2009 Big Ten Conference Breakdown: Team by Team Projections—Part I

by HD Handshoe
Founder
BlockONation.com


Big Ten football fans, as you know, the 2009 season is almost upon us.

Fall camps have begun and coaches, players, and fans alike are excited and optimistic about how this year will unfold over the next four months.

But seriously, who wants to wait that long?

It's true, the season is too short and that's why we love it, but if you're interested at all in knowing how your favorite Big Ten team is going to fare, read on.

SPOILER ALERT!

We'll begin at the top and work our way down through all 11 teams.

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Ohio State Buckeyes



Toughest home game: vs. USC on September 12th

Toughest road game: at Penn State on November 7th

Best case regular season record: (12-0)

Worst case regular season record: (8-4)

Teams that might beat them: USC, Penn State, Illinois, Iowa

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Penn State Nittany Lions



Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on November 7th

Toughest road game: at Illinois on October 3rd

Best case regular season record: (11-1)

Worst case regular season record: (8-4)

Teams that might beat them: Iowa, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State

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Iowa Hawkeyes



Toughest home game: vs. Northwestern on November 7th

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on November 14th

Best case regular season record: (10-2)

Worst case regular season record: (8-4)

Teams that might beat them: Arizona, Penn State, Michigan State, Ohio State

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Michigan State Spartans



Toughest home game: vs. Iowa on October 24th

Toughest road game: at Notre Dame on September 19th

Best case regular season record: (9-3)

Worst case regular season record: (6-6)

Teams that might beat them: Notre Dame, Michigan, Illinois, Northwestern, Iowa, Penn State

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Northwestern Wildcats



Toughest home game: vs. Penn State on October 31st

Toughest road game: at Iowa on November 7th

Best case regular season record: (9-3)

Worst case regular season record: (7-5)

Teams that might beat them: Minnesota, Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa, Illinois

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Illinois Fighting Illini



Toughest home game: vs. Penn State on October 3rd

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on September 26th

Best case regular season record: (9-3)

Worst case regular season record: (6-6)

Teams that might beat them: Missouri, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern

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Minnesota Golden Gophers



Toughest home game: vs. California on September 19th

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on October 24th

Best case regular season record: (8-4)

Worst case regular season record: (5-7)

Teams that might beat them: California, Northwestern, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa

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Wisconsin Badgers



Toughest home game: vs. Iowa on October 17th

Toughest road game: at Ohio State on October 10th

Best case regular season record: (7-5)

Worst case regular season record: (5-7)

Teams that might beat them: Fresno State, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern

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Michigan Wolverines



Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on November 21st

Toughest road game: at Iowa on October 10th

Best case regular season record: (7-5)

Worst case regular season record: (4-8)

Teams that might beat them: Western Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Iowa, Penn State, Illinois, Ohio State

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Purdue Boilermakers



Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on October 17th

Toughest road game: at Oregon on September 12th

Best case regular season record: (4-8)

Worst case regular season record: (2-10)

Teams that might beat them: Toledo, Oregon, Notre Dame, Northwestern, Minnesota, Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State

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Indiana Hoosiers



Toughest home game: vs. Ohio State on October 3rd

Toughest road game: at Penn State on November 14th

Best case regular season record: (3-9)

Worst case regular season record: (1-11)

Teams that might beat them: Everyone they play except for MAYBE Eastern Kentucky in week one. That is the only team I think they are almost guaranteed to beat.

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Enjoy the 2009 season everyone!

Thanks for visiting and please post your thoughts in the comments section!


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