The Final Score - Your source for Big Ten Sports

Big Ten Football Previews - Part VIII - XI

Editor's Note: These are the last four in a series of my annual summer Big Ten football previews. Due to a lack of time, these are abbreviated - no breakdowns, just the basics. Next up? GET GAMM! Want to play, pick all the winners on the comments section. Schedule available here...

Team: Michigan State Spartans


Past Predictions/Results:
2007 Prediction / actual: 6-6, 3-5 (T-7th), Insight / 7-6, 3-5 (T-7th), Champs
2006 Prediction / actual: 8-4, 5-3 (5th), Champs / 4-8, 1-7 (T-10th)
2005 Prediction / actual: 7-4, 5-3 (4th), Sun / 5-6, 2-6 (9th)
2004 Prediction / actual: 7-5, 4-4 (T-5th), Sun / 5-7, 4-4 (T-5th)
2003 Prediction / actual: 6-6, 3-5 (T-7th) / 8-5, 5-3 (T-4th)
2002 Prediction / actual: 10-2, 6-2 (T-1st) / 4-8, 2-6 (T-8th)
2001 Prediction / actual: 8-3, 6-2 (T-1st) / 7-5, 3-5 (T-8th)

Returning Starters: 7 offense, 5 defense, 2 kickers

2008 Prediction:
3-1 OOC (loss at California)
5-3 Big Ten (wins over Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin and Purdue)
8-4 Overall, T-2nd - Outback Bowl berth


Team: Illinois Fighting Illini

Past Predictions/Results:
2007 Prediction / actual: 4-8, 1-7 (T-10th) / 9-4, 6-2 (T-2nd) - Rose Bowl
2006 Prediction / actual: 5-7, 2-6 (8th) / 2-10, 1-7 (T-10th)
2005 Prediction / actual: 4-7, 2-6 (10th) / 2-9, 0-8 (11th)
2004 Prediction / actual: 4-7, 1-7 (T-10th) / 3-8, 1-7 (T-10th)
2003 Prediction / actual: 5-7, 3-5 (T-7th) / 1-11, 0-8 (11th)
2002 Prediction / actual: 8-4, 4-4 (T-6th) / 5-7, 4-4 (T-5th)
2001 Prediction / actual: 6-5, 3-5 (T-7th) / 10-2, 7-1 (1st)

Returning Starters: 7 offense, 7 defense, 1 kicker

2008 Prediction:
4-0 OOC (big win over Mizzou)
5-3 Big Ten (wins over Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa & Northwestern)
9-3 Overall, T-2nd - Capital One Bowl berth


Team: Penn State Nittany Lions

Past Predictions/Results:
2007 Prediction / actual: 9-3, 5-3 (T-4th), Outback / 9-4, 4-4 (T-5th), Alamo
2006 Prediction / actual: 9-3, 6-2 (T-3rd), Capital One / 9-4, 5-3 (T-4th), Outback
2005 Prediction / actual: 6-5, 3-5 (T-7th), Music City / 11-1, 7-1 (T-1st), Orange
2004 Prediction / actual: 6-5, 4-4 (T-5th), Music City / 4-7, 2-6 (9th)
2003 Prediction / actual: 7-5, 4-4 (T-5th) / 3-9, 1-7 (T-9th)
2002 Prediction / actual: 9-3, 6-2 (T-1st) / 9-4, 5-3 (4th)
2001 Prediction / actual: 5-6, 3-5 (T-7th) / 5-6, 4-4 (T-4th)

Returning Starters: 7 offense, 7 defense, 2 kickers

2008 Prediction:
4-0 OOC (no real tests here)
5-3 Big Ten (wins over Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan State)
9-3 Overall, T-2nd, BCS Bowl Berth (JoePa's last hurrah)

Team: Ohio State Buckeyes

Past Predictions/Results:
2007 Prediction / actual: 10-2, 6-2 (3rd) - Captial One / 11-2, 7-1 (1st), BCS Title Game
2006 Prediction / actual: 11-1, 7-1 (T-1st), BCS / 12-1, 8-0 (1st), BCS Title Game
2005 Prediction / actual: 8-3, 6-2 (T-1st), Capital One / 10-2, 7-1 (T-1st), Fiesta
2004 Prediction / actual: 10-1, 7-1 (T-1st), Rose / 8-4, 4-4 (T-5th), Alamo
2003 Prediction / actual: 11-1, 7-1 (1st) / 11-2, 6-2 (T-2nd)
2002 Prediction / actual: 11-2, 6-2 (T-1st) / 14-0, 8-0 (T-1st), National Champs
2001 Prediction / actual: 7-4, 4-4 (T-5th) / 7-5, 5-3 (3rd)

Returning Starters: 9 offense, 9 defense, 2 kickers

2008 Prediction:
3-1 OOC (tough loss at USC)
8-0 Big Ten (no one will get in the way, let along put up much of a fight)
11-1 Overall, 1st - BCS Title Game berth - third time is the charm