Link: https://collegefootballnews.com/2020/07/big-ten-preseason-rankings-cfn-college-football-preview-2020
Big Ten Preseason Rankings
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the Big Ten teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.
1. Ohio State
Be excited about....the offensive line. Oh sure, the defense is great again, Justin Fields is sensational, and the holes left by all the guys off to the NFL will be quickly filled -- maybe -- but it's the offensive front that will make it all go. Under-loved throughout last season, it's going to be a rock again.
Be concerned about....Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, JK Dobbins, and the ten Buckeyes who were drafted by the next level types. The Big Ten-only schedule isn't bad outside of a game at Penn State -- missing the trip to Oregon is huge -- but losing all that talent hurts no matter who you are.
The season will be a success if.....the Buckeyes play for the national title. There's going to be a whole lot of awesome on the other side of the field in the College Football Playoff National Championship no matter who gets there. After coming so close to playing for the whole ball of wax, getting there will be the proverbial next step forward.
============================
2. Penn State
Be excited about....a defensive front seven that’s going to be something sensational. There aren’t any major holes on a team good enough to win the Big Ten – it gets Ohio State in Happy Valley – but whatever problems there are will get covered up Micah Parsons, Shaka Toney, and the guys up front. Okay, but …
Be concerned about....a defense that finished seventh in the nation in sacks, but didn’t do enough to help the pass defense down the stretch. The Nittany Lions were hit for 252 yards per game including 339 or more in three of the last four games.
The season will be successful if.....the Nittany Lions win their second Big Ten title in the last five years under James Franklin. If the quarterback play can be a little better, and the passing game can be a little stronger, it’s all there to put together a huge year and – maybe – finally get to the College Football Playoff.
==============================
3. Michigan
Be excited about....the running backs and receivers are going to be terrific. Nico Collins is as potentially good as any receiver in the conference, and Zach Charbonnet leads a great group of backs. The D that finished 11th in the nation should be every bit as strong.
Be concerned about.....the quarterback play. It's not asking for too much of an upgrade after the Shea Patterson era, but Joe Milton and Dylan McCaffrey have to prove it. The Michigan passing game shouldn't be hitting just 56% of its passes like it did last year.
The season will be successful if....Michigan beats Ohio State. A Big Ten title would be nice, and a trip to the College Football Playoff wouldn’t be without its charm, but … beat Ohio State already. As long as the Wolverines are at least going into that final weekend against the Buckeyes with the puck on their stick for a shot at the Big Ten East, that’s realistically good enough – even if it’s really not.
================================
4. Wisconsin
Be excited about .....a defense that's going to be KILLER. Fourth in the nation last year, the Badger D is about to be every bit as strong as long as the pass rushers emerge right away. The secondary and the front three will be as strong as any outside of what Ohio State and Michigan are bringing.
Be concerned about....the running backs?! Nah, but it's going to be asking a lot of star recruit Jalen Berger to be Jonathan Taylor right away. The downfield passing game needs to open things up a bit more after averaging fewer than 12 yards per completion.
The season will be successful if.....the Badgers win the Big Ten West again. There won't be enough in the bag to take down whatever comes out of the East, but it's Wisconsin. It's supposed to play for the Big Ten title.
=================================
5. Minnesota
Be excited about.....a passing game that's the real deal. Tanner Morgan is going to be among the nation's most efficient quarterbacks again, Rashod Bateman will be one of the nation's best receivers again, and Chris Autman-Bell will have a massive year with a bigger role.
Be concerned about....the defensive front that couldn't get into the backfield enough. The sacks were there from time to time, but there weren't enough tackles for loss. It's a decent front seven, but there aren't any brand-name stars to get excited about.....yet.
The season will be a success if....the Gophers do it all again. They might not have enough to win the West, and there won't be an easy non-conference slate to fatten up on like they did last season, but P.J. Fleck's program has to prove that 2019 wasn't quirk.
=================================
6. Iowa
Be excited about.....a passing game that might be a whole lot more fun. It wasn't awful last year, but it should've been dangerous with the parts that were in place. There's enough explosion -- starting with Ihmir Smith-Marsette -- to average more than 229 yards per game.
Be concerned about.....besides the issues within the program this offseason, on the field the team needs to score more. It survived a whole slew of close battles, but it only put up more than 27 points four times. That's where the passing attack should kick in if QB Spencer Petras is ready to be terrific.
The season will be successful if.....the Hawkeyes make a whole lot of noise in the Big Ten West race. They get Wisconsin and Nebraska at home, but road games at Ohio State and Penn State might be too much to hope for a division title.
===================================
7. Michigan State
Be excited about.....Mel Tucker bringing in a fresh dose of enthusiasm. The Mark Dantonio era had turned a tad stale after two straight 7-6 seasons, and now the Spartans have their guy who knows defenses. He’s inheriting a potentially amazing back seven.
Be concerned about....the offense that’s been a fat load of yuck over the last two years. The attack wasn’t as bad the second half of 2018 version, but it wasn’t terribly far off. MSU managed 14 points or fewer in nine of its last 20 games.
The season will be successful if.....Tucker gets the Spartans to a bowl game and beats either Ohio State, Penn State or Michigan along the way. His one year at Colorado was underwhelming, but coming up with one giant win and getting MSU to a bowl game would be a great first run.
===================================
8. Nebraska
Be excited about....the offense that should finally start to hum in Year Three under Scott Frost. QB Adrian Martinez only seems like he's been around since the Frank Solich era, and RB Dedrick Mills is a good one. It would've been nice if JD Spielman didn't bolt for TCU, but the explosion is there.
Be concerned about....the lines that are just okay. The offensive front is fine, but it doesn't have a ton of brand-name killers and it gave up way too many plays in the backfield. The defensive side has to be far, far better against the run.
The season will be successful if.....the Huskers go bowling. The dream was that Frost would be going into this season with the program about to push for College Football Playoff greatness. Just going to a bowl -- heck, just beating Purdue -- would be a good step forward.
=====================================
9. Indiana
Be excited about....an offensive backfield that won’t be the best in the Big Ten, but it’s going to be terrific. Michael Penix has the talent to be one of the league’s new star quarterback, and RB Stevie Scott will be an all-around playmaker. The receiving corps isn’t bad either.
Be concerned about....the rushing offense that has to be more consistent. Scott is great, but the ground attack only got past 200 yards once and was under 100 yards five times – all losses – including in three of the last four games.
The season will be successful if.....the Hoosiers go bowling again. They finally got over the bowl hump under head coach Tom Allen, and lost in brutal fashion to Tennessee in the Gator. It’s going to take a big upset to go bowling, but this team is good enough to do it.
=======================================
10. Northwestern
Be excited about....a defense that’s about to be far better, even though it wasn’t bad. The Wildcats finished 25th in the nation in total defense and didn’t get a lick of help from the offense. This year’s group – starting with the linebacking duo of Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher – will be a killer. But …
Be concerned about....the offensive side that has 15 miles to go to merely be miserable. The Cats averaging fewer than 300 yards per game and only averaged 16 points per outing. The line is a good start, but the skill parts have a massive prove-it factor coming.
The season will be successful if......it's back to a bowl game for the fifth time in six years. 2019 has to be nothing more than a bizarre blip after going to the Big Ten Championship in 2018, but every possible break has to go the right way – like 2018.
=========================================
11. Purdue
Be excited about....a passing game that should go from very good to a whole other level. The Boilermakers led the Big Ten averaging 310 yards per game, and now if the quarterback situation is settled and consistent, Rondale Moore and the receiving corps will make sure the numbers are phenomenal.
Be concerned about....the running game that will be totally blown off from time to time. The passing attack is too good to not keep using, and the defense won’t be good enough to clamp down in what should be shootout after shootout, but being dead last in the Big Ten in rushing again won’t be okay.
The season will be successful if.....the Boilermakers go bowling. It’s the fourth season under Jeff Brohm, and he’s coming off two straight losing seasons. Rutgers, at Illinois, and Northwestern are winnable, but the team has to be good enough to beat a few of the better teams, too.
===========================================
12. Illinois
Be excited about.....enough in the starting 22 to hang around with most teams on the slate. The depth is concerning, and the skill parts are just okay, but the lines are good enough, the special teams should be great, and the defensive back seven will be a plus. But …
Be concerned about....the offense that struggled to consistently get anything going. The Fighting Illini couldn’t go on long drive and averaged just 330 yards per game. Josh Imatorbhebhe is a terrific receiver, but there’s a whole lot of meh around him.
The season will be successful if......the Illini go back to a bowl game. Now the bar has been set. The Lovie Smith era has had enough time to get going to have all the parts he needs in place, and beating Wisconsin and Michigan State showed what’s possible. There’s no taking any steps back now.
=======================================
13. Maryland
Be excited about.....the potential of the passing game. The Terps were disastrous at times through the air last season, but if Josh Jackson can stay in one piece and be more consistent – Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa will likely have to sit a year – the receivers are there for the offense to start moving.
Be concerned about....the secondary. There are a whole lot of concerns and issues going into the season – starting to score again would be nice – but stopping someone’s passing game could be the biggest thing to deal with. The Terps were dead last in the Big Ten in pass defense allowing 271 yards per game.
The season will be successful if....the Terps win three games. That's a BIG ask considering head coach Mike Locksley's career record is 6-40, but there aren't going to be a whole lot of easy wins in whatever the Big Ten-only schedule will be. Rutgers is one, and......?
=====================================
14. Rutgers
Be excited about....new head coach Greg Schiano isn't going to make this too difficult. The Rutgers offense needs to be able to do something right, and it's going to start by pounding away with RB Isaih Pacheco and hope for the defensive front to hold up better. But....
Be concerned about....the offensive line isn't good enough to blast away. The Scarlet Knights were second-to-last in total and scoring offense averaging 273 yards and 13.3 points per game last year. The front five wasn't totally miserable last year, but it needs a redo.
The season will be successful if....it wins three games. That might be a sad goal to shoot for, but with an all-Big Ten schedule, finding one win -- considering the Maryland game will likely be on the road -- would be good, much less three.
Big Ten Preseason Rankings
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
This is NOT a ranking of where the teams are going to end up. This is only based on how good we think the Big Ten teams are going into whatever the 2020 season is going to be.
1. Ohio State
Be excited about....the offensive line. Oh sure, the defense is great again, Justin Fields is sensational, and the holes left by all the guys off to the NFL will be quickly filled -- maybe -- but it's the offensive front that will make it all go. Under-loved throughout last season, it's going to be a rock again.
Be concerned about....Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, JK Dobbins, and the ten Buckeyes who were drafted by the next level types. The Big Ten-only schedule isn't bad outside of a game at Penn State -- missing the trip to Oregon is huge -- but losing all that talent hurts no matter who you are.
The season will be a success if.....the Buckeyes play for the national title. There's going to be a whole lot of awesome on the other side of the field in the College Football Playoff National Championship no matter who gets there. After coming so close to playing for the whole ball of wax, getting there will be the proverbial next step forward.
============================
2. Penn State
Be excited about....a defensive front seven that’s going to be something sensational. There aren’t any major holes on a team good enough to win the Big Ten – it gets Ohio State in Happy Valley – but whatever problems there are will get covered up Micah Parsons, Shaka Toney, and the guys up front. Okay, but …
Be concerned about....a defense that finished seventh in the nation in sacks, but didn’t do enough to help the pass defense down the stretch. The Nittany Lions were hit for 252 yards per game including 339 or more in three of the last four games.
The season will be successful if.....the Nittany Lions win their second Big Ten title in the last five years under James Franklin. If the quarterback play can be a little better, and the passing game can be a little stronger, it’s all there to put together a huge year and – maybe – finally get to the College Football Playoff.
==============================
3. Michigan
Be excited about....the running backs and receivers are going to be terrific. Nico Collins is as potentially good as any receiver in the conference, and Zach Charbonnet leads a great group of backs. The D that finished 11th in the nation should be every bit as strong.
Be concerned about.....the quarterback play. It's not asking for too much of an upgrade after the Shea Patterson era, but Joe Milton and Dylan McCaffrey have to prove it. The Michigan passing game shouldn't be hitting just 56% of its passes like it did last year.
The season will be successful if....Michigan beats Ohio State. A Big Ten title would be nice, and a trip to the College Football Playoff wouldn’t be without its charm, but … beat Ohio State already. As long as the Wolverines are at least going into that final weekend against the Buckeyes with the puck on their stick for a shot at the Big Ten East, that’s realistically good enough – even if it’s really not.
================================
4. Wisconsin
Be excited about .....a defense that's going to be KILLER. Fourth in the nation last year, the Badger D is about to be every bit as strong as long as the pass rushers emerge right away. The secondary and the front three will be as strong as any outside of what Ohio State and Michigan are bringing.
Be concerned about....the running backs?! Nah, but it's going to be asking a lot of star recruit Jalen Berger to be Jonathan Taylor right away. The downfield passing game needs to open things up a bit more after averaging fewer than 12 yards per completion.
The season will be successful if.....the Badgers win the Big Ten West again. There won't be enough in the bag to take down whatever comes out of the East, but it's Wisconsin. It's supposed to play for the Big Ten title.
=================================
5. Minnesota
Be excited about.....a passing game that's the real deal. Tanner Morgan is going to be among the nation's most efficient quarterbacks again, Rashod Bateman will be one of the nation's best receivers again, and Chris Autman-Bell will have a massive year with a bigger role.
Be concerned about....the defensive front that couldn't get into the backfield enough. The sacks were there from time to time, but there weren't enough tackles for loss. It's a decent front seven, but there aren't any brand-name stars to get excited about.....yet.
The season will be a success if....the Gophers do it all again. They might not have enough to win the West, and there won't be an easy non-conference slate to fatten up on like they did last season, but P.J. Fleck's program has to prove that 2019 wasn't quirk.
=================================
6. Iowa
Be excited about.....a passing game that might be a whole lot more fun. It wasn't awful last year, but it should've been dangerous with the parts that were in place. There's enough explosion -- starting with Ihmir Smith-Marsette -- to average more than 229 yards per game.
Be concerned about.....besides the issues within the program this offseason, on the field the team needs to score more. It survived a whole slew of close battles, but it only put up more than 27 points four times. That's where the passing attack should kick in if QB Spencer Petras is ready to be terrific.
The season will be successful if.....the Hawkeyes make a whole lot of noise in the Big Ten West race. They get Wisconsin and Nebraska at home, but road games at Ohio State and Penn State might be too much to hope for a division title.
===================================
7. Michigan State
Be excited about.....Mel Tucker bringing in a fresh dose of enthusiasm. The Mark Dantonio era had turned a tad stale after two straight 7-6 seasons, and now the Spartans have their guy who knows defenses. He’s inheriting a potentially amazing back seven.
Be concerned about....the offense that’s been a fat load of yuck over the last two years. The attack wasn’t as bad the second half of 2018 version, but it wasn’t terribly far off. MSU managed 14 points or fewer in nine of its last 20 games.
The season will be successful if.....Tucker gets the Spartans to a bowl game and beats either Ohio State, Penn State or Michigan along the way. His one year at Colorado was underwhelming, but coming up with one giant win and getting MSU to a bowl game would be a great first run.
===================================
8. Nebraska
Be excited about....the offense that should finally start to hum in Year Three under Scott Frost. QB Adrian Martinez only seems like he's been around since the Frank Solich era, and RB Dedrick Mills is a good one. It would've been nice if JD Spielman didn't bolt for TCU, but the explosion is there.
Be concerned about....the lines that are just okay. The offensive front is fine, but it doesn't have a ton of brand-name killers and it gave up way too many plays in the backfield. The defensive side has to be far, far better against the run.
The season will be successful if.....the Huskers go bowling. The dream was that Frost would be going into this season with the program about to push for College Football Playoff greatness. Just going to a bowl -- heck, just beating Purdue -- would be a good step forward.
=====================================
9. Indiana
Be excited about....an offensive backfield that won’t be the best in the Big Ten, but it’s going to be terrific. Michael Penix has the talent to be one of the league’s new star quarterback, and RB Stevie Scott will be an all-around playmaker. The receiving corps isn’t bad either.
Be concerned about....the rushing offense that has to be more consistent. Scott is great, but the ground attack only got past 200 yards once and was under 100 yards five times – all losses – including in three of the last four games.
The season will be successful if.....the Hoosiers go bowling again. They finally got over the bowl hump under head coach Tom Allen, and lost in brutal fashion to Tennessee in the Gator. It’s going to take a big upset to go bowling, but this team is good enough to do it.
=======================================
10. Northwestern
Be excited about....a defense that’s about to be far better, even though it wasn’t bad. The Wildcats finished 25th in the nation in total defense and didn’t get a lick of help from the offense. This year’s group – starting with the linebacking duo of Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher – will be a killer. But …
Be concerned about....the offensive side that has 15 miles to go to merely be miserable. The Cats averaging fewer than 300 yards per game and only averaged 16 points per outing. The line is a good start, but the skill parts have a massive prove-it factor coming.
The season will be successful if......it's back to a bowl game for the fifth time in six years. 2019 has to be nothing more than a bizarre blip after going to the Big Ten Championship in 2018, but every possible break has to go the right way – like 2018.
=========================================
11. Purdue
Be excited about....a passing game that should go from very good to a whole other level. The Boilermakers led the Big Ten averaging 310 yards per game, and now if the quarterback situation is settled and consistent, Rondale Moore and the receiving corps will make sure the numbers are phenomenal.
Be concerned about....the running game that will be totally blown off from time to time. The passing attack is too good to not keep using, and the defense won’t be good enough to clamp down in what should be shootout after shootout, but being dead last in the Big Ten in rushing again won’t be okay.
The season will be successful if.....the Boilermakers go bowling. It’s the fourth season under Jeff Brohm, and he’s coming off two straight losing seasons. Rutgers, at Illinois, and Northwestern are winnable, but the team has to be good enough to beat a few of the better teams, too.
===========================================
12. Illinois
Be excited about.....enough in the starting 22 to hang around with most teams on the slate. The depth is concerning, and the skill parts are just okay, but the lines are good enough, the special teams should be great, and the defensive back seven will be a plus. But …
Be concerned about....the offense that struggled to consistently get anything going. The Fighting Illini couldn’t go on long drive and averaged just 330 yards per game. Josh Imatorbhebhe is a terrific receiver, but there’s a whole lot of meh around him.
The season will be successful if......the Illini go back to a bowl game. Now the bar has been set. The Lovie Smith era has had enough time to get going to have all the parts he needs in place, and beating Wisconsin and Michigan State showed what’s possible. There’s no taking any steps back now.
=======================================
13. Maryland
Be excited about.....the potential of the passing game. The Terps were disastrous at times through the air last season, but if Josh Jackson can stay in one piece and be more consistent – Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa will likely have to sit a year – the receivers are there for the offense to start moving.
Be concerned about....the secondary. There are a whole lot of concerns and issues going into the season – starting to score again would be nice – but stopping someone’s passing game could be the biggest thing to deal with. The Terps were dead last in the Big Ten in pass defense allowing 271 yards per game.
The season will be successful if....the Terps win three games. That's a BIG ask considering head coach Mike Locksley's career record is 6-40, but there aren't going to be a whole lot of easy wins in whatever the Big Ten-only schedule will be. Rutgers is one, and......?
=====================================
14. Rutgers
Be excited about....new head coach Greg Schiano isn't going to make this too difficult. The Rutgers offense needs to be able to do something right, and it's going to start by pounding away with RB Isaih Pacheco and hope for the defensive front to hold up better. But....
Be concerned about....the offensive line isn't good enough to blast away. The Scarlet Knights were second-to-last in total and scoring offense averaging 273 yards and 13.3 points per game last year. The front five wasn't totally miserable last year, but it needs a redo.
The season will be successful if....it wins three games. That might be a sad goal to shoot for, but with an all-Big Ten schedule, finding one win -- considering the Maryland game will likely be on the road -- would be good, much less three.
