Look at the conference going forward into next year...obviously just my opinion, but I am trying to look at it realistically. I am looking at it as an overall program view...not simply returning players.
Stock UP
Michigan: Defense is much improved over a year ago. Another year in Hoke's system and with his recruits will continue their upward trend.
Wisconsin: Getting to the point where I don't suspect there will be significant drop-off from one year to the next. Regardless of their 2 losses...class of the conference the past 2 years.
Michigan State: 2 straight years of 10 wins and are in the conference championship game. Recruiting continues to improve. Michigan's resurgence will be interesting to watch in how it affects Michigan State's ability to recruit in state.
Ohio State: If Meyer ends up here...they move up with Michigan in terms of future outlook. If Meyer doesn't end up at Ohio State, I still think their outlook is up...it is Ohio State after all...Recruiting will always be easier for them than most of the conference. Sanctions could also affect this, but I have a feeling there won't be enough sanctions to create any long-term difficulties.
Minnesota: Played much better late in the season. Kill's track record suggests he will develop a consistent team that will be above .500 more years than not. The way they finished the season points towards a brighter future at Minnesota. I can see them being a consistent 6-6 to 8-4 team under Kill...He is a very good coach.
Stock STEADY
Nebraska: The only reason I put them as steady is they have basically been the same team each of the past several seasons. Hard to get a read on them yet. They got blasted by 2 of the elite teams in the conference beat another and lost to Northwestern at home. Had to pull a rabbit out of their hat against Ohio State. No doubt Nebraska will be a consistent contender for the Legends division. I am curious to see how year 2 goes for them in the B1G.
Northwestern: Fitzgerald will always field a competitive team. Their limitations in recruiting and facilities will be a barrier to constant upper tier level finishes in the conference. I think that the resurgence of several programs affects them more than anybody.
Purdue: Danny Hope has dealt with injury after injury at Purdue. They have improved the past year and I think if they keep him around, he will develop a program that is competitive. I can see a program that is between 5-7 to 7-5 most seasons.
Stock DOWN
Illinois: Zook is as good as gone. The man can recruit and Illinois has some very good athletes, but come Saturday, Illinois was commonly outcoached. The program has potential as it lies near fertile recruiting ground, but Chicago kids don't view Illinois as a prime college option for football.
Indiana: Almost could put them in the steady area as they are about the same team each year...that would be a bad one. Indiana has brief moments of being competitive, but that is about it.
Iowa: Pains me to say it, but the past 2 years have been rough and even in 2009 it took some miracles to have the record Iowa did. The part that is concerning is that some of Iowa's main rivals in division and on the recruiting trail are improving. It is going to make regaining Big Ten elite status tougher.
Penn State: For obvious reasons. Tough to predict where the program will go moving forward, but is a program that could be back among the elite within a couple of years if the right coach enters the program.
Stock UP
Michigan: Defense is much improved over a year ago. Another year in Hoke's system and with his recruits will continue their upward trend.
Wisconsin: Getting to the point where I don't suspect there will be significant drop-off from one year to the next. Regardless of their 2 losses...class of the conference the past 2 years.
Michigan State: 2 straight years of 10 wins and are in the conference championship game. Recruiting continues to improve. Michigan's resurgence will be interesting to watch in how it affects Michigan State's ability to recruit in state.
Ohio State: If Meyer ends up here...they move up with Michigan in terms of future outlook. If Meyer doesn't end up at Ohio State, I still think their outlook is up...it is Ohio State after all...Recruiting will always be easier for them than most of the conference. Sanctions could also affect this, but I have a feeling there won't be enough sanctions to create any long-term difficulties.
Minnesota: Played much better late in the season. Kill's track record suggests he will develop a consistent team that will be above .500 more years than not. The way they finished the season points towards a brighter future at Minnesota. I can see them being a consistent 6-6 to 8-4 team under Kill...He is a very good coach.
Stock STEADY
Nebraska: The only reason I put them as steady is they have basically been the same team each of the past several seasons. Hard to get a read on them yet. They got blasted by 2 of the elite teams in the conference beat another and lost to Northwestern at home. Had to pull a rabbit out of their hat against Ohio State. No doubt Nebraska will be a consistent contender for the Legends division. I am curious to see how year 2 goes for them in the B1G.
Northwestern: Fitzgerald will always field a competitive team. Their limitations in recruiting and facilities will be a barrier to constant upper tier level finishes in the conference. I think that the resurgence of several programs affects them more than anybody.
Purdue: Danny Hope has dealt with injury after injury at Purdue. They have improved the past year and I think if they keep him around, he will develop a program that is competitive. I can see a program that is between 5-7 to 7-5 most seasons.
Stock DOWN
Illinois: Zook is as good as gone. The man can recruit and Illinois has some very good athletes, but come Saturday, Illinois was commonly outcoached. The program has potential as it lies near fertile recruiting ground, but Chicago kids don't view Illinois as a prime college option for football.
Indiana: Almost could put them in the steady area as they are about the same team each year...that would be a bad one. Indiana has brief moments of being competitive, but that is about it.
Iowa: Pains me to say it, but the past 2 years have been rough and even in 2009 it took some miracles to have the record Iowa did. The part that is concerning is that some of Iowa's main rivals in division and on the recruiting trail are improving. It is going to make regaining Big Ten elite status tougher.
Penn State: For obvious reasons. Tough to predict where the program will go moving forward, but is a program that could be back among the elite within a couple of years if the right coach enters the program.
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