2005 Big Ten Football Preview

2005 Big 10 Conference Predictions

Here is the second installment of the 2005 College football preview. This week we are focusing on the big 10 conference predictions. You will find the teams listed in order of finish and we give a sentence or two about each program. For more information you can click on each team link for their 2005 football schedule and other key predictions.

This is one season where you will not hear some simple-minded analyst say “the big 10 is down this year.” The top 4 teams in the league, Michigan, Ohio St., Purdue, and Iowa are all very gifted and have a justifiable shot at winning the national championship. The talent levels are almost identical for these top 4 teams but Purdue’s cake schedule is why we are calling for them to win the Big 10 Championship. Here are the rest of the 2005 Big Ten conference predictions.

Big 10

1) Purdue - All 11 defensive starters return from a squad that was nasty against the run and lead the league in sacks. Orton is gone, but Kirsch and the 7 returning starters on offense won't miss a beat. If they beat Iowa in early October they are a shoe in for the Rose Bowl.
The full 2005 preview for the Purdue Boilermakers

2) Michigan - Sophomore stars Chad Henne and Mike Hart have a great shot at leading Michigan to its 3rd consecutive Rose Bowl. They get Ohio St. at home this year which is why have them ahead of the Buckeyes in the predictions. Solid on both sides of the ball, would not surprise us one bit to see Michigan win the Big 10.
Michigans 2005 preview

3) Ohio St. - Return 18 starters from last years 8-4 team. Conference and non conference schedule is tough but team is talented enough to win the Big 10 and even national title.
2005 Ohio St. Buckeyes preview

4) Iowa - May very well be the best team in the league, but games at Ohio St., at Purdue, and home against Michigan will lead to their eventual undoing. If they somehow win all 3 of those games and make it to the rose bowl, another vicious opponent in USC will be waiting.
2005 Iowa preview

5) Michigan St. - Spartans have good shot at Bowl game if they win the games they are supposed to. Should lose to Michigan, Ohio St., and Purdue, but plenty of winnable games remain. Opportunity for 8 wins is there.
2005 Michigan St. preview and schedule

6) Wisconsin - Fell apart after 9-0 start last year, and with only 9 starters returning, the Badgers won't be able to contend for the Big 10 title in this much improved conference. Should still be above average and bowl game is probable.
Wisconsin Badgers 2005 preview

7) Penn St. - Defense will be solid again as 9 starters return from last years squad that lead the Big 10 in points allowed. If offense can produce some points bowl game and a higher spot in the Big 10 conference will be achieved.
Penn St. 2005 preview and schedule

8) Minnesota - Offense will be solid again with 8 starters retuning lead by elite running back Laurence Maroney. Plenty of questions on defense, as well as the toughest schedule in the conference will keep Minnesota out of a bowl game.
Minnesota Gophers football preview

9) Northwestern - With only 11 starters returning this will be a rebuilding year for the Cats. 4 year QB starter Brett Basanez will do his best to put points on the board but the tough schedule and lack of talent will keep Northwestern towards the bottom of the Big 10 standings.
2005 Northwestern Wildcats Preview

10) Illinois - Made a great hire in picking up Ron Zook from Florida but the talent is just not here yet for the Illini to be competitive in the big 10. We do expect to see Illinois and Zook build a solid football program in the years to come.
Fighting Illini 2005 Preview

11) Indiana - Terry Hoeppner takes over the challenge of trying to bring Indiana football back to respectability. We predict this respectability will not come this year and Indiana will finish dead last in the Big Ten conference.
2005 Indiana Football Preview