So I've been wondering about what's what in the upcoming season and so many of these sports writers are saying the same things. You know, OSU is the tops, Rutgers is the worst, and everybody else is in between. So I thought I'd do some research for myself. Here's what I found out:
OSU
They return 4 seniors on both offense and defense. JT Barrett, Jamarco Jones, Billy Price (the guard not the singer), and Marcus Baugh return on offense. Tyquan Lewis, Chris Worley, safeties Erick Smith and Damon Webb return on defense.
They lost seven players to the NFL draft. Gone are two wide receivers, a center, a linebacker, and 3/4s of their defensive backfield. Three first rounders and two in the second. That was some serious talent.
Offensively they get 2/3rds of the rushing attack back with Weber and Barrett. The lose a key player with their center going to the NFL, but have plenty of players here. The OL will not be a weakness. They also get back their TE.
Defensively they have to reload a little bit. As I said before they lost 3/4 of the defensive backfield, and I don't care who you are that's gotta hurt. Lots of players at LB, and new blood at DB. We'll see what happens. In my view you don't lost three players to the NFL, at one position, and not take a step back.
My observation. If OSU has a weakness it's the passing game and they lost two wide receivers to the draft. So that can't help. But the big one might be three DBs going pro. There's a few chinks in the armor but still a very good team with plenty of players.
We play them at the Shoe, that's can't help our chances. Will probably be a night game too.
UM
This will be a very young squad with only two senior starters on both the offense and the defense. And they lost a lot to the NFL and graduation.
Wow! I didn't realize this. I knew they lost a lot, but not this much. Nineteen players from the 2016 Michigan football team were drafted or signed free agent contracts with the NFL. Eleven defensive players are in the group. Two wide receivers and their TE. Three starting OL are gone.
Do they have players? Yes, absolutely. Did they lose talent and experience? How could they not?
Michigan plays PSU, at the Beav, white-out, night game, revenge factor, game after a bye week. Take the points, PSU wins this one and maybe rubs it in a little bit.
Wisconsin
These guys are always tough. They play a 3-4 defense and lost both outside linebackers to the NFL.
The finally get rid of the 2 QB system and Alex Hornibrook is the starter. They lose both of their RBs to the NFL but return their top WRs and TE. It seems you never have to worry about the Badgers having big, strong linemen either. They should be able to move the ball.
If we play them it would be an interesting rematch of the Big 10 Championship.
Michigan State
This is a young football team. Only one senior is slated to be the starter on offense, and only two on defense. They only lost 3 people to the NFL (one FA, two drafted).
They lost their starting QB, but get back their leading rusher (LJ Scott, 994 yards).
Ya know I'm not going any further with this one. MSU lost nine of their last ten games (45-12 PSU) in 2016. If you add the turmoil of the recent, multiple, off season arrests to their losing streak, Dantonio on thin ice, and multiple players leaving the program Michigan State needs to right their ship before they sink.
Nebraska
This is a squad that has some experience, but also lost a lot of talent.
Nebraska was 9th in the Big 10 in rushing last season and they lose their top two leading rushers. QB Tommy Armstrong is one of them, but his loss can't be measured by his rushing statistics because he pretty much owns every passing record at Nebraska. This won't be an easy player to replace, as he was obviously the heart of their offense. However, they do have some potential talent ready to step in. Tanner Lee, a former starter at Tulane, has been named the starter after Spring practice.
Another key player that is gone is their leading rusher, Terrell Newby. They lost two or three players from the OL, but get back 6-7 that have played. The two players lost to NFL free agency were a WR and a TE. With Armstrong's career being over the Cornhusker coaches pretty much have to rebuild their entire offensive attack.
They've got some pretty interesting freshmen WRs coming in including Keyshawn Johnson Jr., a 4-star from CA. Actually they have three 4-star WRs in the 2017 recruiting class. So there's obviously some talent coming in.
On defense they lost Nate Gerry. This guy was the defensive equivalent of Tommy Armstrong. A three year starter, an all-American, a two year team captain, Another player that is impossible to replace. But the strength of the defense should be the other returning starters to the secondary. Nebraska's defense needs to improve this season if they have high hopes for 2017.
After starting 7-0 last year Nebraska went 2-4 in their last six games including being manhandled by Iowa to the tune of 40-10. Losing is a habit and Cornhusker fans are hopeful they can get back on the winning track.
Very solid recruiting classes, good experience, but a loss of offensive firepower. We'll see what happens in 2017.
They come to Beaver Stadium on November 18th.
Northwestern
Can you believe that Pat Fitzgerald starts his 12th year as their head coach? I met him once, years ago, and he came off as a pretty good guy. So good for him, 12 years as a head coach doesn't happen that often anymore.
Offensively they return Clayton Thorson at QB who threw for 3152 yards, with 22-9 td/int, and a 125.9 QB rating. They also return the leading rusher in the Big 10, Justin Jackson, who ran for over 1500 yards last year. They lost their best WR, Austin Carr, but picked up Oregon transfer Jalen Brown. Three of their starting OL will be new starters but they get back their TE (superback) who caught passes for 300 yards last year. If they get production out of some new WRs and some able bodies on the OL they'll be a very dangerous offensive football team.
On defense they lost two players to the NFL, but bring back Godwin Igwebuike one of the top rated safeties in college football. Somebody has to replace Anthony Walker, but this should be a solid defense. This will be a good, if not very good defense, with the backfield being one of the best in the Big 10.
On a side note they did lose their place kicker.
Penn State travels to Northwestern on October 7th and this should be a very tough game.
Iowa
Coming off a disappointing 2016 (7-6 after #9 ranking in 2015) Iowa must replace their QB, one of their two headed monsters at TB and their starting TE all to the NFL. They also lost their leading WR, Jerminic Smith and star WR Matt Vandeberg is coming off of foot surgery. This much offense won't be easy to replace.
On defense they lost Desmond King and Jaleel Johnson to the NFL. DT Faith Ekakitie, and native Canadian, is also gone. He was the #1 draft pick in the CFL. The LBs will probably be the strength of the unit with Josey Jewell being the star.
After losing so much offense I can't see them being a threat to any team with a good defense. We'll see what happens.
Indiana
New Head Coach Tom Allen has work to do. They lose two starting lineman and one of them, Dan Feeney was the only Hoosier drafted by the NFL. Their starting TB, Devine Reading, is also gone to free agency and is now with the Kansas City Chiefs. They do return their starting QB, Richard Lagrow, a former transfer from OK State. He'll have to improve his TD/Int ratio though as he tossed 17 picks. They do get back the majority of their receiving crew. If they find a running back, and Lagrow cuts done on the ints they will be able to move the ball.
Their defense, which has improved over the past couple of years, will be lead by seven seniors. So they'll be an experience group. Sr MLB Tegray Scales and Sr CB Rashard Kant seem to be their leaders.
Their kicker returns but he was average at best, making 16 of 26 field goal attempts.
Maryland
Our last game of the year, excluding a bowl game or conference title game, will be at Maryland. There are a lot of Penn Staters in the DC area so it's not the home field advantage that most teams enjoy.
Offensively they return their leading rusher, Ty Johnson, who rushed for 1031 yards last season. Their QB is a NC transfer, Caleb Henderson, who was buried in the depth chart. They get most of their wide receivers back and the OL, although it lost a few players, seems to have some depth.
On defense they will start 8 seniors so they'll be experienced, but they were at the bottom statistically in the Big 10 last year. We'll see if they improve.
They've had a couple decent recruiting classes and might get a few players out of them.
Rutgers
Wow, Rutgers. Last season they lost to Michigan 78-0, OSU 58-0, PSU 39-0, and MSU 49-0.
With that said I was at the grocery store yesterday and this hot woman was in front of me wearing a Rutgers tank top. When she bent over she showed me her assets. Was I wrong to look?
That seems to be about the only thing Rutgers has going for it.
Can't wait for college football to start. It's going to be a very interesting season.
OSU
They return 4 seniors on both offense and defense. JT Barrett, Jamarco Jones, Billy Price (the guard not the singer), and Marcus Baugh return on offense. Tyquan Lewis, Chris Worley, safeties Erick Smith and Damon Webb return on defense.
They lost seven players to the NFL draft. Gone are two wide receivers, a center, a linebacker, and 3/4s of their defensive backfield. Three first rounders and two in the second. That was some serious talent.
Offensively they get 2/3rds of the rushing attack back with Weber and Barrett. The lose a key player with their center going to the NFL, but have plenty of players here. The OL will not be a weakness. They also get back their TE.
Defensively they have to reload a little bit. As I said before they lost 3/4 of the defensive backfield, and I don't care who you are that's gotta hurt. Lots of players at LB, and new blood at DB. We'll see what happens. In my view you don't lost three players to the NFL, at one position, and not take a step back.
My observation. If OSU has a weakness it's the passing game and they lost two wide receivers to the draft. So that can't help. But the big one might be three DBs going pro. There's a few chinks in the armor but still a very good team with plenty of players.
We play them at the Shoe, that's can't help our chances. Will probably be a night game too.
UM
This will be a very young squad with only two senior starters on both the offense and the defense. And they lost a lot to the NFL and graduation.
Wow! I didn't realize this. I knew they lost a lot, but not this much. Nineteen players from the 2016 Michigan football team were drafted or signed free agent contracts with the NFL. Eleven defensive players are in the group. Two wide receivers and their TE. Three starting OL are gone.
Do they have players? Yes, absolutely. Did they lose talent and experience? How could they not?
Michigan plays PSU, at the Beav, white-out, night game, revenge factor, game after a bye week. Take the points, PSU wins this one and maybe rubs it in a little bit.
Wisconsin
These guys are always tough. They play a 3-4 defense and lost both outside linebackers to the NFL.
The finally get rid of the 2 QB system and Alex Hornibrook is the starter. They lose both of their RBs to the NFL but return their top WRs and TE. It seems you never have to worry about the Badgers having big, strong linemen either. They should be able to move the ball.
If we play them it would be an interesting rematch of the Big 10 Championship.
Michigan State
This is a young football team. Only one senior is slated to be the starter on offense, and only two on defense. They only lost 3 people to the NFL (one FA, two drafted).
They lost their starting QB, but get back their leading rusher (LJ Scott, 994 yards).
Ya know I'm not going any further with this one. MSU lost nine of their last ten games (45-12 PSU) in 2016. If you add the turmoil of the recent, multiple, off season arrests to their losing streak, Dantonio on thin ice, and multiple players leaving the program Michigan State needs to right their ship before they sink.
Nebraska
This is a squad that has some experience, but also lost a lot of talent.
Nebraska was 9th in the Big 10 in rushing last season and they lose their top two leading rushers. QB Tommy Armstrong is one of them, but his loss can't be measured by his rushing statistics because he pretty much owns every passing record at Nebraska. This won't be an easy player to replace, as he was obviously the heart of their offense. However, they do have some potential talent ready to step in. Tanner Lee, a former starter at Tulane, has been named the starter after Spring practice.
Another key player that is gone is their leading rusher, Terrell Newby. They lost two or three players from the OL, but get back 6-7 that have played. The two players lost to NFL free agency were a WR and a TE. With Armstrong's career being over the Cornhusker coaches pretty much have to rebuild their entire offensive attack.
They've got some pretty interesting freshmen WRs coming in including Keyshawn Johnson Jr., a 4-star from CA. Actually they have three 4-star WRs in the 2017 recruiting class. So there's obviously some talent coming in.
On defense they lost Nate Gerry. This guy was the defensive equivalent of Tommy Armstrong. A three year starter, an all-American, a two year team captain, Another player that is impossible to replace. But the strength of the defense should be the other returning starters to the secondary. Nebraska's defense needs to improve this season if they have high hopes for 2017.
After starting 7-0 last year Nebraska went 2-4 in their last six games including being manhandled by Iowa to the tune of 40-10. Losing is a habit and Cornhusker fans are hopeful they can get back on the winning track.
Very solid recruiting classes, good experience, but a loss of offensive firepower. We'll see what happens in 2017.
They come to Beaver Stadium on November 18th.
Northwestern
Can you believe that Pat Fitzgerald starts his 12th year as their head coach? I met him once, years ago, and he came off as a pretty good guy. So good for him, 12 years as a head coach doesn't happen that often anymore.
Offensively they return Clayton Thorson at QB who threw for 3152 yards, with 22-9 td/int, and a 125.9 QB rating. They also return the leading rusher in the Big 10, Justin Jackson, who ran for over 1500 yards last year. They lost their best WR, Austin Carr, but picked up Oregon transfer Jalen Brown. Three of their starting OL will be new starters but they get back their TE (superback) who caught passes for 300 yards last year. If they get production out of some new WRs and some able bodies on the OL they'll be a very dangerous offensive football team.
On defense they lost two players to the NFL, but bring back Godwin Igwebuike one of the top rated safeties in college football. Somebody has to replace Anthony Walker, but this should be a solid defense. This will be a good, if not very good defense, with the backfield being one of the best in the Big 10.
On a side note they did lose their place kicker.
Penn State travels to Northwestern on October 7th and this should be a very tough game.
Iowa
Coming off a disappointing 2016 (7-6 after #9 ranking in 2015) Iowa must replace their QB, one of their two headed monsters at TB and their starting TE all to the NFL. They also lost their leading WR, Jerminic Smith and star WR Matt Vandeberg is coming off of foot surgery. This much offense won't be easy to replace.
On defense they lost Desmond King and Jaleel Johnson to the NFL. DT Faith Ekakitie, and native Canadian, is also gone. He was the #1 draft pick in the CFL. The LBs will probably be the strength of the unit with Josey Jewell being the star.
After losing so much offense I can't see them being a threat to any team with a good defense. We'll see what happens.
Indiana
New Head Coach Tom Allen has work to do. They lose two starting lineman and one of them, Dan Feeney was the only Hoosier drafted by the NFL. Their starting TB, Devine Reading, is also gone to free agency and is now with the Kansas City Chiefs. They do return their starting QB, Richard Lagrow, a former transfer from OK State. He'll have to improve his TD/Int ratio though as he tossed 17 picks. They do get back the majority of their receiving crew. If they find a running back, and Lagrow cuts done on the ints they will be able to move the ball.
Their defense, which has improved over the past couple of years, will be lead by seven seniors. So they'll be an experience group. Sr MLB Tegray Scales and Sr CB Rashard Kant seem to be their leaders.
Their kicker returns but he was average at best, making 16 of 26 field goal attempts.
Maryland
Our last game of the year, excluding a bowl game or conference title game, will be at Maryland. There are a lot of Penn Staters in the DC area so it's not the home field advantage that most teams enjoy.
Offensively they return their leading rusher, Ty Johnson, who rushed for 1031 yards last season. Their QB is a NC transfer, Caleb Henderson, who was buried in the depth chart. They get most of their wide receivers back and the OL, although it lost a few players, seems to have some depth.
On defense they will start 8 seniors so they'll be experienced, but they were at the bottom statistically in the Big 10 last year. We'll see if they improve.
They've had a couple decent recruiting classes and might get a few players out of them.
Rutgers
Wow, Rutgers. Last season they lost to Michigan 78-0, OSU 58-0, PSU 39-0, and MSU 49-0.
With that said I was at the grocery store yesterday and this hot woman was in front of me wearing a Rutgers tank top. When she bent over she showed me her assets. Was I wrong to look?
That seems to be about the only thing Rutgers has going for it.
Can't wait for college football to start. It's going to be a very interesting season.
