Big Ten Football
2009 BIG TEN FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Years ago, the Big Ten was referred to as the Big Two and the Little Eight as Ohio 
State and Michigan staged perennial battles for league supremacy. As the NCAA tightened roster limits and scholarships, other schools began to establish their own cycles of dominance, among them Michigan State, Iowa and Wisconsin. None were able to sustain the run for more than a few years, though, and when Jim Tressel took the reins for the Buckeyes, Ohio State settled in for a long run at the top.
This year, the Big Two, Little Eight may once again describe the league as Penn State is poised to challenge the Buckeyes under octogenarian Head Coach, Joe Paterno. Do they Have enough to give JoePa one last title? Is the talent of QB Juice Williams enough to carry Illinois all the way to the Rose Bowl? And what of Rich Rodriguez in his second year at Michigan? Has he assembled enough “spread offense” talent to restore Michigan’s pride? Let’s take a look.
Ohio State- Let’s see. They have the best incoming recruiting class, the best coach, and just one tough road game. Looks like the Buckeyes’ biggest chore will be keeping their focus on the Big Ten and not the polls. QB Terrelle Pryor returns to lead the offense and will seek to take a more prominent role with RB Beanie Wells gone. Daniel Herron takes over, having run for more than 400 YDS while filling in for Wells last year. A strong secondary headed by SS Kurt Coleman and FS Anderson Russell will cover the losses of LB Jim Laurinaitis. If Ohio State can grab a win when Southern Cal comes to Columbus on September 12th, it just might be clear sailing to the BCS title game.
Illinois- The Illini get the nod here as conference runner up based on their supreme offensive talent and the fact that Penn State must visit Champaign. The dynamic duo of QB Juice Williams and WR Aurelius Benn may be too much for anyone in the league to handle and they’ll get a lot of help from two talented RB; Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure. Although Illinois boasts an all conference LB in Martez Wilson, CB and DL are areas of concern. If those holes are filled and the O Line comes together, the Illini will be playing ball on New Year’s Day.
Penn State- JoePa’s back, supposedly in good health and he’s got himself a helluva QB in Daryll Clark. Unfortunately for Clark, he’ll be breaking in a whole new set of WR and a young Offensive front. He will have help from G/C Steve Wisniewski and RB Evan Royster. The secondary is a question however, while Paterno hopes a strong recruiting class can fill the holes left by 12 departing starters. If they can get past Illinois in October, it’ll all come down to November 7th when Ohio State gets a “white out” in Happy Valley.
Michigan State- The Spartans return 17 starters to a 9-4 squad. However, there are questions in the backfield, under center and on the line for the offense. Blair White and Mark Dell will battle for the QB job and rely heavily on TE Charlie Gantt. A cadre of freshman will likely be called upon to replace RB Javon Ringer as the Offensive line looks to make a name for itself. Where the Spartans will be tough is on defense, as DE Trevor Anderson and LB Greg Jones anchor an experienced group. They catch a break in ’09 with Ohio State off the schedule.
Iowa- Much will depend on the growth of QB Ricky Stanzi, who could be a star. His insertion into the lineup last year sparked a 6-1 run that included a victory over undefeated Penn State. He’ll be without Shonn Green, who took his talent to the NFL and will lean on WR Marvin McNutt while Jewel Hampton seeks to establish himself in the backfield. The Hawkeyes could play very well and still endure a tough season as they face Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State on the road.
Michigan- In Rich Garcia’s first season at the helm, Michigan was either very good or very bad; never mediocre. The Wolverines had a stellar recruiting year however and it may be just another year before Rodriguez has them back on track. Solid RB’s Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor will carry much of the offensive load as an uncertain QB situation plays out. Tate Forcier, Nick Sheridan and Denard Robinson will battle to decide. Look for Robinson, the best runner of the three, to start.
Northwestern- The Wildcats will look to the defensive side of the ball for any success this year. DE Corey Wootton and S Brad Phillips lead a talented group of defenders although, both return from injury. They’ll be counted on to perform as QB Mike Kafka gets used to the starting job and a receiving corps decimated by graduation.
Minnesota- The Gophers have plenty of firepower in the passing game with QB Adam Webber and WR Eric Decker. It’s in the backfield where the problems lie and there’s not much help on the horizon. An inexperienced defense and weak offensive line will make it a long year.
Wisconsin- The Badgers return just 13 starters and have serious questions at RB, QB and in the secondary. A strong offensive line will help the rushing game no matter who plays but there’s not a lot of promise under center as Dustin Sherer and Curt Phillips fight to establish which of the two is less mediocre.
Purdue- Aptly named, new Head Coach, Danny Hope, tries to restore some to the stumbling Boilermakers. He’ll be looking for contributions from young players, the best of whom may be QB Najee Tyler.
Indiana- Basketball practice begins on October 15th.
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BIG TEN FOOTBALL 2009 SCHEDULES
ILLINOIS
Sep 5 Missouri @St. Louis, MO
Sep 12 ILLINOIS STATE
SEP 26 at Ohio State
Oct 3 PENN STATE
Oct 10 MICHIGAN STATE
Oct 17 at Indiana
Oct 24 at Purdue
Oct 31 MICHIGAN
Nov 7 at Minnesota
Nov 14 NORTHWESTERN
Nov 28 at Cincinnati
Dec 5 FRESNO STATE
INDIANA
Sep 3 Eastern Kentucky
Sep 12 Western Michigan
Sep 19 at Akron
Sep 26 at Michigan
Oct 3 Ohio State
Oct 10 at Virginia
Oct 17 Illinois
Oct 24 at Northwestern
Oct 31 at Iowa
Nov 7 Wisconsin
Nov 14 at Penn State
Nov 21 Purdue
IOWA
Sep 5 Northern Iowa
Sep 12 at Iowa State
Sep 19 Arizona
Sep 26 at Penn State
Oct 3 Arkansas State
Oct 10 Michigan
Oct 17 at Wisconsin
Oct 24 at Michigan State
Oct 31 Indiana
Nov 7 Northwestern
Nov 14 at Ohio State
Nov 21 Minnesota
MICHIGAN
Sep 5 Western Michigan
Sep 12 Notre Dame
Sep 19 Eastern Michigan
Sep 26 Indiana
oCT 3 at Michigan State
Oct 10 at Iowa
Oct 17 Delaware State
Oct 24 Penn State
Oct 31 at Illinois
Nov 7 Purdue
Nov 14 at Wisconsin
Nov 21 Ohio State
MICHIGAN STATE
Sep 5 Montana State
Sep 12 Central Michigan
Sep 19 at Notre Dame
Sep 26 at Wisconsin
Oct 3 Michigan
Oct 10 at Illinois
Oct 17 Northwestern
Oct 24 Iowa
Oct 31 at Minnesota
Nov 7 Western Michigan
Nov 14 at Purdue
Nov 21 Penn State
MINNESOTA
Sep 5 at Syracuse
Sep 12 Air Force
Sep 19 California
Sep 26 at Northwestern
Oct 03 Wisconsin
Oct 10 Purdue
Oct 17 @ Penn State
Oct 24 @ Ohio State
Oct 31 Michigan State
Nov 7 Illinois
Nov 14 South Dakota State
Nov 21 @ Iowa
NORTHWESTERN
Sep 5 Towson
Sep 12 Eastern Michigan
Sep 19 at Syracuse
Sep 26 Minnesota
Oct 3 at Purdue
Oct 10 Miami (Ohio)
Oct 17 at Michigan State
Oct 24 Indiana
Oct 31 Penn State
Nov 7 at Iowa
Nov 14 at Illinois
Nov 21 Wisconsin
OHIO STATE
Sep 5 Navy
Sep 12 Southern California,
Sep 19 vs. Toledo (in Cleveland)
Sep 26 Illinois
Oct 3 at Indiana,
Oct 10 Wisconsin
Oct 17 at Purdue
Oct 24 Minnesota,
Oct 31 New Mexico State
Nov 7 at Penn State
Nov 14 Iowa
Nov 21 at Michigan
PENN STATE
Sep 5 Akron
Sep 12 Syracuse
Sep 19 Temple
Sep 26 Iowa
Oct 3 @ Illinois
Oct 10 Eastern Illinois
Oct 17 Minnesota
Oct 24 @ Michigan
Oct 31 @ Northwestern
Nov 7 Ohio State
Nov 14 Indiana
Nov 21 @ Michigan State
PURDUE
Sep 5 Toledo
Sep 12 at Oregon
Sep 19 Northern Illinois
Sep 26 Notre Dame
Oct 03 Northwestern
Oct 10 at Minnesota
Oct 17 Ohio State
Oct 24 Illinois
Oct 31 at Wisconsin
Nov 7 at Michigan
Nov 14 Michigan State
Nov 21 at Indiana
WISCONSIN
Sep 5 NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Sep 12 FRESNO STATE
Sep 19 WOFFORD
Sep 26 MICHIGAN STATE
Oct 3 at Minnesota
Oct 10 at Ohio State
Oct 17 IOWA
Oct 31 PURDUE
Nov 7 at Indiana
Nov 14 MICHIGAN
Nov 21 at Northwestern
Dec 5 at Hawai’i
