SnoTap College Football Preview: B1G Leaders

Finally, the college football previews are beginning on SnoTap. We are trying something new looking at divisions/conferences as a whole versus breaking down every team. We look at the power six conferences, Notre Dame and independents and mid-majors. 

After multiple years of still writing out Big Ten, I finally have succumbed to using B1G for all my posts moving forward. This is a conference wanting a seat at the biggest of big boys table, but they are still some paces away from truly being there. Ohio State and Michigan will probably not leave the top 15 all year, but there is not that third and fourth team who can bet there with them.  Hence there is the problem with the league as a whole.

END OF AN ERA as the legends and leaders are dead after next year along with a new realignment. For whatever it's worth, we did not do any cross divisional games in the ACC and that was probably a mistake. We make up for it here a bit.

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Braxton Miller (Ohio State) - We talked about Miller in the our '12 players to watch' earlier this month and the Ohio State quarterback will have a lot of eyes on him this year. Miller playing in his second year of Urban Meyer's system tends to mean a National Championship, Heisman or at least getting an unbeaten season. I think what might be lost on Miller's season in 2012 is he had over 1,200 yards of rushing and he average 5.6 yards a carry when he did run with the ball. Those are insane numbers for a quarterback and oh by the way, he also threw for over 2,000 yards.

QB Curt Phillips/Joel Stave (Wisconsin) - Ah nothing like a good ole quarterback battle. There is no signs right now as to who will be the quarterback of the Badgers this season. Both bring different aspects for the table whether it be Phillips' ability to run the football or Stave's deep ball.  They are unique talents and do different things for Gary Anderson.  My opinion is Phillips will get the job because Anderson's system needs a bit of a runner and with their running game, the Badgers should not be in many third and long situations.

WR Allen Robinson (Penn State) -  The Big Ten Receiver of the Year returns for another year and the best question for him is 'Who will be throwing the ball?  Great question as Matt McGloin graduated and it sounds like they might go with a true freshman. No matter whom the quarterback is, Robinson will be one of the best wide receivers in the B1G.  How many times have local Pennsylvania news programs have used 'Here's to you, Mr. Robinson' in their sports segments? Like all of them?  I bet all of them.

WR Cody Latimer (Indiana)  - While Robinson is a great player, Latimer is not a bad option at Indiana. He had an all-Big Ten year last year with over 800 yards of receiving with six touchdowns and averaging 67 yards per game. Latimer will have his quarterback, Cameron Coffman, back for another year and those two should be one of the best duos in the B1G.

LB Ryan Shazier (Ohio State) - He had a massive sophomore campaign and there is a reason why many expect Shazier to be drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft if he decides to come out. Shazier had 115 tackles last season along with five sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception. He will be one of the leaders of the Ohio State defense along with Bradley Roby after he finishes his one-game suspension. Expect to be hearing Shazier's name a lot this season.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
Saturday September 28th - Wisconsin at Ohio State - Even though Badgers fans would probably love this game to be played in November, I still think this has a chance to be a great one. These two teams always play close games and last year's overtime thriller in Camp Randall was one of the best of the year.

Saturday October 5th - Penn State at Indiana -  So why is this a game to watch?  What could be so appealing about Indiana? Well the Hoosiers might be a bowl team this year for the first time since 2007. This is probably their toughest home game, and it could be their biggest win even if Penn State might not be one of the best in the Big Ten.

Saturday November 2nd - Ohio State at Purdue - For whatever reason, Ohio State struggles against Purdue. They have not won in West Lafayette since 2007 and they needed a late rally to beat the Boilermakers last year in Columbus. If you are looking for a game that might trip the Buckeyes, look no forward than to this one.

Saturday November 30th - Penn State at Wisconsin - I realize it is just two times, but I like how Wisconsin is now playing Penn State to end the year. Hopefully, this continues for at least a couple years. I like they have the yearly meeting at a specific date. Who knows, the Badgers might need this win to get into a bowl game although I doubt that happens, but you never know with college football.

Saturday November 30th - Ohio State at Michigan - Am I the only one whom wishes this would be played in late October. I realize the pageantry that comes with The Big Game being played at 11 am on ABC. It has been going on since I can remember watching college football, but with the Big Ten Championship the following week, it is very possible we will get a repeat game of these two teams.  Personally, I feel like this could dent Ohio State's chances at going undefeated for the season more than anything else on their schedule.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Ohio State running the table for the second straight year? - Their schedule and team set up to be the first B1G team back in the National Championship for the first time since 2007 when Ohio State lost their second straight National Championship final to an SEC team.  We did point out two of their pitfalls against Purdue and possibly playing Michigan twice, but this is Ohio State's best chance in recent memory to return to the National Championship game.  Although it is hard for any college team to have two straight undefeated seasons so the Buckeyes will need to keep their composure.

Which Wisconsin quarterback will come out on top? - It is starting to look like it is Curt Phillips' job to lose and I seem to be the only semi-Badger fan to be okay with this move by Gary Anderson if it does end up being Phillips.  Badger fans seem to like Joel Stave because he can throw the ball more accurately and farther but really Anderson's system values a running quarterback more so than pseudo pocket passer. My guess is Phillips gets until the end of September before an evaluation of his skills because he will face both Arizona State and Ohio State during that stretch.

Will the Gary Anderson era start off on the right foot? - We will have a longer Badger preview upcoming next Thursday or Friday, but as for today, it looks like the Badgers will be fine although it is hard to imagine them being a Rose Bowl team again this year. Anderson needs a year to implement his system plus it is tough when he is not dealing with Bret Bielema's recruits. Looking blindly at the schedule, it looks like a seven to nine win season. Ohio State is the one true difficult road games, but Minnesota, a night game at Illinois and Iowa will not be easy games.

What's the expectations for Bill O'Brien Year 2? - The Nittany Lions begin their second season of their four year suspension for the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Bill O'Brien loses some of his key cogs like McGloin and Michael Mauti so this year could be a little more difficult than expected. It is likely they are going with a true freshman at quarterback adding to the experience, but personally I believe the goal for the Nittany Lions should be six wins and everything else is gravy. They should strive for getting 'bowl-eligible' and anything else will be used to help get recruits for the future.

Braxton Miller will take a new step, but how big will that step be? - The statistics show players in  the second year under Meyer tends to develop to whole new levels. Tim Tebow won a Heisman and put up one of the best years ever for a college quarterback. Alex Smith made the leap as well and turned into the number one draft pick overall.  If Miller becomes as good of a passer as he is running the ball, holy shit Ohio State will be extremely lethal on offense. The one thing I might be worry about Miller is injuries. This is always a worry with running quarterbacks, but the Buckeyes did have a few scares with him last year.

Indiana, a bowl team? - The Hoosiers are bringing a lot back this year on both offense and defense. It seems like Kevin Wilson is putting this team in the right direction. With how many bowl games there are, I would not be surprised at all to see the Hoosiers there with six wins. I see six or seven wins on their schedule definitely. Indiana Hoosiers being a bowl team will probably get laughed at by some, but them being good only helps the B1G return to prominence.

PROJECTED FINISH
1.) Ohio State
2.) Wisconsin
3.) Penn State
4.) Indiana
5.) Purdue
6.) Illinois

O-H-I-O.

Charlie.