So, what's up in the Big Ten in 2009 for football? The 2009 Big Ten Conference football prospectus some information on the 114Th season of play.
The University of Iowa hasn't won a share of the Big Ten Conference title in football, since the 2004 season, when Michigan and Iowa finished 7-1 and tied for first place. Could 2009 be a rebirth for Iowa at the top of the Big Ten? Early look... at 2009 nationally!
Iowa rebounded in 2008, after a 2-1/2 year slide in college football. The Hawkeyes return a good group of letterwinners from the 9-4 team that finished in the Top 25 last year. Iowa (5-3 in the Big Ten in '08) will play three games in prime-time in 2009.
As usual, in the Big Ten, Ohio State is often the program we start with. In 2008, the Buckeyes finished 7-1 in the conference and 10-3 overall. The Buckeyes always have talent and will return their young QB in 2009, with sophomore Terrelle Pryor at the helm. However, other than senior TE Jake Ballard, the Buckeyes must reload at the skill positions on offense. Eight starters likely will return on defense, but a key CB and two starting linebackers have departed. Further, both kicker and punter are gone, so head coach Jim Tressel has some questions to answer for 2009. Ohio State always makes things interesting in the Big Ten though.
Who's next? Penn State? Iowa?
Both Penn State and Iowa return their top QB for 2009, in Darryl Clark and Ricky Stanzi, respectively. By far, one of the best games in college football in 2008 was the last minute win by Iowa over Penn State, at Kinnick Stadium, by the score of 24-23. The Hawkeyes likely cost the Nittany Lions a chance in the BCS title game, after finishing Joe Pa's team finished 7-1 in the Big Ten and 11-2 overall. The rematch will be a prime-time game on September 26Th in Happy Valley on ABC/ESPN. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz has fared well vs. Penn State's Joe Paterno in Happy Valley. Iowa has won three out of the last four games played at Penn State.
Next in line in 2009 in the Big Ten?
Illinois returns senior QB Juice Williams for 2009, but after a 3-5 Big Ten record and 5-7 overall in 2008... are the Fighting Illini ready to come back under head coach Ron Zook? The Fighting Illini will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator, since Mike Locksley has become head coach at the University of New Mexico.
So, is it Michigan State and/or Minnesota?
The Michigan State Spartans have some questions at quarterback and running back, with Brian Hoyer and Jovon Ringer departed at those two positions. But, as head coach Mark Dantonio enters his third season in East Lansing, many don't want to risk underestimate the Spartan program, after the 6-2 Big Ten record and 9-4 overall in 2008. Plenty of experience returns for 2009 for Dantonio's Spartans.
The Minnesota Gophers had quite a turnaround in 2008, going from 1-11 in 2007 to 7-6 and a bowl game last year. Head coach Tim Brewster enters his third season for the Gophers in 2009. Minnesota returns the QB-WR combination of Adam Weber and Eric Decker for 2009. When healthy, the Gophers won 3 games in the Big Ten, finishing 3-5. But, new coordinators and schemes are being introduced after some setbacks at the end of the 2008 season.
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bret Bielema dropped off in year three finishing 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten in 2008. Is quarterback Dustin Sherer the answer for the Badgers in 2009? Bielema enters his fourth season at the helm in Madison and his own players will fill the roster, unlike the first two years, where he took Alvarez players to a 21-5 record. The honeymoon is over in Madtown!
The Northwestern Wildcats finished 2008 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten. Clearly, head coach Pat Fitzgerald's best season, as he enters his fourth season in 2009. The offense must reload with six starters departed, including five skill players.
The University of Iowa hasn't won a share of the Big Ten Conference title in football, since the 2004 season, when Michigan and Iowa finished 7-1 and tied for first place. Could 2009 be a rebirth for Iowa at the top of the Big Ten? Early look... at 2009 nationally!
Iowa rebounded in 2008, after a 2-1/2 year slide in college football. The Hawkeyes return a good group of letterwinners from the 9-4 team that finished in the Top 25 last year. Iowa (5-3 in the Big Ten in '08) will play three games in prime-time in 2009.
As usual, in the Big Ten, Ohio State is often the program we start with. In 2008, the Buckeyes finished 7-1 in the conference and 10-3 overall. The Buckeyes always have talent and will return their young QB in 2009, with sophomore Terrelle Pryor at the helm. However, other than senior TE Jake Ballard, the Buckeyes must reload at the skill positions on offense. Eight starters likely will return on defense, but a key CB and two starting linebackers have departed. Further, both kicker and punter are gone, so head coach Jim Tressel has some questions to answer for 2009. Ohio State always makes things interesting in the Big Ten though.
Who's next? Penn State? Iowa?
Both Penn State and Iowa return their top QB for 2009, in Darryl Clark and Ricky Stanzi, respectively. By far, one of the best games in college football in 2008 was the last minute win by Iowa over Penn State, at Kinnick Stadium, by the score of 24-23. The Hawkeyes likely cost the Nittany Lions a chance in the BCS title game, after finishing Joe Pa's team finished 7-1 in the Big Ten and 11-2 overall. The rematch will be a prime-time game on September 26Th in Happy Valley on ABC/ESPN. Iowa's Kirk Ferentz has fared well vs. Penn State's Joe Paterno in Happy Valley. Iowa has won three out of the last four games played at Penn State.
Next in line in 2009 in the Big Ten?
Illinois returns senior QB Juice Williams for 2009, but after a 3-5 Big Ten record and 5-7 overall in 2008... are the Fighting Illini ready to come back under head coach Ron Zook? The Fighting Illini will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator, since Mike Locksley has become head coach at the University of New Mexico.
So, is it Michigan State and/or Minnesota?
The Michigan State Spartans have some questions at quarterback and running back, with Brian Hoyer and Jovon Ringer departed at those two positions. But, as head coach Mark Dantonio enters his third season in East Lansing, many don't want to risk underestimate the Spartan program, after the 6-2 Big Ten record and 9-4 overall in 2008. Plenty of experience returns for 2009 for Dantonio's Spartans.
The Minnesota Gophers had quite a turnaround in 2008, going from 1-11 in 2007 to 7-6 and a bowl game last year. Head coach Tim Brewster enters his third season for the Gophers in 2009. Minnesota returns the QB-WR combination of Adam Weber and Eric Decker for 2009. When healthy, the Gophers won 3 games in the Big Ten, finishing 3-5. But, new coordinators and schemes are being introduced after some setbacks at the end of the 2008 season.
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Bret Bielema dropped off in year three finishing 7-6 overall and 3-5 in the Big Ten in 2008. Is quarterback Dustin Sherer the answer for the Badgers in 2009? Bielema enters his fourth season at the helm in Madison and his own players will fill the roster, unlike the first two years, where he took Alvarez players to a 21-5 record. The honeymoon is over in Madtown!
The Northwestern Wildcats finished 2008 9-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten. Clearly, head coach Pat Fitzgerald's best season, as he enters his fourth season in 2009. The offense must reload with six starters departed, including five skill players.
The Rich Rodriquez era began in 2008 at Michigan, with the 33-year bowl streak coming to an end when the Wolverines finished 2008 with a 2-6 Big Ten mark and 3-9 overall. The Michigan Wolverines return nearly everyone on offense, but after 2008, will that matter enough?
Look at the State of Indiana in football today. The Indiana Hoosiers fell to 1-7 in the Big Ten and 3-9 overall in Bill Lynch's second year in Bloomington as head coach. The magic of the 2007 bowl season, after overcoming the tragic death of former head coach Terry Hoeppner from cancer in June 2007 is a memory now. The momentum didn't take.
The Purdue Boilermakers begin a new era in 2009, with head coach Danny Hope replacing Joe Tiller, who finished 2-6 in the Big Ten and 4-8 overall in his final season in 2008.
By the way, don't look for the Big Ten to fill a 12Th team any time soon. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish likely have no interest, after saying no several years back. But, Notre Dame did get the NCAA record nine game losing streak off their backs at the end of the 2008 season, with a bowl win over Hawaii.
We have Spring and Summer to enjoy, but September 3Rd will welcome in the 2009 College Football season.
peace
1 comment:
Here are some likely scenarios for the 2009 season.
Illinois: Best Case: 8-0 (Wins - Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue) Worst Case: 4-4 (Wins: Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue. Losses - Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State). Most Likely: 6-2 (Wins: Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue. Losses: Ohio State, Penn State)
Indiana: Best Case: 2-6 (Wins - Michigan, Purdue. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin). Worst Case: 0-8. Most Likely: 0-8.
Iowa: Best Case: 8-0 (Wins - Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin). Worst Case: 5-3 (Wins - Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State. Losses - Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin). Most Likely: 6-2 (Wins - Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Wisconsin. Losses - Michigan State, Ohio State).
Michigan: Best Case: 3-5 (Wins - Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State). Worst Case: 1-7 (Win - Purdue. Losses - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin). Most Likely: 2-6 (Wins - Indiana, Purdue. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin).
Michigan State: Best Case: 8-0 (Wins - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin). Worst Case: 4-4 (Wins - Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Wisconsin). Most Likely 6-2 (Wins - Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin. Losses - Illinois, Minnesota, ).
Minnesota: Best Case: 6-2 (Wins - Illinois, Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin. Losses - Iowa, Ohio State). Worst Case: 2-6 (Wins - Purdue, Northwestern. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin). Most Likely 5-3 (Wins - Michigan State, Northwestern, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Ohio State).
Northwestern: Best Case: 4-4 (Wins - Indiana, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota). Worst Case: 2-6 (Wins - Indiana, Purdue. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Wisconsin). Most Likely: 3-5 (Wins - Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State).
Ohio State: Best Case: 8-0 (Wins - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin). Worst Case: 5-3 (Wins - Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Penn State). Most Likely 7-1 (Wins - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin. Loss - Penn State).
Penn State: Best Case: 6-2 (Wins - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern. Losses - Michigan State, Ohio State). Worst Case: 3-5 (Wins - Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern. Losses - Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State). Most Likely: 5-3 (Wins - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State. Losses - Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota).
Purdue: Best Case: 2-6 (Wins - Indiana, Northwestern. Losses - Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Wisconsin.) Worst Case 0-8. Most likely 1-7 (Win - Indiana. Losses - Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Wisconsin.)
Wisconsin: Best Case: 6-2 (Wins - Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue. Losses - Minnesota, Ohio State). Worst Case 2-6 (Wins - Indiana, Purdue. Losses - Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Minnesota, Ohio State). Most Likely: 4-4 (Wins - Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue. Losses - Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State).
Post a Comment