Big Ten Football: Preseason Winners, Losers, and Awards
Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) carries the ball as USC Trojans linebacker J.R. Tavai (58) defends during the fourth quarter in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Big Ten West Division
Winner: Nebraska Cornhuskers (12-0 Overall, 8-0 Big Ten)
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are going to be a really good team in 2015. They didn’t finish last season the way they wanted too, losing three out of their last four games, but all of the games were close and they had a lame duck head coach leading the team.
Now that we are on to a new season the Cornhuskers are going to be better. I think they have a sneaky Heisman Trophy candidate in Tommy Armstrong Jr. at quarterback. He is a duel-threat guy who can tear up any opposing defense.
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Armstrong also has one of his main targets back from last season as well, Jordan Westerkamp. This is going to be a combination that will be hard to stop.
Nebraska is not nearly talked about enough for a berth in the College Football Playoff, but a 12-0 season should change the minds of some doubters.
Bottom Feeder: Northwestern Wildcats (3-9 Overall, 1-7 Big Ten)
The bottom of the Big Ten West is going to consist of Northwestern this season. They have an inexperienced quarterback taking snaps and they struggled last season as well.
I don’t see them finishing well in 2015. The only hope they have is if running back Justin Jackson goes absolutely off this season. I can see him having a good season, but he won’t be enough to salvage what kind of team the Wildcats really are.
Here is how the division is going to fare in 2015.
Big Ten West Results
Nebraska 12-0 (8-0 Big Ten)
Illinois 8-4 (5-3 Big Ten)
Wisconsin 8-4 (5-3 Big Ten)
Iowa 6-6 (3-5 Big Ten)
Purdue 4-8 (1-7 Big Ten)
Minnesota 3-9 (1-7 Big Ten)
Northwestern 3-9 (1-7 Big Ten)
Next: Big Ten Championship Game Result