West:
1. Wisconsin
“The Badgers have won at least 10 games in four of Chryst’s five seasons, including three trips to New Year’s Six bowls. Considering the high-end talent he has to replace, those seem like lofty goals in 2020. Bit Wisconsin should still be a factor in the division race, and after a reload, could be building toward something special the following season.”
2. Minnesota
“Like at Western Michigan, Fleck had success without a target firmly planted on his team’s back. The 2019 team was picked by the conference’s media to finish sixth in the division; they were second on a tiebreaker to Wisconsin. Now we’ll see how his team performs under pressure to be one of the conference’s best.”
3. Iowa
“A lot will depend on what happens at quarterback, because you knew what to expect with the departed Stanley, who finished 3-0 in bowl games and 9-0 against Nebraska, Minnesota and Nebraska.”
4. Nebraska
“Six wins are probably a reasonable expectation for Frost’s third team, despite greater optimism going into a spring that ended after two March practices due to the coronavirus pandemic. If the Huskers are tio win enough to earn their first bowl bid since 2016, they’ll have to start strong, since they face a back-loaded conference schedule.”
5. Purdue
“Brohm is stockpiling talent, but it remains either young or coming off injury. Losing spring practice time obviously doesn’t help matters. If Diaco can get the defense to improve and key players can avoid season-ending injuries, Purdue could move up the Big Ten West standings this season and return to bowl eligibility after a one-year hiatus.”
6. Northwestern
“Northwestern needed a new voice on offense and likely a new quarterback, too. In Bajakian and Ramsey, it adds two proven pieces who could help restore bowl eligibility.”
7. Illinois
“With a favorable schedule, including three winnable home nonconference games to open up. The Illini are dreaming bigger. Smith welcomes back a veteran offense led by Peters and four returning regulars on the line. If the defense continues to take the ball away at a high right, Illinois will contend for another bowl bid.”
East:
1. Ohio State
“Even though this is a team with enough ability to contend and with several upperclassmen occupying key spots, a lot will have to fall into place for OSU to return to the College Football Playoff. With Day under the headset, Fields at the controls and the young blazers at the wideout positions, this offense could be electric again. Clearly, Fields will have every chance to confirm why he is a Heisman frontrunner. But are the losses on defense going to prove to be too much to overcome?”
2. Penn State
“If the Lions are going to take the next step, they will need to do better in the passing game -- on both sides of the ball. They will need to throw and catch more consistently after finishing eighth in the Big Ten in passing offense last year, and they will need to stop opponents from gouging their secondary, as happened in their loss to Minnesota and even a few wins.”
3. Michigan
“It’s clear that the Wolverines will be going through some changes on offense. In Year Two of Gattis’ offense, it’s crucial that the Wolverines settle on the right quarterback. While no clear favorite is apparent right now, both have the talent to take the position and make it their own. It’s up to the coaching staff to make the right call, as very little can be discerned from existing game film and spring practice was wiped out.”
4. Indiana
“This is the most athletic and talented Indiana team since the Bill Mallory era nearly 30 years ago. The Hoosiers have productive, experienced players at every position. They have finally improved their depth on defense, leaving only questions about their ability to withstand injuries on the offensive line.”
5. Michigan State
“With the task of installing a new defense and offense amid an uncertain quarterback situation, under a new head coach, the spring shutdown stalled Tucker’s transition plan and likely hurt Michigan State more than any team in the Big Ten.”
6. Maryland
“Maryland was last in the Big Ten in time of possession, and that won’t work until this defense gets better. There are some more bodies on D, particularly budding star Cross. The secondary is talented if they don’t have to cover all day like last year. There’s a lot on Jackson at QB in terms of possessing the ball and making better decisions. Locksley has more of the players he needs, but not enough. Yet.”
7. Rutgers
“While long-suffering Rutgers fans hope it won’t take Schiano long to rediscover the magic, the reality is this is a program that has finished last in the Big Ten East Division in all but one year since its most recent bowl appearance in 2014.”
1. Wisconsin
“The Badgers have won at least 10 games in four of Chryst’s five seasons, including three trips to New Year’s Six bowls. Considering the high-end talent he has to replace, those seem like lofty goals in 2020. Bit Wisconsin should still be a factor in the division race, and after a reload, could be building toward something special the following season.”
2. Minnesota
“Like at Western Michigan, Fleck had success without a target firmly planted on his team’s back. The 2019 team was picked by the conference’s media to finish sixth in the division; they were second on a tiebreaker to Wisconsin. Now we’ll see how his team performs under pressure to be one of the conference’s best.”
3. Iowa
“A lot will depend on what happens at quarterback, because you knew what to expect with the departed Stanley, who finished 3-0 in bowl games and 9-0 against Nebraska, Minnesota and Nebraska.”
4. Nebraska
“Six wins are probably a reasonable expectation for Frost’s third team, despite greater optimism going into a spring that ended after two March practices due to the coronavirus pandemic. If the Huskers are tio win enough to earn their first bowl bid since 2016, they’ll have to start strong, since they face a back-loaded conference schedule.”
5. Purdue
“Brohm is stockpiling talent, but it remains either young or coming off injury. Losing spring practice time obviously doesn’t help matters. If Diaco can get the defense to improve and key players can avoid season-ending injuries, Purdue could move up the Big Ten West standings this season and return to bowl eligibility after a one-year hiatus.”
6. Northwestern
“Northwestern needed a new voice on offense and likely a new quarterback, too. In Bajakian and Ramsey, it adds two proven pieces who could help restore bowl eligibility.”
7. Illinois
“With a favorable schedule, including three winnable home nonconference games to open up. The Illini are dreaming bigger. Smith welcomes back a veteran offense led by Peters and four returning regulars on the line. If the defense continues to take the ball away at a high right, Illinois will contend for another bowl bid.”
East:
1. Ohio State
“Even though this is a team with enough ability to contend and with several upperclassmen occupying key spots, a lot will have to fall into place for OSU to return to the College Football Playoff. With Day under the headset, Fields at the controls and the young blazers at the wideout positions, this offense could be electric again. Clearly, Fields will have every chance to confirm why he is a Heisman frontrunner. But are the losses on defense going to prove to be too much to overcome?”
2. Penn State
“If the Lions are going to take the next step, they will need to do better in the passing game -- on both sides of the ball. They will need to throw and catch more consistently after finishing eighth in the Big Ten in passing offense last year, and they will need to stop opponents from gouging their secondary, as happened in their loss to Minnesota and even a few wins.”
3. Michigan
“It’s clear that the Wolverines will be going through some changes on offense. In Year Two of Gattis’ offense, it’s crucial that the Wolverines settle on the right quarterback. While no clear favorite is apparent right now, both have the talent to take the position and make it their own. It’s up to the coaching staff to make the right call, as very little can be discerned from existing game film and spring practice was wiped out.”
4. Indiana
“This is the most athletic and talented Indiana team since the Bill Mallory era nearly 30 years ago. The Hoosiers have productive, experienced players at every position. They have finally improved their depth on defense, leaving only questions about their ability to withstand injuries on the offensive line.”
5. Michigan State
“With the task of installing a new defense and offense amid an uncertain quarterback situation, under a new head coach, the spring shutdown stalled Tucker’s transition plan and likely hurt Michigan State more than any team in the Big Ten.”
6. Maryland
“Maryland was last in the Big Ten in time of possession, and that won’t work until this defense gets better. There are some more bodies on D, particularly budding star Cross. The secondary is talented if they don’t have to cover all day like last year. There’s a lot on Jackson at QB in terms of possessing the ball and making better decisions. Locksley has more of the players he needs, but not enough. Yet.”
7. Rutgers
“While long-suffering Rutgers fans hope it won’t take Schiano long to rediscover the magic, the reality is this is a program that has finished last in the Big Ten East Division in all but one year since its most recent bowl appearance in 2014.”
