The Super Bowl each & every year signals the end of the football season … & what that means @ Sully’s CFP is that it is time to start to look forward to what the 2013-14 college football season will / may bring
Our staff (Young Sully (YS) & Old Sully (OS)) sat down at Barnes & Nobles and began the process by reviewing the Big Ten Schedule and making some early predictions on what may happen in league play in 2013! So here we go….
The 12 Big Ten teams will play 144 games in the coming season (12 each) … 96 games will be in conference play (each team plays 8 league games) and 48 non conference tilts (each league member will play 4 non conference games) for a total of 12 games per team!
The league is divided into two divisions (Leaders & Legends) with 6 teams in each division. I think the best (unassisted) way to remember what teams are in what division is the M & N code, Michigan, Michigan State, & Minnesota, then Northwestern, & Nebraska… plus Iowa. Make up the Legends Division!
For the Leaders, you are on your own, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State & Penn State! So whatever works to assist you with knowing what teams are in Leaders off the top of your head! For me, I use the following mnemonic: Wisconsin & Illinois love each other as States (Not), Purdue & Indiana share a State, and then the two teams that have state in their names, Penn & Ohio! Well, it works for me!
So here is the process, we looked at the 2013 schedules for each team and then predicted their fate in terms of, Divisional, Conference, & Overall Records!
Lets start with the….
Legends Division
Iowa:
In Divisional play: We were not close in our divisional predictions for the Hawks in 2013 ….. Young Sully (YS) believes that they will continue to struggle in 2013 … in fact …. YS has them losing all five divisional games! While Old Sully (OS) believes that they will have a slightly better season in 2013. OS has them at 2 -3 in the division (beating Northwestern & Minnesota) and losing to the other three divisional rivals (Michigan, Michigan State, & Nebraska) Divisional Record: YS 0-5 OS 2-3
In Legends vs Leaders: Ohio State, Wisconsin, & Purdue … YS has the Hawks beating the Boilers (Purdue) and falling to the Badgers & the Bucks! OS has Iowa beating Purdue, upsetting Wisconsin (@ Home) and losing to OSU in Kinnick Stadium! Conference Record: YS 1-7 OS 4-4!
In Non Conference Games, Iowa will face Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Missouri State, & Iowa State…. Finally we agree…. YS 3-1 & OS 3-1! We both thought that the Hawks would beat NIU (BCS Bowl last Year: Orange Bowl Vs FSU… a 31-10 loss) … That said … A new coach for Northern, a lot of pressure & NIU has the whole country’s attention! The Hawks fall in Ames to ISU! .Overall Record YS 4-8 OS 7-5!
YS has the Hawks home for the Bowling Season while OS has them playing in the second season!
Michigan:
In Divisional play: YS had the Wolverines beating MSU, Nebraska, Minnesota, & Iowa, and getting upset by Northwestern for a 4-1 record in the Legends Division … while OS had the Wolves losing to “Little Brother” MSU in East Lancing and beating the other four divisional rivals for a 4-1 finish in the division! So YS & OS agreed on the destination … but not the route! YS & OS have the same result Divisional Record: 4-1
In Legends vs Leaders: Michigan takes on Indiana, Penn State, & OSU! YS has them beating PSU & Indiana & falling @ home to OSU …. Ditto for OS ….. 2-1 in divisional crossover games! YS & OS Agree Conference Record: 6-2!
In Non-Conference games: Michigan takes on Notre Dame, U-Conn, Akron, & Central Michigan! YS has the 3-1 losing to ND @ home & OS agrees 3-1, losing to the Irish in Ann Arbor in their final meeting in the “Big House” @ least for a while YS & OS agree Overall Record: 9-3!
YS & OS concur, Michigan will be Bowling … yet again!!
Michigan State:
In Divisional play: YS had State beating Nebraska, Iowa, & Minnesota …. while falling to Northwestern & Michigan …. Meanwhile …. OS had MSU losing to only Nebraska in Lincoln! Divisional Record YS 3-2 & OS 4-1!
In Legends vs Leaders: MSU takes on Illinois, Indiana, & Purdue (what a Heaven Sent … avoid OSU, PSU & Wisconsin) YS & OS agree … 3-0 in crossover games vs the Leaders! Conference Record: YS 6-2 & OS 7-1
In Non-Conference games: MSU challenges, South Florida, Notre Dame, Western Michigan, & Youngstown State! YS & OS agree, MSU’s only loss is to ND in South Bend! Overall Record: YS 9-3 & OS 10-2!
YS & OS have MSU heading for another bowl … just as it has for the past six years!
Minnesota:
In Divisional play: YS & OS have the Golden Gophers going winless in Legends play, 0-5, losing to Nebraska & Iowa @ home & MSU, Michigan, & Northwestern on the road! Divisional Record …. YS & OS 0-5!
In Legends vs Leaders: Minnesota plays Indiana, Wisconsin & PSU. YS has the Gophers beating Indiana and losing to the Nittany Lions & the Badgers, while OS has them losing to all three of these teams. Conference Record: YS 1-7 OS 0-8!
In Non-Conference games: The Gophers take on UNLV, San Jose State & Western Illinois @ Home & travel to New Mexico State to round out their four non-conference games! We debated the SJSU game (11-2 last season) but in the end thought Minnesota would prevail … as a result; YS & OS have the Golden Gophers ‘s 4-0 in Non Conference play! Overall Record: YS 5-7 OS 4-8
Both YS & OS have the Gophers @ home for the second season!
Nebraska:
In Divisional play: YS has the Huskers beating MSU & Iowa @ home and Minnesota on the road … while losing to Michigan in the “Big House” & Northwestern at home! That said ….. OS has the Huskers going 4-1 … losing only to the “Wolves” in Ann Arbor…. Divisional Record: YS 3-2 & OS 4-1
In Legends vs Leaders: The Cornhuskers line up against the Fighting Illini at home & face the Nittany Lions & Boilermakers on the road! YS has has the Huskers going 3-0 and OS agrees, 3-0! Conference Record: YS 6-2 OS 7-1
In Non-Conference games: Nebraska challenges Wyoming, Southern Mississippi, South Dakota State, & UCLA, all at Home! YS says 3-1, Huskers lose to the Bruins, OS says 4-0 Cornhuskers beat the Beach Boys in Cornville! Overall Record: YS 9-3 OS 11-1
Nebraska is Bowling, a BCS Bowl by OS thinking!
Northwestern:
In Divisional play: YS the Wildcats beating Minnesota, MSU, & Michigan @ home & Iowa on the road … their lone loss @ Nebraska for a 4-1 Divisional Record… OS takes a much different view …. 1-4 … beating only Minnesota … losing @ home to MSU & Michigan and to Iowa & Nebraska in Iowa City & Lincoln! Divisional Record: YS 4-1 OS 1-4
In Legends vs Leaders: The Cats take on OSU @ home & the Illini and Badgers on the road! YS has NW @ 2-1 losing to OSU & while OS has them at 1-2 …. falling to both the Bucks & Badgers … while beating the Illini in Urbana-Champaign! Conference Record: YS 6-2 OS 2-6
In Non-Conference games: The Cats line up against California (Away), Syracuse, Western Michigan, & Maine …. all at home! YS has them @ 4-0 … OS agrees …. two tough games to begin the season … But NW finds a way …. Cal has a new coach and the ‘Cuse’ game is in Evanston! OS …. 4-0! Overall Record …. YS 10-2 / OS 6-6
Cats are Bowl eligible from both of these perspectives!
So in the Legends … according to YS … Northwestern, Michigan, Nebraska, & MSU all finish at 6-2 in conference play … In YS scenario …. in the Divisional Games … 1) NW beats Michigan & MSU but loses to Nebraska … 2) Michigan beats Nebraska & MSU but loses to NW … 3) MSU beats Nebraska …. but loses to NW & Michigan …. 4) Nebraska beats NW but loses to Michigan & MSU! So no winner in the Legends via head to head competition …. so on to the next tie-breaker …. Divisional Records … 1) Northwestern 4-1, Michigan 4-1, MSU 3-2 & Nebraska 3-2. So …. Michigan & NW are left standing …. now …. back to Head to Head …. in YS predictions …. NW upset Michigan …. thus YS’s winner in the Legends Division is …. Northwestern!
In OS’s scenario Nebraska & MSU finish with 7-1 Conference Records … since Nebraska beat MSU in OS’s simulation …. the winner in this scenario is …. Nebraska!
Leaders Division
Illinois:
In Divisional play: The Illini have Wisconsin & OSU @ home … and Purdue, Indiana & PSU on the road! This schedule does not favor the Fighting Illini … games they could win at home are on the road and the Buck / Badger games are not winnable … at least … not on paper. YS has the Illini @ 0-5 & OS concurs … 0-5! Divisional Record 0-5
In Legends vs Leaders: The Illini take on NW & MSU @ Home and Nebraska on the road! YS & OS are in agreement 0-3 in 2013! The Illini needed a shot at Minnesota to get a win! YS & OS concur, Illini will not win a Big Ten Game. Conference Record 0-8
In Non-Conference games: The Illini step up against Cincinnati, Washington, Miami of Ohio and Southern Illinois … all at home … YS has the FI’s beating SIU & Miami and falling to BCS foes, the Big East’s Cincy and the PAC 12’s Huskies … OS says amen to that … 2-2 in Non-Conference games. Overall Record: YS & OS align @ 2-10
Illini Fans are cheering for the round ball players during bowling season!
Indiana:
In Divisional Play: The Hoosiers’ schedule is favorable, playing Purdue, Illinois, & PSU @ home all winnable games and @ OSU & Wisconsin. YS has the Hoosiers beating Illinois and Purdue and falling to the Lions, Bucks & Badgers. OS sees it the same way! Divisional Record: 2-3
In Legends vs Leaders: Indiana takes on MSU & Michigan on the road and Minnesota @ home, once again, the schedule favors the Hoosiers! YS 1-2, Indiana beats Minnesota and falters at Michigan & Michigan State! OS agrees 1-2 is the result in their crossover games, Indiana loses in their ventures into Michigan but handles the Gophers @ home! Conference Record: 2-6
In Non-Conference games: The Hoosiers line up against Navy, Bowling Green, Indiana State, & Missouri, all at home! YS Says: 4-0 upsetting the Mighty SEC’s Missouri! OS while concerned about Navy, thinks Kevin Wilson’s team will play their responsibilities first against the the Midshipmen option, but the Hoosiers will fall to the Missouri Tigers, 3-1! Overall Record: YS 6-6 OS 5-7
YS has Indiana playing in a Bowl game while OS has them with their neighbors to the West, the Illini, watching B-Ball!
Ohio State:
In Divisional Play: The Bucks take on Illinois & Purdue on the road and PSU, Indiana, & Wisconsin at the Horseshoe! YS & OS agree, 5-0 in divisional play! None of these teams have the talent level of the Bucks and the prognosis for the future does not bode any better! Divisional Record: 5-0
In Legends vs Leaders: OSU takes on Michigan & NW on the road & Iowa @ the Shoe! YS & OS concur the Bucks will win all three of these games! Conference Record 8-0
In Non-Conference games: The Buckeyes, step up or on, California (Away), Florida A&M, Buffalo, & San Diego State at the Shoe! YS & OS agree 4-0. Overall Record: 12-0
BCS National Championship Game?
Penn State:
In Divisional Play: The Nittany Lions play Wisconsin, OSU & Indiana on the road and Illinois & Purdue in Happy Valley! YS has the Lions @ 3-2 beating Purdue, Illini, & Hoosiers …. while falling to OSU & Wisconsin! OS agrees, 3-2 with the exact results as YS! Divisional Record: 3-2
In Legends vs Leaders: PSU takes on Michigan & Nebraska on the road and Minnesota in Happy Valley! YS & OS concur 1-2 … PSU beats Minnesota and falls to Michigan and Nebraska! Conference Record: 4-4
In Non-Conference games: The Nittany Lions take Syracuse, Virginia, Kent State, & Eastern Michigan, all @ Home! YS has the Lions going 3-1 losing to Syracuse, while OS has PSU winning all 4 games @ home. Overall Record: YS 7-5 OS 8-4
Bowl Eligible on the field but not in the real world!
Purdue:
In Divisional Play: The Boilers take on PSU, Wisconsin, & Indiana on the road and OSU & Illinois @ Home! YS thinks Purdue beats Illinois and loses to OSU, PSU, Indiana, & Wisconsin OS agrees! Divisional Record: 1-4
In Legends vs Leaders: Purdue meets Nebraska & Iowa @ home & MSU on the road! YS says 2-1, he likes the Boilers against Iowa & the Illini. While OS thinks 1-2, he has Purdue dropping two games, Iowa & MSU but beating Illinois. Conference Record: YS 2-6 OS 1-7
In Non-Conference games: Purdue engages Notre Dame, Cincinnati (only Non-Conference away game), Northern Illinois, & Indiana State. YS thinks 2-2, losing to ND & Cincy! OS concurs, the Boilers beat Indiana State & Northern Illinois, but fall to ND & Cincinnati! Overall Record: YS 4-8 OS 3-9
Either way Purdue is home for the second season!
Wisconsin:
In Divisional Play:The Badgers will face Ohio State and the Illini on the road and host the Boilermakers, Hoosiers, & Nittany Lions in Mad Town! YS has Bucky @ 4-1 in the Leaders Division, beating Purdue, PSU, Illinois & Indiana but losing to OSU. OS agrees Wisconsin goes 4-1 in the Leaders! Divisional Record: 4-1
In Legends vs Leaders: Wisconsin takes on the Hawks & Gophers in Iowa City & Minneapolis, and face off with the Wildcats in Madison! YS has the Badgers @ 2-1 … beating Iowa & Minnesota but falling to Northwestern! While OS agrees 2-1 … but has Bucky prevailing against the Cats & Gophers …… but faltering in Iowa City to the Hawks Conference Record: YS & OS agree 6-2
Non-Conference Games … Bucky faces BYU, Arizona State (Away), Tennessee Tech, & U-Mass! YS has the Badgers going 3-1 beating Tennessee Tech,U-Mass & BYU @ home and losing to ASU in Tempe! OS … ditto … 3-1 …. beating the same teams & losing to ASU! Overall Record YS & OS concur 9-3!
So in the Leaders…YS & OS agree that OSU is the clear favorite … projected to go 8-0 in Big Ten Play.
In the Big Ten Championship Game: The Leaders Representative in this simulation is OSU & the Legends would challenge for the title with either YS Northwestern or OS Nebraska …. in either Scenario YS & OS agree … OSU wins the Big Ten Championship and will have a good shot to play in the BCS National Championship Game!
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