2006 Big 10 Preview

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Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - The Big 10 Conference had two teams in the top-five after last season's final poll was released. Penn State was third after its triple overtime Orange Bowl win over Florida State, while Ohio State finished fourth after crushing Notre Dame, 34-20 in the Fiesta Bowl.

The conference could once again have two teams finish in the top five. However, don't expect it to be the Nittany Lions and/or the Buckeyes, rather Michigan and Iowa should rebound from disappointing '05 campaigns, to seize control in 2006.

Here is the Big 10 Preview with odds to win the BCS Championship, courtesy of www.mysportsbook.com:

1) MICHIGAN (14-1): The Wolverines lost five games for the first time since 1984. However, last years schedule was one of the toughest in the nation. They played five, top-25 teams, which does not include Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, who were a combined 23-11 during the regular season. Michigans high-powered offense took a step back in 05, after spectacular rookie seasons from QB Chad Henne and RB Michael Hart. Look for them to rebound after their sophomore slumps to post incredible numbers in 06. With eight starters back on defense, the most since 2002, Michigan will allow the least amount of points in the conference.

ANALYSIS: The Wolverwines' early season victory in South Bend will get their confidence back and lead to an 11-1 record. The Maize and Blue are worth a few shekels at 14-1.

2) IOWA (50-1): The Hawkeyes opened the season 2-2 for the second straight year. That wont happen in 06, as they should be 4-0 heading into their showdown at Kinnick Stadium with Ohio State. The Hawkeyes creamed the Buckeyes at home two years ago, 33-7, as QB Drew Tate threw for 331 yards and Iowas defense held Ohio State to 27 yards rushing. The Hawkeyes could go undefeated with a win in Michigan since they dont face Michigan State or Penn State this season.

ANALYSIS: Iowas defense was severely hampered last year with the loss of its entire front four, which negatively affected its secondary. It will be the much-improved "D" that allows the Hawkeyes to match their 11-1 regular season mark from 02. Take the generous 50-1 and hope for a win in Ann Arbor.

3) OHIO STATE (11-2): Back in 04, the Buckeyes lost 14 players to the NFL and went from 11-2 to 8-4. This past season, five players were taken in the first round alone and seven defensive starters were drafted in the first four rounds. Ohio States defense is extremely young and inexperienced and will struggle early on against the better offenses in the Big 10. The "D" will get better as the year moves along, but unfortunately for the Buckeyes, two of their first five games are at Texas and Iowa.

ANALYSIS: Ohio States offense will be just as lethal as last years when they averaged 33 points per game. However, the game of football is played on both sides of the ball and the young defense, especially in the secondary, will be its demise. A 9-3 season is not out of the question, but stay away from the 11-2 odds to win it all.

4) MICHIGAN STATE (100-1): The Spartans opened the season 4-0, including a huge win at Notre Dame. Regrettably for Head Coach John L. Smith, they dropped an overtime decision to in-state rival Michigan and the whole season fell apart in their next game at Columbus. Leading by 10 right before halftime, Michigan State set up for a field goal, but Ohio State blocked it and ran it back for a touchdown. The Spartans went on to lose that game and four of their next five for a 5-6 season. The new year brings new hope to East Lansing and the results should be different.

ANALYSIS: A revamped defensive front four will propel MSU from a middle of the pack team to an 8-4 mark and a 5-3 conference record. If there is one club capable of pulling off big upsets, its the Spartans. They have won nine of their last 11 games against top 10 teams.

5) PENN STATE (35-1): The Nittany Lions, at 35-1 odds, seem high for a team that went from 4-7 to 11-1. Nevertheless, they will have trouble repeating with four new starters on the offensive line a new quarterback in Anthony Morelli and a completely-rebuilt secondary. Penn State still has the top linebacking crew in the country and its front seven will remain strong.

ANALYSIS: Two years ago, the Lions underachieved at 4-7 and last year, they overachieved at 11-1. Expect somewhere in the middle, so lay off the 35-1 odds. Also, look for Akron to come to Happy Valley and give Penn State a game the opening week of the season.

6) WISCONSIN (100-1): After finishing his career winning 19 of his last 25 games, Head Coach Barry Alvarez handed the reigns over to defensive coordinator Bret Bielema. Quarterback John Stocco improved dramatically last season, but was helped by the incredible production from RB Brian Calhoun, who rushed for over 1,600 yards. Calhoun left early for the NFL and Wisconsin also lost its top seven receiving leaders from a year ago. The Badgers, despite a 5-3 conference record, were outgained in Big 10 play by over 100 yards per game.

ANALYSIS: Wisconsins offense will struggle with only three returning starters, but its defense will show tons of improvement, especially on the line where they allowed 4.6 yards per rush. The Badgers have the easiest Big 10 schedule, as they face four of the worst teams in the conference, with three of those games coming at home. Still, 100-1 is way too low as they could even lose at home in week three to San Diego State.

7) PURDUE (200-1): The pieces were in place last year for a special season. All 11 starters returned to a defense that allowed only 17 ppg in 04. But after opening the season 2-0, the Boilermakers got beat in double overtime at Minnesota and couldnt recover. In fact, they didnt win again until November when they defeated Michigan State. Overall, the defense gave up 28 points per game and allowed the most passing yards in the conference.

ANALYSIS: With less pressure heading into 06, the Boilermakers may surprise some people. Once again, there is no Ohio State and Michigan on the schedule, so seven or eight wins is a possibility.

8) MINNESOTA (500-1 or higher): This could be the first season in quite some time that the Golden Gophers will not have a 1,000-yard rusher. Thats saying a lot since Minnesota has had two running backs rush for 1,000 yards the last three years. Without a dominant running game, well see how good a quarterback Bryan Cupito really is. Not helping matters any is the loss of two, four-year starters from the offensive line, including C Greg Eslinger, a first-team All- American.

ANALYSIS: With a porous defense and a schedule that does not include Northwestern and Illinois, it will be tough for Minnesota to get a bowl bid. A four or five win season is likely.

9) NORTHWESTERN (500-1): Tragedy struck the Wildcats during the offseason, as Head Coach Randy Walker passed away because of a heart attack. He was 52 years old. The team has turned to former Northwestern linebacker Pat Fitzgerald as its new head coach. Fitzgerald is just 31 years old and the youngest Division- I-A coach. How the team responds will be the number one question heading into the season. Northwestern averaged 501 yards per game last year, but finished 117th in the nation in total defense. True freshman RB Tyrell Sutton emerged with 1,474 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. However, the schools all-time career passer Brett Basanez graduated.

ANALYSIS: Northwesterns defense has to be better, but the offense wont. Still, the Wildcats could be 3-0 heading into a game at Nevada. With all the changes, this year will definitely be a building block for a return to the .500 mark in 07.

10) INDIANA (500-1 or higher): Indiana allowed five yards per carry each of the last two seasons. However, the Hoosiers pass defense improved from 10th in the conference to first last year, giving up only 203 yards. Indiana has improved from two wins in 03 to four victories last year and will try for its best season (5-6) since 2001. Quarterback Blake Powers could be the best QB no one has ever heard of. He set a school record last year with 22 touchdown passes and has WR James Hardy to thank. The 67" receiver played with an assortment of injuries his freshman season and still grabbed 61 passes with 10 TDs.

ANALYSIS: Things are looking up for the Hoosiers, who may get their first Big 10 road win (at Illinois, 10/7) since the 01 season.

11) ILLINOIS (500-1 or higher): Someone has to bring up the rear and Illinois is the choice. The Illini gave up a Big-10 record 435 points last season and are 1-23 the last three years in conference play. On the bright side, the team will improve in Head Coach Ron Zooks second season. Nine offensive starters return. as do 10 on the defensive side and theres nowhere to go but up.

ANALYSIS: Statistically, the Illini will be much improved but it might not show in the standings. Still, with an easier out-of-conference schedule, a 4-8 season is not out of the question.

Click Below for More 2006 College Football Previews:

2006 Sun Belt Conference Preview
2006 Pac 10 Conference Preview
2006 ACC Conference Preview
2006 Big 12 Conference Preview
2006 Big 10 Conference Preview
2006 SEC Conference Preview

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