1. Wisconsin: Mike Taylor is solid meat and potatoes linebacker and will make all the stops necessary. Chris Borland returns after missing all of 2010 with an injury. Borland was a stud freshman in 2009 making plays all over the field. If you love old school football you will absolutely love the way Borland plays.
2. Minnesota: Don't laugh. Minnesota has the deepest line backing corp in the B1G. Gary Tinsley, who many have chosen to make all B1G, including prognosticating guru Phil Steele may not even start this year. Brandon Beal, a transfer from Florida may get the starting nod at Mike linebaker. Keanon Cooper and Mike Rallis will fill the outside spots giving the Gophers four good B1G linebackers.
3. Penn State: Michael Mauti is a machine and Gerald Hodges stepped up his game big time late in the year. Look for this group to become truly elite by seasons end.
4. Nebraska: Levonte David is a tackling machine. The Huskers always seem to turn out great linebackers, but there are definitely no other marquee names at this point. Expect the Huskers to produce one other big name by seasons end however.
5. Iowa: The Hawkeyes may be taking linebacker U away from Penn State. With alumni such as Chad Greenway, Pat Angerer, A.J. Edds, Jeremiah Hunter, etc.. the Hawkeyes are quickly becoming a destination school for great young linebackers. This year the Hawkeyes will showcase the next group of up and coming linebackers in James Morris, and Tyler Nielson.
6. Michigan State: Max Bullough provides a rock at middle linebacker, while despite the departure of William Gholston from outside linebacker to defensive end, the Spartans should have plenty of options on the outside like Jeremy Gainer and Chris Norman.
7. Ohio State: Tyler Moeller brings some energy and enthusiasm to the position despite his lack of size (6-0, 210). The Buckeyes have some talented, yet unproven linebackers. Look for two or three to emerge as good B1G linebackers by seasons end, but the Buckeyes will have some growing pains early in the year.
8. Purdue: Dwayne Beckford and Joe Holland provide the Boilermakers with good experience and production at the position, but the Boilermakers have a serious lack of depth and won't be able to afford any injuries. Knock on wood...
9. Illinois: Ian Thomas returns for what seems his 14th season with the Illini. I think Jonathan Brown will become an elite B1G linebacker sooner rather than later and he should become a force by seasons end.
10. Michigan: The Wolverines certainly don't have productive players returning but I think Greg Mattison will transform this into a serviceable group by seasons end, but they will take a beating early.
11. Northwestern: Bryce McNaul and David Nwabuisi return to a unit that needs to see dramatic improvement from last year. Northwestern was absolutely trampled on the ground at the end of the year by Illinois, Wisconsin, and Texas Tech.
12. Indiana: The Hoosiers will need to replace leading tackler Tyler Replogle to a unit that struggled despite his presence. Jeff Thomas provides an adequate player at the position, but one of the young Hoosier linebackers needs to step up immediately to a group that could use a shot in the arm.
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