No no, Brutus, the Rose Bowl is the other way.
I’ve been thinking of a few new names for the conference. There is the “Lopsided 11 Conference,” the “Can’t win Bowl Games League,” or the “Yawn-athon.” Ok, so maybe that was a little rough on the conference, but something needs to change for the Yawnathon soon, because they are becoming a joke. Personally I grew up in one of the Big-10 Cities for the first 20-years of my life (if you want to know which one look at some of my previous writings for clues), so I feel like I have a little entitlement to diss the division.
This year’s division looks to be lacking of surprises. The teams that are expected to stink will likely stink, and the teams that are expected to excel will likely excel. Should a team like Penn State or Ohio State make it to the Rose Bowl, you might actually get to see them face a team that isn’t USC. The conference needs a huge BCS win, but first needs to become more competitive as a whole. It’s no fun having a team like Indiana in the conference when they likely will miss out on a bowl game each and every year. Further evidence that people need to drop the tradition stuff and allow more conference re-alignments. But enough of my rambling and more funs stuff. So here it is, the Big-10 Preview.
11) Indiana
On Offense:
What is there to say about Indiana that isn’t already known. The team had an average offense last year that was able to get a few things done with their legs. Other than rushing, the team finished poorly in just about every offensive stat. There is potential in the team though, in QB Ben Chappell. Chappell is not hyped greatly, but is able to get things done on occasion. Also keep your ears open for Darius Willis, the freshman RB that has Bloomington has been hyping through the roof. While the OL is terrible by Big-10 standards, it is returning 4/5ths of the starters on the team in 2009.
On Defense:
I wish I could give praise for the defense this year, but the defense will likely struggle again. There are some stars like LE Greg Middletown(who destroyed in 2007 for 16 sacks before a bad 2008 season). Jammie Kirlew, the RE had almost 20 TFL last year, and is looking to succeed for the team. The LB corps will look pretty solid as well, but the secondary could be the worst in the Big 10. Look for a decent enough run blocking team, but an awful pass defense.
10) Minnesota
This pick could really come back to bite me. The Gophers shocked some last year in the Big 10 by winning seven of their first eight games. But if you look at the schedule last year, there was a reason. Those seven wins produced only one good win against Illinois. When the team got to the second half of the season, they train wrecked. In general, I could see them losing 3 of their 4 out of conference games, and instead of facing Indiana and Michigan this year, the team gets to face Michigan State and Penn State. Ouch.
On Offense:
The team is lucky enough to return eight players on offense, including QB Adam Weber and Senior stud WR Eric Decker. The team also will get Duane Bennett back from a knee injury. Don’t be shocked to see a lot of different faces on the OL this season as just about anyone could start. Either way you should see a decent year in the receiving game, and a better year rushing, but don’t expect the team to win an offensive battle often.
On Defense:
The team returns seven players on defense, including Traye Simmons who brought in four picks in 2008. The team as a whole has decent experience, but did nothing to scare offenses last year. The defense might be able to stop yardage and points to come through, but the team might struggle to create the big plays that the offense will need to win.
9) Purdue
On offense:
The Boilermakers might be able to turn some heads this season, but it is likely at least one year away from rising back up in the ranks. The offense lost a major majority of the team and is only able to return three starters. Senior Joey Elliot will likely start at QB, but don’t be shocked to hear the name of freshman Caleb TerBush to come in if the team struggles. The team returns Jaycen Taylor at running back after a year on the IR, and the offense could be nothing short of terrible with the losses. One spot of hope (AKA new coach Danny Hope) is a hard nosed guy who specializes in the OL. Look for the team to rejuvenate itself and become a threat in a few years.
On Defense:
The defense returns six players, led by the explosive pass rushing LE in Ryan Kerrigan who brought in seven sacks last year. Overall the team is pretty experienced in the front and backfield, but need to prove themselves at LB. The team has good athleticism, and might have a scary defense in one or two more years. Overall the team has lost too much to compete, but the team gets rid of games against Penn State and Iowa for the next two years. The team could wins six games this year in my opinion, which is much more than the average prediction.
Michigan
Sorry Ann Arbor, but you just need to wait another year to compete. You return good talent, and might have more players that can run Ricky Rod’s offense, but there is no proof yet that the Big 10 is ready for the spread.
On Offense:
The team brings back seven starters, including a decent WR core, and just about the entire line. But there is uncertainty whether Tate Forcier can truly run the Rodriguez Spread, and whether Brandon Minor will be able to do the things that are expected. True freshman Vincent Smith, a 5’6’’, 158 might become a Darren Sproles(esque) player for the Wolverines.
On Defense:
This is another shaky part of the team. There a ton of pro prospects that will struggle because of a new scheme. Last year it turned Terrence Taylor from a 1st round pick into a late 4th rounder. DE Brandon Graham might be a quality player, but will likely be hurt as Taylor was. Overall there is a ton of talent on the field, but no true way to harness it yet, as there is old talent and new talent that will need to grasp well together.
7) Wisconsin
On Offense:
What happened to this team? Did a major case of crappyitis demolish the city of Madison? The Badgers won 12 games a few years ago, and could barely get into a bowl game(not sure if the team played a bowl game, or if they played a spring scrimmage game against FSU) last year. The team needs to get a consistent QB before I continue on with this preview…
Ok, maybe that won’t happen, but hopefully the team gets the message. Since the team doesn’t have a QB worth naming in the preview, I will use the time to talk about John Clay. Don’t know who that is? Well you should, because he comes into the season as the sophomore running back that is regarded by some as better than P.J. Hill was… already! Watch for John Clay to become the Big 10’s top runner next season. Too bad the team didn’t get my message on that QB situation. Who knows, maybe if the defense could step up, the team would be this year’s Iowa.
On Defense:
The defense needs some help. The team can hold up well for the first half of the game, but seems to let other teams come back in the later half. This could be due to depth of the defense, dehydration fro crappyitis, or if Coach Bielema just gets sleepy each game. I’d like to go into the players that could show up this year, but I don’t see the situation changing. Maybe a 2009 wake up call will fuel the team for 2010.
6) Illinois
Again another one of those teams that could underachieve from talent. The Illini went to the Rose Bowl in the 2007 season, but could only garner 5 wins last year. The five wins that they got were against much lesser completion, other than an Iowa team that has kept it close with the Zook-men as of late. And they don’t face Iowa this year. The team faces three BCS teams from last year in PSU, OSU, and Cinn. They also face a total of eight bowl teams from last year.
On Offense:
This could be the “Filet or Bologna” offense of the Big 10. The team returns six starters, including the dangerous Juice Williams, the best WR prospect for next years draft right now, and a dangerous TE with a sweet name in Michael Hoomanawanui. But all of us Big 10 fans have started to call him “Hoo-man-chu.” The OL had a terrible year last year, and unfortunately might repeat the long year after losing the left side. Mark this down, the difference in the team will be RB Jason Ford. If ford can get it going, the team will be able to let Juice throw or move more. If Ford can’t get it going, then it’s hard to think that Juice won’t be keeping the ball to himself on run plays.
On Defense:
The defense has lost a ton of talent off of the DL. The only remaining starter is DT Josh Brent, and the team may have to suspend him after a DUI. The LB core will likely be depleted from last year as well, and there safeties will likely start sophomore Supo Sanni and freshman Asante Williams. The only piece of experience on the team is in the CB core which returns both starters. The team overall lost all but four starters from last year. But here is the problem with the Illini. Their first five games include a game against Missouri, at Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan State. The then close at Cincinnati, and at home against a Fresno State team that stays competitive.
5) Northwestern
My gut feeling is that the Big 10 might be fearing the color purple this year. I personally have that inkling that Northwestern might be the 3rd or 4th best team in the Big 10, but since gut feeling doesn’t decide football, they fall to 5th in these rankings.
On Offense:
Here is the problem. Some people have predicted that Northwestern might finish around 8th or 9th in the Big 10 because of the losses on offense. And let’s be realistic in saying that the team lost everything. The team returns four total players, all on the line( although the line is filled with young, inexperienced sophomores). The young talent on the line struggled last year, but another year older and another year together will make them even better. Mike Kafka will be under center this year, and will be pushed by sophomore Dan Persa. The team will have to prove that it can replace the skill players that it has lost, but the Northwestern program is typically pretty good at doing so.
On Defense:
Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald should get a raise for his great job building the Northwestern defense. Not many people outside of Evanston knew that the team had a good defense, but statistically it was in the top 25 in ppg, and the top 50 in ypg. The team led the Big 10 with 34 sacks last year, and the team was able to produce good turnovers as well. The defense returns 8 players, including the entire backfield, half of the line, and most of the LB core. Corey Wootton is a beast of a pass rusher on the left side, and it should be expected to get even better with good young depth on the other side of the line. Overall expect the defense to keep the team in just about every game they play this year, especially since they get to skip Ohio State for the next two years.
4) Michigan State
On Offense:
One thing is for sure, and it is that Mark Dantonio has done a great job with the Spartans as of late. The team won nine games last year, including six in the Big 10 on their way to the Capital One Bowl. The offense returns six players including a good left side of the OL, and great WR Mark Dell. Dell is only a junior, and might become a 1st round prospect for the 2011 draft. But the problem in East Lancing is the loss at QB, and the departure of Javon Ringer. Ringer was 97 % of the rushing offense last year, and there is absolutely no way that sophomore Ashton Leggett can be expected to do that. The team was only a top 60 offense last year, and it looks to be on a down slope.
On Defense:
The team defense does return 8 starters for the year, including five starters on the front seven, but the team wasn’t highly impressive last year. The team was able to stop scoring well last year, but once again was outside of the top 60 in most of the statistics. The team will improve from experience and age, including freshman DT Jerel Worthy. If the team wants to be able to live up to the expectations that a ton of people are putting on the team, they had better become an amazing defense soon.
3) Iowa
12.
That’s the total number of points that the Hawks lost their 4 games last by. The Hawkeyes, also known as the “we can win a bowl game team” look to improve on the nine win season that they achieved last year. It won’t be easy to do, but the team returns 14 total starters to the team, and the best defense in the Big 10. The Hawkeyes have been hyped to make a threat for the crown this year, but coach Kirk Ferentz has proven a few things over the years. He has proven that he can make a good defense, that he can make a good OL, that he is the most conservative person in Iowa City, and that he always sucks when he is hyped. Ferentz also seems to be one of those coaches that will underachieve a year or two and then have one good year, get a raise, and go back to underachieving. Either way, the team could have a tough season while facing each Big 10 team not named Purdue or Illinois.
On Offense:
Last year the Hawkeyes got very lucky when the Doak Walker winner Shonn Greene broke out for a huge year. Greene left for the draft, leaving young talent in Jewel Hampton and freshman Jeff Brinson. The two players should be used together to attack well, but they won’t be Shonn Greene. The OL will again be amazing for the Hawkeyes, as Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway have become two of the best tackles in college. If the team would be able to get Dace Richardson(a once top tackle who has had major knee issues) back, then I could start at QB. Unfortunately though, Ricky Stanzi is starting at QB. Stanzi showed minor potential last year, but also showed why the team is a QB away from competing.
On Defense:
The Best defense in the Big 10 allowed a whopping 13 PPG, worthy of top 5 in the NCAA. The Hawks also ranked in the top 10 of rushing ypg, and top 12 in total YPG. The hawks return eight players to the team, but unfortunately two of three players were DT’s. Iowa City will be praying that Mike Daniels and Karl Klug will fill the holes left. The LB core will likely be one of the best in college, led by seniors Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds. The hawks will continue to play a defense first, rush second, pass when you can style which defines Big 10 boring, but it should also work for them.
2) Penn State
So you thought the Nittany Lions were getting Roses this year did you? Well, it is still very possible, but Joe Pa might have to wait yet another year for that one.
On Offense:
The team is returning only eight total starters to the team, including only four on each side. Penn State has been a sexy pick because of the things that RB Evan Royster and QB Daryll Clark have been able to do. As a sophomore Royster averaged 6.5 yards per carry, and Clark looks to improve on his 2,600 passing yard season. There is no doubt that Penn State should be happy with their offensive backfield, but the team doesn’t have the majority of its line, or any of its wide outs to merit a nationally great team.
On Defense:
The defense last year was nothing short of amazing, as the team ranked eight in PPG, RYPG, and YPG allowed. Unfortunately that defense only returns four starters to the team, all of which are in the front seven. There is no doubt that the team can’t do great things because they often do, but the Lions will have to find some players to prove themselves this season. The Lions also decided to face strictly garbage in the off conference games, so by the time they start the real season against Iowa, they will have three games of confidence completed.
1. Ohio State
That’s unfortunately right folks, the Buckeyes will likely make it back to a BCS game, and that game will likely be an embarrassing loss. But maybe not, because the conference winners this year could make for a shocking twist in the BCS schedule, as described by my Rose Bowl selections in my BCS selections here.
You don’t have to agree with my picks, but should USC and OSU both win their conferences, look for a major BCS mix up.
On Offense:
The team lost more than a ton of talent. The offense that featured Beanie Wells, good WR talent, and a stellar OL will be hurt this year as the team returns only four starters on offense in QB Terrelle Pryor and the right side of the line. Terrelle Pryor will have to become the team, as he showed signs of last year. As a freshman Pryor came in and helped to lead the team to the Fiesta Bowl. He even kept the game close against the “screwed” Longhorns before losing b a narrow three points. Pryor has an amazing arm that he often uses to pass first. If that’s not going for him Pryor is able to run in a smart way for good yardage. Think about a smarter Vince Young who passes first.
On Defense:
There is good and bad news when it comes to the defense. The defense, which was 6th in points allowed last year returns seven players, including most of the secondary, and most of the DL. But the team lost a megaton of talent from the LB corps, and will need to repair itself to succeed. The defense(and the offense for that matter) has a good deal of age in it, but will be nothing short of vicious come next year. It’s hard to think that top 5-10 teams like USC and OSU are having down years.
OPOY
1. Terrelle Pryor — The kid is amazing, and will become the best pro prospect for next year if he can drive the weakened Buckeyes to the BCS again.
2. Daryll Clark — Clark is already an amazing player who never gives the ball away. If the Lions can get some receivers, he could become an even bigger stud.
DPOY
1. Corey Wootton — This senior DE benefits from the fact that most of the Big 10 defense is young
2. Pat Angerer — One of my favorite names in football, Angerer has great hands, and is a fierce LB
Newcomer of the Year
Dorian Bell, LB, Ohio State — Someone’s going to have to fill James Laurinaitis’ shoes. Bell may not be a first day starter, but he’s talented enough to really help out the defense this year. He’ll see extended action.
