Predicting the Big Ten in 2017: Ohio State leads East, Wisconsin takes West
The Big Ten hosted one of the most thrilling finishes to a regular season between Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State in 2016. One of the conference's programs could top that by running the table during this regular season.
Which program is best-suited to accomplish that feat? Well, en route to the answer, let's first take a look at the Big Ten West.
WEST DIVISION
| Team | Conference | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 8-1 | 11-1 |
| Iowa | 6-3 | 9-3 |
| Northwestern | 5-4 | 8-4 |
| Minnesota | 5-4 | 8-4 |
| Nebraska | 3-6 | 5-7 |
| Illinois | 2-7 | 4-8 |
| Purdue | 1-8 | 2-10 |
Crazier things have happened, but it's a bit of a stretch to see anyone winning the Big Ten West besides Wisconsin. The Badgers stick out among a group of teams with a fair shot at contending, but a much longer shot at winning it all.
Iowa should remain competitive, but in order to take that next step, the Hawkeyes need to threaten opposing defenses more consistently. Only twice did they put up more than 14 points against a conference opponent in 2016. With a new face guaranteed to be under center, any sort of offensive chemistry could at least take a few games to build.
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Northwestern is a sneaky team in the division. With victories against Iowa and Pittsburgh, along with a very narrow defeat to Ohio State, the Wildcats proved last season that they have what it takes to win as an underdog. Meanwhile, adding P.J. Fleck to Minnesota is enough to keep opponents on their toes, but both programs will likely remain multiple games out of a Big Ten championship berth.
In the end, it's simply a matter of strength and depth. Barring a number of upsets, the Badgers should stake their claim in the Big Ten championship game for the fifth time in the conference's seven-year history.
EAST DIVISION
| Team | Conference | Overall |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 9-0 | 12-0 |
| Penn State | 8-1 | 11-1 |
| Michigan | 7-2 | 10-2 |
| Michigan State | 4-5 | 6-6 |
| Indiana | 4-5 | 6-6 |
| Maryland | 1-8 | 3-9 |
| Rutgers | 0-9 | 2-10 |
Alabama was the only Power 5 team to escape the regular season unscathed last year, but Ohio State has a strong chance to accomplish this, provided it takes care of a couple notable tasks.
If it wasn't for the hand of fate - or rather, the right hand of Penn State safety Marcus Allen - the Buckeyes would have achieved that feat last season. Urban Meyer will be sure to have his team at full attention for this year's matchup on Oct. 28, and while Trace McSorley and Saquon Barkley may outrank J.T. Barrett and Mike Weber in some people's eyes, they'll need to outplay the Buckeyes on defense for a second time - a tall order.
Just shy of the East Division summit sits Michigan, which will be looking for numerous replacements on the defensive side of the ball this season. The Wolverines still have a strong enough talent base to be competitive and should take care of all the games they're expected to win, but may find themselves outmatched by their division rivals in 2017.
As both divisions are laid out, the predicted 2017 Big Ten championship game matches up two programs that have met on this stage once before.
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
If this game gives fans deja vu, they can trace it back to 2014, when Ohio State pulverized Wisconsin into a fine powder in a 59-0 drubbing. Though Wisconsin is an efficient team and it's hard to imagine the Badgers losing by that many points a second time, Ohio State seems too powerful for them to defeat.
Predicted Big Ten champions: Ohio State Buckeyes (2nd total title, 1st since 2014).