Stewart Mandel's 2016 Big Ten predictions

Stewart Mandel's 2016 Big Ten predictions – FOXSports.com

Big Ten West No. 7: Illinois (2-10, 1-8 Big Ten)

Illinois has some talent, led by QB Wes Lunt, but Lovie Smith’s awkward late hiring last spring could make for a rough start to his tenure. Last year: 5-7, 2-6, no bowl game. Photo: Mike Dinovo

Big Ten West No. 6: Purdue (4-8, 2-7 Big Ten)

Overmatched coach Darrell Hazell, who’s won two Big Ten games in his first three years, is likely down to his last year on the job. Last year: 2-10, 1-7, no bowl game. Photo: Caylor Arnold

Big Ten West No. 5: Minnesota (7-5, 4-5 Big Ten)

QB Mitch Leidner is back for his umpteenth year, but the Gophers are still limited on offense and must win a lot of low-scoring games. Last year: 6-7, 2-6, beat Central Michigan in Quick Lane Bowl. Photo: Jesse Johnson

Big Ten West No. 4: Wisconsin (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten)

The Badgers aren’t likely to win their usual 10 games due to a schedule that includes LSU, Ohio State, Michigan State and Michigan. Last year: 10-3, 6-2, beat USC in Holiday Bowl. Photo: Yardbarker

Big Ten West T-No. 2: Northwestern (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten)

The Wildcats will regress slightly from last year’s 10-win season but still boast standouts like RB Justin Jackson and LB Anthony Walker Jr. Last year: 10-3, 6-2, lost to Tennessee in Outback Bowl. Photo: Caylor Arnold

Big Ten West T-No. 2: Nebraska (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten)

The Huskers will be better on both sides of the ball in coach Mike Riley’s second season, but QB Tommy Armstrong remains an awkward fit. Last year: 6-7, 3-5, beat UCLA in Foster Farms Bowl. Photo: Steve Mitchell

Big Ten West No. 1: Iowa (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten)

The Hawkeyes, 12-2 last year, bring back a solid quarterback (C.J. Beathard) and the core of a tough defense against a favorable schedule. Last year: 12-2, 8-0, lost Rose Bowl to Stanford.

Big Ten East No. 7: Rutgers (4-8,2-7 Big Ten)

It’s full rebuild mode for first-year coach Chris Ash, whose opener is at Washington and first conference game against Iowa. Last year: 4-8, 1-7, no bowl game. Photo: Mel Evans

Big Ten East No. 6: Indiana (5-7, 2-7 Big Ten)

The Hoosiers must replace a standout quarterback (Nate Sudfeld) and running back (Jordan Howard) from last year’s bowl squad. Last year: 6-7, 2-6, lost to Duke in Pinstripe Bowl. Photo: Michael Hickey

Big Ten East No. 5: Maryland (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten)

The Terps underachieved during Randy Edsall’s tenure relative to their talent. D.J. Durkin begins slowly changing that this fall. Last year: 3-9, 1-7, no bowl game. Photo: Patrick Semansky

Big Ten East T-No. 3: Penn State (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten)

Behind star RB Saquon Barkley, the Nittany Lions’ offense takes several steps forward in Year 3 of James Franklin’s rebuilding job. Last year: 7-6, 4-4, lost to Georgia in TaxSlayer Bowl. Photo: Joe Dexter / The Student Section / Yardbarker

Big Ten East T-No. 3: Michigan State (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten)

The Spartans will miss QB Connor Cook and take a slight step back in 2016, but not without producing another stellar Mark Dantonio defense. Last year: 12-2, 7-1, lost to Alabama in national semifinal. Photo: Yardbarker

Big Ten East No. 2: Michigan (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten)

The Wolverines will play tough, disciplined football in Jim Harbaugh’s second season but aren’t loaded with top-end talent like the Buckeyes. Last year: 10-3, 6-2, beat Florida in Citrus Bowl. Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/Gregory Shamus

Big Ten East No. 1: Ohio State (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten)

The young Buckeyes will be prone to an upset early before finding their groove in time for late-season matchups with Michigan State and Michigan. Last year: 12-1, 7-1, beat Notre Dame in Fiesta Bowl. Photo: Gregory Shamus

Big Ten championship: Ohio State over Iowa

The young Buckeyes falter a bit early in the season but recover to win another Big Ten title. The only question: With two losses, does the Big Ten champion make the College Football Playoff? Photo: Diamond Images