College Football Future picks: The expansion of the Big Ten Conference with new additions Rutgers and Maryland gave commissioner Jim Delany the perfect excuse to abolish the absurdly named “Leaders” and “Legends” Divisions and replace them with the simply stated East and West Divisions for the 2014 season that are based on geography. This transition has created an East Division that looks potentially loaded and superior to the West. Defending Big Ten champion Michigan State, the runner up team in the Big Ten last year Ohio State, and traditional powers Michigan and Penn State head up the East with Maryland as a potential dark horse, Indiana with one of the nation’s most dangerous passing attacks, and Rutgers likely in for a very long year.
At the Top
The Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes could very well be on a collision course for the top spot in the East Division after meeting in the Big Ten championship game last year with Sparty pulling away with an impressive 34-24 win that was no fluke. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer wants an SEC style defense and brought in Chris Ash to deliver it as the new defensive coordinator. Ohio State has the offense to go all the way but their defense at times looked helpless which sparked the change.
Name Brands
The Michigan Wolverines and Penn State Nittany Lions are two of the iconic name brands in all of college football but also teams that have not lived up to the legend in recent years. Michigan is hoping that new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier can fulfill head coach Brady Hoke’s vision of having a power running game that can mix in play action passes. Michigan may field its best defense in recent memory with eight starters returning while Penn State will be lacking depth due to NCAA sanctions but will have a high energy coach, James Franklin, who just led Vanderbilt to two of its greatest seasons in history.
New Arrivals
The Maryland Terrapins and Rutgers Scarlet Knights arrive as new Big Ten members. Maryland returns 17 starters and 53 lettermen coming off a bowl season and may be a dangerous value dog. Rutgers is almost certain to have a bad year while Indiana is half a team with a loaded offense and an overmatched defense.
Our Pick
We like Michigan to surprise and win the East.
