Big Ten Football Q&A: Who's the Best New Quarterback in the B1G?
Spring football is in full gear, an unprecedented pro day is getting set to begin, Jim Harbaugh is gaining allies in Florida and Illinois has a new head coach.
In other words, it's just another typical week in the Big Ten.
It also happens to be time for my weekly Big Ten Q&A, where you ask the questions, and I provide the answers. As always, you can send your Big Ten-related questions to me on Twitter @BenAxelrod each week for your chance to appear in the mailbag.
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This week, we'll tackle the conference's new starting signal-callers, the Fighting Illini's new head coach, the Big Ten's most important position change and the wonderful world of professional wrestling.
Let's get started.
Quarterbacks in the Big Ten have always fascinated me, particularly as the league's offenses have evolved into more modern styles. Some programs have managed to keep up with the times, others have even taken it a step further and then there are still some head coaches who prefer to play it safe with a game manager.
This season, the makeup of the league's signal-callers will be even more interesting, as there won't be many new ones, but four of the five QBs who will be starting for the first time will do so at prominent programs.
Presumed conference title contenders Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin will each be breaking in new starters this season, which will throw a twist into divisional races that will see Ohio State and Iowa each return their starting quarterbacks.
In terms of new starters, the player I find most intriguing is Wisconsin's Bart Houston, who completed 22 of his 33 pass attempts for 232 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while subbing in for an injured Joel Stave during the Badgers' 24-13 win over Illinois last season. Houston was so impressive that calls came for him to be named Wisconsin's new starter midseason, but Stave ultimately resumed his role in the Badgers lineup.
After Houston, I'm intrigued by Michigan's John O'Korn, presuming he takes the spot in the Wolverines lineup that Jake Rudock vacated. Of the quarterback competitions in the Big Ten this offseason, Michigan State's is perhaps the most intriguing, with Tyler O'Connor, Damion Terry and Messiah deWeaver battling it out to replace Connor Cook.
And then there's Penn State, which finds itself without a blue-chip prospect ready to step in for Christian Hackenberg. It could, however, be argued that either Trace McSorley or Tommy Stevens may ultimately be a better fit in head coach James Franklin's system than Hackenberg was in the past two years.
So to answer your question, my ranking of new Big Ten starting quarterbacks looks like this:
- Bart Houston, Wisconsin
- John O'Korn, Michigan
- Michigan State's new starter
- Penn State's new starter
- Indiana's Zander Diamont
But it's the Nittany Lions I have the most concern about—for reasons that extend beyond the actual quarterbacks themselves.
When I first wrote about Illinois' stunning hiring of Lovie Smith earlier this week, I was convinced the former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach would make the Fighting Illini instant contenders in the Big Ten West based on a surprising amount of talent—including star wideout Mike Dudek—returning in Champaign and Smith's pedigree.
But the more I think about Smith's hiring at Illinois, the more I view this as a move that could revolutionize Fighting Illini football for years to come.
I mean, think about it: This is an NFL-caliber head coach already putting together an NFL-caliber staff in what is inarguably the weaker of the Big Ten's two divisions. Who knows what will become of Iowa after quarterback C.J. Beathard and cornerback Desmond King graduate, and even at 10-3, Wisconsin was steady but unspectacular in its first year under head coach Paul Chryst.
I actually like what head coach Mike Riley's doing in Lincoln—at least from a recruiting standpoint—more than most, but even then, I have a hard time seeing Nebraska building a division dynasty. The reality is the Big Ten West is there for the taking, and all of sudden Illinois has arguably the coach with both the biggest name and the most credibility.
In more than a year of covering the Big Ten, I wrote about Illinois twice—both times relating to former Illini head coach Tim Beckman's unspectacular downfall in Champaign. In the past four days, I've now written about the Fighting Illini three times, which is indicative of the buzz Smith is already building at his new job.
I don't expect Illinois to win the division this year, but I wouldn't be shocked if it's in contention until the very end. Come 2017, however, I expect Lovie's presence to be in full effect with both his recruiting and his player development potentially paving the way to a new powerhouse in the Big Ten West.
Of all the things that have been said and written about Michigan's spring practice this year, Jabrill Peppers' move to linebacker has somehow flown under the radar.
When it comes to position switches in the Big Ten this season, you won't find a more important one than Peppers' move to the front seven—and not just because he's now played close to 10 positions in his college career. In new Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown's defense, there isn't a more important position than outside linebacker, as evidenced by the numbers his past outside linebackers have posted in stops at UConn and Boston College.
Don't believe me? Here are the numbers accumulated by the lead outside linebacker in Brown's defense in each of the past five seasons:
| 2011 | UConn | Sio Moore | 86 | 16 | 6.5 |
| 2012 | UConn | Sio Moore | 72 | 15.5 | 7.5 |
| 2013 | Boston College | Kevin Pierre-Louis | 108 | 10.5 | 6 |
| 2014 | Boston College | Josh Keyes | 66 | 11.5 | 4 |
| 2015 | Boston College | Matt Milano | 60 | 17.5 | 6.5 |
Like Peppers, Keyes and Milano were both converted safeties, but neither possessed the type of ability Michigan's 5-star jack-of-all-trades does. Primarily playing safety, the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year managed to post 45 tackles—5.5 of which came for a loss—in his debut campaign.
Under Brown and now at linebacker, those numbers will only amplify if the new Wolverines defensive coordinator's history with the position is any indication. Peppers has always had the talent, and now he might just be in the proper scheme to harness it and turn into one of the most dynamic defenders the Big Ten—and college football—has ever seen.
All right, Chris (who does great work at CoachingSearch.com and can be followed on Twitter @ChrisVannini), I'm going to give this a shot with a brief explanation of each.
Ohio State: Brock Lesnar
The Beast Incarnate. The Buckeyes have been on a roll under head coach Urban Meyer, just like Brock Lesnar's been since ending The Undertaker's undefeated streak at WrestleMania two years ago. Neither seems to be slowing down anytime soon.
Michigan: Roman Reigns
Love Jim Harbaugh or hate Jim Harbaugh, Michigan's new head coach draws a reaction, much like WWE's new force-fed golden child. But after spending the better part of the past year in the spotlight, it will be crucial for each to deliver in 2016.
Michigan State: Dean Ambrose
I love you #SpartyNation, but you guys can truly be The Lunatic Fringe sometimes. Still, neither Michigan State nor Dean Ambrose always receives the respect it deserves, as each has arguably been its respective league's top performer for the past three years.
Penn State: Randy Orton
Like Penn State, Randy Orton was a big deal five years ago and an even bigger deal a decade ago. But lately, each of their acts has gotten stale, as both are in need of some sort of reboot to maintain relevance.
Wisconsin: Bray Wyatt
A steady contender you can always add to the mix for a much-needed quality win. Does Wisconsin or Bray Wyatt have what it takes to be the top dog? That's to be determined.
Iowa: The New Day
The success of both the Hawkeyes and New Day in 2015 left us wondering the same thing: Where did that come from, and can it be sustained? Bonus points on this one, because New Day member Big E (Ettore Ewen) was a defensive lineman at Iowa in the mid-2000s.
Nebraska: Big Show
Need to look strong? Defeating Nebraska or Big Show can still accomplish just that. But the unfortunate reality for both is that the win against either would have looked a lot stronger had it come in 1996.
Illinois: Ryback
When in need of freshening things up, a new head coach or a much-needed heel turn can do wonders. But despite both seeming to possess plenty of upside, it remains to be seen what Lovie will accomplish in Champaign and what The Big Guy will get done with his latest turn to the dark side.
Minnesota: Cesaro
We saw a spark from each back in 2014, signaling that both the Golden Gophers and The Swiss Superman had potential as consistent contenders. Coming off a coaching change in Minneapolis and an unfortunately timed shoulder injury for Cesaro, both, however, still have plenty to prove.
Northwestern: Kalisto
While Northwestern made an unexpected push for the Big Ten West title in 2015, Kalisto became the unlikely United States champion with his upset victory over Alberto Del Rio this past winter. And while both will always be fan favorites, neither has the upside of one day becoming a world champion.
Indiana: Tyler Breeze
Tyler Breeze's move set is fun, much like the Hoosiers offense under head coach Kevin Wilson. Neither, however, has led to many wins for either to this point.
Purdue: Zack Ryder
When Zack Ryder's in the ring on Monday Night Raw, it's a safe bet he's about to get beat. And when Purdue takes the field each Saturday—well, you get the picture.
Rutgers and Maryland: The Social Outcasts
Both the Scarlet Knights and Terrapins seem to be having fun with their new head coaches, much like Bo Dallas, Adam Rose, Heath Slater and Curtis Axel have been with their new gimmick. All, however, have limited upside—and I'm not sure they truly make sense in their respective leagues.
Ben Axelrod is Bleacher Report's Big Ten lead writer. You can follow him on Twitter @BenAxelrod. Unless noted otherwise, all quotes were obtained firsthand. All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com. Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.
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