West Division, but think more like 9-3 than another magical

Melbourne Victory is the favourite to win the A-League championship this season according to coaches and marquee players.A confidential poll of 20 respondents - the 10 coaches and a senior player from each club - has Kevin Muscats group as the most likely winner of the league, but with plenty of competition.Reflecting the evenness of the league, which begins on on Friday night when Brisbane Roar host Victory, eight clubs were nominated by key players as potential winners.With five votes, three-time champions Victory finished on top of the pile.Their cross-town rivals Melbourne City garnered three votes, with Sydney FC, Western Sydney and defending champions Adelaide supported by two figures.Brisbane, Perth and Wellington also had one backer, leaving only Newcastle and Central Coast as unloved clubs before the season kicks off.Coaches and players were asked which club they saw as the best in the league, excluding their own, on the condition of anonymity. A small minority declined to answer.Some suggested more than one club, in which case their votes were weighted accordingly.Reflecting on the competition as a whole, Roar manager John Aloisi surmised the mood among coaches when he said it was a difficult guessing game.Melbourne Victory are definitely in with a shot. Theyve got a good squad and we all know what Carl Valeri is like. Theyre going to be tough, he told AAP.But its hard to say, its too early. I think the Sydney and Melbourne sides are going to be strong.Perth boss Kenny Lowe said he expected Victory, City, Western Sydney and Sydney FC to be among the finalists.The two Melbourne clubs and Sydney clubs are at the forefront. Theyre in front of everybody with resources and recruitment, he said.Theyre driving the level of the league and the market place and everyone has got to keep up with that.First-year Central Coast coach Paul Okon said many clubs had improved their squads from last season.If I look at Wellingtons recruitment, its very good. If I look at Sydneys recruitment, also very good. Brett Holman coming on board at the Roar is going to give them something extra, he said.This year is going to be an even more even battle.THE A-LEAGUE CHAMPION AS PREDICTED BY THE COACHES AND PLAYERS:* 5 votes - Melbourne Victory* 3 - Melbourne City* 2 - Adelaide United, Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers* 1 - Brisbane Roar, Perth Glory, Wellington Phoenix* 0 - Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets Shoes NZ From China . 8 Kansas to a 64-63 win over Texas Tech on Tuesday night. The freshman from Vaughan, Ont. Shoes NZ Online . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.shoesnzonline.com/ . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Shoes NZ Online . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. Shoes NZ Nike . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. No. 22 Baylor | No. 24 North Carolina | Top 25No. 23: IowaLast Season: 12-2?(8-0 Big Ten West)The Hawkeyes rode their luck last year to come within seconds of securing a playoff spot. Luck might not be with them in 2016, but they might not need it. Iowa is a much stronger team, with one of the conferences best defensive tackle duos in Nathan Bazata and Jaleel Johnson, who along with middle linebacker Josey Jewell combined for 213 tackles. Iowas five Big Ten road opponents went a combined 10 -- 30 in conference play last year -- the Hawkeyes take on all of their toughest opponents at home. Fans can look forward to double-digit wins.Iowas chances to win each game 09.03 vs. Miami (Ohio): 94.7% 09.10 vs. Iowa State: 85.2% 09.17 vs. North Dakota State: 83.3% 09.24 @ Rutgers: 66.3% 10.01 vs. Northwestern: 72.1% 10.08 @ Minnesota: 66.6% 10.15 @ Purdue: 67.4% 10.22 vs. Wisconsin: 56.4% 11.05 @ Penn State: 44.0% 11.12 vs. Michigan: 33.7% 11.19 @ Illinois: 73.4% 11.25 vs. Nebraska: 52.8%Key returning players like QB C.J. Beathard, CB Desmond King and LB Josey Jewell should help the Hawkeyes stay near the top of the Big Ten West Division, but think more like 9-3 than another magical 12-0 sseason.dddddddddddd-- Brian BennettA second straight undefeated regular season might be pushing it for these Hawkeyes but, with Beathard and returning Thorpe winner King, a 9-3 season shouldnt be a problem. Iowa should remain in the conference title race until the very end. -- Josh MoyerSave for a November visit from Michigan, there once again arent a ton of roadblocks on Iowas schedule for 2016. An undefeated season will be hard to reproduce, but Beathard returns to lead an offense that is capable of going 10-2 and winning the West again. -- Dan MurphyIowa is the Big Ten West favorite because of both its talent and a forgiving schedule. Another perfect regular season is a stretch, but the Hawkeyes finish 10-2 and reach the Big Ten title game for a second straight year. -- Jesse TempleThe schedule once again sets up favorably for the Hawkeyes, so it might be a good idea nationally to prepare for another Kirk Ferentz run to the division title in the Big Ten West after an 11-1 regular season. ?-- Austin WardNo. 22 Baylor | No. 24 North Carolina | Top 25 ' ' '