As the new season unwinds, here are some of your top contenders this year in the Big Ten Conference:
When thinking of programs that carry a strong tradition, the scarlet and gray of Ohio State come to mind. If there is one word to describe the attitude of this season for the Buckeyes, it’s redemption.
In the 2022 season, Ohio State fell short of a national championship run, but the team is expected to come back with new momentum. The Buckeyes have an explosive offense with players such as wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a potential Heisman Trophy candidate and top NFL prospect.
On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes are led by a Cleveland native, Tommy Eichenberg, who is one of the top returning linebackers for the 2023 season. With these pieces in place, Ohio State is widely considered to be the favorite on top of the Big Ten Conference and contend for the national championship once again.
The biggest team standing in the way of Ohio State–and another Big Ten title–is the Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines are coming off of an impressive 2022 campaign, winning their second consecutive Big Ten Championship, making the college football playoffs, and losing a close game to the national championship runner-up, TCU.
One upside to the 2023 Wolverines roster is a plethora of returning starters. On offense, quarterback J.J. McCarthy is under center once again, with Blake Corum right behind him at running back. At the same time, Michigan is known for its strong defense, having almost all 11 starters returning for this 2023 season.
With this level of talent, expect these Wolverines to make another run for the Big Ten title.
One dark horse this year, and it seems to be a common theme for this team, is the Penn State Nittany Lions. Over the past couple of years, the Nittany Lions have shown promise to be a top team in the Big Ten.
Unfortunately, this run always came to an end when facing off against the powerhouse programs like Ohio State and Michigan. But, this young Penn State team is ready to step up to the occasion. The Nittany Lions, have a good mix of young talent with some returning starters to lead the way.
These factors, plus a promising schedule, could have Penn State possibly playing for a Big Ten Title come December.
Overall, a talented conference will force a season full of competition and excitement. As for the team that will secure the Big Ten title, we will have to wait and see.