Big Ten Football 2016 - East Division Preview

When Jim Harbaugh agreed to replace Brady Hoke as the Head Coach of the University of Michigan, many wondered (myself included) how long it would take him to turnaround the winningest (but struggling for the better part of a decade) football program in the country. Fast forward 18 months, Harbaugh and Michigan are coming off a 10-win season and are eyeing the College Football Playoff.

However, standing in Michigan's way is what could be the deepest division in any conference in the nation. Michigan State, coming off its second Big Ten title in the last 3 years, looks formidable, despite losing the most celebrated Quarterback in school history, Connor Cook. Ohio State and Urban Meyer are looking to reload after losing 16 (!!) starters, 8 on offense and 8 on defense. But they do return starting Quarterback and former Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, J.T. Barrett.

Let's dive in to some of the biggest questions facing the Big Ten's stronger division.

1) Can Michigan adequately replace Jake Rudock at Quarterback?

Rudock used his 5th year of eligibility in Ann Arbor, after being "benched" before his 5th year even began in Iowa City. After a slow start, and under tutelage from Harbaugh, he set the Michigan record for completion percentage in a season (64%), became only the second Michigan QB ever to throw for 3,000 yards in a season, and finished second all time in passing years in a single season (3,017). Fast forward and Michigan is looking at a two-horse race in its starting QB competition. Despite not being named the starter out of spring practice, many expect Houston transfer John O'Korn to take the reins at QB. Tall, athletic, and strong-armed, O'Korn was the American Athletic Conference's Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2013. After falling out of favor with the offensive system in Houston, O'Korn is looking for a fresh start in Ann Arbor. His competition is Redshirt Junior Wilton Speight, who has limited game experience as a Wolverine. He's shown a steady hand in practice, and is seen as the type of player who will limit mistakes. With Michigan's elite defense, the coaches might want to turn to a player who will allow the running game and defense to carry the squad. A starter might not be named until opening day.

Michigan Quarterback John O'Korn

Photo Credit - Zimbio.com

2) Can Michigan State replace the offensive firepower they lost to the NFL?

Connor Cook was the most successful and celebrated QB to ever play in East Lansing, winning a Rose Bowl, a Cotton Bowl, and two Big Ten Championships. Losing him would be a blow to any team, and with the loss of stud receiver Aaron Burbridge and All Big Ten Offensive Lineman Jack Allen, the Spartans will have to replace key pieces at many different spots. Dial in Tyler O'Connor. After leading the Spartans to their stunning victory in Columbus last November, he does have big game experience and should be ready for the new challenge as the starting QB of a top program. Only time will tell, but despite the tall task of following up a tremendous QB, he should be ready to make Michigan State a contender in the Big Ten East.

Michigan State Quarterback Tyler O'Connor

Photo Credit - Mlive.com

3) Are James Franklin and Penn State ready to have a breakout season in Happy Valley?

After two underwhelming seasons to start his Penn State career, James Franklin is already on the hot seat. After losing his star Quarterback, who never was able to reach his full potential in Happy Valley due to atrocious offensive line play, Franklin will be feeling the pressure to produce this year. With Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State all on the schedule, that might be a pipe dream. One thing Franklin has done well is recruit. After another top 10 class, with many offensive lineman and skill position players coming to campus, the future could be bright. But Franklin's limitations as a coach are now taking over as major public opinion, despite his prowess as a recruiter. He needs to win and soon, because the once-proud program is not content being the 4th best program in their own division.

Penn State Head Coach James Franklin

Photo Credit - OnwardState.com

Big Ten Football 2016 - West Division Preview

After an impressive bounce-back season in 2015, the reigning-champion Iowa Hawkeyes once again look like the team to beat in the Big Ten's West Division. While the East Division is stronger top to bottom, there are intriguing story lines that should make the 2016 race for the Big Ten West title interesting to watch.

Top Storylines

1) Can Iowa regain its 2015 pre-Rose Bowl form?

Being only minutes away from a Big Ten title in Indianapolis, Iowa figured to pose a threat to Stanford in the Rose Bowl. All-American Stanford Running Back Christian McCaffrey wouldn't let that happen, and the embarrassing performance on both sides of the ball by the Hawkeyes stymied any sort of momentum Iowa hoped to carry into 2016. Now, minus All-Big Ten guard Austin Blythe and stud defensive end Nate Meier, senior Quarterback CJ Bathard and All-American Cornerback Desmond King hope to lead the Hawkeyes to Indianapolis once again. Iowa draws fellow West Division rivals Nebraska and Wisconsin at home. Michigan also makes an appearance, for the first time since 2013, in Iowa City. Taking care of Nebraska and Wisconsin at home should be enough for Iowa to reclaim the West title.

                    Iowa Cornerback Desmond King                  

 Picture - Hawk Central

2) What should we expect from Lovie Smith in his first season in Champaign?

In 2001, Illinois Quarterback Kurt Kittner (remember that name?) led the Fighting Illini to a surprising Big Ten Championship and Sugar Bowl berth (eventually blown out, but still). Since that Big Ten Title, Illinois' one relevant season ended in a Rose Bowl trouncing at the hands of Pete Carroll's USC Trojans (2008). After the Tim Beckmann era ended rather controversially (with accusations of mistreatment by injured players), Bill Cubit was unable to turn the program around during his short time at the helm, so boosters turned to universally-respected, NFL veteran Lovie Smith. Smith hopes to bring his brand of conservative, disciplined (and boring) football to Champaign. While we shouldn't expect a Big Ten Title out of the Illini anytime soon, Illinois does return 5th year senior Quarterback Wes Lunt, who has shown enough big-play capability in the past to instill some newfound optimism in Champaign. Expect the steadying hand of Smith to pay dividends this year, and more so down the road.

                               Illinois Quarterback Wes Lunt                              

Picture - Columbus Dispatch

3) Will Nebraska use its bowl game victory to launch itself forward in Mike Riley's second year in Lincoln?

After an opening weekend Hail Mary loss to BYU at home, the game became a microcosm of Mike Riley's first year at the helm of Nebraska Football. Close losses to Miami, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Northwestern (all by 3 points or less) preceded a dramatic, controversial victory over Michigan State that showed the game-changing potential of Quarterback Tommy Armstrong (320 yards, 2 TD's). With Armstrong returning for his senior year, along with senior receiver and top weapon Jordan Westerkamp (school record 65 receptions in 2015), Nebraska hopes to use an early season showdown with Oregon to catapult itself back into college football relevance. The three toughest games are all on the road (@Ohio State, @Iowa, @Wisconsin), but the Cornhuskers do avoid both Michigan State and Michigan. Winning two of three in that gauntlet of road games could give the Huskers a chance to win the Big Ten West Title, assuming they take care of business elsewhere.