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Top 10 Players
1. Greg Jones
LB/Michigan State
2. Bryan Bulaga
OT/Iowa
3. Navorro Bowman
LB/Penn State
4. Arrelious Benn
WR/Illinois
5. Evan Royster
RB/Penn State
6. Brandon Graham
DE/Michigan
7. Eric Decker
WR/Minnesota
8. Terrelle Pryor
QB/Ohio State
9. Adam Weber
QB/Minnesota
10. Gabe Carimi
OL/Wisonsin
On The Rise
Donovan Warren
CB/Michigan
Kevin Smith
WR/Purdue
DeVier Posey
WR/Ohio State
Stefen Wisniewski
C/Penn State
John Clay
RB/Wisconsin
Ricky Stanzi
QB/Iowa
James Brewer
OT/Indiana
Mike Kafka
QB/Northwestern
Michael Brewster
C/Ohio State
Donsay Hardeman
S/Illinois
Jack Crawford
DE/Penn State
Derek Moye
WR/Penn State
Chris Carlino
LB/Purdue
Corey Luiget
DT/Illinois
Jeremy Ebert
WR/Northwestern
B.J. Cunningham
WR/Michigan State
Immediate Impact
Kawann Short
DT/Purdue
Darius Willis
RB/Indiana
Jeff Brinson
RB/Iowa
Arby Fields
RB/Northwestern
Denard Robinson
ATH/Michigan
Tate Forcier
QB/Michigan
David Gilbert
DE/Wisconsin
Terry Hawthorne
WR/Illinois
Dorian Bell
LB/Ohio State
Jamie Wood
CB/Ohio State
Keenan Davis
WR/Iowa
Hasan Lipscomb
RB/Minnesota
William Campbell
DT/Michigan
Justin Brown
WR/Penn State
Travis Frederick
OL/Wisconsin
Davon Custis
DE/Northwestern
Edwin Baker
RB/Michigan State
Jaamal Berry
RB/Ohio State
Jeremy Gallon
ATH/Michigan
Justin Green
CB/Illinois
Craig Roh
DE/Michigan
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Penn State
Coach: Joe Paterno
Returning Starters: 10(6 offense/4 defense)
Most Important Player: Evan Royster/RB
Breakout Player: Michael Mauti/LB
Waiting In The Wings: Derek Moye/WR
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Akron
Sept. 12, 2009 Syracuse
Sept. 19, 2009 Temple
Sept. 26, 2009 Iowa
Oct. 3, 2009 at Illinois
Oct. 10, 2009 Eastern Illinois
Oct. 17, 2009 Minnesota
Oct. 24, 2009 at Michigan
Oct. 31, 2009 at Northwestern
Nov. 7, 2009 Ohio State
Nov. 14, 2009 Indiana
Nov. 21, 2009 at Michigan State
Forecast:
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in the past decade, Penn State
will have a hard time mirroring that effort in '09. With a new contract
extension in his hip pocket, Joe Paterno hopes a lot of kids can grow up after
losing more than half of 2008's starters. On offense, the leadership of
returning QB Daryll Clark and RB Evan Royster will have to help the loss of
2008's top 3 receiving threats and 3 all conference offensive lineman. Leading
the group on the O-Line will be guard turned center Stefen Wisniewski, while the
WR unit has potential led by 6'5" Derek Moye. On defense, the Nittany Lions
welcome back LB Sean Lee to team with Navorro Bowman and Michael Mauti to form a
nice core in the middle level of the defense. Up front, even with the loss of
1st round pick Aaron Maybin, PSU has one of the best defensive lines in the Big
Ten. Leading the group will be DT's Jared Odrick, Abe Koroma, and potential star
DE Jack Crawford. The secondary is where the plot thickens, with underachieving
CB A.J. Wallace and solid safety Drew Astorino leading the way. The Penn State
back four will make or break this unit. If every new player can play to
potential a 10 win season could happen, but I expect an 8 win season will be
more realistic.
Iowa
Coach: Kirk Ferentz
Returning Starters: 15(7 offense/8 defense)
Most Important Player: Ricky Stanzi/QB
Breakout Player: Jeff Brinson/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Keenan Davis/WR
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Northern Iowa
Sept. 12, 2009 at Iowa State
Sept. 19, 2009 Arizona
Sept. 26, 2009 at Penn State
Oct. 3, 2009 Arkansas St.
Oct. 10, 2009 Michigan
Oct. 17, 2009 at Wisconsin
Oct. 24, 2009 at Michigan State
Oct. 31, 2009 Indiana
Nov. 7, 2009 Northwestern
Nov. 14, 2009 at Ohio State
Nov. 21, 2009 Minnesota
Forecast:
After a nice 9 win season in 2008, the Hawkeyes look to rebuild in '09. That
process starts with QB Ricky Stanzi being more consistent and one of the 3
RB's(Jewel Hampton, Jeff Brinson, and Paki O'Meara) stepping up to fill the hole
Shonn Greene left. The Hawkeyes do return both leading receivers from '08 and
mammoth OT Bryan Bulaga. On the defensive side, the line is the biggest question
w/ Karl Klug, Steve Bigach, and Mike Daniels trying to fill holes left by Mitch
King and Matt Kroul. The LB's will be led by Pat Angerer, while the secondary
should be a capable unit. Iowa getting to 7-8 wins in '09 would be a success.
Wisconsin
Coach: Bret Bielema
Returning Starters: 11(6 offense/5 defense)
Most Important Player: Dustin Sherer/QB
Breakout Player: Zach Brown/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Curt Phillips/QB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Northern Illinois
Sept. 12, 2009 Fresno State
Sept. 19, 2009 Wofford
Sept. 26, 2009 Michigan State
Oct. 3, 2009 at Minnesota
Oct. 10, 2009 at Ohio State
Oct. 17, 2009 Iowa
Oct. 31, 2009 Purdue
Nov. 7, 2009 at Indiana
Nov. 14, 2009 Michigan
Nov. 21, 2009 at Northwestern
Dec. 5, 2009 at Hawaii
Forecast:
The success of the 2009 Wisconsin Badgers will largely be tied to the play of QB
Dustin Sherer. The loss of RB P.J. Hill won't hurt as much as one would think;
RB's John Clay and Zach Brown will more than fill the void left by Hill. The big
test will be rebuilding both lines w/ the loss of 6 starters. The O-Line will be
anchored by Gabe Carimi and John Moffett, while the D-Line is led by O'Brien
Schofield. The defensive front is the biggest question as the Badgers are thin
up front. The secondary should be the strength of the defense led by safeties
Jay Valai and Chris Maragos. A middle of the pack finish for the Badgers in '09
is likely.
Michigan State
Coach: Mark Dantonio
Returning Starters: 14(7 offense/7 defense)
Most Important Player: Greg Jones/LB
Breakout Player: Keith Nichol/QB
Waiting In The Wings: Edwin Baker/RB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Montana St.
Sept. 12, 2009 Central Michigan
Sept. 19, 2009 at Notre Dame
Sept. 26, 2009 at Wisconsin
Oct. 3, 2009 Michigan
Oct. 10, 2009 at Illinois
Oct. 17, 2009 Northwestern
Oct. 24, 2009 Iowa
Oct. 31, 2009 at Minnesota
Nov. 7, 2009 Western Michigan
Nov. 14, 2009 at Purdue
Nov. 21, 2009 Penn State
Forecast:
LB Greg Jones may be the best player Michigan State has fielded in the past
decade. That said, the loss of RB Javon Ringer and QB Brian Hoyer will be hard
to replace. Trying to lead the offense will either be sophomore Kirk Cousins or
Oklahoma transfer Keith Nichol. The RB situation should work itself out w/ a
stable of talented backs. The receiving unit is stacked w/ veteran leadership
and the O-line should suffice. The defense will be the strength of this team w/
maybe the best group East Lansing has seen in some time. After coming close to a
Big Ten title in '08, the Spartans should again be in the mix for the crown in
2009.
Michigan
Coach: Rich Rodriguez
Returning Starters: 14(10 offense/4 defense)
Most Important Player: Tate Forcier/QB
Breakout Player: Brandon Minor/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Denard Robinson/RB,WR,QB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Western Michigan
Sept. 12, 2009 Notre Dame
Sept. 19, 2009 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 26, 2009 Indiana
Oct. 3, 2009 at Michigan State
Oct. 10, 2009 at Iowa
Oct. 17, 2009 Delaware St.
Oct. 24, 2009 Penn State
Oct. 31, 2009 at Illinois
Nov. 7, 2009 Purdue
Nov. 14, 2009 at Wisconsin
Nov. 21, 2009 Ohio State
Forecast:
After a horrendous start for new head coach Rich Rodriguez in 2008, the
Wolverines hope to make some progress in 2009. It looks like talented freshman
Tate Forcier will be the QB(unless Denard Robinson can unseat him in the fall),
and that's a much needed upgrade. The offense should be led by RB Brandon Minor,
the unquestioned best player on this UM offense. The WR crew is loaded with raw
speed and elusive bodies; Martavious Odoms, Terrance Robinson, Denard Robinson,
Junior Hemingway, and Roy Roundtree should all see action. The O-Line is a patch
work unit that will have to grow up quickly. The defense, the biggest
disappointment last year, should be led by CB Donovan Warren and DE Brandon
Graham. With new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson in the mix and a lot more
talent on offense I would be surprised if Michigan didn't make a bowl game in
2009.
Northwestern
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
Returning Starters: 13(5 offense/8 defense)
Most Important Player: Mike Kafka/QB
Breakout Player: Jeravin Matthews/RB
Waiting In The Wings: Arby Fields/RB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Towson
Sept. 12, 2009 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 19, 2009 at Syracuse
Sept. 26, 2009 Minnesota
Oct. 3, 2009 at Purdue
Oct. 10, 2009 Miami-OH
Oct. 17, 2009 at Michigan State
Oct. 24, 2009 Indiana
Oct. 31, 2009 Penn State
Nov. 7, 2009 at Iowa
Nov. 14, 2009 at Illinois
Nov. 21, 2009 Wisconsin
Forecast:
An impressive 9 win 2008 season has raised the bar in Evanston. The '09
offensive group is a question after the loss of QB C.J. Bacher and RB Tyrell
Sutton. Senior Mike Kafka hopes to take the reins at QB without much drop off
and the RB position will be by committee. The good news is that 4 of the 5
O-Lineman return and the WR position is headed by Jeremy Ebert. On defense, NU
welcomes a very respected defensive mind in new coordinator Mike Hankwitz.
Leading the new defense will be eight returning starters including DE Corey
Wootton. The Wildcats should be bowling this year again with an easy
non-conference schedule and no Ohio State on the schedule
Ohio State
Coach: Jim Tressel
Returning Starters: 13(5 offense/8 defense)
Most Important Player: Terrelle Pryor/QB, Dan Herron/RB, Brandon Saine/RB
Breakout Player: Devier Posey/WR
Waiting In The Wings: Jamaal Berry/RB, Lamar Thomas/WR
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Navy
Sept. 12, 2009 USC
Sept. 19, 2009 at Toledo
Sept. 26, 2009 Illinois
Oct. 3, 2009 at Indiana
Oct. 10, 2009 Wisconsin
Oct. 17, 2009 at Purdue
Oct. 24, 2009 Minnesota
Oct. 31, 2009 New Mexico St.
Nov. 7, 2009 at Penn State
Nov. 14, 2009 Iowa
Nov. 21, 2009 at Michigan
Forecast:
Under Jim Tressel's watch in Columbus you either win the Big Ten and compete for
a National Championship or your season is a disappointment. After a
"disappointing" 10-3 2008 season, QB Terrelle Pryor and DE Thaddeus Gibson hope
to return OSU to success. The offense should pull it's weight with the
electrifying Pryor leading the way and a trio(Brandon Saine, Dan Herron, and
Jaamal Berry) of talented RB's replacing Chris Wells. The WR position is led by
big time talent DeVier Posey and Lamar Thomas. The O-Line will have 3 new
starters trying to improve on a subpar showing in '08. The defense will have to
overcome the losses of LB James Laurinaitis, CB Malcolm Jenkins, CB Donald
Washington, and LB Marcus Freeman. Leading the group will be pass rusher supreme
Gibson, CB Chimidi Chekwa, and safeties Kurt Coleman/Anderson Russell. The
biggest question will be the LB position w/ Ross Homan, Andrew Sweat, Etienne
Sabino, Tyler Moeller, and Austin Spitler trying to fill the gaping hole.
Winning the Big Ten in '09 is a realistic goal, but the Buckeyes will lose at
least 2 games on their way to another BCS bowl.
Minnesota
Coach: Tim Brewster
Returning Starters: 18(10 offense/8 defense)
Most Important Player: Eric Decker/WR
Breakout Player: Garrett Brown/DT
Waiting In The Wings: MarQueis Gray/QB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 at Syracuse
Sept. 12, 2009 Air Force
Sept. 19, 2009 California
Sept. 26, 2009 at Northwestern
Oct. 3, 2009 Wisconsin
Oct. 10, 2009 Purdue
Oct. 17, 2009 at Penn State
Oct. 24, 2009 at Ohio State
Oct. 31, 2009 Michigan State
Nov. 7, 2009 Illinois
Nov. 14, 2009 South Dakota State
Nov. 21, 2009 at Iowa
Forecast:
The enthusiasm of head coach Tim Brewster has injected this once proud program
w/ renewed vigor. Coming off a disappointing end to a 7-6 season, Brewster and
the Gophers try to sustain a high level of play for the course of the season in
'09. QB Adam Weber and WR Eric Decker lead the way on offense, posing maybe the
best QB-WR combo in the Big Ten. The RB spot will need to improve off a poor '08
effort and trying to lead the group will be Kevin Whaley and incumbent DeLeon
Eskridge. The defense will have it's third defensive coordinator in three
seasons w/ Kevin Cosgrove taking over. Leading the way on Cosgrove's unit will
be S Kyle Theret, LB Simoni Lawerence, and LB Lee Campbell. Anything short of 8
wins will be a disappointment in '09.
Illinois
Coach: Ron Zook
Returning Starters: 12(8 offense/4 defense)
Most Important Player: Juice Williams/QB
Breakout Player: Tavon Wilson/CB, Martez Wilson/LB
Waiting In The Wings: Corey Luiget/DT
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Missouri
Sept. 12, 2009 Illinois St.
Sept. 26, 2009 at Ohio State
Oct. 3, 2009 Penn State
Oct. 10, 2009 Michigan State
Oct. 17, 2009 at Indiana
Oct. 24, 2009 at Purdue
Oct. 31, 2009 Michigan
Nov. 7, 2009 at Minnesota
Nov. 14, 2009 Northwestern
Nov. 27, 2009 at Cincinnati
Dec. 5, 2009 Fresno State
Forecast:
Coming off a disastrous 2008 season, Ron Zook and company have the talent
necessary to compete for the Big Ten title. The play of QB Juice Williams will
have a big impact on whether this team has a positive experience in '09. His
receiving corps is loaded w/ super talent in Arrelious Benn, incoming Terry
Hawthorne, and Florida transfer Jarred Fayson. The RB position needs a lift from
Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford for this offense to fire on all cylinders. The
defense is led by S Donsay Hardeman, DT Josh Brent, and LB Martez Wilson. The
Illini will be the wildcard in the Big Ten for 2009.
Purdue
Coach: Danny Hope
Returning Starters: 9(2 offense/7 defense)
Most Important Player: Joey Elliott/QB
Breakout Player: Kevin Smith/WR
Waiting In The Wings: Caleb Terbush/QB
Schedule:
Sept. 5, 2009 Toledo
Sept. 12, 2009 at Oregon
Sept. 19, 2009 Northern Illinois
Sept. 26, 2009 Notre Dame
Oct. 3, 2009 Northwestern
Oct. 10, 2009 at Minnesota
Oct. 17, 2009 Ohio State
Oct. 24, 2009 Illinois
Oct. 31, 2009 at Wisconsin
Nov. 7, 2009 at Michigan
Nov. 14, 2009 Michigan State
Nov. 21, 2009 at Indiana
Forecast:
New head coach Danny Hope wasn't left a bare cupboard, but it's close. Trying to
replace 13 starters will be hard, but a renewed enthusiasm and lowered
expectations should help. At the QB position either Joey Elliott or Caleb Terbush will lead the Boilermakers. The skill positions are occupied by talented
WR's Keith Smith, Aaron Valentin, and former CB Royce Adams. On the defense, a
better group will be led by talent at the LB position in the form of Chris
Carlino, Joe Holland, and Jason Werner. The secondary is solid w/ veteran
leadership and the line has DE Ryan Kerigan and the promise of DT Kawann Short
to lean on. Purdue would be happy with a 6 win season in '09.
Indiana
Coach: Bill Lynch
Returning Starters: 17(8 offense/9 defense)
Most Important Player: Ben Chappell/QB
Breakout Player: James Brewer/OL
Waiting In The Wings: Darius Willis/RB
Schedule:
Sept. 3, 2009 Eastern Kentucky
Sept. 12, 2009 Western Michigan
Sept. 19, 2009 at Akron
Sept. 26, 2009 at Michigan
Oct. 3, 2009 Ohio State
Oct. 10, 2009 at Virginia
Oct. 17, 2009 Illinois
Oct. 24, 2009 at Northwestern
Oct. 31, 2009 at Iowa
Nov. 7, 2009 Wisconsin
Nov. 14, 2009 at Penn State
Nov. 21, 2009 Purdue
Forecast:
With a renewed sense of urgency in spring practice this year, IU hopes to better
the dismal 2008 season. Leading the way will be QB Ben Chappell and a trio(Bryan
Patton, Darius Willis, and Demetrius McCray) of RB's. The dismissal of talented
QB turned WR Kellen Lewis will hurt a thin WR corps. The defense needs to
improve on it's poor '08 showing. Trying to shore up the unit will be Nick Polk,
and Greg Middleton. An improvement over a 3 win 2008 is needed.
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