College Football 2011: 12 Burning Questions for the New Big Ten
The addition of Nebraska to the Big Ten this fall means several things. First, it will add instant credibility to a conference that has recently been considered just slightly better than the Pac-10. Next, the splitting of Michigan and Ohio State—now in different divisions—should add a new wrinkle to one of college football's greatest rivalries.
Finally, and most importantly, the Big Ten will have a conference championship game for the first time in history.
Yet, with all the fuss about what 12 teams means for the conference, there are still questions each team has to answer. With that in mind, I will try to tackle one burning question for each school in the conference, starting with the newbie Huskers...
Nebraska: Where Will the Huskers Finish in Their Inaugural Big Ten Season?
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The Nebraska Cornhuskers finished 2010 with a whimper rather than a bang. The Huskers, who were once considered to have an outside shot at making the BCS championship game, lost two of their last three regular-season contests.
To make matters worse, Nebraska got thoroughly dominated in the Holiday Bowl by a Washington team that many observers felt did not even belong there to begin with.
But 2011 is not 2010, and the Cornhuskers should be glad to start another spring. Nebraska returns several starters this season on offense, including quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead. Gone, however, is tailback extraordinaire Roy Helu Jr.
Nebraska should fair well in its first season in the Big Ten, as it should be able to post wins against teams such as Purdue and Minnesota, and it has the game against Ohio State in Lincoln. How well the defense holds up this season will determine whether or not the Huskers will be playing in the inaugural Big Ten championship game.
Indiana: How Badly Does the Loss of QB Ben Chappel Hurt the Hoosiers?
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The answer to this one is easy: It really doesn't make that much of a difference.
Indiana used to be a basketball school, and most of the football talent in the state ends up at either Notre Dame, Purdue, Ohio State or Michigan.
The Hoosiers will once again be scrapping just to try to stay out of the Big Ten cellar.
Minnesota: Is Marqueis Gray the Future for the Gophers?
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The short answer is: yes and no.
Yes, Gray is the sort of very skilled player that only comes along once in a blue moon.
But no, he can't do it by himself, and the Golden Gophers will be fighting with Indiana to see who can stay out of last place in the conference.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Purdue: How Will the Boilermakers Replace Ryan Kerrigan?
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Last season, the Boilermakers did not have many bright spots, but one of them was defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. A first-team All-Big Ten selection and an All-American as well, Kerrigan could end up being drafted within the first two rounds of the NFL draft later this month.
Unfortunately for Purdue, it is not so easy to replace a player like Kerrigan. Surely someone will step up, but when, and for how long, is unknown.
Northwestern: Can Dan Persa Lead the 'Cats to an Above-.500 Conference Record?
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Northwestern almost pulled off the upset of the year last season when it played Michigan State. Led by junior quarterback Dan Persa, the Wildcats appeared to be the Cinderella of the conference.
Then, Persa got hurt during the fourth quarter of a gutsy 21-17 win against Iowa. The Wildcats lost their next two in disappointing fashion, before falling in a shootout to Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl to end the season.
Things look good again for the Wildcats this season, provided they can keep No. 7 upright.
Michigan: Can Brady Hoke Beat the Buckeyes in His First Season?
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"Brady Hoke! Brady Hoke!" This was the chant heard all throughout Crisler Arena when the University of Michigan men's basketball team played Ohio State.
Yes, the Wolverines have finally found their "Michigan man."
The Michigan faithful hope that Hoke will be able to restore balance to this bitter rivalry in the same manner that Jim Tressel did for Ohio State. A key to that will be defense, something Hoke has sought to address by bringing the former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens to Michigan.
Yet, "The Game" this season could very well come down to how well Denard Robinson and the Michigan offense performs against Ohio State's defense. Last season, the Buckeyes went into halftime with a 24-7 lead, and, despite the fact that Tressel was conservative in the second half, Ohio State was still able to walk away with a 37-7 victory.
However, this year's game will be played in the Big House, and Ohio State has to replace several starters on the defensive side of the ball.
It will be interesting to see just how well Terrelle Pryor and "The Tat Five" will have gotten back in the swing of things in their seventh game back from suspension.
Penn State: Is This Joe Pa's Swan Song?
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No one has ever coached as long as Joe Paterno has at Penn State, and no one will ever come close again.
Yet, Father Time is not on Joe Pa's side. As long as he has his health, he will be on Penn State's sideline.
But, all jokes about him being in better condition than Urban Meyer aside, one has to wonder: If this is not Joe Pa's last season, when will it be?
Illinois: Is Ron Zook on the Hot Seat?
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The answer to this is a resounding yes. Zook may have taken himself off the hot seat temporarily by beating Baylor in the Texas Bowl last season, but with another 6-6 season, he might find himself out of a job.
At least Zook can rest easy knowing he has his starting tailback and quarterback returning this fall.
Iowa: How Will the Hawkeyes Manage the Loss of Several Key Players?
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The Iowa Hawkeyes were a big disappointment in 2010. The preseason favorite to give Ohio State and Wisconsin a run for their money, the Hawkeyes would lose three of their last four to finish fourth in the Big Ten.
This season, the Hawkeyes lose several key players from last year's team, including starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi and All-Big Ten defensive end Adrian Clayborn.
If Kirk Ferentz can keep the Hawkeyes in the mix this season, he will have earned my vote for Coach of the Year.
Michigan State: Was Last Season a Fluke?
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This is a question that is (and should be) on everyone's mind outside of East Lansing, especially when you consider how the Spartans choked at the end of the 2010 season—they were blown out by Iowa in October, then got routed by Alabama in the Capital One Bowl.
While the Spartans return many offensive players, including QB Kirk Cousins and TB Le'Veon Bell, there are concerns that, with several losses on the defensive side of the ball, they won't be as effective as they were last season.
Michigan State won't have to wait long to find out how competitive this group of Spartans will be; even an Ohio State team without Terrelle Pryor and company should provide a good test to open Big Ten play.
Wisconsin: Will the Badgers Be Able To Repeat as Champions?
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Wisconsin comes into 2011 returning RBs John Clay and James White, but without All-Big Ten QB Scott Tolzien. The Badgers also lose offensive tackle Gabe Carimi and defensive end J.J. Watt.
Still, the Badgers should be in contention for the Leaders Division title, but they'll be tested in the game against Ohio State. That game should determine who represents the Leaders in the first Big Ten championship game.
If the Badgers want to repeat as champions, they will have to do something no other team in the Big Ten has: defeat Ohio State on the road a season after beating the Buckeyes in their own place.
Ohio State: Can the Buckeyes End 2011 Without Getting into More Trouble?
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2010 was bittersweet for the Buckeye Nation. Ohio State finished the season 11-1 and tied for a share of its sixth straight Big Ten title, yet was rocked by the news that several star players, including starting QB Terrelle Pryor and WR DeVier Posey, had sold memorabilia, violating NCAA rules.
The Buckeyes would go on to get their first win vs. an SEC team under head coach Jim Tressel, defeating Arkansas, 31-26, in the Sugar Bowl. Yet, that win would also be clouded by controversy after it was discovered that Tressel had prior knowledge of his players' indiscretions, yet failed to inform university officials.
The end result is that Ohio State will play its first five games of '11 without Tressel and five players (including Pryor and Posey).
Despite all of this, the Buckeyes are still the favorites in the eyes of some to win the Big Ten championship.
It will be interesting, however, to see if the Buckeyes can go the season without another setback, as the NCAA might decide that the Buckeyes have to vacate their wins from 2010, go on a two-year postseason ban or both.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
