Big Ten Predictions 2019

By Matt Hetzler
In 2017 we had the most accurate West predictions and Big Ten. Accuracy is tracked by Stassen.com

East

#1 Michigan 11-1 (9-0)

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Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Offensive Coordinator: Josh Gattis
Defensive Coordinator: Don Brown
Stadium: Michigan Stadium (107,601)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 10-3
​2017 8-5
2016 10-3
2015 10-3
2014 5-7

Top Returners

Offense:
Passing
Shea Patterson, SR, QB

Rushing
Tru Wilson, SR, RB

Receiving
Donovan Peoples-Jones, JR, WR

Defense:
Interceptions:
Josh Metellus, SR, S

Sacks:
Josh Uche, SR, LB

Tackles:
​Josh Ross, JR, LB​

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 2
RB 8
WR 1
OL 1
DL 3
LB 4
DB 2

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsMiddle Tennessee W
Sat, Sep 7 vsArmy W
Sat, Sep 21 @Wisconsin W
Sat, Sep 28 vsRutgers W
Sat, Oct 5 vsIowa W
Sat, Oct 12 @Illinois W
Sat, Oct 19 @Penn State W
Sat, Oct 26 vsNotre Dame L
Sat, Nov 2 @Maryland W
Sat, Nov 16 vsMichigan State W
Sat, Nov 23 @Indiana W
Sat, Nov 30 vsOhio State W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Ohio State
Toughest Road Game: At Penn State
Biggest Conference Game: Ohio State

#2 Ohio State 11-1 (8-1)

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Coach: Ryan Day
Offensive Coordinator: Kevin Wilson
Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Hafley and Greg Mattison
Stadium: Ohio Stadium (104,944)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018​ 13-1
​2017 12-2
2016 11-2
2015 12-1
2014 14-1

Top Returners


Offense
Passing
N/A

Rushing
J.K. Dobbins, JR, RB

Receiving
K.J. Hill, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Shaun Wade, SO, CB

Sacks
Chase Young, JR, DE

Tackles
Jordan Fuller, SR, S

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 5
RB 3
WR 2
OL 6
DL 2
LB 5
DB 1

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsFlorida Atlantic W
Sat, Sep 7 vsCincinnati W
Sat, Sep 14 @Indiana W
Sat, Sep 21 vsMiami (OH) W
Sat, Sep 28 @Nebraska W
Sat, Oct 5 vsMichigan State W
Fri, Oct 18 @Northwestern W
Sat, Oct 26 vsWisconsin W
Sat, Nov 9 vsMaryland W
Sat, Nov 16 @Rutgers W
Sat, Nov 23 vsPenn State W
Sat, Nov 30 @Michigan L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Michigan
Toughest Road Game: At Nebraska
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Michigan

#3 Michigan State 10-2 (7-2)

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Coach: Mike Dantonio 
Offensive Coordinator: Brad Salem
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Tressel 
Stadium: Spartan Stadium (75,005)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 7-6
​2017 10-3
2016 3-9
2015 12-2
2014 11-2

Top Returners 

Offense
Passing
Brian Lewerke, SR, QB

Rushing
La'Darius Jefferson, JR, RB

Receiving
Cody White, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
4 Players Tied at 2

Sacks
Kenny Wilekes, SR, DE

Tackles
Joe Bachie, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 4
RB 12
WR 8
OL 4
DL 1
LB 3
DB 5

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Fri, Aug 30 vsTulsa W
Sat, Sep 7 vsWestern Michigan W
Sat, Sep 14 vsArizona State W
Sat, Sep 21 @Northwestern W
Sat, Sep 28 vsIndiana W
Sat, Oct 5 @Ohio State L
Sat, Oct 12 @Wisconsin W
Sat, Oct 26 vsPenn State W
Sat, Nov 9 vsIllinois W
Sat, Nov 16 @Michigan L
Sat, Nov 23 @Rutgers W
Sat, Nov 30 vsMaryland W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Michigan
Toughest Road Game: At Ohio State
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Michigan

#4 Penn State 8-4 (5-4)

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Coach: James Franklin
Offensive Coordinator: Ricky Rahne
Defensive Coordinator: Brent Pry and Tim Banks
Stadium: Beaver Stadium (106,572)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 9-4
​2017 11-2
2016 11-3
2015 7-6
2014 7-6

Top Returners


Offense
Passing
Sean Clifford, SO, QB

Rushing
Ricky Slade, SO, RB

Receiving
KJ Hamler, SO, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Three Players Tied at 3

Sacks
Yetur Gross-Matos, JR, DE

Tackles
Micah Parsons, SO, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 8
RB 6
WR 4
OL 5
DL 4
LB 1
DB 3

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsIdaho W
Sat, Sep 7 vsBuffalo W
Sat, Sep 14 vsPittsburgh W
Fri, Sep 27 @Maryland W
Sat, Oct 5 vsPurdue W
Sat, Oct 12 @Iowa L
Sat, Oct 19 vsMichigan L
Sat, Oct 26 @Michigan State L
Sat, Nov 9 @Minnesota W
Sat, Nov 16 vsIndiana W
Sat, Nov 23 @Ohio State L
Sat, Nov 30 vsRutgers W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Michigan
Toughest Road Game: At Ohio State
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Iowa

#5 Maryland 4-8 (2-7)

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​Coach: Mike Locksley
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Montgomery and Joker Philips 
Defensive Coordinator: Jon Hoke
Stadium: Maryland Stadium (51,802)

Last Five Years Win Totals
2018 5-7
​2017 4-8
2016 6-7
2015 3-9
2014 7-6

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Tyrell Pigrome, JR, QB

Rushing
Anthony McFarland Jr., SO, RB

Receiving
Jeshuan Jones, SO, WR
​
Defense
Interceptions
Ayinde Eley, SO, LB

Sacks
Antoine Brooks Jr., SR, NB

Tackles
Isaiah Davis, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 6
RB 7
WR 13
OL 10
DL 13
LB 11
DB 10

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsHoward W
Sat, Sep 7 vsSyracuse L
Sat, Sep 14 @Temple W
Fri, Sep 27 vsPenn State L
Sat, Oct 5 @Rutgers W
Sat, Oct 12 @Purdue L
Sat, Oct 19 vsIndiana W
Sat, Oct 26 @Minnesota L
Sat, Nov 2 vsMichigan L
Sat, Nov 9 @Ohio State L
Sat, Nov 23 vsNebraska L
Sat, Nov 30 @Michigan State L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Nebraska
Toughest Road Game: At Ohio State
Biggest Conference Game: ​Penn State

#6 Indiana 4-8 (1-8)

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Coach: Tom Allen
Offensive Coordinator: Kalen DeBoer
Defensive Coordinator: Mark Hagen and Kane Wommack
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (52,929)

Last Five Years Win Totals
2018 5-7
2017 5-7
2016 6-7
2015 6-7
2014 4-8

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Payton Ramsey, JR, QB

Rushing
Stevie Scott, SO, RB

Receiving
Nick Westbrook, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Bryant Fitzgerald, SO, S

Sacks
Jerome Johnson, JR, DT

Tackles
​Marcelino Ball, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 10
RB 10
WR 7
OL 11
DL 11
LB 14
DB 12

Overview

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsBall State * W
Sat, Sep 7 vsEastern Illinois W
Sat, Sep 14 vsOhio State L
Sat, Sep 21 vsUConn W
Sat, Sep 28 @Michigan State L
Sat, Oct 12 vsRutgers W
Sat, Oct 19 @Maryland L
Sat, Oct 26 @Nebraska L
Sat, Nov 2 vsNorthwestern L
Sat, Nov 16 @Penn State L
Sat, Nov 23 vsMichigan L
Sat, Nov 30 @Purdue L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Michigan
Toughest Road Game: At Nebraska
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Purdue

#7 Rutgers 1-11 (0-9)

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Coach: Chris Ash
Offensive Coordinator: John McNulty
Defensive Coordinator: Andy Buh and Noah Joseph
Stadium: High Point Solutions Stadium (52,454)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 1-11
​2017 4-8
2016 2-10
2015 4-8
2014 8-5

Top Returners

​Offense
Passing
Artur Sitowski, SO, QB

Rushing
Raheem Blacksheer, JR, RB
​
Receiving
Raheem Blacksheer, JR, RB

Defense
Interceptions
Damon Hayes, SR, CB

Sacks
Elorm Lumor, JR, DE

Tackles
​Avery Young, SO, CB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 14
RB 14
WR 14
OL 13
DL 14
LB 12
DB 13

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Fri, Aug 30 vsUMass W
Sat, Sep 7 @Iowa L
Sat, Sep 21 vsBoston College L
Sat, Sep 28 @Michigan L
Sat, Oct 5 vsMaryland L
Sat, Oct 12 @Indiana L
Sat, Oct 19 vsMinnesota L
Sat, Oct 26 vsLiberty L
Sat, Nov 2 @Illinois L
Sat, Nov 16 vsOhio State L
Sat, Nov 23 vsMichigan State L
Sat, Nov 30 @Penn State L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Iowa
Toughest Road Game: At Michigan
Biggest Conference Game: ​Ohio State

​

West

#1T Nebraska 10-2 (7-2)

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Coach: Scott Frost
Offensive Coordinator: Troy Walters
Defensive Coordinator: Erik Chinander
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (86,047)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 4-8 
​2017 4-8
2016 9-4
2015 6-7
2014 9-4

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Adrian Martinez, SO, QB

Rushing
Adrian Martinez, SO, QB

Receiving
JD Spielman, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
3 Players tied at 2

Sacks
Ben Stille, JR, DE

Tackles
​Mohamed Barry, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 1
RB 11
WR 6
OL 8
DL 7
LB 10
DB 6

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Sat, Aug 31 vsSouth Alabama W
Sat, Sep 7 @Colorado W
Sat, Sep 14 vsNorthern Illinois W
Sat, Sep 21 @Illinois W
Sat, Sep 28 vsOhio State L
Sat, Oct 5 vsNorthwestern W
Sat, Oct 12 @Minnesota L
Sat, Oct 26 vsIndiana W
Sat, Nov 2 @Purdue W
Sat, Nov 16 vsWisconsin W
Sat, Nov 23 @Maryland W
Fri, Nov 29 vsIowa W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Ohio State
Toughest Road Game: At Minnesota
Biggest Conference Game: ​Iowa

#1T Iowa 10-2 (7-2)

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Coach: Kirk Ferentz 
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Ferentz
Defensive Coordinator: Phil Parker
Stadium: Kinnick Stadium (70,585)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 9-4
​2017 8-5
2016 8-5
2015 12-2
2014 7-6


Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Nate Stanley, SR, QB

Rushing
Mekhi Sargent, JR, RB

Receiving
Brandon Smith, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
3 Player Tied at 4

Sacks
A.J. Epenesa, JR, DE

Tackles
Djimon Colbert, SO, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 3
RB 5
WR 12
OL 2
DL 5
LB 7
DB 4

Schedule 

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsMiami (OH) W
Sat, Sep 7 vsRutgers W
Sat, Sep 14 @Iowa State W
Sat, Sep 28 vsMiddle Tennessee W
Sat, Oct 5 @Michigan L
Sat, Oct 12 vsPenn State W
Sat, Oct 19 vsPurdue W
Sat, Oct 26 @Northwestern W
Sat, Nov 9 @Wisconsin W
Sat, Nov 16 vsMinnesota W
Sat, Nov 23 vsIllinois W
Fri, Nov 29 @Nebraska L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: At Iowa State
Toughest Road Game: At Michigan
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Nebraska

#3 Minnesota 8-4 (5-4)

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Coach: PJ Fleck
Offensive Coordinator: Kirk Ciarrocca
Defensive Coordinator: Joe Rossi
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 7-6
​2017 5-7
2016 9-4
2015 6-7
2014 8-5

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Tanner Morgan, SO, QB

Rushing
Mohamed Ibrahim, SO, QB

Receiving
Tyler Johnson, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Coney Durr, JR, CB

Sacks
Carter Coughlin, SR, DE
​
Tackles
​Thomas Barber, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 11
RB 2
WR 5
OL 9
DL 9
LB 9
DB 8

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Thu, Aug 29 vsSouth Dakota State W
Sat, Sep 7 @Fresno State W
Sat, Sep 14 vsGeorgia Southern W
Sat, Sep 28 @Purdue L
Sat, Oct 5 vsIllinois W
Sat, Oct 12 vsNebraska W
Sat, Oct 19 @Rutgers W
Sat, Oct 26 vsMaryland W
Sat, Nov 9 vsPenn State L
Sat, Nov 16 @Iowa L
Sat, Nov 23 @Northwestern L
Sat, Nov 30 vsWisconsin W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Nebraska
Toughest Road Game: At Iowa
Biggest Conference Game: ​Penn State

#4T Northwestern 6-6 (4-5)

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Coach: Pat Fitzgerald 
Offensive Coordinator: Mick McCall
Defensive Coordinator: Mike Hankwitz
Stadium: Ryan Field (47,130)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 9-5
​2017 10-3
2016 7-6
2015 10-3
2014 5-7

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
TJ Green, SR, QB

Rushing
Isaiah Brewer, SO, RB

Receiving
Ben Skowronek, SR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
JR Pace, JR, S

Sacks
Jor Gaziano, SR, DE
​
Tackles
Blake Gallagher, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 9
RB 9
WR 11
OL 14
DL 6
LB 2
DB 9

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 @Stanford L
Sat, Sep 14 vsUNLV W
Sat, Sep 21 vsMichigan State L
Sat, Sep 28 @Wisconsin L
Sat, Oct 5 @Nebraska L
Fri, Oct 18 vsOhio State L
Sat, Oct 26 vsIowa L
Sat, Nov 2 @Indiana W
Sat, Nov 9 vsPurdue W
Sat, Nov 16 vsUMass W
Sat, Nov 23 vsMinnesota W
Sat, Nov 30 @Illinois W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Ohio State
Toughest Road Game: At Nebraska
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Indiana

#4T Purdue 7-5 (4-5)

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Coach: Jeff Brohm 
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Brohm and JaMarcus Shepherd 
Defensive Coordinator: Nick Holt and  Anthony Poindexter
Stadium: Ross-Ade Stadium (57,236)

Last Five Years Win Totals
2018 6-7
​2017 7-6
2016 3-9
2015 2-10
2014 3-9

​

Top Returners

Offense
Passing
Elijah Sindelar, SR, QB

Rushing
Rondale Moore, SO, WR

Receiving
Rondale Moore, SO, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Kenneth Major, SO, CB

Sacks
Markus Bailey, SR, LB

Tackles
Markus Bailey, SR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 7
RB 13
WR 3
OL 12
DL 8
LB 6
DB 11

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Picks
Fri, Aug 30 @Nevada W
Sat, Sep 7 vsVanderbilt W
Sat, Sep 14 vsTCU W
Sat, Sep 28 vsMinnesota W
Sat, Oct 5 @Penn State L
Sat, Oct 12 vsMaryland W
Sat, Oct 19 @Iowa L
Sat, Oct 26 vsIllinois W
Sat, Nov 2 vsNebraska L
Sat, Nov 9 @Northwestern L
Sat, Nov 23 @Wisconsin L
Sat, Nov 30 vsIndiana W

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Nebraska
Toughest Road Game: At Penn State
Biggest Conference Game: ​At Iowa

#6 Wisconsin 6-6 (3-6)

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Coach: Paul Chryst 
Offensive Coordinator: Joe Rudolph
Defensive Coordinator: Jim Leonhard
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (80,321)

Last Five Years Win Totals
2018 8-5
​2017 13-1
2016 11-3
2015 10-3
2014 11-3

Top Returners

​Offense
Passing
Jack Coan, JR, QB

Rushing
Jonathan Taylor, JR, RB

Receiving
Danny Davis, JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Zack Baun, SR, LB

Sacks
Zack Baun, SR, LB

Tackles
​Madison Cone, JR, CB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 12
RB 1
WR 9
OL 3
DL 10
LB 8
DB 7

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Fri, Aug 30 @South Florida W
Sat, Sep 7 vsCentral Michigan W
Sat, Sep 21 vsMichigan L
Sat, Sep 28 vsNorthwestern W
Sat, Oct 5 vsKent State W
Sat, Oct 12 vsMichigan State L
Sat, Oct 19 @Illinois W
Sat, Oct 26 @Ohio State L
Sat, Nov 9 vsIowa L
Sat, Nov 16 @Nebraska L
Sat, Nov 23 vsPurdue W
Sat, Nov 30 @Minnesota L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Michigan
Toughest Road Game: At Ohio State
Biggest Conference Game: At Nebraska 

#7 Illinois 4-8 (1-8)

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Coach: Lovie Smith
Offensive Coordinator: Rod Smith
Defensive Coordinator: Lovie Smith
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (60,670)

Last Five Year Win Totals
2018 4-8
​2017 2-10
2016 3-9
2015 5-7
2014 6-7

Overview

​Offense
Passing
M.J. Rivers, SO, QB

Rushing
Reggie Corbin, SR, RB

Receiving
Ricky Smalling JR, WR

Defense
Interceptions
Jartavius Martin, SO, WR

Sacks
Bobby Roundtree, JR, DE

Tackles
Jake Hansen, JR, LB

Unit Rankings

Unit Ranking
QB 13
RB 4
WR 10
OL 7
DL 12
LB 13
DB 14

Schedule

DATE OPPONENT Pick
Sat, Aug 31 vsAkron W
Sat, Sep 7 @UConn W
Sat, Sep 14 vsEastern Michigan W
Sat, Sep 21 vsNebraska L
Sat, Oct 5 @Minnesota L
Sat, Oct 12 vsMichigan L
Sat, Oct 19 vsWisconsin L
Sat, Oct 26 @Purdue L
Sat, Nov 2 vsRutgers W
Sat, Nov 9 @Michigan State L
Sat, Nov 23 @Iowa L
Sat, Nov 30 vsNorthwestern L

Schedule Analysis

Biggest Game: Michigan
Toughest Road Game: At Iowa
Biggest Conference Game: ​Rutgers