The Big Ten has been getting a lot of flack over the last couple of years because of Ohio State losing the national title multiple times and the conference overall lacking in multiple elite teams as it had been known for in the past. The Big Ten is still a good conference, but it is no longer one of the top 2 or 3 elite conferences.

When it comes to the Big Ten, everyone thinks immediately about Ohio State and Michigan. Ohio State is still at the top of the heap, but Michigan will be relegated to the middle of the pack this year. Ohio State is still an elite team and may go through the Big Ten undefeated and have another shot at the national title.

After Ohio State, there are no more elite teams in the Big Ten. Wisconsin and Illinois are very good and will be ranked for the whole season. Penn State is also pretty good and will probably finish the season as a ranked team.

The Big Ten is filled mainly with average to above average teams that will fill a bunch of bowl slots. Here is my predicted order of finish for the 2008 season. I predict 6 or 7 bowl bids for the Big Ten once again. 

Ohio State

Wisconsin

Illinois

Penn State

Purdue

Michigan

Indiana

Iowa

Michigan State

Northwestern

Minnesota 

Wisconsin and Illinois will battle for the second bowl slot. Both of these squads are pretty much equal, but I like Wisconsin’s schedule better. They get Ohio State, Penn State, and Illinois at home. Penn State will be a tough team to beat, but they don’t quite have the talent to make it past the top 3 schools.

From Purdue down to Michigan State, things in the Big Ten are a big jumble. All of these teams are virtually the same and all will hover around the .500 mark in the conference. I like Purdue the best because they may have the best QB in the conference in Curtis Painter and a good veteran coach.

Michigan is next simply because I think they have the most overall talent. The problem will be their struggles with their QB situation and making the transition under new coach Rich Rod. I actually like Indiana this year as well. They have a dynamic QB in Kellen Lewis and don’t have to play Ohio State. Indiana could easily finish just behind Penn State and get a better bowl bid.

Iowa and Michigan State can beat any of the middle teams in the Big Ten, but both have major questions that need to be answered. Michigan State is still struggling with QB issues and for some reason they just can’t seem to win close games. Iowa just doesn’t have the talent to compete with the big boys in the league, but they could pull off an upset on the right day.

Northwestern is not a horrible team and will play some close games in the league, but will not make a bowl game and will finish just ahead of the bottom dweller Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have fallen on hard times and will bring up the rear once again.