College Football
Much like the SEC, the Big Ten is also known for being tough, physical and talented as well. This upcoming season, the Big Ten East is set to be competitive and physically demanding in every aspect. Without adding insult to injury you could say the Big Ten East is superior to the West.
A Look Ahead
This upcoming season, the Big Ten East is a three team race. Penn State and Ohio State are the top two contenders. However, don’t count Michigan out. In the Big Ten East, the talent is stacked and the recruiting trails of multiple programs are showing the future is bright.
This season you can expect the big games to live up to all the hype. On the other hand, you can also expect a trap game here and there. Coming off of the 2018 signing period, Penn State had a top-five class nationally and second in the Big Ten East only to Ohio State. However, based off depth charts and returning players, expect for a couple surprises this season.
Recruiting
This year, three Big Ten East teams finished in the top-25 in recruiting nationally. Ohio State comes in at No. 2 while Penn State finished with the No. 5 class in the nation. Furthermore, this is the first time Penn State finished in the top -five in recruiting since 2006. On the other hand, Michigan finished at No. 21 which speaks volume on how big recruiting is in the Big Ten East.
However, when you look at the top-50, you’ll see a mixture of Big Ten teams from both the East and West divisions. To be exact, The Big Ten East: Maryland No. 28, Michigan State No. 32. Big Ten West: Nebraska No. 22, Minnesota No. 38, Iowa No. 41, Wisconsin No. 44 and Indiana No. 49.
The Talent In Existence
The Big Ten East currently has a ton of talent stacked at most positions like I’ve previously stated. However, compared to years past, they also have an unprecedented number of Heisman trophy candidates. In fact, four players that are Heisman candidates are committed to programs in the Big Ten East. Trace McSorley, Shea Patterson (QB, Michigan), Dwayne Haskins (QB, Ohio State), Nick Bosa (DE, Ohio State).
Let me be very clear, some of these guys will fall out of the running but just to add a little sweetness Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor is also a favorite and his odds are tied with McSorley at 14/1. Now let’s dive into a little bit about the teams in the Big Ten East and how this season plays out.
Penn State Football
I’m far from a biased fan. I look at each team with the talent they have and are coming in with. Penn State has the most unique team this year in the Big Ten East. What I mean by that is simple: they have talent coming in and they have young experienced talent going to step up. Trace McSorley will lead the charge in his last season, however, Tommy Stevens is a backup QB that’ll be in “the Lion” position and that adds a lethal weapon in the arsenal of Penn State.
Penn State also has a few games in which they’ll need to legitimately win to prove to the committee they’re worth a spot in the College Football Playoff and one of those games is week two at Pitt in prime time. Pitt is a solid opponent for the Nittany Lions and will be their first test before the Big Ten opener at Illinois. I have big expectations this year for them and they have the talent to prove it.
Ohio State Football
The Buckeyes are coming into this season with the best-ranked recruiting class in the Big Ten East. However, the Buckeyes will come into their first season without star QB J.T Barrett. This season, the job will come down to Tate Martell and Dwayne Haskins. There are characteristics that separate both men, such as Haskins seeing the field last year and not Martell. Martell was also a red-shirt freshman last season.
Expect the Buckeyes to be tough this year. They’re always tough and always in the conversation for the College Football Playoff. With Urban Meyer at the helm, recruiting will always be a top priority but being in the thick of things in the Big Ten East will be a priority. However, this maybe a year the Buckeyes finish in second behind Penn State due to the QB situation and the fact that Penn State has been neck and neck with them the past two years.
Michigan Football
This season, Michigan football will see some positions try to establish and maintain their success. One position that is poised to do that is the secondary with Lavert Hill and David Long. However, their depth is far more than that as they have about six or so players who have experience under their belt and were rated .890 or higher at the position.
On the other hand, the Wolverines need to find a replacement at Linebacker for Mike McCray. However, when you are a team like Michigan and like most teams in the Big Ten East you can recruit. Although McCray is no longer there, Michigan has a nice solid depth chart for suitable replacements. Those include Noah Furbush, Michael Wroblewski and Devin Gil along with Josh Uche, who are upperclassmen. The biggest question for the Wolverines, though, is focused on offense and at the quarterback position. Ole Miss transfer Shea Patterson is eligible for this upcoming season. The downside, however, is that he has only started ten college games. Head coach Jim Harbaugh also has at his expense third-year sophomore Brandon Peters, redshirt freshman Dylan McCaffrey and true freshman Joe Milton. Harbaugh has stated the position is open and up for grabs.
Prediction in Standings
Again this is me being completely unbiased but here are my standings: Penn State finishes first, Ohio State second, Michigan third, Michigan State fourth, Maryland fifth and Rutgers last. based off overall talent and incoming recruiting class, Penn State has the unique arsenal to get it done. They’ve beaten both Michigan and Ohio State in the past and they also have proven they can hang in the game with them. Likewise, I can see both Penn State and Ohio State making the College Football Playoff this year.
People may also be asking about Michigan State, Rutgers and Maryland and the truth is the Big Ten East this year is a three-team race headlined by Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan. On the other hand, don’t be surprised if Michigan State plays a huge role in games this year because they will.
Conclusion
While this is a three-team race, trap games and the unexpected may and likely will happen. Just physically looking at paper talent, experience and recruitment, this is solely a three-team race with excitement and bold moments ahead. Penn State is by far the unique team to me since they’ll have receivers and other people that are going to step up but have experience in the process. Ohio State does have the tools; however, not having that one solid quarterback can be the difference. Michigan has been getting better but can they prevail? Only time will tell.
One thing we call all agree on is that the Big Ten East will be tough and physical and bold and unpredictable moments.
You can follow Tom Johnston on twitter @TJ22_psu
