** 2023 Previews: CBS Sports Big Ten Predictions **

[Saunders]

Quote

 

Big Ten expert picks 2023: Most overrated and underrated teams, projected order of finish, bold predictions

The last year of the 14-team Big Ten is upon us with a three-headed monster attempting to take the conference and national landscape by storm. Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State sit as unanimous preseason top-10 teams across the AP Top 25, Coaches Poll and CBS Sports 133 with all seemingly having a case to reign atop the Big Ten once the season comes to a conclusion.

However, only one will get a chance to play for the league title out of the Big Ten East as 2023 marks the final season that the Big Ten Championship Game will be contested between opponents from different divisions. With the conference moving to 18 teams in 2024 -- USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington on joining from the Pac-12 -- this certainly feels like something of a series finale for the Big Ten as we know it. Part of that includes not necessarily having the two best teams in the league playing for the conference title in December.

That's not to say the Big Ten West is without talented programs and interesting storylines, particularly with Luke Fickell taking over Wisconsin, Matt Rhule stepping into the top job at Nebraska, Illinois attempting to continue a turnaround under Bret Bielema and Iowa entering the campaign on what seems to be on a first-of-its-kind doomsday clock needing to score 25 points per game for its offensive staff to keep its jobs. (Don't worry, we'll be counting all season.) 

As such, our CBS Sports college football experts are here to provide their picks and predictions for the Big Ten ahead of the 2023 campaign. Check them all out below.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/big-ten-expert-picks-2023-most-overrated-and-underrated-teams-projected-order-of-finish-bold-predictions/

 

 

[knapplc]

So, they all seem to think we'll be better than Northwestern and Purdue, and in the mix with Illinois, Minnesota and possibly Iowa. 

 

If we can beat Colorado, N Illinois and LA Tech, that puts us right in line for a bowl game, which would be a major accomplishment for this program.

[Saunders]

Yup, gimme a bowl game, and I'll be happy. I also reserve the right to get mad after our first loss.

[deedsker]

I don't know what Barrett Sallee is drinking this morning, but maybe we should check his cup. Purdue lost what is looking like a possible starter quality NFL QB and head coach that built the program from scraps. Not a good sign he is the only one high on us.

 

[nic]

4 hours ago, deedsker said:

I don't know what Barrett Sallee is drinking this morning, but maybe we should check his cup. Purdue lost what is looking like a possible starter quality NFL QB and head coach that built the program from scraps. Not a good sign he is the only one high on us.

 

Bear me to it. He's stoned. Patterson might have it right.