Thursday, March 28, 2024

What Big Ten football team will rise above the competition? Good question.

I don’t know what I’m doing.

Usually I don’t admit so openly to that - I let the reader make that fairly obvious deduction based on my work.

But now I’m charged with predicting the final order of finish of the Big Ten’s 11 football teams and I’m way overmatched.

Have you seen these teams? If you stripped them of their uniforms, threw them in a container, shook them up and then tried to sort them out, you’d find that they’re all exactly the same.

Well, not quite identical, but where are the Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan teams that are supposed to be head and shoulders above the rest of the conference year after year?

They certainly don’t appear to be around this season.

So enjoy my crapshoot, but don’t laugh at me when all’s said and done in November.

I’d like to see you try this.

1. Ohio State

New coach Jim Tressel has injected a fresh dose of optimism into the Buckeyes and the city of Columbus and, in a season in which talent seems about the same, it could be an intangible factor like that that wins a championship.

OSU is 14-10 over the past two seasons, but three-year starting quarterback Steve Bellisari is back and he’ll have the capable backfield of tailback Jonathan Wells and fullback Jamar Martin behind him.

The linebacking corps of Joe Cooper, Courtland Bullard and Matt Wilhem pace an annually staunch defense.

2. Illinois

Stud quarterback Kurt Kittner leads an underrated Illini team into the season, but there’s more to Illinois than Kittner’s passing ability.

Rushing duo Rocky Harvey and Antonieo Harris should be more than effective behind a better-than-average offensive line, and six out of seven receivers on the depth chart have had extensive playing experience.

Defensively, Bobby Jackson and Mohammed Abdullah are probably the best safety tandem in the league.

Head coach Ron Turner realizes his team can’t blow people off the ball this season, but the Illini could be a surprising team.

3. MSU

It seems unthinkable, but the Spartans could be a (gasp!) offensively minded team this year. Bruising tailback T.J. Duckett is a Heisman Trophy candidate and receiver Charles Rogers could be one of the best in the conference in his rookie season.

The two big questions: Who will get the nod at quarterback - senior Ryan Van Dyke, sophomore Jeff Smoker or both?

And can a patchwork offensive line with little depth protect the chosen QB and open holes for Duckett?

MSU led the conference defensively last year, but still finished in last place. Cornerback Cedric Henry anchors a pass-defense unit that was one of the nation’s best in 2000.

4. Northwestern

On paper, the Wildcats look loaded with 10 of 11 offensive starters returning, including Heisman Trophy candidate Damien Anderson at tailback. But opposing defensive coordinators have had an entire off-season to figure out a way to tame the Wildcats’ spread offense.

Head coach Randy Walker says quarterback Zak Kustok is learning how to throw the ball deep, which is something he’ll have to do to alleviate pressure on Anderson.

On the other side of the ball, Kevin Bentley, Napoleon Harris and Billy Silva form the best linebacking corps in the league.

5. Michigan

Quick - try to name U-M’s new starting quarterback. Tailback? Receivers? I didn’t think so.

The stars are gone from Ann Arbor - David Terrell and Anthony Thomas are in Chicago Bears camp, and Drew Henson is toiling away in minor league baseball - but some experts still think the Wolverines can win the conference.

To do so, Chris Perry will have to carry a heavy load at tailback and Marquise Walker has to blossom into the star he’s supposed to be at receiver.

Victor Hobson, Eric Brackins and Larry Foote are solid linebackers and the return of safety Cato June from injury should help shore up a weak secondary.

6. Purdue

Where have you gone, Drew?

Head coach Joe Tiller must replace Mr. Brees - the all-everything quarterback who brought the Boilermakers back to the Pasadena Promised Land after 34 years - with redshirt freshman Brandon Hance.

Hance’s job will be made easier by the experience of tailback Montrell Lowe, receiver John Standeford and the league’s best tight end, Tim Stratton, but it still won’t be easy.

Defense could actually be pass-happy Purdue’s strong suit this season with 10 starters returning, including stud defensive end Akin Ayodele and promising safety Stuart Schweigert.

Placekicker Travis Dorsch has to become more consistent if the Boilermakers are going to win close games.

7. Wisconsin

2001 might be the first rebuilding year head coach Barry Alvarez has had in nearly a decade. Two-year starting quarterback Brooks Bollinger is back, but he’s being pushed for the job by the more-accurate Jim Sorgi.

The tailback position, solidified by Ron Dayne and Michael Bennett of late, could be a multi-headed monster this year with redshirt freshmen Jerone Pettus, Anthony Davis and Tyron Griffin battling for the spot.

Davis made a strong statement for the job with a 147-yard performance in the Badgers’ season-opening 26-17 win over Virginia.

Defensively, tackle Wendell Bryant is the preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and cornerback Mike Echols will finally be able to step out of former Badger Jamar Fletcher’s shadow.

8. Minnesota

The Gopher players might still feel like a lover spurned after head coach Glen Mason’s open, aggressive flirtation with the Ohio State coaching vacancy during the off-season.

But Mason’s still in Minneapolis, and the Gophers seem happy to have him. He’ll have a strong offensive unit led by receiver Ron Johnson and tailback Tellis Redmon and a good quarterback duel between effective Travis Cole and elusive Asad Abdul-Khaliq that’s still playing out.

Defense has carried the Gophers to two straight bowl games (three has never been done at Minnesota), but they’ll have to replace eight defensive starters this season. Cornerback Mike Lehan and free safety Jack Brewer look to be the best of the returning bunch.

Kicker Dan Nystrom and All-American punter Preston Gruening give the Gophers the best kicking game in the conference.

9. Penn State

Legendary coach Joe Paterno needs only two wins to pass Bear Bryant on the all-time coaching wins list. He’ll surely get it this year, but reaching a bowl game with a tough schedule and an inexperienced defense might be more of a stretch.

Quarterback Matt Senneca is good, but not great. Fortunately, he has a good backfield of Eric McCoo and Omar Easy and speedy receiver Eddie Drummond around him.

Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy is the most underrated defensive player in the Big Ten and the Nittany Lions also expect big things out of pass rush specialist Michael Haynes.

10. Indiana

Head coach Cam Cameron says this is the most confident bunch he’s had in Bloomington, which mostly stems from sending superstar Antwaan Randle El onto the field.

Randle El, a three-year starting quarterback, is listed as an “athlete” in IU’s media guide even though Cameron says quarterback/wide receiver/punt returner is more correct. Randle El’s temporary(?) shift to receiver will let drop-back passer Tommy Jones have a go at quarterback. But any prolonged ineffectiveness, and you can bet No. 11 will be back under center.

Defensively, linebacker Justin Smith leads a crew that allowed more than 30 points nine times last season.

11. Iowa

Iowa could be good - really! That’s the way the conference is this year.

The Hawkeyes surprised many (right, MSU?) by winning three conference games last season. Tailback Ladell Betts is probably the most underrated player in the conference and defensive end Aaron Kampman would be making headlines if he played for a winning team.

But that’s about all the stability head coach Kurt Ferentz has on his roster. The rest of the Hawkeyes are question marks.

Which might be good in a league with no answers.

James Jahnke, State News sports general assignment and hockey reporter, begs for your mercy. Console him at jahnkeja@msu.edu.

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