2010 College Football Preview: The Big Ten

2010 will be a year of transition for the Big Eleven Ten. Nebraska will join the conference for next season and the conference will be split up into divisions with a conference championship game at the end of the season. For now though the Big Ten looks like it will be the deepest conference in the nation.

Yes the Big Ten actually has the deepest conference this season. Ohio State will be a national title contender. Michigan State is loaded. Wisconsin returns practically their entire offense. If Ricky Stanzi can stay consistent, Iowa will be a player. If Penn State can find a quarterback and overcome an early test at Alabama, they'll be in contention. The Big Ten is loaded this season.

Ohio State will be the team though with all the expectations. Terrelle Pryor will be a Heisman favorite and will be expected to play all season like he did in the Rose Bowl against Oregon. Meanwhile the rest of the offense only has to replace two starters from last year's team (Tight End and Left Tackle). The Buckeyes are also loaded at running back with Brandon Saine leading the group. The defense returns seven starters from a top five ranked defense from last season. Big expectations this season for the Buckeyes.

Meanwhile Wisconsin is also a loaded team. The offense returns every starter except one, John Clay is still at running back, and Scott Tolzien finally provides the Badgers a consistent presence at quarterback. The Badgers need to replace some key defensive players, but return every linebacker from last year providing the defense with experience. And the good news for Wisconsin is that Ohio State travels to Madison this season. Wisconsin's toughest road games will be at Michigan State and Iowa. Wisconsin could surprise everyone and win the Big Eleven Ten this season. 



Team That'll Surprise, Michigan State- Sparty will need to find a running back, but they are loaded everywhere else on offense. Kirk Cousins provides stability at quarterback and he'll have plenty of weapons at receiver with Keshawn Martin, Mark Dell, and B.J. Cunningham leading the way. Greg Jones leads the loaded defense and Sparty brought in much needed depth with one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.

Team That'll Disappoint, Penn State- Just too much going against Penn State this season. Questions surround Joe Paterno's health, who will start at quarterback, and a lack of depth on defense will submarine this team this season. And I haven't talked about their schedule yet. Penn State travels to Alabama, Iowa, and Ohio State this season. There is just too much going against Penn State this season.

Player of the Year, Terrelle Pryor- Pryor is a Heisman candidate going into the season. Pryor had a weird year last season when there was actual talk about replacing Pryor at quarterback. Pryor responded to criticism by leading Ohio State to a Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl victory. The offense this year is loaded. The offensive line returns all starters except one. They're loaded at running back and return both receivers. Pryor won't be asked to do everything this season like he was last year.

Game of the Year, Ohio State @ Wisconsin, Oct. 16th- This game will set the tone of the Big Ten for the rest of the season. Both teams are expected to compete for the conference title and this game will set the tone as to which team will compete for the title. It's an important game for Wisconsin because there toughest challenge comes to their house so they should hold serve. The game is important for Ohio State because their toughest challenge is Wisconsin on the road. Whoever wins this game will win the conference.