Saturday, July 30, 2011

Indiana and Minnesota on the rise

Indiana and Minnesota will probably struggle this year in B1G play, but I like the trajectory of both programs.  I think both programs have better days ahead.  After a stunning upset of Iowa in 2006, the late Terry Hoeppner proclaimed that his Indiana Hoosier's football program was a shooting rocket.  The next summer Hoeppner passed away due to brain cancer.  In December of 2007 the Hoosiers played in the Insight Bowl, which was their first bowl appearance since the 1990 Peach Bowl.  The Hoosiers goal that season was to "play 13", something that Hoepnner put an emphasis on and the Hoosiers did just that in 2007, playing 13 in the honor of their deceased coach.  Bill Lynch, who took over for Hoeppner, was fired last year after failing to make the Hoosiers a consistent bowl team.  The 2007 Insight Bowl remains the Hoosiers only bowl appearance in the last 20 years.  Minnesota meanwhile has been to bowl games in 9 out of the last 12 years, but haven't even come close to winning a Big Ten championship since they tied for the title in 1967 with Indiana.  The Gophers haven't been to the Rose Bowl since 1961.  A 50 year major bowl drought for a team that was at one time considered a national power.

This past week the Hoosiers and Gophers picked up commitments from Gunner Kiel and Jonah Pirsig respectively.  Kiel is considered arguably the best QB prospect in the country for the class of 2012, while Pirsig, an offensive tackle, had offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa, and defending national champion Auburn.  Kiel is from Columbus, Indiana and Pirsig is from Blue Earth, Minnesota.  I think both Hoosier and Gopher fans alike would have been surprised if not shocked to find out that their schools would secure commitments from these prospects a year ago.  Kevin Wilson, who developed Sam Bradford into the top choice of the 2010 NFL draft at the University of Oklahoma, has a wide open spread the field offense and has been compared to the most popular unemployed head coach in the history of college football, Mike Leach.  Wilson has that mad scientist feel to him offensively and let's be honest, if he puts Indiana on the map as a trendy offensive team that puts up arcade game numbers defensive players will follow.  Sexy programs that are known for things can sell recruits that are known for other things.  Meanwhile Jerry Kill is accomplishing something that the guy he replaced and the guy he replaced predecessors were never able to do.  Lock down the borders of the state.  The scary thing is Kill is doing it before Labor Day.  Fall camp hasn't started and Kill already has 17 commitments, including the state of Minnesota's top 4 prospects: Pirsig, WR Andre McDonald, OL Isaac Hayes, and QB Philip Nelson. 

It is hard to find the right leader for the right program.  Just ask these two programs.  Both programs have had 8 different head coaches in the last 30 years.  Wilson and Kill have several things working for them.  1. Both teams have upgraded their facilities.  2. They are off to hot starts in recruiting.  3. If they elevate their teams to the level of programs such as Iowa and Wisconsin they will be looked at as legends.  There is no where to go but up and I predict both programs will do just that, or as the late Terry Hoeppner said turn into "shooting rockets"!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

B1G position rankings: Special Teams

1. Wisconsin: Philip Welch and Brad Nortmann give the Badgers a very good kicker and punter respectively.
2. Michigan State: Dan Conroy is a very reliable kicker and Keyshawn Martin is an electrifying kick returner.
3. Illinois: Derek Dimke looks like the best kicker in the B1G.
4. Ohio State: The Buckeyes have great speed and talent in the return and coverage units.  Drew Basil looks to take over the kicking duty this year for the Buckeyes.
5. Iowa: Trent Mossbrucker looks to be the next in line of great Iowa kickers.
6. Purdue: Carson Wiggs returns at place kicker.
7. Indiana: Mitch Ewald was a stud as a freshman kicker for the Hoosiers connecting on 16 of 19 field goals, including the game winner against Purdue last year.
8. Minnesota: NC State transfer Chris Hawthorne provides the Gophers with the big leg they have been lacking at place kicker.  Hawthorne booted a 50 yard FG in the spring game.  Kick returner Troy Stoudemire is on his way to becoming the B1G career leader in kick return yards.
9. Penn State: Anthony Fera will likely take over the punting and kicking duties this year in State College.
10. Northwestern:  Jeff Budzein and Steve Flaherty will battle for the vacant place kicker duties. 
11. Nebraska: Record setting kicker Aaron Henry graduated, leaving a huge void to fill for the Huskers.  Look for Jamal Turner to return kicks for the Huskers and should be electrifying with his breakaway speed.
12. Michigan:  The Wolverines are a mess on special teams. Seth Broekhuizen was inconsistent last year, connecting on just 3 of 9 field goals.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

B1G position rankings: Secondary

1. Nebraska: Alfonzo Denard is a shut down corner and a likely 1st round NFL draft choice.  True freshman Charles Jackson could emerge as a viable option at the other corner.  Courtney Osborne is an emerging playmaker at safety.

2. Penn State: Chaz Powell is an incredible athlete and will provide a rock at corner for the Nittany Lions. Stephon Morris provides another excellent option at the other corner.  Powell and Morris, a senior and junior respectively will provide the Nitts with experience and production at one of the most important positions on the field.  Drew Astorino provides PSU with a rock solid senior at safety.  Astorino was on the field for an astounding 820 snaps!

3. Ohio State: The Buckeyes don't rebuild in the secondary, they reload.  Look for Junior Travis Howard to take over as the top cover corner for the Buckeyes, replacing All-American Chimdi Chekwa.  Orhian Johnson provides size (6-2, 205) and strength at safety.

4. Wisconsin: Antonio Fenelus and Aaron Henry provide the Badgers with elite talent at cornerback and safety respectively.  Frank Tamakloe and Marcus Cromartie are also up and coming playmakers for a Badgers team that boasts a lot of talent and depth in the secondary.  The Badgers, like the Buckeyes are no strangers to producing very good players at cornerback and safety.  Jamar Fletcher won the Thorpe Award for the Badgers in the early 2000's.

5. Iowa: The Hawkeyes are deep and talented in the secondary with players like: Micah Hyde, Greg Castillo and Shaun Prater.  The Hawkeyes are very underrated in the secondary and could easily finish the season ranked higher as a unit.  Look for at least two Hawkeyes to earn All B1G honors in the secondary.  Tyler Sash was a great player and had a nose for the ball, but I look for Iowa to easily replace his production at safety.  

6. Michigan State: Trenton Robinson and Johnny Adams give the Spartans two good, experienced players in the secondary, but I worry about ranking the Spartans this high... They always seem to get torched in the secondary by the good, the bad, and the ugly, pun intended.  The talent and players are definitely in place for the Spartans to be elite in the secondary, but like I said, they always seem to rank at or near the bottom in pass efficiency defense.

7. Purdue: The Boilermakers, like the Spartans have the talent and experience in the secondary to be very strong.  However, like MSU I don't trust Purdue historically to stop anyone through the air.  With that being said the Boilermakers return plenty of experience and production in players such as Ricardo Allen, and Logan Link.

8. Michigan:  The Wolverines return stud cornerback Troy Woolfolk to a secondary that could desperately use a shot in the arm.  J.T. Floyd also returns at corner.  Jordan Kovacs and Carvin Johnson return at safety.  The Wolverines definitely have the talent and numbers to make a gigantic turnaround in pass efficiency defense.  Look for that to happen under an elite defensive mind such as new DC Greg Matison.

9. Minnesota:  The Gophers have tremendous talent at all four starting positions in the secondary.  The only problem is they have absolutely zero depth.  Troy Stoudemire looks like a lock down corner after playing mostly receiver his first three years with the Gophers.  Michael Carter has all the talent to be an All B1G corner.  Carter has a nose for the ball and looks to have a breakout year after having his ups and downs the last two years.  Safety Kim Royston has been granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA after breaking his leg in the spring of 2010.

10. Illinois: Terry Hawthorne has shown signs of being one of the best corners in the conference, but has been plagued by inconsistency and injuries.  Look for him to step up this year in a big way.  Ashante Williams is another nice piece for the Illini in the secondary.  However, like Minnesota they like depth.

11. Northwestern: Jordan Mabin and converted running back Jeravin Matthews provide the Wildcats with a nice 1/2 punch at cornerback.  Again, depth is the name of the game in the B1G and the Wildcats don't have much of it...

12. I hate to have to keep picking on Indiana and ranking them dead last in so many categories, but I can't in good consciousness put them ahead of anyone else in the B1G, especially after they have been the worst defense in the conference the last 20 years.  I don't think the Hoosiers have a player at safety or cornerback that could start for anyone else in the conference.  End of story.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

B1G position rankings: Linebacker

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.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

B1G position rankings: Defensive Line

1. Ohio State: Despite the loss of Cam Heyward, who will be playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers this fall, the Buckeyes won't lack talent along the front four.  Look for John Simon to step up his game in place of Heyward and a bevvy of young defensive ends to emerge this fall.

2. Nebraska:  Jared Crick is a rock in the middle but the Huskers still need to find a consistent pass rusher off the edge.  Look for special teams standout Eric Martin to emerge at defensive end this year.

3. Michigan State:  William Gholston will move from linebacker to end this year to give the Spartans an imposing presence along the defensive line.  Tackle Jerel Worthy will command double teams and could free up Gholston for a breakout year.  I predict Gholston will lead the B1G in sacks this year.

4. Penn State: Look for end Jack Crawford to have a big senior year for the Nitts.  A host of talented young players will create a staunch defensive line in Happy Valley.

5. Wisconsin: Ends Louis Nzegwu and David Gilbert will form a nice pass rushing tandem this year for the Badgers.  Sophomore Beau Allen is an emerging star on the interior.

6. Michigan:  Mike Martin is a stud at DT.  He is NFL ready right now.  Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison should find some nice complimentary pieces to put around Martin in what will easily be the biggest position of strength defensively for the Wolverines.

7. Iowa:  The losses of Adrian Clayborn, Karl Klug, and Christian Ballard will sting, but Broderick Binns offers another future NFL player for the Hawkeyes, who always seem to reload along the defensive line.

8. Purdue: Kewann Short is a future NFL player and a nice piece to have in the middle of the defensive front four.  However, the loss of Ryan Kerrigan will sting and look for the Boilermakers to have difficulty applying pressure to the QB this year.

9. Illinois:  The loss of Corey Liuget is a crushing blow to the Illini, but one thing Ron Zook can do is recruit and he has two talented young defensive ends in Michael Buchanon, who was an Army All-American, and Whitney Mercilus.

10. Northwestern: Defensive Tackle Jack DiNardo has showed some promise and End Vince Browne has gotten to the QB in the past, but their isn't much depth here.

11. Minnesota:  Senior Brandon Kirksey gives the Gophers leadership and solid play at Defensive Tackle, but the Gophers don't have any proven edge rushers.  D.L. Wilhite has shown glimpses of getting to the quarterback, but must become more consistent.

12. Indiana:  There just isn't much here.  IU will be lacking in both talent and numbers.  They need to generate a pass rush and stop people on the ground.  Good luck with that...

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

B1G position rankings: Offensive Line

1. Wisconsin: The Badgers will once again be big, nasty, and overpowering along the offensive line.  The Badgers never seem to rebuild, they just reload.  With lineman such as Joe Thomas, Gabe Carimi, and Aaron Gibson the Badgers have a great lineage at the position.  Wisconsin lost Gabe Carimi to the NFL draft, but will return senior Kevin Zeitler and Junior Peter Konz.

2. Iowa:  The Hawkeyes return James Ferentz and Riley Reiff to a veteran offensive line.

3. Michigan State: Joel Foreman returns to a dominant o-line.

4. Ohio State:  Michael Brewster anchors what will be the best position group for the Buckeyes.

5. Illinois:  Jeff Allen and Graham Pocic will return to a group that absolutely punished people on the ground last year.  Expect a dominant line this year at Illinois.

6. Nebraska: The Huskers are always solid along the offensive line and their first year in the B1G will be no different.

7. Penn State: JoePa is a stubborn, no nonsense, meat and potatoes head coach, ditto his offensive line.  Look for Eric Shrive to become an All B1G offensive tackle this year.

8. Purdue:  This is a veteran group, but hardly a dominant one.  I will give them the nod over Northwestern and Michigan based upon experience, but there are more talented o-lines below them.

9. Northwestern: The Cats offense always seems to purr, but I think that is more of a reflection on the offensive system and skill players than beef along the offensive front... Nonetheless talent and experience does return in Evanston this year.

10. Michigan: Richrod recruited different offensive lineman than what Brady Hoke will recruit.  Look for Hoke's o-lines to be bigger and tougher as the years progress, but this year he will have to make do with this group.

11. Minnesota:  Young players such as Jimmy Gjere and the Olson brothers (Ed and Tommy) could force this group to be ranked much higher by seasons end, but for now I have to rank them this low strictly because of youth.

12. Indiana:  Not much to work with along the offensive front for Kevin Wilson in year 1. 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

B1G position rankings: WR/TE

1. Michigan: The B1G isn’t loaded with elite receiving corps.  You could even make the argument that the B1G doesn’t have any elite receiving corps, but Michigan has a solid group of receivers.  Roy Roundtree, Martavious Odoms, and Darryl Stonum are all capable receivers and Roundtree has All B1G potential.  Denard Robinson won’t be running nearly as much as he did last year so look for this group of receivers to put up very good numbers in year 1 of the Brady Hoke era.  Kevin Koger also returns at TE.

2. Indiana: This is the best receiving corps that no one outside of the B1G has ever heard of.  Demarlo Belcher, Duwyce Wilson, and Kofi Hughes are all capable of 50+ catch seasons.  Belcher and Wilson are proven commodities and Hughes had a great spring.  Throw in a capable tight end in Ted Bolser and you have some real dangerous weapons on the perimeter.  New Head Coach Kevin Wilson will bring a wide open, passing friendly offense to Bloomington so none of the aforementioned players will be lonely this fall.

3. Michigan State: The Spartans lose Mark Dell, but return B.J. Cunningham, Keyshawn Martin, and Keith Nichol at WR.  They also return promising sophomore Dion Sims and senior Brian Linthicum at TE.  The Spartans have no shortage of weapons for senior QB Kirk Cousins to throw to.

4. Ohio State:  DeVier Posey and James Louis are dangerous deep threats.   I would also watch out for Freshman Devin Smith to emerge.  The Buckeyes always seem to have great weaponry at WR, and despite the suspension to Posey I look for this group to be one of the more dangerous units in the B1G.  Jake Stoneburner, who caught 21 passes returns at TE.

5. Northwestern:  The Cats return Jeremy Ebert, Charles Brown, and Demetrius Fields at WR.  Ebert is on the Biltenikoff Award watch list and looks to have a huge season along with fellow senior QB Dan Persa.  Persa and Ebert could be a deadly hook this year in the B1G.   Senior Drake Dunsmore has 98 career receptions and looks to be one of the premier pass catching TE’s in the country in 2011.

6. Iowa: Converted QB/former basketball player/superstar athlete Marvin McNutt who caught the game winning TD from Ricky Stanzi in the thriller against Michigan State two years ago figures to have a breakout year in 2011.  McNutt has always had the talent and now that he is the #1 receiver in Iowa City look for big things from 6’-4”, 215lb senior WR.  He will have talented Iowa native Keenan Davis lining up with him at WR this fall for the Hawkeyes.  Davis was one of the most sought after WR recruits in the country out of Washington HS in Cedar Rapids.  Expect McNutt and Davis to blossom along with first year starting QB James Vandenberg, the latter of which showed great potential in an overtime loss to TOSU two years ago.  C.J. Fiedoriwicz has All B1G potential at TE, and I predict he will be the next Dallas Clark.

7. Penn State:  Derek Moye is one of the most reliable receivers in the B1G and he will catch at least 50 balls this year, no matter who the QB is in State College.  The Nitts will also have some talented young receivers who could emerge this year. 

8. Minnesota: Da’Jon McKnight is one of the most physically impressive wide receivers in the country.  He made at least a dozen circus catches last year and you could make an argument that he is the most indispensable player on the Minnesota roster, with all apologies to QB MarQueis Gray.  TE Eric Lair returns after catching 39 passes in 2010.  Brandon Green was one of the top WR recruits in the Midwest out of Chicago three years ago and looks to have a breakout year in 2011 after battling injuries throughout his career as a Gopher.

9. Nebraska: Brandon Kinnie returns after catching 44 balls in 2010.  The Huskers will boast some talented but unproven wide receivers alongside Kinnie after the graduation of Niles Paul.  Kyler Reed returns at TE after catching a whopping 8 TD’s in 2010.

10. Wisconsin:  Nick Toon is a very good WR.  Toon, who’s father Al was an NFL receiver for the New York Jets is a local product out of Middleton High School in Middleton, WI.  Toon is 10th on the Badgers all time receptions list with 107.  Jarred Abbrederis is a nice piece to compliment Toon and has good size at 6’2”.  The Badgers have become somewhat of a mecca for great tight end play and look for that trend to continue with senior Jake Byrne.

11. Illinois: A.J. Jenkins is one of the better receivers in the league, but the only problem is there is absolutely zero depth behind him.  Look for stud true freshman Matt LaCosse to emerge at TE this year.

12. Purdue: The injury to Keith Smith last year was absolutely devastating to the Boilermakers.  No one stepped up after his injury and the Boilermakers stumbled to a 4-8 finish and a loss to arch-rival Indiana at home.   O.J. Ross and Antavian Edison need to step up for Purdue this year.