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Illinois Football: How the Big Ten will shake out for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 21: Shea Patterson #20 of the Mississippi Rebels reacts during a game against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 21: Shea Patterson #20 of the Mississippi Rebels reacts during a game against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

1. Michigan Wolverines 11-1 (Big Ten East Champions)

I see the Michigan Wolverines taking that next step this season. Illinois and Michigan have had some similarities over the last few years. The Wolverines have had a lot better quarterbacks, but this position continues to be their bugaboo. That could all be solved in 2018, though.

Shea Patterson is going to lead Michigan onto the field as their starting quarterback. This kid has a lot of talent and started to show that in 10 games with Ole Miss. He will now try to lead the Wolverines to the Big Ten title in 2018.

Michigan’s schedule isn’t too difficult the first half of the season. They do play Notre Dame and Northwestern, but now that there is a solid quarterback behind center, I have no doubt that they will win each of these games.  This would enable the Wolverines to start 6-0 on the season. The second half of the season will start with a hiccup, though.

I see Wisconsin being dominant on defense and having enough offense to get past Michigan. From that loss, the Wolverines then rattle off big wins against Michigan State and Penn State. They then beat Rutgers and Indiana as they head into their big Rivalry against Ohio State.

The game against the Buckeyes is likely the determining factor on who goes to the Big Ten Championship game. I see Michigan being balanced enough to finally take down the Buckeyes. This is a cornerstone victory for Jim Harbaugh in his tenure with the program.

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