Ohio State football: Season predictions for the Big Ten

Many think this is the year Jim Harbaugh gets his first win over Ohio State as a head coach and Michigan wins the Big Ten East Division.

Ohio State Is not favored by the Big Ten writers to win the Big Ten in 2019.  Most picked Michigan to win its first title since 2004.

I have to pause while I laugh a little.  It is one thing to think the Buckeyes may fall a little because Urban Meyer is no longer the coach, Ryan Day is breaking in a new quarterback and the defense needs to prove it is championship worthy again.

However, putting your faith in Jim Harbaugh just seems bizarre.  Talent wise, he has had the second-best team in the Big Ten for three years and he is 20-7 over that span in the league.

If you are not going to pick Ohio State, a better option would be Michigan State.  At least Mark Dantonio has actually won the Big Ten a few times.

Most of the national media favor Ohio State. The coaches have the Buckeyes ahead of Michigan.

Anyway, I digress.  Here are my predictions for the Big Ten including final regular season record.

East Division

Ohio State (12-1)
Michigan (10-2)
Michigan State (10-2)
Penn State (9-3)
Indiana (6-6)
Maryland (6-6)
Rutgers (4-8)

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The surprise team in the East will be Michigan State.  The only pause I have is its schedule. The Spartans have to travel to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan. They will go 1-2 in those games.

The Game will decide the winner of the East again. Right now, I see the Buckeyes prevailing in a close game.

West Division

Nebraska (10-2)
Wisconsin (9-3)
Minnesota (8-4)
Iowa (7-5)
Northwestern (6-6)
Purdue (6-6)
Illinois (4-8)

I am only leaning toward the Cornhuskers because their schedule is more favorable, at least on paper, than the rest of the teams except Minnesota.

It would not surprise me to see the Golden Gophers make a serious run at it. Their offense should be one of the better ones in the conference.

Must Read: Players of the Year prediction

Big Ten Conference Championship

Ohio State over Nebraska: The Buckeyes will have to beat the Cornhuskers twice to win the Big Ten Conference Championship for a third consecutive year. Experience in these types of games will be the difference.