BIG TEN PREVIEW
August 20th, 2012
BY BRETT CIANCIA
With the addition of Nebraska last fall, the conference was divided into two six-team divisions and established a conference championship for the first time ever. Wisconsin held off Michigan State to earn a second consecutive trip to Pasadena. Can the Badgers make it three in a row? Well the road to the conference title game is very manageable for Wisconsin due to the postseason bans on the other two Leaders Division heavyweights Ohio State and Penn State. However, the Legends Division is more wide open with three teams ahead of the pack. Nebraska, Michigan and Michigan State are all ranked in the AP top 20, and it should be a tight race for the division crown this fall. In its second year in the conference, Nebraska will have more familiarity of opponents and knows what to expect this time around. The Taylor Martinez - Rex Burkhead rushing attack will be dominant for the Huskers; Pelini's defense will be more adapted to stop the BigTen offenses in year 2. The October 27th Michigan-Nebraska game will serve as the Legends Division title game with the winner heading to Indianapolis. Look for Wisconsin to represent the conference for a third-straight season in the Rose Bowl.
LEGENDS
1. NEBRASKA
2011 Record: 9-4
Defensive Returning Starters: 7 Offensive Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: Bo Pelini 2. MICHIGAN
2011 Record: 11-2
Defensive Returning Starters: 7 Offensive Returning Starters: 6 Head Coach: Brady Hoke 3. MICHIGAN STATE
2011 Record: 11-3
Defensive Returning Starters: 8 Offensive Returning Starters: 5 Head Coach: Mark Dantonio 4. NORTHWESTERN
2011 Record: 6-7
Defensive Returning Starters: 5 Offensive Returning Starters: 5 Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald 5. IOWA
2011 Record: 7-6
Defensive Returning Starters: 5 Offensive Returning Starters: 6 Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz 6. MINNESOTA
2011 Record: 3-9
Defensive Returning Starters: 6 Offensive Returning Starters: 6 Head Coach: Jerry Kill |
LEADERS
1. WISCONSIN
2011 Record: 11-3
Defensive Returning Starters: 6 Offensive Returning Starters: 5 Head Coach: Bret Bielema 2. OHIO STATE *
2011 Record: 6-7
Defensive Returning Starters: 9 Offensive Returning Starters: 6 Head Coach: Urban Meyer* 3. ILLINOIS
2011 Record: 7-6
Defensive Returning Starters: 7 Offensive Returning Starters: 7 Head Coach: Tim Beckman* 4. PURDUE
2011 Record: 7-6
Defensive Returning Starters: 7 Offensive Returning Starters: 8 Head Coach: Danny Hope 5. PENN STATE *
2011 Record: 9-4
Defensive Returning Starters: 2 Offensive Returning Starters: 4 Head Coach: Bill O'Brien* 6. INDIANA
2011 Record: 1-11
Defensive Returning Starters: 7 Offensive Returning Starters: 8 Head Coach: Kevin Wilson |