2009 Big 10 Football Predictions
September 1, 2009
Another exciting college football season is upon us, and we wanted to take this time to give our readers our 2009 Big 10 predictions. Last year Penn State nearly made a clean sweep of their regular season schedule, as their only loss came late in the at Iowa. The Nittany Lions finished the regular season tied with Ohio State at 7-1 in Big 10 play, but thanks to a 13-6 road win at Ohio State they were the team that represented the Big 10 in the Rose Bowl. Because the Big 10 actually has 11 teams, its very important to look at the schedule when making your predictions, as one team could end up facing all the top teams, while another team has a much easier route to the conference title. Also unlike most major BCS conferences the Big 10 does not have a title game at the end of the season to determine an outright champion.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-0)
I think the Buckeyes are going to be a very dominant football team this season, as I have them running the table in Big 10 play. The Buckeyes do have to play at Penn State and Michigan, and both figure to be good games, even if Michigan has another down year. I also think the Buckeyes could struggle with home games against Iowa and Illinois, but with Terrelle Pryor at quarterback the Buckeyes should be able to come out on top. Bet the Buckeyes +150 to win the Big 10 at Superbook.com.
2. Penn State Nittany Lions (7-1)
The Nittany Lions return just 9 starters from last year, but figure to be set on offense with senior quarterback Daryll Clark and junior running back Evan Royster. The Nittany Lions have just 4 starters back on defense, but have another absolute stud at linebacker in junior Navorro Bowman. The only loss I see for the Nittany Lions is their Nov. 7 meeting with the Buckeyes. Bet the Nittany Lions +200 to win the Big 10 at Superbook.com.
3. Iowa Hawkeyes (6-2)
The Hawkeyes have a very good football team heading into the 2009 season, but unfortunately for them their 4 road games just so happen to be against Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. I think the Hawkeyes pull off wins against both Michigan State and Wisconsin, but I don’t think they will be able to win on the road at Penn State or Ohio State. Bet the Hawkeyes +700 to win the Big 10 atSuperbook.com.
T-4. Michigan State Spartans (5-3)
The Spartans should benefit from a schedule that has them not playing Ohio State, and they get both Iowa and Penn State at home, but I am not sold on the Spartans and feel like they will lose both of these games, plus I have them losing at Illinois early in the season. Bet the Spartans +600 to win the Big 10 at Superbook.com.
T-4. Illinois Fighting Illini (5-3)
The Fighting Illini just might end up being the surprise team in the Big 10 this season, much like they were back in 2007 when they challenged for the conference title and played in the Rose Bowl. The Illini figure to have the most explosive offense in the Big 10, but I still have them losing to Penn State, Ohio State, and at Minnesota. Bet the Fighting Illini +800 to win the Big 10 at Superbook.com.
6. Wisconsin Badgers (4-4)
The Badgers return just 11 starters this season, and are coming off their worse season in the Big 10 since they went 2-6 back in 2002. I think the Badgers are going to be a better football team in 2009, but I don’t think it translates in them fighting for the Big 10 crown. Bet the Badgers +1000 to win the Big 10 title at Superbook.com.
T-7. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-5)
The Golden Gophers started off fast in 2009 going 3-1 in their first 4 conference games, but wound up losing their final 4 games, including a 55-0 blowout by the Hawkeyes in the final game of the season. The Badgers should compete, but don’t expect them to be anywhere near the top of the conference. Bet the Golden Gophers +1200 to win the Big 10 title at Sportsbook.com.
T-7. Northwestern Wildcats (3-5)
The Wildcats had a very nice 2008 going 9-4 overall and 5-3 in conference play, but enter the 2009 season having to replace their quarterback, running back, and top 3 wide outs from last season. Bet the Wildcats +2500 to win the Big 10 at Sportsbook.com.
9. Michigan Wolverines (2-6)
As you can see I don’t think the Wolverines and head coach Rich Rodriguez are going to be much better than the 2008 version that won just 2 games in Big 10 play. Rodriguez is likely done after another down year for the Wolverines. Bet the Wolverines +1200 to win the Big 10 title at Superbook.com.
10. Purdue Boilermakers (1-7)
The Boilermakers come into the season with just 5 wins in conference play over the last 2 seasons, and with just 12 starters back I look for an even bigger drop off in 2009. Bet the Boilermakers +5000 to win the Big 10 at Superbook.com.
11. Indiana Hoosiers (0-8)
The Hoosiers are not going to be a good football team in 2009, as the only winnable game I see on their schedule is their season finale at home against the Boilermakers, but Purdue is coming off a 52 point win over the Hoosiers last season. Bet the Hoosiers +5000 to win the Big 10 at Superbook.com.
If you are interested in betting college football this season, now is the perfect time to head over to Superbook.com and get an account up and going. Also, we have some of the top handicappers in college football, that put out their expert NCAA football picks each week, and we make sure you have the best odds for each game with our live NCAA football odds feed.
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