2009 Conferences in Review: #3 Big Ten

The Big Ten Conference occupies #3 in my 2009 Conference Rankings.

2009 Conference Champion: Ohio State Buckeyes 11-2 (7-1 Big Ten)

2009 Bowl Record: 4-3

Bold Prediction for 2010: Michigan goes bowl-less again, finishing 5-7 (again).


Team Rankings: The top of the Big Ten is as good as any conference in the country. (better, even. The Big Ten was the only conference to have four teams in the top 15 overall). Northwestern and Michigan State look to improve, as does Purdue. 2010 could be a great year for the conference... or the "middle 4" will all end up 6-6. I expect more of the former, and less of the latter.

1.	Ohio State	0.7459	11 - 2	#5
2.	Iowa	0.7365	11 - 2	#8
3.	Penn State	0.7148	11 - 2	#12
4.	Wisconsin	0.7036	10 - 3	#14
5.	Northwestern	0.5639	8 - 5	#54
6.	Michigan State	0.4603	6 - 7	#68
7.	Minnesota	0.4534	6 - 7	#69
8.	Purdue	0.4119	5 - 7	#76
9.	Michigan	0.3862	5 - 7	#83
10.	Indiana	0.3080	4 - 8	#97
11.	Illinois	0.2387	3 - 9	#102

  

Awards!

Best Showing in an Out-of-Conference Game:
Oregon 38, Purdue 36. The Big Ten just didn't win any statement games. It says something when your best showing is a loss. (albeit to a team that would go on to win the PAC-10)


Worst Showing in an Out-of-Conference Game:
Iowa. vs Northern Iowa 17-16. vs Arkansas State 24-21. The number 2 team in the Big Ten should beat FCS and Sunbelt teams by more than a field goal.


Best Conference Game:
Ohio State 27, Iowa 24 (OT). Iowa, starting its backup quarterback against the Buckeyes in 'the Shoe,' nearly beat OSU to take the conference crown.


Best Showing in a Bowl Game:
Iowa 24, Georgia Tech 14. Iowa beat down Georgia Tech, especially on defense, holding the Yellow Jackets to their lowest rushing total this year.


Worst Showing in a Bowl Game:
Iowa State 14, Minnesota 13. Losing to the Cyclones gets you this award.


Best Scoring Offense: Ohio State
Best Passing Offense: Northwestern
Best Rushing Offense: Wisconsin


Best Scoring Defense: Ohio State
Best Passing Defense: Iowa
Best Rushing Defense: Ohio State


Least Penalized Team: Illinois
Best Turnover Ratio: Ohio State


Week 1 Matchups / Prediction of the Week!
Thursday, September 2
Towson at Indiana
Marshall at Ohio State
Minnesota at Middle Tennessee

Saturday, September 4
Western Michigan at Michigan State
Youngstown State at Penn State
Eastern Illinois at Iowa
Illinois vs. Missouri (in St. Louis, MO)
Purdue at Notre Dame - POTW!
Brian Kelly's Notre Dame debut is a shootout. Notre Dame 42, Purdue 38.
Connecticut at Michigan
Northwestern at Vanderbilt
Wisconsin at UNLV