2008 Big Ten Football discussion

[BB73]

An early look at the conference for 2008.

All teams are reviewed, I've only copied in tOSU.

cfn

2008 Big Ten Team Lookaheads


Ohio StateWhy to get excited: Don't let the haters (sorry for using that term, but it fits) ruin the facts; this really might be the best team in America going into 2008. DE Vernon Gholston is gone, but the return of LB James Laurinaitis and CB Malcolm Jenkins, when they would've been drafted in the top 15 had they left early, all of a sudden means the defense should be among the best in the nation again. The offense gets nine starters back including all the top players other than OT Kirk Barton. If that wasn't enough, PK Ryan Pretorius and P A.J. Trapasso might be the best kicking combo around.
Why to be grouchy: Fine, so you still don't want the Buckeyes anywhere near your national championship after the way the last two seasons ended. If they get there, they'll have certainly earned it more than they did in 2007 with road games at USC, Wisconsin and Illinois. The overall speed, athleticism, and NFL talent is in place. So why the problems against Florida and LSU? OSU was every bit as good as those two, so the coaching staff has to figure out what's going wrong at the highest of the high levels.
The number one thing to work on is: The psyche. If the team gets its head on straight, this could be a jaw-dropping dominator from the start. However, you don't take the beating in two straight title games, in the press, and in the court of public opinion, without having a sense of self-doubt start to creep in. Having a glass is half-full attitude, the team played for the national title in three of the past six years. Jim Tressel and the boys must be doing something right.
Biggest offensive loss: OT Kirk Barton
Biggest defensive loss: DE Vernon Gholston
Best returning offensive player: RB Beanie Wells, Jr.
Best returning defensive player: LB James Laurinaitis, Sr. & CB Malcolm Jenkins, Sr.

Cont'd ...

[Coqui]

Step #1 Respect for Ohio State.
Step #2 Respect for the Big10

We need to do both this coming year.

[muffler dragon]

Here's to wishing the Bucks a very successful season in 2008.

[HailToMichigan]

I think the bowl teams in the Big Ten in '08 will be the same as in '07. Iowa has an outside shot due to their schedule, but I hope they don't make it because they straight suck. I could also see Northwestern sneaking into a bowl. Longshot, but maybe. For those two schools to make it to the postseason, I think Purdue and Indiana would be the likely candidates to drop out.

Quick, completely unscientific guess at the bowls:

Rose: OSU
C*****l O**: Wisconsin
O*****k: Illinois
C****s S****s: Penn State
Alamo: Michigan
I*****t: Michigan State
Motor City: Indiana
Some fill-in bowl due to somebody not filling their obligations: Purdue

Predictions are always subject to change, like right after OSU gets upset by the Bobcats

[daddyphatsacs]

Originally Posted by HailToMichigan

I think the bowl teams in the Big Ten in '08 will be the same as in '07. Iowa has an outside shot due to their schedule, but I hope they don't make it because they straight suck. I could also see Northwestern sneaking into a bowl. Longshot, but maybe. For those two schools to make it to the postseason, I think Purdue and Indiana would be the likely candidates to drop out.

Quick, completely unscientific guess at the bowls:

Rose: OSU
C*****l O**: Wisconsin
O*****k: Illinois
C****s S****s: Penn State
Alamo: Michigan
I*****t: Michigan State
Motor City: Indiana
Some fill-in bowl due to somebody not filling their obligations: Purdue

Predictions are always subject to change, like right after OSU gets upset by the Bobcats

Not to be a dick here or anything, but I can honestly see Michigan losing 6 games next season. They could be fighting for a Motor City bowl.

[HailToMichigan]

Originally Posted by daddyphatsacs

Not to be a dick here or anything, but I can honestly see Michigan losing 6 games next season. They could be fighting for a Motor City bowl.

I think too much would have to go wrong for Michigan to lose 6 games with the schedule the way it is. Broke this down in the Michigan thread but for easy reference here it is again:

With two games against MAC teams and two games against MAC-quality Big Ten teams (Minny, N'Western....pity we don't get Iowa too), that's four games that will be wins barring something ridiculous happening. I expect a win against Utah as well (they are inconsistent and not real impressive in most of their wins last year), so that's five.

The three toughest games are OSU, Wisconsin, and PSU which is a road game.

In the middle are ND (complete wild card IMO), Illinois (like Michigan, lost plenty of talent, and comes to AA this year), Purdue (road game, but craptacular defense), and MSU (home game.)

To lose six games we'd have to:

- Lose all three against OSU, Wisc, and PSU. However, PSU is not that great and we've owned them for nearly a decade. Wisconsin, we get early which is helpful, and at home. OSU - Buckeyes have the better team but we all know anything goes.

- Also would have to lose three of four against Notre Dame, Illinois, MSU, and Purdue. This is pretty much why I don't think six losses is in order. MSU might be the best team on that list and that's how you know it's not a scary list. Purdue's D is so bad I'm tempted to put them in the Minny/NWern category. ND might still suck. Illinois is down from last year, and MSU still hasn't lost the little brother mentality.

- Either that or Utah will have to come up with something big in the Big House, or a non-bowl team will have to rise up. (I know, I know, App State.)

Anyway, Michigan still has plenty of talent spread across both sides of the ball, despite losing all those seniors. More talent than most of those other Big Ten teams. Not exactly the 97 or 05 Wolverines, but I think five losses is the max, and three or four looks most likely.

[BuckeyeMike80]

Originally Posted by HailToMichigan

I think too much would have to go wrong for Michigan to lose 6 games with the schedule the way it is. Broke this down in the Michigan thread but for easy reference here it is again:

With two games against MAC teams and two games against MAC-quality Big Ten teams (Minny, N'Western....pity we don't get Iowa too), that's four games that will be wins barring something ridiculous happening. I expect a win against Utah as well (they are inconsistent and not real impressive in most of their wins last year), so that's five.

Don't sleep on Northwestern or Minny, especially since your offense will be going through growing pains......

The three toughest games are OSU, Wisconsin, and PSU which is a road game.

And you'll either be starting a freshman QB or a JUCO who hasn't ever played in an environment like that. You're losing all 3 of those.

In the middle are ND (complete wild card IMO), Illinois (like Michigan, lost plenty of talent, and comes to AA this year), Purdue (road game, but craptacular defense), and MSU (home game.)

You'll likely beat Ntre Ame, they still won't be any better than .500 this year either even with a very bad schedule.

To lose six games we'd have to:

- Lose all three against OSU, Wisc, and PSU. However, PSU is not that great and we've owned them for nearly a decade. Wisconsin, we get early which is helpful, and at home. OSU - Buckeyes have the better team but we all know anything goes.

Penn State will have as good a defense and they should be semi-competent on offense with a new QB. That's a problem because Anthony Morelli was consistently the defense's best player when he was on the field....

- Also would have to lose three of four against Notre Dame, Illinois, MSU, and Purdue. This is pretty much why I don't think six losses is in order. MSU might be the best team on that list and that's how you know it's not a scary list. Purdue's D is so bad I'm tempted to put them in the Minny/NWern category. ND might still suck. Illinois is down from last year, and MSU still hasn't lost the little brother mentality.

Illinois isn't going to be down from last year, last year was a complete and total out of nowhere type season that took everyone by surprise. They won't sneak up on everyone this year, but they will still be good enough to compete for the Big Ten title.

Michigan will be 8-4 at best with a couple close calls. I'm already saying 7-5 and I think I might be generous......

[MililaniBuckeye]

So why the problems against Florida and LSU? OSU was every bit as good as those two, so the coaching staff has to figure out what's going wrong at the highest of the high levels.

Bingo.

[HailToMichigan]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMike80

And you'll either be starting a freshman QB or a JUCO who hasn't ever played in an environment like that. You're losing all 3 of those.

Penn State will have as good a defense and they should be semi-competent on offense with a new QB.

A new QB who also hasn't ever played in such an environment. Wisconsin has a new QB too, and he will warm up with Akron, Marshall, and Fresno State - these are not good preps for his first trip to the Big House the week after. So the new QB factor cancels out.

[Boggzie]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMike80

Michigan will be 8-4 at best with a couple close calls. I'm already saying 7-5 and I think I might be generous......

I dunno about 7-5, I think Rodriguez will get 'em better than that.

However, it's a very good point that he'll be trying to implement his offense, and to do so effectively he'll be using a totally new QB. Anything can definitely happen when it comes to The Game, but a new QB, staring across at Little Animal who HOPEFULLY by then has the Spread O figured out, will be a daunting task for a Frosh or JUCO kid.

[The S&G Dynasty]

I think that the whole big ten will be up this year with the exception of michigan. At most i only see them winning 8 games. I think that illinois, wisconsin, and penn state will all challege for the title. Wisconsin returns most of there defense and with the exception of maybe ohio state i think they have the best group of rb's in the country. They have p.j hill, lance smith, brown, and john clay. Penn state doesn't have morreli which is a good thing because he hurt them last year. And they have good receivers and a good defense led by lee. Plus i really like there incoming recruits. They got 3 of the top 10 players in ohio in zordich, beachum, and shaw. And illinois is young but very explosive and they to are recruiting ohio really hard and beating ohio state out for some players. This would have been unheard of a few years ago. They got scott, and as of now fellows. If juice can get the passing game going watch out. They do need to replace rashad m. and j lehman. If they can have one other receiver step up along with benn they can become very dangerous. I also think minnesota and michigan st. will be greatly improved. Your thoughts?

[BobcatBuckeye13]

I think the Big 10 will come down to Ohio State and Wisky. Illinois and the Zooker always seem to drop a game or two they shouldn't (Iowa last year). Michigan's pretty much rebuilding, Michigan State will probably be the darkhorse but let's face it, it's Michigan State. Penn State loses a couple key players on defense and struggled last season with any good offense.

Honestly, if Ohio State doesn't go 12-0 or at least 11-1 with USC it'll be a huge disappointment.

[Coqui]

Originally Posted by BobcatBuckeye13

Michigan State will probably be the darkhorse but let's face it, it's Michigan State.

Never underestimate the power of Mark Dantonio

[Taosman]

Does the Big Ten get stronger in 2008? Doesn't look like it.
Does Michigan win 7? Considering the QB situation......no.
And any injuries at all will just kill them.
OSU at Illinois for the Big Ten title.

[jarhead06]

Originally Posted by Taosman

Does the Big Ten get stronger in 2008? Doesn't look like it.
Does Michigan win 7? Considering the QB situation......no.
And any injuries at all will just kill them.
OSU at Illinois for the Big Ten title.

Agreed