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The B1G is a talented conference. However, it is a top-heavy talented league.
Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin will be the class of the B1G once again. With teams like Nebraska, Northwestern, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Maryland and Michigan State being the middle of the pack teams and Illinois, Rutgers and Purdue being the bottom dwellers.
Because, we at Saturday Tradition went team-by-team and predicted every team’s win, loss record for the 2017 season.
Illinois Fighting Illini: 3-9 (B1G 1-8)
Don’t look now Illini fans. It will be another tough season in Champaign.
Illinois should be able to win its first two games of the season (Ball State and Western Kentucky). But after that, the Illini will only see one other win, Rutgers or Purdue. Other than that, there will be a lot of L’s in Lovie Smith’s second season as head coach.
Indiana Hoosiers: 8-4 (B1G 5-4)
Despite Kevin Wilson being gone, the Hoosiers should still be able to put up points.
Indiana should perfect during the nonconference portion of its schedule. Its hardest game during that time is Virginia. So, it’s a pretty easy nonconference schedule. Then when the Hoosiers get into B1G play, they will win the games they should and lose to the teams they should as well. Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin are the teams that will be the squads Indiana will lose to this year.
Iowa Hawkeyes: 6-6 (B1G 3-6)
The Hawkeyes are breaking in a new quarterback, several new wideouts and several playmakers on defense.
Iowa should go undefeated during its nonconference schedule. But during B1G play, the Hawkeyes will definitely struggle. In fact, they could lose five in a row and will be sweating for a bowl berth.
Iowa could definitely miss a bowl game this season, if it slips up during nonconference play.
Maryland Terrapins: 5-7 (B1G 3-9)
The Terrapins have the talent to become one of the best, middle of the pack B1G teams this year. However, they won’t put it together until the 2018 season.
Maryland’s B1G schedule is just to hard for it to win more than three games. If the Terrapins can pull off the upset in Austin against the Texas Longhorns, they will make it to a bowl game this year.
Michigan Wolverines: 9-3 (B1G 6-3)
The Wolverines will start the first half of the season perfect. But during the second half, they will struggle.
This offseason, Michigan lost a lot of talent. Due to that massive departure, playing at Penn State and Wisconsin will to big of a challenge for the Wolverines. Also, Michigan will not defeat Ohio State this year either. The Buckeyes are the best of the best in the B1G.
Michigan State Spartans: 3-9 (B1G 1-8)
The Spartans’ struggles from last year will carry over into this season.
Michigan State has to break in a new quarterback and it doesn’t enough of playmakers on both sides of the ball to compete in the B1G.
The 2017 season could spell the end of the Mark Dantonio era in East Lansing.
Minnesota Golden Gophers: 6-6 (B1G 4-4)
The early portion of the B1G season is favorable to the Golden Gophers. Thanks to that, P.J. Fleck should claim a bowl berth 2/3s into the season. However, Minnesota might end the year on a four game losing streak. But all in all, getting to a bowl game will be an accomplishment for Fleck and company.
Nebraska Cornhuskers: 8-4 (B1G 6-3)
Sorry, Husker fans, you are not the class of the B1G. While Nebraska’s B1G schedule is relatively easy, it does have to take on Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State. Those should be losses for the Cornhuskers but they could pull off the upset in one of those games. Also, Nebraska will more than likely lose to Oregon on the road, giving them a 8-4 overall record.
Northwestern Wildcats: 9-3 (B1G 6-3)
The start of B1G play will not be kind for Northwestern, as it opens against Wisconsin and Penn State. But after that, it should be breeze for Northwestern. However, they will more than likely slip up against Nebraska on the road, since the Cornhuskers and the Wildcats are equally talented.
Ohio State Buckeyes: 11-1 (B1G 8-1)
It’s hard to go undefeated. Ohio State may slip up during one game. Dustin believes it will be the Michigan game. I believe it will be the Penn State. However, don’t be surprised if the Buckeyes do wind up going undefeated in 2017.
Penn State Nittany Lions: 10-2 (B1G 7-2)
The Nittany Lions have all the talent to go undefeated like Ohio State. However, they will experience at least two slip ups in B1G play. Penn State will probably lose to Michigan and lose to a team they were expected to defeat.
Purdue Boilermakers: 2-10 (B1G 1-8)
Purdue fans will be hoping for basketball season probably three games into the season. The Boilermakers will be able to put up points. However, they won’t be able to stop teams from scoring on them.
They should defeated Ohio to claim their first win of the year and should pull off one upset as well. But don’t be surprised if Purdue goes winless in 2017.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights: 3-9 (B1G 1-8)
Mark my words, Rutgers won’t be the worst team in the B1G this year. Yes, we at Saturday Tradition do believe they will finish 1-8 in the conference. However, the Scarlet Knights could claim with three B1G wins this year and could finish as high as 5-7 if the stars align correctly.
Wisconsin Badgers: 10-2 (B1G 7-2)
Once again, Wisconsin will compete for a B1G Championship. The Badgers have the talent to possibly go 11-1 or even 12-0. However, the B1G likes to beat up on one another. So expect a 10-2 out of Wisconsin.