Well the first Big Ten game is coming up on Thursday. The knowledge that my pre-season rankings are always wrong actually gives me the freedom to just have fun with it. So let's just have some fun and see what everybody's Preseason Big Ten Power rankings are. Here I go.
1. Ohio St. - The old rule was OSU always gets the benefit of the doubt until they lose. That rule kinda fell apart recently when Mich won the Big Ten the last 3 years in a row, but old habits die hard.
2. Michigan - This is higher than most Preseason rankings because Mich has a new head coach, new QB, etc. But then again, they are still the 3-time defending Big Ten champions.
3. Penn St - A lot people think this could be the year that PSU puts it all together, but recent history suggests they won't get past OSU and Mich.
4. Oregon - my first Pac team. A lot of people have the Ducks ranked higher, but I am adopting a prove it to me first approach to all PAC teams. My bias opinion is that Big Ten defenses were underrated last year and that PAC offenses will struggle in their first year in the Big Ten.
5. Iowa - In terms of talent, Iowa is usually in the bottom half of the Big Ten, but Iowa always has a good defense and recently has found ways to always win about 2-3 games more than they should.
6. USC - USC defense should be better this year, just not good enough to win the conferencr
7. Illinois - This is my dark horse pick. Bret has had 4 years to get the team to the next level. It better happen now or he is on the hot seat.
8. Washington. - some are expecting a big drop off and I am too, just not as big of a drop as some are thinking.
9. Wisconsin - Many are expecting big improvement in Fickell's 2nd year. But I have a hunch it's going to take 3 years to put it all together.
10. Nebraska - copy what I said about Wisc and Fickell and paste the same thing in for Neb and Rhule. It's going to take 3 years under Rhule before Nebraska is good.
11. MD - I still consider Locksley the worse coach in the conference, but this year he should get a boost from offensive analyst Brian Ferentz
12. Rutgers - Another potential dark horse pick, but I just don't think Rutgers has the talent to pull it off.
13. NW. - let's see, NW was decent last year, so that must mean NW is going to suck this year. It will be interesting to see how they perform in it's temporary home stadiums this year.
14. Minnesota - not sure why I have Minn so low. Maybe because the coach was looking around for a new job
15. Mich St - could be a sleeper. I expect MSU to struggle early under their new coach but they might be good by the end.
16. UCLA. - when the head coach desperately jumps ship before he can get fired, it's not a good sign.
17. Purdue - the only guy who could save Purdue is now coaching Louisville.
18. Indiana. - team was awful last year and now they got a new coach.
