Big Ten Football: 2015 preseason power rankings

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) prepares to throw the ball against the USC Trojans during the first quarter in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

On to the team that I believe will win the Big Ten West and shock the conference: Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are under the direction of former Oregon State head coach Mike Riley after Bo Pelini was fired this offseason after failing to make this team anything more than a nine-win squad.

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Luckily for Riley, junior dual-threat quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. returns to the team and he will be a serious contender for Big Ten Player of the Year. He has been known to be an all-around threat as he compiled over 3,400 yards of total offense a season ago.

However, running back Ameer Abdullah is now in the NFL and full-time duties will be handed down to the unproven Terrell Newby who has the talent, but needs to show he belongs. The pain of losing Abdullah might hurt at first, but Newby will do a solid job.

Nebraska hasn’t won a conference title — Big Ten or Big 12 — since 1999 and you know these players are reminded that on a daily basis as the Cornhuskers used to be a national power.

It will take a couple of years for the Cornhuskers to adjust to a new coaching staff, but they will be back to prominence soon enough.

Next: No. 3 Wisconsin