|
The Fighting Illini couldn’t
come away with a win in Big 10 play last season
finishing 0-8, but with 10 returning offensive
starters and 10 returning defensive starters,
they will have the experience to get in the
win column this year. One thing the Illini have
going for themselves is a big offensive line
which should allow running back Pierre Thomas
to have a 1000 yard season. Although the offense
should be somewhat improved, Illinois’
defense is still a major concern. Last season,
the defense gave up 40ppg. This wasn’t
entirely the fault of the defense however as
the 107th ranked offense kept the defense on
the field all too often. An improved running
game should help both sides of the ball, but
Illinois could still be bringing up the rear
in 2006-07.
Indiana has high hopes of qualifying for a
bowl this season after just a 1-7 Big 10 showing
and a 4-7 overall record in 2005. They have
a favorable early season schedule which should
get them out of the gates at 4-0, but they could
have a rude awakening when they face Wisconsin
to start Big 10 play on September 30th. If you
don’t know about wide receiver James Hardy,
it’s time you learned. He’s 6’7’’
and led the Big 10 in receiving as a freshman
while battling hamstring and tendonitis problems.
At 100% , this kid could be the best in the
country. An inexperienced offensive line and
a defense which ranked 104th in the nation last
season could keep Hoosier fans from following
their team to a bowl.
The Hawkeyes will have one of the most balanced
offenses in the Big 10 as defenses will have
to worry about last season’s leading rusher,
Albert Young, as well as former Big 10 player
of the year, QB Drew Tate. Iowa’s o-line
remains in tact and will be the best in the
conference. The big question will be if they’ll
be able to fill Hodge and Greenway’s shoes
on the defensive side of the ball. The answer
is no, but the Hawkeyes, behind Kirk Ferentz,
are one of the best prepared teams in the league
each week, and they should be right in the thick
of things in the Big 10.
After a down year by Michigan’s standards
the Wolverines looked to bring in some new blood
with offensive coordinator Mike DeBord and defensive
coordinator Ron English. The Wolverines will
improve in nearly every way this season, especially
at running the football. You would never have
guessed that Michigan finished 9th in the Big
10 in rushing last season. I expect Mike Hart
to be healthy and have a huge year. Henne to
Breaston should be a combination we hear plenty
of on the offensive side of the ball as well.
After a promising start in 2005, the Spartans
lost 6 of their last 7 games and finished with
just 2 wins in the Big 10 despite putting up
big offensive numbers. Believe it or not, the
reason the Spartans didn’t come away with
a few more wins was field goal kicking. Their
2, now departed, kickers combined to make just
5 of 16 attempts on the season with the 5 makes
all from 32 yards or closer. A more solidified
kicking game this season will allow Stanton
and the offense to be more conservative when
approaching the red zone which will help alleviate
turnovers. It’s time for the Spartans
to step it up and get over the hump as the potential
is there. We all saw it when they took it to
Notre Dame last season.
Minnesota may be passing a whole lot more than
you’re used to seeing with the departure
of Maroney and the possibility of Russell being
academically ineligible. That may not be such
a bad deal as Brian Cupito should be one of
the most exciting players to watch in the Big
10. However, without a run game to help set
up the pass, the Gophers will inevitably struggle.
Can the defense pick up some of the slack? They
were ranked 90th in the country a season ago
and they only have 2 returning starters on the
line. Expect the Gophers to dig themselves a
hole this season.
The Northwestern Wildcats return nearly everyone
on offense and defense, however QB Brett Basanez,
who threw for nearly 3,700 yards, isn’t
one of those returners. The Wildcats will have
their work cut out for them in 2006 after a
solid campaign last year as Basanez won’t
easily be replaced and the defense is pathetic
to put it nicely. They gave up 480.4 yards per
game last season which was the worst in the
country. So maybe returning 8 defensive starters
isn’t a good thing for this team.
Usually, Ohio State is synonymous with defense,
but the Buckeyes will have one of the most potent
offenses in the conference this season led by
QB playmaker Troy Smith, tailback Antonio Pittman,
and big play man Ted Ginn. It will be up to
the defense if the Buckeyes will be able to
contend for a national title as they return
just 2 defensive starters and lose the best
line backing corps in the country in Hawk and
Carpenter. As always, the Buckeyes’ talent
will get them by in the Big 10, but they could
go down early once again to Texas in The Longhorn
State on September 9th. Opening up their Big
10 season with Penn State on September 23rd
will also be a big test for this young, inexperienced
defense.
|
|
|
The Penn State coaching staff is big on QB
Anthony Morelli, who has big shoes to fill if
he’s going to adequately replace Michael
Robinson. Having the entire receiving corps
back will help him out immensely. With tackle
Levi Brown as the only returning offensive line
starter, the Nittany Lions will have to mature
up front in a hurry. They have great skill players
and will show signs of being a great team throughout
the season, but ultimately they won’t
be able to improve on last season’s 11-1
mark. Joe Pa may be taking some heat again in
2006.
Where Penn State could be lacking up front,
the Boilermakers should have their best offensive
line since their 2000 Rose Bowl team. That may
not make any difference as the Boilermakers
will have to break in QB Curtis Painter who
saw some time last year, but wasn’t sensational
by any means. Having 6’9’’
Kyle Ingraham to throw to will help him out.
This duo isn’t even on the radar yet,
but they could be by season’s end, although
Bryant will still get the most balls thrown
his way. Ultimately, Purdue’s pass defense
will be to blame if they stay out of bowl contention
this season.
Wisconsin has the beef up front to once again
be a power running team despite having no-namers
to try to fill Calhoun’s shoes. Walk-on
Dywon Rowan is making some major noise and has
already catapulted into the number 2 spot. At
5’9, 243lbs., the Badgers may have another
Dane in their hands. Their defense, which returns
8 starters, will be the strong spot on this
team. The Badgers lost their top 7 receivers
from last season. So to say they have some work
to do there is an understatement. It could be
old Wisconsin football in 2006-07. They’ll
likely grind it out and play unexciting football.
But it should be effective. If Brett Bielema
tries to much to resist the personality of this
team in his first season, the Badger faithful
could be in for a disappointing year.
FOR College TEAM PREVIEWS for
2006 CLICK the link BELOW...
SEC East College Football Preview
SEC West College Football Preview
ACC
College Football Preview
Big 12 College Football Preview
Tony
George Big 12 Preview
Big 10 College Football Preview
Pac 10 College Football Preview
2006 College
Football Team By Team Previews
2006 MYSportsbook.com Conference
Previews...
2006
Pac 10 Conference Preview
2006
ACC Conference Preview
2006
Big 12 Conference Preview
2006
Big 10 Conference Preview
2006
SEC Conference Preview
Jimmy Boyd is a documented member of The Professional
Handicappers League.
Read more of his articles and get his premium
plays here.
|
