Saturday Tradition Staff Picks: Predicting the B1G following Media Days

B1G Media Days have come and gone. We’re officially in “football mode.”

After hearing every coach take the podium for the two-day event in Chicago, we’ve got all the information we need to make educated, informed predictions about the 2019 B1G season. OK, maybe not, but we’re going to do it anyway.

Here are our staff picks for the B1G in 2019 following B1G Media Days:

Connor O’Gara, Senior National Columnist

East

1. Michigan
2. Ohio State
3. Michigan State
4. Penn State
5. Indiana
6. Rutgers
7. Maryland

West

1. Wisconsin
2. Iowa
3. Nebraska
4. Minnesota
5. Purdue
6. Northwestern
7. Illinois

B1G Championship: Michigan over Wisconsin

Yes, this is the year. I know, I know. We’ve said that before. A lot. But we’ve said that before with Urban Meyer at the helm at Ohio State. I think now is finally the time for Jim Harbaugh and his new, Josh Gattis-led offense, to get over the hump. They’ll beat a Wisconsin team that comes up short yet again in the title game, but even just getting back to a division title after last year’s debacle would be a welcome sight. Michigan rolls past Wisconsin and into the Playoff.

Kevin Cunningham, Staff News Writer

East

1. Michigan
2. Ohio State
3. Penn State
4. Michigan State
5. Maryland
6. Indiana
7. Rutgers

West

1. Northwestern
2. Nebraska
3. Wisconsin
4. Iowa
5. Purdue
6. Minnesota
7. Illinois

B1G Championship: Michigan over Northwestern

This is finally Michigan’s year. Ohio State has a new head coach, a new starting QB and has lost a lot – as it always does – of talent. For the Wolverines, Harbaugh is back. The team’s QB is back. And quite frankly, Michigan is right there with Ohio State in terms of talent. Pair all of that with the fact that ‘The Game’ is in Ann Arbor this year and we will finally see Harbaugh silence the doubters. For the Big Ten West, your guess is as good as mine. But, you know what? I’ll go with the defending champions and buy into the hype of QB Hunter Johnson. Yes, I know Nebraska’s schedule is pretty soft. But, Northwestern only has two road games after Oct. 5. I think the Wildcats win their final four B1G games – it’s just a matter of winning two or three of their first five (which will be easier said than done).

Dustin Schutte, Managing Editor

East

1. Michigan
2. Michigan State
3. Ohio State
4. Penn State
5. Indiana
6. Rutgers
7. Maryland

West

1. Minnesota
2. Iowa
3. Wisconsin
4. Nebraska
5. Northwestern
6. Purdue
7. Illinois

B1G Championship: Michigan over Minnesota

Since the spring, I’ve been bellowing for a B1G Championship Game matchup that features a matchup for the Little Brown Jug. Michigan has the talent and experience and Minnesota returns a ton of players who saw significant snaps last season. The Gophers aren’t the popular pick out of the West, but the division is wide open, so this year is as good as any for P.J. Fleck to get to Indianapolis. And yes, this is the year that Jim Harbaugh finally gets a division and conference title.