Big Ten Football: Each Team's Most Dynamic Playmaker on Offense for 2013

The Big Ten used to carry the big, strong and slow label. Recently there has been a shift in philosophy, and the Big Ten has become loaded with offensive skill talent.

From Indiana to Ohio State, there are a number of high-profile playmakers that will be the face of their teams heading into 2013. The conference is trying to produce a title contender, and with this depth of talent, it is very possible.

These 12 players have already proven they can help their teams win, and heading into the new year they will be the leaders for their offenses. This is a look at the top offensive game changers in the Big Ten. 

Indiana Hoosiers: Cody Latimer, WR

The Indiana Hoosiers had a surprisingly strong passing attack last season as the team clawed to a four-win finish. A number of games were held close by the offense and the efforts of star wide-out Cody Latimer.

Latimer is a rising junior for the Hoosiers and will be the headliner in the passing game heading into the fall.

Last year he caught 51 passes for 805 yards and six touchdowns. This season the Hoosiers are expecting more out of the upperclassman as they look for their first bowl appearance since 2007.

He finished the year as a second team All-Big Ten selection by the media, ESPN.com and Phil Steele (Indiana Athletics).

Northwestern Wildcats: Kain Colter, QB

Kain Colter is one of the most dynamic offensive threats to ever strap up for the Northwestern Wildcats. Over the past few seasons, he has become the conference's hidden gem as a dual-threat quarterback for Northwestern.

He has also spent time at receiver in his three years with the program, displaying his level of athleticism and impact for this offense. Colter is a game-changer that is a primary piece of the Wildcats' offensive puzzle.

Last year he passed for 872 yards, rushed for 894 yards, caught 16 passes for 169 yards and scored 20 times for the Wildcats. If defenses don’t key on Colter, they will get burned this fall. 

Illinois Fighting Illini: Donovonn Young, RB

Donovonn Young is the key to the Illinois offense heading into the new year.

Tim Beckman is stepping into his second year with the program, but last year’s terrible 2-10 record has to be improved immediately. Young is a player that can help make that happen.

Last season as a part of an anemic offense, Young was able to rush for 571 yards, catch 38 passes for 172 yards and serve as the team's kickoff return man. He is a dynamic playmaker that will make this offense tick in 2013.

Young can’t do it alone, but he is the leader of the unit and will provide this program with the boost it needs to reach the postseason. 

Michigan Wolverines: Jeremy Gallon, WR

Michigan is stepping into the new year with a lot of questions swirling around the offense. The one cornerstone of the offense is receiver Jeremy Gallon. He is a proven commodity and leader for this team.

Last season he was able to compile impressive numbers for the Wolverines, catching 49 passes for 829 yards and four touchdowns. He was also in on 11 rushes for 67 yards, and served as the punt and kick return man.

From the slot Gallon is one of the most dangerous players in the Big Ten.

With Devin Gardner finally settling in as the starter this year, Gallon will be able to find a lot more opportunities than in years past. This will be the best season yet for this dynamic receiver. 

Ohio State Buckeyes: Braxton Miller, QB

Ohio State is in a great situation walking into the fall. Star signal-caller Braxton Miller returns and with him comes the majority of the Ohio State offensive production.

Miller finished the 2012 season with 2,039 passing yards, 1,271 rushing yards and 28 total scores.

He is a rising junior and has seen first-hand how the Urban Meyer offense works. This spring and summer will be more time for Miller to develop into the position, and he will be a Heisman contender heading into the year.

Look for Miller to take the Buckeyes on another wild ride and possible undefeated run. 

Purdue Boilermakers: Akeem Hunt, RB

Purdue didn’t set the world on fire offensively last year, but when there were explosive plays they usually involved Akeem Hunt.

He finished the year with 335 rushing yards on only 42 carries, and he caught 13 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns.

Hunt was the backup running back a year ago, but his impact in limited availability shows that he is the most explosive player on the Purdue roster. This year the Boilermakers enter the Darrell Hazell era looking for offense, and his past success on the sideline has come with running backs.

Look for it to be a huge year for Hunt under the guidance of Hazell. 

Penn State Nittany Lions: Allen Robinson, WR

Allen Robinson is one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous deep threats on Saturdays. The Penn State offense was expected to take a dip in 2012, but instead Robinson helped the program become as prolific as any unit in the Big Ten.

Heading into the new season, he is the leader for the Nittany Lions offense and will be a key player in helping usher in a new quarterback for Penn State.

Last year’s 77 receptions and 1,018 receiving yards were extremely impressive numbers for a true sophomore, and this year should be much of the same.

There will continue to be fewer bright spots on a limited roster at Penn State, but for the next two years Robinson will be a playmaker that keeps this offense cruising past some of the Big Ten’s top defenses.

Minnesota Golden Gophers: Philip Nelson, QB

The Golden Gophers were hurting so badly for offense last year that they played three different quarterbacks searching for answers. By the end of the season, freshman Philip Nelson was the answer at the quarterback position.

Heading into 2013 the Golden Gophers need a major change in offensive production. Nelson will be entering his second year with ample experience, so there will be a major bump in numbers.

Last season Nelson was able to showcase his passing and running talents, earning 1,059 total yards of offense. Those numbers should double this fall and produce another solid bowl season for Minnesota. 

Michigan State Spartans: Bennie Fowler, WR

With the exit of Le’Veon Bell, the Spartans lost a large chunk of the offensive production from last fall. The passing game should become a new focus, and leading receiver Bennie Fowler will help the Spartans get back into the conference race because of that.

Fowler had a very strong season for the Spartans, leading the team in receiving yards and finishing second in receptions (Michigan State Athletics).

This year the Spartans need more production from the rising senior. Quarterback Andrew Maxwell should be more settled into his role in the offense, and finding Fowler often will lead to a lot of big wins for the program.

His 41 receptions and 524 yards from 2012 will be doubled this fall as Michigan State reaches for production from the outside. 

Wisconsin Badgers: Jared Abbrederis, WR

Jared Abbrederis had the chance to jump to the NFL after the 2012 season, but he decided to stay for his final season and challenge for a third straight Big Ten title with the Badgers.

Abbrederis is dangerous on the outside for two reasons: size and aggression.

This guy loves to go get the football, and he plays with a physicality that is rare from the receiver position. Heading into 2013 the conference better be on watch when he hits the field, or it will be a long Saturday.

He finished last year with 49 receptions for 837 yards and five touchdowns.

Abbrederis closed 2012 as a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection (Wisconsin Athletics).

Iowa Hawkeyes: Mark Weisman, RB

Iowa was hurting for offensive production in 2012 with the team eventually turning to fullback-turned running back Mark Weisman for yards and scores.

The walk-on fullback responded well and even battled through an injury to gain 815 yards rushing on 159 carries. He also rushed for eight touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 90 yards and one touchdown.

Heading into the new year, there is no other player on the Hawkeyes roster that has proven to be a consistent playmaker. Look for Weisman to be the lead back in the fall and carry the Iowa offense to start the year.

Without Weisman this offense is in terrible position heading into the season.

If Weisman stays healthy, he will be the rising star in the Big Ten this year. 

Nebraska Cornhuskers: Taylor Martinez, QB

The Cornhuskers have been one of the most explosive offenses in the country over the past few seasons with Taylor Martinez guiding the attack.

Last year he was able to pass for 2,871 yards and 23 scores, and rush for 1,019 yards and 10 scores. It was a strong year for the signal-caller that earned him first-team All-Big Ten honors by the coaches (Nebraska Athletics).

This season the Cornhuskers are hungry for a win in the conference title game and have the tools to make it back for the third year in a row.

For a win to happen, Nebraska has to find a way to get consistent elite play from Martinez. His senior season should be the year he puts a full year of solid play together. 

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