Link: https://theathletic.com/2147435/202...-awards-conference-championship-expert-picks/
After months of delays, planning and preparation, the Big Ten will finally kick off its 2020 season this weekend with No. 14 Wisconsin hosting Illinois on Friday and six more games on Saturday.
Each of the league’s 14 teams is scheduled to play eight games — all of which against fellow Big Ten opponents — with a ninth game played on conference championship weekend against the corresponding cross-division opponent in the standings. Though the plan is to pit the East Division’s No. 2 team against the West’s No. 2, the East’s No. 3 against the West’s No. 3 and so on, the pairings will be managed to avoid repeat matchups.
The third iteration of the 2020 Big Ten slate leaves no room for makeup dates before College Football Playoff Selection Day (Dec. 20) should a game need to be postponed due to COVID-19. It’s a big ask considering the wave of postponements and cancelations around the sport in recent weeks, but league decision-makers are optimistic that it can safely work with the strict protocols the conference has put in place.
With opening weekend fast approaching, The Athletic’s Big Ten experts offered their predictions for what’s sure to be a wild 2020 season.
Predicted Order of Finish
EAST
1. Ohio State (15)
2. Penn State
3. Michigan
4. Indiana
5. Michigan State
6. Maryland
7. Rutgers
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
1. Ohio State
The only returning Heisman Trophy finalist from 2019 resides in Columbus, Ohio, and many here feel like Justin Fields is about to embark on the finest quarterback season anyone has ever had at Ohio State — adjusted for the number of games, of course. Head coach Ryan Day labeled this team a “once-in-a-lifetime” group back when the season was initially canceled, er, postponed. There are questions on the defensive side, where the Buckeyes lose three first-round draft picks and have a new coordinator, but the cupboard is never bare and the expectations never change: It’s Big Ten four-peat and a College Football Playoff berth, or bust. After losing to Clemson in the semifinals last year, the goal is to finish the job in 2020. — Bill Landis
2. Penn State
Linebacker Micah Parsons is training for the NFL after opting out, but Penn State still returns some star power even without its best player. Quarterback Sean Clifford is back for his second season as starter but will be working with new offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. Ciarrocca’s system should highlight tight end Pat Freiermuth and a deep group of running backs. They’ll need to improve the receiving corps, but with plenty of returning production on defense, there’s reason to believe this team can be as good as it was last season. — Audrey Snyder
3. Michigan
Ranked No. 18 by the AP, Michigan enters the season with a new quarterback and less buzz than in recent years under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Is that a good thing for the Wolverines? Their schedule hinges on tough crossover games against the Big Ten West, starting with the season opener at Minnesota. Defensive ends Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson are the leaders of Michigan’s defense and two of the Big Ten’s best players. If quarterback Joe Milton is as good as advertised, the Wolverines should be competitive with Penn State, Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten’s second tier. — Austin Meek
4. Indiana
Indiana is living in a new world: One with expectations. The Hoosiers return starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and their top two playmakers in Stevie Scott and Whop Philyor on top of an overall deep and experienced unit. Fresh off an eight-win season, coach Tom Allen has the depth he’s been craving, and now he has stars. But can IU survive an all-Big Ten slate? Can the offense keep rolling with Nick Sheridan replacing offensive coordinator Kalen Deboer? Indiana needs to answer these questions if it wants to prove it has staying power in the Big Ten East. — Brody Miller
5. Michigan State
Mark Dantonio is out, Mel Tucker is in. That’s the storyline at Michigan State — a school under new management for the first time in 13 years. Expect a re-tooling of sorts in East Lansing early on, as the new coaching staff works to install its schemes and find players who fit their style of play. Still, Tucker’s arrival is a breath of fresh air for a Michigan State program in desperate need of a spark. We’ll see what comes of it in Year 1. — Colton Pouncy
6. Maryland
The biggest positives for Maryland’s program have come in the form of some better than normal results in the recruiting realm. Though the Terrapins should have a solid quarterback from Taulia Tagovailoa, they play in the toughest division in college football and head coach Mike Locksley may have a hard time topping 2019’s three-win total. — Ari Wasserman
7. Rutgers
The return of Greg Schiano has energized both the Rutgers fan base and recruits in the state of New Jersey, but it’s been a challenging offseason to say the least. The new staff was unable to hold spring practices and then had to navigate a coronavirus outbreak that shut down the entire program at one point. If Schiano is able to work his magic again and turn Rutgers into a regular bowl participant, it was always going to take some time. This might be a tougher Year 1 than anyone could have predicted, however. — Nicole Auerbach
WEST
1. Wisconsin (9)
2. Minnesota (4)
3. Cockeye (2)
4. Nebraska
5. Purdue
6. Northwestern
7. Illinois
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
1. Wisconsin
Wisconsin has been the most consistent Big Ten West team by far, winning the division four times since the alignment debuted in 2014. There’s little reason to believe the Badgers won’t contend again in 2020 despite plenty of offensive turnover that includes the departure of tailback Jonathan Taylor and receiver Quintez Cephus. Redshirt freshman Graham Mertz, the highest-rated Badgers quarterback signee in the online ranking era, has his chance after stepping in for an injured Jack Coan. — Jesse Temple
2. Minnesota
Second-team All-Big Ten quarterback Tanner Morgan is back. Big Ten receiver of the year Rashod Bateman is back. The entire O-line is back. Want us to keep going? The Gophers boast more than enough proven pieces to show that last year’s 11-win season was no fluke, and they should once again challenge for the West division crown, provided they can avoid the slow starts they usually have (without the benefit of nonconference play). In that vein, it’s worth watching from the get-go how quickly the offense adjusts to new play-caller Mike Sanford, who replaces longtime P.J. Fleck aide Kirk Ciarrocca. There are a handful of young faces taking on bigger roles on defense, too. — Matt Fortuna
3. Cockeye
At first blush, there are plenty of reasons to overlook Cockeye. The Cockeyes lost three-year starting quarterback Nate Stanley, first-round offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, a powerful pass rusher in A.J. Epenesa and a pair of talented defensive backs. Those departures will hurt, but outside of Epenesa, the Cockeyes have capable replacements. The high-profile racial probe during the summer seems to have brought the players closer together rather than tear the program apart. Cockeye should be competitive as usual but how quarterback Spencer Petras and the pass rush perform will dictate whether the Cockeyes are good or championship caliber. — Scott Dochterman
4. Nebraska
The hope for the Huskers is that the most experienced and talented offensive line since the Bo Pelini era leads the way for Scott Frost’s system to show the kind of explosiveness that marked the play of his teams at previous coaching stops. QB Adrian Martinez, if healthy, can return to form that as a freshman in 2018 made him the darling of the Big Ten West. A versatile, veteran secondary headlines the defense, which must find a way to get better against the run. — Mitch Sherman
5. Purdue
The Boilermakers have a lot of young and exciting playmakers, but the headliner is obvious: It’s Rondale Moore, who missed most of last season with an injury and initially opted out of the season to prepare for the NFL draft. His decision to opt back in after the league announced an October start date could potentially change the West race. Let’s hope Purdue doesn’t get bit badly by the injury bug once again this fall. — Nicole Auerbach
6. Northwestern
Peyton Ramsey and Mike Bajakian give Northwestern what it sorely lacked last season: a proven quarterback and play-caller, respectively. If the Wildcats can improve even modestly in the passing game, last year’s 3-9 campaign will become a distant memory very quickly. The running game was decent enough in a one-dimensional offense last year, and the defense is generally stout, although the recent opt-outs of lineman Samdup Miller and safety Travis Whillock — in addition to left tackle Rashawn Slater declaring for the draft — are not insignificant. — Matt Fortuna
7. Illinois
Last season, Illinois upset then-No. 6 Wisconsin, kicking off a four-game win streak in the Big Ten after only winning four conference games in Lovie Smith’s first three seasons guiding the program. Illinois, of course, showed signs of growth and quarterback Brandon Peters should be solid, but the next step — finishing with a winning record — won’t be easy in a truncated, Big Ten-only schedule. — Ari Wasserman
Big Ten Champion
Ohio State over Wisconsin (9)
Ohio State over Minnesota (4)
Ohio State over Cockeye (2)
===========================
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Others Receiving Votes: (none)
Defensive Player of the Year: DE George Karlaftis, Purdue
Others Receiving Votes: CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State; DE Kwity Paye, Michigan; LB Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin; LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
Breakout Player: QB Graham Mertz, Wisconsin
Others Receiving Votes: QB Michael Penix Jr, Indiana; QB Joe Milton, Michigan; DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State; DE Zach Harrison, Ohio State; WR/KR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Cockeye; RB Nakia Watson, Wisconsin
Freshman to Watch: WR Rakim Jarrett, Maryland
Others to Watch: QB Graham Mertz, Wisconsin; WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State; WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State; OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Sleeper Team: Purdue
Others to Watch: Northwestern, Indiana, Cockeye, Minnesota, Penn State
After months of delays, planning and preparation, the Big Ten will finally kick off its 2020 season this weekend with No. 14 Wisconsin hosting Illinois on Friday and six more games on Saturday.
Each of the league’s 14 teams is scheduled to play eight games — all of which against fellow Big Ten opponents — with a ninth game played on conference championship weekend against the corresponding cross-division opponent in the standings. Though the plan is to pit the East Division’s No. 2 team against the West’s No. 2, the East’s No. 3 against the West’s No. 3 and so on, the pairings will be managed to avoid repeat matchups.
The third iteration of the 2020 Big Ten slate leaves no room for makeup dates before College Football Playoff Selection Day (Dec. 20) should a game need to be postponed due to COVID-19. It’s a big ask considering the wave of postponements and cancelations around the sport in recent weeks, but league decision-makers are optimistic that it can safely work with the strict protocols the conference has put in place.
With opening weekend fast approaching, The Athletic’s Big Ten experts offered their predictions for what’s sure to be a wild 2020 season.
Predicted Order of Finish
EAST
1. Ohio State (15)
2. Penn State
3. Michigan
4. Indiana
5. Michigan State
6. Maryland
7. Rutgers
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
1. Ohio State
The only returning Heisman Trophy finalist from 2019 resides in Columbus, Ohio, and many here feel like Justin Fields is about to embark on the finest quarterback season anyone has ever had at Ohio State — adjusted for the number of games, of course. Head coach Ryan Day labeled this team a “once-in-a-lifetime” group back when the season was initially canceled, er, postponed. There are questions on the defensive side, where the Buckeyes lose three first-round draft picks and have a new coordinator, but the cupboard is never bare and the expectations never change: It’s Big Ten four-peat and a College Football Playoff berth, or bust. After losing to Clemson in the semifinals last year, the goal is to finish the job in 2020. — Bill Landis
2. Penn State
Linebacker Micah Parsons is training for the NFL after opting out, but Penn State still returns some star power even without its best player. Quarterback Sean Clifford is back for his second season as starter but will be working with new offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. Ciarrocca’s system should highlight tight end Pat Freiermuth and a deep group of running backs. They’ll need to improve the receiving corps, but with plenty of returning production on defense, there’s reason to believe this team can be as good as it was last season. — Audrey Snyder
3. Michigan
Ranked No. 18 by the AP, Michigan enters the season with a new quarterback and less buzz than in recent years under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Is that a good thing for the Wolverines? Their schedule hinges on tough crossover games against the Big Ten West, starting with the season opener at Minnesota. Defensive ends Kwity Paye and Aidan Hutchinson are the leaders of Michigan’s defense and two of the Big Ten’s best players. If quarterback Joe Milton is as good as advertised, the Wolverines should be competitive with Penn State, Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten’s second tier. — Austin Meek
4. Indiana
Indiana is living in a new world: One with expectations. The Hoosiers return starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and their top two playmakers in Stevie Scott and Whop Philyor on top of an overall deep and experienced unit. Fresh off an eight-win season, coach Tom Allen has the depth he’s been craving, and now he has stars. But can IU survive an all-Big Ten slate? Can the offense keep rolling with Nick Sheridan replacing offensive coordinator Kalen Deboer? Indiana needs to answer these questions if it wants to prove it has staying power in the Big Ten East. — Brody Miller
5. Michigan State
Mark Dantonio is out, Mel Tucker is in. That’s the storyline at Michigan State — a school under new management for the first time in 13 years. Expect a re-tooling of sorts in East Lansing early on, as the new coaching staff works to install its schemes and find players who fit their style of play. Still, Tucker’s arrival is a breath of fresh air for a Michigan State program in desperate need of a spark. We’ll see what comes of it in Year 1. — Colton Pouncy
6. Maryland
The biggest positives for Maryland’s program have come in the form of some better than normal results in the recruiting realm. Though the Terrapins should have a solid quarterback from Taulia Tagovailoa, they play in the toughest division in college football and head coach Mike Locksley may have a hard time topping 2019’s three-win total. — Ari Wasserman
7. Rutgers
The return of Greg Schiano has energized both the Rutgers fan base and recruits in the state of New Jersey, but it’s been a challenging offseason to say the least. The new staff was unable to hold spring practices and then had to navigate a coronavirus outbreak that shut down the entire program at one point. If Schiano is able to work his magic again and turn Rutgers into a regular bowl participant, it was always going to take some time. This might be a tougher Year 1 than anyone could have predicted, however. — Nicole Auerbach
WEST
1. Wisconsin (9)
2. Minnesota (4)
3. Cockeye (2)
4. Nebraska
5. Purdue
6. Northwestern
7. Illinois
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
1. Wisconsin
Wisconsin has been the most consistent Big Ten West team by far, winning the division four times since the alignment debuted in 2014. There’s little reason to believe the Badgers won’t contend again in 2020 despite plenty of offensive turnover that includes the departure of tailback Jonathan Taylor and receiver Quintez Cephus. Redshirt freshman Graham Mertz, the highest-rated Badgers quarterback signee in the online ranking era, has his chance after stepping in for an injured Jack Coan. — Jesse Temple
2. Minnesota
Second-team All-Big Ten quarterback Tanner Morgan is back. Big Ten receiver of the year Rashod Bateman is back. The entire O-line is back. Want us to keep going? The Gophers boast more than enough proven pieces to show that last year’s 11-win season was no fluke, and they should once again challenge for the West division crown, provided they can avoid the slow starts they usually have (without the benefit of nonconference play). In that vein, it’s worth watching from the get-go how quickly the offense adjusts to new play-caller Mike Sanford, who replaces longtime P.J. Fleck aide Kirk Ciarrocca. There are a handful of young faces taking on bigger roles on defense, too. — Matt Fortuna
3. Cockeye
At first blush, there are plenty of reasons to overlook Cockeye. The Cockeyes lost three-year starting quarterback Nate Stanley, first-round offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, a powerful pass rusher in A.J. Epenesa and a pair of talented defensive backs. Those departures will hurt, but outside of Epenesa, the Cockeyes have capable replacements. The high-profile racial probe during the summer seems to have brought the players closer together rather than tear the program apart. Cockeye should be competitive as usual but how quarterback Spencer Petras and the pass rush perform will dictate whether the Cockeyes are good or championship caliber. — Scott Dochterman
4. Nebraska
The hope for the Huskers is that the most experienced and talented offensive line since the Bo Pelini era leads the way for Scott Frost’s system to show the kind of explosiveness that marked the play of his teams at previous coaching stops. QB Adrian Martinez, if healthy, can return to form that as a freshman in 2018 made him the darling of the Big Ten West. A versatile, veteran secondary headlines the defense, which must find a way to get better against the run. — Mitch Sherman
5. Purdue
The Boilermakers have a lot of young and exciting playmakers, but the headliner is obvious: It’s Rondale Moore, who missed most of last season with an injury and initially opted out of the season to prepare for the NFL draft. His decision to opt back in after the league announced an October start date could potentially change the West race. Let’s hope Purdue doesn’t get bit badly by the injury bug once again this fall. — Nicole Auerbach
6. Northwestern
Peyton Ramsey and Mike Bajakian give Northwestern what it sorely lacked last season: a proven quarterback and play-caller, respectively. If the Wildcats can improve even modestly in the passing game, last year’s 3-9 campaign will become a distant memory very quickly. The running game was decent enough in a one-dimensional offense last year, and the defense is generally stout, although the recent opt-outs of lineman Samdup Miller and safety Travis Whillock — in addition to left tackle Rashawn Slater declaring for the draft — are not insignificant. — Matt Fortuna
7. Illinois
Last season, Illinois upset then-No. 6 Wisconsin, kicking off a four-game win streak in the Big Ten after only winning four conference games in Lovie Smith’s first three seasons guiding the program. Illinois, of course, showed signs of growth and quarterback Brandon Peters should be solid, but the next step — finishing with a winning record — won’t be easy in a truncated, Big Ten-only schedule. — Ari Wasserman
Big Ten Champion
Ohio State over Wisconsin (9)
Ohio State over Minnesota (4)
Ohio State over Cockeye (2)
===========================
Offensive Player of the Year: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Others Receiving Votes: (none)
Defensive Player of the Year: DE George Karlaftis, Purdue
Others Receiving Votes: CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State; DE Kwity Paye, Michigan; LB Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin; LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
Breakout Player: QB Graham Mertz, Wisconsin
Others Receiving Votes: QB Michael Penix Jr, Indiana; QB Joe Milton, Michigan; DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State; DE Zach Harrison, Ohio State; WR/KR Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Cockeye; RB Nakia Watson, Wisconsin
Freshman to Watch: WR Rakim Jarrett, Maryland
Others to Watch: QB Graham Mertz, Wisconsin; WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State; WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State; OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Sleeper Team: Purdue
Others to Watch: Northwestern, Indiana, Cockeye, Minnesota, Penn State
