The offseason has not been a quiet one in the Midwest. Jim Harbaugh and his Twitter account have garnered quite a few headlines. The Big Ten is not all Harbaugh, though. Ohio State and Michigan State will once again be contenders.
Notre Dame is looking to build on a 10-3 season a year ago that ended with a 44-28 loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. A manageable schedule could propel the Irish to College Football Playoff contention come November.
Big Ten East projection:
- Ohio State 11-1 (8-1)
- Michigan State 10-2 (7-2)
- Michigan 10-2 (7-2)
- Penn State 10-2 (7-2)
- Indiana 6-6 (3-6)
- Maryland 3-9 (1-8)
- Rutgers 2-10 (1-8)
While there are quite a few reasons to be bullish about Michigan State, we don’t see them edging the others out in the West. Michigan still has some work to do before it is a playoff contender. Look for Ohio State to be dominant once again and head to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. We also feel that Penn State will be improved this year.
Big Ten West projection:
- Iowa 11-1 (8-1)
- Northwestern 9-3 (6-3)
- Nebraska 7-5 (5-4)
- Minnesota 7-5 (4-5)
- Wisconsin 6-6 (4-5)
- Purdue 4-8 (1-8)
- Illinois 2-10 (0-9)
By virtue of a schedule that poses few risks, we think the Hawkeyes will represent the West in the championship game. But don’t get too excited about that because there is still a tremendous gap between divisions with the East ruling the roost.
We have Ohio State beating Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game and being in prime position for a playoff berth with a 12-1 finishing record.
We feel that Notre Dame will exceed last season’s 10-2 regular season record by going 11-1 this year. We think the Irish’s only loss will come against Michigan State in week three.
Listen as Jacob Bunn and the College Football Professor preview the Big Ten and Notre Dame.