NCAAF · 2 years ago

Handicapping the Big Ten West Race With 4 Games to Go

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

4. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes fall to fourth in this four-way tie thanks to a moribund offense without any good answers at quarterback and a difficult closing schedule. Iowa has to play at Northwestern, who are playing well right now. Iowa then hosts bowl-bound Rutgers, who could trip them up. They host Illinois and then have to play at Nebraska on November 24. A 1-3 or 2-2 closing stretch is possible if Iowa does not find at least something positive on offense. The way quarterback Deacon Hill has played suggests that is unlikely.
Who Wins the Big Ten West?
The Big Ten West is a complete mess and is likely as historically weak as any power conference division has been. The final season of divisions in the Big Ten looks like another bloodbath in the conference title game, as the East champion will be heavily favored against whoever emerges from the West. With four games to go, four teams are tied for first place at 3-2. Which Big Ten West team will emerge as division champion?
1. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin sits at 3-2 in the league with four remaining games: at Indiana, Northwestern, Nebraska, and at Minnesota. Wisconsin will be heavily favored in the next three weeks before playing at Minnesota in a game that could determine the division. Quarterback Braedyn Locke is improving each outing and if Braelon Allen is healthy, Wisconsin is the best bet.
2. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska started 0-2 but have gone 5-1 in the last six games. They are 3-2 in Big Ten play and have the following to close the season: at Michigan State, versus Maryland, at Wisconsin, and versus Iowa. The Huskers are still turning the ball over at an alarming rate and having to play at Wisconsin tilts things in favor of the Badgers.
3. Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Gophers, sitting at 5-3 and 3-2 in the league, fall slightly below the Badgers and Huskers thanks to a difficult stretch to close the season. The Gophers get Illinois at home before going to Purdue. The November 18 game at Ohio State is likely a loss, leaving them no margin for error heading into the season-finale against Wisconsin.
4. Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes fall to fourth in this four-way tie thanks to a moribund offense without any good answers at quarterback and a difficult closing schedule. Iowa has to play at Northwestern, who are playing well right now. Iowa then hosts bowl-bound Rutgers, who could trip them up. They host Illinois and then have to play at Nebraska on November 24. A 1-3 or 2-2 closing stretch is possible if Iowa does not find at least something positive on offense. The way quarterback Deacon Hill has played suggests that is unlikely.
Who Wins the Big Ten West?
The Big Ten West is a complete mess and is likely as historically weak as any power conference division has been. The final season of divisions in the Big Ten looks like another bloodbath in the conference title game, as the East champion will be heavily favored against whoever emerges from the West. With four games to go, four teams are tied for first place at 3-2. Which Big Ten West team will emerge as division champion?

Handicapping the Big Ten West Race With 4 Games to Go

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