Biggest Surprise Team(s)

[Jack the Cat]

Iowa- Got blown out by Ohio St. last year, but they get the Bucks at home and the Bucks are much weaker defensively so theres a potential win. They have to watch out for that second game at Syracuse. They haven't done well in early season non-conference games with 2 straight blow out losses to teams their way better than. Being on the road wont help either. That wont count towards the Big 10 though and if they are able to get Ohio St. before the Bucks hit their stride then it becomes a game against Michigan for the Big 10 title.

California- I've been calling them the Pac 10 champs ever since last season ended. For one thing, they have a great defense by Pac 10 standards. Their front 4 is always good, and could be in the nations top 10 this year. I like their secondary, and they have Bishop in their linebacking corps. Add in the fact that they have an awesone 1-2 RB punch, Desean Jackson catching passes, and Longshore back from injury and i'm thinking a 10-1 (8-1) season, and Pac 10 title.

Michigan- They beat Penn St. last year, had Ohio St. on the ropes, didn't have Hart in the second half against ND. If things go a bit differently they could have easily been 10-1 and headed to the BCS. Instead, they got some bad breaks, went to a low grade bowl, and got beat by Nebraska for an ugly 7-5 record. Watch for them though in 2006, they have the talent, Hart is my favorite RB, and Henne has weapons to work with. Watch for Breaston in the return game. If they handle Iowa at home, their playing Ohio St. for the Big 10 title in the finale.

Arkansas- I know they went 4-7, and play in the SEC West. They will lose to Auburn, and LSU. However, they avoid Georgia and Florida. I feel they lose to Tennessee or South Carolina but a 5-3 SEC record, with an upset of USC in the opener (YES, I am predicting it!) will make for a 9-3 season and one hell of an improvement for a team that has been way better than their record for the last 2 seasons. The Razorbacks are unfortunate that their in such a good division.

[redbuck]

Ohio State has its whole offense back and the defense is depleted. But same thing last year and the year before. Every year OSU's offense is TERRIBLE and the defense, no matter how good, must look decent and carry the team. I see a very poor season for the Bucks.

As for Michigan, they simply played a lot of close games. Ohio State dominated them for most of the game (let's not start an argument but it's true that OSU got up 9-0 and drove at will at the end). Michigan very easily could have lost to Michigan State, Penn State, Iowa and Northwestern, thus making that 7-5 season a 3-8 season minus a bowl. So they could have been very good or very bad.

I see Michigan much improved this year, probably winning the Big Ten and sadly shocking the Buckeyes in Columbus.

[Jack the Cat]

I really think that the Michigan-Iowa game will ultimately end up being the Big 10 title game. While Penn St. is back to being a conference contender, I feel that last year was a one time deal as far as being a top 5 team. Their not back to being a national power. Ohio St. will lose at Iowa because for one thing, that series has been dominated by the home team in recent years, and their defense is young and wont be ready to handle Drew Tate.

Ohio St. dominated at certain times, but as did Michigan in last years game. There were points when the Wolverines were unstoppable. Ohio St. did deserve to win, but Michigan was still up 9 late in the game.

[redbuck]

Ohio St. will lose at Iowa because for one thing, that series has been dominated by the home team in recent years, and their defense is young and wont be ready to handle Drew Tate.


Not really seeing that.

2005: Iowa 6 @ OSU 31
2004: OSU 7 @ Iowa 33
2003: Iowa 10 @ OSU 19
2000: OSU 38 @ Iowa 10
1999 Iowa 11 @ OSU 41
1998 OSU 45 @ Iowa 14
1997 Iowa 7 @ OSU 23
1996 OSU 38 @ Iowa 26
1995 Iowa 35 @ OSU 56

Iowa's only won in the series once since I think pre-1990.

[redbuck]

Ohio St. dominated at certain times, but as did Michigan in last years game. There were points when the Wolverines were unstoppable. Ohio St. did deserve to win, but Michigan was still up 9 late in the game.

Absolutely, but don't forget that OSU lost Bobby Carpenter early in the game.

Michigan will be so fired up this year and Lloyd so needing to save his job that they can't lose in Columbus. It'll be like Notre Dame at Michigan last year.

[Jack the Cat]

Not really seeing that.

2005: Iowa 6 @ OSU 31
2004: OSU 7 @ Iowa 33
2003: Iowa 10 @ OSU 19
2000: OSU 38 @ Iowa 10
1999 Iowa 11 @ OSU 41
1998 OSU 45 @ Iowa 14
1997 Iowa 7 @ OSU 23
1996 OSU 38 @ Iowa 26
1995 Iowa 35 @ OSU 56

Iowa's only won in the series once since I think pre-1990.

I said that in recent years the home team has dominated the series. In the last 3 years, that has been the case.

[redbuck]

I would think Penn State will be even better than they were last year.

[fatboy]

Iowa- Got blown out by Ohio St. last year, but they get the Bucks at home and the Bucks are much weaker defensively so theres a potential win. They have to watch out for that second game at Syracuse. They haven't done well in early season non-conference games with 2 straight blow out losses to teams their way better than. Being on the road wont help either. That wont count towards the Big 10 though and if they are able to get Ohio St. before the Bucks hit their stride then it becomes a game against Michigan for the Big 10 title.

California- I've been calling them the Pac 10 champs ever since last season ended. For one thing, they have a great defense by Pac 10 standards. Their front 4 is always good, and could be in the nations top 10 this year. I like their secondary, and they have Bishop in their linebacking corps. Add in the fact that they have an awesone 1-2 RB punch, Desean Jackson catching passes, and Longshore back from injury and i'm thinking a 10-1 (8-1) season, and Pac 10 title.

Michigan- They beat Penn St. last year, had Ohio St. on the ropes, didn't have Hart in the second half against ND. If things go a bit differently they could have easily been 10-1 and headed to the BCS. Instead, they got some bad breaks, went to a low grade bowl, and got beat by Nebraska for an ugly 7-5 record. Watch for them though in 2006, they have the talent, Hart is my favorite RB, and Henne has weapons to work with. Watch for Breaston in the return game. If they handle Iowa at home, their playing Ohio St. for the Big 10 title in the finale.

Arkansas- I know they went 4-7, and play in the SEC West. They will lose to Auburn, and LSU. However, they avoid Georgia and Florida. I feel they lose to Tennessee or South Carolina but a 5-3 SEC record, with an upset of USC in the opener (YES, I am predicting it!) will make for a 9-3 season and one hell of an improvement for a team that has been way better than their record for the last 2 seasons. The Razorbacks are unfortunate that their in such a good division.


HELLZ YEAH. I too pick the hogs in the season opener. this is gonna be a great turn around season and a good year for oc Guz Malzhon to come in.

[Jack the Cat]

I would think Penn State will be even better than they were last year.

I disagree, they will have the best linebacking corps in the nation and their recieving talent will be more seasoned but you can't replace Michael Robinsons offensive leadership and the defense loses great players like Tamba Hali. Besides, I don't think last years #3 finish is an indication of them being an elite team. Their a good Big 10 team, but not on the elite level right now like that of Ohio St., Michigan, or Iowa. I consider them more on the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern level.