2011 Big Ten Conference Preview
Call this conference the “B1G Conference.” The new logo is about as wacky at the Leaders and Legends Divisions. Who did Commissioner Jim Delany hire to come up with this new marketing scheme? Maybe, the same people that told the Fords to build the Edsel?
No, this conference is not going to be a big flop. Unfortunately, as of late, it has not been what it once was. Ohio State finally beat an SEC team in a bowl last year, but they used players that should not have been eligible.
Which brings us to the next topic of conversation—the historically “Big Two” both must break in new head coaches. Michigan hired Brady Hoke from San Diego State, while Ohio State was forced to elevate Luke Fickell to head coach after Jim Tressel resigned under fire.
There are three other new head coaches in the league. Kevin Wilson, the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma for nine seasons, takes over at Indiana. Jerry Kill, the former head coach at Northern Illinois, takes over at Minnesota.
Of course, the third new head coach is only new to the league and not his team. Bo Pelini brings the Nebraska Cornhuskers to the league.
For the most part, the stronger teams from the top have taken a minor step backwards, while the weaker teams at the bottom have improved a little bit. It adds up to more parity and less chance of sending a team to the National Championship Game.
Leaders Division
WISCONSIN
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Wisconsin came up with the big bonanza this summer, when Russell Wilson signed to play in Madison. Coach Bret Bielema has a passer capable of getting the Badgers back to Pasadena.
Wilson completed 58.4% of his passes for 3,563 yards and 28 touchdowns last year. His interception percentage was a miniscule 1.7% (former QB Scott Tolzien’s was 2.3%).
Wilson took a lot of sacks at North Carolina State, but in offensive coordinator Paul Chryst’s offense, he will throw quicker passes. He may not pass for 275 yards per game like he did in Raleigh, but his completion percentage should head north of 60 this year.
Receivers
Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis do not appear on All-Big Ten watch lists, but they are solid and can deliver the mail. They combined for 56 receptions and 748 yards with six touchdowns last year.
The Badgers are known for developing terrific tight ends. UW will use many two tight end sets. Jake Byrne and Jacob Pedersen may not be able to approach the production of graduating tight end Lance Kendricks (team-leading 43 receptions and five scores), but together they may equal his production. The duo scored touchdowns on 23% of their 13 receptions last year.
Running Backs
The Badgers fell four yards short of having three 1,000-yard rushers last year. Two of the three return this year. The Badgers could have had another three-headed monster, but one of the heads decided to find a new situation.
James White led the Badgers with 1,052 yards at 6.7 yards per attempt. Montee Ball rushed for 996 yards and 18 touchdowns, while averaging 6.1 yards per rush. White has more outside speed, but Ball runs with more authority and will be the starter.
Bradie Ewing will start at Fullback and supply interference for Ball and White.
Offensive Line
The Badgers had the best offensive line in the nation last year, and they still have a top notch blocking quintet, but it will not be as strong as last year. The two graduating starters were 1st and 3rd Round NFL Draft choices.
Center Peter Konz will be flanked by guards Kevin Zeitler and Travis Frederick. Zeitler has been dealing with an ankle injury. Josh Oglesby and Ricky Wagner will start at tackle.
The offensive line of 2010 gave up 14 sacks blocked proficiently enough to allow the running game to average 5.5 yards per rush. Those numbers will be a tad weaker this year, but the Badgers will still be tough offensively.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Three starters return on this side of the trenches. UW gave up 128 rushing yards per game last year and could equal or better than mark in 2011.
Jordan Kohout and Patrick Butrym started at tackle last year and teamed for 50 tackles. However, Ethan Hemer has unseated Kohout and will start in his place. Bielema will use a deep rotation, using more than just two-deep. Louis Nzegwu starts at one end slot. He recorded 46 tackles with 7 ½ stops for loss. He also knocked away three passes.
Linebackers
Chris Borland missed most of 2010 with an injury, and he will reassume the starting position he held in 2009 and the start of last season. Kevin Claxton will be the new starter on the outside. He made 24 tackles last year in relief. Mike Taylor is the returning star of this unit. He made 58 tackles with eight going for losses. That performance earned him 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors.
Secondary
Two starters are back, and this is the team’s one Achilles’ heel. Wisconsin gave up almost 200 passing yards per game last year, but against the bowl teams on their schedule, that number climbed to 217.
Cornerback Antonio Fenelus was a 1st Team All-Big Ten selection. He intercepted four passes and was credited with 11 passes defended. His running mate at the other cornerback position this year is senior Devin Smith. Smith made 30 tackles in a reserve role last year.
Aaron Henry returns to one safety spot. He had nine passes defended and two interceptions. Shelton Johnson is the new starter at safety. He saw limited action and made 15 tackles last year.
OTHER
The Badgers lost defensive coordinator Dave Doeren to Northern Illinois when Jerry kill left NIU for arch-rival Minnesota.
SUMMARY
Wisconsin was not going to be the highest rated team in this division. They assumed this position following all the mess at Ohio State. Their schedule gives them a chance to repeat their performance of last year, but it will not be easy.
Their non-conference slate includes games against UNLV, Oregon State, Northern Illinois, and South Dakota, with the NIU game being played at Soldier Field in Chicago. UW should go 4-0 in those games.
Inside the league, the Badgers welcome Nebraska for the Cornhuskers’ first official conference game. They host Indiana, Purdue, and Penn State as well. In road action, they visit Michigan State, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Illinois. This has the look of a 10-win team.
PENN STATE
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin might platoon at this position all year long. Almost on the eve of the Nittany Lions’ first game, Coach Joe Paterno has yet to make a final decision on which player will start.
Bolden had a higher completion percentage last year (58.0% to 54.9% for McGloin, but McGloin averaged more yards per attempt (7.2 to 7.0) and had a better TD/Int ratio (14/9 to 5/7). Neither player is a spectacular runner.
Receivers
Penn State has an excellent collection of receivers, and this unit ranks high in the conference in both talent and depth. Derek Moye returns to the team after leading the Lions with 53 receptions and eight touchdowns. He averaged 16.7 yards per catch.
Justin Brown is the other wideout. He caught 33 passes last year and averaged 13.7 yards per reception. Devon Smith will start in the slot. As a semi-regular, he grabbed 27 passes last year.
Tight end Kevin Haplea started three times and caught three passes. Shawney Kearsey, Brandon Moseby-Felder, and true freshman Bill Belton will see action here this year.
Running Backs
Evan Royster topped 1,000 yards and gained right at five yards per carry last year. He moved on, and the new feature back will be sophomore Silas Redd. Redd rushed for 437 yards and two touchdowns and gained 5.7 yards per attempt. His projected backup is Brandon Beachum. Penn State routinely comes up with decent running attacks, and this group will find a way to top 150 yards on the ground this season.
Offensive Line
While not the strongest offensive line in the league, there is decent depth here. Three regulars return from 2010, led by tackles Chima Okoli and Quinn Barham. Guards John Urschel and Johnnie Troutman will flank center Matt Stankiewitch. Look for slightly better numbers from this group.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Devon Still is solid and close to becoming a star. The tackle recorded 39 stops with 10 going for losses. He could become an all-conference pick this year. Jordan Hill is quick off the ball and a perfect complement for Still at tackle. He made 36 tackles as a second teamer last year.
Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore make a formidable, but not outstanding pair of ends. Crawford starting seven times; Latimore started three games. Last year, they combined for 20 tackles and seven for losses.
Sean Stanley and DaQuan Jones will make some plays in relief.
Linebackers
This unit is not going to be confused for the great 1969 team with Dennis Onkotz and Jack Ham, but the current version is mighty good.
Glenn Carson has won a spot in the starting lineup after making a dozen tackles in limited action as a true freshman last year. Gerald Hodges is a potential all-star. He started one time and saw action in all others, making 31 tackles. Michael Mauti was a part-time starter last year, and he finished with 67 tackles and 5 ½ for losses.
In reserve, Nate Stupar and Khairi Fortt will see significant amounts of time.
Secondary
This unit is deep and talented. All four regulars return, and two defensive backs should earn all-conference honors. Cornerback D’Anton Lynn finished with 75 tackles and seven passes defended. Hero Back Drew Astorino made 70 tackles with six passes defended. Both players could appear on a post-season all-star team.
The other two starters are cornerback Stephon Morris and safety Nick Sukay, who combined for 68 tackles. Sukay had three interceptions.
OTHER
This is Joe Pa’s 46th year as head coach at Penn State. Prior to becoming head coach, he was an assistant to Rip Engle from 1950 to 1965. That makes this his 62nd season coaching at Penn State. There have been 12 Presidents in that amount of time.
SUMMARY
This could be Paterno’s last season, and he has the talent to contend for the division title. Penn State could be 6-0 in the Big Ten when they close the season at Ohio State and at Wisconsin. Those will be tough games to play in consecutive weeks, but this schedule could give the Nittany Lions’ young players a chance to mature and gel.
Outside of league play, Penn State hosts Indiana State, Alabama, and Eastern Michigan, and plays at Temple. They will win the three not against the top team in the nation.
It all adds up to a 9-10 wins and a probably January bowl.
OHIO STATE
OFFENSE
Quarterback
The difference between Terrelle Pryor and Joe Bauserman is about seven to 11 points per game. Instead of 3,500+ total yards and 31 touchdowns, the Buckeyes get a journeyman senior who has thrown less than 60 passes in three seasons. Bauserman will probably give way to true freshman Braxton Miller for two or three possessions per game. Miller was almost as highly recruited as Pryor was four years ago.
Receivers
The Buckeyes relied on two breakaway threats last year, and one of them returns for his senior season; however, he is one of the players suspended for the first five games. DeVier Posey grabbed 53 passes for 848 yards and seven touchdowns. Helping interim coach Luke Fickell make up for the loss of Dane Sanzenbacher and to fill in for Posey is redshirt freshman Verlon Reed.
Corey Brown will start at one wideout. The sophomore caught just eight passes last year.
Others sure to see playing time trying to replace Posey for five games include Devin Smith and true freshman Evan Spencer.
Tight end Jake Stoneburner caught 21 passes and will see more balls thrown his way.
Running Backs
Here is another position that will take a hit for the first five games, as leading rusher Dan Herron is on the suspension list. In his place, OSU will use as many as four backs. Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry have experience, as they combined for 436 yards and three touchdowns last year. Berry has been nursing a hamstring injury and may not be available for the opening game. Rod Smith and Carlos Hyde could figure into the mix as well.
Offensive Line
Tackle Mike Adams is another five-game suspension starter. Until he is eligible again, Ohio State has two returning starters here. It helps that one of those two players is perhaps the best offensive lineman in college football. Center Mike Brewster is the Rimington Award favorite and a reigning 1st team All-American.
Marcus Hall and Jack Mewhort are the new starters at guard. Both were highly-rated in their recruiting class. Andrew Norwell replaces Adams, while J. B. Shugarts will start at the vacant tackle position. This is still a decent offensive line without Adams, and once he comes back, it will be excellent.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
At first, the loss of end Solomon Thomas for five games did not seem like a big loss, since he was a backup to Nathan Williams. Then, Williams began missing practice-after-practice with an undisclosed reason.
It looks like true freshman Michael Bennett could start at end along with John Simon, while Garrett Goebel and Johnathan Hankins start at tackle. Simon is the only experienced player in this quartet. He made 41 tackles with 4 ½ sacks and 9 ½ stops for loss. This unit, while good, is not up to recent Ohio State standards and will give up more than 100 rushing yards per game for just the second time in seven years.
Linebackers
Andrew Sweat, Storm Klein, and Etienne Sabino make an athletic trio, although not very experienced. Sweat started a majority of the games last year and registered 41 tackles. Klein made 18 tackles in a reserve role, while Sabino redshirted last year. Sabino fractured a bone in his hand in mid-August and may not be ready for the opening week.
Secondary
Ohio State will use more 4-2-5 defense this year, and when they do, Klein will come out at linebacker for a nickel back.
One full-time player returns to this unit. Safety Orhian Johnson is the leading returning tackler on the team. He made 50 tackles and successfully defended three passes. C. J. Barnett will start at the opposite safety. In two years, he has made a grand total of nine tackles.
The two new cornerbacks are Travis Howard and Bradley Roby. Both players are athletic, but inexperienced.
Tyler Moeller and Christian Bryant will platoon at nickel back.
OTHER
There is too much pride and tradition for The Ohio State University to let the coaching change and suspensions affect them in a negative way. The only effect will be in the talent not available to play. Unfortunately, the Buckeyes will lose one or two games they would not have lost with Pryor.
SUMMARY
Fret not Buckeye fans. Sure, a three or four-loss season is not what you want, but your team will recover and even challenge for a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game.
The five games the suspended players will miss are at home against Akron, Toledo, Colorado, and Michigan State, and on the road at Miami of Florida, in what will be given a catchy name due to the Hurricanes having to place 13 players on the ineligible list.
OSU must play at Nebraska and at Michigan, but they host Wisconsin in a revenge match. The Badgers prevented Ohio State from playing in the National Championship game last year.
ILLINOIS
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Nathan Scheelhaase is “the best of the rest” in the Big Ten. There are four top-notch quarterbacks in this league, and Scheelhaase is number five.
As a freshman last year, he topped 1,000 yards rushing (with sacks removed), and he completed 59% of his passes for 1,825 yards and 17 touchdowns. Barring a sophomore slump, he should top 2,000 yards passing.
Receivers
Coach Ron Zook does not have a lot of experience here, and Illinois receivers only averaged 12.5 receptions per game. A. J. Jenkins returns after leading the Illini with 56 receptions, 746 yards, and seven touchdowns. Sophomores Ryan Lankford and Darius Millines earned starting spots in the spring. They both averaged over 20 yards per catch, but they combined for just eight receptions. Evan Wilson caught 10 passes from his tight end position. This position is a concern, but offensive coordinator Paul Petrino will get a lot of mileage with what he has to work with.
Running Backs
Mikel Leshoure finished second in the Big Ten with 1,697 rushing yards, missing out on the rushing title by a mere five yards. He was the only reason to visit Wrigley Field in the last year. He torched Northwestern for more than 300 rushing yards in the game played there last November. However, he chose not to come back for his senior year, and he is now a Detroit Lion.
Jason Ford inherits this position. He rushed for 480 yards and seven touchdowns and could top 1,000 yards this year, but he does not have the ability of the star he replaces.
Fullback Jay Prosch tips the scale at 250 pounds, and he can move a linebacker out of the way.
Offensive Line
This is a talented line with enough experience to lead the Illini to a repeat showing of last year’s excellent offensive showing. Illinois averaged 32.5 points and almost 400 yards per game, and there is no reason to think they cannot top 30 and 400 this year.
Tackle Jeff Allen is the leader of the blocking corps. After earning a spot on the All-Big Ten 2nd team last year, he should move up to 1st team this year. Center Graham Pocic has all-star potential. Guard Hugh Thornton is beginning his third year as a starter. The new starters are guard Jack Cornell and tackle Michael Heitz. Cornell played sparingly in his first three seasons, while Heitz is a redshirt freshman.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning runs his version of the Bandit Defense, where one player is half end and half linebacker. The Bandit is Michael Buchanan, and he needs to greatly better his production of last season if the defense is to succeed. Buchanan started eight times and played in three others, making 40 tackles and 5 ½ stops for loss.
The rest of the line is a liability. Koenning likes his linemen to be aggressive and cause things to happen rather than react to what happened. End Glenn Foster has seen minimal action in his first two seasons, but he will get a bulk of the reps opposite the Bandit.
Tackle Akeem Spence made 45 tackles as a freshman and earned a spot on the Freshman All-American team. Craig Wilson moves across to the other side of the ball and will start at the other tackle position.
Linebackers
Ian Thomas is the top holdover in this unit. He is also the leading returning tackler, having made 67 stops in 2010. 6 ½ of those stops were behind the line.
Trulon Henry has been moved here from the secondary. He had six passes defended and made 64 tackles. Jonathan Brown inherits the other vacant spot.
Secondary
The improvement in talent and experience here will allow Koenning to blitz more up front. Expect Illinois to play more Cover 0 and Cover 1 defenses (man-to-man defenses) with an extra one or two pass rushers this year. Having two cornerbacks that can cover without help is the reason. Terry Hawthorne and Tavon Wilson teamed for 13 passes defended and should improve that communal number north of 15 this year. Two new safeties will start on the back line. Supo Sani missed all of 2010 with an injury, while Pat Nixon-Youman saw playing time last year, making 15 tackles and intercepting a couple of passes.
OTHER
The hiring of new coordinators pumped life into this lifeless program. Zook was on the way out, but he was rescued by Petrino and Koenning.
Illinois kicker Derek Dimke is worth a couple extra points in PiRate Rating. The senior connected on all 43 PAT attempts and was good on 24-29 field goal attempts, hitting two from 50 yards+.
SUMMARY
Illinois will begin 2-0 and have a chance to improve to 4-0 before Big Ten play starts. They host Arkansas State and South Dakota State before hosting Arizona State in what will be a pivotal game. Then, a week later they host a tough Western Michigan team that could catch the Illini looking ahead one week to rival Northwestern.
The Illini do not hit the road until game six at Indiana. They could be 6-0 when Ohio State comes to Champaign-Urbana on October 22. The back end of the schedule has four tough games, but Zook should be able to coax eight wins out of this team.
PURDUE
OFFENSE
Quarterback
A school noted for excellent quarterbacks (Len Dawson, Bob Griese, Mike Phipps, Mark Herrmann, Drew Brees, etc.) finds itself in a quarterback quandary as the 2011 season begins. Expected starter Rob Henry went down with an ACL injury in the late stages of preseason practice. He could miss the entire season.
Former Miami quarterback Robert Marve split the signal calling duties with Henry last year, and he too has a knee injury, albeit not as serious as the one Henry has.
Caleb TerBush will start the opening game. He has virtually no experience as a college quarterback. Sophomore Sean Robinson had a tough freshman season, completing 48% of his passes with a 2/6 TD/Int ratio, and he will be the number two option until Marve is healthy again. Look for a decline in production here if Coach Danny Hope has to go with his third and fourth options. He will call more running plays, hoping to minimize mistakes.
Receivers
Three of the top four receivers have graduated, leaving this position a bit inexperienced and less talented. Antavian Edison caught 32 passes but averaged less than 10 yards per reception. O. J. Ross and Justin Siller are the next most experienced receivers, but they teamed for just 23 receptions and two touchdowns. Purdue receivers as a whole averaged just 9.2 yards per catch. A lot of their receptions were little more than glorified overhanded quick pitches just across the line.
Running Backs
Henry was the leading rusher last year, so his loss hurts in more than one way. Purdue used a lot of backs last year, but unfortunately most of them are now gone. Edison is actually the leading returning rusher. He ran the reverse sweep 36 times for 130 yards.
All is not lost. Junior Ralph Bolden ran for over 900 yards two years ago, but he missed 2010 with an ACL injury. He has taken his job back and if he is fully recovered and can cut laterally, he could challenge for 1,000 yards rushing. Of course, Hope likes to platoon here, and he signed multiple backs in this incoming class.
Offensive Line
This unit could have been a major strength this year, but instead, it will be closer to neutral. Instead of two legitimate stars, PU will have to make do with just one. Guard Ken Plue was placed on the Outland Trophy watch list, but he will be the one watching when the season begins, as he is dealing with academic issues.
As a result, Hope had to do some shuffling. Tackle Nick Mondek was moved to guar to replace Plue. Justin Kitchens moved into the starting tackle spot vacated by Mondek. Additionally, center Peters Drey and guard Rick Schmeig switched positions.
Tackle Dennis Kelly stayed put where he is, and he is the one true star of this unit, at least until (if) Plue is allowed back.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Expect another good season in the trenches this year, even with the loss of the best defensive end that has played at Ross-Ade Stadium in many years; Ryan Kerrigan made a whopping 26 tackles for loss. Three veterans return to the four-man line, while the new starter has a lot of experience. Tackle Kawann Short made six sacks and 12 ½ stops for loss while coming up with 41 total tackles—all high for a typical defensive tackle. His counterpart inside is Bruce Gaston, but Gaston could miss the opener due to a sore back.
Robert Maci will not replicate Kerrigan’s stats, but he will make a lot of tackles coming his way. Gerald Gooden returns to the other terminal spot after making 35 stops a year ago.
The Boilermakers should not give up too much more than the 138 yards per game they allowed last year, and they could come close to matching their 33 sacks.
Linebackers
There will be improvement in this unit in 2011. Middle linebacker Dwayne Beckford and outside linebacker Joe Holland finished 2nd and 3rd in tackles with a combined 157 stops and 11 going for losses. Will Lucas was the principle reserve here last year, and he came up with 43 tackles.
Secondary
While not as talented as Penn State’s secondary, this group has a lot of depth. All four 2010 starters return, and there are capable backups at each spot. Cornerbacks Josh Johnson and Ricardo Allen teamed for 126 tackles and 14 passes defended. Normando Harris will see considerable time here as well and will serve as the nickel back.
Safeties Logan Link and Albert Evans combined for just seven passes defended, but even worse, just two interceptions. As a whole, PU had only 10 interceptions, which is the major reason they had a -6 turnover margin. Additionally, Link led the team in tackles from his strong safety position. That indicates a weak overall defense, and Purdue gave up 29 points and 370 yards per game last year.
OTHER
Purdue has endured three consecutive losing seasons for the first time since the 12-year run of losing seasons from 1985 to 1996.
SUMMARY
The schedule just got a little trickier, as an unsettled situation at quarterback could present the Boilermakers with a couple of trap games to start the season.
Purdue hosts Middle Tennessee in week one and goes to Rice in week two. They would have been easy picks to win both, but now both games move closer to becoming tossups. Following a breather against Southeast Missouri and a week off, Notre Dame comes south to West Lafayette. Purdue must be 3-1 after this game to have a shot at bowl eligibility.
In Big Ten play, PU hosts Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio State, and Iowa, and they visit Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. The Boilermakers can win maybe three of these games.
INDIANA
OFFENSE
Quarterback
The Hoosiers start over with new coach Kevin Wilson who ran Bob Stoops’ offense at Oklahoma after spending three years as OC at Northwestern. Both the Sooners and Wildcats put up a lot of points on the scoreboard and placed a lot of quarterbacks on all-conference teams.
This year, IU replaces one of their best passers in history. Ben Chappell was a prized gunfighter in the Pistol Offense. He completed 62.5% of his passes for 3,295 yards and 24 touchdowns, and he did it with virtually no help from the running game. His loss will keep the Hoosiers from competing with the rest of the league in 2011.
Dusty Kiel takes over under center. As a freshman, he attempted 17 passes and completed just four with two interceptions. Edward Wright-Baker performed little better in his brief time last year, completing 41.7% of his passes. Expect both to see duty this year.
The passing statistics will take a considerable drop this season, from 287 yards per game to as little as 175.
Receivers
IU has one quality possession receiver in Damarlo Belcher. He caught 78 passes last year, but his two principle cohorts are now longer around. Defenses will concentrate on slowing him down.
Two starters expected to contribute will be missing playing time at the beginning of the season. Tight end Ted Bolser and wideout Duwyce Wilson are the second and third leading returning receivers (59 receptions and eight touchdowns), but neither are on the depth chart for the opening game. Dre Muhammad and Kofi Hughes will see more passes thrown their way. It leaves an already suspect receiving corps in very weak condition.
Running Backs
Wilson’s teams were not strictly pass-crazy. At Northwestern, his tenure as OC coincided with Damien Anderson’s years at running back. He had Adrian Peterson and Demarco Murray at Oklahoma.
Wilson does not have a back on his roster that is capable of running 25 times for 125 yards. In fact, IU’s leading rusher from 2010 gained just 352 yards. Darius Willis returns this year, but he is facing a one-game suspension as well as a demotion into Wilson’s doghouse. The new running back contingent will feature redshirt freshman Matt Perez and Juco transfer Stephen Houston. There’s nowhere to go but up for this unit.
Offensive Line
There are no stars in the blocking corps, but at least there is some experience returning, and it can only mean some improvement will be made here this year. The Hoosier offensive line only gave up 12 sacks last year, but Chappell’s quick read and release played a significant part in that.
Center Will Matte begins his third year as the starter, and he is the best pass blocker on the team. Justin Pagan moves to guard after starting at tackle last year. He has started at both positions throughout his career in Bloomington. Marc Damisch moves from second team to first team to start at the opposite guard. Andrew McDonald starts at one tackle position, while Josh Hager will man the other spot.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Three starters return to the trenches, led by end Darius Johnson. Johnson made 65 tackles with seven going for lost yardage. He led IU with 4 ½ sacks. Redshirt freshman Ryan Phillis will start at the opposite end. Adam Replogle and Mick Mentzer return at the tackle positions, but Larry Black has beaten out Mentzer. The three combined for 67 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Overall, this is a weak unit for a Big Ten team, but it is not the weakest in the league.
Linebackers
Middle linebacker Jeff Thomas is the only player on this side of the ball with the potential to make 3rd Team All-Big Ten. Thomas registered 82 tackles last year with 7 ½ for loss. He also picked off a couple of passes.
Leon Beckum finished with 69 tackles and nine stops for loss. Joining him on the opposite side is redshirt freshman Chase Hoobler. While not as weak as the defensive line, this unit is still below par for the Big Ten.
Secondary
Unfortunately, the secondary is the weakest unit and most inexperienced on the entire team. The Hoosiers gave up 238 passing yards per game last year, and they allowed enemy passers to complete better than 65% of their passes. Two players with starting experience are back, but only one will start this year.
Greg Haban has moved from safety to cornerback. He intercepted one pass and knocked loose five others while making 40 tackles last year. Lawrence Bennett will start opposite him. Bennett played sparingly at safety as a freshman.
Jarrell Drane and Chris Adkins will man the safety positions. Both made seven tackles last year in limited action, but Adkins has prior starting experience. Former Starter Donnell Jones will be the nickel back.
OTHER
Indiana has enjoyed just one winning season since 1994. Bill Mallory produced winning regular seasons seven times in nine seasons, but before him, Lee Corso had just two winning seasons in his 10 years in Bloomington. Wilson’s task is a tough one.
The movie “Hoosiers” is one of the all-time best sports movies, but we believe another movie could be made about the 1967 Indiana football team. Picked to finish in the bottom two or three of the standings, the Hoosiers continued to upset opponents and pull victory out of the jaws of defeat week after week until they were Big Ten Champions and Rose Bowl participants.
SUMMARY
2011 is going to be a long year at Memorial Stadium. Indiana has three winnable non-conference games, and they better take advantage against Ball State, South Carolina State, and North Texas. We do not see them winning a conference game this year.
Legends Division
NEBRASKA
OFFENSE
Quarterback
The Cornhuskers join the Big Ten at the right time. Most of their adversaries in this division are in a rebuilding mode. The Cornhuskers suffered some heavy losses on this side of the ball, but they had so much depth, they can reload rather than rebuild.
One place where Coach Bo Pelini does not have to reload is at quarterback, where Taylor Martinez was fabulous as a freshman last year. Martinez rushed for more than 1,000 yards (sacks removed) and passed for more than 1,600. He had a 241-yard rushing game against Kansas State, and he had a 323-yard passing game with five touchdowns against Oklahoma State. Look for him to rush for a little less and pass for a little more in 2011.
If Martinez is injured for any amount of time, this position could become a big concern as three other QBs expected to contend for playing time are no longer in the program due to a transfer, an injury, and a professional baseball career.
Receivers
Nebraska’s most valuable receiver is tight end Kyler Reed. He caught 22 passes for 395 yards and eight touchdowns last year. Pelini liked to send him over the middle when the ‘Huskers penetrated the opponents’ 30 yard line. Ben Cotton is an excellent second tight end, and NU will use two tight end sets.
Brandon Kinnie led NU with 44 receptions last year. He scored five touchdowns and averaged 11.2 yards per reception. Khiry Cooper saw some action as a starter and a reserve, and he will join freshmen Kenny Bell and Jamal Turner and junior Tim Marlowe as receivers who will see playing time. It is a decent unit but not spectacular.
Running Backs
Rex Burkhead rushed for almost 1,300 yards as a freshman, and he added 951 in an injury-shortened sophomore season last year. He could challenge for the Big Ten rushing lead this year, and we expect him to top 1,000 yards again.
Fullback Tyler Legate will open holes for Burkhead. Nebraska used to utilize their fullbacks in their running and passing game, but now they are glorified third guards.
Offensive Line
This is the only concern on this side of the ball. Three starters are missing from 2010, and only tackle Jeremiah Sirles can be considered an all-conference possibility. Sirles missed Spring Practice, but he should be okay to start the season. Center Mike Caputo is solid, but he will not remind Cornhusker fans of Dave Rimington or Rik Bonness.
Redshirt freshman Jake Cotton will start at the vacant tackle spot. Sophomore Andrew Rodriguez will start at one guard spot, while true freshman Tyler Moore will man the other guard position. There is depth here, but not like in past seasons.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini’s Blackshirt Defense regressed a little last year, giving up 17 points and 300+ yards per game after leading the nation in 2009 by giving up just 10 points and 270 yards per game.
The Cornhuskers return some stars, but they lost some as well. They are loaded on this side of the trenches, as most of the two-deep returns.
Jared Crick will contend for All-American accreditation after making 70 tackles with 9 ½ sacks and 17 total tackles for loss. He forms one of the nation’s best tackle tandems with Baker Steinkuhler, who registered 46 tackles and four for losses.
At end, Cameron Meredith is a potential all-conference player. He made 64 tackles with eight stops for loss. The new starter at end will be Jason Ankrah, who saw very limited duty but won the spot with a great showing in practice. This looks like a line capable of holding opponents to less than 120 rushing yards per game.
Linebackers
Lavonte David could become the first player to lead two different conferences in total tackles in consecutive seasons. He led the Big 12 with 152 tackles last year. The potential All-American also had six sacks and made 15 stops behind the line. He also knocked away 10 passes.
Any two average linebackers could be put on the field with David and give the Cornhuskers the best trio in the Big Ten. The two players joining him are more than average linebackers. Will Compton was a Freshman All-American two years ago. He made 15 tackles in limited action last year. Sean Fisher missed more than half of 2009 and all of last year, but he should be ready to return to his pre-injury form. As usual, the depth here is rather strong.
Secondary
If any teams exploit this defense, it will be the secondary that gets exploited. It isn’t like this is a bad unit. It’s a B+ unit with two A+ units in front.
The star of this group is cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, but he may miss the start of the season with a pulled leg muscle. Dennard finished 2010 with four interceptions and 11 passes defended. Ciente Evans inherits the other cornerbacks after seeing limited action last year, but he will not be able to replicate what Prince Amukamara did for the ‘Huskers (13 passes defended).
Austin Cassidy returns at safety after making 48 tackles last year (but only one pass defended), while Courtney Osborne made 41 tackles and five for losses in relief last year.
OTHER
Pelini felt as if biased Big 12 officiating cost the Cornhuskers a couple of games last year. The Big Ten has been known for a lot of questionable officiating calls; might Nebraska have a rough Plebe year in this conference?
As strong as this program is, the Cornhuskers have not played in a BCS Bowl since they lost the Rose Bowl game to Miami 10 years ago.
SUMMARY
This team is strong enough to be the favorite in the Legends Division, but we cannot see Nebraska challenging for the National Championship Game. They were hindered by their first Big Ten schedule forcing them to play Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Penn State from the other division. We’ll call this a nine or 10-win regular season and install NU as the favorite in the Legends Division.
MICHIGAN
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Last year, we told you to watch out for Denard Robinson, and that he could become the next Pat White. At least we were right about something. Robinson’s stats were on par with Cam Newton. Let’s look at the comparison.
Robinson rushed for 1,702 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. Newton rushed for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per rush.
Robinson completed 62.5% of his passes for 2,570 yards and 18 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Newton completed 66.1% of his passes for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns to seven interceptions.
Robinson’s total yardage output was just 55 yards shy of matching Newton’s, and Newton played in one more game.
In new head coach Brady Hoke’s offense, Robinson will pass more and run less, but Hoke would be crazy not to use Robinson’s running skills.
Last year’s backup and former starter Tate Forcier transferred to San Jose State, so there is a concern should Robinson go down with an injury. Sophomore Devin Gardner threw 10 passes last year.
Receivers
Robinson should top 3,000 yards passing this year because he welcomes most of his favorite targets from last season. Roy Roundtree led the Wolverines with 72 receptions, 935 yards, and seven touchdowns. Junior Hemingway caught 32 passes and averaged 18.5 yards per reception with four touchdowns. Tight end Kevin Koger made 14 receptions and scored twice while averaging 14.2 yards per catch.
UM has a lot of depth here with Martavious Odoms, Kelvin Grady, and Jeremy Gallon.
Running Backs
The Wolverines will go with a two-man platoon here with Michael Shaw and Fitz Toussaint. Shaw rushed for 601 yards and five scores, while Toussaint rushed for just 87 yards but averaged 11 yards per carry.
Vincent Smith will be the conversion back who comes in on 3rd and short and at the goal line. He rushed for 601 yards last year and scored five touchdowns.
Offensive Line
Hoke’s offense will have a chance to match last year’s production because he has a strong offensive line. Center David Molk was a 1st Team All-Big Ten choice last year. Patrick Omameh starts beside him at guard for the second consecutive season. Rickey Barnum is the new starter at the other guard.
Taylor Lewan returns to start at one tackle position after starting nine times last year, while senior Mark Huyge will start at the other tackle spot. Huyge was a co-starter last year and a full-time starter in 2009.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
This is what cost Rich Rodriguez his job. None of the units on this side of the ball looked like a Michigan defensive unit. The maize and blue gave up 189 rushing yards per game and 262 passing yards per game, surrendering 35.2 points per game. Five teams topped 500 total yards. Unofficially, we do not believe the Wolverines gave up 500 total yards in any game coached by Bo Schembechler during his tenure in Ann Arbor, and we know his teams gave up 35 or more points one time in 21 seasons, and that was against a top-five-ranked Missouri team in his third game of his UM career.
Hoke hired former UM defensive coordinator Greg Mattison to turn this side of the ball around. Expect immediate progress, especially up front, where three starters return to the trenches.
Ryan Van Bergen has been moved from end to tackle to join Mike Martin. This tandem teamed for 74 tackles and 14 ½ tackles for loss. End Craig Roh will team with new starter Will Heininger, who missed all of last year with an ACL injury. Walk-on Nathan Brink has earned playing time with a great spring and August showing.
Linebackers
Middle linebacker Kenny Demens has the potential to make 100 or more tackles after making 82 stops last year. Cameron Gordon finished with 77 tackles, and he finished with seven passes defended. Mike Jones moves into the starting lineup after redshirting last year. The depth is not all that strong. Leading tackler Jonas Mouton will be sorely missed, and this unit will be the biggest liability on this team.
Secondary
Strong safety Jordan Kovacs made 116 tackles, which is not a good sign. 8 ½ of those tackles went for lost yardage. He joins the other returning secondary starter, cornerback J. T. Floyd, who finished with 66 tackles and five passes defended.
Thomas Gordon has some starting experience, and he will get the nod at safety, while Troy Woolfolk returns from injury to regain the starting cornerback spot he had in 2009. Carvin Johnson will be the nickel back.
OTHER
It has been 12 years since Michigan last won a BCS Bowl game (defeated Alabama in the Orange Bowl 1/1/2000) and 14 years since they last won the Rose Bowl.
SUMMARY
Are we crazy to place Michigan this far up in the Legends Division standings? Probably. However, we have a lot of confidence in Hoke. He will prove to be the best coach at the Big House since Bo retired.
Michigan’s schedule is not a cakewalk. They begin the season with one of the MAC’s tougher teams in Western Michigan. Then, they host Notre Dame. A breather against neighborhood rival Eastern Michigan precedes a date with Hoke’s former team—San Diego State.
We can see this team winning five or six conference games. UM hosts Minnesota, Purdue, Nebraska, and Ohio State, while they go on the road to Northwestern, Michigan State, Iowa, and Illinois. This may be the year that UM breaks the seven year losing streak to Ohio State.
MICHIGAN STATE
OFFENSE
Quarterback
When last we saw Kirk Cousins, he was testing the feel of the turf at the Florida Citrus Bowl stadium. He tested it five times thanks to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Prior to the bowl game, Cousins was having an excellent season. He finished the year with 2,825 yards and 20 touchdowns, while completing 67% of his passes.
Backups Andrew Maxwell returns after seeing limited action. If called on, he can be a reliable emergency option. However, he is no Cousins. Cousins might be the best passer in the league.
Receivers
Spartans coach Mark Dantonio has one of the better receiving units in the Big Ten. B. J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin return for their final seasons after teaming for 82 receptions 1,005 yards. Cunningham scored nine times. Keith Nichol began his career at Oklahoma. In reserve last year, he caught 22 passes. There is adequate depth at the wideouts.
Brian Linthicum and Garrett Celek will split the load at tight end, while Dion Sims has improved enough to see some time there as well. Linthicum started his career at Clemson.
Running Backs
Bulky Edwin Baker returns after rushing for 1,201 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. He missed a game and part of another, so he averaged more than 100 yards per full game. The 1st Team All-Big Ten selection could challenge for the conference lead this season. He isn’t a breakaway runner, but he will aggravate defenses with several five to 10 yard gains.
Larry Caper and Le’Veon Bell will back up Baker. Bell gained more than 600 yards last year, while Caper added 144.
Offensive Line
The Spartans must rebuild a little in the blocking corps. They lose three starters, including an all-conference star. The returning starters are guards Chris McDonald and Joel Foreman. Foreman is the leader of this group, and he could contend for 1st Team All-Big Ten accolades this year.
Redshirt freshman Skyler Burkland will start at one of the vacant tackle positions, while Dan France and Jared McGaha will platoon at the other tackle. Travis Jackson and Blake Treadwell will both see time at center.
There is dept here, but this unit is barely above mediocre.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
The Spartans have excellent depth here, especially at end, where four players will share the load. Marcus Rush and Denzel Drone will share one end spot, while William Gholston and Tyler Hoover will split snaps at the other.
Jerel Worthy starts at one tackle position after making 40 tackles with eight for losses. Anthony Rashad White has beaten out former starter Kevin Pickelman at the nose. White made 17 tackles in relief last year.
Linebackers
There is a little depth here this season, but overall, this is just an above-average group. Max Bullough is the only sure starter, and he will man the middle spot. He made 23 stops as a backup last year.
The outside positions will be split by three players. Chris Norman will start at the Star (weak side) position, while Steve Gardiner will start at the Sam position, but Denicos Allen will see time at both positions. The trio combined for 88 tackles.
Secondary
Johnny Adams is the one of two stars in the secondary. The cornerback made three interceptions and had 10 passes defended. Free safety Trenton Robinson bettered that with four picks and 12 passes defended.
Daqueze Dennard will start at the vacant cornerback spot, while Isaiah Lewis will start at the other.
OTHER
Michigan State has enjoyed four consecutive winning seasons, and should make it five in a row this year. The last time they had five consecutive winning seasons was 1985-1990, when they extended it to a sixth year.
It has been 24 years since the Spartans last went to the Rose Bowl.
For those old enough to remember, it is hard to believe that it has been 45 years since the Spartans and Notre Dame hooked up for their epic “Game of the Century” in November of 1966.
SUMMARY
We are split here in our opinion about the Michigan State season. One of us believes they should be the odds-on favorite to win the Legends Division and the Big Ten Championship. One of us believes the Spartans will be affected by their 49-7 pasting from Alabama in the Capital One Bowl and struggle to break even at 6-6.
The non-league schedule includes the toughie at Notre Dame and home games against Youngstown State, Florida Atlantic, and Central Michigan. They draw Ohio State and Wisconsin from the Leaders, and face Nebraska, Iowa, and Northwestern on the road. It looks like a slight regression for MSU this year.
IOWA
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Ricky Stanzi had a splendid senior year in Iowa City, but the Hawkeyes disappointed their fans with an 8-5 record. James Vandenberg takes over for Stanzi, and the junior has completed less than 50% of his passes in the short amount of time he has played.
Vandenberg attempted just eight passes last year, and he completed five for 45 yards and a touchdown. He will not come close to matching Stanzi’s 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Redshirt freshman A. J. Derby will be the number two option.
Receivers
It is hard to succeed with just one primetime player in your receiving corps, but Iowa has one star and “the rest.” Marvin McNutt caught 53 passes and gained 861 yards with eight touchdowns. Keenan Davis caught just 11 passes and has never become the star he was forecasted to be. Tight end Brad Herman averaged over 17 yards per reception last year, but he only caught nine balls. McNutt needs another receiver to have a breakout season, or else he will be shadowed by two defenders on every passing play.
Running Backs
Coach Kirk Ferentz must replace his top rusher from 2010. Adam Robinson rushed for 941 yards and 10 scores, leaving Marcus Coker to replace him. Coker was actually the better back last year, as he averaged almost a full yard more per carry while gaining 622 yards after not playing the first three games. Coker was the star of the Insight Bowl, rushing for 219 yards on 33 carries.
Matt Meyers gets the start at fullback.
Offensive Line
Like a lot of the teams in this conference, Iowa has an average offensive line this year. The line could be below average for the season opener, because guard Nolan MacMillan is recovering from hernia surgery and may not be ready. Matt Tobin will replace him in the lineup until he is ready to go full speed again.
Riley Reiff made the All-Big Ten 2nd Team last year at tackle. Markus Zusevics will start opposite him. The other guard spot will go to Adam Gettis, while Coach Ferentz’s son James will start at center for the second year.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
This unit is the weakest link on the defensive side of the ball. Expect the Hawkeyes to give up considerably more on the ground than the 102 yards per game they gave up in 2010. Iowa loses the services of three NFL Draft choices, and their replacements are not NFL prospects.
Tackle Mike Daniels is the lone returnee. He made 40 tackles with 11 stops for loss. Thomas Nardo will start at the other tackle position after seeing very limited action in his first three seasons. Lebron Daniel has made nine tackles in three years, but he will start at one end position. Broderick Binns will start at the other end spot. He made 36 tackles last year. While not very talented or experienced, this unit is made up of four seniors, so there should be maturity here.
Linebackers
The Hawkeyes have talent at this position. Middle Linebacker James Morris was a freshman All-American last year after making 70 tackles. Tyler Nielsen started eight times and made 42 tackles. He defended five passes. Christian Kirksey takes over at the other linebacker spot after making six tackles in a short amount of playing time.
Secondary
This is sort of a hit and miss unit. Two starters are as good as any two other teammates in the league. Cornerback Shaun Prater and safety Micah Hyde combined for 150 tackles, eight interceptions, and 21 passes defended. Prater earned 1st team all-conference honors and could compete for All-American honors this year, but only if the rebuilt line gets enough pressure on quarterbacks.
Cornerback Greg Castillo and safety Collin Sleeper are two juniors that are more like fourth year freshmen. There isn’t much depth here either.
OTHER
Iowa lost a lot of their special team skill players. Kicker Mike Meyer is the lone returnee of the key players, and he is not one of the better kickers in the league.
The Hawkeyes have given up less than 20 points per game the last four years.
SUMMARY
Iowa has two easy non-conference games, its annual rivalry game, and a tough game against a team that could be in a BCS Bowl. The Hawkeyes host Tennessee Tech and Louisiana Monroe which will give them two wins. The CyHawk game is at Iowa State this year, but Iowa should win that one. If they can beat Pittsburgh to start 4-0, then they could build on the momentum and even exceed last year’s final outcome.
We tend to believe they will go 3-1 outside of the Big Ten and then struggle to break even in league play with a lot of close games. They will be bowl eligible.
NORTHWESTERN
OFFENSE
Quarterback
When Dan Persa went down for the season with an Achilles injury suffered after a big win over Iowa, it destroyed the Wildcats’ season. They mailed it in against Illinois and Wisconsin, losing by a combined 118-50. Persa’s absence wasn’t directly responsible for the defensive breakdown, but his replacement could not sustain long drives like Persa could, and it exposed Northwestern’s defensive liabilities.
Persa returns after completing 73.5% of his passes for 258 yards per game. His TD/Int ratio was 15/4. He rushed for close to 700 yards (sacks removed). If he is 100% healthy, he could guide NU to an upper division finish in the Legends Division. However, if his heel prevents him from being as mobile as he was, he could get clobbered.
Receivers
Persa has some tools to work with. Jeremy Ebert earned 1st Team All-Big Ten honors last year. He grabbed 62 passes and picked up 953 yards, while scoring eight touchdowns. H-Back Drake Dunsmore caught 40 passes and score five times. Demetrius Fields added 25 receptions. There is depth returning here as well with Charles Brown, Tony Jones, and Rashad Lawrence. Lawrence will probably start the opener.
Running Backs
Mike Trumpy and Jacob Schmidt will share most of the carries. Trumpy is more like a fullback from the old days when teams liked to run the ball between the tackles to set up the sweep. Trumpy rarely goes down on first contact. He gained 530 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per attempt.
Schmidt gained just 161 yards and scored four times. Adonis Smith will see significant time as well.
Offensive Line
Considering that most of the offensive lines in the Big Ten are on the mediocre side, Northwestern’s blocking corps must be considered a strength when compared to the other teams.
Four starters return. This is not a super unit, as their 40 sacks allowed can attest, but it is better than about seven or eight conference rivals.
Tackles All Netter and Patrick Ward are big and quick, while guards Ben Burkett and Brian Mulroe are quicker but maybe not as strong. The new center will be redshirt freshman Brandon Vitabile.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
The Wildcats gave up 29 points and 426 yards per game last year, so there is a lot of room for improvement. However, we are not sure NU can improve much this year because there is not enough talent.
One player that is talented is end Vincent Browne. Of the returning Big Ten players, Browne led with seven sacks and 15 ½ tackles for loss. Kevin Watt returns to the opposite end. He made 29 tackles with 5 ½ tackles for loss, but he may be replaced in the starting lineup by sophomore Tyler Scott. Jack Dinardo picked up seven tackles for loss and returns to one DT spot, while the new tackle will be Niko Mafuli.
Linebackers
This is the biggest weakness for NU. Bryce McNaul returns after making 62 tackles with five for losses. David Nwabuisi and Ben Johnson combined for 47 tackles in relief roles. Behind this trio are untested players with Damien Proby the best of the rest.
Secondary
If the Wildcats can generate any pass rush, the secondary should do just fine. The strength of this unit is at safety with David Arnold and Brian Peters returning after teaming for 149 tackles and 10 passes defended. Arnold is nursing a sprained ankle and may not be ready to play in the opener. If he cannot go at Boston College, redshirt freshman Ibraheim Campbell will go in his place.
Jordan Mabin returns to one starting cornerback spot after making 63 tackles with 15 passes defended (led Big Ten). Jeravin Matthews inherits the vacant cornerback position.
OTHER
In the last 16 seasons, NU has had seven winning records, seven losing record, and two .500 records. The Wildcats have enjoyed three consecutive winning seasons.
Prior to this run, the Wildcats had endured 23 consecutive losing seasons. Their last three-year winning record streak came in 1958-59-60. Their last run of four consecutive winning seasons came in 1928-1931.
SUMMARY
It is hard to list Northwestern as the number five team in the Legends Division, and we know that our PiRate Rating has underestimated their power based on how the Wildcats fell apart last year after Persa went out with his injury.
NU’s out-of-conference schedule offers only one sure win. A week two game with Eastern Illinois is the only “gimme” on the schedule. The other three non-Big Ten games include road trips to Boston College and Army and a home game with Rice.
In this year with more parity in the Big Ten, Northwestern could finish go 6-2 at best and 1-7 at worst.
MINNESOTA
OFFENSE
Quarterback
New coach Jerry Kill starts the rebuilding process at Minnesota minus the Gophers’ all time leading passer. Adam Weber passed for 2,679 yards and 20 touchdowns last year. Weber was criticized as the reason UM lost game-after-game, yet he is on the verge of making the Denver Broncos 2011 roster.
MarQueis Gray, Max Shortell, and Tom Parish will probably all see the field in September, as none of these three quarterbacks is a complete package. Gray was actually UM’s second leading receiver last year, and he will be a better runner than passer.
True freshman Shortell is a more prototypical pocket passer, while redshirt freshman Parish is a little bit of both. Regardless of who plays the bulk of the time, this unit will be considerably weaker than last year.
Receivers
The number of receptions this year could drop by as many as 50, as the Gophers will have to go back to a predominantly running team. One receiver who should still see a lot of passes thrown his way is Da’Jon McKnight, who led the Gophers with 48 receptions, 750 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Marcus Jones will start in the slot. Brandon Green returns after missing all of last year with an injury, and if he can resume where he left off, this unit will be in good shape. Watch out for Juco transfer Malcolm Moulton. The late signee has been coming on strong in fall practice, and we would not be surprised if he snuck into the starting lineup.
Tight end Eric Lair returns after catching 39 passes and gaining 526 yards.
Running Backs
Duane Bennett, Lamonte Edwards, and Donnell Kirkwood will benefit from the new offense running the ball about seven to ten times more per game. Bennett rushed for 529 yards and caught 33 passes last year. Edwards is a redshirt freshman, and Kirkwood played sparingly. With Gray likely running the ball 10-15 times a game, look for the Gophers to easily surpass last year’s average of 135 yards per game. We are not talking Glen Mason era rushing yards, but they could average 175 yards per game.
Offensive Line
This is as big a concern as the quarterback position. The starting five here is the weakest offensive line unit in the league. None of the players on this roster look like candidates to make the 3rd Team All-Big Ten list. Ryan Wynn will man the center position, while Ryan Orton and Chris Bunders start at guard. Ed Olson will occupy one tackle spot, while redshirt freshman Jimmy Gjere starts opposite. Bunders and Olson are the only returning starters, but Wynn has past starting experience from 2008.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
UM gave up 34 points per game in Big Ten play, and their 2011 conference schedule does not offer them much chance of shaving that number down into the 20’s.
The defensive line returns most of the two-deep from last year and will be better. Tackles Brandon Kirksey and Anthony Jacobs teamed for 69 tackles and 12 tackles for loss. Ends D. L. Wilhite and Matt Garin combined for 27 tackles in part-time starting roles. Ben Perry could crack the starting lineup, and Kendall Gregory-McGee will see significant playing time in reserve.
This unit finished dead last in the league with just nine sacks. Three of those came against Illinois.
Linebackers
This unit is the strength of the team. UM returns all three starters and welcomes a top reserve who was a highly sought after recruit that signed with Florida but never saw the field due to injury.
Gary Tinsley led the team with 90 tackles and 9 ½ for losses. Keanon Cooper made 68 tackles with 4 ½ stops for loss. Mike Rallis added 37 tackles with six stops behind the line. Florida transfer Brendan Beal will supply quality backup.
Secondary
This unit is another major liability, but you have to place some of the blame on the lines’ inability to generate a pass rush last year. UM gave up more than 200 passing yards per game and allowed 65% of enemy passes to be completed.
Cornerback Troy Stoudermire returns after registering six passes defended. After him, the rest of this unit is new. Brock Vereen made 10 tackles but did nothing else. Safety Shady Salamon has seen little action in the secondary, but he will generate buzz with his name. Kim Royston missed all of last year with an injury after performing admirably in 2009.
OTHER
Since firing Glen Mason after the 2006 season, Minnesota has gone 17-33. Mason’s teams went 56-42 after his original rebuilding.
Kill was quoted as saying that most of the incoming freshmen would play this year because there was not enough depth to redshirt them.
SUMMARY
The Gophers were not that far from being a halfway decent team last year, but they face some rebuilding in Kill’s first year. They could take a step backward, but they should find a way to match last year’s win total. They have three winnable games outside of league play, and they may go winless in the Big Ten, since they do not play Indiana.
|
2011 Big Ten Conference Media Poll |
||
| Team |
1st Place Votes |
Points |
| Leaders Division |
|
|
| Wisconsin |
22 |
141 |
| Ohio State |
1 |
113 |
| Penn State |
1 |
95 |
| Illinois |
|
76 |
| Purdue |
|
52 |
| Indiana |
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
| Legends Division |
|
|
| Nebraska |
19 |
139 |
| Michigan State |
4 |
118 |
| Iowa |
|
82 |
| Michigan |
1 |
71 |
| Northwestern |
|
69 |
| Minnesota |
|
25 |
|
|
|
|
| Championship Game Winner |
|
|
| Nebraska |
|
12 |
| Wisconsin |
|
11 |
| Michigan State |
|
1 |
|
2011 Big Ten Conference PiRate Ratings |
||
| Team |
PiRate # |
Prediction |
| Leaders Division |
|
|
| Wisconsin |
116.2 |
6-2/10-3 |
| Penn State |
113.4 |
6-2/9-3 |
| Ohio State |
108.1 |
5-3/8-4 |
| Illinois |
107.8 |
3-5/7-5 |
| Purdue |
101.7 |
3-5/6-6 |
| Indiana |
86.5 |
1-7/4-8 |
|
|
|
|
| Legends Division |
|
|
| Nebraska |
116.4 |
6-2/11-2 * |
| Michigan |
114.8 |
5-3/8-4 |
| Michigan State |
113.5 |
5-3/8-4 |
| Iowa |
107.8 |
3-5/6-6 |
| Northwestern |
101.2 |
4-4/7-5 |
| Minnesota |
101.1 |
1-7/4-8 |
|
|
||
| * Nebraska to beat Wisconsin in |
|
|
| Big Ten Championship Game |
|
|
Coming Tomorrow: The PiRate Ratings For Week One–It’s Football Time!
The Pi-Rate Ratings 