I hate your team. While that’s normally something the reader would accuse me of due to the nature of my predictions, I decided to get ahead of it by coming clean.
Because there is a lot of content in this article, I am splitting into what we will call “divisions”. The B1G East preview will be published shortly afterwards.
Illinois
Losses: Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota
Why this could be right: Illinois, while losing a lot from last year, still has the makings of a strong defensive team, specifically at the line of scrimmage. Also, this guy named Bret Bielema, who has won the Big Ten more than any active coach, is their head coach.
Why this could be message board material: Okay, it’s trendy. I have Illinois beating Penn State, which is possible but improbable. I also have Illinois beating Iowa in Iowa City, which, according to winsipedia, has not happened since the 90s (1999 to be exact).
How angry will this fanbase be: Not very. Most are underestimating Illinois. I fear Bert.
Minnesota
Losses: UNC, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State
Why this could be right: Maybe Sean Tyler continues the incredibly annoying trend of good to great running backs. Maybe the offensive line doesn’t take a huge step back. Whether you like PJ Fleck or not, he puts a consistent product on the field.
Why this could be message board material: They have 50/50 games against Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska and Purdue (maybe?). The chances of them losing three of those isn’t probably that low. Is it too late? Can I change my picks?
How angry will this fanbase be: Probably not very angry, but who knows. Maybe they think they’ll beat Iowa this year.
Wisconsin
Losses: Wazzu, Illinois, Ohio State, Minnesota
Why this could be right: While there are some bumps in Fickell’s first season on this road, they have enough talent to avoid what most schools would consider a bad season.
Why this could be message board material: Many predictions have them at 10 or 11 wins. If Mordecai is Russell Wilson level good and the rest of the team reflects Wisconsin of old, those predictions could turn out to be true.
How angry will this fanbase be: Pretty angry. This may be one of the least favorable predictions for Wisconsin.
Iowa
Losses: Penn State, Wisconsin, Illinois
Why this could be right: Well, Iowa has been averaging 9 wins for the last 7 or 8 years, so this really isn’t a bold prediction. The offense could conceivably get better, the defense only takes a slight step back, but some of the bounces do not go Iowa’s direction and you have a 9-3 season.
Why this could be message board material: I would be pretty surprised if it did. It’s possible that injuries decimate Iowa’s season, but it is equally possible that everything I just said happens but the bounces do go Iowa’s direction.
How angry will this fanbase be: Surprisingly angry. My own fans expect me to say 11 or 12 wins, but I just can’t do that with a straight face.
Nebraska
Losses: Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Michigan State, Maryland, Wisconsin, Iowa
Why this could be right: I don’t need to tell you about the last 7 Nebraska seasons. You all know.
Why this could be message board material: If the West hasn’t improved from last year, there aren’t many games on Nebraska’s schedule that are unwinnable. Even Michigan at home is winnable. Maybe Matt Rhule is exactly what Nebraska needed.
How angry will this fanbase be: Half will be content. The other half will be incredibly angry. However, the angry half will actually take their aggression out on the content half, not me.
Purdue
Losses: Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota
Why this could be right: Losing your head coach as a program that hadn’t been very good before said head coach can lead to a rough year, even if the new hire is the right guy.
Why this could be message board material: It’s Purdue, a team known for upsetting me in multiple different ways. Hopefully this was a Brohm-specific trait.
How angry will this fanbase be: Pretty angry. They expect to be bowl eligible.
Northwestern
Losses: Everyone except some guy named Howard
Why this could be right: A bad team just lost their head coach. Forgive me for being confident on this one.
Why this could be message board material: Fitz Rage? No, that’s not a thing anymore. No idea. Maybe a higher being roots for Northwestern?
How angry will this fanbase be:
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