Big Ten Preview
Pre-Season Rankings
Leaders
1.
Ohio State
'10 Record: 12-1
Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor are out, and Luke Fickell and Braxton Miller are in. Still a powerhouse, Ohio State has a long way to go to regain it’s integrity. Awaiting the NCAA punishment, the Buckeyes have a tough few years ahead in the recruiting ranks. This season, look for Jaamal Berry to have a breakout season.
QB Braxton Miller can't wait to get on the field for the Buckeyes.
2.
Wisonsin
'10 Record: 11-2
They might not score 83 points in a game this season, but the offense will still be highly effective. Running backs James White and Montee Ball will carry a bigger load with Sophomore Jon Budmayr taking Scott Tolzien’s place at QB. Despite the 11 win season, the Badgers have something to prove after losing in the Rose Bowl.
RB James White had 14 TDs last year along with 1,052 rushing yards.
3.
Penn State
'10 Record: 7-6
Joe Paterno hopes to bounce back from a let down of last season. QB Matt McGloin is going to have to step up with Evan Royster’s absence. The defense is full of experience and should definitely improve after allowing 23.7 points per game last season.
Receiver Derek Moye will be the number one target for QB Matt McGloin.
4.
Illinois
'10 Record: 7-6
The Illini were competitive in most of its losses last season. This year will be huge for Head Coach Ron Zook given the ups and downs during his tenure. With 5 home games to start the season, Illinois has a chance to get off to a good start and gain momentum early on.
RB Jason Ford needs to contribute in order for Illinois to be balanced on offense.
5.
Purdue
'10 Record: 4-8
The offense didn’t put up good numbers last season due to injuries and QB changes. The QB situation could be shaky this season again. Despite losing DE Ryan Kerrigan, the defense is returning multiple starters. The success of RB Ralph Bolden could determine how well Danny Hope’s 3rd year at Purdue turns out.
DT Kawann Short (6 sacks last season) will have to lead the defensive line without Ryan Kerrigan.
6.
Indiana
'10 Record: 5-7
Kevin Wilson will begin his first year as the Hoosiers Head Coach, and has to find a starting QB with Ben Chappell gone. A pretty tough non-conference schedule, which includes home games against South Carolina State and Virginia, and a road game at Ball State, will get this team battle tested for the Big Ten games.
WR Damarlo Belcher had 4 TDs on 78 catches last season.
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Legends
1.
Nebraska
'10 Record: 10-4
A solid end to its Big 12 season leaves the Cornhuskers in prime position to take the Big Ten conference by storm. The offense lead by scrambler QB Taylor Martinez and the star-studded defense lead by CB Alfonzo Dennard give this team a great chance at winning the division. A tough start to its Big Ten season, playing at Wisconsin and hosting Ohio State, will present a challenge early on to the Cornhuskers.
Taylor Martinez can run, but he must improve his passing if Nebraska wants to make noise in its Big Ten premiere season.
2.
Michigan State
'10 Record: 11-2
Last season, the Spartans took college football by surprise after a stunning start. The only two losses were embarrassments against Iowa and Alabama. QB Kirk Cousins and WR B.J. Cunningham return for their senior years to lead the Spartan offense.
Kirk Cousins threw for 20 TDs on 2,825 passing yards last season.
3.
Iowa
'10 Record: 8-5
Besides the victory over Mizzou in the Insight Bowl, Iowa lost quite a few big games during the regular season. Although the Hawkeyes star WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is gone, Marvin McNutt is in store for a big season. QB James Vandenberg, who has little experience, will step in to replace Ricky Stanzi. If Iowa can take care of its relatively fair home schedule, it could be competitive in the division. But the Hawkeyes can also take a turn for the worse if they fall back in the pack early on.
Last year, Marvin McNutt had 8 TDs from his 53 receptions.
4.
Northwestern
'10 Record: 7-6
Despite it's bad ending to the 2010 season, losing against Texas Tech in the Ticket City Bowl, the Wildcats did manage to make it to their 3rd straight bowl game. The team is full of experience and depth, so it could be a surprise in the conference. QB Dan Persa should improve on a solid 2010 campaign. Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald has the team going in the right direction
QB Dan Persa threw for 15 TDs in 10 games in 2010.
5.
Michigan
'10 Record: 7-6
The Wolverines will boast an offense to be reckoned with many playmakers returning. QB Denard Robinson is in the Heisman conversation, and he’ll have WRs Junior Hemingway, Roy Roundtree, and Darryl Stonum to throw too. On the other side, the defense, which finished 110th in the nation in total defense, has a lot of work to do in order to make Brady Hoke’s first year a success.
If Denard Robinson can avoid injuries and improve his passing, expect a huge improvement from the Wolverines.
6.
Minnesota
'10 Record: 3-9
New Head Coach Jerry Kill has a lot of rebuilding at hand. The defense which allowed 33 points a game last season hurt the Gophers. A very tough Big Ten home schedule, which includes games against Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois, will make it very hard for the Gophers.
MarQueis Gray will return to the QB position for 2011.
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