1. Michigan
Last year picking the Wolverines on top of the
Legends Division was definitely an optimistic, homer, choice. This year when I look at this stacked group
Michigan is the most complete team listed, and like two years ago, the schedule
is again in their favor. While the
Wolverines do not have the best offense or defense of this bunch, I predict
both units to be in the top third of the conference. Their best defender, Jake Ryan, is slated to
come back in October before the schedule gets tough in November, and Devin
Gardner just scratched the surface of his potential last season. The race for the Legends Division crown is
going to be a fun one to keep an eye on.
2. Michigan State
Ordering the next three teams is close to
impossible. Each of Michigan State,
Northwestern, and Nebraska have above average aspects to pair with bottom
dwelling groups. I chose the Spartans to
finish 2nd in the division because they boast the conference’s best
defense, and on paper it really isn’t close.
The B1G has quite a few teams with above average offenses, but Michigan
State has the only truly elite defense.
While the Spartans struggled mightily on offense last year, I really don’t
think it can get that much worse. Also
to help matters they will benefit from not having to play themselves, so
scoring 21 points should not be too tall of a task against most of the league.
3. Northwestern
The Wildcats seem to be the 2013 dark horse. They are starting with more attention than
Purdue last year, but most people think they will finish as the 4th
best team in the Legends Division. While
Northwestern might not have the overall talent on offense as other teams (Ohio
State, Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, etc) they run a very difficult system to
defend. Kain Coulter is on the short
list for preseason offensive player of the year, and he will be helped by
Venric Mark and Kyle Prater. The defense
will again be a struggle for the Wildcats, but they are infusing more talent on
this side of the ball through recruiting and I think it starts to shine this
season.
4. Nebraska
Most people are choosing the Cornhuskers to win the
Legends Division. I have a hard time
putting them above the first three teams though, unless they make a big leap
forward on the defensive side of the ball.
The once-named Black-shirt defense couldn’t stop anybody with a pulse
last year, and they lost some of their most talented players. Nebraska could
replace these players with immediate contributors, but since the Huskers have
joined the B1G their recruiting has taken a major hit. Taylor Martinez will also push for the
offensive player of the year, and should lead one of the most prolific offenses
again, but if they can allow Wisconsin to hang 70 on them I just cant put them
higher on this list. Nebraska will have
a good early season matchup with UCLA, and if their defense can hold up well
then the Huskers could become my favorite to win this division.
5. Minnesota
The preview of Minnesota is a lot like last
year. The Gophers will be improved
again, but they happen to play in the tougher division. This team is going to be better than their
record shows, and could even have a major hand in determining who wins the Legends. However, I think Minnesota will struggle to be
bowl eligible.
6. Iowa
The Hawkeyes struggled all of last year, and I just don’t
see them being much better this year. Coach
Ferentz’s seat could get a little hotter after this season. Iowa was one of the
worst offensive teams in the entire conference last season, and I just don’t see
any reason to believe that will change in 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment