Big Ten Football: Bold Predictions for 2016 Fall Camp
Resolution under center for Michigan, Corey Clement's return to form and a youth movement at Ohio State will highlight a busy fall camp season for the Big Ten conference.
The league has earned respect in recent years after Ohio State won the first-ever College Football Playoff in January 2015 and the league went 11-10 in postseason play over the last two seasons. But the Big Ten wants to take another step forward this year, and with a number of teams having the pieces for a potential playoff run, the fall camps leading into the season will be huge for the conference.
Here are some bold predictions as the league braces for the 2016 season.
John O’Korn Will Surge in Michigan's Quarterback Battle
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Michigan doesn't have an answer at quarterback after the graduation of Jake Rudock, but it will when John O'Korn runs away from the pack in the Wolverines' quarterback battle.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh talked about the four players vying for the starting job—O'Korn, Wilton Speight, Shane Morris and Brandon Peters—in Chicago at Big Ten media days.
"The slate is back clean and open," said Harbaugh, according to Zach Shaw of 247Sports. He later added, "I think all of the guys that could possibly be the starter, whether that's Wilton, John, Shane, Brandon ... one of those guys could really rise up."
Speight was excellent in Michigan's spring game, orchestrating a two-touchdown and winning performance to enter the offseason with momentum. But O'Korn, who transferred from Houston and sat out last year, has the higher upside, and he'll build a connection with a Wolverines wide receiver corps that could be the best in the Big Ten this year.
Nebraska Will Focus on Oregon, Spring Week 3 Upset
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Nebraska has a trio of interesting nonconference matchups to kick off its 2016 campaign, but none will put Mike Riley's squad in a brighter spotlight than its Week 3 showdown with Oregon.
The Ducks will make the trek to Lincoln, Nebraska, on September 17, where the Cornhuskers will spring a season-vaulting upset.
That upset will be in large part due to quarterback Tommy Armstrong, who has demonstrated elite playmaking ability but also a knack for costly turnovers during his career at Nebraska. Armstrong will be flawless against the Ducks, though, thanks to the preparation made in fall camp.
Riley is unusually familiar with this nonconference opponent after guiding the Oregon State football program from 1997-98 and 2003-14. That familiarity will help the Cornhuskers game-plan for the Ducks.
Ohio State Will Start 3 Freshmen on Offense
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With only six seniors on scholarship and more than 40 true or redshirt freshmen on the roster, Ohio State will be one of the youngest teams in the country in 2016.
That youth will be on display when three freshmen earn starting nods for the season opener against Bowling Green on September 3.
Redshirt frosh Mike Weber will get the nod at running back after Bri'onte Dunn's dismissal from the team turned what should've been a competitive position battle into a formality. True freshman Michael Jordan will seal his spot in the offensive line, beating out Demetrius Knox for the left guard spot.
Joining Jordan from the class of 2016 will be Austin Mack, the former 4-star wideout who enrolled early (with Jordan) to participate in spring drills. Mack will find himself in the starting rotation as Ohio State's perimeter playmakers who missed spring due to injury (Noah Brown, Corey Smith and Curtis Samuel) ease back into full swing.
It won't just be those three who make an impact, though. Head coach Urban Meyer has big plans for Ohio State's incoming freshmen.
"My goal is to play every freshman," Meyer said, according to Tony Gerdeman of The Ozone. "I know that doesn't happen, but we want to play the freshmen as soon as we can."
Weber, Jordan and Mack will play much bigger roles right out of the gate.
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Corey Clement Will Return to Elite Form for Wisconsin
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Wisconsin has produced a long line of outrageously productive running backs, and after Melvin Gordon made an early departure to the NFL, Corey Clement was supposed to be next in line.
Clement was sensational as Gordon's primary backup in 2014, running for 949 yards and nine touchdowns on just 147 carries. He came into the '15 season as the top dog, but injuries derailed his season before it ever had a chance to take off as he carried the ball a career-low 48 times for 221 yards and five touchdowns.
Now with an offseason of rest and a refocused attitude, Clement is ready to bounce back and put up the kind of numbers most were expecting in 2015.
"I'm feeling a lot better," Clement said, according to Jesse Temple of ESPN.com. "Throughout the season, time wasn't on my side. Now I've got another chance to come back and redeem myself and come back for a stronger season that I hoped to have last year. I get a chance to recuperate, regenerate my mind and look forward to a positive season."
Clement will return to form in 2016, starting in a huge spotlight in the season opener against LSU on September 3.
Donnie Corley Will Emerge as One of Michigan State's Top Playmakers
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Michigan State is in desperate need of offensive playmakers after the departure of quarterback Connor Cook and his top two wide receivers, Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings Jr.
Head coach Mark Dantonio will use true freshman Donnie Corley as a big-play threat to fill the void.
Corley, rated a 4-star prospect and the No. 15 overall wide receiver nationally, was one of the crown jewels of the Spartans' recent recruiting class. He committed to Michigan State over offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida State, Notre Dame and Ohio State, and he enrolled early to take part in winter conditioning and spring practice.
That move will pay off big for the Spartans this fall. Corley already made an impression on the coaching staff during spring camp, and he'll solidify his role in the offense in the month leading up to the season.
All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
