The 2018 season has been over for a while, with the 2019 season less than two months away. Due to so much change every year, teams can have a different outcome from the year before. Some teams are out to prove they can compete in 2019, like Nebraska, Purdue, and others. Teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and a few others are out to show they are still the top dogs in the Big Ten. Here, we give a quick preview for each Big Ten team leading into 2019.
Michigan Wolverines
Fresh off a 10 win season, many assume Michigan would be happy with that result. However, Michigan certainly has their sights set higher. Michigan is favored by some to win the Big Ten this year. Michigan does have a very difficult schedule, facing Notre Dame, Penn State, Indiana, and others at the end of the year. Luckily for them, all but Indiana, is being played at home. Jim Harbaugh, now entering his 5th year as Michigan’s head coach, looks to have his best season yet, behind his senior quarterback, improved offense, and his still high powered defense. Some could say this may be Harbaugh’s most talented team while at Michigan, especially on offense. The one part that will be tough for Michigan is to replace their key defensive pieces, but they recruited well for 2019, so that should not be a terrible issue.
Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana is a team that, over the last few years, has not had much to show for their efforts. Tom Allen, the head coach, has gone 5-7 both seasons of his tenure, without a bowl victory also. However, this year could be a change for the Hoosiers. They return over half their roster, especially their high-powered offense, led by Peyton Ramsey and Stevie Scott. On another positive side, year after year, Indiana seems to give the elite teams, like Ohio State and Michigan, a run for their money. Even with the leadership, depth, and athleticism added to their defense, they still have a long ways to go to improving where they need to be. Indiana hopes to take a leap and show they can be among the elite in the Big Ten.
Michigan State
Michigan State has had a great tenure under Mark Dantonio. However, injuries plagued this Spartan roster in 2018, preventing another contending season. Michigan State, barring injuries, certainly has the weapons to be a Big Ten title contender. Brian Lewerke returns from injury. A deep running back group in the backfield. Finally, a defensive line, which was one of the best in the nation, led by Kenny Willekes, who looks to show why he may be the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten. Michigan State must show consistency this year, but need someone to have a break out year.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Since joining the Big Ten in the 2014 season, the Scarlet Knights are 17-42, with their best record being 8-5 in 2014. Despite struggling over the last few years, there is some optimism with Rutgers talented backfield. Rutgers has many coaching changes this year, a concern on their offensive line, and stopping turnovers. Despite all of this, they have a quarterback with a year of experience, new fresh talent, and hoping they will be able to scrap more wins together. Rutgers just needs more wins to be able to show they are headed in the right direction.
Ohio State Buckeyes
If most teams lost a hall of fame coach, a QB that had the single greatest season of that conference’s history, and the best defensive player in the NCAA, they would be in a severe rebuild. Not Ohio State however. New head coach Ryan Day has had some coaching experience with Ohio State already. He has recruited very well also. Ohio State has a new 5 star quarterback, returns a lot of offensive weapons, and most of their defense remains in tact. The amount of true talent for the 2019 roster is not as high powered as years past. However, there is plenty of talent there that, if used properly, is still easily capable of winning the conference. Ohio State will need it, as they have a very tough schedule this year.
Northwestern Wildcats
The 2018 season was a season to remember for the Wildcats. Pat Fitzgerald was named the coach of the Big Ten last year, Isaiah Bowser rose to the occasion as the #1 running back, and the Wildcat defense showed great flashes. The Wildcats came really close to being Big Ten Champions last year. With a new highly rated quarterback, and returning many of their starters, they look to again dominate the western division of the Big Ten. Fitzgerald is hopeful to get both the passing and running game going this year, and not be too one dimensional.
Wisconsin Badgers
The Badgers seem to be only a few pieces away from being back in the Big Ten championship game. The biggest story lines will be the quarterback position and their Heisman candidate, Johnathon Taylor. Who will be the QB by the end of the year? That is up in the air. Will Taylor be able to continue this dominate stretch of football? Wisconsin certainly has positions to fill on defense, with losing T.J Edwards and a few others. Injuries also hurt the Badgers last year. If the Badgers can get some consistency and remain healthy, Wisconsin will certainly lead the way in the Big Ten west division.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa comes into the 2019 season with a head coach and quarterback, looking to make their marks in Iowa football history. Senior quarterback Nate Stanley comes in with 52 TD’s in two seasons. Although, the Hawkeyes top two wide receivers, T.J Hockenson and Noah Fant, are now gone. The Hawkeyes have a strong defense, however, led by A.J Epenesa, who may be the best pass rusher in the Big Ten. The Hawkeye defense returns most of its secondary, which is a big plus. The Hawkeyes look to make some big noise this year, determined to upset someone along the line.
Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini players, and their fans, are tired of losing, and want to make and see a change in this football program. Going into the 2019 season, we may not know who will be the starting quarterback. The one positive on the offensive side: Reggie Corbin is returning. He was the first Illni since 2010 to top 1,000 yards. The offensive line also returns four starters. The Illini defense has some massive work to do. Illinois is in a situation similar to Rutgers. They just need to start winning more games to gain some momentum, and if coaching can work together and get this team working together, they certainly can do that.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska is looking to turn some heads for the 2019 season. The guy who can help them do that, is Adrian Martinez. The dual-threat quarterback is looking to enter his name into the Heisman race this year. Scott Frost, the head coach of the Huskers, is optimistic about what this offense can do. The Cornhuskers defensive line certainly has experience, but the rest of their defense is still looking for answers. Nebraska was one of the most respected teams last year, despite their record. This year, they look to stay that way, just with a more improved record.
Minnesota Gophers
P.J Fleck, head coach of the Gophers, has a great level of optimism for his team. After all, this team gave Ohio State a run for its money last season. The Gophers return about 75% of their starting roster, which will help this young team. Zach Annexstad will look to improve on 2018’s season and become more accurate as a quarterback. The backfield and wide receiver group has plenty of options for Fleck to utilize. The defense of the Gophers needs to step up though, if Minnesota is looking to pave their way into contention for the Big Ten title.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State will look to replace some key offensive roles this 2019 season. Miles Sanders and Trace McSorley leave the program and their offense in shambles. However, Ricky Slade and Sean Clifford are looking to become the new dynamic duo. Yetur Gross-Matos leads the Nittany Lions defense, who looks to establish himself as one of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions have some questions at linebacker, but they definitely have talent to replace it. Coach Franklin is also trying to get this team to a Big Ten title, to earn his right to be considered one of, if not the best, coach in the Big Ten.
Maryland Terrapins
Last season, the Terrapins had to deal with much more than just football. The tragic death of Jordan McNair definitely put the team’s focus out of wack, for obvious reason. The Terrapins hope to look for some redemption this year, with a talented roster and relatively new head coach. This is an offense with some explosion, especially in the backfield. Josh Jackson comes in, to hopefully pick up the passing game. Maryland’s defense brings in some talent, but little experience. If Maryland can find a way to get this talent working, the Terrapins could have one of the best seasons they’ve had in a long time.
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue’s highlight of last year was their epic upset victory over Ohio State. Their season started looking brighter after that. With securing their head coach and their highest recruiting class since 2004, they look to take the next step up. Elijah Sindelar, Rondale Moore, Tario Fuller, and others give this offense a lot of potential. This defense, while maybe not as high powered, does return almost everyone on it. Many players will compete for starting jobs this year. Purdue is starting to beat expectations. Now, with expectations, Purdue must start taking them on and going above and beyond the norm for them.
