Buckeyes, Badgers Look Like Teams To Beat In Big Ten

Urban Meyer has his Buckeyes ready to challenge for the national title. (US Presswire)

 Yes, Urban Meyer said it, and he wasn't crazy.

 He believes that the Big Ten -- specifically the East Division, in which his Buckeyes reside -- is every bit as good as either division of the SEC. Given the Buckeyes results the last few seasons, and the fact they've been in the College Football Playoff in two of three seasons, and the fact that they have talent that is on par with Alabama (look it up), Meyer wasn't really making a bold statement.

  "I don't think there's a gap at all," he said. "And that's no disrespect to other conferences. To give my opinion to other conferences or when I hear that, I have no idea. But I've coached in the SEC East when that was one of the strongest in the country. And I think the Big Ten East right now is every bit as strong as I can remember the SEC East. I thought recruiting, I was shocked at the disrespect to Big Ten had in 2012. I don't feel that at all anymore. I feel a great amount of respect nationally about the Big Ten. You sit and look at the national recruiting rankings and you see the Big Ten everywhere, all over the place, and that's the way it should be.

  "So there's a lot of credit to be given, obviously to the administrations that invest in their programs and to the coaching staffs that are out there doing the work. And this is as tough a conference as there is."

 Meyer's Buckeyes are the class of the East, and the entire Big Ten, and should be an overwhelming candidate for another CFP berth. The toughest opponent of the season, Penn State, comes to Columbus, where the Buckeyes almost never lose -- twice in five seasons under Meyer. The pieces are in place for a huge season in Buckeyeland, even with some retooled personnel.

J.T. Barrett (Cleveland.com)

The Buckeyes went 11-2 last season, but the final loss hurt the most -- a 31-0 pasting at the hands of eventual national champion Clemson in the CFP. It was the first time a Meyer team had been shut out, and he has vowed that it won't happen again. He also believes the loss stuck with the players and will provide motivation for a huge 2017.

 J.T. Barrett (2,555 yards passing, 845 rushing, 33 total TD) is back for his senior season, and he should leave Columbus with just about every important passing mark in school history. He appeared a bit gun shy at times last year, and the Buckeyes really didn't challenge teams downfield very often. Whether or not that was a product of an inconsistent offensive line, receivers who couldn't get separation or Barrett really doesn't matter. OSU vows to be better through the air this season, and the addition of Kevin Wilson as offensive coordinator makes that a near certainty.

 Mike Weber had an excellent freshman campaign, amassing over 1.000 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. He is faster this year so could be more of a home run threat. Freshman J.K. Dobbins will steal some carries, because he's that good. The receiving group is talented but largely unproven. Freshmen could contribute mightily, including Trevon Grimes and Jaylen Harris. The defense has a chance to be frightening, mainly due to America's best and deepest defensive line. Any member of the eight man rotation could start for any school, and the best is Tyquan Lewis (29 tackles, 8 sacks). Nick Bosa flashed brilliance at times as a freshman, and Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes provide almost no drop off. Linebacker Jerome Baker is the team's leading returning tackler (83) and leads a deep group, but the secondary lost three players to the NFL Draft -- all first-rounders. Corner Denzel Ward looks to be the next star, breaking up nine passes as a non-starter. A deep group of recruits will help the secondary. Oklahoma comes to Columbus, and the Buckeyes head to Michigan this year.

 Meyer wants his team to remember last season and make sure that it is one of the teams participating in the Big Ten title game.

 "Obviously we weren't at the top a year ago," he said. "We were near the top. And Ohio State is always going to be there. I mean, it should be one of the top schools in our conference. And other than that, I think that's just respect for our players, respect that we recruited some good players and means no consequence at all in how we do our business."

 The biggest threat to OSU's hopes is defending champion Penn State (11-3, 8-1), which beat the Buckeyes head up but missed the CFP. Trace McSorley at quarterback and Saquon Barkley at running back are difference-makers, and Barkley is a legitimate All-America and Heisman Trophy candidate. The receivers are experienced, led by DaeSean Hamilton (34 catches, 506 yards), and the line is stout. Defensively, the Nittany Lions were middle of the pack, and weren't very good against the pass, though safety Marcus Allen (110 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 INT) is a keeper. Linebacker Manny Bowen is solid, but the defensive front will have to improve its pressure (returning starters provided just five sacks) if PSU is to keep the championship in Happy Valley. James Franklin has recruited very well and looks to have weathered an initial rough patch, and you can bet he wants to prove that last year was no fluke.

Saquon Barkley (USA Today)

 Michigan went from being one of the most experienced teams in the country to one woefully lacking in returning starters. Just four are back on offense, though one is quarterback Wilton Speight (2,538 yards, 18 TD), a typical Michigan pocket passer -- big, live arm, not very mobile. His receiving corps could be all freshmen, but that's not necessarily a bad thing when one of them is Donovan Peoples-Jones, the nation's top receiver recruit. Mason Cole and Ben Bredeson return up front, and are good building blocks for an otherwise inexperienced crew. The defense returns just one starter, but is replete with talent -- most notably end Rashan Gary, who could be ready to unleash himself on the rest of the league. A rare combination of size and speed, Gary had four TFL in a reserve role and should be a breakout star in 2017. Linebacker Mike McCray (76 tackles, 8 TFL, 7 PBU) is a good one, but the secondary is completely new. The season opener against Florida could be an indicator of how good the Wolverines will be this season.

 It could be a minority opinion, but Maryland will be the surprise team of the league this year. Second-year coach D.J. Durkin has recruited lights out, meaning the Terps could do better than last year's 6-7 campaign. Quarterback is a work in progress, though it could be North Carolina transfer Caleb Henderson. Ty Johnson gained 1,004 yards last year, and touted freshman Anthony McFarland will get playing time. Wideout D.J. Moore (637 yards, 6 TD) could be an All-Big Ten type, and the line is young but talented. The defense needs to improve, and could do just that with seven starters back. Linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr topped 100 tackles last year, but the secondary will need to improve on its league-low five interceptions if it really wants to put pressure on opponents. The Terps open with Texas, so there is no shallow end this season.

 Michigan State watched the bottom drop out last year, ending a string of three straight double-digit winning seasons with a 3-9 campaign. The Spartans averaged just 24 points per game last season, and that's not going to get it done -- especially when a normally reliable defense allowed 27.8 per game.Quarterback was an issue in 2016, and it's not exactly settled heading into this season. L.J. Scott is a beast with all-league potential, and he should allow the Spartans to control the clock more this season. Freshman Hunter Rison, son of MSU legend Andre, could hit the ground running, and would add another component to the offense.  The defense has just four players back, including leading tackler Chris Frey (96) at linebacker. Four straight home games could help MSU get off to a quick start, though Western Michigan and Notre Dame won't be pushovers. Trips to Michigan and Minnesota in October should provide a pretty good read, and will answer the question of whether last year was an anomaly or the start of a trend.

 Indiana is getting better, evidenced by consecutive six-win seasons. Quarterback Richard Lagow, who quietly threw for over 3,300 yards, returns, and he'll have one of the best wideouts in the league, Simmie Cobbs Jr back from injury. The running game is a bit unsettled, though freshman Morgan Ellison could be in the mix, and the offensive line is experienced. If you ask a lot of Big Ten fans who the best player in the conference is, the name Tegray Scales might not be an answer -- but it should be. Scales led the nation with 23.5 TFL and solo tackles, with 93. He's a late bloomer who plays like his hair is on fire, and teams must account for him. Indiana cut its points allowed last year by nine, and more improvement could have the Hoosiers flirting with a winning record. Coach Tom Allen did a solid job recruiting, getting some good athletes from talent-rich Florida, and nabbing former USC commit Juwan Burgess, who could be a contributor in the secondary.

 It was a rough initiation for Chris Ash in his first season at Rutgers, as the Scarlet Knights won just twice, and were winless in conference play. Rutgers was 127th in offense and 116th in defense, so at least you can say it was consistent. Rutgers should be better on offense, at least, with the addition of former Minnesota coach Jerry Kill on staff as offensive coordinator. Louisville graduate transfer Kyle Bolin could improve the quarterback spot, and Robert Martin averaged over five yards per carry from his running back spot. Janarion Grant is a dangerous return man, and could be more involved in the passing game this year. Freshman Bo Melton is a four-star recruit who will see the field. Trevor Morris is solid at linebacker for the Knights, and the secondary returns all four starters from a year ago. Rutgers had just 21 sacks and 14 turnovers last year, so improvement in both spots is vital.

 The West appears to be Wisconsin and everyone else, though there will be some jockeying for the runner-up spot.

Troy Fumagalli (Wisconsin Athletics)

 The Badgers are looking for a fourth straight season of at least 10 wins, and without  OSU and Penn State on the schedule that looks all but certain. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook returns, and he's a prototype Wisconsin QB -- he won't win you a lot of games, but he will stick to the script. The running game will be a committee of Bradrick Shaw (5.2 per carry) and Taiwan Deal, and the receiving corps returns the versatile Jazz Peavy (45 catches, 635 yards, 318 rushing yards, 6 TD) and adds four-star freshman Danny Davis. Tight end Troy Fumagalli caught 47 passes a year ago and could be a real breakout performer this year. The line is, as usual, large, and returns four starters. Wisconsin allowed just 15.6 points per game last year, but lost coordinator Justin Wilcox to Cal, so former player Jim Leonhard takes over the coordinator role. The linebackers are excellent, led by T.J. Edwards (89 tackles) and Jack Cichy (60 tackles in seven games). Safety D'Cota Dixon is a leader, and had 60 tackles and four interceptions a year ago. A road game with Brigham Young is Wisconsin's only real opportunity for a setback until late November when it hosts Michigan.

 Northwestern has experience where it matters, at quarterback, with three year starter Clayton Thorsen returning. He'll be operating behind an experienced offensive line, and has one of the best backs in the country in Justin Jackson (league high 1,524 yards, 15 TD) to relieve some pressure. Oregon transfer Jalen Brown should add some pop to the passing attack, which lost reliable Austin Carr to the NFL Draft. The defense returns seven starters, including the entire secondary, led by safety Godwin Igwebuike (108 tackles, 7 PBU). Linebacker Anthony Walker departed, but Nate Hall (73 tackles) returns. Ends Xavier Washington and Joe Gaziano combined for nine sacks a year ago, and the front added four-star recruit Earnest Brown IV, who could play.

 New coach P.J. Fleck has taken his boat rowing skills to Minnesota after making Western Michigan relevant, and if enthusiasm translated to wins, the Gophers would be champions. The Gophers need to find a quarterback, but have a pretty solid tandem at running back in Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks, who combined for over 1,800 yards and 21 scores. Rashad Still had just 18 catches last year but is the lanky kind of receiver Fleck loves to feature. The defense was good, allowing just over 21 ppg last year, but returns just five starters. Linebacker Jonathan Celestin made 80 stops a year ago, and safeties Antoine Winfield Jr and Duke McGhee are as good a combo as you'll find. The Gophers travel to Oregon State early, and face Michigan and Northwestern on the road.

 Nebraska erased the blip of 2015 (a six win season) by winning nine games last year, but the Huskers still don't have a championship of any kind entering their seventh season in the conference. The offseason hire of Bobby Diaco to run the defense could pay dividends as Nebraska has the athletes to run a 3-4 scheme. Freedom Akinmoladun could have a breakout junior campaign after collecting 10 quarterback hurries (and four sacks) a year ago. The linebackers are inexperienced, which could be an issue as the new scheme puts a lot on the linebackers' shoulders. On offense, Tulane transfer Tanner Lee gets first crack at quarterback, but touted freshman Tristan Gebbia could force the issue. The ground game is in transition, but Stanley Morgan is back at receiver (33 catches), and Nebraska recruited well at that position, Tyjon Lindsey being a four-star talent. Nebraska gets Wisconsin, Ohio State and Northwestern at home, and an upset or two could put the Huskers squarely in the title race.

Akrum Wadley

 It's looking more and more as though Iowa's 12-win 2015 was an outlier. The Hawkeyes have won seven or eight games in the other three seasons, and appear to be just another team heading into 2017. The Hawkeyes get Ohio State and Penn State from the East, and draw Wisconsin, Northwestern and Nebraska on the road. Quarterback is a concern, but the running game isn't, thanks to the talented but overlooked Akrum Wadley (1,081 yards, 10 TD). He will do a lot of the heavy lifting for the offense, which returns four starters up front. The defense was tough last year, allowing 18.8 points per game, and has the services of linebacker Josey Jewell, who tallied 124 stops a year ago. The secondary has some experience, and the defensive line is good. That unit will need to keep the Hawkeyes in game while the offense evolves. 

 Purdue could have a new look this year, and it might even mean more victories. The Boilermakers are just 9-39 the last four seasons, paving the way for new coach Jeff Brohm, who was successful at Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers were an offensive juggernaut, and he hopes to make Purdue into the same -- though it probably won't happen this year. Experience on offense is light, though quarterback David Blough (3,352 yards, 25 TD, 21 INT) is a good start. If Brohm can get him to cut down on his mistakes the offense will improve. The defense was porous, allowing 38.8 points per game a year ago, and there isn't much stability among the front seven. End Gelen Robinson had five sacks and didn't look overmatched. Purdue opens with Louisville -- where Brohm played quarterback -- and faces Wisconsin, Northwestern and Iowa away from home.

 Lovie Smith had a rough return to the college ranks as Illinois won just three games a year ago, but he remained optimistic that improvement is imminent. The offense ranked 122nd nationally and has nowhere to go but up, but the first order of business is finding a quarterback. Chayce Crouch and Jeff George Jr. will battle for the spot, and both played some last year. Kendrick Foster can be an explosive runner out of the backfield (5.7 ypc), but the receiving corps is young. The return of Mike Dudek from a second straight season-ending ACL injury should help, and recruit Ricky Smalling could make an impact. The defense is anchored by Tre Watson, who had 102 stops last year, but most of the front seven lacks experience. Illinois had just seven interceptions in 2016 but did get 11 pass break ups from corner Jaylen Dunlap. Illinois hasn't produced a winning league record since 2007, and has lost its last 21 games against ranked Big Ten foes. if either number changes then Smith optimism has paid off.

BIG TEN PREDICTIONS
NORTH
1. Ohio State
2. Penn State
3. Michigan
4. Maryland
5. Michigan State
6. Indiana
7. Rutgers

SOUTH
1. Wisconsin
2. Northwestern
3. Minnesota
4. Nebraska
5. Iowa
6. Purdue
7. Illinois

ALL-BIG TEN
OFFENSE
 QB JT Barrett/Ohio State
 RB Saquon Barkley/Penn State
 RB Justin Jackson/Northwestern
WR Jalen Brown/Northwestern
WR Simmie Cobbs/Indiana
WR DJ Moore/Maryland
 TE Troy Fumagalli/Wisconsin
 OT Nick Gates/Nebraska
 OT Jamarco Jones/Ohio State
 OG Sean Welsh/Iowa
 OG Andrew Nelson/Penn State
  C   Billy Price/Ohio State

DEFENSE
 DE Rashan Gary/Michigan
 DE Tyquan Lewis/Ohio State
 DT Steven Richardson/Minnesota
 DT Conor Sheehy/Wisconsin
 LB Tegray Scales/Indiana
 LB Josey Jewell/Iowa
 LB Jack Cichy/Wisconsin
 CB Denzel Ward/Ohio State
 CB Rashard Fant/Indiana
  S   Godwin Igwebuike/Northwestern
  S   Marcus Allen/Penn State

SPECIALISTS
 K  Emmit Carpenter/Minnesota
 P   Jake Hartbarger/Michigan State
KR Parris Campbell/Ohio State
PR  Janarion Grant/Rutgers

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME -- Ohio State over Wisconsin
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Saquon Barkley
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Rashan Gary
COACH OF THE YEAR -- DJ Durkin/Maryland
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR -- WR Donovan Peoples-Jones/Michigan