Around the Horn college football predictions --the Big Ten

[Capt. America]

This one is more difficult because I have a bias -- until proven otherwise, I will default to Ohio State.

However, I think Penn State could easily do it as well.

Battle for third, barring disintegration by PSU or OSU, is Sparty or Illini (easy road schedule).

The sleeper pick is Iowa, but they have a brutal road schedule. Northwestern is improved but???

Another fun question, does scUM win 8 games? Hmmm....no....6 at best.

[madinmaryland]

1. Good call, Captain. Though the Buckeyes do have the matchup

with USC the third weekend in September. It's good to see Tressel actually scheduled someone other than Ball State or Ohio Univ. that weekend. If they win that one, it gives them a good bounce going into the Big Ten schedule.

[JonLP24]

2. I'll go with Penn State

Michigan will make it to the postseason with 6 wins but will upset Ohio State for their 7th win. :hide:

I've hated Ohio State since the 1997 Rose Bowl. :scared:

[madinmaryland]

3. Penn State could win, but I think the game against USC will toughen the Buckeyes.

Can you tell me who the Buckeyes beat in the 97 Rose Bowl, so that I don't have to look it up?

Thanx!

[JonLP24]

4. The undefeated Pac-10 Champion 1996 Arizona State Sun Devils

They were ranked #2 going into the game while Florida State was ranked #1. Florida State lost to Florida in the Sugar Bowl so if Arizona State would've won they would've been national champs the only time in history.

After Jake 'the Snake' led a 4th quarter drive to take the lead. Joe Germaine(Mesa, AZ native) drove down the field and threw the winning touchdown pass to David Boston with only 19 seconds in the game.

In the end the Florida Gators was named National Champions for the 96-97 season.

Edited to add in pre-BCS times the Sugar Bowl was to host the #1 and #2 team but since the Rose Bowl isn't apart of the agreement the Pac-10 and Big-10 winner faced off. Where I'm going with this is ASU would've been AP National Champions as coaches were obligated to vote for the winner of the Sugar Bowl. But since they lost to #4 Ohio State the point was moot.

[madinmaryland]

11. Well, I think your edited paragraph that you added proves that

the NCAA Division 1 need a true playoff like they have in ALL of the other College sports.

Thanks!

[Upton]

5. Here's a prediction for you

the Big Ten will be overrated by the national media, they never seem to learn their lesson, then come bowl season the conference will get it's usual drubbing.

One thing though, OSU has an excellent chance to take down USC.....they're playing in Columbus and USC at that early date will have an unproven QB.

[Condem]

6. With the exception of Iowa, Upton.

Who take great pride in beating the SEC in a bowl game every year. It's the speed, you see.

[madinmaryland]

7. Good call about Ohio State, Upton. With a QB who has Heismann potential

the Buckeyes could just grind their way to a BCS Championship, if they can take care of USC at home.

[Condem]

8. Damn straight, mad.

Pryor, though young, is a unique talent. Tressel NEEDS to beat USC. He's got all the tools.

[madinmaryland]

9. What's interesting is that Tressel has managed to get a quality

out of conference team into Columbus this year. Rather than a group of cupcakes, they are playing a quality team. Should be interesting.

[Condem]

10. Well, they got their ass kicked in LA, last season.

Payback time.

[Capt. America]

14. We got an away and away with Texas, I was there a few years ago.

We also have Oklahoma for an away and away in a few years. But you are right, we have got some cupcakes. One of the problems is that the govenor and state school boards like to keep the money in state, so we get a lot of MAC teams in Columbus every year.

[Capt. America]

15. The Bucs lost a lot of talent to the pros last year, especially on defense. We will see.

[Jetboy]

12. This is Iowa's year.

Great defense and emerging offense led by a top notch line.

[Condem]

13. A year away, Jetboy.

I don't like the road schedule. Don't get me wrong. The Hawks will still go bowling. 2011 much more favorable.

[joeybee12]

16. My prediction...OSU will go to a bowl game it doesn't deserve to go to...

:evilgrin:

[PRETZEL]

17. Being a PSU alum

I'm sort of biased, but I'm also very worried.

JoePa is starting the season with very few returning starting O-line, a new receiving corps, as well as pretty much a new secondary. Add to that a new place kicker.

May be a rough start for the Lions, but we will end strong.