RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Big Ten as a conference will not have a falloff this season. Once again, the top teams in the conference will battle to see which team can stay at the top. The Indiana Hoosiers will be defending their title and have shown no reason to endure a dropoff. The USC Trojans should also be a fun newcomer to watch rise to the top.
Here are my preseason Big Ten football rankings:
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes will enter the year as the consensus best team in the country. This is the best defense in the best conference. Their offense still has the best player in the country, paired with another freshman phenom in Chris Henry Jr. Julian Sayin was a Heisman finalist last season, and he is only going to get better. Ohio State should be the title favorite this year. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have a great chance at redemption this season.
2. Oregon Ducks
The Oregon Ducks will field the best offense in the Big Ten, as they are super talented at every position. You can make the case that their defense is just as good with the many pivotal returns. Quarterback Dante Moore came back for a reason, and that is because this team has real championship aspirations. Dan Lanning has his best chance yet at a title with his best roster to date at Oregon. It will be a straight collision course between them and Ohio State over who wins the Big Ten title.
3. Indiana Hoosiers
In life, there are certain things you know are guarantees: death, taxes, and Curt Cignetti winning. It does not matter how much change the Hoosiers have. This team will always be put in the best position due to their lead man in charge. The defensive line that led the Big Ten in sacks will return, and new quarterback Josh Hoover will be put in a great position to have a breakout season. There will be no falloff for the Hoosiers this season.
4. USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley and the Trojans have exactly what they need to throw their hat in the ring this season. Gary Patterson should bring a new edge and competitiveness to a talented defense. Riley's offense has enough weapons to be even more explosive than last season. This schedule should be something that brings out the best in them this season, not what it has done in previous years. Being fourth place might not seem like much, but USC will go 10-2 and make the College Football Playoff. That's a big deal. Finishing fourth at 9-3 would be a different conversation.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions
There is a lot of excitement and hype surrounding the Nittany Lions, as they have a new head coach and a new quarterback. Matt Campbell is a perfect fit for this program, and instant success with Penn State seems very likely. With the schedule and not having to face Indiana or Ohio State, Penn State could finish as a top team in the Big Ten this year. I think a 5th spot would be a perfect start to the Campbell era.
6. Washington Huskies
There is a bit of a talent drop-off on offense; however, with a special quarterback like Demond Williams, the Huskies should be able to get by. Jedd Fisch tends to get the most out of his roster, and I think this Huskies team will be right where they were last season.
7. Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines are as talented as top teams in this conference, and they got a big-time coaching upgrade. Kyle Whittingham will be a great fit for this program, but there is still a lot of uncertainty at the quarterback position. If the team identity remains as a heavy running team, the Wolverines will still have a successful season, but Bryce Underwood's development may take another hit.
8. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois has yet to break through in the Big Ten completely. I don't think this will be the season either. The Fighting Illini should see an improvement in quarterback play, but not to a level that will prompt them to be a top-5 team in the Big Ten. Still, Bret Bielema is not a coach to take lightly, as his teams still tend to overachieve.
9. Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers have an elite defense, and they are hoping that this season they will pair that unit with finally competent quarterback play. Colton Joseph will be an upgrade, but I still think this team is right in the middle of the pack in the conference.
10. Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa's defense will keep them in a lot of football games this season, but their success will once again be hindered by the offense. Last season it seemed like they had the quarterback position answered finally; this year, not so much. Jeremey Hecklinski fits the mold of an Iowa quarterback, from his skills to how he looks. He will have to prove himself this season to be different than the past Iowa quarterbacks. He will be the X-factor that makes or breaks the Hawkeyes' season this year.
11. Minnesota Golden Gophers
P.J. Fleck knows exactly how to keep the Gophers right in that 8-4 and 7-5 ceiling. I think this will be another season with that total. The Gophers' defense should be really good this season, as they are bringing key starters back and great depth into the fold. That side of the ball could help the Gophers see great success this year. Drake Lindsey, with another season under his belt, should be a lot better, and a healthy Darius Taylor gives hope for a productive offense. The ceiling right now for this Gophers squad will be 8-4, but do not be surprised if this team surpasses that.
12. UCLA Bruins
Bob Chesney and Nico Iamaleava will be a duo that works. Chesney will bring out the best in Nico Iamaleava, and I expect him to be closer to who he was when the Bruins went on a winning streak last season. Defense will hold them back from having a full-on resurgence season. I think Chesney at least gives the Bruins a taste of success in year 1, far better than last season.
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska will start the year off 5-0, but the back end of their schedule is as brutal as it gets for a team desperate to improve. For the Matt Rhule doubters, this will be a season that...
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