ESPN college football analysts look at Big Ten, BCS contenders

FROM KEITH GROLLER

The releases keep coming into my inbox as all of the sports networks, at least the ones covering football, have their preseason teleconferences and media functions.

Here's the latest from ESPN, a look at how their college football analysts handicap the Big Ten and BCS title pictures.

Big Ten

ESPN Analyst
Winner
Comments

Kirk Herbstreit
Ohio State
(Over Boston College) Terrelle Pryor will use the Rose Bowl as kind of a balancing opportunity to get into 2010 and really showcase his talents. I think Jim Tressel will trust him more and really attack on the offensive side.

Lee Corso
Iowa
They’ve got Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Wisconsin all at home, and Ricky Stanzi has never lost a game that he started and finished.

Desmond Howard
Wisconsin
This is the year that they finally get over that hump; they have Ohio State at home, they’ve got to travel to play Iowa.

Ed Cunningham
Wisconsin
Call me after October 16 and make fun of this pick.

Bob Davie
Ohio State
Confidence again in winning big games after last year’s Rose Bowl.

Lou Holtz
Ohio State
They are a complete team. They can run and throw, good offense and good defense, plus an excellent QB in Terrelle Pryor.

Craig James
Ohio State
Loads of talent and an offensive line that I expect to make Terrelle Pryor and the rest of the offensive players look great. All great offenses have one thing in common: great offensive lines.

Jesse Palmer
Ohio State
Terrelle Pryor demonstrated his potential during last season's Rose Bowl victory and he's surrounded by gifted and experienced playmakers at the skill positions.



BCS Championship Game

ESPN Analyst
Winner
Comments

Kirk Herbstreit
Ohio State
(Over Oklahoma) I like Oklahoma coming out of the Big 12 but I think Jim Tressel will open up the playbook this year for Terrelle Pryor.

Lee Corso
Nebraska
Beating Florida, just like in 1995. Nebraska’s defense wins it.

Desmond Howard
Alabama
The trend right now is whoever wins the SEC championship game, they go to the BCS championship game, so I’ve got Alabama beating the team who I say will be there in 2010, Miami.

Ed Cunningham
Wisconsin
(Over TCU) TCU overtakes Boise State in the standings because of tougher in-conference play at the end of the season and Wisconsin’s schedule sets up pretty well.

Bob Davie
Alabama
Over Ohio State, Alabama is a back-to-back champ.

Lou Holtz
Ohio State
(Over Boise State) The Big 10 wins the championship. Boise State loses their first game. Ohio State is not the best team, Alabama is – but they lose to Florida in Tuscaloosa. With a target on your back, it’s hard not to get wounded when everyone is shooting at you.

Craig James
Alabama
(Over Ohio State) The balance of the Tide’s offense and their speed on defense will allow them to somewhat contain Pryor. There’s nothing like experience when it comes to playing BIG games, and the Tide has lots of experience to pull from.

Jesse Palmer
Alabama
(Over Ohio State) SEC wins fifth straight national championship behind physical running and aggressive defense.

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