I did a B1G breakdown a couple years ago and considering a ton of spring games were on the Big Ten Network and I watched them (all), I figured I might as well consider myself qualified to break down what I think of every team in the B1G for 2014-15 and how I think things shake out overall in standings. When I really have no clue, I admit it. It will be shorter than the last time, but I will throw out my general thoughts. Any other B1G posters from other teams, please correct me if I am wrong/add depth where I am missing it. I am just going in alphabetical order to keep it simple:
Illinois: Not really that sure except that Beckman's experiment in Champaign has been a miserable failure. I do not think they are going to be in contention whatsoever (unless you count biggest bottom feeder). They have some intriguing players and might be improved this year...interested in particular to see if Aaron Bailey pans out at QB (OKState transfer looks to win the job), though it sounds like he is battling for a backup spot. At the end of the day, nobody except Tha Kid could be optimistic about their prospects. Just wait...
Indiana: Although this year might pan out about the same as the last, the recruiting in the last couple years might yield some results. This year? They face the same challenges...Roberson or Sudfeld at QB? Both show moments but no consistency, hence no starter. Wynn and Stoner are a nice set at WR, who else though? Fairly veteran group on the OL and a pretty big front. The RB Tevin Coleman is legit though, left to be seen whether they use him right. But as always, the defense is a huge question mark and they might actually be worse up front this year. End of the day, a great season would be 6-6 and a bowl game. Indiana State and North Texas *should* be easy non-conference wins, but Mizzou should beat them down on the road and Bowling Green may beat them too. Then I look to the B1G slate...Sparty, OSU, and Iowa will all likely beat them. PSU and Rutgers are wildcards, should beat Purdue though. Like I said 6-7 wins should be their goal. Honestly, kind of rooting for them since they have been in obscurity for so long.
Iowa: I think they are in line for an 8-9 win season. I do think Ferentz is still a good coach (not the legendary status the media affords him, but good) and he has better talent this year and more experience. The offense will be pretty good...return a good QB in Rudock and the offensive line is solid. WR unit will be one of the best in the B1G. Wiesman is a load at RB and fits their scheme. Big question is defense and it is a big question. Great DL but new LB corps and the DBs are a wildcard...that will determine their season. The LB corps that left was very, very good and who steps in looks to fill some big shoes. The schedule sets up nice with both the B1G schedule and non-conference. No Ohio State on the regular season schedule and the non-conference slate is flat out embarassing...literally, Pittsburgh is the best non-conference opponent they face. The only real opponents they face are Minnesota, Wisky, and Nebraska in the last 4 weeks. Northwestern matchup but it is at home. To say they will win at least 8 games is pretty safe imo. Might be a dark-horse to win the West...could knock out Northwestern and Wisky for it.
Maryland: No idea...new team and I am not excited about taking east coast bottom feeders into the Big Ten. I really hope they contrbute but I have zero faith.
*ichigan (fuck them): I watched their spring game and while I try to be objective, they are a clown show. Unless they get some development on the OL and find some playmakers, I see a 6-7 win season. The offense is absolutely anemic and the offensive line is in a scramble...down the road, I think the OL will be very, very good...this year? Awful. And almost zero options to get the ball to. They really have to hope that Green puts the world on his back at RB. On defense, they might be pretty decent and keep them in some games. Clark, Pipkins, and Glasgow are a good start on the DL and Ryan/Ross are two very good LBs...Gedeon wll also be a factor. The DBs are big wildcards and Peppers is absolutely elite, but I think the defense will actually be improved overall. If everyone buys in here, there might be 9-10 wins. My best guess is 7-8 though...and bye-bye Brady.
Michigan State: Even though they lost a ton of talent, I still think they are the next best team in the conference. Connor Cook is a damn good QB and Langford gives him a ton of support. They have a decent WR/TE corps but the OL is a question mark. However, they always seem to make-do there. The defense lost some big pieces (Dennard, Bullough, Allen, etc.) but they have the best defensive coordinator in the game and plenty of pieces coming back like Calhoun and Drummond. I think there will be some drop off but not significant enough to drop them too much.
Minnesota: Leidner is the man at QB with the Nelson transfer. I think Leidner is going to be sneaky good and surprise some people. But. Not the big story imo...Jeff Jones is the man at RB and will be the best freshmen in the league in terms of impact I think. Cobb is a great RB already and that group wll be tough. The defense may be a big liability after losing Hageman/Vereen. Imo, this team is only as good as the defense that shows up...if they surprise, I see an 8-9 win team. If they are anything less than above average, they are struggling to be bowl-eligible. Regardless, a very interesting team to watch imo. They do have to face OSU, but it is a home game and with the new rules, I would not be surprised to see it be a night game.
Nebraska: I have to start off by saying that Pelini redeemed himself with the cat in the spring game. Kudos there. I hated him but after that, he actually regained my respect (I know, I'm easy). Aside from that, the offense will be very good. Armstrong is an improvement at QB and the RBs are the deepest in the B1G with Abdullah, Cross, etc. (OSU in a close 2nd, we'll see f we are not actually better...I suspect we are) The OL almost needs completely replaced and the WRs seem to add no dimension. Over half the defense must be replaced but that could only be an improvement right? The D last year was atrocious. I really want to see a strong Nebraska team but I just do not think the defense is there yet. Zaire Anderson is gong to be a force though. Either way, I see a 6-7 win season.
Northwestern: I guess I am ready to get burned again this year by saying that THIS is the year. Siemian is a good QB and Green can make it happen at RB. Plenty of good WRs returning and Vitale is a good TE. The entire OL returns and I think they are the best OL group in the B1G. Plenty of talent and the experience is there by far. The defense is a wildcard but Odenigbo, Gibson, and Carter are a good defensive front to start with (really wish Odenigbo was in S&G to this day). Ariguzo and Ellis at LB are a very good tandem, just need to find the third when in a base set. Prater looks primed there. The secondary will only be improved with my boy VanHoose at corner, along with Campbell, Henry, and Harris all returning. Easy non-conference, beat Cal and you only have Northern and Western Illinois. But the away game late in the season at ND is tough and road games at Iowa and Minnesota will not be easy. I have a habit of predicting this team to high and I want to avoid it...but I also love Fitzgerald and want them to succeed. I say 9 wins and one more season for Fitz.
Ohio State: Check any thread I have posted in to see how I concluded this...one regular season loss. I don't know where, but I think one will happen. Honestly, could be week one to a good Navy team. Don't think so because we have all off-season to prepare for the triple option. Also do not think we lose to VaTech, weak team this year despite the fact that they are usually good and we are at home. Kind of worried about playing Maryland away and then Rutgers next week...not because they are good teams, but because we will get the best shots from the new kids on the block. The game at PSU would be worrisome if they were not completely depleted. The game at MSU though... that is where I see our loss. Good team already but the coaching will have that team firing on all cylinders by then. I hope to God we beat them to the curb but in my best good-faith estimate, this is the one loss I see. We follow up with an away game at Minnesota, really hoping we do not overlook that one. After that, home games against Indiana and scUM sets up nice. IMHO, we only lose to MSU or earlier and win the B1G tournament, we at least make the first NCAA playoffs.
Penn State: Minus the whole institutional hate for them, I really think this will be the worst stretch for them that we have seen. Hackenberg is seriously a great talent. The problem? The OL is atrocious, there are almost no playmakers, and they have NO RBs. The Franklin era is going to start with a hiccup (by hiccup, I mean an earthquake). There are a group of really talented players (Hackenberg, James, etc.), but there are way too many question marks. Not to mention that if you know the QB situation there...Hackenberg gets hurt and they are screwed. I seriously hope that does not happen (seriously, good kid and a great talent that the B1G should be proud of). But if he does go down...this team is in HUGE trouble. And by that, I mean that they might lose to Purdue, Illinois, and Indiana. Even with him, it might happen...it is going to be a rough year for the cult.
Purdue: I want them to succeed so bad because Hazell is an awesome coach. However, I have almost zero faith. They have a collection of QBs that are very good, but nothing to support them. I really hope they shock the world, but personally I would be shocked if they make a bowl. Even though the schedule is easy (ideal even), I would be shocked if they have more than 5 wins at the end of the year. I really hope they do because I actually do not hate Purdue and want Hazell to succeed. Still, I think they have an awful season.
Rutgers: Here is where I plead ignorance...usually they are pretty good, no idea on this year. I will be watching them but no idea heading into the season.
Wisconsin: Great RBs in Clements and Gordon. The OL is always tough. Stave is not a bad QB at all. The defense has a solid defensive backfield with Shelton and Caputo. Losing a ton of solid guys like Borland though. In the end, I still think they are going to be tough.
Overall: This is just my best guess of how the conference performs overall, in order regardless of actual conference alignment:
1. Ohio State: I still think we lose 1-2 games (just 1 is my guess) but the talent takes over for the overall record. Still think we either go undefeated or just lose one and make the playoffs.
2. Minnesota: I had to shock you right? But seriously, they do have a good team back and will make a run. Might not be #2 despite me wanting to be a revolutionary, but they will be solid.
3. Northwestern: Yes, it is their year. Look above. I explained it.
4. Michigan State: I am too lazy to go back and actually make them my #2. But they probably do end up #2. Narduzzi makes this group tough.
5. Wisconsin: The OL and RBs are always great...the defense is always good but what about a Borland-less defense? Overall, I think they will be very good and Andersen will alson be great. Still think they do well overall, but don't have the talent to be a 10-win team.
- I will likely come back and change some things. But I am really tired and need to post it.
Illinois: Not really that sure except that Beckman's experiment in Champaign has been a miserable failure. I do not think they are going to be in contention whatsoever (unless you count biggest bottom feeder). They have some intriguing players and might be improved this year...interested in particular to see if Aaron Bailey pans out at QB (OKState transfer looks to win the job), though it sounds like he is battling for a backup spot. At the end of the day, nobody except Tha Kid could be optimistic about their prospects. Just wait...
Indiana: Although this year might pan out about the same as the last, the recruiting in the last couple years might yield some results. This year? They face the same challenges...Roberson or Sudfeld at QB? Both show moments but no consistency, hence no starter. Wynn and Stoner are a nice set at WR, who else though? Fairly veteran group on the OL and a pretty big front. The RB Tevin Coleman is legit though, left to be seen whether they use him right. But as always, the defense is a huge question mark and they might actually be worse up front this year. End of the day, a great season would be 6-6 and a bowl game. Indiana State and North Texas *should* be easy non-conference wins, but Mizzou should beat them down on the road and Bowling Green may beat them too. Then I look to the B1G slate...Sparty, OSU, and Iowa will all likely beat them. PSU and Rutgers are wildcards, should beat Purdue though. Like I said 6-7 wins should be their goal. Honestly, kind of rooting for them since they have been in obscurity for so long.
Iowa: I think they are in line for an 8-9 win season. I do think Ferentz is still a good coach (not the legendary status the media affords him, but good) and he has better talent this year and more experience. The offense will be pretty good...return a good QB in Rudock and the offensive line is solid. WR unit will be one of the best in the B1G. Wiesman is a load at RB and fits their scheme. Big question is defense and it is a big question. Great DL but new LB corps and the DBs are a wildcard...that will determine their season. The LB corps that left was very, very good and who steps in looks to fill some big shoes. The schedule sets up nice with both the B1G schedule and non-conference. No Ohio State on the regular season schedule and the non-conference slate is flat out embarassing...literally, Pittsburgh is the best non-conference opponent they face. The only real opponents they face are Minnesota, Wisky, and Nebraska in the last 4 weeks. Northwestern matchup but it is at home. To say they will win at least 8 games is pretty safe imo. Might be a dark-horse to win the West...could knock out Northwestern and Wisky for it.
Maryland: No idea...new team and I am not excited about taking east coast bottom feeders into the Big Ten. I really hope they contrbute but I have zero faith.
*ichigan (fuck them): I watched their spring game and while I try to be objective, they are a clown show. Unless they get some development on the OL and find some playmakers, I see a 6-7 win season. The offense is absolutely anemic and the offensive line is in a scramble...down the road, I think the OL will be very, very good...this year? Awful. And almost zero options to get the ball to. They really have to hope that Green puts the world on his back at RB. On defense, they might be pretty decent and keep them in some games. Clark, Pipkins, and Glasgow are a good start on the DL and Ryan/Ross are two very good LBs...Gedeon wll also be a factor. The DBs are big wildcards and Peppers is absolutely elite, but I think the defense will actually be improved overall. If everyone buys in here, there might be 9-10 wins. My best guess is 7-8 though...and bye-bye Brady.
Michigan State: Even though they lost a ton of talent, I still think they are the next best team in the conference. Connor Cook is a damn good QB and Langford gives him a ton of support. They have a decent WR/TE corps but the OL is a question mark. However, they always seem to make-do there. The defense lost some big pieces (Dennard, Bullough, Allen, etc.) but they have the best defensive coordinator in the game and plenty of pieces coming back like Calhoun and Drummond. I think there will be some drop off but not significant enough to drop them too much.
Minnesota: Leidner is the man at QB with the Nelson transfer. I think Leidner is going to be sneaky good and surprise some people. But. Not the big story imo...Jeff Jones is the man at RB and will be the best freshmen in the league in terms of impact I think. Cobb is a great RB already and that group wll be tough. The defense may be a big liability after losing Hageman/Vereen. Imo, this team is only as good as the defense that shows up...if they surprise, I see an 8-9 win team. If they are anything less than above average, they are struggling to be bowl-eligible. Regardless, a very interesting team to watch imo. They do have to face OSU, but it is a home game and with the new rules, I would not be surprised to see it be a night game.
Nebraska: I have to start off by saying that Pelini redeemed himself with the cat in the spring game. Kudos there. I hated him but after that, he actually regained my respect (I know, I'm easy). Aside from that, the offense will be very good. Armstrong is an improvement at QB and the RBs are the deepest in the B1G with Abdullah, Cross, etc. (OSU in a close 2nd, we'll see f we are not actually better...I suspect we are) The OL almost needs completely replaced and the WRs seem to add no dimension. Over half the defense must be replaced but that could only be an improvement right? The D last year was atrocious. I really want to see a strong Nebraska team but I just do not think the defense is there yet. Zaire Anderson is gong to be a force though. Either way, I see a 6-7 win season.
Northwestern: I guess I am ready to get burned again this year by saying that THIS is the year. Siemian is a good QB and Green can make it happen at RB. Plenty of good WRs returning and Vitale is a good TE. The entire OL returns and I think they are the best OL group in the B1G. Plenty of talent and the experience is there by far. The defense is a wildcard but Odenigbo, Gibson, and Carter are a good defensive front to start with (really wish Odenigbo was in S&G to this day). Ariguzo and Ellis at LB are a very good tandem, just need to find the third when in a base set. Prater looks primed there. The secondary will only be improved with my boy VanHoose at corner, along with Campbell, Henry, and Harris all returning. Easy non-conference, beat Cal and you only have Northern and Western Illinois. But the away game late in the season at ND is tough and road games at Iowa and Minnesota will not be easy. I have a habit of predicting this team to high and I want to avoid it...but I also love Fitzgerald and want them to succeed. I say 9 wins and one more season for Fitz.
Ohio State: Check any thread I have posted in to see how I concluded this...one regular season loss. I don't know where, but I think one will happen. Honestly, could be week one to a good Navy team. Don't think so because we have all off-season to prepare for the triple option. Also do not think we lose to VaTech, weak team this year despite the fact that they are usually good and we are at home. Kind of worried about playing Maryland away and then Rutgers next week...not because they are good teams, but because we will get the best shots from the new kids on the block. The game at PSU would be worrisome if they were not completely depleted. The game at MSU though... that is where I see our loss. Good team already but the coaching will have that team firing on all cylinders by then. I hope to God we beat them to the curb but in my best good-faith estimate, this is the one loss I see. We follow up with an away game at Minnesota, really hoping we do not overlook that one. After that, home games against Indiana and scUM sets up nice. IMHO, we only lose to MSU or earlier and win the B1G tournament, we at least make the first NCAA playoffs.
Penn State: Minus the whole institutional hate for them, I really think this will be the worst stretch for them that we have seen. Hackenberg is seriously a great talent. The problem? The OL is atrocious, there are almost no playmakers, and they have NO RBs. The Franklin era is going to start with a hiccup (by hiccup, I mean an earthquake). There are a group of really talented players (Hackenberg, James, etc.), but there are way too many question marks. Not to mention that if you know the QB situation there...Hackenberg gets hurt and they are screwed. I seriously hope that does not happen (seriously, good kid and a great talent that the B1G should be proud of). But if he does go down...this team is in HUGE trouble. And by that, I mean that they might lose to Purdue, Illinois, and Indiana. Even with him, it might happen...it is going to be a rough year for the cult.
Purdue: I want them to succeed so bad because Hazell is an awesome coach. However, I have almost zero faith. They have a collection of QBs that are very good, but nothing to support them. I really hope they shock the world, but personally I would be shocked if they make a bowl. Even though the schedule is easy (ideal even), I would be shocked if they have more than 5 wins at the end of the year. I really hope they do because I actually do not hate Purdue and want Hazell to succeed. Still, I think they have an awful season.
Rutgers: Here is where I plead ignorance...usually they are pretty good, no idea on this year. I will be watching them but no idea heading into the season.
Wisconsin: Great RBs in Clements and Gordon. The OL is always tough. Stave is not a bad QB at all. The defense has a solid defensive backfield with Shelton and Caputo. Losing a ton of solid guys like Borland though. In the end, I still think they are going to be tough.
Overall: This is just my best guess of how the conference performs overall, in order regardless of actual conference alignment:
1. Ohio State: I still think we lose 1-2 games (just 1 is my guess) but the talent takes over for the overall record. Still think we either go undefeated or just lose one and make the playoffs.
2. Minnesota: I had to shock you right? But seriously, they do have a good team back and will make a run. Might not be #2 despite me wanting to be a revolutionary, but they will be solid.
3. Northwestern: Yes, it is their year. Look above. I explained it.
4. Michigan State: I am too lazy to go back and actually make them my #2. But they probably do end up #2. Narduzzi makes this group tough.
5. Wisconsin: The OL and RBs are always great...the defense is always good but what about a Borland-less defense? Overall, I think they will be very good and Andersen will alson be great. Still think they do well overall, but don't have the talent to be a 10-win team.
- I will likely come back and change some things. But I am really tired and need to post it.
