The number of returning starters/players, especially at QB, is one of the strongest indications of a season's likely success. If you want the details of how Steele puts together his experience rankings, you should buy his magazine. I find his process persuasive, though, so I want to look at how our schedule stacks up:
Nebraska = #8 in the B1G; #69 in the country (#11 surprise team for 2015)
BYU = #2 of 3 independents; #75 in the country (before losing their starting RB)
South Alabama = N/A
@ Miami = #8 in the ACC; #100 in the country (#1 most-improved and #14 surprise team for 2015)
Southern Miss = #4 in the CUSA; #21 in the country
@ Illinois = #4 in the B1G; #41 in the country
Wisconsin = #11 in the B1G; #94 in the country (#4 surprise team for 2015)
@ Minnesota = #6 in the B1G; #59 in the country
Northwestern = #9 in the B1G; #82 in the country (#8 most-improved team for 2015)
@ Purdue = #5 in the B1G; #50 in the country
Michigan State = #1 in the B1G; #27 in the country
@ Rutgers = #14 in the B1G; #112 in the country
Iowa = #12 in the B1G; #98 in the country
@ Ohio State {CCG} = #2 in the B1G; #30 in the country (consensus pre-season #1 team)
Thoughts on these rankings:
Mike Riley could hardly have asked for a better starting schedule than this; he has an excellent opportunity to show in his first year how much more he can get out of all the talent he's inherited.
BYU returns a dangerous QB, but he doesn't have the same surrounding quality the Cougars had in 2013-2014. Given the stakes, this is a game we should win by double-digits at home.
Miami isn't particularly well-coached, and their own lack of experience will hurt them. As Steele notes, though, they could be significantly improved talent-wise - and they'll be playing us at home with a veteran QB and a real chip on their shoulder. This feels to me like the biggest toss-up game of the year for us.
All the key advantages will be on our side vs. Wisconsin this year; we should win that one handily. Minnesota clearly returns enough players to make for our strongest trap-game danger on the road, especially if we're coming off of a big post-Wisconsin high. But don't sleep on underrated Northwestern: their spread attack will be a big test for Banker.
Michigan State is a legit national-title contender, led by a veteran QB and monster lines on both sides. Iowa, however, is cratering quickly, and they shouldn't give us too much trouble at home.
Based on talent alone, this team should go a minimum of 9-3 and win the B1G West.
Nebraska = #8 in the B1G; #69 in the country (#11 surprise team for 2015)
BYU = #2 of 3 independents; #75 in the country (before losing their starting RB)
South Alabama = N/A
@ Miami = #8 in the ACC; #100 in the country (#1 most-improved and #14 surprise team for 2015)
Southern Miss = #4 in the CUSA; #21 in the country
@ Illinois = #4 in the B1G; #41 in the country
Wisconsin = #11 in the B1G; #94 in the country (#4 surprise team for 2015)
@ Minnesota = #6 in the B1G; #59 in the country
Northwestern = #9 in the B1G; #82 in the country (#8 most-improved team for 2015)
@ Purdue = #5 in the B1G; #50 in the country
Michigan State = #1 in the B1G; #27 in the country
@ Rutgers = #14 in the B1G; #112 in the country
Iowa = #12 in the B1G; #98 in the country
@ Ohio State {CCG} = #2 in the B1G; #30 in the country (consensus pre-season #1 team)
Thoughts on these rankings:
Mike Riley could hardly have asked for a better starting schedule than this; he has an excellent opportunity to show in his first year how much more he can get out of all the talent he's inherited.
BYU returns a dangerous QB, but he doesn't have the same surrounding quality the Cougars had in 2013-2014. Given the stakes, this is a game we should win by double-digits at home.
Miami isn't particularly well-coached, and their own lack of experience will hurt them. As Steele notes, though, they could be significantly improved talent-wise - and they'll be playing us at home with a veteran QB and a real chip on their shoulder. This feels to me like the biggest toss-up game of the year for us.
All the key advantages will be on our side vs. Wisconsin this year; we should win that one handily. Minnesota clearly returns enough players to make for our strongest trap-game danger on the road, especially if we're coming off of a big post-Wisconsin high. But don't sleep on underrated Northwestern: their spread attack will be a big test for Banker.
Michigan State is a legit national-title contender, led by a veteran QB and monster lines on both sides. Iowa, however, is cratering quickly, and they shouldn't give us too much trouble at home.
Based on talent alone, this team should go a minimum of 9-3 and win the B1G West.
