2009 Big Ten Preview

#1 Penn State, Michigan State, Wisconsin (11-1)

Penn State has one of the weakest and most pathetic schedules I have ever seen. Its just wonderful and robustly constructed to HAND PennState a title in the 10. 6 of 7 at home with OSU coming to the Beave? Joe Paterno is rubbing his hands together with glee. With a slew of returning talent including Royster and Clark ( Royster, the one Buck Owens replaced on Hee-Haw) and a VERY good linebacking crew, PSU should dominate. Royster is my preseason Super Stud type player, and I think he will rack em up, big time. A long term, solid coaching staff with an agenda custom fit for the Lions talent pool should make them the cream of the 10, regardless of the puff in the schedule. The hopes of the league rest in injuries and the weak schedule combined with a smattering of media hype to the head syndrome to derail the PSU train to Pasadena. Joe Pa, with his Namenda patch and his stool softener, will probably make this his swan song. I mean how much longer can this guy go on? Forever I guess, and what of it. Just cause something is old, dont mean it aint good.Besides Paterno 2 is calling the plays, and thats worked out just fine for Ole PSU. Wins for PSU will come easy at first, then graduate to harder contests, sorta. Akron,Syracuse,Temple,Iowa,Illinois,EAST Illinois, Minnesota,UM,North Western,Ohio State and Indiana will all succumb to the Lions.

Michigan State, at the seasons end with the Land Grant Trophy at stake AND an outright Big Ten title, shall be the only stumbling block for PSU. Revenge for last years smack in the mouth will be sweet, and MSU defeated a BETTER PennState team 2 years ago at East Lansing.

Wisconsin shall bounce back. I dont buy into Bielema falling apart from the lofty 12-1 campaign his freshman year as coach. I know, I know...they have a QB problem, and they have a secondary problem, and they have ..blah,blah,blah. Dont matter. Wisco has a history of falling apart after big game let downs such as the loss at home to an excellent OSU team last year, AND a season opening loss to Michigan ( thats gotta be like sucking on a urinal cake ). I think all the losses, including GIVING away a win at MSU was all the burden of the coaching staff. A late play call at the end of the OSU game cost them a close one. Poor play calling against UM cost them a 20 point lead and a win at that dump in Ann Arbor. Not one , but TWO timeouts and 35 yards in penalties cost them a 25-24 loss at MSU. All that served to spiral the Badgers downward. I think coaching staff problems are easier to fix than player issues. For the most part, players dont make mortgage payments from college football games and coaches do. Wisconsin will get its act together, I promise. The QB issue will remain a problem for them, as the team searches for an identity outside of the John Clay running attack. Wins for the Badgers will come from North Illinois, Fresno State, Wofford(look out for the Woff)MICHIGAN STATE, Minnesota, Iowa,Purdue,Indiana,UM,Northwestern, and Hawaii.

The Badgers one loss will come at the hands of Ohio State. OSU's defense can squash a one dimension down hill team like Wisco, and Bucky falls hard at the Shoe.

Finally , MSU. With the QB thing settled for now, MSU has control of its own destiny. Will it be glory, or , well , disappointment. Anything short of a repeat of last years record would be a let down for sure. Sure we all know Javon is gone,and the interior D line is depleted more, but so is Mr.Average Brian Hoyer. I feel with Cousins and Nicholl ( a hell of an athlete) and a LONG term coaching staff, MSU is in perfect position to return to the title scene. Granted MSU dropped all the big games last year, but I call it growing pains. MSU has a top notch defensive back field with three solid linebackers, two outstanding corners and a 6 man rotation at safety that ALL have multiple game experience, and 3 years or so in the defensive structure. The learning period is over, and now the players can react and attack. MSU has an ABUNDANCE of receiver threats including TWO returning tightends who had TD catches, 3 experienced wideouts and two redshirt wideouts who are wildly athletic and talented. The question is, can the d line put on pressure and stop the run, and who will carry the ball now the UBER-back is gone? MSU has 3 freshman RB's and two RB's that have experience , but will probably be doing special teams duty. MSU returns Bates as punter, an excellent punter , and Brett Swenson( the howitzer) to kick field goals. Special teams and Defense are the two best things about MSU, with the receiver corps a close third. Depth at most every position is a luxury that the Spartans havent enjoyed in A LONG TIME. Cautious Optimism is the way of the Spartan, so, lets just wait and see. I expect good things.....

Wins will come at the expense of Montana State, Central Michigan, Notre Dame (scumbags) Michigan ( Douche bags) Illinois ( possibly a loss if MSU doesnt watch it) Northwestern in a blood bath, Iowa (no revenge for Captain Kirk) Minnesota on Halloween, Western Michigan (why do we have to play them?) Purdont, AND the most tasty one PENN STATE.

Michigan States only scar will come from the pesky Badgers. Its hard for MSU to win at Camp Randall and I think this year will be no exception. Look for Wisco to smack the Spartans good.

Overall I feel that Michigan State, Penn State and Ohio State all have tools and the drive to win the title outright, but there are many questions for each team and a LOT of football to be played. It time fans.. gear up and get primed. We only get 13 days of football a year, so make every down and every snap one that counts.

Prepare Spartan warriors, its time to defend the homeland again. The hordes have once again mustered the courage and the ignorance to threaten us. If its blood they want, let them spill it in abundance!