The 15 Big Ten Players You Must Know About Before Kickoff
After the Big Ten won two BCS games in January, it dominated the headlines by aggressively pursuing expansion and adding the powerful University of Nebraska athletic program.
Now, with the 2010 college football season nearly upon us, it doesn't appear that the Big Ten will fade from the headlines anytime soon.
From top to bottom, the Big Ten appears to be one of the deepest conferences in the country. There is plenty of individual talent to go around, starting with a loaded Ohio State squad and continuing towards the bottom of the conference with a Purdue team featuring three players worth paying attention to.
Here's a look at the top 15 players to watch in the Big Ten.
Honorable Mention
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Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State: Any other season, Heyward would likely be ranked in the top 15. The son of former NFL running back "Ironhead" Craig Heyward has plenty of athleticism.
Keith Smith, WR, Purdue: Like many of his predecessors at Purdue, Smith has compiled gaudy numbers throughout his college career. This year, those numbers might finally translate to success for his Boilermaker team.
Quentin Davie, LB, Northwestern: Davie is one of the more underrated players in the Big Ten on what is consistently one of the most underrated programs in the country.
Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa: McNutt is still somewhat in the shadow of teammate Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, but his big-play ability at 6'4" is difficult to ignore.
Justin Boren, OL, Ohio State: Arguably the best offensive linemen in the Big Ten, Boren anchors what should be one of the conference's best offensive lines.
No. 15: Robert Marve, QB, Purdue
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Marve left Miami known for being spoiled and immature but has apparently turned over a new leaf under Danny Hope's watch at Purdue.
Marve enters 2010 as the Boilermakers starting quarterback and one of the team's leaders, according to his head coach. His ability to manage a game will be on display on a big stage in Week 1, when he makes his Boilermakers debut against Notre Dame.
No. 14: Ben Chappell, QB, Indiana
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Don't sleep on the Indiana Hoosiers in 2010. One of the weakest schedules in college football and one of the better offenses in the Big Ten could be enough to engineer a six or seven-win season.
Quarterback Ben Chappell threw for nearly 3,000 yards as a junior last season and is surrounded by plenty of weapons, including receivers Tandon Doss and Damarlo Belcher.
If Indiana's offensive line can give Chappell time, a 4,000-yard season isn't out of the question.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
No. 13: Stefan Wisniewski, OL, Penn State
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As Penn State looks to usher in a new starting quarterback, the Lions will likely try to pound the ball on the ground.
Wisniewski has been a staple on the offensive line since he broke into the lineup as a freshman, and helped pave the way for Evan Royster and Stephfan Green to rush for a combined 1,488 yards last season.
Penn State is in somewhat of a retooling mode and could endure some bumps along the way, but the running game and offensive line could be even better than last year.
No. 12: Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
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"Shoelace" had some nice moments as a freshman and showed improvement in the spring to put himself in favorable position to become Michigan's starting quarterback.
Not bad for a guy who many people believed would be best suited to play another position.
Robinson's game-breaking ability will be difficult for embattled Rich Rodriguez to keep off the field, and it could be enough to vault him into the starting lineup ahead of Tate Forcier.
If he ever learns to harness his raw talent, Robinson could be a special player in the Big Ten.
No. 11: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
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The son of former NFL receiver Al Toon, Nick Toon is a physical specimen who could have a huge season in 2010.
Toon tallied 54 receptions and four touchdowns in 2009 and gives Wisconsin a dangerous option in the vertical passing game to compliment the powerful run game.
The Badgers might not be ranked in the top 10 heading into the season, but there are plenty of reasons to believe they will have a say in the BCS picture.
No. 10: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
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Michigan State's 2009 season was a tale of what could have been. Instead of ending the season in contention for the BCS, several heartbreaking losses eventually gave way to an onslaught of suspensions stemming from an on-campus fight.
Mark Dantonio has circled the wagons and will try to start anew. Sparty figures to have a much improved offense, led by signal-caller Kirk Cousins.
Cousins threw for 2,680 yards and 19 touchdowns last year and has nice weapons at his disposal on the outside.
Michigan State will be an interesting team to watch this season.
No. 9: DeVier Posey, Ohio State
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Terrelle Pryor has no more excuses for struggling in the passing game now that a top wideout has emerged.
Posey did his best work towards the end of last season, and finished his sophomore year with 60 receptions for 828 yards and eight touchdowns.
Pryor-to-Posey will be a deadly combination in the Big Ten this season.
No. 8: Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
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Stanzi's ability to take care of the ball will be crucial to Iowa's BCS hopes this season.
Last year, he showed flashes of brilliance and the ability to overcome mistakes. There's no reason to believe he can get away with similar misfortunes again this season.
The Hawkeyes will need to replace tight end Tony Moeaki, but have one of the best groups of receivers in the Big Ten and should have a more balanced attack with Jewel Hampton returning at running back.
The pressure is on Stanzi to avoid losing games by throwing the ball to the wrong team.
No. 7: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
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Kerrigan is one of the best defensive linemen in the country, but he hasn't gotten much love on the national level. That could change this season.
The Muncie, Indiana native recorded 12 sacks last season despite facing constant double-teams and could exceed those numbers this year.
If the Boilermakers pull an upset or two and contend for the postseason, the accolades will begin to come. If not, Kerrigan might have to wait until the next level for people discover just how good he really is.
No. 6: Tyler Sash, S, Iowa
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Sash is a playmaker, pure and simple.
The safety has recorded 11 interceptions during his first two seasons at Iowa and anchors what figures to be one of the best defenses in college football this season.
The 6'1", 210 pound junior is without question one of the best safeties in the country and could contend for the Jim Thorpe Award.
No. 5: Evan Royster, RB, Penn State
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Royster might not have the best physical tools, but his production is simply impossible to ignore.
With Penn State looking to ease in a new quarterback, Royster's value has never been greater. His production could increase from last season, when he rushed for 1,169 yards and six touchdowns.
Royster has certainly left his mark on the Big Ten, and along the way has secured a place among the likes of Ki-Jana Carter and Curtis Enis in Penn State lore.
No. 4: Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State
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Jones might not be the biggest linebacker, but his speed and instincts have enabled him to become one of the most productive.
The 6'1", 230 pounder has totaled an astounding 358 tackles during his college career and decided to return for his senior campaign.
Still looking for his first career interception, Jones figures to improve his NFL stock considerably this season.
No. 3: John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
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Clay has plenty of company in the race for the Doak Walker Award this season, but Wisconsin's reliance on the run makes him one of the most attractive candidates.
After rushing for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns last year, it will be difficult him for to put up much bigger numbers.
The talent and experience of his teammates should allow him to take his campaign public as Wisconsin contends for the BCS. At this point, it's reasonable to believe Clay could even factor in the Heisman race.
No. 2: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
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The man-beast has a unique combination of power and speed and is widely considered to be the best defensive lineman in the country.
Clayborn had a junior season to remember, tallying 11 sacks and authoring the signature play of Iowa's season by returning his blocked punt for a 53-yard touchdown in the win over Penn State.
The senior figures to match his production again this season and is joined by three returning starters on the defensive line.
No. 1: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
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There's no debating Pryor's talent. The only question is what he will do with it.
If his performance in the Rose Bowl is any indication, he might have finally put it all together. Pryor's ability to run the ball when he chooses is complimented by his ability to work the ball downfield, something he figures to do more of this season.
If he can keep Jim Tressel's trust and eliminate mistakes, there's no reason Pryor can't win the Heisman Trophy.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
