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2012 B1G Leaders Division Race

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BB73

BB73

Loves Buckeye History
Staff member
Bookie
'16 & '17 Upset Contest Winner
I'll add the odds this summer. Once I figure out what to do about a certain team that's ineligible for the CCG.
 
CFN

Leaders

Illinois
...

Indiana
...

Ohio State
- A brave face will be put on in Urban: Year One, but it?s going to take a lot of coaxing and a lot of work to keep the fire for a full 12 games when there?s nothing to play for. The idea of being the Big Ten?s best team, even though the Buckeyes can?t play in the title game this year, will only go so far. USC was able to buy in and was terrific in 2012, but that came after a year of not getting to go to a bowl. With a trip to Wisconsin and the Michigan game to close things out, it might be another rough end to the season after closing out 2011 with four straight losses. On the field, the offensive line needs to replace three starters including massive Mike Adams at left tackle, and while the team got used to playing without RB Dan Herron and WR DeVier Posey for a long stretch last season, those two helped QB Braxton Miller make the offense go.

Penn State
- Penn State is going to have a negative image for a long, long time, and the uncertainty revolving around what might be coming in terms of lawsuits and sanctions had a major effect on the 2012 recruiting class, and things might not get better for a while. Throw in the addition of a jacked up Urban Meyer doing what a jacked up Urban Meyer does on the recruiting trail, and a Nittany Lion team that would?ve been in transition under normal circumstances ? seven starters are gone off the defense and all five starters have to be replaced on the O line ? and the future isn?t exactly bright. The miserable quarterback situation is still the same and top target Derek Moye is gone.

Purdue
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Wisconsin
- Who?s going to replace Russell Wilson? Before Wilson signed on last year, the big question mark was quarterback with the ultra-efficient Scott Tolzien needing to be replaced. While getting Wilson helped take the Badgers to a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl, it also meant the offense is starting from scratch at the position and with offensive coordinator Paul Chryst gone as the head coach at Pitt. The Badger O line is always strong, but it has to replace center Peter Konz, guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Josh Oglesby, and the loss of No. 1 target Nick Toon and fullback Bradie Ewing is a problem.

Cont'd ...
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CFN

[FONT=verdana, arial, sans serif]CFN 2012 First Look Rankings - Big Ten Leaders [/FONT]

1. Wisconsin (11-3)

The Badgers might win the Leaders by default with Ohio State not eligible for the Big Ten title and Penn State in trouble, but there?s one big question. Is there another Russell Wilson out there?

Jon Budmayr has an elbow issue that?s having a hard time healing, while Curt Phillips is a tremendously talented prospect who can?t catch a break when it comes to knee injuries. The starting quarterback won?t have to do too much passing with Heisman finalist Montee Ball returning to mount another assault on the record books. Center Peter Konz is leaving early for the NFL, but the line was just fine when he missed time during the year hurt; it?ll once again be one of college football?s best front fives. Chris Borland and Mike Taylor form one of America?s best linebacking duos, but five starters are gone off a defense that needs more speed and athleticism.

2. Ohio State (6-7)

Urban Meyer?s team might not have anything to play for this year ? being ineligible for the Big Ten title and a bowl game ? but there?s still a ton of talent and plenty of excitement. Even after top recruiting class after top recruiting class under Jim Tressel, there?s no one leaving early for the NFL, and the returning team is loaded with promise and potential ? for 2013.

Braxton Miller will challenge Michigan?s Denard Robinson for the honor of being the Big Ten?s most thrilling player, and he?ll get a year of experimenting and experience to be ready to be truly special in two years. Three starters are gone off the offensive line, while top receiver DeVier Posey and running back Dan Herron have to be replaced. On the other side, the line could be the best in the Big Ten, and linebacker Ryan Shazier appears to be a mortal lock for All-Big Ten honors. In all, ten starters could be back on defense, both kickers return, and of course, the coaching situation is a major positive. Now it?ll all be up to motivation.

3. Illinois (7-6)
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Cont'd ...
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Schedule analysis.

CFN

Illinois

Non-Conference Games: Western Michigan, at Arizona State, Charleston Southern, Louisiana Tech
Games Against The Legends: at Michigan, Minnesota, at Northwestern
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Worst Case Record: 4-8
Likely Finish: 6-6

Pre-Spring Projected Wins: Western Michigan, Charleston Southern, Louisiana Tech, Indiana, Minnesota, Purdue

Pre-Spring Projected Losses: at Arizona State, Penn State, at Wisconsin, at Michigan, at Ohio State, at Northwestern
...

2012 Schedule
Sep. 1 Western Michigan
Sep. 8 at Arizona State
Sep. 15 Charleston Southern
Sep. 22 Louisiana Tech
Sep. 29 Penn State
Oct. 6 at Wisconsin
Oct. 13 at Michigan
Oct. 20 OPEN DATE
Oct. 27 Indiana
Nov. 3 at Ohio State
Nov. 10 Minnesota
Nov. 17 Purdue
Nov. 24 at Northwestern

Indiana

Non-Conference Games: Ball State, Indiana State, at Massachusetts, at Navy
Games Against The Legends: Iowa, Michigan State, at Northwestern
Realistic Best Case Record: 6-6
Worst Case Record: 3-9
Likely Finish: 4-8

Pre-Spring Projected Wins: Indiana State, at Massachusetts, Ball State, at Navy

Pre-Spring Projected Losses: at Northwestern, Michigan State, Ohio State, at Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, at Penn State, at Purdue
...

2012 Schedule
Sep. 1 Indiana State
Sep. 8 at Massachusetts
Sep. 15 Ball State
Sep. 22 OPEN DATE
Sep. 29 at Northwestern
Oct. 6 Michigan State
Oct. 13 Ohio State
Oct. 20 at Navy
Oct. 27 at Illinois
Nov. 3 Iowa
Nov. 10 Wisconsin
Nov. 17 at Penn State
Nov. 24 at Purdue

Ohio State

Non-Conference Games: California, Miami University, UCF, UAB
Games Against The Legends: at Michigan State, Nebraska, Michigan
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Worst Case Record: 6-6
Likely Finish: 10-2

Pre-Spring Projected Wins: Miami Univ., UCF, California, UAB, Nebraska, at Indiana, Purdue, at Penn State, Illinois, Michigan

Pre-Spring Projected Losses: at Michigan State, at Wisconsin
...

2012 Schedule
Sep. 1 Miami Univ.
Sep. 8 UCF
Sep. 15 California
Sep. 22 UAB
Sep. 29 at Michigan State
Oct. 6 Nebraska
Oct. 13 at Indiana
Oct. 20 Purdue
Oct. 27 at Penn State
Nov. 3 Illinois
Nov. 10 OPEN DATE
Nov. 17 at Wisconsin
Nov. 24 Michigan

Penn State

Non-Conference Games: Navy, Ohio, Temple, at Virginia
Games Against The Legends: at Iowa, at Nebraska, Northwestern
Realistic Best Case Record: 10-2
Worst Case Record: 4-8
Likely Finish: 6-6

Pre-Spring Projected Wins: Ohio, Navy, Temple, at Illinois, Northwestern, Indiana

Pre-Spring Projected Losses: at Virginia, at Iowa, Ohio State, at Purdue, at Nebraska, Wisconsin
...

2012 Schedule
Sep. 1 Ohio
Sep. 8 at Virginia
Sep. 15 Navy
Sep. 22 Temple
Sep. 29 at Illinois
Oct. 6 Northwestern
Oct. 13 OPEN DATE
Oct. 20 at Iowa
Oct. 27 Ohio State
Nov. 3 at Purdue
Nov. 10 at Nebraska
Nov. 17 Indiana
Nov. 24 Wisconsin

Purdue

Non-Conference Games: Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, at Notre Dame
Games Against The Legends: at Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota
Realistic Best Case Record: 9-3
Worst Case Record: 4-8
Likely Finish: 6-6

Pre-Spring Projected Wins: Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Marshall, at Minnesota, Penn State, Indiana

Pre-Spring Projected Losses: at Notre Dame, Michigan, Wisconsin, at Ohio State, at Iowa, at Illinois
...

2012 Schedule
Sep. 1 Eastern Kentucky
Sep. 8 at Notre Dame
Sep. 15 Eastern Michigan
Sep. 22 OPEN DATE
Sep. 29 Marshall
Oct. 6 Michigan
Oct. 13 Wisconsin
Oct. 20 at Ohio State
Oct. 27 at Minnesota
Nov. 3 Penn State
Nov. 10 at Iowa
Nov. 17 at Illinois
Nov. 24 Indiana

Wisconsin

Non-Conference Games: Northern Iowa, at Oregon State, Utah State, UTEP
Games Against The Legends: Michigan State, Minnesota, at Nebraska
Realistic Best Case Record: 12-0
Worst Case Record: 8-4
Likely Finish: 11-1

Pre-Spring Projected Wins: Northern Iowa, at Oregon State, Utah State, UTEP, Illinois, at Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan State, at Indiana, Ohio State, at Penn State

Pre-Spring Projected Losses: at Nebraska
...

2012 Schedule
Sep. 1 Northern Iowa
Sep. 8 at Oregon State
Sep. 15 Utah State
Sep. 22 UTEP
Sep. 29 at Nebraska
Oct. 6 Illinois
Oct. 13 at Purdue
Oct. 20 Minnesota
Oct. 27 Michigan State
Nov. 3 OPEN DATE
Nov. 10 at Indiana
Nov. 17 Ohio State
Nov. 24 at Penn State

Cont'd ...
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Upvote 0
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...brien-visited-penn-state-will-visit-wisconsin

The Danny O'Brien Transfer Tour 2012 is currently rocking its way around different campuses around the country. As CBSSports.com's own Bruce Feldman reported on Monday, the former Maryland quarterback will be visiting Ole Miss this week, but it's not the only stop he'll be making.

O'Brien already visited Penn State over the weekend, and reports are he'll also be making a trip to Madison to visit with the Wisconsin Badgers this coming weekend. O'Brien confirmed the Wisconsin trip to BadgerNation.com.
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http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/144648165.html

Madison - Former quarterback Danny O?Brien is poised to transfer to Wisconsin, a college football source told the Journal Sentinel on Wednesday.

O?Brien is on pace to graduate this spring and under NCAA rules will be eligible to play immediately.
He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

UW has only two healthy quarterbacks participating in spring practice ? Joe Brenann and Joel Stave.

Brenann will be a redshirt sophomore next season. He played in six games last season and completed 6 of 15 passes for 48 yards, with one interception.

Stave, a walk-on from Whitnall High School, will be a redshirt freshman.
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Upvote 0
I don't get all the talk from the legends division complaining about the leaders division not being competitive enough. None of those teams want to play Wiscy or Ohio State every year. And who won the championship game last year? It wasn't a team from the legends division.

MSU is losing its biggest impact players from a year ago (it would be ALL of them if it wasn't for Adams and Gholston coming back) and will have to completely rebuild its offense. TSUN has to rebuild it's D-Line and replace important WR and O-Line pieces. I don't think the high end teams on that side of the division are as good as they think they are.

I think Purdue has a serious shot of contending for the division title with Wiscy, depending on the kind of work they put into the offseason for getting better. They've got a lot of guys coming back and their guys are FINALLY injury free, so they've got some quality depth to go with some pretty darn good players (like Kawann Short). Call them a darkhorse, but I'm putting $1vMil on them.
 
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