Big Ten: Ohio State Favored, but Challengers Remain
Dave Curtis - SportingNews.com
Aug 02, 2010
CHICAGO -- Ohio State will spend August -- and maybe most of the fall -- talked up as a national championship contender. So the Buckeyes getting picked Monday to six-peat as Big Ten champs surprised no one in the conference.
"We should be a team that's being targeted," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said at Big Ten Media Days. "I know we will be."
Still, the Scarlet and Gray Dynasty won't go unchallenged in 2010. Iowa and Wisconsin took second and third in the preseason poll, and Michigan State sits as the consensus sleeper.
Wisconsin
Ranked No. 8 in Sporting News Top 100
Biggest strength: Everybody knows about the Badgers' running game. They can throw it this year, too, with a deep group of receivers and Scott Tolzien returning at quarterback. "He's a perfectionist, a detail guy," coach Bret Bielema said of Tolzien. "He's got unbelievable confidence."
Biggest worry: The defense needs new leadership. Although linebacker Mike Taylor returns from injury, O'Brien Schofield, Jaevery McFadden and Chris Maragos are gone from last year.
Battle with the Buckeyes: Oct. 16 in Madison
Iowa
Ranked No. 13 in Sporting News Top 100
Biggest strength: Iowa will win by running the ball and stopping the run -- as it has done almost every fall since the Stone Age. Three Hawkeyes backs have rushed for 100 yards in a Big Ten game, and the defensive line and secondary might be the nation's best.
Biggest worry: Ricky Stanzi. If Iowa's fifth-year quarterback limits his interceptions -- he threw 15 last season -- the Hawkeyes can win the conference.
Battle with the Buckeyes: Nov. 20 in Iowa City
Michigan State
Ranked No. 50 in Sporting News Top 100
Biggest strength: Watch for new playmakers on both sides of the ball. Keith Nichol's move to receiver should invigorate the offense, and true freshman William Gholston will multiply the pass rush. "He's 6-6. He's 250 (pounds)," coach Mark Dantonio said of Gholston. "We're going to get him on the field somehow."
Biggest worry: The offensive line replaces three starters, and the secondary remains the weak link of the defense.
Battle with the Buckeyes: Don't play them this fall
Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.
----
Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion
Copyright 2012 by SportingNews.com
