College Football 2007 Big 10 Preview
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2007 Big 10 Preview
Michigan
It's the 10th year anniversary of Michigan's National Title team of 1997. The Wolverines were close to another last season, starting 11-0 before losses to Ohio State and to USC in the Rose Bowl. Throw in the passings of Bo Schembechler and President Ford, a former Wolverine gridiron star, and it was a memorable season of highs and lows for Michigan football. It was a season of vindication, too, for coach Lloyd Carr, who said one year ago of the 7-5 2005 season, "I don't think there's anybody in this program who wants to go through that kind of season again. I think they'll do everything they're asked to do to make sure it doesn't happen." They did, and the Wolverines are still one of the elite programs in college football.
Michigan had a potent and balanced offense in 2006 averaging 29 points, 175 yards rushing and 195 passing per game. This fall the offense looks to be the strength of the team, with 7 starters returning, including RB Michael Hart and QB Chad Henne. Henne returns for his senior season after passing for 2,508 yards, 61% completions, 22 TDs and 8 picks. Remember that as a sophomore Henne threw 23 TDs, 8 picks for 2,526 yards completing 58% of his passes, and as a freshman in 2004 he threw 25 TDs, 12 picks for 2,743 yards completing 60% of his passes. Isn't this the school that produced Tom Brady?
The running game has senior RB Michael Hart, who ran for 1,562 yards, 4.9 ypc, and 14 TDs. As a sophomore in 2005 he battled injuries and finished with 662 yards, 4.4 ypc. He burst on the scene as a freshman with 1,455 yards, 9 TDs averaging 5.2 yards per carry! This guy is a moose who brings perfect balance to this offense. Senior RBs Max Martin and Kevin Grady (187 yards) provide experienced running back depth, along with sophomore RB Brandon Minor (238). Henne has good targets with speedy junior WR Mario Manningham (703, 9 TDs), 6-foot-3 junior WR Adrian Arrington (544 yards, 8 TDs) and 6-4 sophomore TE Carson Butler. This offense is loaded.
But who will play defense? Defense was the backbone of their 11-0 start, but they lost a ton of talent to the NFL. Junior Nose-tackle Terrance Taylor goes 305-pounds and junior DT Will Johnson anchor what should be a very good line, though not as dominant as 2006 when they allowed 1.9 yards per rush and 43 yards per game! Linebacker has a new looks, with 6-5 senior Shawn Crable joined by JUCO transfer Austin Panter battling for time. Crable has explosive speed and should lead the defense. Still, going 7-1 under the total in Big 10 play again is unlikely with so many defensive losses.
The secondary loses senior CBs Leon Hall and Darnell Hood. This unit allowed 225 yards passing and was shredded by Ohio State and USC. The schedule is manageable with Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon and Penn State coming to the Big House. If they survive much of that, the last two games are the toughest at Wisconsin November 10th and then home against Ohio State. Michigan has lost 5 of the last 6 meetings with the Buckeyes but THIS appears to be the year to end that bad run. This offense is good enough to have them in the national title hunt and they are 4-1 SU, 5-0 ATS their last 5 road games.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin began a new era as Bret Bielema took over as head coach (their former defensive coordinator), and the Badgers were sensational last fall at 12-1 SU, 9-2 ATS allowing 12 points per game! With nine starters returning on offense and seven on defense, you can bet the Badgers are thinking a possible national championship. One thing different about Wisconsin is that they don't play slugfest, old school Big 10-style offense. Offensive coordinator Paul Chryst came over from Oregon State and did a fine job in 2005 and 2006, opening things up. Wisconsin averaged 29 points, 161 yards rushing and 211 passing last season.
The offense returns 9 starters, but needs to find a QB. Senior QB Tyler Donovan (4 TDs, 2 INTs, 564 yards) is the most likely and played well in late season wins over Buffalo and Iowa. Kansas State transfer QB Allan Evridge is also in a mix, a mobile QB with an average arm. Wisconsin was not an explosive passing team, but the talent at wide out for 2007 is outstanding. Senior WR Marcus Randle El, senior WR Paul Hubbard (627 yards), senior WR Luke Swan (595), and junior TE Travis Beckum (team leading 903 yards) are the deepest in the Big 10.
Wisconsin wide receiver Marcus Randle El was expected to step up, but was placed on probation for 18 months after a plea agreement with prosecutors at the end of the 2005 season, so he missed 2006 and is looking to bounce back from a knee injury. Regardless, the talent and depth at wide out for Wisconsin is awesome. The running game has 5-11, 242-pound sophomore P.J. Hill Jr, who exploded for 1,569 yards, 5.0 ypc and 15 TDs! This offense looks loaded.
7 starters return to the defense for co-coordinators Dave Doeren and former Colorado defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz. They allowed just 12 ppg, 114 yards rushing (3.8 ypc) and only 138 yards passing per game! The defensive front has senior T Nick Hayden and senior DT Justin Ostrowski. Punter senior Ken DeBauche was a first team All-Big Ten selection in 2005 and returns. Wisconsin has been great at home, 8-0 SU, 5-2 ATS last season and 19-2 SU, 13-5 ATS the last three years at home.
The Badgers accumulated more victories (31) than any other Big Ten school during the past three seasons. One concern is that last season the schedule was easy, with only one win (Penn State) over a team that won its bowl game. Even in their bowl win over Arkansas, Wisconsin had minus-5 yards rushing! 2007 road games at Penn State, Iowa and Minnesota and home games against Washington State and Michigan will test how good Wisconsin really is.
Penn State
Nobody is laughing anymore! Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions were one of the great stories of 2005, coming out of nowhere to win the Big 10. They finished 11-1 SU, 8-3 ATS, and the only loss was a crazy defeat on the final play at Michigan. Despite a rebuilding campaign in 2006, Penn State went a strong 9-4, allowing 14 ppg, and beat Tennessee in the January 1st Outback bowl, 20-10. The Lions topped the Vols to improve to 16-6 in New Year's bowl games under Paterno, the 80-year-old coach who was recovering from a broken left leg. Paterno broke a shinbone and tore two knee ligaments after a nasty sideline collision at Wisconsin on Nov. 4.
8 starters return on offense and 6 on defense. Senior QB Anthony Morelli returns after throwing for 2,424 yards, 11 TDs and 8 picks. He completed just 54% of his passes, but got better as the season went along. In fact, Morelli excelled in the bowl game by throwing for 197 yards and one touchdown on 14-of-25 passing. A deep, talented receiving corps is back to help him, including
junior WR Derrick Williams (440 yards), junior WR Deon Butler (637 yards), junior Robin Norwood (472 yards) and 6-foot-5 sophomore tight end Andrew Quarless (288 yards). That's all 4 of their top receivers back, so the passing game should be very good.
Left tackle Levi Brown is off to the NFL, but three starters return to an offensive line that ended an inconsistent season on a high note against Tennessee. RB Tony Hunt is gone and his 1,386 yards, so senior RB Rodney Kinlaw (199 yards, 5.1 ypc) has to be a workhorse. The other option is senior RB Austin Scott, who has battled knee injuries. Penn State offensive lineman Elijah Robinson's football career is over after he sustained a neck injury in spring practice. Robinson had been in the running for a starting spot on the line. He had two years of eligibility left. "This is a big loss for the team," Paterno said.
It was not a great offseason, as six Penn State football players, including stars SS Anthony Scirrotto and Justin King, turned themselves in to face charges that they barged into a party and started a violent fight at an off-campus apartment in April. Linebacker Jerome Hayes and defensive tackle Christopher Baker were also among the six players charged. Penn State was 8-3 under the total in 2006 with an inconsistent offense and an awesome defense.
The defense, as usual, was the heart and soul of the team, allowing just 14.4 points per game and 87.5 rushing yards, just 2.8 yards per carry! Two-time All-American linebacker Paul Posluszny is off to the NFL, but 6 starters return overall, including junior LB Dan Connor. The largest concern will be up front, as the defensive line lost three starters. There is talent with former backups junior DT Elijah Robinson and sophomore DT Chris Baker stepping in, along with returning junior DE Chris Rogers.
The secondary is in great shape with the return of sophomore starters junior SS Anthony Scirrotto, junior CB Tony Davis and junior CB Justin King. In the bowl game, Scirrotto grabbed his sixth interception, Davis returned a fumble 88 yards for a touchdown while King limited Tennessee WR Robert Meachem to four catches and 33 yards. Penn State was 0-4 SU/ATS as a dog in 2006, and just 2-3 SU, 1-3 ATS on the road. Of course, at home the Lions are 15-1 SU, 10-5 ATS their last 16! The schedule is favorable, with Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Ohio State coming to Happy Valley and the only tough road contest is at Michigan. The Lions should be in the running for the Big 10 title.
Iowa
The Big 10 is loaded with very good head coaches and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is one of the best. He has led them to two Big Ten championships (2002 & 2004), four January bowl games and three finishes in the nation's top ten. A 22-game home winning streak (broken in 2005). Ferentz and the Hawkeyes are off a frustrating season. The 26-24 loss to Texas in the Alamo Bowl summed up a season of near misses, finishing 6-7. Iowa was a money-burner at 1-11 against the spread! They lost by 3 to Indiana and Wisconsin, and after a 5-1 start, finished 1-6 SU, 0-7 ATS. The last 5 years for Iowa: 11-2, 10-3, 10-2, 7-5 and 6-7. Ferentz was named Big 10 Coach of the Year in 2004 and the fans are hungry for a bounce-back season.
6 starters return on offense. The offense was terrific in 2005, averaging 30 points, 174.7 yards rushing, 4.8 ypc, and 257.8 passing, and strong last season, averaging 23.8 points, 143 yards rushing, 4.3 ypc, and 239 passing. Longtime QB Drew Tate is gone, so they will go with sophomore QB Jake Christensen. Christensen didn't play much, but did get one start as a freshman against Northern Illinois and was outstanding. For the 2006 season, he was 23-of-35 for 285 yards, 65.7%, 2 TDs, 2 picks. If he struggles, freshmen QBs Rick Stanzi and Arvell Nelson are available.
The young QBs won't have to carry the team as the running game is loaded with senior RBs Albert Young (779 yards, 4.4 ypc, 7 TDs) and Damian Sims (664 yards, 5.0 ypc, 6 TDs). The offensive line has some holes to fill, but does return tackle Dace Richardson and guard Rafael Eubanks. There is excellent experience at wide out with 6-foot-3 Junior WR Andy Brodell (724 yards, 18.6 yp catches, 5 TDs) and a pair of talented sophomores in WR Dominique Douglas (49 grabs, 654 yards) and speedy Trey Stross. Look for more from 6-foot-4 junior TE Tony Moeaki.
The defense was very good, allowing 20 points, 3.6 yards per rush and 210 yards passing per game. 8 starters are back. Senior linebackers Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal return, along with senior DE Kenny Iwebema and DE Bryan Mattison. The defensive line returns intact and is expected to be a major strength this season. Two starting defensive backs need to be replaced, and they are searching for a new punter and place kicker. Iowa will play a 12-game regular season schedule that includes six home games, five road games and a season opener at a neutral site. There is no week off during the campaign, and no Michigan or Ohio State on the schedule. Iowa has won 26 of 31 home games and is 32-7 SU, 25-11-2 ATS at home the last five years!
Ohio State
You might say 2006 was the year of the Buckeyes, whipping Notre Dame in a January 2006 bowl, then flying through the 2006 regular season unbeaten. Then came January of 2007 and a disastrous 41-14 loss to Florida in the national championship game as a favorite. Ohio State was outplayed and outcoached, getting outgained by the Gators 370-82. Ouch. A rare opportunity up in smoke! That was a veteran, senior-laden team, too. They lost Heisman winning QB Troy Smith and only 3 starters return on offense, 6 on defense.
You won't recognize this offense. Quarterback is still up in the air, with 6-foot-5 junior QB Todd Boeckman the likely candidate. He completed one more pass last season (3) than WR Ted Ginn Jr. Also in the wings is strong-armed 6-6, 240-pound sophomore Rob Schoenhoft and mobile freshman QB Antonio Henton. Sophomore RB Chris Wells (576 yards, 5.5 ypc) was second in the team in rushing behind Antonio Pittman, who is off to the NFL. With WRs Ginn and Antonio Gonzalez also gone, that paves the way for 6-3 sophomore WR Brian Hartline (256 yards) and 6-3 junior WR Brian Robiskie (29 catches, 383 yards, 5 TDs).
A year ago the offense was loaded and the defense was a question mark with so many new faces. For 2007, the opposite is true. 6 returning starters are back on defense and they were outstanding, allowing 10 points, 179 pass yards and 3.3 yards per rush before Florida gouged them. Ohio State was 9-4 under the total last fall. Run stuffers defensive tackles Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson are gone, but the linebackers are deep with junior LB Marcus Freeman and Mike D'Andrea.
Speedy junior DE Lawrence Wilson returns, along with 3 starters in the secondary. Junior CB Malcolm Jenkins has been around since starting 3 games as a freshman, and they like junior FS Nick Patterson while junior Jamario O'Neal is at strong safety. Head coach Jim Tressel's big-game reputation has taken a hit the last two years, with that 2005 loss at home to Texas (25-22) and the Florida disaster. He's still an excellent recruiter.
The schedule is easy early, with a likely 4-0 start before a game at Minnesota. They get Wisconsin at home and have to travel to Penn State and Michigan. After going 10-2 SU, 9-3 ATS in 2005 and 12-1 SU, 9-4 ATS last season, the rebuilding Buckeyes might be in for a tougher time - both straight up and ATS. Note that Ohio State is 35-2 SU, 24-11-1 ATS their last 37 home games!
Purdue
The Boilermakers begin their 11th-season under head coach Joe Tiller, but the heat is on this season. They missed a bowl game for the first time under him in 2005, despite plenty of talent, and went just 8-6 last season, getting run over by Maryland in a bowl, 24-7. And Michigan and Ohio State were not on the schedule the last two seasons, which isn't the case in 2007. In fact, Purdue plays Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa - all in a row starting September 29!
The good news is Purdue returns 9 starters on offense and 8 on defense from its 2006 team that finished 8-6 overall, including the starting QB. The offense did well under first-year offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher in 2006, averaging 26 points, 124 yards rushing (4.3 ypc) and 291 yards passing. Junior QB Curtis Painter has been starting since his freshman campaign and last season he passed for 3,985 yards, 22 TDs, 19 INTs while completing 59% of his passes. He needs to cut down the picks, of course.
He has his top targets returning in senior WR Dorien Bryant (1,068 yards, 6 TDs) and junior wide receiver Greg Orton (790). Throw in senior TE Dustin Keller (771 yards) and sophomore WR Selwyn Lymon (580), and all 4 top targets are back. The running game was strong in 2006, and is deep with junior running back Kory Sheets (780 yards) and junior RB Jaycen Taylor (677 yards, 6 ypc). With their top two running backs and top 4 wide outs, this offense should be outstanding.
The defense, however, has been lousy. The problems start up front, as there is experience, but little size. Purdue allowed 26.7 points, 191 yards rushing (4.9 ypc) and 241 yards passing per contest. That's similar to 2005 when they were a major flop, allowing 28 points 143 yards rushing and 287 passing per game. Undersized junior DTs Ryan Baker and Alex Magee run 280 and 270 pounds, which won't get it done. Senior linebacker Dan Bick is back along with the entire secondary (all juniors), though they were burned too often. Purdue opens the season with 3 easy wins, unless Toledo gives them a run opening day. After that, it gets brutal, with those 4 straight against Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa. Purdue is just 3-9 ATS its last 12 home games.
Minnesota
Glen Mason did a pretty good job at Minnesota, recruiting speed to take advantage of the artificial turf of their home stadium. However, the administration didn't think so, firing Mason and bringing in Tim Brewster as head coach. Brewster, 46, returns to college football after spending the past five seasons in the NFL. He concluded his second season as tight ends coach for the Denver Broncos in 2006. A 21-year coaching veteran, Brewster instructed the San Diego Chargers tight ends from 2002-04 and held additional responsibilities as the team's assistant head coach for the 2004 season.
Brewster brings the spread offense to Minnesota and has 6 starters back on offense, 9 on defense. They have a new quarterback in junior Tony Mortensen, who threw just 10 passes last season and has good mobility. Redshirt freshman QB Adam Weber is also in the mix. The running game has senior RB Amir Pinnix, a speedy back who ran for 1,272 yards, 5 ypc and 10 TDs and senior fullback Justin Valentine.
The passing game will be a work in progress, not only from the new quarterback but they lost their top 3 receiving targets. Throw in the fact that there is a new coach and offensive coordinator, and it may take time for the Gopher passing game to find a rhythm. The offense averaged 36 ppg at home last season, but just 20.8 ppg on the road where they went 2-4 SU/ATS. Minnesota is 10-3 SU, 8-4 ATS at home the last two seasons. However, on the road this team is 6-11 SU, 7-10 ATS the last three seasons averaging just 23 ppg on grass.
9 starters are back on defense. Defensively, the Gophers allowed 26 points and far too many passing yards the last two years (257 yards in the air each game in 2005, 268 last season). The line is led by senior Neel Allen and junior DE Steve Davis, with junior defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg and senior middle linebacker John Shevlin helping out. The secondary picked off 17 passes and returns three starters, led by junior cornerback Dominic Jones and senior CB Jamal Harris. The schedule is manageable early, with Ohio State at home, but then there are late road games at Michigan and Iowa. A winning season is possible because of the schedule, but there is a lot of retooling on offense. Minnesota is 15-8 over the total the last two years with a strong offense and suspect defense.
Northwestern
No team went through a more difficult 2006 than Northwestern (4-8). Talented head coach Randy Walker took them to a bowl and a 7-4 2005 season, then passed away tragically last summer. Assistant Pat Fitzgerald was forced to step in on short notice and the Wildcats finished a rebuilding year 4-8 with heavy hearts. Walker's talented offensive touch had the 2005 Wildcats as the nation's fourth best offense (and the nation's worst defense). Last season the offense fell off the table, averaging 16 points while the defense couldn't stop the run (182 yards rushing in Big 10 play) and gave up 30 ppg in the conference.
Northwestern is returning 16 starters (7 offense, 8 defense, 1 special teams) in 2007, as the club is loaded with veterans, especially at key spots like quarterback and cornerback. Senior QB C.J. Bacher (1,172 yards) returns after throwing just 6 TDs and 8 picks, though a strong 59% completions. The offense features the quarterback running the ball at times, with mobile sophomore QB Mike Kafka passing for 494 yards and rushing for 263.
The ground attack was average (126 yards per game) but should be even better. They will likely be improved with the return of junior tailback Tyrell Sutton and senior RB Brandon Roberson. Sutton didn't get as many touches as he probably should have, as the offense was looking to get more players involved, but he still finished with 1,000 yards and a stellar 5.3 yards per carry. Sutton had a monster freshman season in 2005, with 1,474 yards, 5.9 ypc and 16 TDs! 6-3 junior WR Ross Lane (401 yards) and junior WR Eric Peterman add experience at wide out.
Now about that defense....8 starters return, led by 6-foot-6 junior DE Corey Wootton and junior safety Brendan Smith, both All-Big Ten players. The key will be the defensive front, which is smallish and got pushed around by the big Big 10 running schools (of which there are a lot). Also returning are junior defensive end Kevin Mims and senior defensive end David Ngene, who will look to tighten up the run defense. Believe it or not, this veteran team could go to a bowl with games against Northeastern, Nevada, Duke, and Eastern Michigan, before closing out the season against Indiana and Illinois. Northwestern is 5-0 SU, 3-2 ATS its last 5 as a favorite.
Michigan State
Michigan State dumped John L. Smith after a 4-8 SU/3-8 ATS season and brings in Mark Dantonio, the former Cincinnati coach who preaches aggressive, hard-hitting football. Smith was more about flashy offenses, while Dantonio is more defensive-minded and loves the rough, physical part of the game. Dantonio helped the Spartans win 10 games as defensive coordinator in 1999. Michigan State is 3-9 ATS its last 12 home games!
His first concern is to find a quarterback to an offense that has 6 starters back. Junior QB Brian Hoyer is the likely candidate, after throwing for 863 yards, 4 TDs and 3 INTs last fall while filling in for often-injured Drew Stanton. Stanton was often injured because the offensive line was weak. QBs Kirk Cousins and Connor Dixon, and 6-foot-5, 235-pound freshman quarterback Nick Foles are also options. Foles threw for 3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns and just four interceptions as a senior at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas.
The top three WRs are gone, so some kids will have to step up. 6-foot-3 sophomore WR T.J. Williams (281 yards) played well as a freshman, and they still have junior WR Terry Love (234 yards) and 6-foot-6 senior TE Kellen Davis (125). The ground game has junior running back Javon Ringer (497 yards) and senior Jehuu Caulcrick (426) anchor the ground game. Ringer averaged 5.8 yards per carry last season and 6.7 yards per carry when he led the Spartans in rushing as a freshman. Dantonio said some position shifts have taken place, with tight end Dwayne Holmes and linebacker Jeff McPherson moving to the fullback position Smith never had.
The problem for the Spartans under Smith was always defense, and last season's team allowed 30 points and 163.9 yards rushing per game in Big 10 play. 7 starters return on defense. Up front, senior NTs Ogemdi Nwagbuo and Bobby Jones will have to step up, and will be joined by part of Dantonio's first recruiting class in 6-5, 295-pound Freshman DT Antonio Jeremiah and 6-5, 305-pound freshman DT Ryan Wheat.
Senior LB Kaleb Thornhill and junior FS Otis Wiley bring experience back on defense, along with junior DE Nick Smith. The main emphasis is improving a run defense that has allowed 172, 164 and 132 yards on the ground each game in each of the last three seasons. The new coach should start off 2-0 before hosting Pittsburgh, the consecutive road games at Notre Dame and at Wisconsin. Late road games at Ohio State and Iowa make a winning season and a bowl game the goal, rather than any thoughts of a Big 10 title.
Indiana
It's been a tough offseason for Indiana. Head coach Terry Hoeppner passed away in June after a lenthy illness from a brain tumor. Hoeppner came over from Miami of Ohio and was known for wide-open offensive attacks, tutoring QBs like Ben Roethlisberger. He added speed in his recruiting classes, a factor to keep an eye on as they rebuild.
The 2006 Hoosiers picked up three Big Ten wins for the first time since 2001, including a 31-28 win over No. 13 Iowa. It marked the first time an Indiana team defeated a top-15 squad since a 31-10 win over No. 9 Ohio State on Oct. 10, 1987. Offensive coordinator Bill Lynch will take over as coach.
Indiana has 8 starters back on both sides of the ball. What you should expect to see is a good, speedy offense that is improving, and a small, poor defense. Indiana (5-7 SU, 5-6 ATS) should have a strong passing attack behind senior QB Blake Powers. He battled injuries and inconsistency last season, with one TD and 5 picks. He looks to get back to his 2005 sophomore season, when he threw for 22 TDs, 16 INTs and 2,305 yards.
Two of his top three receivers return, as well, in junior WR James Hardy (51 grabs, 722 yards) and junior WR James Bailey (401 yards). Sophomore WR Nick Polk was a surprise, too, with 326 yards as a freshman. Sophomore WR Andrew Means impressed as a redshirt freshman with 263 yards. There is ample speed on this offense. Sophomore RB Kellen Lewis (441 yards) and junior RB Marcus Thigpen (387) led the team in rushing and are back.
As potentially strong as the offense could be, there doesn't appear to me much hope for the defense. They allowed 32.8 points, 174 yards rushing, 4.6 yards per carry, and 228 passing per game. Defensively, the Hoosiers were also awful in 2005, giving up 32.8 points, 215 yards rushing, 5 yards per carry, and 202 passing. Junior DT Greg Brown and senior DT Charlie Emerson hope to improve the run defense.
The defense tired out in 2005, allowing over 40 points in each of the final five games, and last season they allowed 63, 34 and 28 the last 3 games. Indiana is 7-3 and 6-5 OVER the total the last two years. This program was headed in the right direction under Hoeppner, but they will be playing with heavy hearts this fall. This will be another rebuilding campaign, and note that Indiana is 5-21 SU, 7-17 ATS its last 26 games as an underdog.
Illinois
Ron Zook was not the answer at Florida, so why is Illinois going to improve under his guidance? Time will tell, but the Illini is off consecutive 2-9 SU, 4-7 ATS and 2-10 SU/5-6 ATS seasons. They got beat in Big 10 play by a 44-11 average in 2005 and "improved" to a 27-19 losing Big 10 average last season. Things looks even worse because starting receivers Derrick McPhearson and Jody Ellis were kicked off the team in March after being charged with two counts of burglary. Nice offseason, guys!
The offense has at least found a quarterback. Mobile sophomore QB Juice Williams is a terrific talent, with 9 TDs, 9 picks, as a freshman and 576 rushing yards. Williams turned down Penn State, Ohio State and Tennessee. He completed just 39% of his passes, though, and it doesn't help that the starting wide outs were thrown off the team. The good news is junior WR Kyle Hudson (403 yards), Jacob Willis (313), 6-5 soph Jeff Cumberland (232 yards) and DaJuan Warren return, their top 4 pass catchers.
The running game took a hit, with senior Pierre Thomas graduating, but junior running back Rashard Mendenhall (640 rush yards, 8.4 yards per carry!) will get more carries. The defense is also young and improved dramatically last season, giving up 3.3 yards per rush and 182 yards passing. That was in stark contrast to 2005 when they were awful, allowing an incredible 234 yards rushing, 5.5 ypc, and 235 passing per game!
They will go with sophomore cornerback Dere Hicks, senior safeties Kevin Mitchell, Justin Sanders and Justin Harrison. The front line has defensive tackle Chris Norwell (a 6-foot-7 senior). September games against Western Illinois, at Syracuse and at Indiana are probably their only shots for wins. Illinois is 1-13 SU, 5-9 ATS on the road the last three seasons. Also take note: Zook is 0-4 SU/ATS his last 4 games as a home favorite!
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