The SouthernPigskin.com doesn't see the Iowa Hawkeyes as one of the Top 25 teams in the nation entering the 2009 season. They have only two Big Ten teams in the Top 25, with Ohio State at #8 and Penn State at #17. Heck, Iowa was 1-0 vs. those two programs in the Big Ten in 2008, with Iowa's 24-23 upset win over the Nittany Lions. The Iowa win knocked Joe Pa's PSU team out of the BCS Championship picture last season.
After a strong 2007 season, will Illinois Fighting Illini rebound, after a disappointing 2008 season under coach Ron Zook? Illinois did get the monkey off their back against Iowa in '08. Iowa had won five straight and will have to wait until '11 until the two teams meet again in the Big Ten in football. Looking at early preseason polls, it looks like Phil Steele magazine is one of the few preseason forecasts projecting love for the Fighting Illini at #19.
How strong will the Wisconsin Badgers be in 2009? After two very solid season under coach Bret Bielema, his coaching was put under question by many after a up and down third season as head coach. Don't look for the Badgers any Top 25 lists at the season's start for 2009.
Another team that has some questions going into 2009 is the Michigan State Spartans. Not likely a Top 25 prospect to begin 2009, but coach Mark Dantonio is a coach who is earning respect among Big Ten opponents in East Lansing.
After a 55-0 loss to Iowa to close out the 2008 Big Ten season at home in the final game of the Metrodome for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, it's hard to think anyone would have the Golden Gophers a Pre-season Top 25 team, but a preseason Knoxnews.com site by John Adams does at #24. The site has three Big Ten teams in the Top 11 with Ohio State at #6, Penn State at #10 and Iowa at #11. Clearly, Mr. Adams didn't use the media guide deletion in his analysis.
We know Ohio State and Penn State will be the Big Ten's consensus Top 25 picks entering 2009. The Big Ten Conference should continue to become more competitive from top to bottom in 2009. But, Northwestern, Michigan, Purdue and Indiana will not be candidate for the Top 25 either.
At this point, Cidsports will use the following composite of teams for our 2009 Preseason College Football Poll...
After a strong 2007 season, will Illinois Fighting Illini rebound, after a disappointing 2008 season under coach Ron Zook? Illinois did get the monkey off their back against Iowa in '08. Iowa had won five straight and will have to wait until '11 until the two teams meet again in the Big Ten in football. Looking at early preseason polls, it looks like Phil Steele magazine is one of the few preseason forecasts projecting love for the Fighting Illini at #19.
How strong will the Wisconsin Badgers be in 2009? After two very solid season under coach Bret Bielema, his coaching was put under question by many after a up and down third season as head coach. Don't look for the Badgers any Top 25 lists at the season's start for 2009.
Another team that has some questions going into 2009 is the Michigan State Spartans. Not likely a Top 25 prospect to begin 2009, but coach Mark Dantonio is a coach who is earning respect among Big Ten opponents in East Lansing.
After a 55-0 loss to Iowa to close out the 2008 Big Ten season at home in the final game of the Metrodome for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, it's hard to think anyone would have the Golden Gophers a Pre-season Top 25 team, but a preseason Knoxnews.com site by John Adams does at #24. The site has three Big Ten teams in the Top 11 with Ohio State at #6, Penn State at #10 and Iowa at #11. Clearly, Mr. Adams didn't use the media guide deletion in his analysis.
We know Ohio State and Penn State will be the Big Ten's consensus Top 25 picks entering 2009. The Big Ten Conference should continue to become more competitive from top to bottom in 2009. But, Northwestern, Michigan, Purdue and Indiana will not be candidate for the Top 25 either.
At this point, Cidsports will use the following composite of teams for our 2009 Preseason College Football Poll...
- Florida Gators
- Texas Longhorns
- Oklahoma Sooners
- USC Trojans
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Oklahoma State Cowboys
- Virginia Tech Hokies
- Ohio State Buckeyes
- Ole Miss Rebels
- LSU Tigers
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Penn State Nittany Lions
- Oregon Ducks
- Boise State Broncos
- Georgia Bulldogs
- California Bears
- Florida State Seminoles
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Utah Utes
- TCU Horned Flogs
- Iowa Hawkeyes
- Kansas Jayhawks
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Texas Tech Red Raiders
Other teams: Pittsburgh, Miami-FL, Oregon State, East Carolina, BYU, West Virginia, South Florida, Cincinnati, Clemson, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Auburn, Boston College, Minnesota, Arkansas, Houston
Editor's note: We have a hard time placing Minnesota ahead of Illinois in the Big Ten, let alone Michigan State or Wisconsin. Though the QB situation at MSU and UW is yet to be determined. It should be an outstanding year from top to bottom in the Big Ten again.
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