Michigan should be pretty good with Patterson at QB. Whoever wins the matchup between them and Ohio State should represent the Big Ten in the playoffs.
Side note:
Many Ohio State fans think JT Barrett has held the offense back the last 4 years and the offense will be significantly better next year with Haskins or Burrow. Harsh words for the person who leads the Big Ten in all time touchdowns.
Gophers
I don't see a B1G team winning it. Ohio St has to replace Barrett, but I'm sure they have plenty of talent in the pipeline so they'd be the best bet. Penn State loses McSorley and likely Barkley so I think they take a step back. Michigan has shown no signs of turning the corner. Wisconsin will be solid again, but they are going to run into the same problem as this year -- their 2018 schedule is awful so they might need to run the table to have any chance. Not sure about Sparty.
My way too early top 5 which is subject to change looks as follows:
1. Alabama
2. Clemson
3. Notre Dame
4. Georgia
5. Miami
If Love returns to Stanford I might put them in my top 5. Same with Darnold at USC, but I don't think he's coming back.
Dark Horses: Virginia Tech, Texas, South Carolina, NC State
I think the 2018 ACC looks pretty strong, and the 2018 Big 12 looks weak with almost all their top teams from this year replacing stud QBs.
Why is Penn State losing McSorley? Barkley is gone, yes, but I don't thing TM is high on NFL draft boards, so I could easily see him coming back for his senior year. Penn St will have another workhorse locked and loaded at RB.
I mean no offense, but RB is kind've a dime a dozen (or at least, a dime a half-dozen) position. You just need a freak athlete, which a school like Penn State can get every year.
I think WI could be very good.
I think WI could be very good.
Gophers
Michigan and Wisconsin won't until/unless they have a great college QB.
Ohio St and Penn St are the best chance.