Can anyone challenge Ohio State in the Big Ten? WhatIfSports.com played every game of the 2015 season 101 times to generate game-by-game predictions for each Big Ten team, as well as projected conference standings.
All games were played using WhatIfSports' college football simulation engine, which uses its highly sophisticated algorithms to simulate every play of the game. The conference standings table displays the most likely outcome for each team, whereas the team-by-team schedules display absolute records.
Let’s take a moment to inventory Ohio State’s embarrassment of riches:
It’s good to be a Buckeyes fan. But with such high expectations, anything short of another playoff berth will be a disappointment in Columbus.
While the Scarlett and Gray are rightfully the talk of the conference, don’t sleep on Michigan State. In WhatIfSports’ game-by-game predictions, Michigan State is favored in every matchup except at Ohio State, and that includes a date with Oregon. As Bruce Feldman points out, Ohio State’s success doesn’t necessarily mean Michigan State’s failure:
"Now, Urban Meyer's team is clearly the overwhelming favorite to repeat…But it's not far-fetched that the Big Ten could have two teams earn a playoff spot in 2015. That's how talented Michigan State is. The Spartans are led by a talented senior QB in Connor Cook. They have both an experienced O-line and a fierce group of D-linemen. They can also win big points with the committee if they can knock off defending Pac-12 champ Oregon when the Ducks visit East Lansing in Week Two."
In the West Division, the simulation pegs Wisconsin and Nebraska as the schools to beat, with Minnesota closing the gap. However, both the Badgers and Cornhuskers have undergone head coaching changes that could alter the course of their seasons. Stewart Mandel weighs in:
"I do fear the Badgers might take a step back in coach Paul Chryst’s first season. Gary Andersen made some structural and philosophical changes to the program that Barry Alvarez/Bret Bielema disciple Chryst is now attempting to undo. His offensive line and defensive front are both inexperienced. Still, with a schedule that includes Maryland and Rutgers as crossover opponents it’s hard to envision the Badgers losing more than two conference games."
Mandel is less optimistic about Nebraska’s outlook:
"I have the utmost respect for coach Mike Riley, but he seems set up for a rough first season. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong does not possess the skill set of Riley’s customary pro-style protégés. The defense lacks obvious playmakers outside of tackle Maliek Collins. With non-conference games against BYU and Miami and early-to-mid October dates with Wisconsin and Minnesota, it’s not inconceivable the Huskers will start 3-4."
To view a team's game-by-game predictions, select the school below:
