Big Ten
Can the Michigan Wolverines compete for a conference and possibly a national title crown with their depleted defense? Can Ohio St, with a bunch of new faces on offense, stay competitive? Or will 2007 be the year of the Badger or perhaps, the Nittany Lion?
Wisconsin
2006 Record- 12-1
2006 ATS Record- 9-2-1
Offense: 9 Returning Starters
Everyone returns on this unit except QB John Stocco and LT Joe Thomas. Good new though Badger fans, QB Tyler Donovan is the real team. He played in 7 games last season, including a victory at Iowa. With P.J. Hill running behind an experienced line, look for Wisky to put up some points this season.
Defense: 7 Returning Starters
The majority of starters return on a defense that should be very stout in 2007. Both starting corners return as well as the big boys up front. As long as they can continue to put pressure on quarterbacks, it will be another successful year in Madison.
Schedule:
The conference schedule is workable. The Badgers have a few tough road games at Penn St, at Illinois and at Ohio St. And take on Iowa and Michigan at home. The November 10 match-up with the Wolverines should be for the conference title.
2007 Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1)
Michigan
2006 Record- 11-2
2006 ATS Record- 7-5-1
Offense: 6 Returning Starters
The trio of QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and WR Mario Manningham will be lethal in ‘07. Henne should get some protection from offensive lineman Jake Long, who will also create some nice holes for Hart to run through.
Defense: 4 Returning Starters
Normally, the strongest part of a Michigan team is their defense. Well, this won’t be the case in 2007. Only four starters return on a unit that just fell apart at the end of last year. Their d-line is a mess and their secondary isn’t much better. They should still finish in the top 5 in total defense in the Big 10, but won’t come close to the productivity the ’06 bunch gave them.
Schedule:
Looking at Michigan’s schedule and one word comes to mind: Cakewalk. Eight home games are on the docket including ND, Ohio St, Penn St and Oregon. Their toughest match-up is at Wisconsin in early November, which, heading into that, the Wolverines should be 10-0.
2007 Predicted Record: 11-1 (7-1)
Penn St
2006 Record- 9-4
2006 ATS Record- 5-6-1
Offense: 8 Returning Starters
Senior QB Anthony Morelli returns and has enough playmakers back on offense to have a lot of success this season. Their top four receivers are back, including stand-outs Derrick Williams, Jr and Deon Butler, Jr. Morelli looked very good to end 2006 and should have a great year.
Defense: 6 Returning Starters
The defense is the bread-and-butter at Penn St and this year should be no different. Even with some key losses; the linebackers and secondary will be second-to-none in the Big 10. If the offense can put up some points, the Nittany Lions will be a tough out in every game this year.
Schedule:
The first four conference games will show how good this PSU team is. Opening with back-to-back conference road games at Michigan and at Illinois will be tough. Then they host Iowa and Wisconsin. If they can make it through that stretch 2-2 or better, the Lions will be in good shape for a New Year’s Day bowl.
2007 Predicted Record: 9-3 (5-3)
Iowa
2006 Record- 6-7
2006 ATS Record- 2-10
Offense: 6 Returning Starters
With QB Drew Tate gone, the offense will now run through Jake Christensen. He has some talent around him, including RB’s Albert Young and Damian Simms. If the offensive line is strong, Iowa could be a darkhorse to win the Big 10.
Defense: 8 Returning Starters
The Hawkeyes defense was very stout in 2006 and returns just about everybody. They finished 2nd in the Big 10 in Scoring Defense last season and could easily repeat that feat in 2007.
Schedule:
The schedule has good news and bad news. The good news is Iowa misses both Ohio St and Michigan. The bad news is they get Wisconsin, Penn St and Purdue all on the road. The non-conference is pretty weak, so a bowl berth is definitely a possibility.
2007 Predicted Record: 9-3 (5-3)
Purdue
2006 Record- 8-6
2006 ATS Record- 6-7
Offense: 9 Returning Starters
Look out for the Boilermakers offense in 2007. Junior QB Curtis Painter returns after a pretty successful sophomore campaign. Also returning are his top four wide-outs, as well as the top two running backs from 2006. This offense is loaded and should explode
Defense: 9 Returning Starters
There are issues with this defense, but with so many starters returning, it’s hard to think this unit won’t improve from last year’s mediocre season. It all starts with the men up front. Not stopping the run makes the secondary creep up. And when that happens, the opposing QB smells blood in the water and goes for it all downfield. They have to concentrate on shutting down the oppositions running attack if 2007 is to be a success.
Schedule:
The middle part of the season is very tough. Verse Notre Dame and Ohio St, at Michigan, then verse Iowa is a very nasty four game stretch. Starting out 4-0 will be vital if Purdue is to go bowling again in 2007.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)
Ohio St
2006 Record- 12-1
2006 ATS Record- 9-4
Offense: 5 Returning Starters
There are all sorts of question marks at almost every offense position this year for the Buckeyes. It seems like QB Todd Boeckman will start the year under center, but that’s debatable. RB Chris Wells will provide the most stability among this young, inexperienced group. However, he’ll need to get close to 30 touches per game if OSU wants to compete with the upper echelon of the Big 10 in 2007.
Defense: 6 Returning Starters
The defense looks very strong for 2007 with six key players back, including three starters in the secondary. OSU should have one of the strongest defenses in the conference this year.
Schedule:
The Buckeyes first true test of the season is in the beginning of October at Purdue. Back to back games at Penn St and verse Wisconsin will test the will power of this team and as always, ending the year at Michigan will be a great game.
2007 Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4)
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