After much consternation from the vast throng of Big Book of Guesses followers (Rouge One was particularly adamant) here is the final installment of the 2019 Previews. Your favorite league and mine - the best league in the land (you heard me right Saxy Lady) - The Big Ten
Illinois – Vegas Win Total – 3.0 – It’s the bearded one’s likely last chance to turn it around in Champaign. Lovie has won 9 games in three years with last year’s 4-8 record his best yet. It’s been quite awhile since the Illini have had a winning record, 2011 in fact.
The offense showed some promise. It ripped Minnesota for 55 points and scored 31 points or more six times in the first ten games, but then went silent, scoring 16 points over the last two games. With seven starters returning on the offense so they may be able to show a little more consistency.
The quarterback competition had some nice twists and turns. Sophomore MJ Rivers was slightly ahead during spring ball to replace graduating AJ Bush, and then he entered the transfer portal. Why? He got worried when the Illini landed dual-threat star recruit Isaiah Williams out of Missouri. He knew that Williams would get the nod eventually so bolted. In need of a QB, Illinois then hit the transfer portal and landed Michigan grad transfer Brandon Peters. Peters was quickly named the Week 1 starter. It’s a scUM quarterback. He’ll be overrated, the season will start and then pfffft..nothing special
The WRs were shaping up to be something special. Miami (FL) leading WR Jeff Thomas was all set to transfer in when Mark Richt left the program. But when Manny Diaz got the HC nod he decided to stay. The same happened with AD Miller from Oklahoma. He was all set to transfer in until he just decided not to. So now the will rely on leading WR Ricky Smalling and 4 star recruit Marquez Beason.
The running game will be fine. Leading RB Reggie Corbin returns. The OL returns 4 starters and grad transfer Richie Petitbon from Alabama is a noce addition.
There’s no excuses now on the defense. The players are all Lovie’s recruits and after an extensive search for a new DC he’s decided its himself. He also appointed his son Miles as the LB coach. You know how those family hires pan out,
Lovie is coming off a really bad year on that side of the ball. His defenses were dead last in the Big Ten, 122nd overall against the run and 124th in points allowed. And he wasn’t playing in high scoring conference like the Big 12 either. The good/bad news is that 10 starters return.
This the year where it’s all supposed to pay off. Lovie went with a a youth movement last season when 25 underclassmen accounted for 55% of all starts – the 4th most in the land. Now they are back with a year's experience under their belts.
The OOC schedule is marshmallow soft, Akron, at UConn, Eastern Michigan. They should start out half way to a bowl game. If they don’t, things could start spiraling quickly. Rutgers is on the schedule too so all they need is a couple of upsets to go bowling. Probably not. Just not sure the talent is there. But the over on the win totals should be there
Investors Note: Lovie is a very generous host. He is 4-10 as the underdog at home.
The offense showed some promise. It ripped Minnesota for 55 points and scored 31 points or more six times in the first ten games, but then went silent, scoring 16 points over the last two games. With seven starters returning on the offense so they may be able to show a little more consistency.
The quarterback competition had some nice twists and turns. Sophomore MJ Rivers was slightly ahead during spring ball to replace graduating AJ Bush, and then he entered the transfer portal. Why? He got worried when the Illini landed dual-threat star recruit Isaiah Williams out of Missouri. He knew that Williams would get the nod eventually so bolted. In need of a QB, Illinois then hit the transfer portal and landed Michigan grad transfer Brandon Peters. Peters was quickly named the Week 1 starter. It’s a scUM quarterback. He’ll be overrated, the season will start and then pfffft..nothing special
The WRs were shaping up to be something special. Miami (FL) leading WR Jeff Thomas was all set to transfer in when Mark Richt left the program. But when Manny Diaz got the HC nod he decided to stay. The same happened with AD Miller from Oklahoma. He was all set to transfer in until he just decided not to. So now the will rely on leading WR Ricky Smalling and 4 star recruit Marquez Beason.
The running game will be fine. Leading RB Reggie Corbin returns. The OL returns 4 starters and grad transfer Richie Petitbon from Alabama is a noce addition.
There’s no excuses now on the defense. The players are all Lovie’s recruits and after an extensive search for a new DC he’s decided its himself. He also appointed his son Miles as the LB coach. You know how those family hires pan out,
Lovie is coming off a really bad year on that side of the ball. His defenses were dead last in the Big Ten, 122nd overall against the run and 124th in points allowed. And he wasn’t playing in high scoring conference like the Big 12 either. The good/bad news is that 10 starters return.
This the year where it’s all supposed to pay off. Lovie went with a a youth movement last season when 25 underclassmen accounted for 55% of all starts – the 4th most in the land. Now they are back with a year's experience under their belts.
The OOC schedule is marshmallow soft, Akron, at UConn, Eastern Michigan. They should start out half way to a bowl game. If they don’t, things could start spiraling quickly. Rutgers is on the schedule too so all they need is a couple of upsets to go bowling. Probably not. Just not sure the talent is there. But the over on the win totals should be there
Investors Note: Lovie is a very generous host. He is 4-10 as the underdog at home.
Indiana – Vegas Win Total – 6.0 - Tom Allen needs a new script writer. In back-to-back seasons, the Hoosiers have won all three OOC games, inched their way to the brink of bowl eligibility, only needing to defeat Purdue in the season finale to close the deal….and then whiffed. The Hoosiers finished 5–7 during both seasons. Indiana has now gone 27 seasons without a bowl victory.
Peyton Ramsey was supposed to be the starting QB after starting 16 games the last two seasons, but his inconsistency throwing deep led to a QB competition. Michael Penix Jr. was primed to overtake Ramsey until he suffered a knee injury against Penn State in October. If healthy, Penix is a better runner with a stronger arm. The competition went up another notch when Jack Tuttle, transferred from Utah. He was the fifth ranked pro-style QB prospect in the 2018 class.
To spice up the offense, Allen hired former Fresno State OC Kalen DeBoer, making him the highest paid IU assistant ever in the process. DeBoer like to throw the deep ball so expect WR Nick Westbrook and Donovan Hale to improve on their combined 1,100 yards receiving.
The run game is in good hands. B Stevie Scott is coming off a big freshman season with 1,137 yards. But the OL replaces 3 starters so the holes might not be there.
Eight starters return from a defense that regressed last year. It got a whole lot of takeaways (5th in fumbles, 20th in picks), but it couldn’t stop anyone from bombing away down the field (102nd in pass defense) or marching down the field either (83rd). Allowing 30 points or more in seven of the last nine games won’t cut it.
There’s experience all over the field. Hopefully they learned their lessons and make improvements.
The Hoosiers should go 3-0 in OOC with Ball State, Eastern Illinois and UConn. Rutgers at home with a week off to prepare should be a W too. They will need to win 2 of three against Maryland, Northwestern and Purdue to go bowling.
This time I think the new script writer puts them in a bowl (barely)
Peyton Ramsey was supposed to be the starting QB after starting 16 games the last two seasons, but his inconsistency throwing deep led to a QB competition. Michael Penix Jr. was primed to overtake Ramsey until he suffered a knee injury against Penn State in October. If healthy, Penix is a better runner with a stronger arm. The competition went up another notch when Jack Tuttle, transferred from Utah. He was the fifth ranked pro-style QB prospect in the 2018 class.
To spice up the offense, Allen hired former Fresno State OC Kalen DeBoer, making him the highest paid IU assistant ever in the process. DeBoer like to throw the deep ball so expect WR Nick Westbrook and Donovan Hale to improve on their combined 1,100 yards receiving.
The run game is in good hands. B Stevie Scott is coming off a big freshman season with 1,137 yards. But the OL replaces 3 starters so the holes might not be there.
Eight starters return from a defense that regressed last year. It got a whole lot of takeaways (5th in fumbles, 20th in picks), but it couldn’t stop anyone from bombing away down the field (102nd in pass defense) or marching down the field either (83rd). Allowing 30 points or more in seven of the last nine games won’t cut it.
There’s experience all over the field. Hopefully they learned their lessons and make improvements.
The Hoosiers should go 3-0 in OOC with Ball State, Eastern Illinois and UConn. Rutgers at home with a week off to prepare should be a W too. They will need to win 2 of three against Maryland, Northwestern and Purdue to go bowling.
This time I think the new script writer puts them in a bowl (barely)
Iowa – Vegas Win Total - 7.5 – Kirk Ferentz heads into his third decade as the Hawkeyes head coach. He’s the longest tenured HC in college football. You know what you’re about to get from a Kirk Ferentz team, hard nosed, hard hitting, sound, better than you expect football. The 2018 version went 9-4, losing to Penn State, Purdue and Northwestern by six points or fewer.
QB Nate Stanley was up and down. He was spectacular at times, including during victories over Iowa State and Ohio State when he threw five touchdowns in both games, but he was also bad at times, including in the 38-14 loss to Wisconsin when he completed 8-of-24 passes for just 41 yards.
This year he’ll missing his three favorite targets star TEs TJ Hockenson (looking like a solid pick by the Lions) Noah Fant and leading wide receiver Nick Easley.
With targets like those the running game take a step back coming up with just 1,928 yards and averaging fewer than four yards per carry. It’s Iowa, so the front five will be terrific but it needs to run block better. Iowa is 19-0 when they rush for 200 yards.
The Hawkeye defense was magnificent last year (not unusual) allowing just 17.8 points per game (7th overall) and has led the nation with 41 interceptions over the past two seasons. But it loses six starters and the top four tacklers.
DE AJ Epenesa might be the best defensive end in college football. He’s projected to be a late first day pick. The DL will be strong again. The secondary loses some key parts, leading tackler Jake Gervase, and safety Amani Hooker is now a Tennessee Titan. but as long as the line does its part, the pass defense will be terrific again.
The Hawkeyes should start out 2-0 against Miami (OH) University and Rutgers, but they have to go on the road to face Iowa State, Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Nebraska.
It’s Iowa, they’ll strap on their helmets and play tough. The Big Ten West is wide open and Iowa will be in it. But I’m not sure about Stanley, and it’s tough to replace one NFL talent TE let alone two. Iowa won’t be going to Indianapolis but will still have a solid season.
QB Nate Stanley was up and down. He was spectacular at times, including during victories over Iowa State and Ohio State when he threw five touchdowns in both games, but he was also bad at times, including in the 38-14 loss to Wisconsin when he completed 8-of-24 passes for just 41 yards.
This year he’ll missing his three favorite targets star TEs TJ Hockenson (looking like a solid pick by the Lions) Noah Fant and leading wide receiver Nick Easley.
With targets like those the running game take a step back coming up with just 1,928 yards and averaging fewer than four yards per carry. It’s Iowa, so the front five will be terrific but it needs to run block better. Iowa is 19-0 when they rush for 200 yards.
The Hawkeye defense was magnificent last year (not unusual) allowing just 17.8 points per game (7th overall) and has led the nation with 41 interceptions over the past two seasons. But it loses six starters and the top four tacklers.
DE AJ Epenesa might be the best defensive end in college football. He’s projected to be a late first day pick. The DL will be strong again. The secondary loses some key parts, leading tackler Jake Gervase, and safety Amani Hooker is now a Tennessee Titan. but as long as the line does its part, the pass defense will be terrific again.
The Hawkeyes should start out 2-0 against Miami (OH) University and Rutgers, but they have to go on the road to face Iowa State, Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Nebraska.
It’s Iowa, they’ll strap on their helmets and play tough. The Big Ten West is wide open and Iowa will be in it. But I’m not sure about Stanley, and it’s tough to replace one NFL talent TE let alone two. Iowa won’t be going to Indianapolis but will still have a solid season.
Maryland – Vegas Win Total – 4.5 – Terrapin football is a f’ing mess. Former coach DJ Durkin was suspended and ultimately dismissed for conditions that led to the death of a player. So they go out and hire a known cheater and miserable head coach in Mike Locksley. His career record? 3-31.
The QB duties will handed to Va Tech transfer Josh Jackson. Jackson was a phenom as a freshman two years ago but spent most of least season out with a broken leg.
There aren’t any big names among the receiving corps. Leading receiver Taivon Jacobs is gone and he only caught 25 passes. Four of the top seven wide receivers last season were freshmen. It’s a big question how the unit will perform.
The RBs position is deep. Anthony McFarland is the lightning to Javon Leake’s thunder. The OL returns only two starters that let up too many sacks. The offense is going to stall.
The defense will be led by Jon Hoke, yup Brady’s brother. Locksley was able to lure him away from the Buccaneers. He’s got a massive rebuild in front of him Only three starters return from a defense that let up close to 400 yards per game. With some injuries, there were hardly enough bodies to fill out a depth chart in the spring.
The one bright spot is All-Big Ten nickel back Antoine Brooks Jr., who led the Terps with 9.5 tackles for a loss and will be the de facto fourth linebacker in coordinator Jon Hoke's 3-4. But the front seven is undersized and the secondary inexperienced.
The Terps have one favored win – vs Howard but its tough to see many others with Syracuse and @ Temple rounding out the OOC. Playing in the Big 10 East does them no favors, maybe home vs Rutgers.
Locksley will bring in the talent and totally mismanage it. Eight losses is likely, double digits is possible.
The QB duties will handed to Va Tech transfer Josh Jackson. Jackson was a phenom as a freshman two years ago but spent most of least season out with a broken leg.
There aren’t any big names among the receiving corps. Leading receiver Taivon Jacobs is gone and he only caught 25 passes. Four of the top seven wide receivers last season were freshmen. It’s a big question how the unit will perform.
The RBs position is deep. Anthony McFarland is the lightning to Javon Leake’s thunder. The OL returns only two starters that let up too many sacks. The offense is going to stall.
The defense will be led by Jon Hoke, yup Brady’s brother. Locksley was able to lure him away from the Buccaneers. He’s got a massive rebuild in front of him Only three starters return from a defense that let up close to 400 yards per game. With some injuries, there were hardly enough bodies to fill out a depth chart in the spring.
The one bright spot is All-Big Ten nickel back Antoine Brooks Jr., who led the Terps with 9.5 tackles for a loss and will be the de facto fourth linebacker in coordinator Jon Hoke's 3-4. But the front seven is undersized and the secondary inexperienced.
The Terps have one favored win – vs Howard but its tough to see many others with Syracuse and @ Temple rounding out the OOC. Playing in the Big 10 East does them no favors, maybe home vs Rutgers.
Locksley will bring in the talent and totally mismanage it. Eight losses is likely, double digits is possible.
Michigan – Vegas Win Total - 9.5 – It’s Michigan, they’re overrated again. They are the favorites to win the Big 10 and have the fourth best odds to win it all. Based on what? Never winning the Big 10 under Harbutt? They haven’t even been to Indy. How about a 1-9 record against Top 10 wins. Dan Brown’s vaunted defense was last seen chasing shadows and giving up 103 points to Florida and Ohio State. And this years September Heisman is being handed to Shea Patterson for no other reason than he’s scUM’s QB.
During the first game day, with Disney World as the back drop – I was in heaven, the Bear asked “Last year three top ten teams finished unranked. Which of this year's top ten preseason teams will finish unranked?" Ooh, “Ooh, Ooh I known I know!” They didn’t ask me unfortunately. No one picked Michigan.
The Wolvies had a top-25 scoring offense last season, but finished No. 50 in total offense, 79th in pass yards per game, and had the ninth-slowest pace in college football. So they went out and did what everyone does, hire a Bama assistant. In this case it was Josh Gattis. Alabama's co-offensive coordinator ( I always love co- means someone else was really in charge) He wants to bring a spread passing offense. I think they call it Peed in Place.
Patterson has played in similar offenses from his time at Ole Miss. He’ll be OK. The line returns four starters. It will be OK too.
For the new offense to work it needs lots of capable WRs. Donovan People-Jones is a weapon and Nico Collins has the size but there isn’t much beyond that. Tarik black will get hurt and prized recruit Ronnie Bell is turning out to be a bust.
The RB situation is a mess. Chris Evans was booted from the team for academic issues. You know how tough those general studies majors can be. That leaves the position in the hands of a a former walk on Tru Wilson and a bunch of freshmen.
The defense was phenomenal – for eleven games. Then it faced some real spread them out offenses and collapsed. This year it will be worse. You don’t lose two first round picks (Rashan Gary and Devin Bush) and a third round pick (Chase Winovich) and improve.
There’s some players. Lavert Hill anchors the secondary, All MAC Central Michigan transfer Mike Danna could be an interesting addition to the DL along side Carlos Kemp. But scUM struggled against explosive plays last year. They will be even more susceptible this year.
It will be a typically scUM year. Blow out the weak and the poor ant the lose to the better teams. With a revenge game at Penn State, resurgent MSU, @ Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Army who took OK to OT and of course their nemesis Ohio State. There’s plenty of room for 3 losses
During the first game day, with Disney World as the back drop – I was in heaven, the Bear asked “Last year three top ten teams finished unranked. Which of this year's top ten preseason teams will finish unranked?" Ooh, “Ooh, Ooh I known I know!” They didn’t ask me unfortunately. No one picked Michigan.
The Wolvies had a top-25 scoring offense last season, but finished No. 50 in total offense, 79th in pass yards per game, and had the ninth-slowest pace in college football. So they went out and did what everyone does, hire a Bama assistant. In this case it was Josh Gattis. Alabama's co-offensive coordinator ( I always love co- means someone else was really in charge) He wants to bring a spread passing offense. I think they call it Peed in Place.
Patterson has played in similar offenses from his time at Ole Miss. He’ll be OK. The line returns four starters. It will be OK too.
For the new offense to work it needs lots of capable WRs. Donovan People-Jones is a weapon and Nico Collins has the size but there isn’t much beyond that. Tarik black will get hurt and prized recruit Ronnie Bell is turning out to be a bust.
The RB situation is a mess. Chris Evans was booted from the team for academic issues. You know how tough those general studies majors can be. That leaves the position in the hands of a a former walk on Tru Wilson and a bunch of freshmen.
The defense was phenomenal – for eleven games. Then it faced some real spread them out offenses and collapsed. This year it will be worse. You don’t lose two first round picks (Rashan Gary and Devin Bush) and a third round pick (Chase Winovich) and improve.
There’s some players. Lavert Hill anchors the secondary, All MAC Central Michigan transfer Mike Danna could be an interesting addition to the DL along side Carlos Kemp. But scUM struggled against explosive plays last year. They will be even more susceptible this year.
It will be a typically scUM year. Blow out the weak and the poor ant the lose to the better teams. With a revenge game at Penn State, resurgent MSU, @ Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Army who took OK to OT and of course their nemesis Ohio State. There’s plenty of room for 3 losses
Minnesota – Vegas Win Total – 6.5 – Expectations have gone up a bit after the Gophers won 3 of their last four with one of the youngest teams in the nation.
The offense is set up well. 90% of the production returns. Nine returners return and for the first time under Fleck, his starting QB is back. Actually two. Zack Annexstad started seven games last season before an injury ended his season. His backup, Tanner Morgan, looked superb with a 147.6 passer rating as a freshman. Annexstad is expected to begin the season as the starter and help the Gophers improve their 69th ranked offensive explosiveness.
He’ll have two All Big Ten caliber WRs to throw to in Tyler Johnson is and Rashod Bateman. Johnson is expected to go in the 2nd round in next years draft. It will be a three-headed monster at running back with Mohamed Ibrahim, Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. Smith and Brooks have a combined 4,844 rushing yards and return healthy after tearing ACLs last year. The OL replaces two starters but should be Big Ten level good.
The defense went from disastrous in early November, giving up 55 points to Illinois after allowing 31 to Indiana after getting hit by Nebraska for 53 – to fantastic, allowing just 59 points over the final four games against Purdue, Northwestern, Wisconsin and in the bowl game over Georgia Tech. Fleck fired defensive coordinator Robb Smith after the blow out loss to lowly Illinois. Interim DC Joe Rossi earned the job on a permanent basis after the Gophers' historic win over Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan's Axe, their first win in Madison since 1994.
The secondary didn’t allow much down the field – finishing first in the Big Ten in yards per completion. The oft injured CB Antoine Winfield Jr. returns and should be one of the best in the Big Ten.
Last year's top two tacklers — linebacker Blake Cashman and safety Jacob Huff — are gone, but DE Carter Coughlin returns with his 9.5 sacks He’s one of six returning starters on defense. The DL will be a work in progress.
The Gophers did themselves no favors in the OOC schedule. South Dakota State is a top notch Div 1AA program and Fresno State is one of the better Group of 5 teams.
They are going to be one of the more difficult teams to figure out this year. Last year was a total mystery to bettors. Only two of the Gophers' 13 games finished within 10 points of the spread. They won outright as underdogs or at pick 'em in five games, but also turned in a 24-point loss to Illinois as a 9.5-point favorite and lost by 25 to Nebraska as a slim 4.5-point underdog. In all, Minnesota's games averaged a point-spread difference of 20.1 points.
The offense is set up well. 90% of the production returns. Nine returners return and for the first time under Fleck, his starting QB is back. Actually two. Zack Annexstad started seven games last season before an injury ended his season. His backup, Tanner Morgan, looked superb with a 147.6 passer rating as a freshman. Annexstad is expected to begin the season as the starter and help the Gophers improve their 69th ranked offensive explosiveness.
He’ll have two All Big Ten caliber WRs to throw to in Tyler Johnson is and Rashod Bateman. Johnson is expected to go in the 2nd round in next years draft. It will be a three-headed monster at running back with Mohamed Ibrahim, Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks. Smith and Brooks have a combined 4,844 rushing yards and return healthy after tearing ACLs last year. The OL replaces two starters but should be Big Ten level good.
The defense went from disastrous in early November, giving up 55 points to Illinois after allowing 31 to Indiana after getting hit by Nebraska for 53 – to fantastic, allowing just 59 points over the final four games against Purdue, Northwestern, Wisconsin and in the bowl game over Georgia Tech. Fleck fired defensive coordinator Robb Smith after the blow out loss to lowly Illinois. Interim DC Joe Rossi earned the job on a permanent basis after the Gophers' historic win over Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan's Axe, their first win in Madison since 1994.
The secondary didn’t allow much down the field – finishing first in the Big Ten in yards per completion. The oft injured CB Antoine Winfield Jr. returns and should be one of the best in the Big Ten.
Last year's top two tacklers — linebacker Blake Cashman and safety Jacob Huff — are gone, but DE Carter Coughlin returns with his 9.5 sacks He’s one of six returning starters on defense. The DL will be a work in progress.
The Gophers did themselves no favors in the OOC schedule. South Dakota State is a top notch Div 1AA program and Fresno State is one of the better Group of 5 teams.
They are going to be one of the more difficult teams to figure out this year. Last year was a total mystery to bettors. Only two of the Gophers' 13 games finished within 10 points of the spread. They won outright as underdogs or at pick 'em in five games, but also turned in a 24-point loss to Illinois as a 9.5-point favorite and lost by 25 to Nebraska as a slim 4.5-point underdog. In all, Minnesota's games averaged a point-spread difference of 20.1 points.
Nebraska – Vegas Win Total – 8.5 - The hype is getting out of hand. They went 4-8 last year (the same record that got Mike Riley fired), had no players drafted for the first time since 1962, but are ranked #20, Vegas is predicting a 4.5 game improvement, and oh yeah, they return only 11 starters (93rd in returning production) Don’t get me wrong, it was a fun season. Especially the second half, after they started 0-6. But this is a bit much.
The hype carries over to Adrian Martinez's whose name is in the discussion for the Heisman. Martinez averaged a school-record 295.1 yards of offense per game. How much he improves depends not only on a year’s experience but also on those around him. RB Maurice Washington is doubtful to return due issues with the law (he allegedly sent a 10-second video that showed a 15-year-old girl performing oral sex, to the girl, later his former girlfriend). The Huskers went out and got Georgia Tech transfer Dedrick Mills to help fill the hole.
Martinez will have two main targets JD Spielman will be the No. 1 target He had 8 TDs and was on track for 1,000 yards before sidelined with injuries in the last two games. TE Jack Stoll has all-star talent is a good safety valve. The OL was peaking at the end of the season and should continue to improve.
The defense finished 12th in the Big Ten and loses fove of its top six tacklers. 320 DT Darrion Daniels is a nice addition, transferring in from Oklahoma State. The LBs return leading tackler Mohamed Barry. The secondary is inexperienced and not productive but should also show some improvement.
That’s the theme – improvement. But 9 wins? That’s a stretch. Martinez will be fun to watch but there’s three losses in their Big Ten West schedule and a home date with Ohio State. Show some improvement and let the hype really take off next year.
The hype carries over to Adrian Martinez's whose name is in the discussion for the Heisman. Martinez averaged a school-record 295.1 yards of offense per game. How much he improves depends not only on a year’s experience but also on those around him. RB Maurice Washington is doubtful to return due issues with the law (he allegedly sent a 10-second video that showed a 15-year-old girl performing oral sex, to the girl, later his former girlfriend). The Huskers went out and got Georgia Tech transfer Dedrick Mills to help fill the hole.
Martinez will have two main targets JD Spielman will be the No. 1 target He had 8 TDs and was on track for 1,000 yards before sidelined with injuries in the last two games. TE Jack Stoll has all-star talent is a good safety valve. The OL was peaking at the end of the season and should continue to improve.
The defense finished 12th in the Big Ten and loses fove of its top six tacklers. 320 DT Darrion Daniels is a nice addition, transferring in from Oklahoma State. The LBs return leading tackler Mohamed Barry. The secondary is inexperienced and not productive but should also show some improvement.
That’s the theme – improvement. But 9 wins? That’s a stretch. Martinez will be fun to watch but there’s three losses in their Big Ten West schedule and a home date with Ohio State. Show some improvement and let the hype really take off next year.
Northwestern – Vegas Win Total – 6.5 – There’s something going on in Evanston – 36 wins since 2015, three consecutive bowl wins and a practice facility that’s the envy of college football. The next step? A Big Ten championship.
First the need to put a little more TNT in the offense. Those 36 wins since 2015, they were done despite being 123rd in yards per play. Hunter Johnson replaces Clayton Thorson who seems to have been starting since the Bush administration. Johnson is a 5 star recruit who transferred in from Clemson rather than play behind Trevor Lawrence. He will be a better passer than Thorson. Thorson had the yards (3,183) but was wildly inconsistent (except when torching Michigan State on an annual basis) with 15 TDs vs 17 picks.
The WRs are led by Ben Skowronek, whose spectacular catch against Iowa put the Wildcats in the Big Ten Champion game. He is coming off back to back 45 reception seasons. The running game took a massive hit when Jeremy Larkin was forced to retire, but freshman Isaiah Bowser stepped up as the season went on to finish with a team-high 866 yards with six scores.
The OL is a huge concern after giving up the most sacks in the Big Ten and now needing to replace three starters.
The defense will be terrific again. Nine starters return including seven of the top 10 tacklers. The LBs will be among the best in the business with Paddy Fisher inside and Blake Gallagher outside. The two junior linebackers will combine for well over 100 tackles again, Chris Bergin is a good veteran coming off a 51-tackle season.
The secondary returns three starters starting led by playmaker safety JR Pace. He was third on the team in tackles and led the way with four picks. Fourth-leading tackler Travis Whillock is
right next to him.
The DL is anchored by Joe Gaziano. He has the type of non-stop motor needed to live in the backfield. The key will be finding a space eater up the middle to replace Jordan Thompson.
The Cats lived on the edge all season. It was last in rushing and last in sacls allowed yet won the Big Ten West. How? They did it by keeping games close, forcing a ton of turnovers, not committing penalties (the had the fewest in the country) and catching a massive amount of breaks.
With breaking in a new QB behind a suspect OL and the breaks bound to go the other way the Wildcats won’t repeat as the West champs. With a couple layups in the OOC with UNLV and UMass, the defense will get them into a bowl which they will likely win.
Investors Note: Pat Fitzgerald's Wildcats are 13-3-1 against the spread with 10 outright wins in their past 17 games as underdogs.
First the need to put a little more TNT in the offense. Those 36 wins since 2015, they were done despite being 123rd in yards per play. Hunter Johnson replaces Clayton Thorson who seems to have been starting since the Bush administration. Johnson is a 5 star recruit who transferred in from Clemson rather than play behind Trevor Lawrence. He will be a better passer than Thorson. Thorson had the yards (3,183) but was wildly inconsistent (except when torching Michigan State on an annual basis) with 15 TDs vs 17 picks.
The WRs are led by Ben Skowronek, whose spectacular catch against Iowa put the Wildcats in the Big Ten Champion game. He is coming off back to back 45 reception seasons. The running game took a massive hit when Jeremy Larkin was forced to retire, but freshman Isaiah Bowser stepped up as the season went on to finish with a team-high 866 yards with six scores.
The OL is a huge concern after giving up the most sacks in the Big Ten and now needing to replace three starters.
The defense will be terrific again. Nine starters return including seven of the top 10 tacklers. The LBs will be among the best in the business with Paddy Fisher inside and Blake Gallagher outside. The two junior linebackers will combine for well over 100 tackles again, Chris Bergin is a good veteran coming off a 51-tackle season.
The secondary returns three starters starting led by playmaker safety JR Pace. He was third on the team in tackles and led the way with four picks. Fourth-leading tackler Travis Whillock is
right next to him.
The DL is anchored by Joe Gaziano. He has the type of non-stop motor needed to live in the backfield. The key will be finding a space eater up the middle to replace Jordan Thompson.
The Cats lived on the edge all season. It was last in rushing and last in sacls allowed yet won the Big Ten West. How? They did it by keeping games close, forcing a ton of turnovers, not committing penalties (the had the fewest in the country) and catching a massive amount of breaks.
With breaking in a new QB behind a suspect OL and the breaks bound to go the other way the Wildcats won’t repeat as the West champs. With a couple layups in the OOC with UNLV and UMass, the defense will get them into a bowl which they will likely win.
Investors Note: Pat Fitzgerald's Wildcats are 13-3-1 against the spread with 10 outright wins in their past 17 games as underdogs.
Ohio State – Vegas Win Total – 10.5 – Vegas doesn’t appear to be worried about replacing Urban. Despite having a new HC, new coordinators, losing 9 players to the NFL including 2 first round picks, an unproven QB, four returning offensive starters, and ranking 62nd overall in returning production - Ohio State has the fourth-shortest national championship odds (12/1), a regular season win total of 10.5, even-money favorites to win the Big Ten and new QB Justin Fields is 9/1 to win the Heisman Trophy.
New HC Ryan Day filled in adequately when Urban took a few weeks off for lying didn’t remember an assistant battering his spouse. Fields transferred from Georgia after deciding to not play back up to Jake Fromm for the rest of his collegiate career. He’s more mobile than Haskins (and doesn’t panic under pressure, Haskins has bust written all over him). There could very well be an upgrade over the all time leading buckeye passer. That said, Fields was criticized for his inconsistency in Athens and he didn’t exactly light it up during the spring game completing just 4-of-13 for 131 yards, with 98 coming on one pass.
WR Parris Campbell is gone but K.J. Hill returns along with Austin Mack whose 2018 season was cut short by injury. Chris Olave showed his upside late last season with 127 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan and Northwestern.
RB Mike Weber got all the publicity but returning J.K. Dobbins led the Buckeyes in rushing last season with 1,053 yards and 10 scores. The OL is going to be a bit of a problem after losing four starters.
Nine starters return for an Ohio State defense that had its worst scoring D since 1999 despite having the best field position of any unit in the country. Team gashed the run defense for 4.6 YPC (86th overall) and that was with Nick Bosa and Dre’Mont Jones. They will struggle again as the DL is expected to be the best unit but the LBs are the worst. The pass defense will be fine as Jordan Fuller anchors a solid secondary.
Can they make 11 wins? I have my doubts. There are too many question marks with a new HC, new inconsistent QB, virtually new OL and a defense with just a few too many holes. The schedule sets up well with six teams on it that didn’t get the swag bag. And there always good at being that final line of defense that keeps scUM from going to Indianapolis. But the Bucknuts are good for one gaffe each year (2017 Iowa and 2018 Purdue). Add another to either Wisconsin, Penn State or Michigan State and you have a nice 10 win season.
New HC Ryan Day filled in adequately when Urban took a few weeks off for lying didn’t remember an assistant battering his spouse. Fields transferred from Georgia after deciding to not play back up to Jake Fromm for the rest of his collegiate career. He’s more mobile than Haskins (and doesn’t panic under pressure, Haskins has bust written all over him). There could very well be an upgrade over the all time leading buckeye passer. That said, Fields was criticized for his inconsistency in Athens and he didn’t exactly light it up during the spring game completing just 4-of-13 for 131 yards, with 98 coming on one pass.
WR Parris Campbell is gone but K.J. Hill returns along with Austin Mack whose 2018 season was cut short by injury. Chris Olave showed his upside late last season with 127 yards and three touchdowns against Michigan and Northwestern.
RB Mike Weber got all the publicity but returning J.K. Dobbins led the Buckeyes in rushing last season with 1,053 yards and 10 scores. The OL is going to be a bit of a problem after losing four starters.
Nine starters return for an Ohio State defense that had its worst scoring D since 1999 despite having the best field position of any unit in the country. Team gashed the run defense for 4.6 YPC (86th overall) and that was with Nick Bosa and Dre’Mont Jones. They will struggle again as the DL is expected to be the best unit but the LBs are the worst. The pass defense will be fine as Jordan Fuller anchors a solid secondary.
Can they make 11 wins? I have my doubts. There are too many question marks with a new HC, new inconsistent QB, virtually new OL and a defense with just a few too many holes. The schedule sets up well with six teams on it that didn’t get the swag bag. And there always good at being that final line of defense that keeps scUM from going to Indianapolis. But the Bucknuts are good for one gaffe each year (2017 Iowa and 2018 Purdue). Add another to either Wisconsin, Penn State or Michigan State and you have a nice 10 win season.
Penn State – Vegas Win Total – 8.5 – What did James Franklin say? In January, he saw five players from a nine-win team leave early for the NFL Draft and 11 players enter the transfer portal. Then in April, the whole team was left stunned when QB Tommy Stevens -- the projected starter with Trace McSorley graduated -- announced a transfer to Mississippi State. All those moves dropped the Lions to No. 116 in returning offensive production.
The Nits were hoping to land Justin Fields at QB but apparently were out bid by the Bucknuts so sophomore Sean Clifford will start at QB. He is an unknown commodity with only seven career attempts (though with 2 TDs). There’s not much experience in the WRs either. KJ Hamler got off to a terrific start with 42 catches for 754 yards last year, but the only other returning wideout with more than 10 career catches is another sophomore, Jahan Dotson, who had 13 for 203 yards in 2018. Of the 12 WRs on scholarship, eight are wither freshmen or sophomores.
The backfield is as young as the receiver corps, with sophomores Ricky Slade, Journey Brown and C.J. Holmes battling true freshmen Noah Cain and Devyn Ford for carries. Slade's 45 rushing attempts last year make him the team’s most experienced runner.
The defense is another story. Six starters return from a unit that led FBS in sacks per game (3.6), fourth in TFL, allowed just 2.2 passes per game of 20 yards or more and ranked 23rd in scoring defense (20.5 ppg).
The DL should be superb as leading sacker Yetur Gross-Matos is back at one end after coming up with eight sacks and senior Shaka Toney is back at the other with five sacks. And with veterans Robert Windsor and sophomore PJ Mustipher also returning, the pressure will come from all four spots.
Micah Parsons is already one of the best young linebackers in college football, he notched a team-high 83 tackles despite working in a rotation. The starting four in the secondary should be good again after allowing fewer than six yards per attempt, allowing only 14 scores with 13 picks.
It will be a huge disappointment if PSU doesn’t start out 5-0 with Idaho (do they even play college football anymore), Buffalo, Pitt, at Maryland and then a week off to prepare Purdue to open the season. Then the fun starts, @ Iowa, scUM, their nemesis MSU, @ Minnesota, Indiana, @ Ohio State before coasting home vs Rutgers. The can split the final eight. PSU goes to a nice Florida bowl to get beat by an SEC team
The Nits were hoping to land Justin Fields at QB but apparently were out bid by the Bucknuts so sophomore Sean Clifford will start at QB. He is an unknown commodity with only seven career attempts (though with 2 TDs). There’s not much experience in the WRs either. KJ Hamler got off to a terrific start with 42 catches for 754 yards last year, but the only other returning wideout with more than 10 career catches is another sophomore, Jahan Dotson, who had 13 for 203 yards in 2018. Of the 12 WRs on scholarship, eight are wither freshmen or sophomores.
The backfield is as young as the receiver corps, with sophomores Ricky Slade, Journey Brown and C.J. Holmes battling true freshmen Noah Cain and Devyn Ford for carries. Slade's 45 rushing attempts last year make him the team’s most experienced runner.
The defense is another story. Six starters return from a unit that led FBS in sacks per game (3.6), fourth in TFL, allowed just 2.2 passes per game of 20 yards or more and ranked 23rd in scoring defense (20.5 ppg).
The DL should be superb as leading sacker Yetur Gross-Matos is back at one end after coming up with eight sacks and senior Shaka Toney is back at the other with five sacks. And with veterans Robert Windsor and sophomore PJ Mustipher also returning, the pressure will come from all four spots.
Micah Parsons is already one of the best young linebackers in college football, he notched a team-high 83 tackles despite working in a rotation. The starting four in the secondary should be good again after allowing fewer than six yards per attempt, allowing only 14 scores with 13 picks.
It will be a huge disappointment if PSU doesn’t start out 5-0 with Idaho (do they even play college football anymore), Buffalo, Pitt, at Maryland and then a week off to prepare Purdue to open the season. Then the fun starts, @ Iowa, scUM, their nemesis MSU, @ Minnesota, Indiana, @ Ohio State before coasting home vs Rutgers. The can split the final eight. PSU goes to a nice Florida bowl to get beat by an SEC team
Purdue – Vegas Win Total – 8.0 – The good news is that HC Jeff Brohm returns after spurning Louisville. The bad news is not much else returns. The Boilers are 124th in returning offensive production.
Then again, it’s not just what but who returns. QB QB Elijah Sindelar is back after he tearing up his ACL in 2017. He threw for 2,099 yards that season but sat out the majority of 2018 after tendinitis in his knee developed.
Sindelar has arguably the most electrifying target in college football at his disposal in Rondale Moore. The All-American freshman with 4.3 40-speed produced 2,215 all-purpose yards including a 12-reception, 170-yard performance in a 49-20 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State last season. Sindelar and Moore need the quick-passing game working behind only two linemen with any experience.
The running game might not be there either. DJ Knox and Markell Jones are done and top returning running back – sophomore Zander Horvath – gained just 49 yards last season.
The defense was the 2nd worst in the Big Ten. The pass defense was the fourth-worst in America. But there are pieces to build around. Linebacker Markus Bailey answered Purdue's biggest offseason question when he chose to return for his senior season. He racked up 115 tackles last year. And veteran DT Lorenzo Neal is a stud, plugging up the middle. A total of nine starters return but they need to get a whole lot better.
Someone needs to fire the schedule maker. Purdue has the 9th hardest OOC schedule. A road game @ Penn State doesn’t help either. Purdue is one of those teams that is a betting crap shoot. They can beat just about any one and lose to them too. Do it at your own risk (or getting points). The Boilers will squeak into a bowl.
Investors Note: Brohm is 15-2 SU and 14-3 ATS from week 11 on.
Then again, it’s not just what but who returns. QB QB Elijah Sindelar is back after he tearing up his ACL in 2017. He threw for 2,099 yards that season but sat out the majority of 2018 after tendinitis in his knee developed.
Sindelar has arguably the most electrifying target in college football at his disposal in Rondale Moore. The All-American freshman with 4.3 40-speed produced 2,215 all-purpose yards including a 12-reception, 170-yard performance in a 49-20 win over then-No. 2 Ohio State last season. Sindelar and Moore need the quick-passing game working behind only two linemen with any experience.
The running game might not be there either. DJ Knox and Markell Jones are done and top returning running back – sophomore Zander Horvath – gained just 49 yards last season.
The defense was the 2nd worst in the Big Ten. The pass defense was the fourth-worst in America. But there are pieces to build around. Linebacker Markus Bailey answered Purdue's biggest offseason question when he chose to return for his senior season. He racked up 115 tackles last year. And veteran DT Lorenzo Neal is a stud, plugging up the middle. A total of nine starters return but they need to get a whole lot better.
Someone needs to fire the schedule maker. Purdue has the 9th hardest OOC schedule. A road game @ Penn State doesn’t help either. Purdue is one of those teams that is a betting crap shoot. They can beat just about any one and lose to them too. Do it at your own risk (or getting points). The Boilers will squeak into a bowl.
Investors Note: Brohm is 15-2 SU and 14-3 ATS from week 11 on.
Rutgers – Vegas Win Total – 3.0 – We are celebrating 150 years of college football and Rutgers has been a joke for just about everyone of them. Coming into 2018, Rutgers was seriously thinking they might make a bowl but a string of arrests resulted in the suspension or dismissal of nine players, and the offense started a freshman quarterback who produced epic poor results, including finishing 127th in yards and dead last in scoring. It got so bad that by late November, the school's AD, Pat Hobbs, issued the dreaded vote of confidence for Ash. The Hot Seat cometh.
Since Ash took over in 2016, Rutgers' scoring offense has ranked 127th in 2016 (15.7 ppg), 121st in 2017 (18.0 ppg) and 130th (13.5 ppg) last season. But there is a potential upside if Texas Tech transfer McLane Carter wins the QB competition over Arthur Sitkowski. Frankly, any QB is an upgrade over Sitkowski, who recorded a 49% completion rate, with four touchdowns to 18 interceptions, and a QBR of 12.8 last season. Compare that to Dobbie, who was on track for a 15.0 QBR his senior year before non prescription meds brought the demise of his football career.
The Scarlet Knights' bread and butter will be the run game, which will lean heavily on junior Raheem Blackshear (586 rushing yards) and sophomore Isaih Pacheco (551 rushing yards). They will play behind an experienced OL that returns four starters.
Dropped passes, the inability of receivers to get separation and subpar pass protection were issues, but Rutgers returns four of its top five pass catchers and adds Wisconsin grad transfer Kyle Penniston to the mix.
Five of the top seven tacklers are done and six starters have to be replaced from a defense that had little to no pass rush, generating just 16 sacks, and allowed a 401 yards and 31 points per game. Not all that bad considering it got no help at all from the offense.
Rutgers returns a pair of corners that helped the Knights rank 29th in the country in completion percentage allowed (55.6%). The ranking may have more to do with opposing teams weren't throwing the ball much due to success on the ground.
The LBs lose their best two tacklers and are hoping that scUM transfer Drew Singleton will solidify the run defense. Another scUM transfer, Ron Johnson will likely start at DE.
There’s two easy wins to start the season, Liberty and UMass. That matches last year’s win total. But getting to six is a stretch. It will take an upset to even get a 3rd win. Unless Ash has some well documented photos, this is probably his last year.
Since Ash took over in 2016, Rutgers' scoring offense has ranked 127th in 2016 (15.7 ppg), 121st in 2017 (18.0 ppg) and 130th (13.5 ppg) last season. But there is a potential upside if Texas Tech transfer McLane Carter wins the QB competition over Arthur Sitkowski. Frankly, any QB is an upgrade over Sitkowski, who recorded a 49% completion rate, with four touchdowns to 18 interceptions, and a QBR of 12.8 last season. Compare that to Dobbie, who was on track for a 15.0 QBR his senior year before non prescription meds brought the demise of his football career.
The Scarlet Knights' bread and butter will be the run game, which will lean heavily on junior Raheem Blackshear (586 rushing yards) and sophomore Isaih Pacheco (551 rushing yards). They will play behind an experienced OL that returns four starters.
Dropped passes, the inability of receivers to get separation and subpar pass protection were issues, but Rutgers returns four of its top five pass catchers and adds Wisconsin grad transfer Kyle Penniston to the mix.
Five of the top seven tacklers are done and six starters have to be replaced from a defense that had little to no pass rush, generating just 16 sacks, and allowed a 401 yards and 31 points per game. Not all that bad considering it got no help at all from the offense.
Rutgers returns a pair of corners that helped the Knights rank 29th in the country in completion percentage allowed (55.6%). The ranking may have more to do with opposing teams weren't throwing the ball much due to success on the ground.
The LBs lose their best two tacklers and are hoping that scUM transfer Drew Singleton will solidify the run defense. Another scUM transfer, Ron Johnson will likely start at DE.
There’s two easy wins to start the season, Liberty and UMass. That matches last year’s win total. But getting to six is a stretch. It will take an upset to even get a 3rd win. Unless Ash has some well documented photos, this is probably his last year.
Wisconsin – Vegas Win Total – 8.5 – Safe to say the 2018 Wisconsin football season was a huge disappointment. The Badgers entered the year ranked No. 4 nationally in the preseason polls, but injuries and an underachieving offense marked the first time under coach Paul Chryst that the Badgers didn't reach double-digit wins. They didn’t even finish ranked.
The offense has to rebuild after losing eight starters including QB Alex Hornibrook. Not that Hornibrook is going to missed in Madison, His inconsistent play resulted in the Badgers finishing 9th in the Big Ten in passing efficiency. It’s going to be junior Jack Coan’s gig to start the season. He filled in late last year and completed 60% of his throw for 515 yards and five scores with three picks. But if he falters it won’t be long before Bucky fans are screaming for 5 star recruit Graham Mertz to take over.
Regardless of the QB the offense will still revolve around super star RB Jonathan Taylor again. Taylor rushed for 2,194 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate (Shea Patterson please note) entering what almost certainly will be his final season with the Badgers. The fact that Taylor produced five games of 200-plus yards in 2018 was amazing considering there was little reason for opponents to respect the passing game. He needs to do a better job protecting the football though as he has a tendency to look like Melvin Gordon at times.
AJ Taylor, Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor, and TE Jake Ferguson were all inconsistent in the passing game too. But they should improve into a decent group.
It’s Wisconsin, they will roll out a bunch of 300+ pound curd chompers and have a better OL than you. Center Tyler Biadasz is the star and returns for his junior season after flirting with the NFL.
Not only did the offense regress last year, the defense did too. It was a bit of a youth movement and now eight starters are back including six who were underclassmen thrown to the wolves.
The pass defense turned out to be okay considering it didn’t get a lick of help from the pass rush that went from 42 sacks in 2017 to just 17. This year the DL should be much better with Isaiah Loudermilk, Bryson Williams and Garrett Randbut all coming back but lacks that massive run stopper up the middle.
Zack Baun leads a decent but not great linebacking unit. The secondary should be a strength early on until the DL catches up.
With Nebraska getting all the pub and Northwestern the returning West champs, Wisconsin is strangely under the radar. The OOC games start with a tester in USF but is otherwise a piece of cake. The problem starts in the Big Ten when they get scUM, Ohio State and MSU as crossover games. With the “no respect” chip firmly on their shoulder the Badgers should clean up in the West. 10 wins are the norm under Paul Chryst, Bucky falls just short but makes it to Indy.
The offense has to rebuild after losing eight starters including QB Alex Hornibrook. Not that Hornibrook is going to missed in Madison, His inconsistent play resulted in the Badgers finishing 9th in the Big Ten in passing efficiency. It’s going to be junior Jack Coan’s gig to start the season. He filled in late last year and completed 60% of his throw for 515 yards and five scores with three picks. But if he falters it won’t be long before Bucky fans are screaming for 5 star recruit Graham Mertz to take over.
Regardless of the QB the offense will still revolve around super star RB Jonathan Taylor again. Taylor rushed for 2,194 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore and is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate (Shea Patterson please note) entering what almost certainly will be his final season with the Badgers. The fact that Taylor produced five games of 200-plus yards in 2018 was amazing considering there was little reason for opponents to respect the passing game. He needs to do a better job protecting the football though as he has a tendency to look like Melvin Gordon at times.
AJ Taylor, Danny Davis, Kendric Pryor, and TE Jake Ferguson were all inconsistent in the passing game too. But they should improve into a decent group.
It’s Wisconsin, they will roll out a bunch of 300+ pound curd chompers and have a better OL than you. Center Tyler Biadasz is the star and returns for his junior season after flirting with the NFL.
Not only did the offense regress last year, the defense did too. It was a bit of a youth movement and now eight starters are back including six who were underclassmen thrown to the wolves.
The pass defense turned out to be okay considering it didn’t get a lick of help from the pass rush that went from 42 sacks in 2017 to just 17. This year the DL should be much better with Isaiah Loudermilk, Bryson Williams and Garrett Randbut all coming back but lacks that massive run stopper up the middle.
Zack Baun leads a decent but not great linebacking unit. The secondary should be a strength early on until the DL catches up.
With Nebraska getting all the pub and Northwestern the returning West champs, Wisconsin is strangely under the radar. The OOC games start with a tester in USF but is otherwise a piece of cake. The problem starts in the Big Ten when they get scUM, Ohio State and MSU as crossover games. With the “no respect” chip firmly on their shoulder the Badgers should clean up in the West. 10 wins are the norm under Paul Chryst, Bucky falls just short but makes it to Indy.
Michigan State – Vegas Win Total – 7.5 - Not only did I save your favorite conference for last, I saved your favorite team for last.
Start by just forgetting about last year. It was racked by injuries. 10 starters were lost for a total of 48 games. Including QB Brian Lewerke. He was never the same after hurting his shoulder against Penn State. Before the game he completed 60% of his passes and only 43% afterwards. It got so bad that the Spartans scored seven or fewer points in four of their last seven games. The Spartans were 13th in the Big Ten in scoring offense and total offense and ranked better than only eight teams in the entire country in scoring (18.7 ppg). It wasted a CFP level effort by the defense.
Dantonio didn’t replace the OCs as much as shuffled the deck. New play caller Brad Salem is supposedly going to modernize the offense but not too much – just spice things up a bit.
Dantonio’s offenses are always going to feature the run game. Last year’s feature RB was supposed to be LJ Scott but his heat was never truly in it. He took a look at the NFL for a few weeks and then just gave up on football. Connor Heyward is the likely starter, running for 529 yards and five scores as the team’s leading rusher, but he’s not a bell cow. The RB will be by committee with bruiser La’Darius Jefferson going to get his chances too.
Seven offensive linemen with starting experience return from a unit that sorted through nine different starting lineups due to injury last year. Michigan State lacked physicality up front in 2018, failing to get movement. Several guys have bulked up adding at least 10 pounds, including left tackle Cole Chewins and right tackle Jordan Reid,
The receiving corps was never able to rely on a consistent starting group. Felton Davis was out for the year midway through the season, he’s gone, and leading yardage receiver Cody White missed most of the middle of the season. It’s a big group with 6-3 White catching 42 passes for 555 yards, and 6-2 Darrell Stewart making 45 grabs. Don’t be surprised if TE Matt Dotson has a break out year surpassing his 30 grabs from last year.
If Lewerke stays healthy and he’s close to his 2017 production, the offense will border on being explosive. Explosive in a Dantonio sort of way that is.
It must have been frustrating for the defense last year. Week after week they would turn in a stellar performance only to see the offense give games away. It’s primed for another fantastic year.
There smiles a mile wide when Kenny Willekes, last season's Big Ten Defensive Lineman of Year, decided to return. He will anchor a veteran D-line that finished the 2018 season ranked No. 1 in stopping the run. Paired with Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams they should turn in a similar year.
Reigning First-team All-Big Ten linebacker Joe Bachie, also returns. Tyriq Thompson returns as a dependable strong-side linebacker, and Antjuan Simmons is a proven player, ready to make noise in the slot as the new starter at Star linebacker.
MSU lost stud defensive backs Justin Layne and Khari Willis, but CB Josiah Scott is Dantonio's next great cornerback, sticky and quick after missing the first eight games of 2018 with a knee injury. He’s paired with senior Josh Butler, who has plenty of experience with nine starts. Safety David Dowell is proven as well. The No Fly Zone will be back.
The defense alone will get the Spartans into a bowl. If the offense stays healthy and Lewerke returns to 2017 form then you can put MSU in Indianapolis. CFP? Nah, not enough playmakers on the offense.
GO GREEN!
Remember the 2019 GO JUMBO trip is Oct 26th at the Westgate SuperBook
Start by just forgetting about last year. It was racked by injuries. 10 starters were lost for a total of 48 games. Including QB Brian Lewerke. He was never the same after hurting his shoulder against Penn State. Before the game he completed 60% of his passes and only 43% afterwards. It got so bad that the Spartans scored seven or fewer points in four of their last seven games. The Spartans were 13th in the Big Ten in scoring offense and total offense and ranked better than only eight teams in the entire country in scoring (18.7 ppg). It wasted a CFP level effort by the defense.
Dantonio didn’t replace the OCs as much as shuffled the deck. New play caller Brad Salem is supposedly going to modernize the offense but not too much – just spice things up a bit.
Dantonio’s offenses are always going to feature the run game. Last year’s feature RB was supposed to be LJ Scott but his heat was never truly in it. He took a look at the NFL for a few weeks and then just gave up on football. Connor Heyward is the likely starter, running for 529 yards and five scores as the team’s leading rusher, but he’s not a bell cow. The RB will be by committee with bruiser La’Darius Jefferson going to get his chances too.
Seven offensive linemen with starting experience return from a unit that sorted through nine different starting lineups due to injury last year. Michigan State lacked physicality up front in 2018, failing to get movement. Several guys have bulked up adding at least 10 pounds, including left tackle Cole Chewins and right tackle Jordan Reid,
The receiving corps was never able to rely on a consistent starting group. Felton Davis was out for the year midway through the season, he’s gone, and leading yardage receiver Cody White missed most of the middle of the season. It’s a big group with 6-3 White catching 42 passes for 555 yards, and 6-2 Darrell Stewart making 45 grabs. Don’t be surprised if TE Matt Dotson has a break out year surpassing his 30 grabs from last year.
If Lewerke stays healthy and he’s close to his 2017 production, the offense will border on being explosive. Explosive in a Dantonio sort of way that is.
It must have been frustrating for the defense last year. Week after week they would turn in a stellar performance only to see the offense give games away. It’s primed for another fantastic year.
There smiles a mile wide when Kenny Willekes, last season's Big Ten Defensive Lineman of Year, decided to return. He will anchor a veteran D-line that finished the 2018 season ranked No. 1 in stopping the run. Paired with Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams they should turn in a similar year.
Reigning First-team All-Big Ten linebacker Joe Bachie, also returns. Tyriq Thompson returns as a dependable strong-side linebacker, and Antjuan Simmons is a proven player, ready to make noise in the slot as the new starter at Star linebacker.
MSU lost stud defensive backs Justin Layne and Khari Willis, but CB Josiah Scott is Dantonio's next great cornerback, sticky and quick after missing the first eight games of 2018 with a knee injury. He’s paired with senior Josh Butler, who has plenty of experience with nine starts. Safety David Dowell is proven as well. The No Fly Zone will be back.
The defense alone will get the Spartans into a bowl. If the offense stays healthy and Lewerke returns to 2017 form then you can put MSU in Indianapolis. CFP? Nah, not enough playmakers on the offense.
GO GREEN!
Remember the 2019 GO JUMBO trip is Oct 26th at the Westgate SuperBook