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The media has picked their choices for the Big Ten title this upcoming season. There top three are Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa. Read about it in the Freep.

Here’s my picks and my short responses why…

1. Purdue - No Michigan or Ohio State on the schedule means the two biggest games are Iowa at home and at Wisconsin.

2. Ohio State - Their first and last Big Ten games are tough, but everything in between should be gravy for the Buckeyes.

3. Michigan - Michigan’s defense will be the key to the title, the offense will score plenty of points, they have to be able to contain the mobile quarterbacks.

4. Iowa - Also feature a young defense, but player of the year candidate quarterback Drew Tate will lead an explosive offense.

5. Wisconsin - They are my sleeper pick, with the announcment this is Alvarez’s last season as coach, the Badgers will want to send him out a winner.

6. Michigan State - It all comes down to Drew Stanton and his health.

7. Penn State - They have shown signs of turning their fortunes around the last couple of seasons, this year they will finally finish above .500 again.

8. Illinois - I think Ron Zook deserved better at Florida and he will turn around the Illini.

9. Indiana - Young players will need to step up if the Hoosiers are to climb out of the cellar.

10. Minnesota - A tough conference schedule, good offense and bad defense, equals 10th in the Big Ten.

11. Northwestern - Wildcats schedule is brutal, look at this six game stretch: Home vs. Wisconsin, at Purdue, at Michigan State, Home vs. Michigan, Home vs. Iowa, and at Ohio State.