The Big Ten has been full of surprises this season – so what others await? As we continue to look back on the first half, our Big Ten reporters each make a bold prediction on what to expect in the second half of the season:

Wisconsin will come back to win the Big Ten West.

Wisconsin has proved worthy of being a top-10 team while in the midst of the toughest October schedule in the FBS. Although the Badgers are only 1-2 in the Big Ten, those losses have come by one touchdown apiece to Michigan and Ohio State -- two of the top three teams in the country. The next three weeks will determine whether Wisconsin can win the West, with games against Iowa, Nebraska and Northwestern. Nebraska remains undefeated, but the Cornhuskers must play in consecutive weeks at Wisconsin and Ohio State. Camp Randall Stadium has been a house of horrors for the Huskers, who have been outscored 127-41 in two games there since joining the Big Ten. If Wisconsin wins out and Nebraska loses twice, the Big Ten West belongs to the Badgers. -- Jesse Temple

Michigan will post the best third-down defense stats on record.

The mixture of a solid pass rush and a couple of talented cornerbacks have made the Wolverines nearly unbeatable on third down. Through six games, they've allowed opponents to convert only 12.2 percent of their attempts on the "money down."

The NCAA doesn't track stats for third-down defense, and ESPN's records extend back only to 2004, but that pace would easily qualify Michigan as the best third-down stoppers on record. The lowest conversion rate allowed in a complete season dating to 2004 came from last year's Boston College team at 24 percent -- nearly twice as much as Michigan's current rate. That group was coached by current Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown, who seems to have figured out how to get his guys off the field. -- Dan Murphy

Michigan and Ohio State make the playoff.

OK, it’s a long shot. But maybe not that long of one. The Wolverines and Buckeyes each should be 11-0 and ranked in the top three when their showdown on Nov. 26 arrives. Let’s say Ohio State wins in a thriller, as in 2006. Michigan wouldn’t be penalized too much by the committee for losing a close game on the road against the No. 2 (or possibly No. 1) team in the nation. Jim Harbaugh’s club would be helped by the Big Ten’s solid reputation, good wins over Wisconsin and Colorado and blowing most opponents out. If the Big 12 continues to implode and Washington trips up out West, there could be an open spot in the four-team field for a non-champion. And Michigan could rush into that void. -- Brian Bennett

J.T. Barrett claims the Heisman Trophy.

Lurking just behind the frontrunners who jumped out in September and ahead of a couple of October entrants charging up fast is Ohio State’s Mr. Reliable. And it’s Barrett’s uncanny ability to churn out both touchdowns and victories that will help him win over enough voters by December to give the Buckeyes another stiff-arming statue to display in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. With school and conference records falling all around him, the chance to add a couple more signature victories to go with the overtime thriller at Wisconsin and the dominance at Oklahoma and his unquestioned importance to an unbeaten team trying to return to the College Football Playoff, Barrett should have everything he needs to lift the Heisman. -- Austin Ward

Jabrill Peppers receives an invitation to the Heisman ceremony.

No, this defensive specialist isn’t going to win the famed trophy – but he’s still going to receive a considerable number of votes as one of the best players in the nation. He’s one of the country’s best punt returners and is arguably the Big Ten’s best defensive player. And although his touches have been limited on offense, there’s no doubt that his opponents respect his explosiveness. He’s an incredibly rare athlete, and the “Willie Mays of football” has earned more recognition. He leads the nation in punt return yards (249), is second in the conference in tackles for loss (10) and leads the Wolverines in quarterback hurries (6). Maybe this isn't such a bold prediction after all. It’s impossible to ignore Peppers' resume right now. -- Josh Moyer