Ranking the Big Ten Legends Division

We took a look at the Leader’s Division of the Big Ten yesterday, so it is only fitting that we parlay that into how the Big Ten Legends Division is shaping up after spring ball. Let’s dive right in like Terrelle Pryor into a tattoo parlor:

1. Nebraska– The new kids on the block have a legitimate chance at winning the division their first year in.  The conference suits did them no favor by providing them with perhaps the toughest schedule of any Big Ten team. Nebraska kicks it off by going to Wisconsin and then welcomes Ohio State to Lincoln with OSU at full strength for the first time. They also have to go to Michigan State and go to Penn State and Michigan. Still, this team should have a great defense back to carry the load. That in combination with a down Big Ten, especially in the Legends Division, will allow the Cornhuskers a chance to get to Indy.

2. Michigan State- You could easily make the case that the Spartans belong in the top spot in the Legends Division. The offense may be the best in the Big Ten this year, and they certainly have seemed to turn things around to be a contender each year under Dantonio. The problem with this team though could lie on the defensive side of the ball where they just won’t have the play makers to shut down teams. You couple that with trips to Ohio State and Nebraska, and they could fall just short of their goal of winning the first Legends Division Championship.

3. Iowa- This is a bit of a rebuilding year for Iowa and you never know exactly what you’re going to get from a Ferentz team in years in which there is a lot of turmoil. The best news of all however is that they seem to have a feature back in Marcus Coker that generally lends well to the ball control offense and sound defensive scheme that the Hawkeyes utilize. You know a Kirk Ferentz offensive line is going to be good, and they should be good enough to win more than they lose. It will all hinge on the play of the new quarterback James Vandenberg, and its hard to pick a team to go too far with a youngster under center.

4. Northwestern– Northwestern is no longer the doormat of the Big Ten, and has now solidified itself as a perennial tough out for the last 15 years or so. Things are no different with Fitzgerald at the helm as they have figured out the best style of play to best suit the talent that they bring in. The skill of player will hardly ever win a Big Ten title, but they will continue to give teams a tough out and win their share of shootouts. With Dan Persa back, you are looking at much of the same this year.

5. Michigan- It is hard to tell where Michigan will be this year with Brady Hoke stepping into the mix. I do feel as though there will be some improvement in the toughness category that will keep this team from melting down at the end of the year like the last three campaigns. The defense has got to be better by getting older and switching to the 4-3, but Denard Robinson has looked more out of place than Rich Rodriguez singing “You Lift Me Up” on the offensive side of the ball with the new direction Michigan is going.  As Denard goes, so too do the Wolverines. They’ll be knocking on the door of a bowl game, but that’s about it.

6. Minnesota– The program has dialed up Jerry Kill to try and turn around probably the worst program in the Big Ten right now. The problem is that the only thing in the pantry is dual quarterback MarQueis Gray. There is no doubt that he is an unbelievable talent and will keep the Golden Gophers in some games, but not against the elite teams. The reality is that this program has a long way to go from a sheer athleticism stand point to have a puncher’s chance. The only question is what will be worse: The football team, or the weather?

That concludes our two part look at the Big Ten as the teams look after spring ball. Feel free to chime in and tell us your thoughts.