Anonymous Big Ten Writer Bizarrely Picks Northwestern to Win Conference Championship
By Brendan Azoff
It's never too early to start taking a look at the favorites to win the Big Ten this season. The obvious choices are Michigan and Ohio State, two schools who have recently been near the top of the national rankings every season. But, in Cleveland.com's Big Ten preseason poll, one writer went way off the board and picked Northwestern to win the conference championship.
Seriously?
Big Ten football preseason poll from @clevelanddotcom: Michigan predicted to win the Big Ten in a vote of 34 writers from around the conference. Ohio State's run as the preseason favorite ends. Nebraska picked win the West. https://t.co/B42Az2LskW
— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) July 17, 2019
Northwestern did have a good season last year, finishing at 9-5, but using an 8-1 conference record to finish first in the Big Ten West standings. Their one conference loss came at the hands of Ohio State by a disheartening 45-24 score, proving they were not ready last season for the big dance.
One writer is going on a limb with his or her Big Ten title prediction.https://t.co/myN9T94YA6
— The Spun (@TheSpun) July 17, 2019
Although they may be able to win the Big Ten West again, it is the East division that should worry the Wildcats if they get to the championship game, as that side features Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State and Penn State. All four of those teams are powerhouses that stand in the way of Northwestern's shot at a title.
If this anonymous writer is correct, he or she will look like a genius, but the odds of Northwestern doing the impossible seem to be slim to none at this point.