.

I agree with Purdue, Coach Brohm is a great fit there

Kind of like Iowa.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

This is why nobody likes most iowa fans, people are entitled to their own opinion, our DL wasn’t the one who got torched last year you dunce

Mighty Nebraska got torched (dline) to the tune of 215 yards a game (nearly 2600 yards on the season). 33 rushing TD's as well.

I would really love to hear what group you think has the main responsibility in run defense. (I'll grab my popcorn in anticipation to your response)

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

You had a D line last year?

It's going to be funny to watch the lack of responses to this. Not even the most arrogant debra fan will put their nose up to a buckeye. So.... thank you, and Ohio state sucks.

 

[scarletred]

Really? A defense gives up 1,000 yards in three games.

Whose fault is it? The punter? The QB?
.

DIACO.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

DIACO.

Hmmmm, based on his defensive coordinator history vs. ONE year at Nebraska tells me the problem was more lack of talent and execution.

Diaco’s 3-4 defense has consistently worked. In four years at Notre Dame, Diaco never had a scoring defense rated worse than 27th nationally. At Connecticut, the talent pool was much different, but Diaco’s 2015 group ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense.

Since joining the Big Ten, Nebraska has never ranked higher than 33rd nationally in scoring defense.

So having said that. Tell me where YOU think the problem lies.

 

[scarletred]

Hmmmm, based on his defensive coordinator history vs. ONE year at Nebraska tells me the problem was more lack of talent and execution.

Diaco’s 3-4 defense has consistently worked. In four years at Notre Dame, Diaco never had a scoring defense rated worse than 27th nationally. At Connecticut, the talent pool was much different, but Diaco’s 2015 group ranked 15th nationally in scoring defense.

Since joining the Big Ten, Nebraska has never ranked higher than 33rd nationally in scoring defense.

So having said that. Tell me where YOU think the problem lies.

From what a Former Defensive coach witness at practice and what has been said, Diaco couldn't let his asst coach or coach them not alone teach the asst the scheme and laid blamed ex- defensive coordinator Banker for some tackling technic...


Here is a Diaco story he wanted a trophy game with UCF and he had ONE made when he was at UConn, so when UCF beat them UCF left the trophy on the bench of the sideline..

Statically Nebraska will be better than last year but we have a long way to go but this staff been together and that will pay dividends in the future...

Apologize for typing on I-phone quickly

 

[K OKeefe]

From what a Former Defensive coach witness at practice and what has been said, Diaco couldn't let his asst coach or coach them not alone teach the asst the scheme and laid blamed ex- defensive coordinator Banker for some tackling technic...


Here is a Diaco story he wanted a trophy game with UCF and he ha done made when he was at UConn, so when UCF beat them UCF left the trophy on the bench of the sideline..

Statically Nebraska will be better than last year but we have a long way to go but this staff been together and that will pay dividends in the future...

Wow, this passes for cogent thought in Nebby land?

 

[DEREKoh2]

Wow, this passes for cogent thought in Nebby land?

I'm no Deb apologist. Hate those MFers. I have been 100% spot on for decades We are going to hate the hiring of Scott Frost. Last year. Purdue and Coach B beat us at home last year. I wouldn't be surprised if Frost beats us at home this year. In fact, I will predict it. PJ is sizzle with no steak. Frost is not. Go read the bio of his coaches. Not a weak coaching staff. This is the best in the West. I went to Iowa. I'm a Hawk. I went to Iowa when the Hawks had Hayden and enjoyed Schembechler roaming the sidelines. Watch how quickly these guys can make us stuff socks in our mouths.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I'm no Deb apologist. Hate those MFers. I have been 100% spot on for decades We are going to hate the hiring of Scott Frost. Last year. Purdue and Coach B beat us at home last year. I wouldn't be surprised if Frost beats us at home this year. In fact, I will predict it. PJ is sizzle with no steak. Frost is not. Go read the bio of his coaches. Not a weak coaching staff. This is the best in the West. I went to Iowa. I'm a Hawk. I went to Iowa when the Hawks had Hayden and enjoyed Schembechler roaming the sidelines. Watch how quickly these guys can make us stuff socks in our mouths.

Remember when you "went years without posting" try that again. The dude has not coached a game in a real confrence and his d cord is a schlomo. IF nebraska is going to be good they are still going to need an entire new D staff. Brian F has some things to say for himself also.

K.o.k has a better vocab than I.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

My big 10 west analogy.

Right now, in a small room, there is a 600 pound Gorilla named Wisconsin, a 500 pound Gorrila named Iowa, a 450 pound Gorilla named Northwestern, and a 300 pound Gorilla named Nebraska. The one chirping the loudest weighs 300 pounds, I'm worried about the 600 pounder and Nebraska needs to gain some weight before anyone worries about it. Offeseaon hype is a Nebbers best friend. We will see how old scooter feels when his wife is freezing her ass off at home in January and they have to pay to take vacations to a place they used to live.

 

[K OKeefe]

Remember when you "went years without posting" try that again. The dude has not coached a game in a real confrence and his d cord is a schlomo. IF nebraska is going to be good they are still going to need an entire new D staff. Brian F has some things to say for himself also.

And I think the previous poster was looking for the word cognizant.

Cogent was the word I was looking for.
rationally persuasive: forceful and convincing to the intellect and reason

• a cogent argument

Scarletred's argument is not forceful or convincing to intellect or reason.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

My apologies. I did not research the word. I will add that to the Vocab.

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

From what a Former Defensive coach witness at practice and what has been said, Diaco couldn't let his asst coach or coach them not alone teach the asst the scheme and laid blamed ex- defensive coordinator Banker for some tackling technic...


Here is a Diaco story he wanted a trophy game with UCF and he had ONE made when he was at UConn, so when UCF beat them UCF left the trophy on the bench of the sideline..

Statically Nebraska will be better than last year but we have a long way to go but this staff been together and that will pay dividends in the future...

Apologize for typing on I-phone quickly

Huh. Here all I did was put factual stats up and you...I don't know what the hell you did there. Lemmie get this straight, Diaco wanted a trophy game a few years ago at UCONN so that's why Nebraska's defense sucked last year? Ok, got it.

Better than last year? You have no way of knowing that. This is more of the same crap we've heard from Nebraska fan since they joined the conference...We're GONNA do this, we're GONNA do that. Dominate that conference, blah, blah, blah.

As a courtesy, please take down your profile pic. I really have a hard time looking at that closet hiding coward.

 

[scarletred]

Huh. Here all I did was put factual stats up and you...I don't know what the hell you did there. Lemmie get this straight, Diaco wanted a trophy game a few years ago at UCONN so that's why Nebraska's defense sucked last year? Ok, got it.

Better than last year? You have no way of knowing that. This is more of the same crap we've heard from Nebraska fan since they joined the conference...We're GONNA do this, we're GONNA do that. Dominate that conference, blah, blah, blah.

As a courtesy, please take down your profile pic. I really have a hard time looking at that closet hiding coward.

Learn to read the first paragraph. ( Charlie McBride was the ex defensive coordinator)The second paragraph was to show HOW Big a buffon Diaco was.

One stat you left out Diaco was fired at UConn.