So what is everyone's predictions for the rest of the year? Who's in the conference championship game? Other story lines? National picture?

My (very uneducated) predictions:
1. In the east, the winner of the Ohio State/Michigan State game goes to Indianapolis. Since I can't make myself predict against my team very well, I'll say Ohio State takes it.
2. West is much harder to predict. I'm think Nebraska takes it, although I wouldn't rule out any of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Northwestern (sorry Illini and Boilermakers).

-Big Ten Championship Game: Ohio State vs. Nebraska

Other storylines:
-Michigan does rally for a few games under Hoke and secures a couple victories. It's not enough to save his job.
-Penn State depth issues become bigger for the year, but this the low point with the sanctions.
-Tremendous parity throughout most the league. Illinois and Purdue lose to about anyone, Ohio State and Michigan State beat most opponents, everyone else can win/lose to anyone.

National Scene:
1. A 1-loss Big Ten champ is in a serious hunt for the Rose Bowl/Sugar Bowl (hopefully Rose), but is not guaranteed spot.
2. PAC-12 is not as good as advertised (although is decent). Lot of knocking off (I think that starts with loosing Arizona this week if you call that an upset).
3. Despite Florida State issues, it runs the table.

Here's my way-too-early guess.

Conference:
East: Michigan State wins @ home vs. OSU and wins the east. Otherwise, neither team loses again.
West: Wisconsin beats Nebraska @ home. and wins the west. Minnesota will look like a contender until they drop their last 3 to OSU, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. NW and Iowa fade.

MSU beats Wisconsin and qualifies for the playoffs. They lose in the semi-final, however.

Michigan doesn't win again. Hoke is gone.
PSU cant match up against OSU and MSU, but otherwise has a good season. 8-4?
Rutgers is in for a reality check, but wins at least one more and goes bowling.

National:
Auburn wins the title. Oklahoma (recovers from the TCU upset), MSU, and Notre Dame also make the playoffs. I'll say Auburn beats the Sooners and UND over MSU in the semis.
FSU loses to ND and suffers an upset vs. Louisville but win the ACC championship. They don't make the playoffs.

For the record, Vegas has the odds to win the Big Ten title in this order (https://www.sportsbook.ag/sbk/sportsbook...sports.sbk)

1. Michigan State
2. Ohio State
3. Wisconsin
4. Nebraska
5. Iowa
6. Northwestern
7. Minnesota
8. Penn State
9. Indiana (tie)
9. Maryland (tie)
9. Michigan (tie)
9. Rutgers (tie)
13. Illinois
14. Purdue

Granted odds to win the championship are not the same as a power ranking (schedule and divisional competition matter), but it's interesting looking at how the divisions compare.

1-2. Top two in the east.
3-7. Top 5 in the west
8-12. Other 5 in the east
13-14. Bottom 2 in the west.

I think Rutgers manages to somehow win 3 more and finish a respectable 8-4 overall and 4-4 in conference in year 1. Ideally we will then win the bowl to finish 9-4 which is way better than all but the polyannas expected.

Honestly it is too early. The West is a mess still. In the East I do think that Ohio State has shown itself to be the better team for now. They play complete games. Michigan State...I don't know what is wrong with them. They look great and then they all seem to check out of the game early in a mental capacity.

I don't get it.

Based on current trends, Ohio State looks like the best team in the East. Did Nebraska expose Michigan State in the fourth quarter, or was that a case of being asleep at the switch with the game in hand?

Call it a hunch, but I still think Michigan State's defense matches up with Ohio State.

So, I'll call Nebraska - Michigan State in the title game. Sparty wins.

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I should add that I still believe in Iowa if that QB situation settles.

Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

(10-11-2014 09:34 AM)Jimmy Wrote:  Based on current trends, Ohio State looks like the best team in the East. Did Nebraska expose Michigan State in the fourth quarter, or was that a case of being asleep at the switch with the game in hand?

Call it a hunch, but I still think Michigan State's defense matches up with Ohio State.

So, I'll call Nebraska - Michigan State in the title game. Sparty wins.

Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

Michigan State is playing STRONG, they just get lazy with a big lead and can't find their mojo once they start falling.