Handicapping Big 10 Football
The consensus is that this year’s Big Ten should be better than last year’s. Sure the Ohio State Buckeyes had a perfect season but it might have been the least impressive one in recent memory, and their inability compete in the Championship game or BCS allowed some other teams to step forward who really didn’t deserve it – we are looking at you Wisconsin.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Win Total Over/Under: 11
BCS Champion Odds: +700
Conference Winning Odds: -105
Big Ten Overview
In reading up on the B10 this summer the thing that strikes me greatly are the varying opinions on Nebraska. Since coach Bo Pelini came to town the Huskers have been good but not great but some out there think this is a top 10 team. I don’t see it but if they are they might actually challenge OSU for the conference title.
Why Ohio State will have the most wins in the Big Ten
Talent: Ohio State has a huge difference maker at the most important position on the field – quarterback. Junior Braxton Miller is a serious candidate for the Heisman and if his throwing has actually improved their offense should be a lot better.
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OSU is has not been helped with the nonsense around top returning back Carlos Hyde but regardless of who totes the rock they will have an offensive line featuring 4 returning starters in front of them. On defense they have 4 returning starters in total and need to get better overall. Given their ability to recruit and develop talent this unit should be much improved this year
Schedule: The main reason the Buckeyes are considered a legit BCS contender is because of their light schedule. The non-conference features no mega-games.
Though I think that San Diego State will give them all they can handle I am not sure I am ready to call the upset there just yet given they play them at the Horseshoe. Within conference I see two potential rough spots in trips to Northwestern and Michigan. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
They will probably drop one of those but still have a solid enough cushion to still top the league in total victories. Maybe even if they drop both.
Coaching: Another dominant story this offseason is how coach Urban Meyer gets his team to the promised land by year 2. After a perfect start to his tenure at Ohio State the only way to improve for this program is in the postseason so it may take awhile to see.
I am not a big fan of Meyer’s but you can’t argue with the results. Every stop he goes to improves until they reach the ceiling of the program. At a place like Ohio State that is the National Championship.
I think it is a little premature for this team but the potential is there.
Prediction: 11-1
Ohio State may very well have another perfect season and if they do they will get a chance to play for the Championship.
To me they are a notch below a host of other teams in terms of talent but their schedule and their reputation could vault them to those kinds of heights. As there is a championship game in the Big 10 now they are guaranteed nothing but I would be shocked if they don’t accumulate the most among their conference brethren this season.
You could almost guarantee that.
