#8 Purdue Boilermakers

As is usually the case, Purdue looks to be above average offensively with RB Kevin Smith back and Miami transfer Brent Marve taking over at QB. However on the other side of the ball, the Boilers once again appear to be in deep trouble. In addition to having the most annoying tradition in the conference (that big ass drum), Purdue routinely fails to fill their dump of a stadium. Purdue does miss Iowa and their toughest non-conference matchup is against an average Notre Dame team. Look for the Boilermakers to rack up around 6 victories and possibly slip into a low end bowl game.

#9 Illinois Fighting Illini

No folks, we will not make the same mistake 2 years in a row. While Ron Zook might be able to recruit your kid to come to Champaign, once he is there he will be rendered useless. It was just 3 years ago the Illini were in the Rose Bowl. This season sees Zook fighting for his job. Nathan Scheelhaase takes over at QB and he looks to be the typical Zook player: high end recruit, low end peformance. The schedule is decent as Illinois misses Iowa and Penn State. Week 1 vs Missouri will be a good indicator on what way the season will go for Illinois.

Introducing Johnny 5

I'd like to welcome our newest handicapper to the HC&P team, Johnny 5. He will be picking the scores of all the Big 10 games this fall. Here is his first installment.

Thursday, Sept 2nd
Indiana over Townson 45-13
Ohio St over Marshall 42-9
Minnesota over Middle Tenn St 24-17

Saturday, Sept 4th
MSU over Western Mich 34-10
PSU over Youngstown St 31-6
Mich over Conn 27-21
Illinois over Missouri 24-20
Notre Dame over Purdue 35-24
Wisc over UNLV 38-13
NW over Vandy 20-14

Iowa over EIU 34-6
*Pick-to-Click: Marvin McNutt

Johnny 5

#10-Indiana Hooisers

Indiana is no longer a basketball school. Unfortunately, it has never been a football school either. QB Ben Chappel returns to give the crimson and cream hope as does a weak early season schedule. If Indiana can defeat Michigan at home, they will likely start 5-1. After that however the road gets much tougher. The Hoosiers play Ohio State, Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin this year. Look for 2 or at most, 3 conference wins for Indiana this fall.

#11 Minnesota Golden Gophers

Desperation is a stinky cologne and the Gophers once again reek. Adam Weber returns but he will have little help. There is an exception this season to Minnesota's annual weak preconference schedule...........a visit from USC in week 3. With Indiana not on the schedule, I would not expect more than 1 conference victory from this group.

2010 Big Ten Preview

Hello again loyal degenerates, after a several month hiatus, we are back and ready to fund your next shopping spree with stone cold, lead pipe locks.

We'll start the fall with our Big 10 season preview the next 5 days. If you will recall last season, our Big 10 preview/predictions were spot on other than the fact that we for some unknown reason thought Ron Zook was a competent coach. As of press time, we have no idea where Coach K is and Slap Shot Bob is currently holding out for a new contract. Apparently he thinks picking 39% winners warrants a raise. Stay tuned, the madness begins Thursday.