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Big Ten full of big competition

Steven Baybutt, The Miami Student

The Big Ten conference has been undoubtedly owned by one team in the past five years: The Ohio State Buckeyes. They have won or shared the Big Ten title every year during that span. This year, they have the No. 2 preseason ranking by the AP, trailing only defending national champions, Alabama Crimson Tide. It appears again that the Big Ten will belong to the Buckeyes then, right? Not so fast.

This might be the deepest the Big Ten has been since the early 2000's. Other conference title contenders include Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State. Then there are other teams like Michigan State, Northwestern, Michigan and Purdue that could pull off an upset just about any week. That gives the Big Ten eight legitimate football teams capable of competing week in and week out. This means whoever wins the Big Ten will have to be a very consistent team both offensively and defensively every week. I wouldn't expect any team to run the table this year, it's simply too deep.

The Buckeyes are hoping Terrelle Pryor continues what he started in the Rose Bowl and might be the best team in the conference, but not by much. Wisconsin is led by running back John Clay, who is by far the best in the Big Ten at his position. The Buckeyes visit the Badgers on what might be the biggest game on the Big Ten schedule Oct. 16.  It'll be a tough test for the Buckeyes and a victory would put them ever closer to the national title game.

The Buckeyes and Badgers aren't the only top dogs, though. Both Penn State and Iowa are capable of winning the conference this year. Penn State will likely find out how good they are without Daryll Clark early in the season when they go to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama. They also have to visit both Iowa and Ohio State. They will rely heavily on who is most likely the second best running back in the Big Ten, Evan Royster. Iowa, on the other hand, will open the field up with Ricky Stanzi back. Since November 2008, Iowa is 14-1 with Stanzi starting at quarterback.  They also feature the conference's best defensive player, defensive end Adrian Clayborn.  Clayborn could go in the top five picks in next year's NFL draft. I'm sure Mel Kiper, Jr. will keep us posted. Their schedule isn't too bad, as their best non-conference opponent is Arizona, and they play Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State at home.

The biggest sleeper in the Big Ten has to be Michigan State. They return both quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Larry Caper. They have a deep list of receivers and two returning tight ends. Their best player is middle linebacker Greg Jones, who is on a short list of Butkus Award candidates.

All of this being true, don't be surprised if the Buckeyes repeat as Big Ten Champions. Tyrelle Pryor doesn't have to do everything, and look for the Buckeyes to rely more on their running back duo of Brandon Saine and Daniel "Boom" Herron. The offensive line returns four starters and the projected fifth starter, Mike Adams, has started before. The defense is the reason the Buckeyes have won the past five, and it is solid again this year. Defensive end Cameron Haywood and linebacker Ross Homan will provide the Buckeyes will a solid pass rush. The downfall might be the schedule, as they play at both Wisconsin and Iowa.

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Whatever happens this year in the Big Ten, it's going to be exciting. With so many good teams and a good balance of talent, the Big Ten has the chance of improving its national image, and hopefully putting a team in the BCS National Title game.

Projected 2010 Big Ten Standings:

  • Ohio State 11-1 (7-1)
  • Wisconsin 10-2 (6-2)
  • Iowa 10-2 (6-2)
  • Penn State 9-3 (5-3)
  • Michigan State 9-3 (5-3)
  • Purdue 9-3 (5-3)
  • Northwestern 6-6 (3-5)
  • Michigan 6-6 (3-5)
  • Illinois 4-8 (2-6)
  • Minnesota 4-8 (1-7)
  • Indiana 3-9 (0-8)