Big Ten Football: Top 10 Offensive Weapons in 2012

The Big Ten is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball for the upcoming season.

With two Heisman Trophy contenders, Denard Robinson and Montee Ball, in addition to the fourth highest scoring offense in 2011 (Wisconsin) and numerous playmakers, fans have much to look forward to on Saturdays in the Midwest.

It is said that "defense wins championships," but these players will be game-changers for their teams on the other side of the ball in 2012.

Here are the top 10 offensive weapons in the Big Ten.

10. Braxton Miller (Ohio State, QB)

2011 stats: (Passing) 1,159 yards, 13 TD and four INT; (Rushing) 715 yards and seven TD

Best career performance: 162 passing yards, two passing TD, 100 rushing yards and one rushing TD in a 40-34 loss at Michigan (11/26/2011).

2012 outlook: Braxton Miller had an impressive freshman campaign in 2011, and will only get better this season. Miller can frustrate opposing defenses due to his dual-threat ability, possessing open-field elusiveness with his strong throwing arm.

His decision-making was a positive for the Buckeyes in 2011, making a minimal amount of mistakes, which is uncommon among freshman quarterbacks.

Look for the sophomore signal-caller to make great strides in Urban Meyer's spread attack. Meyer recently said his quarterback is, "the most dynamic player I've ever coached."

Miller will lean heavily on target Jake Stoneburner, who led the Buckeyes with seven touchdown catches in 2011.

Big Ten defenses are praying that Miller's improvements in 2012 are not too drastic.

9. James Vandenberg (Iowa, QB)

2011 stats: 3,022 passing yards with 25 TD and seven INT

Best career performance: 253 passing yards, four TD and a 290.3 passer rating in a 45-24 win against Indiana (10/22/2011).

2012 outlook: He isn't Drew Tate or Ricky Stanzi, but James Vandenberg had one heck of a season for the Hawkeyes in 2011. Vandenberg returns for his senior year as the conference's top returning passer in terms of yards and touchdowns, and he also ranks second, behind Denard Robinson, in passing efficiency and total offense.

Vandenberg will be without his two best offensive playmakers from 2011, running back Marcus Coker and wide receiver Marvin McNutt, but he should still be primed for a big season in 2012.

Wide receiver Keenan Davis, who is a Biletnikoff Award candidate, will be Vandenberg's go-to target.

The Hawkeyes will go as far as their senior quarterback will take them this season.

8. James White (Wisconsin, RB)

2011 stats: 713 rushing yards and six TD

Best career performance: 181 rushing yards and two TD in a 48-28 win at Michigan (11/20/2010).

2012 outlook: It's hard to tell a running back, who ran for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman, that he will get less carries the next season. Then again, that's what happens when you share the backfield with arguably the best statistical running back in NCAA history.

White's impact was reduced in 2011, but that only speaks to the remarkable play of Montee Ball. White will fill in nicely if Ball has to miss any time this season.

Otherwise, look for White to gash Big Ten defenses when they relax after "No. 28" jogs off the field.

White is sure to have a huge senior season in 2013, but don't sleep on him to do big things in 2012.

7. Jared Abbrederis (Wisconsin, WR)

2011 stats: 933 receiving yards and eight TD

Best career performance: 113 receiving yards and two TD in a 33-29 loss at Ohio State (10/29/2011).

2012 outlook: Jared Abbrederis was a standout performer on the nation's fourth best offense last season, leading the team in reception yards. With Nick Toon's departure from Madison, look for Abbrederis to have even more balls thrown his way in 2012.

It won't be Russell Wilson tossing him spirals, but Abbrederis is sure to have a big season as arguably the best receiver in the Big Ten.

The junior wide-out is also a major threat in the return game, leading the conference in punt return yards last season.

With the nation's best running back on his team, Abbrederis will make opposing defenses pay if they get caught looking in backfield.

6. MarQueis Gray (Minnesota, QB)

2011 stats: (Passing) 1,495 yards, eight TD and eight INT; (Rushing) 966 yards and six TD

Best career performance: 85 passing yards, one passing TD, 167 rushing yards and two rushing TD in a 27-7 win against Illinois (11/26/2011).

2012 outlook: MarQueis Gray showcased his supreme athleticism last season, as he racked up nearly 1,000 yards on the ground. However, Gopher fans hope he can also dazzle with his arm, in addition to his legs, in 2012.

Gray was inconsistent as a passer last year, which was to be expected from a guy who played wide receiver during his first two seasons on campus. Now, with a year of experience under his belt, he should vastly improve in his senior season.

Gophers head coach Jerry Kill said he has been impressed with Gray so far in practice, according to an article by the Pioneer Press.

"I think he's been very sharp," Kill said. "He's giving kids a chance to catch the ball."

If Gray can keep it up through the season, he could be scary good in 2012.

5. Kain Colter (Northwestern, QB)

2011 stats: (Passing) 673 yards, six TD and one INT; (Rushing) 654 yards and nine TD; (Receiving) 466 yards and three TD

Best career performance: 115 passing yards, one passing TD, 57 rushing yards and two rushing TD in a 28-25 win at Nebraska (11/5/2011).

2012 outlook: Kain Colter was Mr. Do-It-All for Northwestern last season, ranking in the top three on the team in passing (2nd), rushing (1st) and receiving yards (3rd).

Colter didn't see much action throwing the ball in 2011, except when replacing the often-injured Dan Persa. Now, Colter will take over all of the passing duties.

Colter impressed Wildcats fans with his three-touchdown performance at Nebraska, in replacement of the injured Persa. The Huskers defense got a chance to feel the pressure that the junior quarterback will put on the rest of the Big Ten this season.

The addition of former USC wide receiver Kyle Prater should be a big help in Colter's first full season at the helm.

The most versatile Big Ten player since Antwaan Randle El, Colter is the reason Northwestern may see another quarterback on the All-Big Ten list at the end of the season.

4. Le'Veon Bell (Michigan State, RB)

2011 stats: 984 rushing yards and 13 TD

Best career performance: 81 rushing yards and three TD in a 45-7 victory against Central Michigan (9/24/2011).

2012 outlook: Le'Veon Bell was a big reason for the Spartans' 11-3 record last season. Now, with the departure of key contributors, he will be relied upon even more in 2012.

The Spartans will be without their lethal aerial combination of quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver B.J. Cunningham. In addition, Edwin Baker, MSU's second-leading rusher in 2011, left early for the NFL.

Those will be tough voids to fill, but Bell's 6'2", 244-pound frame can surely shoulder the burden.

The junior running back said he is expecting 15-20 carries per game this season, according to Adam Rittenberg's article on espn.com.

Look for "Sparty" to pound it on the ground with Bell, while playing stingy defense, on their way to a big season in 2012.

3. Rex Burkhead (Nebraska, RB)

2011 stats: 1,357 rushing yards and 17 total TD (15 rushing)

Best career performance: 130 rushing yards, two rushing TD and one receiving TD in a 24-3 win against Michigan State (10/29/2011).

2012 outlook: Rex Burkhead was sensational last season, keeping the Huskers offense afloat despite spells of sporadic play from quarterback Taylor Martinez.

Burkhead finished third in the Big Ten in rushing last season and has the potential to battle Montee Ball for the conference rushing title in 2012.

The 5'11", 210-pound running back may appear small in stature, but he carried the weight of a freight train last fall (284 carries). If the Huskers hope to be a top-10 team this season, Burkhead will need to do the same.

Opposing defenses will have a tough time, yet again, containing Burkhead in the upcoming season. With his sub-4.5 speed (according to nfldraftscout.com) and exceptional side-to-side agility, Burkhead will be a difficult task for defenders to handle in 2012.

2. Denard Robinson (Michigan, QB)

2011 stats: (Passing) 2,173 yards, 20 TD and 15 INT; (Rushing) 1,176 yards and 16 TD

Best career performance: 244 passing yards, one passing TD, 258 rushing yards and two rushing TD in a 28-24 win at Notre Dame (9/11/2010).

2012 outlook: Denard Robinson has been the most exciting player to watch in the Big Ten during the past two seasons. With big expectations in Ann Arbor, this year appears to be no different.

Robinson has been the heart and soul of the Wolverines offense since he was handed the keys in 2010. "Shoelace" led the Big Ten in total offense last season, with more than 250 yards per game.

The senior quarterback is lethal with his legs, but is still improving as a passer. However, despite criticism of his throwing ability, Robinson is the conference's top returning quarterback in terms of passing efficiency.

Look for Robinson to increase his completion percentage in 2012, while continuing to overwhelm defenses with his elusiveness.

It has been more than 20 years since Desmond Howard debuted his Heisman pose in 1991. With a big season ahead, Robinson might want to get his ready.

1. Montee Ball (Wisconsin, RB)

2011 stats: 1,923 rushing yards and 39 total TD (33 rushing)

Best career performance: 178 rushing yards and four rushing TD in a 70-23 win against Northwestern (11/27/2010).

2012 outlook: Badgers fans will be happy to know that Montee Ball said he feels good, after recovering from an assault incident on August 1st.

Ball was the Badgers' offensive wrecking ball last season, leading the nation in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns. His 39 total touchdowns tied Barry Sanders' NCAA record for most scores in a season.

This year, Ball will look to do more of the same, carrying a load too large for anyone else in college football to handle (more than 300 carries in 2011).

Despite all of his production, Ball is not one of the flashier players in the game. While he does not possess stellar speed, Ball is great at being patient, seeing the hole and exploding through it.

Ball is the reason the Badgers have a great chance to add another Big Ten title to the trophy case, in addition to the program's first Heisman Trophy since Ron Dayne's in 1999.