Big Ten Preview- #4 Michigan State

Michigan State Spartans
Projected #2 (tie) in Legends Division
2010 Record: 11-2 (7-1)

Last year was the most successful season in the history of Michigan State football in regards to total wins (11), which was quite the compliment to a co-Big Ten championship and a victory over fellow co-champ Wisconsin. Their attempt at an encore to that historic performance is probably out of the question, however they will certainly be in the conversation to play in the first ever Big Ten Championship game.

Led by QB Kirk Cousins and one of the best running back tandems in the conference (Larry Caper, Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell), the Spartan offense could be even better than last year with six key starters returning. WRs B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and QB-turned-receiver Keith Nichol will form one of the more consistent receiving units in the conference, although Cousins better hope for similar offensive line production to last season as only two starters return up front. While Cousins may not be as comfortable throwing to his targets as he was last year with the lack of experience on the front line, I expect a mature and composed leader such as he to be able to deliver on the expectations of leading a strong offensive attack.
I am also on record as saying that I like MSU's big three at running back more than Wisconsin's 1-2 punch, as they offer more overall in terms of what you want out of complete ball carriers. What does that mean for MSU? It means that Cousins won't have to do all the work once again.

Then there is the defense. Oh man! Sparty was good last year on that side of the ball, weren't they? Greg Jones and Eric Gordon were studs at linebacker - especially Jones who was a consensus All-American - while guys like Colin Nealy, Marcus Hyde and Chris Rucker were consistently making plays to help seal the deal in close games. Another interesting note about those players: they are all gone! MSU isn't exactly a defensive factory where you lose a highly productive guy and another one is just biting at the bit to show off his stuff and deliver on his predecessor's expectations. They won't be as good as last year as a team because they will lack playmakers that will be able to create turnovers, disrupt the opposing quarterback, etc. I like CB Johnny Adams a lot, and DT Jerel Worthy is an All-Big Ten candidate, but everyone else will need to step up BIG TIME if this team expects to make it to the Big Ten championship.

I like Coach Dantonio, as he was once the defensive coordinator for the 2002 national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, however I am not sold on his ability to field a consistent winning team in East Lansing year after year. Notice I have used the word consistent plenty of times in this write up. There is a reason for that.

Michigan State is not a consistent program. Expect a drop-off from last year in wins, magic and overall play - although the offense will be very fun to watch.

Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Big Ten Preview- #5 Northwestern

Northwestern Wildcats
Projected #2 (tie) in Legends Division
2010 Record: 7-6 (3-5)


Um... what?

Is Northwestern seriously ahead of teams like Illinois and Penn State in this preview? Really? How could the Cats stack up against teams like those, let alone finish in a tie for second in the Legends division with Michigan State?

My answer, and defense of that answer, really isn't that complicated. These guys return plenty on both sides of the ball - the majority of which are veterans - on what should be a very well balanced and tough team to beat in conference play.

Last season, Northwestern started off very strong at 5-0 and 1-0 in the Big Ten, until they hit the meat of their schedule and fell victim to the big boys. Their 7-5 regular season record is awfully deceiving, as they had a 21-0 lead on PSU only to fall victim to another Joe Paterno record setting comeback, lost in another comeback to Sparty, and were upset by three against Purdue. If they played up to their potential in those games, Northwestern could've won 10 games last season! Think about that for a second and this is what probably pops in your mind: WOW!

The late season-ending injury to star QB Dan Persa's knee resulted in beatdowns against Illinois and Wisconsin, and Pat Fitzgerald's team failed to win a bowl game once again, but spirits are extremely high in Evanston, IL and this has the feeling of a special Wildcats team; the kind of team that only comes around those parts every decade or so. Of the 16 returning starters, none are as important as the aforementioned Persa who is the ringleader of the offense and in essence the entire team's hopes of competing in a January bowl game. The defense returns very well intact to support the dual-threat QB, which will give teams fits in 2011.

Both Michigan State and Penn State, teams that came back from big deficits to beat the Wildcats, all travel to the death trap AKA Ryan Field this season which will give plenty of incentive for Northwestern to earn some revenge. I can see them winning both of those games, along with plenty of other upsets along the way. They aren't talented enough to win the division outright in my opinion, but they will be damn close. I can see the Cats winning as many as 9 games this season en route to Fitzgerald's best season in Evanston yet.

Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Big Ten Preview- #6 Penn State

Penn State Nittany Lions
Projected #3 in Leaders Division
2010 Record: 7-6 (4-4)

The tradition of Penn State football is largely recognized mainly in the Midwest and the East, so maybe that is why I usually have more respect than the Lions than most. After a rebuilding season in 2010 that featured a roller coaster-type quarterback battle, a late season resurgence and a close loss to Florida in the Outback Bowl, it seems like my respect for PSU is coming back into play and I expect them to compete in the top heavy Leaders Division in 2011.

There is no question that Joe Paterno's crew will perform on the defensive side of the ball, as they have seven players returning from a unit that has plenty of talent to spare, especially in the front seven. With seniors such as Jack Crawford - who was injured for half of last season - and Devon Still returning up front, along with linebackers Mike Mauti and Nate Stupar, it should be tough sledding going up against the Lions this season. Last year's group wasn't exactly stellar against the run, as they allowed 166 yards per game on the ground. According to Phil Steele, that is their worst performance in that category since 2003. It also helps that all four players in the secondary return to bolster the improved front seven. In short, I definitely see Penn State's defense improving and becoming one of the best in the Big Ten in 2011.

With defense not being an issue in my humble opinion, then does that mean they'll easily be better than last year overall? Well, it all depends on the play of whoever is the signal caller throughout the season and how he performs, whether it is the young, athletic Rob Bolden or the steady junior Matt McGloin. It should be noted that once McGloin became the starter in Happy Valley, the team rattled off three straight conference wins, gave OSU a hell of a fight in the first half, and eventually won four out of five games before losing to Big Ten co-champ Michigan State - by only 6 points. The talent is there along the offensive line, along with a stable of capable backs and receivers. Derek Moye, despite being on scholarship for what seems to be 11 years now, returns for his final season as the team's leading receiver, while the electric sophomore RB Silas Redd takes over for the school's all-time leading rusher, Evan Royster.

If either Bolden or McGloin can show consistency, then this will be a very dangerous team that could find itself in the conference championship race if they pull off an upset in November. I expect them to lose to Alabama - closer than the experts think, though - but other than that, I believe that every game leading into their final two road games against OSU and Wisconsin are winnable. A win against either rival Ohio State or the Badgers would go a long way in their quest to make the first ever Big Ten Championship Game. I see them dropping a game that they shouldn't due to shaky quarterback play, and I don't see them winning any of their tough road games, so an 8 win season with a bowl win in January sounds just about right to me. I really believe in this team's ability to perform... I just don't know about the quarterback situation. My logical guess: neither does the coaching staff.

Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Big Ten Preview- #7 Iowa

Iowa Hawkeyes
Projected #4 in Legends Division
2010 Record: 8-5 (4-4)

Remember the preseason hype that the 2010 Hawkeyes had? It was all very much deserved as they featured a defense that returned plenty of NFL talent, including one of the best defensive lines in college football, and an offense that seemed poised to becomes much more lethal.

Was I the only one that remembered all of the close victories they had the year before last? It seemed like it, because I was one of the only people that thought they wouldn't be as good as advertised. It doesn't happen often, but I called that one...well, I didn't think they would only win 7 regular season games, but I wasn't exactly predicting a national championship run for the school.

Last season's 8-5 record, which culminated with an impressive win over Missouri in the Insight Bowl, was mired with heartbreaking losses. All five of Iowa's losses in 2010 were by a touchdown or less, with the four conference losses coming by an average of nearly three points per contest. In other words, the team wasn't bad, but karma came back to haunt the Hawkeyes. In 2011, I do not expect bad luck to hold this team back.

Offensively, QB James Vandenberg, RB Marcus Coker and WR Marvin McNutt should prove to be one of the best tandems in the Big Ten. Vandenberg is well known for his showing against the Buckeyes in 2009 when he replaced fan favorite Ricky Stanzi, and will have the chance to show off his skills for an entire season for the first time. The offensive line returns four starters as well, and I am calling for this to be one of Kirk Ferentz's best offenses since 2004.

On the other side of the ball...ouch. They took some big hits in the offseason, losing key players such as Adrian Clayborn, Karl Klug, Christian Ballard, and Tyler Sash. The talent is there in the secondary with CB Shaun Prater and FS Micah Hyde, but I don't expect the front seven to be nearly as productive as it has been the past two seasons in Iowa City. It could be a reversal of fortunes for Iowa in terms of not losing as many close games, but their defense could still very well cost them a few ball games...which in its own right is another reversal of fortune.

The schedule sets up nicely with most of the big boys coming to Kinnick Stadium, with the exception of road trips to Penn State and Nebraska. Due to my high expectations for the offense, along with a comfortable home schedule, I think that Iowa will win more regular season games than last year. They are a sleeper Big Ten championship contender if the defense doesn't fall off the grid too far, and should go back to a bowl game for the fourth year in a row.

Predicted Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Big Ten Preview- #8 Illinois

Illinois Fighting Illini
Projected #4 in Leaders Division
2010 Record: 7-6 (4-4)

After a win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl to end the 2010 season, I think it is safe to say that head coach Ron Zook has been given another shot of adrenaline to try and keep Illinois football relevant, if only within the conference. His 2011 squad shouldn't let him down, but will another average bowl appearance be enough?

Zook has a 51-59 record all-time at Illinois, which would more than likely be grounds for firing at most schools of their caliber. If it wasn't for a 2007 season that featured 9 wins and a trip to the Rose Bowl, then we would be looking at a new head coach in Champaign in my opinion. He is still the head man though, and he intends to build off of a thrashing of a Big 12 opponent in a bowl game and lead the Illini to bigger and better things.

The positives: seven returning starters on offense, including QB Nate Scheelhaase, should help the team continue their offensive tear that resulted in averaging 32.5 points per game last season. Some playmakers were lost on the defensive side, but upperclassmen such as CB Tavon Wilson will be able to provide much needed stability and leadership throughout the season. To me, as far as Illinois football goes, this team has all the makings of a program that is ready to avenge several close loses (11 to Ohio State, 2 to Michigan, 4 to Minnesota) and get back to the highs of 2007, which could include 9 wins and a much better bowl trip than heading to the Texas Bowl.

The negatives: the killer schedule. Last season, Illinois benefited from a very friendly schedule that only had two road games against teams that played in major bowl games at years end: Penn State (Outback) and Michigan State (Capital One). This year, the amount of tough road games remains the same but the schedule is more daunting than before. Pac 12 South contender Arizona State travels to Champaign in September, followed by games against rival Northwestern, Ohio State, on the road against an improved Purdue team, @ Penn State, Wisconsin and then a road trip to Minnesota who just so happened to beat the Illini last season. I don't expect Illinois to win nine games with that kind of schedule, but I do think that they can get in the 7 to 8 win range based off of their offensive talent alone.

Illinois will pull off a few upsets, lose to a few teams they shouldn't, yet still manage to play in a bowl game for the second year in a row under head coach Ron Zook. I suppose I'll ask this question again though: will that be enough to save Zook's job?

Predicted Record: 8-4 (4-4)

Big Ten Preview- #9 Michigan

Michigan Wolverines
Projected #5 in Legends Division
2010 Record: 7-6 (3-5)

Man, that Rich Rod was bad. Damn, Denard Robinson was good last season.

Two great pieces of news for Wolverine fans: Rodriguez is gone, and Robinson is back! Let the celebration begin in Ann Arbor, because a new sheriff is in town at head coach, and Big Blue has a Heisman candidate at quarterback for the 2011 campaign.

First things first: let us discuss the new head ball coach. Brady Hoke, former defensive coach for Michigan back when they won a share of the national championship in 1997, is taking over a team that is in dire need of getting back to the philosophies and foundations of what has made Michigan such a great program over the years. With this hire, a true "Michigan Man" is now at the helm, and that will only mean good things to come for Wolverine fans. Will that mean a true return to national prominence? I'm not sure yet, but I'll be anxious to see how that goes.

Returning is the aforementioned Heisman candidate in Denard Robinson, who will be transitioning from Rich Rod's spread option attack to a pro-style offense under highly regarded offensive coordinator Al Borges. While I do not doubt that Robinson is a great player because...well, he is, I do doubt this true abilities as a true quarterback. He is a gifted athlete, but a high-grading quarterback he is not. People said last season and said for a few years that Terrelle Pryor wasn't a true quarterback at OSU, but that obviously was proven false after the season Pryor has last year. I don't expect Robinson to follow suit, simply because Pryor had three years to learn in a system that gave him every opportunity to learn and get better. Robinson, however, is coming out of two seasons playing in a system where he was the featured ball carrier. With about 10 carries per game planned for Denard, plus playing in a more passer-friendly system, I do not expect him to get the Heisman pub that he earned last season.

The offense returns several playmakers, including WR Roy Roundtree, the offensive line will be perfectly fine, and the points should still be scored up in Michigan. Can they find a competent running back to use as a feature back? Again, I'm not sure.

The defense now has a proven defensive coordinator, thus ending the era of recruiting undersized MAC caliber players that were plugged in to play in Rich Rod's silly 3-3-5 crap or whatever was ran up there the past few seasons. I don't think the defense will be good this season, but in time it will return to being a highly respectable to very good unit. My evidence? They are on a recruiting tear on that side of the ball so far in 2011.

All in all, I think there are too many question marks with this team to say that they are going to make a run at playing for the Big Ten championship or going to a prestigious Jan. 1st bowl game (or Jan. 2nd, in this case), but that doesn't mean that they won't make a bowl game. I am projecting them to win 7 games once again, with a legitimate shot at winning their bowl game when it's all said and done. My final verdict: 2011 will be a year of elevated expectations. 2012 and beyond will feature a return to winning for the Michigan Wolverines.

The fight song for the year: HAIL to going back to your roots, thank GOD.

Predicted Record: 7-5 (4-4)

Big Ten Preview- #10 Purdue

Purdue Boilermakers-
Projected #5 in Leaders Division
2010 Record: 4-8 (2-6)


Danny Hope came to Purdue in 2009 to resurrect a once consistent, competitive program that was renowned under Joe Tiller for its "basketball-on-grass" style of offense. You can go down the list of players that have made it to the NFL under Tiller, although it really begins and ends with Super Bowl winning QB Drew Brees. What does Danny Hope have under his belt thus far? An upset of Ohio State in 2009. That's it. He has a long way to go to catch up to Tiller, methinks.

I'm not one to make fun, but Hope very famously said that people should "get used to it" after his team beat the Buckeyes in 2009, yet their biggest win last season was against Northwestern and their performances against top competition proved to be pathetically inadequate the majority of the time - this included a 49-0 loss at the hands of the Buckeyes.

2011 should be an improved season though, as 16 starters return from a team that was riddled with injuries last season. I should have mentioned that before, I suppose...they lost several key players on offense that crippled the development of Coach Hope's attack. A healthy Robert Marve should battle sophomore Rob Henry for the starting quarterback job, although it seems that Henry will be given the first crack in the season opener against Middle Tennessee State. I think that the offense will prove to be just fine, and will result in more wins for this team.

The defense, despite losing 1st round NFL draft pick DE Ryan Kerrigan, should be an improved unit in most phases compared to last year. I don't think that their sack numbers will match the past few season's, but the experience returning at linebacker and in the secondary is too much to overlook. Expect a solid showing from this unit as long as it develops the front line as the season progresses.

I flirted with giving this team a bowl bid due to their improvement on both sides of the ball, and having Ralph Bolden return at running back (the poor guy tore his ACL last season before the year began after an All-Big Ten season in 2009). The schedule is simply too tough to give them a legitimate shot at a bowl game though, in my opinion. Games against Notre Dame, @ Penn State, @ Wisconsin and Ohio State are the headliners in what will be a rough year to make a bowl game in the Big Ten.

I like this team even though it seems like I have something against them, as evidenced in the beginning of this preview. Fact: I do not respect Coach Hope for what he said after he beat OSU in 2009. Fact: I am biased, and have to understand that it was an inspiring and big time win for them at the time, so I should give him a break.

One final fact: this will be a fun team to watch this Fall.

Predicted Record: 5-7 (2-6)

Big Ten Preview- #11 Minnesota

Minnesota Golden Gophers- Projected #6 in the Legends Division
2010 Record: 3-9 (2-6)


The Gophers never got rolling under Coach Brewster, which resulted in his much needed firing in Minneapolis. Serious question for everyone: why did they ever fire Glenn Mason, who only made Minnesota consistently relevant during his tenure? I bet they are kicking themselves over that one, considering he basically laid the groundwork for their new outdoor stadium to be built.

I think that Jerry Kill, heading over from Northern Illinois, could certainly give the team a much needed shot in the arm, but it will take time for that to materialize. In the meantime, the Gophers will need to focus on becoming better one small step at a time. Where do you begin? Aside from basic recruiting, they should really focus on improving defensively. Last season they gave up an average of 33 points per game, but only lost each game by an average of 10 points. If Florida transfer Brendan Beal and new defensive coordinator Tracy Cleays can change the tone of how things are done on that side of the ball, then their outlook suddenly improves ever-so-slightly.

Offense isn't exactly a major issue, but it isn't spectacular either. QB MarQueis Gray, a mobile playmaker, can invigorate an offense that doesn't excel particularly well on the ground or through the air, then look for the Gophers to be more competitive than they were last season. That isn't saying too much, but they did happen to end the year on a two game winning streak against Illinois and Iowa, averaging 32.5 points per game in the process.

This team is better than Indiana in my humble opinion, but they will likely see similar results in a very tough conference. I am intrigued with the new coaching staff though, which I wasn't able to say under the last staff.

Predicted Record: 3-9 (1-7)

Big Ten Preview- #12 Indiana

Indiana Hoosiers- Projected #6 in Legends Division
2010 Record: 5-7 (1-7)


Let's not fool ourselves here and think that the Hoosiers aren't the expected choice to fall into the cellar of not just their division, but in the Big Ten all together.

They do happen to return 12 starters off of a team that was one win away from being bowl eligible, but their wins weren't exactly against top flight competition. They only beat one conference opponent, which was Purdue in overtime, and also came way with DAZZLING wins over Towson, Western Kentucky, Akron, and Arkansas State...who they almost lost to. This is not a good team, and they do not return a slew of promising talent to change the face of the program at this point.

Aside from junior RB Darius Willis, the offense won't be anything special in the early stages of the season. I say the early stages of the season because their new head coach Kevin Wilson just so happened to be the offensive coordinator of Oklahoma dating back to 2002. That fact alone could change the fortunes of the program in the long run, but for now the only thing to really look forward to is the progression of the offense from game one versus Ball State to the end of the year showdown with archrival Purdue. I expect the offense to improve under his new wide-open system by the end of the year, and give the fans some optimism going into 2012.

I haven't mentioned the defense because, sadly, they really don't have one. That, along with a daunting schedule and a non-conference date with Virginia leads me to believe that we could be looking at a 3 win team this year in Bloomington.

Sorry, guys. You just aren't that good.

Predicted Record: 3-9 (0-8)

Big Ten Predictions

I am going to go ahead and post my Big Ten conference predictions today - without records - just to go ahead and lay the framework for my conference preview.

In the four weeks leading into the season, I will be going through my thoughts on each team, including my controversial stances on Nebraska, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and a surprise team that a lot of people usually don't think too highly of.

No, it is not Michigan despite what their depraved fans want to think. If this were 2012, then maybe I'd be on the same page with you guys, but not quite yet.

Legends Division
1. Nebraska
2. Michigan State (tie)
2. Northwestern (tie)
4. Iowa
5. Michigan
6. Minnesota

Leaders Division
1. Ohio State (tie)
1. Wisconsin (tie)
3. Penn State
4. Illinois
5. Purdue
6. Indiana

Feel free to leave comments and get a conversation going about the 2011 Big Ten season.

Coming Soon to Theaters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEmNSXX5R_o

Something worth checking out. These videos always get me ready for the season.

My Preseason Top 25

My Preseason Top 25 2011 College Football Rankings

1. Oklahoma Sooners- Balanced offense, good defense = good enough for me.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide- If a quarterback emerges, this is the best team in football.

3. LSU Tigers- Still not completely sold...but there is so much talent in Baton Rouge.

4. Oregon Ducks- Oregon will thrill, but will their lack of defense hold them hostage?

5. Boise State Broncos- Eh, I'm getting used to this. Boise will win 11 games I think.

6. Florida State Seminoles- Slowly I am buying the hype. I expect good things under Coach Fisher.

7. Wisconsin Badgers- Hype, hype and more hype. On paper, it is the best Badger team EVER.

8. Virginia Tech Hokies- I'm not as high as some national pundits are, but I like this team every year.

9. South Carolina Gamecocks- Offensive fireworks and reliable D is good enough to win the East.

10. Texas A&M Aggies- Wow....I haven't given the Aggies much credit, but they bring back a hell of a team.

11. Stanford Cardinal- Andrew Luck and co. look to knock off the Ducks in the Pac 12.

12. Nebraska Cornhuskers- Second most talent in the Big 10? These guys. But it's a whole new ballgame.

13. Arkansas Razorbacks- My darkhorse national title contender. I LOVE the makeup of the Hogs.

14. Ohio State Buckeyes- More to come in the future...

15. Oklahoma State Cowboys- Their offensive guru is gone, but the fireworks are still in place.

16. TCU Horned Frogs- Defending Rose Bowl champs still have plenty to prove.

17. Georgia Bulldogs- Their schedule sets up nicely, and I like the experience they bring back.

18. Michigan State Spartans- A mystery to me at the moment, but their backfield is stacked.

19. Missouri Tigers- Another sleeper to win a lot of games this year, Mizzou will be tough to beat.

20. Auburn Tigers- Defending champs without Cam Newton = plenty more losses for the Tigers.

21. Penn State Nittany Lions- If they can somehow split @ OSU and @ Wisconsin, they could smell Roses.

22. Texas Longhorns- They keep taking hits, but Mack Brown and the Horns will be more resilient in '11.

23. Notre Dame Fighting Irish- Sighhhhhhhhhhhhh. Too much hype, and I don't buy into them very much.

24. Southern Miss Golden Eagles- A legit BCS contender this season in my humble opinion.

25. West Virginia Mountaineers- They should win a bad Big East. Huge game on 9/24 vs LSU.

Time Truly Frees a Troubled Mind

Boy...how time can change everything.

My last post on here came just five days before Jim Tressel "resigned" as the head coach of our beloved Buckeyes. If I were to post on here in the days and weeks after the fact, it would have been filled with hate for the media (ESPN, SI specifically), the detractors from Buckeye Nation, and the sheer disappointment and sadness that I felt knowing that the Vest would never step foot on the field again for the Scarlet and Gray.

I don't want to go into detail about everything that happened, because we all know the story and it is pointless to rehash it for you. It was a sad time for many, and it is now time to move on and support head coach Luke Fickell in his shot to lead this team into the 2011 season.

Time has given me time to vent, put things in perspective, hear all sorts of opinions both preposterous and sensible, and realize one very important fact: football is still happening in Columbus, and it is four weeks away.

One quick note I would like to address: for the first time in my entire life, I had a huge Buckeye homer telling me that I was being too much of a homer thinking that this team could actually play for a Big Ten championship. I am not making this up; one of the biggest fans that I know told me that I am "going a little too far" to think that this team will do any better than 9 wins -- best case scenario.

Poor, poor Buckeyes. They must have lost all of their talent when Jim Tressel left. They don't have a quarterback since Terrelle Pryor is gone...no one could possibly take snaps after him. Poor OSU staff...that returns perfectly intact... for they have to pick up the pieces with Tressel being gone and learning a completely different system and not knowing who will call the plays on both sides of the ball.

I hate to be "that guy"; the homer; to be ever so delusional. I really do hate to be the guy that has completely lost his mind and needs to have all credibility stripped from him because he thinks this team is capable of competing for a Big Ten championship because they are still the most talented team from top to bottom in the conference. But hey, someone has to be insane in every circle of friends and fans, and I am here to say this: I don't care what you think.

Time has given me a clear mind, and the refrain hasn't changed for me: OSU is still a favorite to win the Big Ten championship.

In case you missed it before, I'll repeat myself: four weeks until football in Columbus returns.

Unlike so many people that I know, I am aware of this fact and have not jumped off the bandwagon.