SportsbyFletch continues its college football preview by bringing in Big11 commish Paul Mac to break down the Big11. Wait, what just happened? Did Paul Mac just resign? He's only going to break down 4 teams? Why? because the rest suck? Agreed.
(Tomorrow the Pac10!)
1) Ohio State - Terrelle Pryor has arrived and the circuit has completed in his head. His Heisman candidacy depends on their beating Wisconsin and Iowa on the road. 5 years of Big 10 champion pedigree is going to be tough to knock off even if they do have one of the most difficult schedules in the Big 10 and have to go play at 2 of the 3 best teams not wearing Scarlett and Gray. Brandon Saine needs to eclipse Pryor as the leading rusher. Cameron Heyward is awesome and they have tons of depth. Miami is their toughest non conference game and it's in Columbus. Other than that..at Iowa. If they can survive Kinnick Stadium in Iowa city they probably finish the season Undefeated and headed to the BCS championship game.
2) Iowa - The best defensive line in the nation anchored by the best defensive end who should by all rights be playing in the NFL Adrian Clayborne. They also return safety Tyler Sash (6 picks) but lose Amari Spivey to the NFL early. Pat Angerer and AJ Edds are gone as well but the Hawkeyes will have one of the better scoring defenses in the nation again this year. Probably the best in the big 10. On offense they return excellent Senior QB Ricky Stanzi who needs to take better care of the football (15ints). Jewel Hampton who was sensational two years ago comes back from his ACL tear and they also have the capable Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher who were solid last season in the back field. Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson - Koulianos provide speed to burn on the outside. Iowa's biggest question this season is how to replace Left Tackle Bryan Bulaga; Right Tackle Kyle Calloway and Rafael Eubanks. Still the size is there and Kirk Ferentz is an offensive line mastermind. The Hawkeyes get their toughest games at home (Penn State, then Wisconsin and then the defacto Big 10 championship game vs Ohio State on November 20) 11-1 (unless they can flip the script on Ohio State who needed OT to beat them in the horseshoe a year ago) This would put a GIANT torque wrench in the BCS picture.
3) Wisconsin - easiest schedule of the big 4 no Penn State but they have to face Ohio State in Camp Randall then go on the road to face Iowa. I don't see them winning either. Even with John Clay who rushed for over 1500 yards last season and Scott Tolzien who was easily the most efficient QB in the Big 10 and threw for nearly 2800 yards and 16 TD's. They miss Garrett Graham but it's Wisconsin so naturally they have the 6-4 239lb Lance Kendricks to fill in. They are a very good team. I just think Iowa and Ohio State are better. They will finish 10-2 with those two losses.
4) Penn State - Could be the end for Joe Paterno after a 66 year run as HC and that burden will be felt by seniors Evan Royster and Stefan Wisnewski and I have to imagine they will play inspired. They have had a good run the last several years but even at Linebacker U replacing 3 NFL LB's in one year is daunting. They are really going to miss Navorro Bowman on the field though perhaps not on the police blotter. The good news... no stud MLB with knee problems for the first time in what seems like forever. They have to replace Daryll Clark at QB too. Penn State is going to be a grindingly tough out and if they play well they can beat anyone in this group but games at Alabama; Iowa and then in the Horseshoe could and probably will derail their efforts to get back to the Rose Bowl. I think they lose all the tough ones on the road and finish 9-3... then stomp the crap out of whatever SEC team they play in the Outback Bowl to finish with 10 wins.
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