Freshmen are coming onto campus, players are beginning to train hard.. Big12Ten football is back.

Out with the old…





In with the new…










Nebraska enters its first year in the Big Ten as the probable favorite of the Legends division. Nebraska loses perhaps its best player last year in Prince Amakamara. Replacing Prince and the controversy surrounding Taylor Martinez will be the key to Nebraska’s success in 2011. Martinez had a great start to 2010 but fell out of favor with the coaching staff and was expected to transfer. He decided to come back, though, and if he can regain his early 2010 form, he and Rex Burkehead provide Nebraska with a dynamic running game.



Iowa is one big question mark in 2011. They lose starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi, stud defensive end Adrian Clayborn, one of their best receivers in Derrell Johnson Koulianos, and defensive leader Tyler Sash. Iowa loses several other players defensively, but defensive coordinator Norm Parker always seems to put together a good defense. On offense, Iowa returns Marvin McNutt at receiver and several offensive lineman. Iowa’s success in 2011 will depend on whether the defense can recover from its losses and whether a quarterback can emerge to replace Stanzi.



Michigan brings in a new coach in Brady Hoke, but returns a lot of producers from 2010. Michigan’s offense returns most of the strength of its offensive line, receivers, and running backs as well as 2010 standout Denard Robinson. Denard’s transition in Brady Hoke’s offense will go a long way in determining how successful Michigan will be in 2011. On defense, new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison attempts to clean up the mess that has been the Michigan defense the past few years. He gets some help in returning defensive tackle Mike Martin as well as several other contributors. The Michigan defense also re-gains several injured players that missed significant time in 2010, but Mattison will have his work cut out for him.



Michigan State looks to capitalize on a strong 2010 campaign with returning starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. MSU loses top receiver Mark Dell but returns other contributors at receiver as well as a load of good running backs including leading rusher Edwin Baker. MSU should have no problem scoring points in 2011. Preventing their opponents from scoring points might be a different story. MSU brings in top recruit Lawrence Thomas to try to replace Greg Jones at middle linebacker. State also lost key linebacker Eric Gordon. The secondary brings back several starters, but the defensive line may be the key to the MSU defense’s success. They will likely have to be better at getting to the quarterback to make up for the losses at linebacker.



Also notable: Dan Persa’s Heisman campaign







Wisconsin’s running game should be excellent again in 2011 with the return of three headed monster Montee Ball, John Clay, and James White. On top of their running game, Wisconsin brings in standout NC State transfer Russell Wilson to start at quarterback. On defense, Wisconsin will have to find a way to replace All-American JJ Watt at defensive end. Watt’s loss will be felt hard. If Wisconsin can’t get to the quarterback as well without Watt, the secondary will have to improve from an inconsistent 2010 performance.



Tattoo-gate hit Ohio State hard in the offseason. Not only did Pryor and Tressel leave the program, but Ohio State will be without Boom Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Soloman Thomas for the first five games of 2011. Ohio State’s offensive line should be good and their plethora of running backs should make for a good running game. The key offensively will be the quarterback position. Will Joe Bauserman or Braxton Miller be able to produce in Pryor’s absence? They’ll miss Posey in the early games as well as the departure of Dane Sanzenbacher. Ohio State loses 7 starters on defense, but their past recruiting classes and past history defensively suggest that the defense will be just fine.



Penn State might struggle a bit in 2011. They lose three starters to their offensive line as well as standout running back Evan Royster. The quarterback position is a question mark entering 2011, either Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin will need to step up for the Penn State offense to have any chance at being any good. On defense, Penn State should be great once again. Penn State loses only two starters, though one of them is their excellent middle linebacker Chris Colasanti. The return of defensive leaders Devon Still and Nick Sukay should ensure that the Penn State defense performs well once again in 2011.