Big Ten Football: Season preview and final standings predictions
Big Ten Champion – Ohio State (11 first place votes)
Also receiving votes – Wisconsin (3), Penn State (2)
In a (not) shocking turn of events, the Ohio State Buckeyes have been tabbed the favorites to take home the Big Ten football title in 2017. While they were the heavy favorite, the confidence among the voters is somewhat subdued. Part of that is because the Buckeyes, just like a season ago, have a lot riding on very few games. Three games in particular could determine the finish in the East: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Penn State vs. Michigan, and Michigan vs. Ohio State.
More: 5 bold predictions for Ohio State in 2017
The Buckeyes draw the Nittany Lions at home this year. According to ESPN FPI, that should make them heavy favorites to pull out the win, just like they did a season ago on the road. In a similar fashion, Penn State has been given 73 percent odds of winning at home over Michigan. If those two projections hold, and Michigan can find a way to hold serve at home over the Buckeyes, the top of the conference standings could be a giant mess again in 2017.
No matter what happens, we’re in for some fascinating storylines and even better football. J.T. Barrett will have a real chance at an elusive Heisman Trophy. James Franklin could fully resurrect a dormant Penn State program in just a few years. And then there’s Wisconsin, a top 10 football team that’s receiving little to no preseason hype in the rest of the country.
Be wary of the Badgers this season. Their road to the Big Ten Championship game is relatively light. They avoid both Ohio State and Penn State and get Michigan at home. Even if they drop an unexpected contest along the way, the Badgers are primed for what could become a play-in game for the College Football Playoff. If they take care of business, Wisconsin could very well quietly waltz right into the postseason without much fuss. We shall see.
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What do you think? Can Wisconsin finally get over the hump or will the Ohio State juggernaut roll through the Big Ten once more. Could a new face find its way to the Big Ten Championship game and surprise everyone? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter.