College Football Future picks: With the realignment of the Big Ten Conference into East and West Divisions the West is now comprised of three prime contenders that could make for a race that goes down to the final week of the season with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Iowa Hawkeyes, and Wisconsin Badgers primed as favorites. The Northwestern Wildcats and Minnesota Golden Gophers could prove to be quite the dark horse teams while the Fighting Illini of Illinois and Purdue Boilermakers are likely to bring up the rear of the West in 2014.
Trio at Top
The Iowa Hawkeyes have to merit serious consideration as the team to beat in the Big Ten West as they have far and away the most favorable schedule to go with a roster that lost just 16 lettermen while retaining 41. The Wisconsin Badgers lost 25 lettermen and eight defensive starters but will again have one of the toughest ground attacks in the country. Nebraska meanwhile is coming off a tumultuous season but tranquil preseason of preparation and may be primed for a breakout in Bo Pelini’s seventh year as head coach now that the storm has passed but the loss of 30 lettermen is of concern.
Lady Luck to Rock Purple?
The Northwestern Wildcats have suffered some of the most bizarre and excruciating losses imaginable over the past two years and one has to believe that they are way past due for some breaks to go their way. Northwestern is helped by a whopping 17 starters and 55 lettermen returning. If ever the Cats were going to have a big year this would be it.
Kill Shot
The Minnesota Golden Gophers also have an experienced lineup returning with 15 starters and 50 lettermen and are coming off back to back bowl seasons under fourth year head coach Jerry Kill, who had to coach from the press box most of last year due to health issues. Minnesota is traditionally overlooked by the betting public and that may mean potentially superior board value.
Bringing up the Rear
Second year head coach Darrell Hazell inherited a mess at Purdue and will need building time while Illinois head coach Tim Beckman is on one of the hottest seats in the land.
Our Pick
Northwestern gets our call based on its uber-experienced roster and the expectation of their luck changing for the better.
