** 2017 Previews: Athlon Sports Big Ten Predictions **

[Saunders]

The Big Ten had a top-heavy 2016 season, as four teams finished inside of the top 10, Ohio State earned a CFB Playoff spot, and Penn State fell just short of reaching the top four after defeating Wisconsin in the conference title game. Fast forward to 2017 and not much has changed with the depth at the top of the league. Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin are Athlon’s projected top four teams from the Big Ten, with the Buckeyes and Badgers picked to meet in Indianapolis for the conference title game. Outside of the top four, little separates Northwestern, Nebraska and Iowa in the battle to challenge Wisconsin in the West, and Michigan State looks to get back on track after a disappointing 2016 season. The league also features three new coaches: Tom Allen (Indiana), P.J. Fleck (Minnesota) and Jeff Brohm (Purdue).

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/big-ten-football-2017-predictions

 

They expect Wisconsin to run away with the West.

 

4. After Wisconsin…What to Make of the Big Ten West?

While Wisconsin is a heavy favorite (and easy pick) in the West Division, selecting the order of teams in the next tier (2-4) is a little more challenging. Little separates Nebraska, Northwestern and Iowa, and all three have a case to be selected at No. 2. Athlon eventually settled on Northwestern as the top challenger to the Badgers, largely due to a favorable crossover slate (no Michigan or Ohio State) and swing games at home against Iowa and Michigan State. Quarterback Clayton Thorson made strides in his second year as a starter in 2016, but the junior needs to find a new go-to target after Austin Carr expired his eligibility. Running back Justin Jackson returns after rushing for 1,524 yards last fall and could find more running lanes if the offensive line takes a step forward with four starters back. The Wildcats return seven starters from a defense that limited opponents to 22.2 points per game in 2016. Nebraska is one of the hardest teams to get a read on this offseason. The Cornhuskers are transitioning schemes on defense with the addition of new coordinator Bob Diaco. On offense, coach Mike Riley has a new quarterback (Tulane transfer Tanner Lee) and a revamped receiving corps. Nebraska also catches Penn State and Ohio State in crossover play. If Iowa finds the right answer – either Tyler Wiegers or Nathan Stanley – at quarterback – the Hawkeyes could emerge as Wisconsin’s top challenger. Coach Kirk Ferentz’s team returns one of the Big Ten’s best running backs in Akrum Wadley, and the league’s top offensive line. Additionally, seven starters from a defense that held opponents to 18.8 points per game in 2016 provide a strong foundation for 2017. Out of these three teams, Iowa has the toughest path to No. 2. The Hawkeyes play at Nebraska and Northwestern, while Ohio State and Penn State appear in crossover play.

 

Also, projected finishes:

 

East

Ohio State: 12-1 (8-1)

Penn State: 10-2 (7-2)

Michigan: 10-2 (7-2)

Michigan State: 6-6 (4-5)

Indiana: 7-5 (4-5)

Maryland: 6-6 (4-5)

Rutgers: 3-9 (1-8)

 

West

Wisconsin: 10-3 (7-2)

Northwestern: 8-4 (5-4)

Nebraska: 7-5 (5-4)

Iowa: 7-5 (4-5)

Minnesota: 6-6 (4-5)

Purdue: 3-9 (2-7)

Illinois: 2-10 (1-8)

[Saunders]

That would be a... not good year.

[swmohusker]

That would make the seat hot for Riley going into the 2018 schedule with games @Mich, @OSU, Mich st, Colorado, @WIscy, @Iowa, and @ NW. We need to win 10 this year so this staff can weather the 2018 schedule.

[Hoosker]

I can't prove that Tanner Lee will have a better season than Clayton Thorson...

 

...I just know it's true.

[teachercd]

That would be a... not good year.

It would be good in the sense that it would start a new coaching search and the Huskers would not make the mistake of hiring an old coach with a less than impressive resume.

 

It would be bad in the sense that it would be a super lame year and NU would get closer and closer to being "that school" that used to be good.

[Redux]

I see us scoring plenty of points, I think offensively we are a contender. But to win games we will need this to be a painless transition. I can't effing stomach the thought of going 7-5 and falling behind Iowa and Northwestern on the pecking order. Being runner up to Wisconsin is already annoying as hell.

[Nebfanatic]

We need to win the West this year plain and simple. The prognosticators are saying it's a down year and if they are right I will agree Riley isn't the man for the job. Year 3 is usually the year you can at least really get a good idea of where this thing is headed on the field. I think we are going up. We shall see.

[Redux]

I have high hopes for the new Defense and a QB not named Martinez or Armstrong. This is the year we see what Riley has been building.

 

I also think we see a lot of stupid growing pains we shouldn't be seeing in year 3, that's what worries me.

[swmohusker]

I can't prove that Tanner Lee will have a better season than Clayton Thorson...

 

...I just know it's true.

Thorson is a stud. Might be the best qb in the big ten. If Lee is as good as him we win 10 games

[Hoosker]

 

I can't prove that Tanner Lee will have a better season than Clayton Thorson...

 

...I just know it's true.

Thorson is a stud. Might be the best qb in the big ten. If Lee is as good as him we win 10 games

 

Maybe the best in the division, sure, but again, that's because we haven't seen Tanner play yet.

 

Wisconsin's Hornibrook is average.

Iowa has two, neither of which have played well enough to win the job yet.

Illinois isn't trotting out anyone special.

Minnesota is an unknown with Leidner leaving and a new staff.

Hell, I'd put Purdue's David Blough right there with Thorson.

[swmohusker]

 

 

I can't prove that Tanner Lee will have a better season than Clayton Thorson...

 

...I just know it's true.

 

Thorson is a stud. Might be the best qb in the big ten. If Lee is as good as him we win 10 games

Maybe the best in the division, sure, but again, that's because we haven't seen Tanner play yet.

 

Wisconsin's Hornibrook is average.

Iowa has two, neither of which have played well enough to win the job yet.

Illinois isn't trotting out anyone special.

Minnesota is an unknown with Leidner leaving and a new staff.

Hell, I'd put Purdue's David Blough right there with Thorson.

Blough is good too. Not quite Thorson level but very under-rated. Barret can't throw past 15 yards accurately and mcsorley doesnt have ideal meadurables but is a gamer but I would put Thorson right up there with them.

[teachercd]

I have high hopes for the new Defense and a QB not named Martinez or Armstrong. This is the year we see what Riley has been building.

 

I also think we see a lot of stupid growing pains we shouldn't be seeing in year 3, that's what worries me.

It will be crazy...fans will go nuts when Tanner completes a ton of passes...fans will go nuts when he can't run for 3 yards to get a first down. It will be a wild ride

[VectorVictor]

That would be a... not good year.

Depends...if you're the real estate agent handling sales of Eichorst's home and the homes of the coaching staff, you'll be doing pretty good in 2017 and 2018.

[Redux]

 

I have high hopes for the new Defense and a QB not named Martinez or Armstrong. This is the year we see what Riley has been building.

I also think we see a lot of stupid growing pains we shouldn't be seeing in year 3, that's what worries me.

 

It will be crazy...fans will go nuts when Tanner completes a ton of passes...fans will go nuts when he can't run for 3 yards to get a first down. It will be a wild ride

People are going to lose their poop when they see all the yards we throw for, but first downs we surrender from lack of a QB who instinctively runs.

 

I'm still happy to see a nee face at the position. Like ecstatic really, don't care what his strength is.

[Mavric]

From the magazine:

TEAMS ON THE DECLINE
NEBRASKA
The Cornhuskers were on last year's "likely to improve" list, but really, only the win total improved. Nebraska actually fell from 36th in S&P+ in 2015 to 46th last fall. What changed? Luck and close-game performance. Based on national averages for fumble recoveries and the ratio of interceptions to passes broken up, Nebraska's turnover margin should have been about plus-0.5 in 2015 and minus-4.8 in 2016; instead, it was minus-12 in 2015 and plus-5 last year. This drastic shift in turnover luck put its finger on the scales. The Huskers were 3-6 in one-possession games in 2015 and 3-1 in 2016. Otherwise, the were, at best, basically the same team. That's not necessarily encouraging considering Nebraska now returns only 12 starters, third fewest in the Big Ten.