2006 Big 10 Football

The Illinois Fighting Illini couldn’t come away with a win in Big 10 play last season finishing 0-8, but with 10 returning offensive starters and 10 returning defensive starters, they will have the experience to get in the win column this year. One thing the Illini have going for themselves is a big offensive line which should allow running back Pierre Thomas to have a 1000 yard season. Although the offense should be somewhat improved, Illinois’ defense is still a major concern. Last season, the defense gave up 40ppg. This wasn’t entirely the fault of the defense however as the 107th ranked offense kept the defense on the field all too often. An improved running game should help both sides of the ball, but Illinois could still be bringing up the rear in 2006-07.

Indiana has high hopes of qualifying for a bowl this season after just a 1-7 Big 10 showing and a 4-7 overall record in 2005. They have a favorable early season schedule which should get them out of the gates at 4-0, but they could have a rude awakening when they face Wisconsin to start Big 10 play on September 30th. If you don’t know about wide receiver James Hardy, it’s time you learned. He’s 6’7’’ and led the Big 10 in receiving as a freshman while battling hamstring and tendonitis problems. At 100% , this kid could be the best in the country. An inexperienced offensive line and a defense which ranked 104th in the nation last season could keep Hoosier fans from following their team to a bowl.

The Iowa Hawkeyes will have one of the most balanced offenses in the Big 10 as defenses will have to worry about last season’s leading rusher, Albert Young, as well as former Big 10 player of the year, QB Drew Tate. Iowa’s o-line remains in tact and will be the best in the conference. The big question will be if they’ll be able to fill Hodge and Greenway’s shoes on the defensive side of the ball. The answer is no, but the Hawkeyes, behind Kirk Ferentz, are one of the best prepared teams in the league each week, and they should be right in the thick of things in the Big 10.

After a down year by the Michigan Wolverines’s standards, the Wolverines looked to bring in some new blood with offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and defensive coordinator Ron English. The Wolverines will improve in nearly every way this season, especially at running the football. You would never have guessed that Michigan finished 9th in the Big 10 in rushing last season. I expect Mike Hart to be healthy and have a huge year. Henne to Breaston should be a combination we hear plenty of on the offensive side of the ball as well.

After a promising start in 2005, the Michigan State Spartans lost 6 of their last 7 games and finished with just 2 wins in the Big 10 despite putting up big offensive numbers. Believe it or not, the reason the Spartans didn’t come away with a few more wins was field goal kicking. Their 2, now departed, kickers combined to make just 5 of 16 attempts on the season with the 5 makes all from 32 yards or closer. A more solidified kicking game this season will allow Stanton and the offense to be more conservative when approaching the red zone which will help alleviate turnovers. It’s time for the Spartans to step it up and get over the hump as the potential is there. We all saw it when they took it to Notre Dame last season.

Minnesota may be passing a whole lot more than you’re used to seeing with the departure of Maroney and the possibility of Russell being academically ineligible. That may not be such a bad deal as Brian Cupito should be one of the most exciting players to watch in the Big 10. However, without a run game to help set up the pass, the Gophers will inevitably struggle. Can the defense pick up some of the slack? They were ranked 90th in the country a season ago and they only have 2 returning starters on the line. Expect the Gophers to dig themselves a hole this season.

The Northwestern Wildcats return nearly everyone on offense and defense, however QB Brett Basanez, who threw for nearly 3,700 yards, isn’t one of those returners. The Wildcats will have their work cut out for them in 2006 after a solid campaign last year as Basanez won’t easily be replaced and the defense is pathetic to put it nicely. They gave up 480.4 yards per game last season which was the worst in the country. So maybe returning 8 defensive starters isn’t a good thing for this team.

Usually, Ohio State is synonymous with defense, but the Buckeyes will have one of the most potent offenses in the conference this season led by QB playmaker Troy Smith, tailback Antonio Pittman, and big play man Ted Ginn. It will be up to the defense if the Buckeyes will be able to contend for a national title as they return just 2 defensive starters and lose the best line backing corps in the country in Hawk and Carpenter. As always, the Buckeyes’ talent will get them by in the Big 10, but they could go down early once again to Texas in The Longhorn State on September 9th. Opening up their Big 10 season with Penn State on September 23rd will also be a big test for this young, inexperienced defense.

The Penn State coaching staff is big on QB Anthony Morelli, who has big shoes to fill if he’s going to adequately replace Michael Robinson. Having the entire receiving corps back will help him out immensely. With tackle Levi Brown as the only returning offensive line starter, the Nittany Lions will have to mature up front in a hurry. They have great skill players and will show signs of being a great team throughout the season, but ultimately they won’t be able to improve on last season’s 11-1 mark. Joe Pa may be taking some heat again in 2006.

Where Penn State could be lacking up front, the Boilermakers should have their best offensive line since their 2000 Rose Bowl team. That may not make any difference as the Boilermakers will have to break in QB Curtis Painter who saw some time last year, but wasn’t sensational by any means. Having 6’9’’ Kyle Ingraham to throw to will help him out. This duo isn’t even on the radar yet, but they could be by season’s end, although Bryant will still get the most balls thrown his way. Ultimately, Purdue’s pass defense will be to blame if they stay out of bowl contention this season.

Wisconsin has the beef up front to once again be a power running team despite having no-namers to try to fill Calhoun’s shoes. Walk-on Dywon Rowan is making some major noise and has already catapulted into the number 2 spot. At 5’9, 243lbs., the Badgers may have another Dane in their hands. Their defense, which returns 8 starters, will be the strong spot on this team. The Badgers lost their top 7 receivers from last season. So to say they have some work to do there is an understatement. It could be old Wisconsin football in 2006-07. They’ll likely grind it out and play unexciting football. But it should be effective. If Brett Bielema tries to much to resist the personality of this team in his first season, the Badger faithful could be in for a disappointing year.

Read the latest news at the Big 10 football website.