Midseason Big 10 Football Conference Champion Prediction

By Ben Linton on October 7, 2014

We’ve reached the mid-way point in the college football season, as the critical October games are here. Last weekend was one of the wildest in the history of the sport, with monumental upsets of the nation’s top teams. For the Big Ten, it was the perfect opportunity to sneak back into the college football playoff discussion. Michigan State and Ohio State both looked impressive in victories while watching three of the top five teams fall. The conference just might be able to have a representative in the playoffs, but first the teams must get to Indianapolis and win the Big Ten championship.

The big game in the conference last weekend took place in East Lansing, as Michigan State defeated Nebraska 27-22. With the victory, the Spartans proved that they are still the class of the Big Ten and the team to beat in the East division. Ohio State is not far behind after an impressive 52-24 win against Maryland. The Buckeyes’ offense has been unstoppable the past two games and the team seems to have moved on after a disappointing loss to Virginia Tech. It’s all set up for another showdown in East Lansing to decide who wins the division and plays in Indianapolis.

Now for that wild West division. If I told you Northwestern would be leading the West after six weeks, would you have believed me? The Wildcats pulled off a big win at home against Wisconsin last week to get right back in the thick of the division race. While the East appears to be a two-team contest, the West is wide open for the taking. Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and even Minnesota all have a legitimate shot to make it to Lucas Oil Stadium and battle for the Big Ten title. There are a number of key games left that will decide who is the last man standing in November.

Sat. Oct. 11 Northwestern at Minnesota

Sat. Oct 18 Nebraska at Northwestern

Sat Nov. 8 Ohio State at Michigan State

Sat. Nov. 15 Nebraska at Wisconsin

Sat Nov. 22 Wisconsin at Iowa

Fri Nov. 28 Nebraska at Iowa

Final Prediction for the Big Ten Championship: Michigan State over Nebraska

The Spartans are the most complete team in the Big Ten on both sides of the ball. Michigan State is well-coached, composed and confident. While the game against Ohio State won’t be easy, Michigan State has the advantage of playing at home. Though Ohio State’s QB J.T. Barrett has been incredible in the last two games, he did it against teams with much weaker defenses than Michigan State. We all remember what happened when Barrett faced a tough defense in Virginia Tech earlier this year.

The West division champ is much more difficult to predict, but I’ll stick with Nebraska. The Cornhuskers put up a good fight against the Spartans last week, and have the best player in the conference in RB Ameer Abdullah. The schedule is tough with road games at Northwestern, Wisconsin and Iowa, but Nebraska is the most talented team in the group. The Cornhuskers will play the Spartans again at a neutral site in Indianapolis for the Big Ten title. Once again, Michigan State will prevail as the champion of the Big Ten behind its stingy defense and quarterback Connor Cook. We won’t be short on excitement in the upcoming weeks of Big Ten conference play.