Big Ten: Leaders & Legends

When the Big Ten first came out with the names, Leaders & Legends, I thought what are they drinking…. and man… I could really use that on Saint Paddy’s Day. I am always up for a short escape from reality to assist Saint Patrick with those damn snakes on the 17th and I was convinced that what ever Jimmy Delany and his Big Ten cohorts were sipping or chugging that led them to Leaders & Legends would absolutely put Harp and Jameson on the bench!

I must say, I have made a 180 degree turn (unlike Dennis Rodman, who once said on ESPN he was going to make a 360 degree adjustment to his behavior, I turned to my wife, Polly and said “that is the most accurate thing Dennis has ever said and he does not know he said it”) on this and now get the concept of future (Leaders) and past (Legends). The Big Ten Conference molds leadership and celebrates accomplishments.. The Big Ten, a conference for the ages! Ok, maybe that is a little over the top and yet, I must admit, I have warmed up to the names.

That said, what about the upcoming 2012 races in the conference’s two divisions? Let’s take a peek!

Leaders 

 Ohio State: OSU has 15 starters back including their very talented QB, Braxton Miller, a solid running game, led by Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde (their fastest back – 4.4 in the 40), very good wide receivers and an All American at tight end, Jake Stoneburner. The O-line is talented but inexperienced, and Miller’s play-making ability will be important, especially early, as the this group gains experience. Their D-line is led by two of the best players in the country, DT Johnathan Hankins and DE John Simon. Their LB corp is talented and experienced as the Bucks return Storm Kline and Etienne Sabino, while the secondary returns all four starters. Urban Meyer has arrived at OSU and appears ready to make a Nick Saban (LSU & Alabama) like run by leading two different university’s (Florida & Ohio State) to the promised land. Not this year though, as OSU is on probation and not eligible to play in the conference championship game or a bowl game. Schedule is neutral: play at Wisconsin and Michigan State and host Nebraska & Michigan. Prediction: First

Wisconsin: This may very well be the best team in the Leaders, which would be typical of the past couple of seasons, best team but far from the best individual talent. I do not know of a program in all of college football that does a better job of developing its players than the Badgers. The QB position may be filled this year by yet another transfer, Danny O’Brien, and like Russell Wilson, he comes to Madison from an ACC school, this time Maryland. The like Russell Wilson should end there, as while O’Brien has the ability to extend plays in the pocket, he does not possess the ability to escape that Wilson displayed on a regular basis. Furthermore, he may not be able to pick up the offense as quickly or win over the team’s unconditional support in such a dramatic fashion as Wilson. At RB, the Badgers may have the best one two punch in all of college football, Montee Ball & James White. Wide receiver is thin after Jared Abbrederis, although Jacob Pedersen should continue Wisconsin’s tradition of outstanding quality at tight end. The O-line is one of the best in the country, as OT Ricky Wagner and center Travis Frederick are the best at their respective positions in the Big Ten. The strength of the Badger defense is at linebacker with Mike Taylor and Chris Borland, who are two of the Big Ten’s best. The D-line has two starters back as does the secondary, look for excellent play from Shelton Johnson at strong safety. Schedule is favorable: Play Ohio State and Michigan State @ home  & at Nebraska and  the Badgers do not play Michigan! Prediction: Second

Illinois: The Illini return 14 starters from a team that began the season at 6-0 and then proceeded to lose 6 in a row, see its coach Ron Zook fired, and then win its final game, the Fight Hunger Bowl against UCLA. Tim Beckman, who comes to the Illini via Toledo (21-16) was hired as Zook’s replacement. Nathan Scheelhaase should be one of the Big Ten’s best at the QB position, while the running back position is solid with Donovonn Young and Josh Ferguson carrying the rock.  The wide outs and O-line will need to improve as the season progresses if they are to finish in the top half of the Leaders. Defensively the Illini have an outstanding talent at each of the three levels: DT, Akeen Spence and DE, Michael Buchanan, at LB, Jonathon Brown, and at CB, Terry Hawthorne. Schedule is not favorable: Play Ohio State, Wisconsin, & Michigan all on the road! Prediction: Third

Penn State: PSU needs some love. It is important to discriminate between the players and coaches who are there now from those who made the decisions that led to this sex scandal debacle! Bill O’Brien, his staff, and the current players had nothing to do with any of this and any action or reaction to them should be related to their behavior, not something that happened over a decade ago that was instigated by others. The Lions are coming off a 9-4 season that led them to Madison (9-2 at that time) and a shot to play in the first ever Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis. They were exposed in that contest by a superior Wisconsin team, where they were walloped 45-7, and then they lost their bowl game to Houston 30-14. The Nittany Lions have 9 starters back, 5 on offense, including their 2 QBs, Paul Jones & Matt McGloin, and RB Silas Redd, who should be one of the conference’s best.  While the receivers, led by Justin Brown, will be slightly improved, the O-line will be down. Gerald Hodges (LB)  and Jordan Hill (DT) will lead the defense which has only 4 starters returning. Schedule is favorable: play Wisconsin & Ohio state at home, @ Nebraska, and do not play Michigan or Michigan State ! Prediction: Fourth 

Purdue: Danny Hope enters his fourth season and does so with his best team. In fact, the Boilermakers have a good chance to win their final five games (see schedule on site) of the season and should be favored in three of their first four games to begin the season. An eight win season is very possible and would improve their position from the lower half of the Leaders to an upper echelon finish. The QB’s are good, as Caleb TerBush and Robert Marve have both played well at times, while RB Ralph Bolden (if healthy… surgery in January) provides quality at that position. Wide receiver is a question mark as two starters, OJ Ross (academic issues) and Antavian Edison (legal issues.. charges dropped) were in Hope’s doghouse and need to get serious about school and behavior. The Defense is led by Kawann Short, an outstanding DT and the Boilers do have 7 of their top 8 D-linemen back for 2012. Given that linebacker and secondary play should be at least as good as a year ago, these units, with a very good D-line, should have better numbers. Schedule is Favorable: play Wisconsin and Michigan at home, @ OSU and do not meet MSU or Nebraska!  Prediction: Fifth

Indiana: Indiana has 15 starters, 8 on offense including the QB, Tre Roberson, back as Kevin Wilson enters his second year in Hoosierville. The team’s eleven losses in 2011 tied them for the worst loss total in Indiana football history. There is no doubt that Indiana will be better and should start the season at 3-0 (Indiana State, @ U-Mass, & Ball State), followed by a bye week, and then, most important game of Wilson’s tenure at Indiana. The Hoosiers travel to Chicago to take on Northwestern in week five. A win there and a bowl game is possible and what a great story for the Hoosiers from 1-11 in 2011 to a 4-0 start in 2012. The schedule will get tougher from that point but with the confidence that 4-0 start can generate, there are winnable games as they go forward. Schedule is not favorable: play at Wisconsin, OSU, and Michigan State!  Prediction: Sixth

Legends 

Michigan: Michigan returns 13 starters, including 6 on an offense that fields one of the most explosive players in college football, QB Denard Robinson. While Robinson is not a great passer (55% completion rate and 20 TD to 15 INT)  he is effective given his explosive running ability (1349 total yards gained). The O-line has  3 of 5 starters returning for the 2012 season and left tackle, Taylor Lewan, is one of the nation’s best. Their running backs, led by Fitzgerald Toussaint and wide receivers receivers featuring Roy Roundtree, are among the best in the conference. The defense does not have the individual talent of years past, though they manage to play up to their talent level and are commited to playing assignment defense as well as any D unit in the country. Let’s be frank, they are not the most talented team in the Legends, but based on their accomplishments and coaching, they are the most focused! Brady Hoke and Denard Robinson returned Michigan Football to prominence with an 11-2 record in 2011 that included an OT Sugar bowl win, 23-20 over Va-Tech and, oh yeah, they finally beat OSU 40-34 after 7 straight losses. This team, however, is a long way from satisfied! They have stated on many occasions that a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl berth are their #1-A and 1-B goals. Schedule is not favorable: play at Nebraska and OSU, home against MSU and do not play Wisconsin!  Prediction: First

Michigan State: MSU is the most talented defense in not only the Legends but the entire conference (8 starters return). In fact, they are one of the best “D’s” in the country. Defensive End William Gholston, Cornerback Johnny Adams, and safety Isaiah Lewis lead the way for this very talented group. That said, the strongest unit on the defense is at linebacker; Denicos Allen, Max Bullough, Chris Norman, and hybrid DE/OLB Marcus Rush. On offense the running game is in good hands, as Le’Veon Bell is one of the conference’s best and the O-line is returning a solid 3 starters. The offensive question marks for State is at QB, as record setting Kirk Cousins has left the building and although his replacement, Andrew Maxwell, has been prepping in the wings for two years, he is clearly an unknown.  The receivers are also new, which is not a good combination when coupled with a new QB. Mark Dantonio is an excellent coach and has the defense that will give him the time he needs to develop a personality with all the new personnel on offense. Schedule is neutral: play at Wisconsin and Michigan and host Nebraska & OSU! Prediction: Second

Nebraska: The Cornhuskers return 14 starters to their team this year, 7 on either side of the ball, including their QB, Taylor Martinez. The running game features power-back Rex Burkhead and speedy-back Ameer Abdullah, while the O-line must replace 3 starters. The Huskers had to replace 3 starters a year ago and did so with a good result based on how they recruit. The receivers are experienced and have good size & speed, though the question for this passing attack will be, as always, can Martinez get them the ball down field? On defense, NU raided the Junior College ranks to try to bolster their performance at linebacker and defensive back positions. The D-line returns 7 of their top 10 from a year ago and should preform well up-front. Schedule is Neutral: play at Ohio state & Michigan State and host Wisconsin & Michigan! Prediction: Third

Iowa: One is never quite sure where to place this team in the preseason. Like Wisconsin, the Hawks develop players that do not have the accolades coming out of high school that other Big Ten programs flaunt. Iowa returns 11 starters, 6 on offense, including QB James Vandenberg, who should provide solid leadership at that position. The running back position has been like a revolving door (14 running backs have left the program since 2002 with the eligibility to continue to play).  Clearly, Ferentz needs to stabilize these defections. True freshman Greg Gorman may be the answer at RB this year. At wide out, Marvin McNutt, the Big Ten WR of the year in 2011, has left Iowa City for the NFL. The 2012 unit, led by Keenan Davis and CJ Fiedorowicz, has size, some speed and is experienced.  On defense, their linebacker (Christian Kirksey & James Morris) and secondary (Micah Hyde & Tanner Miller) play should improve. The area of concern is the defensive line, which at this point is a problem. A deficiency here can negatively affect the entire defensive scheme. Schedule is not favorable: play at Michigan State & Michigan, host Nebraska and do not Wisconsin or Ohio State!  Prediction: Fourth

Minnesota: Minnesota returns 12 starters, 6 a side, and QB MarQueis Gray, who led the Golden Gophers in rushing last year with 966 yards, is back. His passing percentage of 50% and his TD to INT ratio of 1 to1 must improve if the Gophers are to move in front of Northwestern in the Legends. At running back, James Gillum, a JC transfer, should provide immediate help at this position. At wide receiver, the loss of Da’jon McKnight will hurt, especially coupled with Gray’s struggles throwing the ball. That said, If Brandon Green and Malcolm Moulton are able to step up their game and Gray improves his accuracy, this unit could become effective. The O-line is on pace to be better in Jerry Kill’s second year. On defense, they really can only get better and should be able to do so on all three levels. Schedule is Neutral: play @ Wisconsin & Nebraska and host Michigan State & Michigan! Prediction: Fifth

Northwestern: The Wildcats return 10 starters, 5 on either side of the ball, and while QB Dan Persa has graduated, he was hurt much of last year and Kain Colter did gain valuable experience. The running backs and O-line, led by 6′-7” 310 pound Pat Ward, should play at a higher level. At wide out Kyle Prater has transferred from USC and should (if healthy) provide immediate help at that position. Defense is an issue, as the D-line and especially the secondary are not overly talented and lack experience…. not a good combination! The linebacker corp is solid, but will have to provide help in both in front and to the rear given the relative lack of strength of these units. Schedule is not Favorable: play at Michigan & Michigan, host Nebraska, and do not play Wisconsin or OSU  Prediction: Sixth

In the Championship Game, since OSU is not eligible, its Wisconsin vs Michigan. Michigan’s schedule which included non-conference match-ups against Alabama and Notre Dame, finally hits the wall against the Badgers O-line and power running game. Wisconsin wins its second Big Ten crown in as many years!