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College Football Preview – Big Ten Defenses

6 June 2008

David Funk, a good friend and writer of the Fantasy Sports Network blog, put together a ranking of the Big Ten college football defenses. He was kind enough allow me to post his breakdown on my site to pass the great information on to you. This is very useful info as you gear up for the college football season, especially if you play the Sporting News College Football Salary Cap game.

“Today, we finish up with Big Ten by ranking the defenses. Enjoy.

Big Ten Team Defensive Rankings:
1. Ohio State(Starters returning: 9
The loaded Buckeyes return three defensive lineman, two linebackers, and the entire starting secondary a from a year ago. The defense is led by last year’s Butkus Award Winner and middle linebacker James Laurinaitis. Marcus Freeman, who was second on the team in tackles last year, returns at his outside linebacker spot. The stellar secondary is led by cornerback Malcolm Jenkins.

2. Penn State(Starters returning: 9
The front seven will be the strength of the defense, but depth is a concern in the secondary. The defensive line returns all four starters led by end Maurice Evans. Linebacker Sean Lee is out for the year because of injury and Dan Connor is gone to the NFL. Tyrell Sales does return at outside linebacker and there’s depth, too. The secondary returns four starters, but should injuries occur, it could be a big problem for them this year in a offensive conference like the Big Ten.

3. Illinois(Starters returning: 6
The Fighting Illini return three defensive starting lineman from a year ago led by end Will Davis, who was the team’s leader in sacks a year ago with 9.5. Derek Walker is the other end, and there’s plenty of depth behind them. Brit Miller moves to middle linebacker from the outside spot. Vontae Davis, Dere Hicks, and Miami Thomas form a solid group of cornerbacks on defense.

4. Michigan(Starters returning: 8
This is the strength of the Wolverines defense this year. The entire defensive line returns with big nosetackle Terrance Taylor leading the way. Obi Ezeh is the only returning linebacker and John Thompson is solid there, too. Morgan Trent and Donovan Warren return at the cornerback spots, but they will be leaned on to force more turnovers than they did a year ago.

5. Wisconsin(Starters returning: 9
The Badgers return plenty of experience, but injuries in spring practices have caused five starters to be sidelined. Defensive tackles Jason Chapman and Mike Newkirk were two of those guys, and the others behind them have gained some experience. The team’s best corner, Allen Langford, was also hurt during the spring. The backups are getting much needed reps, but the defense needs the starters to return to form before their opener on August 30.

6. Iowa(Starters returning: 5
The two starting defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul are back. The defensive end spots will see two inexperienced players, likely Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard, starting on each side. A.J. Edds is the only returning linebacker and he started all their games a season ago. The secondary returns both safeties in Harold Dalton and Brett Greenwood, but the corners will see new faces starting this year.

7. Indiana(Starters returning: 7
The defensive line recorded 42 sacks last year, and return three of those starters. End Greg Middleton led the nation in sacks with 16 a year ago. Jammie Kirlew will start at the other end. Will Patterson and Geno Johnson return at the outside linebacker spots. Austin Thomas and Nick Polk return at both safety spots, but they lost both starting cornerbacks from a year ago.

8. Purdue(Starters returning: 6
Alex Magee and Ryan Barker return at the defensive tackle spots, and they have depth behind them. Keyon Brown returns at one end spot and the other end could see redshirt freshman Nickcaro Golding, a very quick pass-rusher on the other side. Anthony Heygood is the only returning linebacker. David Pender returns at cornerback and Brandon King is back at free safety.

9. Michigan State(Starters returning: 5
Experience may be an issue on defense, but talent is another story. Defensive tackle Justin Kershaw is the only returning lineman, but Antonio Jeremiah shows very good promise as does end Trevor Anderson. Eric Gordon returns at outside linebacker and Greg Jones has moved from the outside to middle linebacker. Strong safety Otis Wiley is a solid strong safety who returns to lead the secondary.

10. Northwestern(Starters returning: 7
The entire defensive line returns led by tackle John Gill, but they struggled getting pressure on the quarterback with only 18 sacks a year ago. Prince Kwateng returns at outside linebacker and new starter Malcolm Arrington moves to the middle from the outside. Brad Phillips returns at free safety and corner Sherrick McManis is also back. The defense has experience, but they still need to improve after giving up over 31 points a game last year.

11. Minnesota(Starters returning: 6
The defense was the worst in the nation a year ago in terms of yardage allowed, so there’s plenty to improve upon. The defensive line returns three starters, and they’re counting on Willie VanDeSteeg to provide pressure at defensive end. Steve Davis and Deon Hightower return in the linebacking corps. Ryan Collado is the only experiened player in the secondary returning, but the whole unit could see all new starters by the start of the season.

Stud defenses: Ohio State
Rising defense: Michigan
Falling defense: Iowa

Overall analysis: Ohio State is clearly the top defensive unit in this conference after a standout performance on that side of the ball a year ago and nearly everyone back. Penn State has plenty of experience returning, but will miss their two players from last year. Illinois should be good on defense, and they have a very formidable front that will carry them on that side of the ball. Wisconsin is hurting and will have to be watched carefully at this time to see how they play with the current situation they have. Iowa, Indiana, Purdue, and Michigan State show promise, but question marks in each unit so you should pay close attention to their schedule in a conference that appears to be plenty good offensively. Northwestern has experience returning, but with the numbers they gave up last year, it’s probably best to avoid them right now. The Golden Gophers were too bad on defense a year ago to improve to a point where you’d consider taking them at all during the season.”

Great info. Be sure to check all of David’s posts at the Fantasy Sports Network (http://fantasysportsnetwork.blogspot.com/).

4 Comments

| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: College Football | Tagged: Big Ten, College Football, Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State University, Wisconsin Badgers |

College Football Preview – Big Ten Offenses

5 June 2008

David Funk, a good friend and writer of the Fantasy Sports Network blog, put together a ranking of the Big Ten college football offenses. He was kind enough allow me to post his breakdown on my site to pass the great information on to you. This is very useful info as you gear up for the college football season, especially if you play the Sporting News College Football Salary Cap game.

“We now move onto the Big Ten Conference starting with the offenses.

Big Ten Team Offensive Rankings:
1. Ohio State(Starters returning: 9
Plenty of experience returns led by quarterback Todd Boeckman and running back Beanie Wells. Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline return at wide receiver, but depth behind them could be a problem. Four starters return on the offensive line with only the right tackle position seeing a new starter. They do have a tougher road schedule than last year though.

2. Illinois(Starters returning: 6
Juice Williams returns at quarterback, but running back Rashard Mendenhall is gone. Daniel Dufrene will replace Mendenhall, and he does have talent. Arrelious Benn is the top receiver returning, and Chris James and converted tight end Jeff Cumberland joins him. The offensive line returns three starters, led by tackle Xavier Fulton and center Ryan McDonald.

3. Purdue(Starters returning: 6
The biggest key to the Boilermakers offense is quarterback Curtis Painter returning with his top target Greg Orton at receiver. Aaron Valentin and Arsenio Curry will try to take away coverage on Orton by becoming playmakers themselves. Jaycen Taylor and Kory Sheets will share carries at running back. Three starters on the offensive line return, but the team will have to play better against the best in the Big Ten.

4. Northwestern(Starters returning: 7
The Wildcats have C.J. Bacher returning at quarterback and his three receivers from a year ago led by Eric Peterman. Andrew Brewer provides another weapon at wide receiver as well as depth. Tyrell Sutton will start at running back and Omar Conteh will get some carries, too. The offensive line returns only two starters, so that is the biggest area of concern for them.

5. Wisconsin(Starters returning: 9
The Badgers return their entire offensive line as well as running back P.J. Hill. Zach Brown and Lance Smith will back him up. Allan Evridge will likely be the new starting quarterback with Dustin Sherer backing him up. Travis Beckum and Garrett Graham form a great 1-2 tandem at tight end. The receiving corps is another area of concern with only Kyle Jefferson who has any experience starting.

6. Michigan State(Starters returning: 6
Javon Ringer is returning at running back, and he’s averaged more than six yards a carry in his career. Brian Hoyer is also returning at quarterback, but he’ll miss throwing to Devin Thomas who is gone to the NFL. Mark Dell and Deon Curry are expected to be reliable targets at receiver for the Spartans. The offensive line returns three starters, and should help keep the offense balanced.

7. Indiana(Starters returning: 6
Kellen Lewis is expected to return as starting quarterback even after his suspension in the spring. All-American receiver James Hardy is gone, but Andrew Means and Ray Fisher are back. Marcus Thigpen returns as the starting running back, and Bryan Payton provides depth at that position. The offensive line returns two starters, and both are on the left side of the line.

8. Iowa(Starters returning: 7
Jake Christensen returns at quarterback as does his top receiver from a year ago, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. Trey Stross and Andy Brodell will be the other starters. Brandon Myers returns at tight end and Tony Moeaki will see some time there, too. The offensive line was a big problem area last year after allowing 46 sacks a year ago. They return four starters on that line.

9. Penn State(Starters returning: 8
The entire backfield will be new with Daryll Clark at quarterback and Evan Royster at running back. Derrick Williams and Deon Butler return to lead the receiving corps. Tight end Andrew Quarless returns, but Mickey Shuler will likely start over him. Four starters on the offensive line return which includes two centers, A.Q. Shipley and Mike Lucian.

10. Minnesota(Starters returning: 9
The Golden Gophers are in the second year in the spread offense and quarterback Adam Weber returns to run it. Eric Decker and Tray Herndon are the returning starters at wide receiver. Duane Bennett will start at running back, but depth behind him is a big question mark because they need to run the ball to keep the worst ranked defense in the nation a year ago off the field as much as possible.

11. Michigan(Starters returning: 2
Only tackle Stephen Schilling and fullback Mark Moundros return from last year’s starting offense. Steven Street will likely start at quarterback and Nick Sheridan will back him up. Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown will have to replace the departed Mike Hart at running back. Greg Mathews and Junior Hemingway look to start at receiver in Rich Rodriguez’s spread attack that will take some getting used to.

Stud offenses: Ohio State, Illinois
Rising offense: Michigan State
Falling offense: Michigan

Overall analysis: This is a conference that is loaded with offensive talent that should see a number of points being put up, although inconsistency will be a problem for some. Ohio State has enough experience and weapons to be the top offense, while Illinois should be good with Juice Williams even though Rashard Mendenhall is gone. The other experienced offenses should be good starts in favorable matchups, but they are to be watched before you start them in tough ones. There is plenty of experience at quarterback in this league, so that gives these teams a fighting chance to put up respectable offensive numbers in 2008.”

Great info. Be sure to check all of David’s posts at the Fantasy Sports Network (http://fantasysportsnetwork.blogspot.com/).

2 Comments

| Posted by LestersLegends | Categories: College Football | Tagged: Big Ten, College Football, Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State |