Hello all... time is flying, and we are just over two months away from the start of the season. For those that are new here, or haven't followed the threads before, we will start a weekly discussion thread for all things Big Ten each week. Generally, @HUNT and myself alternate the responsibilities each week with an occasional assist from @cubsker when needed as well. The goal is to hopefully lend some helping hands to those handicapping the league week in and week out. Occasional banter between rivals is always encouraged as well. We've been doing this for a lot of years now and I think the thread certainly adds a lot to the site as well as @gps_3 with his SEC Thread.
This initial thread will cover opening week games +anything else you would like to talk about leading up to the start of the season. Usually, I will do an open thread for the summertime, but with totals already posted I figured I would go ahead and start things a bit earlier.
Feel free to chime in regarding...
-Sides
-Totals
-RSW
-Conference Title Odds
-Injuries and suspensions
-Camp notes as we get closer
*There are no week zero games this year
Thursday, August 31st.
Minnesota -7.5 and 47.5 vs Nebraska
Friday, September 1st
Michigan State -14.5 and 52 vs Central Michigan
Saturday, September 2nd
Michigan -36 and 53 vs East Carolina
Ohio State -27.5 and 63 @ Indiana
Purdue -6 and 54.5 vs Fresno State
Rutgers -5.5 and 47 vs Northwestern
Wisconsin -23 and 55 vs Buffalo
Illinois -10.5 and 53 vs Toledo
Penn State -19.5 and 54.5 vs West Virginia
Iowa -21 and 48 vs Utah State
Maryland NL vs Towson
Odds to win the Big Ten Conference
Ohio State 160
Michigan 180
Penn State 600
Wisconsin 650
Iowa 1100
Minnesota 2800
Maryland 4000
Nebraska 5000
Illinois 5000
Michigan State 7500
Purdue 10000
Indiana 10000
Rutgers 10000
Northwestern 10000
This should be quite the interesting year in conference. As they move away from divisions, the West was just starting to make some moves to hopefully even things out a little bit...
What to watch for this year...
-How will Matt Rhule readjust to college. I hold him in high regard a this level and I think he might just be the man to get NU back to a consistently solid team. The additions of the Cali teams next year can only help recruiting for the Huskers.
-Luke Fickell was a damn good hire for the Badgers. He has come a long way from the 7-6 season in his debut at Ohio State. Now, this first year could be rocky with the offense changing a bit. The Badgers have been the same type of team for so long, this could be a bit of culture shock. Allen coming back is one nice piece to start out with. We'll see how the SMU transfer does versus competent defenses. I am a fan, but this is a different level for the most part.
-Fleck is a helluva coach, but he loses a lot of veterans. This will be his biggest challenge so far at Minnesota.
-Can Iowa show some life on offense? Will they enable Brian to cash in on some incentives? They will have a damn good defense again and now have a 'solid' game manager at QB and Erick All will fit in nicely at TE.
-This is Tuckers 4th year in East Lansing. Between recruiting and the portal, these are his guys now. The schedule is pretty tough, but he is making big boy money. Anything less than 7 wins and a bowl appearance is cause for concern.
-Who starts at QB for Ohio State? I am assuming McCord does. I always heard such great things about Devin Brown, so I am curious if he can challenge Kyle a bit? Big year for the defense against the big boy teams. Michigan and Georgia made them look silly with I believe 16 combined 'big plays'. Day is feeling heat, simply to beat Michigan. The offense is loaded as always. Can their trenches do enough in A2 and in the playoffs?
-Allar, in my book, will be a heck of a QB. He has some excellent backs to keep the early pressure off. I don't think this situation could be much better. They very well could win the East (via tiebreakers).
-The questions in A2 will come down to new kickers and who is the breakout receiver? Also, who claims the job opposite of all-American candidate Will Johnson at the corner position. Jim has his BEST Michigan team in my opinion. Can they get over the hump in the postseason? I still think PSU at Noon in November will be their biggest game of the year. Obviously, nothing compares to 'The Game', but this will be huge for who goes to the final game in Indy.
-Can Maryland start strong and STAY strong for once? They simply fade a bit every year as we get deep into the season. Good luck with Gattis. Odd hiring there.
Alright, that should get us going a bit...
I expect immediate contributions from @HUNT @PaintCrew @cubsker @s--k and whoever else would like to chime in about the B16 conference!
-
This initial thread will cover opening week games +anything else you would like to talk about leading up to the start of the season. Usually, I will do an open thread for the summertime, but with totals already posted I figured I would go ahead and start things a bit earlier.
Feel free to chime in regarding...
-Sides
-Totals
-RSW
-Conference Title Odds
-Injuries and suspensions
-Camp notes as we get closer
*There are no week zero games this year
Thursday, August 31st.
Minnesota -7.5 and 47.5 vs Nebraska
Friday, September 1st
Michigan State -14.5 and 52 vs Central Michigan
Saturday, September 2nd
Michigan -36 and 53 vs East Carolina
Ohio State -27.5 and 63 @ Indiana
Purdue -6 and 54.5 vs Fresno State
Rutgers -5.5 and 47 vs Northwestern
Wisconsin -23 and 55 vs Buffalo
Illinois -10.5 and 53 vs Toledo
Penn State -19.5 and 54.5 vs West Virginia
Iowa -21 and 48 vs Utah State
Maryland NL vs Towson
Odds to win the Big Ten Conference
Ohio State 160
Michigan 180
Penn State 600
Wisconsin 650
Iowa 1100
Minnesota 2800
Maryland 4000
Nebraska 5000
Illinois 5000
Michigan State 7500
Purdue 10000
Indiana 10000
Rutgers 10000
Northwestern 10000
This should be quite the interesting year in conference. As they move away from divisions, the West was just starting to make some moves to hopefully even things out a little bit...
What to watch for this year...
-How will Matt Rhule readjust to college. I hold him in high regard a this level and I think he might just be the man to get NU back to a consistently solid team. The additions of the Cali teams next year can only help recruiting for the Huskers.
-Luke Fickell was a damn good hire for the Badgers. He has come a long way from the 7-6 season in his debut at Ohio State. Now, this first year could be rocky with the offense changing a bit. The Badgers have been the same type of team for so long, this could be a bit of culture shock. Allen coming back is one nice piece to start out with. We'll see how the SMU transfer does versus competent defenses. I am a fan, but this is a different level for the most part.
-Fleck is a helluva coach, but he loses a lot of veterans. This will be his biggest challenge so far at Minnesota.
-Can Iowa show some life on offense? Will they enable Brian to cash in on some incentives? They will have a damn good defense again and now have a 'solid' game manager at QB and Erick All will fit in nicely at TE.
-This is Tuckers 4th year in East Lansing. Between recruiting and the portal, these are his guys now. The schedule is pretty tough, but he is making big boy money. Anything less than 7 wins and a bowl appearance is cause for concern.
-Who starts at QB for Ohio State? I am assuming McCord does. I always heard such great things about Devin Brown, so I am curious if he can challenge Kyle a bit? Big year for the defense against the big boy teams. Michigan and Georgia made them look silly with I believe 16 combined 'big plays'. Day is feeling heat, simply to beat Michigan. The offense is loaded as always. Can their trenches do enough in A2 and in the playoffs?
-Allar, in my book, will be a heck of a QB. He has some excellent backs to keep the early pressure off. I don't think this situation could be much better. They very well could win the East (via tiebreakers).
-The questions in A2 will come down to new kickers and who is the breakout receiver? Also, who claims the job opposite of all-American candidate Will Johnson at the corner position. Jim has his BEST Michigan team in my opinion. Can they get over the hump in the postseason? I still think PSU at Noon in November will be their biggest game of the year. Obviously, nothing compares to 'The Game', but this will be huge for who goes to the final game in Indy.
-Can Maryland start strong and STAY strong for once? They simply fade a bit every year as we get deep into the season. Good luck with Gattis. Odd hiring there.
Alright, that should get us going a bit...
I expect immediate contributions from @HUNT @PaintCrew @cubsker @s--k and whoever else would like to chime in about the B16 conference!
-