The Big Ten East division is the NBA Western Conference. The Big Ten West division is the NBA Eastern Conference. The Big Ten East is the English Premier League. The Big Ten West is the Championship. The Big Ten East are the New York Yankees. The Big Ten West are the Staten Island Yankees. Well, I’m exaggerating somewhat, especially so on that last one, but you get the idea.
As we’ve been chronicling for the past month or so, the Big Ten has it all in terms of story lines this football talking season, but they failed miserably in terms of who they selected to attend Media Days this Thursday and Friday.
The Ohio State quarterback situation has been this offseason’s number one national college football storyline. OSU DL Joey Bosa projects to be the #1 overall pick in next April’s NFL Draft. If he goes #1, Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg might go #2. He should be the first signal caller selected. Neither player is coming to media days. Neither are any of OSU’s QBs. Ditto regarding their starting tailback, who should be the first running back selected in the draft.
Well, you get the idea. A lot of the other Big Ten schools followed Ohio State’s lead in leaving the more relevant and brand name players back on campus. Instead, you’ll have many more obscure players in Chicago this year for Media Days.
Big Ten East Predictions and Projected Record
1. OSU 12-0, 8-0
The Ohio State Buckeyes see your “SEC speed,” and raise the stakes on you. The SEC is essentially the AAA of the NFL, and Ohio State’s roster this upcoming season is essentially a NFL Developmental League franchise. There are first, second and third round picks everywhere; in all position groups.
John Calipari has made Kentucky basketball a de facto NBA D-League franchise. This fall, Urban Meyer will do the same with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Think of Ohio State as a SEC team that just happens to be in a state that wasn’t once part of the Confederacy. The Buckeyes are the new Alabama Crimson Tide.
2. MSU 11-1, 7-1
We could be re-hashing the era of “Big 2, Little 8” in the Big Ten right now. Except this time, it’s a different school from the state of Great Lakes Splendor that is on par with Ohio State. Michigan State football has done much more than just arrived; it’s elite. The Buckeyes are still the class of the league, but the Spartans are the clear cut number two.
So I guess you could call it “Big 2, Little 12.”
3. Penn State 8-4, 5-3
The mystery of Christian Hackenberg NFL Draft stock is captivating NFL and college football scholars across the nation. Ever since he became the leader of Penn State football, Hackenberg has made for a fascinating character study. He won Big Ten freshman of the year during his one season in Bill O’Brien’s system. His numbers were so prolific that draftniks everywhere started penciling him as the #1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
4. Michigan 7-5, 4-4
Even with Jim Harbaugh in tow, Michigan is still the current “little brother” to Michigan State football right now. He’ll get it right eventually, but for this year, there’s just not enough talent to work with. He only has like a 1/4 to a 1/3 of a recruiting class this season. Down the line, Michigan will start living up to the TREMENDOUS HYPE OF HARBAUGH!! OMG!
5. Maryland 6-6, 3-5
Not bad, for a basketball school, in their first year in the Big Ten. Again this year, football is just a distraction/past time until hoops begins in November.
6. Rutgers 6-6, 3-5
If you still haven’t noticed that they’re here now, you’re not alone. Credit the Scarlet Knights though for exceeding expectations.
7. Indiana 4-8, 2-6
This might be the end for Kevin Wilson; although it’s hard to imagine anyone else really doing much better in Bloomington. As long as he flirts with .500, he probably deserves another shot.
Here is the link to the Big Ten West Division predictions and projections (live at 10 am central)
Never Too Early Season Preview Series:
Iowa
Wisconsin
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country.
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