Posts by jpk0703:
2041 Big 10 Power Rankings
January 29th, 2012::Big 10 Preseason Power Rankings:: (Team, (Conf Record; Overall Record), Analysis)
1) Michigan (9-0, 14-1) – The Wolverines snapped a 5 game losing streak against rival PSU to claim their first Conference title in 4 years. Head Coach Alan Berry will enter the season with arguably the most talent in the conference alongside long time assistant Al Martinez and the latest assemblage of the “Super Staff.” Will Michigan be able to regain past glory and march towards another National Championship? For those roaming the Big House, the elation of their 2033 Championship victory grows fainter each season.
2) Iowa (7-1, 10-2) – The ever resilient Hawkeyes made a statement with their last second victory over Penn State last season, but will hope to take another step forward this year with a victory over nemesis Michigan. Iowa tasted playoff glory in 2040 after a 3 year drought, but fell to Florida State after coaches McCallister, Ludwig, and Arnold took a wrong turn at the local Hooters. Iowa’s consistency is unbelievable, averaging over 10 wins a season during the last 16 seasons. Head Coach Jessie McCallister hopes his newly revamped defensive gameplan will lead to this same consistency for Iowa in playoff appearances.
3) Penn State (7-2, 11-3) – The Nittany Lions suffered close but disappointing losses to both Iowa and Michigan after a combined 9 wins in a row against both teams. The loss to Michigan snapped Penn State’s 3 year reign as Big 10 Conference champions. Longtime coaches Marvin Floyd and Richard Delaney will work with coaches Mendez and Johnson to update and reload the squad for another shot at the Conference crown and the long awaited National Championship trophy.
4) Illinois (5-3, 8-4) – For the first time in PSE history, the Illini defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes after 29 straight losses. While partial credit might be attributed to the long steady decline of OSU, Illinois Head Coach John Outland deserves the lions share of the credit as he has steered the long struggling team to a winning record in each of the past 4 seasons. However, Illinois will need all the help coaches Delgado and Ramirez can provide to continue to improve with a brutal 2041 schedule: A rematch versus OSU along with matchups against conference powerhouses Michigan, Iowa, and Penn State.
5) Ohio State (5-3, 8-5) – The proud Buckeye program reached its lowest ebb in PSE history last year with an 8-5 record. Although this would’ve been a commendable season for most programs in the country, 8-time National Champion OSU had never had more than 3 losses in its previous 31 campaigns. Second year Head Coach Stephen Payne will look to continue the program’s rebuilding and hope the Buckeyes can reignite past glory during tough matchups against Michigan, Penn State, Stanford, and Cincinnati.
6) Michigan State (5-3, 5-6) – Longtime Michigan State coach Steven Matthews will begin his second season in the Head Coaching role determined to post a winning record after a disastrously tough schedule last season. However, things won’t be any easier this season for the Spartans as they will face tough FIU along with 5 returning playoff teams: Southern Cal, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Iowa, and Penn State. A victory in any of these games would exceed expectations in the minds of most experts. A victory in two or more would mean Michgan State is a true rising power in the conference.
7) Wisconsin (4-4, 7-4) – The Badgers took care of business last season with victories against all 7 teams they faced with losing records. However, they could not take the next step forward and lost to Michigan State and the 3 teams they faced with winning records. Nevertheless, Wisconsin’s 7 wins were their most in 20 seasons. Coaches Bradley, Campbell, and British Isles imports Bozarth and Wright will look to confirm their status as an up-and-coming team in the Big 10 this season. To do so, they will look towards a rematch in week 4 against Michigan State and a contest against OSU the following week.
8 ) Northwestern (2-6, 2-9) – Perennial also-ran Northwestern will struggle to improve in 2041 with a sparse coaching staff. Five seasons ago Coach Robert Alston led the Wildcats to their second winning season in the last 25 years. However, his abrupt departure after that season has left Northwester teetering on the brink of anonymity again. Only their victory against Minnesota last season allows them to climb this high in the rankings.
9) Minnesota (2-6, 3-8) – New Head Coach Terry Villanueva brings a full staff with him to attempt to build success at this program for the first time in its history. Despite their inexperience, these coaches may be able to improve the Golden Gophers if they can stay active and implement a practice and recruiting regimen that improves the school’s talent.
10) Purdue (2-6, 2-9) – The Boilermakers sported consecutive 7-5 records in 2038 and 2039 before coach Payne’s departure for the greener pastures of Ohio State. However, they dropped like a rock last year without a true head coach. This season, longtime EFL Head Coach Michael Gomez (Arizona, St. Louis) will attempt to reinvigorate the program by bringing his professional approach to Purdue. Improvement seems a given, but can Coach Gomez build Purdue back into a winner?
11) Nebraska (1-7, 2-9) – Once proud Nebraska has fallen into desperate times, winning only 11 games in the past 8 seasons. It has been 13 seasons since PSE Legend Alvin Head retired, leaving his second coming in the hands of the capable Dwight Odom. However, once Odom left 3 short seasons later, Nebraska freefell deep below the depths of mediocrity. New Head Coach Nicholas Absten and a full staff will try to rebuild the program into something Cornhusker fans can once again be proud of.
12) Indiana (0-8, 0-11) – Former Head Coach George Martin was fired last season after his second winless season in three years. First time Head Coach Graham Goforth takes charge of the Hoosiers this year, and will have to build up the program’s talent through recruiting and practice field success to have true chance at contention. However, an improvement in coaching alone should net Indiana a couple victories and show Hoosiers fans that they have their coach of the future.
Comments & predictions are invited below!
