Some huge questions for Big Ten teams
Posted: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 11:56 PM
Ahh spring practice ... a time of so many questions ... and, in most cases, far fewer answers, even after the last scrimmage. Nowhere in the country is this more true than in the Big Ten, where question marks are as plentiful as mopeds in Madison. Here’s 20 to start with.
After watching Javon Ringer tote the rock seemingly a million times in his career -- 843 carries to be more exact -- what will Michigan State fans do when they don’t see No. 23 lined up in the backfield? Will spring practice produce any successors or will the Spartans have to wait until August to see if incoming freshmen Edwin Baker and Larry Caper pan out?
Although Kirk Ferentz has a host of other issues to sort out, who will be his new workhouse in the backfield now that another No. 23, Shonn Greene, no longer calls Iowa City home?
With the benefit of his first spring practice and being fully entrenched as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, what kind of difference will we see in Terrelle Pryor? Will Jim Tressel infuse some new elements to the Buckeye offense after nosing around in the ACC? And how much would even be possible if the shuffled offensive line doesn’t improve upon what was a disappointing showing last year?
Back on campus in their comfy new stadium, will Minnesota stay within arms reach of the league leaders this time around? If that is the case and he stays healthy, will Gopher wide receiver Eric Decker become a household name in 2009?
Since Indiana has decided not to use Kellen Lewis at quarterback, switching him to wide receiver, how many Big Ten teams could use somebody who has passed for nearly 6,400 yards? Is that Rich Rodriguez I hear, working on a trade offer?
Speaking of Michigan, do you think the needy Wolverines could use incoming freshman Denard Robinson’s speed at somewhere other than quarterback if Tate Forcier turns out to be serviceable in addition to slippery?
What kind of kickstart will new Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Schultz provide for the Fighting Illini, who seemed to take last season off?
Is it possible that the dismissal of quarterback Justin Siller at Purdue will turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Boilermakers? If senior Joey Elliott gets comfortable in his role as the starter without having to look over his shoulder and redshirt freshman Caleb TerBush continues to develop as his understudy, might rookie head coach Danny Hope look back fondly at this spring in a couple years?
After reportedly “exchanging ideas” with coaches at Florida and Oregon, will Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka become the Big Ten’s version of Tim Tebow? Do you remember his 217 rushing yards against Minnesota last year? Or will the graduation of too many key components of last year’s Wildcat offense be too much to overcome?
Is it a good thing or a bad thing that Wisconsin will be without six starters from last year’s defense that was the league’s worst while defending within the red-zone?
If Penn State had known Bobby Bowden might have to “vacate” some victories, would it have reconsidered a schedule that includes Akron, Syracuse, Temple and Eastern Illinois? Why would you want to give the BCS so many things to hold against you?
