2015 BIGTEN CONFERENCE PREVIEW

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BRETT CIANCIA
Co-Owner
August 1st, 2015

Just 10 days into the 2014 season, the Big Ten was essentially written off from Playoff contention.  Ohio State lost to Virginia Tech, Michigan was shutout against Notre Dame, Michigan State lost at Oregon, Wisconsin blew a late lead to LSU, Penn State was banned from postseason play, and the last hope was Nebraska who needed a miracle play to hold off FCS McNeese State.

What a difference a day makes; on New Year's Day, the Big Ten gained back a lot of credibility.  Michigan State upset #5 Baylor, Wisconsin beat "SEC-West" Auburn, and finally Ohio State took down the Saban Empire.  11 days later, 11 Warriors Brave and Bold defeated Oregon for the school's 8th National Championship, the league's first since the 2002 Buckeyes upset Miami.

The surge continued as several big-name coaches were brought in: Jim Harbaugh (Michigan), Mike Riley (Nebraska), and Paul Chryst (Wisconsin).  These guys and the rest of the league impressed on National Signing Day, with Ohio State leading the way with a #7 national finish, followed by Penn State at #14.

"The Rivalry" has dominated headlines this offseason, both by the quarterback circus at Ohio State, and the Harbaugh Hysteria in Ann Arbor.  Heading into 2015, Ohio State remains the favorite but is trailed closely by Michigan State who is clearly a Top 10 team.  The power remains in the East Division, but the West should come down to Wisconsin and Nebraska.  While every one in America is picking an Ohio State - Wisconsin rematch, I am calling for the Riley hire to surge Nebraska past Wisconsin to win the West.  Ultimately though, Ohio State will defend the league title and represent the Big Ten in the 2nd College Football Playoff.

                                            Click on the Division Names for our team-by-team previews:

EAST

1. OHIO STATE

2014 Record: 14-1
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 7
Head Coach: Urban Meyer

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2. MICHIGAN STATE

2014 Record: 11-2
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 7
Head Coach: Mark Dantonio

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3. PENN STATE

2014 Record: 7-6
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: James Franklin

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4. MICHIGAN

2014 Record: 5-7
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh*

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5. RUTGERS

2014 Record: 8-5
Defensive Returning Starters: 5
Offensive Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Kyle Flood

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6. INDIANA

2014 Record: 4-8
Defensive Returning Starters: 5
Offensive Returning Starters: 7
Head Coach: Kevin Wilson

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7. MARYLAND

2014 Record: 7-6
Defense Returning Starters: 4
Offense Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: Randy Edsall

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WEST

1. NEBRASKA

2014 Record: 9-4
Defensive Returning Starters: 6
Offensive Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: Mike Riley*

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2. WISCONSIN

2014 Record: 11-3
Defensive Returning Starters: 6
Offensive Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Paul Chryst*

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3. MINNESOTA

2014 Record: 8-5
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Jerry Kill

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4. IOWA

2014 Record: 7-6
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 5
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz

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5. NORTHWESTERN

2014 Record: 5-7
Defensive Returning Starters: 8
Offensive Returning Starters: 6
Head Coach: Pat Fitzgerald

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6. ILLINOIS

2014 Record: 6-7
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Tim Beckman

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7. PURDUE

2014 Record: 3-9
Defensive Returning Starters: 7
Offensive Returning Starters: 8
Head Coach: Darrell Hazell

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2015 PREVIEW
QUICK LINKS

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ACC
    Atlantic  Division
    Coastal Division
Big Ten
    East Division
    West Division
BIG 12
SEC
    Eastern Division
    Western Division
PAC-12
    North Division
    South Division
Notre Dame
BYU
Armed Forces

AAC
C-USA
MAC
MWC
Sun Belt

Playoff Prediction
Top 25
Top 40 BIG BOARD
Playoff Explained
Goodbye, BCS

ALL-AMERICA
Heisman
Heisman Moments [Video]
Deion Sanders Award

Best OOC Games
Coaching Changes

Rivalry Trophy Database
Div. 1-AA (FCS) History


OFFSEASON FEATURES
Playoff Simulations
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013

Q&A's with SBNation:
    Maryland to BigTen
    Rutgers to BigTen

Throwback Thursday
    1990s Florida State
    3rd & 57
    Red River Roy ('01)
    Seneca Wallace ('02)
    One-Point Safety
    Dual-Sport Legends
    OhioSt-Mich ('73)
    Georgia Tech 222-0
    Texas HS Craziness
    Earthquake Game

Champions Gauntlet
    '13 FSU vs. '98 Tenn
    '13 FSU vs. '99 FSU
    '13 FSU vs. '00 OU
    '13 FSU vs. '02 OSU
    '13 FSU vs. '05 Texas
    '13 FSU vs. '08 UF
    '13 FSU vs. '11 Bama
    '13 FSU vs. '01 Mia
 

SEE ALSO:
Welcome to the Big Ten: Maryland, our Q&A with SB Nation
Welcome to the Big Ten: Rutgers, our Q&A with SB Nation