Big Ten: Legends Division
By Brett Ciancia
August 1st, 2013
August 1st, 2013
1. NEBRASKA
QB Taylor Martinez
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Last season the Huskers were a consensus pick to finish 3rd in the Legends Division, and while no major magazine predicted it, I pegged them as the Division Champs. After completing 4 second-half double-digit comebacks and sweeping the Legends Division, Nebraska won the Legends, giving me the most accurate Legends Division prediction in the Nation! This season, with a significantly easier schedule and the return of an explosive offense, Nebraska will return to Indianapolis for a shot at redemption in the Conference Championship Game. Before last season, Taylor Martinez focused on developing his passing game – and that he did! Martinez passed for 2871 yards with a 23-12 TD-INT ratio, in addition to his game-changing rushing ability (1000+ yard runner). With T-Mart at the helm for the fourth straight season, expect Nebraska’s offense to be high-powered yet again. Led by RG Spencer Long, who is an All-American candidate, the Nebraska “Pipeline” will be stout yet again. Losing leader Rex Burkhead will be tough, but RB Ameer Abdullah played well the majority of the season in response to Burkead’s injuries and is already gaining All-BigTen hype. Abdullah, Martinez, and Imani Cross (physical big-back) make up a dangerous trio running option plays and the zone read. The receiving core may just be the best in the conference- Kenny Bell, Jamal Turner, and Quincy Enunwa are all weapons that OC Tim Beck will put to good use. The points: 70, 63, 45, and 36. The yards allowed: 653, 640, 589, 498. These four losses last season were not just plain old losses, they were defensive collapses and in two cases, embarrassing blowouts. There are two optimistic details here: the fact that Nebraska avoids 3 of those 4 teams (OhioSt, Wisconsin, Georgia), and that in year 3 in the conference, the defensive roster is becoming more adapted to BigTen styles of play (as opposed to its 4-2-5 and ‘Peso’ defensive schemes in the Big12). Pelini has his hands full this offseason. He has recruited well, but it is now time to develop the young, raw talent and instill his defensive philosophy. With an assortment of Senior leaders (CB Ciante Evans, DE Jason Ankrah, and CB Andrew Green), progress can be made. Let’s not forget that this team finished with the #1 passing defense in the country! “Win out” … were the words muttered by Pelini after his unsatisfying return to his alma mater (OSU 63, N 38). Win out they did- but all progress was stifled by a Wisconsin slaughtering in the title game. Now the phrase is 13 in ’13, aiming to win all regular season games and get revenge in the title. Bite your toungue everyone, this is actually a possibility. The schedule is very favorable – no Ohio State, no Wisconsin – with key matchups vs. Michigan State and Northwestern at home. Road trips to Ann Arbor and State College will be tough (and I plan on attending both). Nebraska should open 8-0 and ranked in the Top 10 heading to Michigan with (possibly) the Leaders Division on the line. I’m calling for another Legends Division Title and a matchup with Ohio State in the B10 Title Game that could have BCS AND Heisman implications. |
2. MICHIGAN
OT Taylor Lewan
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In Hoke’s second season, Michigan had an up-and-down year finishing 8-5 with a very tough schedule that included losses to the Top 3 (Alabama, Notre Dame, and “OHIO”). Denard Robinson had another 1000+ yard rushing season but was banged up mid-season and has moved up to the NFL. With the start of the Devin Gardner era, can Michigan finally win the Division title, and can they knock off the Buckeyes, twice? Even when he was injured and was unable to throw, Denard Robinson was an unstoppable runner, and was a UM fixture for 4 years that will be severely missed in the offense. Injury-prone Fitzgerald Toussaint will be the featured back, with 5-star freshman Derrick Green pushing for carries. Devin Gardner took over at QB for the final 5 games, winning 3 of them including a miraculous Hail Mary to force (and win) overtime against NW. Gardner is more of a passer, and this will allow Offensive Coordinator Al Borges to install his pro-style offense. Will Gardner be able to shine in both the new offense and the national spotlight (he already boldly guaranteed a win over Ohio State)? The loss of Roy Roundtree will hurt, but Jeremy Gallon and Drew Dileo are a solid 1-2 punch at WR. All-American, and projected 1st round pick, Taylor Lewan shocked everyone by returning for his Senior season, but it looks as though 2 freshman will be starting at the guard positions. Star Linebacker Jake Ryan tore his ACL in Spring Ball, and if his absence stretches into November, it could be troublesome for the Wolverine defense. Michigan returns solid starters at each level of the defense yet none appear anywhere in the All-BigTen 2-deep. In Ryan’s absence, look for Cameron Gordon and Desmond Morgan to fill in with production and leadership. Michigan’s 2013 signing class finished in the Top 5 nationally, as the school re-established its recruiting prowess. With some defensive spots left void, will any of the touted recruits emerge in their freshman seasons? If anyone can break through, look for DE Taco Charlton to earn some playing time. Michigan was selected by the BigTen Media to win the Legends Division, however I am not buying it. The Division title should be decided on November 9th against Nebraska; unfortunately, Michigan will be limping into the contest after a physical, emotional-draining Battle for Paul Bunyan up in East Lansing. After the Nebraska showdown, UM must travel to Northwestern, then host “OHIO” 2 weeks later. Michigan is talented enough to defend its state title, but will not earn the elusive Legends Division Title. |
3. MICHIGAN STATE
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Last year the Spartans were awarded a #13 Preseason rank, an honor I felt was grossly overhyped. While I was right in placing them behind Nebraska and Michigan, it is clear that Sparty is better than its 7-6 record. MSU’s 4 conference losses were by 1, 3, 2, 4, and 3 … “Dantonio face.” With arguably the league's best defense, the Spartans are very much in the thick of the division race. It is extremely tough (and rare) to replace the school’s all-time passer AND all-time receiver in the same season; Kirk Cousins and BJ Cunningham’s departures were devastating. Andrew Maxwell struggled to be productive finishing with just over a 50% completion rate, and tossing just 13 TD’s. With a veteran offense surrounding him, and 4/5 returning lineman protecting him, look for noticeable improvements in Maxwell’s performance. A major, 250-pound void exists at the RB position, with the loss of workhorse Le’Veon Bell. Bell accounted for 92% of MSU’s rush yards last season. Such a lack of experience at this position will place more pressure on the unproven arm of Andrew Maxwell. If Michigan State makes a run at the Legends Division, it will be by way of its stingy defense, the clear-cut best unit in the division. The back 7 is especially stout, including All-American candidates (LB Max Bullough and CB Darqueze Dennard) on both levels. Denicos Allen will also thrive again, as a majority of blocking attention will be devoted to Bullough. The secondary has dubbed itself the “No-Fly Zone,” a bold title that may actually have some substance to it considering its one of the BigTen’s strongest. They held both 2012 division champs well below their scoring averages; look for more defensive dominance in East Lansing this fall. Michigan State checks in at 3rd here. I think they are similar talent-wise to Northwestern (and may even lose that road game), but their cross-division matchups are against the bottom 3, giving them 3 wins compared to NW’s 2 losses to Ohio State and @ Wisconsin. Michigan State’s win total will improve, but Nebraska and Michigan look like more complete teams. |
4. NORTHWESTERN
QB (and RB/WR) Kain Colter
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“5:03.” The offseason slogan here depicts just how close Northwestern was to going undefeated. Pat Fitzgerald (once an elite LB here) has completely turned around this perennial punching bag program into winners earning a rare season-ending ranking in 2012. Returning 15 starters, the 2013 edition could be even more talented, but with a rigorous schedule, can they build on their 10 wins? The old football adage states, “If you have two quarterbacks, you really have none.” Northwestern is the exception to this rule, as they thrived in a 2-QB system featuring both the athletic triple-threat Kain Colter and the pocket passer Trevor Siemian. Both return, and it should be exciting to see how else they can utilize both players – especially the elusive Colter – in new ways. Behind them in the backfield is All-BigTen RB Venric Mark who rushed for 1366 yards and 13 TDs in 2012. The skill players all return (8 starters in all). The issues arise up front, as just 2 starters are back, with unimpressive talent to step in to fill the voids. The O-Line needs to gel before October, when the schedule gears up. Look for similar, if not improved, production from this unit (31.7 ppg) After allowing 41 points in the opener to Syracuse, Fitzgerald calmed his young defense en route to the 2nd least points allowed per game in his tenure. Now that young group is more experienced (7 starters return), and is especially strong up front. Tyler Scott is a stand-out Defensive End who looks to continue his success from last fall (9 sacks). SS Ibraheim Campbell and CB Nick VanHoose (each with multiple INTs) lead a ball-hawking secondary. The same scheduling glitch that had the state of Nebraska up in arms is now hitting Evanston, Illinois, as the Wildcats face the top two powers of the Leaders Division (OSU and Wisconsin) – back-to-back! I think this is Pat Fitzgerald’s best team yet, but unfortunately it will not be reflected in the win column. With the Leaders gauntlet, consecutive games against the Michigan teams, and a road trip to Nebraska, I am calling for a 4-4 conference record, and a 4th place Legends finish. However, DO NOT count out the Cardiac Cats! |
5. IOWA
RB Mark Weisman
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The BigTen’s most tenured coach, Kirk Ferentz, saw his Hawkeyes drop to 4-8 for the lowest win total since 2000. Since their Top10 season of 2009, Iowa has declined significantly, and is just 19-19 over that span. Is Ferentz on the proverbial hot seat? If not it is warming ever so slightly. Iowa has had its fair share of RB issues – and then some! An unbelievable SEVEN RB’s have left the program in 3 years due to a combination of ACL tears, transfers, and suspensions. Finally some stability at the position has emerged, with the rise of RB Mark Weisman who looks to crack the 1000 yard mark (815 last season). With the departure of 2-year starter James Vandenberg, Junior College transfer Cody Sokol will have the keys to the offense. TE CJ Fiedorowicz is clearly a top playmaker for the Hawkeyes and could be All-BigTen. Iowa should improve from its low 19.3 points per game. Usually a stingy unit, the Hawkeye defense has fallen down a notch the past two seasons. The current LB trio (Anthony Hitchens, James Morris, Christian Kirksey) is the only unit in the nation to land all 3 players to the Butkus Award watchlist! This senior group will be crucial for the overall performance of the defense. Iowa is hoping to rebound from the weak 2012 season, and while I see a small bounce back, I do not see them breaking into the Legends talented top 4. A bowl bid (6 wins) will mean they beat either Northern Illinois (BCS last season) or Iowa State (Cy-Hawk Trophy). I am calling for Iowa to return to bowl season, and to reclaim the State Title. |
6. MINNESOTA
DT Ra'Shede Hageman
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Last season the Gophers doubled their win total (3 to 6), and returned to Bowl Season for the first time since 2009. Not many foresaw such quick progress under Coach Jerry Kill. With 16 starters back, including the entire offense, can Minnesota break out of the bottom spot in the Legends Division? Jerry Kill had strong success in his third season at Northern Illinois (10-3), giving enough time to develop his offense with his handpicked recruits. It is Year 3 here in Minnesota, and it appears Kill has found himself a dual-threat QB – Philip Nelson. Nelson entered mid-season in response to an injury to former starter Marquis Gray. The entire offense (except one WR) returns intact and will have had a full offseason running first-string repetitions. While preseason all-conference lists should be taken with a grain of salt, it is worth noting that not a single Minnesota offensive player appears in the All-BigTen 3-deep. That said, with some offensive stability, it should be manageable to surpass last season’s point production (just 22 ppg). 6 defensive starters return – none more valuable than Ra’Shede Hageman, a defensive tackle that registered 6 sacks in 2012 and is gaining pro scout attention. Despite losing their top two CB’s, the secondary remains competitive. Last August, I was a little harsh on Minnesota Football, poking fun at their legalized, in-stadium beer sales (which somehow LOST MONEY). This year I am keeping Minnesota in the division cellar, 6th place. However, with an easy out-of-conference slate, I expect them to open 4-0 (again) heading into Iowa week with the Floyd of Rosedale up for grabs. Win that game and they will be bowling – if not, I’m calling for a step back in total wins. |