2007 Big Ten Football predictions

The Michigan Wolverines take the take to win the Big Ten title in our 2007 Big Ten football predictions. The combination on offense of Chad Henne, Mario Manningham and Mike Hart will be virtually unstoppable this fall. All 3 are tagged to be first-team All-Big Ten. You add preseason first-team All-Big Ten offensive lineman in Jake Long and Adam Kraus to the mix and this offense is one of, if not, the best units in all of football. Their defense lost a few stars but the recruiting of Lloyd Carr has made up for it. Look for a couple big names to emerge on this side of the ball for the Wolverines in 2007.
 

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Wisconsin has the talent to give Michigan a run for their money. But the course of a 12-game regular season will prove that the Badgers won't be consistent enough to contend with Michigan. Wisconsin overachieved tremendously last season so they are getting much of the hype. But an unproven quarterback has never been kind to any Big Ten team. It will create a few headaches breaking in a new QB in Badger country. No team has more wins than Wisconsin in the past three seasons so they have that working for them. But we feel there hasn't been a Big Ten team as good as the Wolverines are on paper over the past three seasons either. Wisconsin has to settle for second in our 2007 Big Ten football predictions.

The Ohio State Buckeyes lost eight studs to the NFL in the offseason and there really isn't any way to replace that type of talent. They still have a solid offensive line and the Big Ten's best linebacker coming back. The Buckeyes will be good enough for a 3rd place finish in our eyes. It will get ugly when Ohio State travels to Ann Arbor on November 17th where the Wolverines get their revenge in a big way. The Iowa Hawkeyes shed Ohio State and Michigan from their schedule this season. That at least adds two more wins to their record. But their passing game won't be efficient enough to compete with the top teams in this tough conference.

Purdue will surprise some folks and we have the Boilermakers finishing 5th in our 2007 Big Ten football predictions. They have just as many weapons at the skill positions as Michigan does, but their defense remains weak. The Boilermakers will win simply by putting more points up than their foes. Sometimes it will take 40 points plus, but Purdue will win their fair share of games this season. The Penn State Nittany Lions are primed to have one of their best offenses of all time. Their defense has always been their savior, but that will all change this season. Penn State is weak in the trenches on both sides of the ball where it matters most. The trenches are the most important part of a successful Big Ten squad in recent seasons and Penn State just doesn't have it here.

Illinois will be much better under Ron Zook this season. Juice Williams can't get any worse throwing the ball. His feet will cause many opposing defenses headaches. Their defense is loaded with talent as well so a few upsets on their way courtesy of Illini Football. Indiana will be a sleeper in this stacked conference, finishing right behind Illinois in our 2007 Big Ten football predictions. The Lewis-to-Hardy duo at QB and receiver will be tough for any defense to stop.

Our 2007 Big Ten football predictions tag Minnesota, Michigan State and Northwestern as the bottom feeders of this conference. The Gophers get a new coaching staff with plenty of NFL experience. Look for their players to buy in to the systems early and get off to a solid start. The Michigan State Spartans are rebuilding, but we have to think they can muster up at least 4 wins this season. Northwestern's defense is still playing at the high school level and Big Ten teams will exploit it all season. Their offense is solid, but too many turnovers will keep the Wildcats from winning many ball games yet again.

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