DiHard
Guest
2004 Pre-Season Predictions for the Big Ten
Ohio State and Michigan
written by DiHard (6/30/2004)Ohio State and Michigan
Now we arrive at the two Big Ten teams that are clearly the leagues best and among the nation’s elite. Both of these teams have talent at every position, great coaching and a tradition that demands nothing short of excellence. The eyes of the sporting world will be glued (even more than normal) on the Shoe November 20th as THE GAME will be the years biggest and will essentially decide the BCS bowl scenario.
2. MICHIGAN- Every way I analyze this edition of Michigan it results with them participating
in a BCS Bowl at the end of this year. The schedule sets up ridiculously easy as the only tough road game is at Ohio State. This is even tempered with a bye week and Northwestern leading up to THE GAME. Barring horrible QB play, Michigan will be undefeated heading to Columbus. A win against the Buckeyes would send Michigan south to play Oklahoma in the National Title Game.
Offense: The offense is fueled by the nations best group of receivers…no offense USC. Edwards is a heisman candidate, Avant is all-american caliber and Breaston is a game-breaker. The presence of these three will make for an easy transition for the first-year starting QB. Look for Guitierrez to establish himself as another solid Michigan Quarterback right away. The big question is whether they put a shirt on Chad Henne (Nations #1 HS QB) or get him some experience this year. The uncertainty for the Wolves revolves around the running back position. There is absolutely no proven producer returning….they need either Underwood or Jackson to make an enormous leap forward this year. As usual, the offensive line is one of the leagues best.
Defense: The defensive line is young but immensely talented, the linebackers are the second-best group in the league and the secondary is as good as any in the land. However; the key to the success of this Michigan team is going to be determined by the consistency of defense. UM almost always allows 20pts or less on the season, but seem to throw in three or four horrible defensive weeks in the middle of the year. In 2003 they gave up 28.25 pts over a 4 game stretch, in 2002 they gave up 26.75 pts over 4 games and in 1999 they surrendered a whopping 33.3 pts over a three game span. It is during these weeks that Michigan suffers an upset or two that derails their national title dreams.
Special Teams: UM hired a new ST coach in Mike DeBord after last season’s meltdown. Steve Breaston is as good a returner as there is in the league, but the kickers are still average at best.
Key Offensive Player: David Bass (6-5,307) G, SR. Two-time 1st team All-Big Ten. He will be crucial to the Wolverines success as the o-line breaks in a new center and right-tackle.
Key Defensive Player: Ryan Mundy (6-1,209) FS, tSO. The only unproven player on the defensive side of the ball. His development has allowed Marlin Jackson to move back to his preferred CB slot.
2004 OSU Predicted Score: tOSU 23- UM 21
2004 Record: 10-1. Rose or Fiesta Bowl.
1. OHIO STATE- The Buckeyes will go into THE GAME with a 9-1 record and a top-five
BCS ranking. A victory over the second ranked Wolverines will leave the BCS with four or five
one-loss teams all claiming they deserve to be in the National Title game. This is the year that
complete and utter chaos results in the meltdown of the BCS.
The largest obstacle the Buckeyes have to overcome in facing Michigan is the inequities in the schedules leading up to the meeting. Michigan gets MSU at home, a bye and Northwestern at home before facing the Buckeyes. Ohio State is stuck playing PSU at home, then travelling to MSU and Purdue before hosting the Wolverines in the season finale.
Offense: Only two of the 2004 projected starters (Ross and Simms) started the opening game last year. The Bucks have to break in a new offensive line, a new QB and three first-year-starting receivers. The good news is that little is asked of the offense under Jim Tressel and this group should actually fit his system better than in previous years.
Defense: Mark Dantonio is now the HC at Cincinnati and Mark Snyder has taken control of a defense that has been one of the very best in the country the past two seasons. Look for very little, if any, drop-off in production this year. The linebackers may be the best college football has seen in decades, the secondary is deep and talented and the line (while young) also boasts great depth. For the third straight season, the Buckeye defense will be the best in the Big Ten.
Special Teams: Ohio State has excelled the past two seasons in all aspects of special teams…minus the return game. Mike Nugent is the best PK in the country. Period. The returners can only get better, but a punter must be emerge.
Key Offensive Player: Roy Hall (6-3,229) WR, SO. The loss of “Mr. Clutch” Michael Jenkins is a concern for the offense. Hall has all the tools to step in and be a great receiver and the Buckeyes need him to compliment their all-american candidate Santonio Holmes.
Key Defensive Player: Punter. Whoever that may be. The Bucks have had the luxury of having their last two punters (Groom and Sanders) perform as well as anyone in the country (including the NFL). Jim Tressel does not hide the fact that he plays field position football and the play of the punter is going to be vital to the Buckeyes.
2004 OSU Predicted Score: NA
2004 Record: 10-1. Orange or Rose Bowl.
There you have it…..the complete Big Ten breakdown for 2004. Ohio State and Michigan should compete for the National Title and Penn State, Minnesota and Wisconsin all have a chance at reaching a BCS Bowl.
If anyone wants me to break-down any other conference teams…..let me know.