2018 Big Ten early conference primer: Biggest games, Heisman hopefuls and one big prediction

The Big Ten Conference didn't put a team in the College Football Playoff in 2017. That should change in 2018.

The conference flexed its muscle with a 7-1 record in the bowl season, which included victories in the Cotton, Orange and Fiesta bowls. Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State opened in the top 10 in Sporting News' Way-Too-Early Top 25, as did Michigan State and Michigan.

MORE: Way-too-early Top 25 for 2018

The Big Ten also welcomed Scott Frost back to Nebraska, a big-time hire who could wake up another college football blue blood. The Big Ten has a strong case for best conference in the FBS — but it still needs to put a team in the College Football Playoff.

Sporting News takes an early look at it will look like heading into 2018: 

Way-too-early ranked teams

No. 4 Ohio State 
No. 6 Wisconsin 
No. 10 Penn State 
No. 16 Michigan State 
No. 17 Michigan 

Top storyline

There are so many to choose from. Frost's arrival in Lincoln; Angst in Ann Arbor; a three-way quarterback battle at Ohio State. Still, it all comes down to two storylines: Can a Big Ten East team survive the regular season with fewer than two losses? Can the Big Ten West win in Indianapolis? How those two plotlines intersect will determine whether the Big Ten champion makes the Playoff, which hasn't happened since 2015. 

2018 LOOKAHEAD: ACC | SEC | B12 | P12

Impact freshman 

Micah Parsons. The five-star defensive end had several twists in his path to Penn State, but he'll fit in with an up-and-coming group of pass-rushers that includes Shareef Miller and Shaka Toney.

Impact transfer 

Michigan's three-quarterback shuffle led to a five-loss season in 2017. Could Shea Patterson's arrival from Ole Miss could be the answer for Harbaugh and the Wolverines? Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey will be in the mix too, but Patterson is a proven playmaker who's already being listed among the Heisman value picks for 2018.

MORE: Why Patterson fits at Michigan

New Big Ten coaches 

Scott Frost. The former Nebraska quarterback led UCF to an undefeated season and wasn't afraid to call out the committee while doing it. Now he's back in Lincoln, and the Huskers finally have their man. They might need a transition year, but they'll start challenging for West championships soon.

Big Ten Heisman hopefuls

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin. Taylor continued the long line of Wisconsin stud running backs in 2017, rushing for 1,977 yards as a freshman. A 2,000-yard season is in the works for 2018. He's that good.

Trace McSorley, QB, Penn State. McSorley, who finished his second season with an incredible performance in the Fiesta Bowl, will be counted on more in 2018 with the loss of several offensive playmakers. He's a proven winner, and that won't change. 

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State. Dobbins broke Ohio State's freshman rushing record and figures to see an increased workload as a sophomore. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry. 

Brian Lewerke, QB, Michigan State. Lewerke grew into the starting position while leading the Spartans to 10 wins last season. If he increases his completion percentage and keeps winning, he'll work into the conversation.

MORE: Ranking 2018 September games

Best nonconference games 

Michigan at Notre Dame (Sept. 1). Harbaugh can silence some critics and set the tone for a pivotal fourth year with a big victory in this traditional rivalry. 

Colorado at Nebraska (Sept. 8). It's fitting Frost's first big nonconference game will be against an old Big 12 rival in Lincoln. Expect an electric atmosphere.

Penn State at Pittsburgh (Sept. 8). No matter what James Franklin says , this isn't just another game to fans. The Nittany Lions have a chance to avenge the 2015 loss at Heinz Field that kept them out of the Playoff.

Ohio State at TCU (Sept. 15). An interesting early-season road test for the Buckeyes against an opponent they traded barbs with during the BCS era. Ohio State's new starting quarterback will be tested here. 

Team to watch 

Purdue. The Boilermakers were a hot team early in Jeff Brohm's first year and their only loss by more than 10 points was against Michigan. Purdue is competitive again, and the Thursday home-opener against Northwestern will be an interesting tone-setter.

Bold early prediction 

The winner of the regular-season finale in Columbus between Ohio State and Michigan will represent the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff.

MORE: 18 questions for 2018 season

Three-year trends: Overall record

(* Rutgers and Illinois have same overall record and have split two head-to-head meetings. Rutgers won the most recent meeting.)

Three-year trends: Big Ten record 

(* Indicates tie-breaker broken by best overall record)
(** Rutgers and Illinois have same overall record and have split two head-to-head meetings. Rutgers won the most recent meeting.)