Hoosier Huddle Big Ten Media Days Primer
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Image: Associated Press
It’s finally here! Big Ten Media Days represent the unofficial start of the college football season. We at Hoosier Huddle have put together an informational packet for Hoosier fans to get their season started. Included are the staff’s All-Big Ten picks, Questions surrounding the Hoosier program, College Football Playoff picks, as well as a sleeper team and a team that will ‘bust’ for 2016. Media Days get underway Monday at 1pm ET. Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson and Hoosier players will be speaking Tuesday, July 26th. Wilson takes the podium at 9:15am ET.
Hoosier Huddle’s 2016 All-Big Ten Teams
Questions Surrounding the Hoosiers
- Who will win the quarterback competition?
- What are the expectations surrounding the defense with Tom Allen calling the shots?
- Can the Hoosiers get to back-to-back bowls for the first time in 25 years?
- With the talent on offense coming back, how do Wilson and Johns distribute touches?
- When will Camion Patrick be ready to go?
- How has the bowl game impacted the program in recruiting and facility upgrades?
College Football Playoff Picks
Alex Compton
Clemson Tigers
The best player in the nation is back, and he leads a team with NFL talent at every position. If they escape a week one road game against Auburn unscathed, the Tigers could run the table.
LSU Tigers
Former Wisconsin DC Dave Arranda is now in charge of a defense that figures to be flat out dominant this season. With the best rushing attack in the nation, a steady passing game is the only thing keeping LSU from winning the SEC and possibly the National Championship.
Ohio State Buckeyes
I'm not in love with the Buckeyes, but I do think the new pieces will be able to gel quickly enough to win the league. Can JT Barrett finally prove his can play at an elite level for an entire season? If he can, the Buckeyes get the chance at a title.
Florida State Seminoles
A few other teams could bump Florida State by season's end, but there really isn't a team with more talent than the Seminoles. The top ranked recruiting class in the nation arrives in Tallahassee, and Dalvin Cook is healthy once again. Sean Maguire is the clubhouse leader to start at QB, and he'll just need to limit mistakes and let his teammates make plays in order for the 'Noles to make some noise.
T.J. Inman
Florida State Seminoles
I’m not a fan of Jimbo Fisher or the way the Florida State football program conducts itself but this squad has an immense amount of talent and a home game against fellow ACC title contender Clemson. Dalvin Cook is amazing, the defense should be very strong and the wide receiver corps is loaded with both potential and experience. The secondary and kicking game are both concerns as is the lack of a surefire starting quarterback. I think the ultra-talented and exciting Deondre Francois wins out over the steady, but injury-prone Sean Maguire and gets the Seminoles to the playoffs.
LSU Tigers
It seems stupid to choose an SEC West team that isn’t Alabama. In fact, I’m almost sure it will not only feel stupid, but it will look stupid when December rolls around. However, based on the returning talent, the changes at defensive coordinator and the schedules of the respective teams, I’m taking the LSU Tigers to unseat the Crimson Tide at the top of the West and to take a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers return about as much offensive production as possible and they are loaded with NFL prospects on defense. They ran for more than 3,000 yards and averaged 6.1 yards per carry a season ago and star Leonard Fournette, capable back-up Darrel Williams and budding young star Derrius Guice all return. LSU is strong at wide receiver with Malachi Dupre and Travin Dural plus a lot of size and depth. The only question mark is whether Brandon Harris can provide adequate play at quarterback. The Tigers added DC Dave Aranda, a homerun hire, to a defense working with stars like Kendell Beckwith and Jamal Adams. LSU plays Wisconsin in Lambeau to open the season and I think they’ll drill the Badgers and announce their arrival as a major player. They get both Ole Miss and Alabama at home and their cross-division games are Missouri and Florida. There are no easy schedules in the SEC but LSU’s is as smooth as it gets.
Michigan Wolverines
I firmly believe the Big Ten champion will be in the College Football Playoff and I’m picking Michigan to win the Big Ten. Therefore, I must slot the Wolverines into my College Football Playoff “final four”. The offense will be anchored by a dominant offensive line, a very strong group of running backs and a trio of pass catchers as good as anyone in the league (Darboh, Chesson and Butt). I believe John O’Korn will win the quarterback battle and I think Jim Harbaugh’s track record with quarterbacks leads me to believe he’ll be above average. The defense has some questions to answer but the secondary and the defensive line should be really good and new defensive coordinator Don Brown was a very nice hire. The schedule is extremely favorable minus a pair of late-season road trips to Iowa and Ohio State. Even if the Wolverines drop one of those, I see an 11-1 record and trip to the Big Ten Championship game (where I’m predicting they knock off Nebraska and head to the CFP).
Clemson Tigers
I considered a number of teams for this final spot (Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Washington, Stanford) before ultimately deciding on a second team from the ACC. My scenario: Clemson dominates at Auburn in the opening week of the season and then rolls off another six victories (including a win over a very good Louisville squad on October 1) before losing a close contest at unbeaten Florida State on October 29. They then regroup and hammer Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and South Carolina to close the season at 11-1. Would that get last year’s runner-up back to the playoff? I think so.
DeShaun Watson returns as potentially the best quarterback in the country and nearly every contributing member last year’s great offense returns. Wayne Gallman is a very underrated running back and the wide receiver corps will be even better than it was a season ago thanks to the return of Mike Williams (and backup running back Adam Choice) from injury. The defense will miss the defensive end combo of Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd and they have to replace a pair of starters in the secondary but it will still be a good unit. I don’t like putting two ACC teams on my list but I feel Clemson has the fewest things that could end up going wrong and I love their schedule (minus the trip to Tallahassee). If they manage to get to 11-1, Watson may win the Heisman and the Tigers should find themselves in the playoff once again.
Sammy Jacobs
Clemson Tigers
These Tigers have arguably the best quarterback in the country in DeShaun Watson, who was left with a bitter taste in his mouth after getting so close to a title in 2015. Along with a star-studded cast surrounding Watson, this offense should be just as explosive as a season ago. We should know after the opening weekend if this Clemson team is the real deal as they travel to Auburn. If they get past that test, all that is left is a trip to Tallahassee to face a very stout Florida State team, which will likely determine who, goes to the ACC Championship game.
LSU Tigers
Can anyone dethrone Alabama in the SEC West? If anyone can, it will be the Bayou Bengals. The Mad Hatter returns after being all-but buried last season and they bring in new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda to revamp a talented defense that returns Kendell Beckwith (84 tackles), Jamal Adams (four interceptions), and Lewis Neal (eight sacks). However, LSU’s best weapon is running back Leonard Fournette who led the SEC in rushing yards per game at 162.8. LSU’s fate will rest in the hands of what the rest of their offensive weapons can produce. Can quarterback Brandon Harris improve enough to take off pressure from the run and make opponents respect their aerial attack.
The Tigers’ schedule is tough as they have to travel to Lambeau Field to face Wisconsin and have SEC road games against Auburn, Florida, Arkansas, and Texas A&M, but the BIG one is at home when the Tigers host nemesis Nick Saban and the Tide on November fifth. Win that and LSU is in the driver’s seat for the SEC West Title.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners have two big tests in the first three weeks of the season as they open up in Houston against the Cougars and welcome the Buckeyes in week three. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Samaje Perine form a deadly combination that should help pace the Oklahoma offense to plenty of victories. The schedule sets up well for a playoff win as they host Ohio State to bolster their strength of schedule and get the Bedlam Game at home. The Sooners will have to travel to TCU after an open week and should get revenge on a Texas team that nearly derailed their season in 2015. Survive Houston and Ohio State and their ticket should be punched after running through the Big 12.
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan may have the most difficult road to the CFP. They have an unproven quarterback and they have to travel to their two biggest rivals at Michigan State and Ohio State and could likely have to beat Iowa twice away from the Big House, but this could be the year the Wolverines are back in play for a national title. The defense is as good as any in the Big Ten and Jim Harbaugh worked wonders last year with Jake Ruddock. This year he has John O’Korn who has a ton of talent and has had more time under Harbaugh’s tutelage. However, one slip-up in 2016 could spell doom for Michigan. Their non-conference slate is more like a pillow than anything and will do little to boost their case if they lose, as they face Hawaii, Central Florida, and Colorado.
Nick Holmes
Tennessee Volunteers
Of my four playoff picks, the Volunteers are the only team that will be making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Last year I went out on a limb and picked Tennessee to win the SEC and represent the conference in the final four. So how did they do? They started the season out by losing four out their first seven. These loses were by an average of 4.3 points, two of which were games against teams that actually made the playoff; the eventual national champions Alabama and semi-finalist Oklahoma. They went 6 and 0 the rest of the way and laid a 45-6 shellacking on Northwestern. So while their record may not show it, they were as darn close to the college playoff as a four loss team could be. So let’s give this another go Volunteers. With all the returning talent they have on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Josh Dobbs, running back Jalen Hurd, and defensive end Derek Barnett, the hiring of Bob Shoop as their defensive coordinator, and an incredibly favorable schedule, the Volunteers look poised to make a run for the national title, one that has been long-awaited by the Rocky Top Faithful.
Ohio State Buckeyes
JT Barrett is back as the Buckeyes undisputed leader at quarterback, what else do you need or want to know? Well, how about a conference schedule where the Buckeyes avoid the West’s best in Iowa? Or the annual clash with the Wolverines happens in the horseshoe? Although they still do have to travel to Wisconsin, Penn State, and Michigan, neither one of those teams possess near the talent the Buckeyes do, and all three are breaking in new starters at quarterback. An early matchup against the Sooners will be a good litmus test, but even a loss there will not be a death sentence for their potential playoff run. Plus, you cannot discount experience, and when it comes to winning big games, few have done it more than Urban Meyer. Sure, they might have seen a ton of their playmakers move onto the NFL, but there’s no shortage of young guys in the wings waiting for their opportunity to help the Buckeyes win their second national championship is three years.
Clemson Tigers
Another Heisman candidate-led team has made my list, the Clemson Tigers, who will be looking to make their way back to College Football Playoff for the second straight year. Deshaun Watson is as good as any player in the nation and is surrounded by a cast of playmakers second to few in college football, including running back Wayne Gallman who quietly rushed for over 1,500-yards. They also have pretty favorable schedule, sans the late October trip to Tallahassee. If they can take care of business against Florida State, which despite not having their quarterback situation presently sorted out looks like a tall-task, then the Tigers could be well on their way to repeating as ACC Champions and making their way into the College Playoff once again. Plus, how can you not like a Bret Venables run defense?
Oklahoma Sooners
The final team that I selected to make the College Football Playoff also happens be led by a Heisman candidate quarterback, Baker Mayfield. Sensing a theme here, possibly that I am overvaluing how important it is to have a quarterback with a lot of experience? More than likely, considering the last two National Champions were led by Jacob Coker and JT Barrett/Cardale Jones, but I digress. Oklahoma must replace multiple playmakers on both sides of the ball, but still find themselves returning 12 starters altogether. The Big 12 overall appears to be somewhat in a flux, with plenty of question marks surrounding Baylor, TCU and Texas, the somewhat logical contenders for the Big 12 crown. Oklahoma State could certainly present problems for the Sooners, but luckily for Bob Stoops, that game will be played in Norman. The out of conference schedule would appear to be a greater concern, with a trip scheduled for Houston the first weekend of the season and a clash against the Buckeyes at home during week three. Oklahoma must find a way to avoid going 0 and 2 to keep their playoff hopes from fizzling out before the conference season has even gotten underway.
Big Ten Sleeper Team
T.J. Inman
Nebraska Cornhuskers
It’s very difficult to pick a sleeper from the Big Ten East. The hierarchy in the division is mostly set. Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State figure to finish one/two/three in some order and the remaining teams will, with all likelihood, battle for 4th through 7th. I think IU will be better than most people anticipate but will it be all that shocking if the Hoosiers end up 6-6 or 7-5? No, for my “sleeper” pick, I’m taking the Nebraska Cornhuskers to exceed expectations, rebound from Mike Riley’s disappointing first season, and win the Big Ten West.
The Huskers lost a number of nail-biters last season and history tells us those close losses even out over time (as an IU fan, I would tell history that we are due for roughly 25 close game wins a row!). The Huskers played a number of promising young players in 2015 (they landed a conference-high four players on the Big Ten Freshman Team) and they should have the one of, if not the, most explosive offenses in the conference. Tommy Armstrong is now in the same system for a second straight season, the first time that’s happened in his college career, and he’ll be throwing to the best group of wide receivers they’ve ever had in Lincoln. Jordan Westerkamp, Brandon Reilly, Alonzo Moore, Stanley Morgan Jr. and De’Mornay Pierson-El form a big and dynamic group that will light up the scoreboard. The offensive line lost three starters but they’ve recruited that position well.
I’m concerned about the lack of pass rush a season ago and they lost Vincent Valentine and Maliek Collins. However, I like some of the young defensive ends they have (Freedom Akinmoladum being the best of the group) and the linebackers should be very strong. Top safety Nate Gerry and top corner Joshua Kalu both return and I think a better pass rush or more creative blitzing schemes could help a poor pass defense improve. The schedule is somewhat favorable, but still difficult. They have to visit both Ohio State, Indiana and fellow West-favorites Iowa and Wisconsin but they get to host Fresno State, Wyoming, Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota. The first major test (and barometer) will come on September 17 when Oregon travels to Lincoln. I think the Huskers will run the table at home and find a way to win one of their three major road tests (Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa). So, I’m predicting nine, possibly ten, wins for the Cornhuskers and a Big Ten West championship.
Alex Compton
Wisconsin
Forget Michigan, the best defense in the league may actually belong to the Badgers. With a potent ground attack and weapons on the outside, consistent quarterback play is the only thing separating Wisconsin from a B1G West Title.
Sammy Jacobs
Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern won 10 games last season, some may have thought it was a fluke and are expecting them to come back to earth a little bit. I agree, they probably won’t win 10 games again, but this squad will play a role in who wins the West. Clayton Thorson will be a sophomore after taking some lumps as a freshman; Justin Jackson could be the best running back the league has to offer. On the other side of the ball the Wildcats have playmakers at every level, highlighted by do everything linebacker Anthony Walker. The home schedule is manageable as they welcome Western Michigan, Illinois State, and Duke to Ryan Field in the non-conference and play host to Nebraska, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois in the Big Ten. Where it gets tricky is on the road in conference. Pat Fitzgerald’s squad will have to travel to Iowa City, Columbus, and East Lansing. That’s not an easy task.
Big Ten Busts
T.J Inman
Wisconsin Badgers
The general opinion of Wisconsin seems to be that they will be in contention for the B1G West title and that they will win somewhere in the neighborhood of eight or nine games. I just don’t see that happening.
Yes, Corey Clement should be healthy this season and that should help improve a running game that sputtered in 2015. Even with improvement though, I don’t think the running attack will resemble the dominant ground game we’ve seen Wisconsin have in the recent past. The offensive line isn’t up to the standard they’ve set in Madison and I don’t think Clement is at the same level as guys like Melvin Gordon or Montee Ball. Bart Houston might be a capable quarterback but I don’t see him taking over games against good defenses and propelling the Badgers to wins and the wide receiver corps is a huge question mark after the graduation of Alex Erickson. The defense was outstanding in 2015 and it will be quite good in 2016 but I’m anticipating a drop-off. The Badgers return only one starter in the secondary and Joe Schobert will be missed dearly. Nearly all of the defensive line returns and I really like the combination of T.J. Watt and Vince Beigel at linebacker so they’ll still be very tough to score on but the defection of defensive coordinator star Dave Aranda to LSU is a loss the Badgers can’t completely overcome. I’m not entirely sold on Paul Chryst as a top-level coach and the schedule is absolutely brutal (LSU, cross-division games against MSU, UM and OSU and a road-trip to Iowa). The public expects eight or nine wins, I’m setting the ceiling at seven and expecting a .500 season in Madison.
Alex Compton
Michigan State
Connor Cook was highly scrutinized during his time as a Spartan, but his departure will really leave MSU in a rough place this season. Experience is gone of the defensive side of the ball as well, which will force the defense into a large amount of mistakes. This could be a five loss Spartan team when the regular season comes to an end.
Sammy Jacobs
Michigan State
The Spartans have been really good under Mark Dantonio going 87-33, but there have always been a transition year along the way, the last coming in 2012. Michigan State has to replace it’s starting quarterback, three starters along the offensive line, and their top two receivers on offense. The defense loses Shilique Calhoun and Darien Harris, but still returns plenty of playmakers to be an above average unit. The schedule is not user friendly as they have to travel to Notre Dame and get BYU at home in the non-conference. While they do get Ohio State and Michigan at home, those games will be extremely difficult. The Spartans should still going bowling, but this may be the year their run slows down.