Who is the surprise Big Ten team

[StevensTechU]

There are six Big Ten teams ranked preseason - Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan and Indiana - and because the conference has major disparities in strength of schedule, it's likely that some team from the middle is going to wind up with a sterling record at the end of the season because they managed to rise above the middle of the pack and avoid too many encounters with the teams in contention for a national championship (which this year appears to be tOSU, PSU and potentially us).

Of those teams expected to wind up somewhere in the middle - Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Rutgers, USC and washington - who has your vote to end the season highest in the standings?

[StevensTechU]

Teams that play all 3 of the top schools:
Rutgers

Teams that 2 of the top schools:
Iowa
Minnesota
washington
Indiana

Teams that play 1 of the top schools:
Michigan*
Michigan State
Nebraska
Illinois
USC**

Teams that play zero of the top schools:
None

* Michigan also plays Oklahoma in the non-con
** USC also plays Notre Dame in the non-con

[UOducksTK1]

I hate to admit it, but I'm drinking the Nebraska koolaid.

[StevensTechU]

I hate to admit it, but I'm drinking the Nebraska koolaid.

I feel like I could write a "This is why this team will surprise" AND a "This is why this team will struggle" for every single one of these teams. If Aiden Chiles turns a corner, MSU is that team, but I don't think he will. washington has some position groups that are very talented and others that are terrible, so how will that coalesce? Indiana wasn't just winning nailbiters, they were beating the p*** out of teams last year, so how much will graduation set them back? Nebraska was my pick because they looked last year like they were close to turning the corner (aside from a 56-7 whooping by Indiana), and I have some faith that Rhule will continue the momentum with some good transfer and coaching changes. I could easily see a step forward for the offense, backward for the defense, and ultimately being 7-6 again, as well.

[buckmarkduck]

USC- they go from dark horse playoff pick by the media, to barely making a bowl game. The SC OL was already a question mark, and now their starting guard was ruled ineligible. So surprising the wrong way for them, the good way for UO

I’d say surprising in a good way. Iowa goes 9-3.

Nebraska might surprise, but only if they bench Raiola, which they won’t. So 7-5 for them. Raiola will continue to try and be Mahomes, but he’s not Mahomes and will throw costly INT, or take game ending sacks.

[Zyme]

My surprise team isnt even an option. I think Maryland wins 7-8 games

[StevensTechU]

My surprise team isnt even an option. I think Maryland wins 7-8 games

That's fair. My question here was who among these teams will end the year highest in the conference standings, and I just didn't think Maryland had any shot among them (or Northwestern or UCLA).

I think Rutgers could end up being the best of these teams but with Oregon, Ohio State and Penn State on their schedule, I just don't see their record looking that great.

[GrantDuck]

Have Nebraska going to the playoffs.

Could be Iowa though too.