Purdue Boilermakers

WhatIfSports 2016 Big Ten preview: Projected standings and game-by-game predictions

Published Dec. 24, 2016 8:29 p.m. ET

Jake Westrich

Three Storylines

Can Michigan State and/or Iowa Return to the Big Ten Championship?

Wisconsin and Ohio State met in the Big Ten Championship in 2014, but neither program was able to navigate back to Indianapolis last season. Instead, Michigan State and Iowa duked it out in what was essentially a play-in game for the College Football Playoff. Now the Spartans and Hawkeyes will attempt to repeat in their respective divisions.

Jim Harbaugh's Second Year at Michigan

Michigan's 10-3 record in 2015 was capped by a 41-7 Citrus Bowl win over the Florida Gators. The season was all the more successful considering the 5-7 campaign that preceded it. If Harbaugh can maintain Michigan's upward trajectory, it won't be long before they're naming streets after him in Ann Arbor.

Is Ohio State Playoff-Worthy?

Despite just one defeat in 2015, a 17-14 loss to Michigan State, the Buckeyes were denied a chance to defend their 2014 College Football Playoff title. The culprit was a non-conference schedule that was highlighted by a 6-6 Virginia Tech squad. Ohio State's 2016 schedule features a showdown with Oklahoma, the AP's preseason No. 3 team, in a game that could serve as the Buckeyes' marquee victory.

Three Players to Watch

QB J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

The Buckeyes sent a number of players to the NFL, including quarterback Cardale Jones, running back Ezekiel Elliott and QB-turned-receiver Braxton Miller. The keys of the offense now belong to Barrett, who led the Big Ten in total offense in 2014 before splitting time with Jones last year.

RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State

A 1,000-yard season is always an impressive benchmark for a freshman running back, but even more so when it's accomplished on 182 carries. Barkley averaged 5.9 yards per rush in 2015 as he totaled 1,076 yards and eight total scores. With quarterback Christian Hackenberg now in the NFL, Penn State will turn to Barkley early and often.

RB Justin Jackson, Northwestern

Jackson has rushed for 2,606 yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons at Northwestern. His 1,418 rushing yards last season ranked second behind Ohio State's Elliott in the conference. However, after scoring 11 total touchdowns as a freshman, Jackson found the end zone just five times last season.

Three Games to Watch

Ohio State @ Oklahoma: Saturday, September 17

An opponent the caliber of Oklahoma was sorely missing from Ohio State's 2015 schedule, but a loss to the Sooners won't do the Buckeyes any favors in their quest to return to the College Football Playoff. The two powerhouse programs have only met twice before, a 29-28 Oklahoma victory in 1977 and a 24-14 Ohio State win in 1983.

Michigan @ Iowa: Saturday, November 12

Iowa has a favorable schedule in 2016. The Hawkeyes avoid Ohio State and Michigan State, while playing Michigan at home. The Wolverines are Iowa's only opponent ranked in the preseason Top 25. A loss to Michigan won't make or break Iowa's season since the schools are in different divisions, but a win would go a long way in qualifying the Hawkeyes for a major bowl.

Michigan @ Ohio State: Saturday, November 26

One of the best rivalries in college football has been dormant for a number of years, as the Buckeyes have won 11 of the last 12 meetings. Under Harbaugh, Michigan finally appears to be awakening from its slumber. With the game in Columbus, the Wolverines will have a hard time capturing their first win over Ohio State since 2011, but it seems inevitable that the two schools will be trading wins and losses again soon.

To view a team's game-by-game predictions, select the school below:

2016 Illinois Fighting Illini
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Murray State Racers	95.0	44.9-7.4
2	North Carolina Tar Heels	25.7	23.8-32.0
3	Western Michigan Broncos	50.5	29.5-30.4
5	@Nebraska Cornhuskers	42.6	26.6-28.6
6	Purdue Boilermakers	54.5	27.7-26.9
7	@Rutgers Scarlet Knights	53.5	28.6-27.2
8	@Michigan Wolverines	26.7	22.6-30.1
9	Minnesota Golden Gophers	40.6	25.4-27.1
10	Michigan State Spartans	32.7	22.7-28.4
11	@Wisconsin Badgers	36.6	24.1-26.5
12	Iowa Hawkeyes	31.7	23.5-29.5
13	@Northwestern Wildcats	45.5	23.5-26.2

2016 Indiana Hoosiers
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	@FIU Golden Panthers	60.4	29.4-25.8
2	Ball State Cardinals	65.3	33.6-29.8
4	Wake Forest Demon Deacons	47.5	27.7-27.4
5	Michigan State Spartans	23.8	24.5-30.5
6	@Ohio State Buckeyes	37.6	25.9-29.7
7	Nebraska Cornhuskers	30.7	26.0-33.0
8	@Northwestern Wildcats	44.6	25.5-27.3
9	Maryland Terrapins	46.5	27.7-29.7
10	@Rutgers Scarlet Knights	51.5	31.5-28.6
11	Penn State Nittany Lions	47.5	27.6-30.2
12	@Michigan Wolverines	27.7	23.5-32.3
13	Purdue Boilermakers	56.4	30.4-27.5

2016 Iowa Hawkeyes
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Miami (OH) RedHawks	85.1	33.6-20.9
2	Iowa State Cyclones	70.3	29.4-20.7
3	North Dakota State Bison	95.0	47.9-8.9
4	@Rutgers Scarlet Knights	69.3	30.7-23.0
5	Northwestern Wildcats	55.4	24.2-21.9
6	@Minnesota Golden Gophers	62.4	26.8-22.5
7	@Purdue Boilermakers	75.2	31.1-22.5
8	Wisconsin Badgers	48.5	24.5-23.4
10	@Penn State Nittany Lions	57.4	25.6-24.5
11	Michigan Wolverines	36.6	22.8-25.7
12	@Illinois Fighting Illini	68.3	29.5-23.5
13	Nebraska Cornhuskers	52.5	26.5-24.7

2016 Maryland Terrapins
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Howard Bison	95.0	46.0-8.1
2	@FIU Golden Panthers	60.4	30.2-26.3
3	@UCF Knights	69.3	30.1-24.1
5	Purdue Boilermakers	61.4	29.2-26.1
6	@Penn State Nittany Lions	43.6	26.0-27.4
7	Minnesota Golden Gophers	42.6	25.0-26.6
8	Michigan State Spartans	27.7	22.4-27.9
9	@Indiana Hoosiers	53.5	29.7-27.7
10	@Michigan Wolverines	22.8	22.3-31.7
11	Ohio State Buckeyes	31.7	24.1-29.1
12	@Nebraska Cornhuskers	39.6	25.0-29.5
13	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	59.4	28.5-26.2

2016 Michigan Wolverines
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Hawaii Rainbow Warriors	80.2	34.0-20.2
2	UCF Knights	88.1	35.1-19.1
3	Colorado Buffaloes	75.2	31.2-23.0
4	Penn State Nittany Lions	64.4	28.9-24.1
5	Wisconsin Badgers	64.4	28.2-23.5
6	@Rutgers Scarlet Knights	73.3	32.9-21.3
8	Illinois Fighting Illini	73.3	30.1-22.6
9	@Michigan State Spartans	55.4	26.7-25.3
10	Maryland Terrapins	77.2	31.7-22.3
11	@Iowa Hawkeyes	63.4	25.7-22.8
12	Indiana Hoosiers	72.3	32.3-23.5
13	@Ohio State Buckeyes	43.6	24.2-26.9

2016 Michigan State Spartans
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Furman Paladins	95.0	46.1-8.9
3	@Notre Dame Fighting Irish	52.5	28.5-28.2
4	Wisconsin Badgers	54.5	25.4-23.7
5	@Indiana Hoosiers	74.3	30.5-24.5
6	BYU Cougars	56.4	27.0-25.0
7	Northwestern Wildcats	57.4	24.1-21.3
8	@Maryland Terrapins	70.3	27.9-22.4
9	Michigan Wolverines	44.6	25.3-26.7
10	@Illinois Fighting Illini	67.3	28.4-22.7
11	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	72.3	29.3-21.7
12	Ohio State Buckeyes	51.5	25.3-24.5
13	@Penn State Nittany Lions	64.4	28.3-24.4

2016 Minnesota Golden Gophers
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Oregon State Beavers	56.4	26.8-25.6
2	Indiana State Sycamores	95.0	48.3-6.5
4	Colorado State Rams	58.4	30.4-27.1
5	@Penn State Nittany Lions	35.6	26.4-28.8
6	Iowa Hawkeyes	37.6	22.5-26.8
7	@Maryland Terrapins	57.4	26.6-25.0
8	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	63.4	30.5-25.7
9	@Illinois Fighting Illini	59.4	27.1-25.4
10	Purdue Boilermakers	61.4	31.4-27.4
11	@Nebraska Cornhuskers	46.5	25.8-27.9
12	Northwestern Wildcats	49.5	23.1-24.5
13	@Wisconsin Badgers	37.6	22.8-26.1

2016 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Fresno State Bulldogs	68.3	32.5-26.2
2	Wyoming Cowboys	73.3	33.5-24.7
3	Oregon Ducks	43.6	29.2-31.5
4	@Northwestern Wildcats	59.4	26.3-23.1
5	Illinois Fighting Illini	57.4	28.6-26.6
7	@Indiana Hoosiers	69.3	33.0-26.0
8	Purdue Boilermakers	74.3	32.5-23.9
9	@Wisconsin Badgers	51.5	24.8-25.9
10	@Ohio State Buckeyes	41.6	25.7-28.6
11	Minnesota Golden Gophers	53.5	27.9-25.8
12	Maryland Terrapins	60.4	29.5-25.0
13	@Iowa Hawkeyes	47.5	24.7-26.5

2016 Northwestern Wildcats
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Western Michigan Broncos	50.5	27.0-25.4
2	Illinois State Redbirds	95.0	46.0-7.8
3	Duke Blue Devils	58.4	25.1-22.3
4	Nebraska Cornhuskers	40.6	23.1-26.3
5	@Iowa Hawkeyes	44.6	21.9-24.2
7	@Michigan State Spartans	42.6	21.3-24.1
8	Indiana Hoosiers	55.4	27.3-25.5
9	@Ohio State Buckeyes	35.6	21.2-26.2
10	Wisconsin Badgers	30.7	20.3-23.7
11	@Purdue Boilermakers	67.3	28.2-22.0
12	@Minnesota Golden Gophers	50.5	24.5-23.1
13	Illinois Fighting Illini	54.5	26.2-23.5

2016 Ohio State Buckeyes
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Bowling Green Falcons	71.3	32.0-23.4
2	Tulsa Golden Hurricane	69.3	29.7-23.5
3	@Oklahoma Sooners	41.6	27.2-27.7
5	Rutgers Scarlet Knights	68.3	29.5-22.8
6	Indiana Hoosiers	62.4	29.7-25.9
7	@Wisconsin Badgers	57.4	26.5-22.9
8	@Penn State Nittany Lions	60.4	26.9-24.9
9	Northwestern Wildcats	63.4	26.2-21.2
10	Nebraska Cornhuskers	58.4	28.6-25.7
11	@Maryland Terrapins	68.3	29.1-24.1
12	@Michigan State Spartans	48.5	24.5-25.3
13	Michigan Wolverines	56.4	26.9-24.2

2016 Penn State Nittany Lions
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Kent State Golden Flashes	72.3	30.4-21.8
2	@Pittsburgh Panthers	42.6	25.9-26.4
3	Temple Owls	58.4	27.5-25.1
4	@Michigan Wolverines	35.6	24.1-28.9
5	Minnesota Golden Gophers	64.4	28.8-26.4
6	Maryland Terrapins	56.4	27.4-26.0
8	Ohio State Buckeyes	39.6	24.9-26.9
9	@Purdue Boilermakers	68.3	31.9-24.6
10	Iowa Hawkeyes	42.6	24.5-25.6
11	@Indiana Hoosiers	52.5	30.2-27.6
12	@Rutgers Scarlet Knights	58.4	28.9-25.8
13	Michigan State Spartans	35.6	24.4-28.3

2016 Purdue Boilermakers
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	Eastern Kentucky Colonels	95.0	45.1-8.2
2	Cincinnati Bearcats	29.7	27.2-33.4
4	Nevada Wolf Pack	36.6	26.8-30.5
5	@Maryland Terrapins	38.6	26.1-29.2
6	@Illinois Fighting Illini	45.5	26.9-27.7
7	Iowa Hawkeyes	24.8	22.5-31.1
8	@Nebraska Cornhuskers	25.7	23.9-32.5
9	Penn State Nittany Lions	31.7	24.6-31.9
10	@Minnesota Golden Gophers	38.6	27.4-31.4
11	Northwestern Wildcats	32.7	22.0-28.2
12	Wisconsin Badgers	34.7	22.2-29.4
13	@Indiana Hoosiers	43.6	27.5-30.4

2016 Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	@Washington Huskies	21.8	23.8-33.3
2	Howard Bison	95.0	44.7-8.2
3	New Mexico Lobos	50.5	28.2-28.3
4	Iowa Hawkeyes	30.7	23.0-30.7
5	@Ohio State Buckeyes	31.7	22.8-29.5
6	Michigan Wolverines	26.7	21.3-32.9
7	Illinois Fighting Illini	46.5	27.2-28.6
8	@Minnesota Golden Gophers	36.6	25.7-30.5
10	Indiana Hoosiers	48.5	28.6-31.5
11	@Michigan State Spartans	27.7	21.7-29.3
12	Penn State Nittany Lions	41.6	25.8-28.9
13	@Maryland Terrapins	40.6	26.2-28.5

2016 Wisconsin Badgers
Week	Opponent	Win%	Avg Score
1	LSU Tigers	40.6	23.8-27.7
2	Akron Zips	66.3	26.4-20.6
3	Georgia State Panthers	73.3	29.6-22.5
4	@Michigan State Spartans	45.5	23.7-25.4
5	@Michigan Wolverines	35.6	23.5-28.2
7	Ohio State Buckeyes	42.6	22.9-26.5
8	@Iowa Hawkeyes	51.5	23.4-24.5
9	Nebraska Cornhuskers	48.5	25.9-24.8
10	@Northwestern Wildcats	69.3	23.7-20.3
11	Illinois Fighting Illini	63.4	26.5-24.1
12	@Purdue Boilermakers	65.3	29.4-22.2
13	Minnesota Golden Gophers	62.4	26.1-22.8