Leaders and Legends. You think the conference is regretting those division names? Two of the marquee programs in the league, Ohio State and Penn State, both reside in the Leaders division and are anything but examples of a leader. Both were hit with NCAA sanctions where university officials covered up the details of illegal activities. Granted the scandal at Ohio State is nowhere near comparable to Penn State, but neither can claim to have a moral compass pointing true north. The offseason was pretty eventful for the Big Ten with the NCAA sanctions, the obscene playoff proposals, and the arrival of some big name coaches. Here’s what to expect this season in the Big Ten.
Let’s start off with the biggest hire in the nation, Urban Meyer at Ohio State. Could any program be any luckier? They get a slap on the wrist from the NCAA, relative to USC. They hire one of the best coaches who is magically healthier after his “retirement” from Florida. As if that wasn’t enough, Meyer inherits a dual threat quarterback with a seemingly limitless amount of potential in Braxton Miller. The Buckeyes start the season in the AP Top 20, and would be a contender for the Big Ten title if it wasn’t for those pesky sanctions. Miller will have to become more accurate throwing the ball with only a 54.7% completion percentage in 2011, but he was able to limit the picks and is always a threat to take off downfield. Miller will be throwing to one of the Big Ten’s top receivers in Corey Brown (a Biletnikoff watch list member), and last year’s leading receiver Devin Smith. Miller was the Buckeyes leading rusher, but the second leading rusher, Carlos Hyde, is a bruiser at 235 pounds. He should be able to share the load to keep the defense honest, giving Miller a chance to use that speed and run downfield. The line loses three starters and was at one point considered “nonfunctional” by Meyer. The line has made huge strides since the spring and is now considered “competent.” On the defensive side, the Buckeyes return eight starters and four of the top five leading tacklers from a year ago. Senior Etienne Sabino will lead a young bunch of linebackers, and almost all of the secondary is returning including last year’s leading tackler C.J. Barnett. The defensive line is what will make this defense so difficult to deal with. Considered one of the best defensive fronts in the nation, the Buckeyes should be able to stop the run, and in a run oriented conference should force teams to throw into that experienced secondary. Meyer gets a break this season with eight home games, giving the Buckeyes a chance to “win” the division in Meyer’s first season.
Let’s move over to the Legends division, where Michigan and Michigan State are the clear leaders entering the season. Michigan comes in the higher ranked of the two, but Michigan State is the trendy pick to win not only the division, but the conference. Mark Dantonio has put together a solid football program (not just good teams) and fields a competitive team year in and year out. The defense is one of the best of the nation, led by arguably the top defensive lineman in the nation, William Gholston. 2011 first team All-Big Ten corner Johnny Adams returns, as well as seven other starters (including Gholston) from a defense that ranked sixth in total defense in 2011. With as good as the defense will be how do you overcome the loss of Kirk Cousins at quarterback? Well, the coaching staff thinks you put in junior Andrew Maxwell. If he can be even half as good as advertised, the rushing attack will carry the Spartans to a second consecutive trip to Indianapolis.
Just an hour down the road in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan comes in with a second straight BCS game in mind. Last year’s Sugar Bowl winner returns 13 starters led by the beloved Denard Robinson. His accuracy still poses a liability, leading the conference with 15 interceptions last year, but he is the best dual threat quarterback in the nation – hands down. They don’t call him shoelaces for no reason. He’s lightning quick, and cuts on a dime. Give the kid open field and he’s gone. To help share the load running the ball is the much hyped running back, Fitzgerald Toussaint. He’s one of three returning 1,000 yard rushers returning in the conference, and with the offensive line as deep as they are, expect even bigger numbers this year. Defense is the key to this season. Defense is what didn’t exist under Rich Dick Rodriguez, but the brilliant hire of defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison, has turned things around. However, even though there are seven returning starters, a lot of question marks remain entering into the season. The defensive line is unproven after losing three starters. The secondary will be tough to throw on, but if Big Ten teams can run all over them, then the Wolverines will be in for some shootouts.
The sexy pick for surprise team of the year is Purdue and who can blame people. Purdue is the exact opposite of Ohio State. Unlucky. Injuries have plagued this team for the past three years. Continually losing key positions, especially at quarterback, the Boilermakers never seemed to recover and constantly regressed after head coach Joe Tiller’s departure. Now, the Boilermakers are healthy and return a Big Ten leading 19 starters. You read that right, 19. Three QB’s are expected to see playing time under their dual QB scheme, but expect Caleb TerBush to get the starts and the Miami transfer, Robert Marve, to play in the wildcat. Defensive stud, Kawann Short, will be a first round draft pick and leads a defense with a deep secondary and should fit better under a simpler defensive scheme from a year ago. There isn’t a better chance for Purdue to make it back to the national scene. Both Penn State and Ohio State are ineligible for the Big Ten title game, leaving only Wisconsin to compete against. It’s a hundred foot obstacle, but at least it’s only one right?
Nebraska should be competitive in its’ second year in the Big Ten and should give Michigan State a run for their money in the Legends division. The offense should be potent in the run game behind Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez. The question is, how many times can the cameras catch Bo Pelini going nuts on the sideline? Wisconsin will continue to be the team to beat after acquiring another ACC starter, while Northwestern appears to have a manageable schedule in hopes of making their first bowl game in what, 117 years? Illinois has the talent and the coach in Tim Beckman to be competitive, and Indiana…well I didn’t realize they played football. If I left a team off, it’s because there’s twelve teams, while the conference only advertises ten. Tough break. Here’s how I see things shaking out in the Big Ten:
Predicted Finish
· Legends
1. Michigan State
2. Nebraska
3. Michigan
4. Iowa
5. Minnesota
6. Northwestern
· Leaders
1. Wisconsin
2. Ohio State
3. Purdue
4. Penn State
5. Illinois
6. Indiana
· Champion
1. Michigan State
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