Thursday, July 30, 2015

2015-16 College Football Preview: BIG 10 (East Division)

The 2015-16 College Football Preview at THE Ultimate Sports Blog continues with a look at the conference that ended up taking home the National Championship last season. The Big 10. Can anyone dethrone the Ohio State Buckeyes? How will Jim Harbaugh fare in his first-year at his alma mater? Will this finally be the year that Michigan State can get over that hump?

FIND OUT BELOW!.......



The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 College Football Preview

BIG 10

East Division




1. Ohio State Buckeyes

2014 Record: 14-1 (8-0)


Head Coach: Urban Meyer (38-3 all-time overall at Ohio State, 142-26 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 52 (247.1 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 9 (264.5 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 5 (44.8 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 26 (22.0 ppg)


2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - J.T. Barrett (2,834 passing yards, 64.7% completions, 34 TD's, 10 INT's)

Rushing - Ezekiel Elliott (273 carries, 1,878 rushing yards, 18 TD's)

Receiving - Devin Smith (33 receptions, 931 receiving yards, 12 TD's)


Top Returning Players: J.T. Barrett (QB), Cardale Jones (QB), Braxton Miller (QB), Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Michael Thomas (WR), Jalin Marshall (WR), Nick Vannett (TE), Jacoby Boren (C), Pat Elflein (RG), Billy Price (LG), Taylor Decker (LT), Adolphus Washington (DL), Joey Bosa (DE), Joshua Perry (LB), Darron Lee (LB), Raekwon McMillan (LB), Eli Apple (CB), Vonn Bell (S), Tyvis Powell (S), Sean Nuernberger (K), Cameron Johnson (P)


Top Incoming Players: Torrence Gibson (QB), Mike Weber (RB), Eric Glover-Williams (RB), K.J. Hill (WR), Alex Stump (WR), A.J. Alexander (TE), Isaiah Prince (OL), Matthew Burrell (OL), Grant Schmidt (OL), Jashon Cornell (DL), Dre'Mont Jones (DL), Justin Hilliard (LB), Jerome Baker (LB), Nick Conner (LB), Jamel Dean (CB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Virginia Tech
vs. Hawaii
vs. Northern Illinois
vs. Western Michigan
vs. @ Indiana
vs. Maryland
vs. Penn State
vs. @ Rutgers
BYE WEEK
vs. Minnesota
vs. @ Illinois
vs. Michigan State
vs. @ Michigan
BYE WEEK


BIG 10 Title Game: vs. Wisconsin (W)


Early Prediction: 13-0 (8-0)






2. Michigan State Spartans

2014 Record: 11-2 (7-1)


Head Coach: Mark D'Antonio (75-31 all-time at Michigan State, 93-48 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 36 (265.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 21 (235.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 7 (43 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 22 (21.5 ppg)


2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Connor Cook (3,214 passing yards, 58.1% completions, 24 TD's, 8 INT's)

Rushing - Jeremy Langford (276 carries, 1,522 rushing yards, 22 TD's)

Receiving - Tony Lippett (65 receptions, 1,198 receiving yards, 11 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Connor Cook (QB), Madre London (RB), Aaron Burbridge (WR), Macgarrett Kings (WR), Josiah Price (TE), Jack Allen (C), Donavon Clark (RG), Kodi Kieler (RT), Jack Conklin (LT), Lawrence Thomas (DE), Shilique Calhoun (DE), Malik McDowell (DT), Joel Heath (DT), Ed Davis (LB), Riley Bullough (LB), Darien Harris (LB), Darian Hicks (CB), R.J. Williamson (S), Michael Geiger (K)


Top Incoming Players: Brian Lewerke (QB), L.J. Scott (RB), Darrell Stewart (WR), Kyonta Stallworth (OL), Raequan Williams (DL), Cassius Peat (DL), Andrew Dowell (LB), Tyriq Thompson (LB), David Dowell (DB), Tyson Smith (DB), Josh Butler (CB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Western Michigan
vs. Oregon
vs. Air Force
vs. Central Michigan
vs. Purdue
vs. @ Rutgers
vs. @ Michigan
vs. Indiana
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Nebraska
vs. Maryland
vs. @ Ohio State
vs. Penn State
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 11-1 (7-1)




3. Maryland Terrapins

2014 Record: 7-6 (4-4)


Head Coach: Randy Edsall (20-30 all-time at Maryland, 90-93 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 73 (220.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 111 (121.7 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 68 (28.5 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 89 (30.2 ppg)


2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - C.J. Brown (2,228 passing yards, 53.4% completions, 13 TD's, 10 INT's)

Rushing - C.J. Brown (161 carries, 539 rushing yards, 8 TD's)

Receiving - Stefon Diggs (62 receptions, 792 receiving yards, 5 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Brandon Ross (RB), Marcus Leak (WR), Andrew Isaacs (TE), Ryan Doyle (RG), Andrew Zeller (LG), Michael Dunn (LT), Yannick Ngakoue (DE), William Likely (CB), Sean Davis (S), Anthony Nixon (S), Brad Craddock (K)


Top Incoming Players: Gage Shaffer (QB), Ty Johnson (RB), D.J. Moore (WR), Quarvez Boulware (OL), E.J. Donahue (OL), Adam McLean (DL), Keiron Howard (DL), Gus Little (LB), Brett Zanotto (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Richmond
vs. Bowling Green
vs. USF
vs. @ West Virginia
vs. Michigan
vs. @ Ohio State
BYE WEEK
vs. Penn State
vs. @ Iowa
vs. Wisconsin
vs. @ Michigan State
vs. Indiana
vs. @ Rutgers
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 8-4 (4-4)




4. Penn State Nittany Lions

2014 Record: 7-6 (2-6)


Head Coach: James Franklin (7-6 all-time at Penn State, 31-21 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 62 (233.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 120 (101.9 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 113 (20.6 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 7 (18.6 ppg)


2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Christian Hackenberg (2,977 passing yards, 55.8% completions, 12 TD's, 15 INT's)

Rushing - Akeel Lynch (147 carries, 678 rushing yards, 4 TD's)

Receiving - DaeSean Hamilton (82 receptions, 899 receiving yards, 2 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Christian Hackenberg (QB), Akeel Lynch (RB), Chris Godwin (WR), DaeSean Hamilton (WR), Kyle Carter (TE), Angelo Mangiro (C), Brian Gaia (RG), Brendan Mahon (LG), Andrew Nelson (RT), Austin Johnson (DT), Anthony Zettel (DT), Nyeem Wartman (LB), Brandon Bell (LB), Trevor Williams (CB), Jordan Lucas (SS), Marcus Allen (FS), Daniel Pasquariello (P)


Top Incoming Players: Tommy Stevens (QB), Andre Robinson (RB), Saquon Barkley (RB), Juwan Johnson (WR), Jonathan Holland (TE), Paris Palmer (OL), Sterling Jenkins (OL), Ryan Bates (OL), Kamonte Carter (DL), Ryan Buchholz (DL), Manny Bowen (LB), Garrett Taylor (CB), John Reid (CB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Temple
vs. Buffalo
vs. Rutgers
vs. San Diego State
vs. Army West Point
vs. Indiana
vs. @ Ohio State
vs. Maryland
vs. Illinois
vs. @ Northwestern
BYE WEEK
vs. Michigan
vs. @ Michigan State
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 8-4 (4-4)




5. Michigan Wolverines

2014 Record: 5-7 (3-5)


Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh (0-0 all-time at Michigan, 29-21 all-time overall)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 112 (170.2 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 64 (162.8 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 112 (20.9 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 27 (22.4 ppg)


2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Devin Gardner (1,896 passing yards, 61.5% completions, 10 TD's, 15 INT's)

Rushing - De'Veon Smith (108 carries, 519 rushing yards, 6 TD's)

Receiving - Devin Funchess (62 receptions, 733 receiving yards, 4 TD's)


Top Returning Players: De'Veon Smith (RB), Jehu Chesson (WR), Amara Darboh (WR), Jake Butt (TE), Graham Glasgow (C), Kyle Kalis (RG), Ben Braden (LG), Mason Cole (LT), Bryan Mone (DT), Chris Wormley (DT), Joe Bolden (LB), James Ross (LB), Desmond Morgan (LB), Jourdan Lewis (CB), Jabrill Peppers (SS), Jarrod Wilson (FS)


Top Incoming Players: Zach Gentry (QB), Alex Malzone (QB), Karan Higdon (RB), Brian Cole (WR), Tyron Wheatley (TE), Grant Newsome (OL), Tyree Kinnel (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. @ Utah
vs. Oregon State
vs. UNLV
vs. BYU
vs. @ Maryland
vs. Northwestern
vs. Michigan State
BYE WEEK
vs. @ Minnesota
vs. Rutgers
vs. @ Indiana
vs. @ Penn State
vs. Ohio State
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 7-5 (4-4)




6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

2014 Record: 8-5 (3-5)


Head Coach: Kyle Flood (23-16 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 69 (227.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 65 (162.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 83 (26.7 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 89 (30.2 ppg)


2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Gary Nova (2,851 passing yards, 57.2% completions, 22 TD's, 12 INT's)

Rushing - Desmon Peoples (115 carries, 447 rushing yards, 3 TD's)

Receiving - Leonte Carroo (55 receptions, 1,086 receiving yards, 10 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Paul James (RB), Janarion Grant (WR), Leonte Carroo (WR), Chris Muller (RG), Keith Lumpkin (LT), Darius Hamilton (DT), Djwany Mera (DE), Kemoko Turay (DE), Steve Longa (LB), Quentin Gause (LB), Nadir Barnwell (CB), Kyle Federico (K), Joseph Roth (P)


Top Incoming Players: Michael Dare (QB), Charles Snorweah (RB), Nakia Griffin (TE), Anthony Folkerts (TE), Marques Ford (DL), Sidney Gopre (LB), Najee Clayton (DB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Norfolk State
vs. Washington State
vs. @ Penn State
vs. Kansas
BYE WEEK
vs. Michigan State
vs. @ Indiana
vs. Ohio State
vs. @ Wisconsin
vs. @ Michigan
vs. Nebraska
vs. @ Army West Point
vs. Maryland
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 5-7 (1-7)




7. Indiana Hoosiers

2014 Record: 4-8 (1-7)


Head Coach: Kevin Wilson (14-34 all-time)


2014 Overall Passing Yards Ranking: 122 (141.4 ypg)

2014 Overall Rushing Yards Ranking: 10 (263.6 ypg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Ranking: 90 (25.1 ppg)

2014 Overall Points Scored Against Ranking: 102 (32.8 ppg)


2014-15 Team Offensive Stat Leaders:

Passing - Nate Sudfield (1,151 passing yards, 60.5% completions, 6 TD's, 3 INT's)

Rushing - Tevin Coleman (270 carries, 2,036 rushing yards, 15 TD's)

Receiving - Shane Wynn (56 receptions, 708 receiving yards, 3 TD's)


Top Returning Players: Nate Sudfield (QB), Jordan Howard (RB), J-Shun Harris (WR), Michael Cooper (TE), Jake Reed (C), Dan Feeney (RG), Tim Gardner (RT), Jason Spriggs (LT), Nick Mangieri (DE), Nate Hoff (DT), Darius Latham (DT), T.J. Simmons (LB), Antonio Allen (SS), Griffin Oakes (K), Erich Toth (P)


Top Incoming Players: Austin King (QB), Devonte Williams (RB), Camion Patrick (WR), Leon Thornton (WR), Isaac James (WR), Austin Dorris (TE), Brandon Knight (OL), Hunter Littlejohn (OL), Jacob Robinson (DL), Omari Stringer (LB)


2015-16 Schedule:

vs. Southern Illinois
vs. FIU
vs. Western Kentucky
vs. @ Wake Forest
vs. Ohio State
vs. @ Penn State
vs. Rutgers
vs. @ Michigan State
BYE WEEK
vs. Iowa
vs. Michigan
vs. @ Maryland
vs. @ Purdue
BYE WEEK


Early Prediction: 4-8 (1-7)




BIG 10 East Division's Potential NFL Talent:

(These are guys playing in the conference this year who are already on NFL team's radars)

Christian Hackenburg - QB (Penn State)

Connor Cook - QB (Michigan State)

Cardale Jones - QB (Ohio State)

Braxton Miller - QB (Ohio State)

Nate Sudfield - QB (Indiana)

Ezekiel Elliott - RB (Ohio State)

Jordan Howard - RB (Indiana)

Leonte Carroo - WR (Rutgers)

Michael Thomas - WR (Ohio State)

DaeSean Hamilton - WR (Penn State)

Josiah Price - TE (Michigan State)

Nick Vannett - TE (Ohio State)

Kyle Carter - TE (Penn State)

Jake Butt - TE (Michigan)

Jack Allen - C (Michigan State)

Pat Elflein - OG (Ohio State)

Dan Feeney - OG (Indiana)

Taylor Decker - OT (Ohio State)

Jack Conklin - OT (Michigan State)

Jason Spriggs - OT (Indiana)

Keith Lumpkin - OT (Rutgers)

Joey Bosa - DE (Ohio State)

Shilique Calhoun - DE (Michigan State)

Adolphus Washington - DT (Ohio State)

Anthony Zettel - DT (Penn State)

Darius Hamilton - DT (Rutgers)

Austin Johnson - DT (Penn State)

Lawrence Thomas - DT (Michigan State)

Joel Heath - DT (Michigan State)

Darron Lee - LB (Ohio State)

Steve Longa - LB (Rutgers)

Joe Bolden - LB (Michigan)

Josh Perry - LB (Ohio State)

Nyeem Wartman - LB (Penn State)

Ed Davis - LB (Michigan State)

Desmond Morgan - LB (Michigan)

Jordan Lucas - CB (Penn State)

William Likely - CB (Maryland)

Eli Apple - CB (Ohio State)

Sean Davis - FS (Maryland)

Vonn Bell - SS (Ohio State)

R.J. Williamson - SS (Michigan State)

Cameron Johnston - P (Ohio State)

Brad Craddock - K (Maryland)

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