So what teams in 2020 will be unexpected players in the conference championship race for the B1G championship in footsballz?

***These are predicated on no injury to a key player

Northwestern--  They are ranked #1 in the nation in returning starters with 84% overall.  Bad news is they were dreadful last season.

Purdue  74% over all team returns  Like NW, they were dangerous but had a 4-8 record

Illinois 78% returners.  Had the big upset over a seemingly unbeatable Wisconsin team.  Went on to not lose a game after beating Wisconsin until they closed out the season with 3 straight losses including losing its bowl game.

Indiana also has 78% but won 8 regular-season games before getting beat by Tennessee in a thriller 23-22.  This is a HUGE year for Tom Allen If he can improve on an 8-5 season.  The season at least early is manageable.  There is the is the season opener at Wisconsin and for IU to have a shot they will have to play flawless early to build enough confidence that they can beat the badgers.  Then IU has some opportunity to build some momentum after the Wisconsin game.

They will roll into MSU either 5-1 or 6-0 should they pull off the upset.  This starts a BRUTAL stretch of hosting MSU, Penn State, and @ OSU.  I think they can beat MSU who will be retooling and changing the culture at MSU.  PSU and OSU are losses

They finish with Ill, @ Michigan and Purdue.  I think there is a VERY REAL chance that IU knocks off UM.  They are currently ranked 125th in returning production (both sides of the ball) This game has TRAP written all over it.  Its the week prior to @ OSU for UM.  They will be trying not to look forward to trying to get that monkey off their backs.  

Range of finish 8-4 to 10-2