Big Ten Mid-Season review

Iowa Hawkeyes
Coming into the 2011 season there were many questions surrounding the Hawkeyes. How would they do without their key quarterback, running back, and wide receiver? So far their record is 0-1 in the Big Ten and 3-2 overall. They are passing the ball relatively well with 253 yards per game on average. They are ranked 77^th in the nation in running, so they have room to improve. They lost key games to Iowa State, a huge upset, and another one with Big Ten foe Penn State.
Pre-season predicted record: 6-6

Michigan Wolverines
At the start of the season we knew that Denard Robinson would be their most important player on the field. Robinson is a quarterback, but he is 10^th in rushing yards among all players with 762 yards so far this season. Overall their team is having a good running season, with an average of 232 yards per game, and being the 14^th best running team in America. Michigan would still like to see a better passing mechanics from Robinson. When Denard does pass, Junior Hemingway is his main receiver with 434 yards. The defense is 10^th best at holding opponents to little points. They look to rebound from their first loss of the season, losing to Michigan State. Their ranking went from being the 11^th best team in college football to being the 18^th best.
Pre-season predicted record: 8-4

Michigan State
Michigan State looked to be one of the best teams in the Big Ten at the beginning of the season, and so far they still are. They lost a key game to Notre Dame but rebounded two weeks later with a huge win against Ohio State. The defense has been stellar the entire season, allowing only ten points per game and being 3^rd best at it in the nation. The running game has a two-headed monster with both Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell, having 50+ carries and 250 + yards. They won a huge game against pervious 11^th ranked Michigan. They are now ranked as the 15^th best team in college football.
Pre-season predicted record: 8-4

Minnesota
Coming into this season the Gophers knew that they had to use Marqueis Gray if they wanted to win any games. Gray has struggled, but does get the benefit of the doubt because of the struggling offensive line. Running the ball, they are 64^th in the country, and every other category is ranked below 100^th. They are letting 35 points per game. True freshman quarterback Max Shortell has seen action because of a banged up Marqueis Gray. His biggest game was coming in for Gray and nearly pulling off a comeback against South California.
Pre-season predicted record: 3-9

Nebraska
Nebraska started off 2011 switching with many questions asked about Quarterback Taylor Martinez. So far everything Nebraska didn’t want from Martinez has happened. They are only throwing an average of 172 yards per game. The 172 yards ranks them at the bottom. Despite the struggles from Martinez the Cornhuskers are still ranked as the 13^th best team in the ncaa. They have had the most success running the ball behind one of the nation’s best offensive lines. Rex Burkhead has been counted upon as a main back with 107 carries so far this season. The defense has yet to meet the pre-season expectations. The defender they always need to play good is Lavonte David after key injury to Jared Crick.
Pre-season predicted record: 7-5

Northwestern
Through six games so far Northwestern is not exceeding expectations. They are 68^th best passing the ball ands 48^th best running the ball. They started of 2-0, since then they have lost four straight games. A key impact in the team’s misfortunes is due to a non-healthy Dan Persa at the quarterback position. Three Nortwestern quarterbacks have seen at least fifteen pass attempts this season with two having more than sixty. As expected, receiver Jeremy Ebert is the main target through the air with 531 yards and six touchdowns. The defense is still having problems stopping opposing teams this year, allowing thirty points per game on average.
Pre-season predicted record: 8-4

Illinois
Illinois has had relatively good success from so far this season. Even though Illinois isn’t having the best season as far as stats go, they still are 6-1 and the 23^rd ranked team in all of college football. Quarterback Nathan Steelhasse is leading the 20^th best run game with 396 yards. Three other running backs have accounted for at least 300 yards this year. Illinois has two big games yet this year, facing off with both Michigan and Wisconsin. If they win those games, they will most likely be a top twenty-five team when it’s all said and done.
Pre-season predicted record: 9-3

Indiana
Indiana is having a tough year so far as expected. With only one win through six games, coaches and players are in a search for an answer. They are the in the bottom half in almost every important category. Based on the upcoming schedule, it looks very tough for Indiana to win again this year.
Pre-season predicted record: 1-11

Ohio State
Ohio State started the season by losing one of the most talented quarterbacks in school history, Terrelle Pryor. Their new quarterback, Joe Bauserman, is not having a good season, neither is his back-up Braxton Miller. Both quarterbacks have a completion percentage under fifty. Ohio State state is having a decent year running the ball with Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall being the featured backs. Ohio State as a team is averaging 175 rushing yards a game, this ranks them as the 46^th best team running. So far the defense has not been the problem. The defense is the 13^th best at allowing little points per game.
Pre-season predicted record: 10-2

Penn State
Penn State is having a down year so far. Even with the struggles, they still have managed to win six and lose only one. As seen before, the offense is struggling but the defense is there to save them. The defense can stay the same, but if they want to win games, the offense needs to shape up.
Pre-season predicted record: 8-4

Purdue
Purdue is having a bad season as expected. They have won games they should, and lost games they should. They are sitting at 3-3 so far, and this is good for a Purdue team, who was awful a year ago. They have found the most success this season with running back Ralph Bolden, who has 370 yards thus far. The dense will be a key change in the future games.
Pre-season predicted record: 2-10

Wisconsin
There is really nothing that can stop this Wisconsin football team. They are a top ten in every category except passing. Passing is still something they could improve but it is nothing major. Montee Ball is leading the 7^th best running game in the country. The offense as a whole has scored the most points in America. Honestly, there is no holes in this team. Look for them to keep on winning!
Pre-season predicted Record: 12-0

By Collin Wilmes and Ian Ryckman