The holidays are a wonderful, yet stressful time of year. People are frantically buying gifts and groceries to fulfill their families hopes and joys. The stress is all for nothing, because year after year, we’re all just happy we can spend the holidays with our loved ones… while watching the bowl games. Many teams in the Big Ten need help this offseason to compete in this tough conference. Santa has something in his bag for every Big Ten team this year to help them compete, so let’s see what the big man in red is bringing them.
Illinois
I honestly don’t know where to start here. Christmas is known as the season of giving, but it would take a few more Christmases before Illinois would even be in consideration for competing in the Big Ten. They do have three 4-star recruits signed in their 2018 recruiting class. Lovie Smith’s name alone is good for recruiting, so I think Illinois football simply just needs to trust the process. So, this year, Santa is bringing the Illini some patience for their recruits to develop.
Indiana
Indiana just missed bowl eligibility by losing to Purdue 31-24 in the last game of the season. They lost to the powerhouse teams in the Big Ten, but only lost to Michigan in OT, and kept it close with Maryland and Purdue. Freshman quarterback Peyton Ramsey will get the reigns all to himself with Richard Lagow leaving. Their defense is average and sits in the middle in both rushing and passing yards allowed. However, their leading receiver, Simmie Cobbs Jr., declared for the draft and tight end Ian Thomas is leaving as well. The Hoosiers will certainly be asking for a new receiver to step up and take control as the main target next season.
Iowa
The Hawkeyes should ask Santa for more games at home against top 10 teams this offseason. Seriously, when people told me that Iowa is a completely different team at home, I didn’t believe them. But, they were right, as they beat Ohio State and nearly beat Penn State, both were night hyped up games at home. I think the Hawkeyes need a few things this offseason. First of all, they need to find players that will step up and lead this team now that Josey Jewell and Akrum Wadley will be gone. They surely will be hoping that cornerback Josh Jackson will return for his senior season, although that is unlikely. Nathan Stanley will need to step up and be the offensive leader, but he showed a lot of bright spots this year. Iowa also needs to learn how to win on the road, considering they had one lone win on the road this year. Most importantly, Kris Kringle needs to bring Kirk Ferentz some wide receivers.
Maryland
Here is another program that needs a Christmas miracle. The Terps had a very rough go this season, finishing 4-8. They had the second worst total defense in the Big Ten and the fourth worst total offense. Wide receiver D.J. Moore was a bright spot on the offense, putting up 1033 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. The Terps’ wishlist consists of major help overall on the defensive side of the ball.
Michigan
Michigan had an off year, and certainly didn’t live up to everyone’s standards, yet still finished 8-4 and will play South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. But, as I previously stated, help is on the way in the form of recruits and experience. They will have many returning starters and will be in the conversation of winning the Big Ten Championship next season. Santa already brought Jim Harbaugh a new toy, with quarterback Shea Patterson transferring from Ole Miss. Now, Jim Harbaugh will be asking for some help in deciding who to start at quarterback for next season.
Michigan State
First off, can Santa get Mark Dantonio to smile for once? Seriously, it annoys me how stone faced he always looks. Besides that, Michigan State did fairly well this season, finishing 9-3, including big wins against Penn State and Michigan. The Spartans found a gem at quarterback in Brian Lewerke, who provides a balance of passing and rushing. Leading rusher L.J. Scott will most likely return next year, as well. As usual, the Spartans defense was great, which they pride themselves on. I think Michigan State needs to ask Santa for more weapons on the outside for Lewerke to use and they’ll be a real danger next season.
Minnesota
I really though P.J. Fleck was going to make the Golden Gophers even better this year, but they were actually worse. Minnesota went from 9-4 to 5-7 in the matter of a year. Running back Rodney Smith was a bright spot on the offense with 977 rushing yards. However, only one receiver had over 200 yards receiving, that certainly isn’t the way to succeed. The Golden Gophers are fairly solid on defense, but their offense is what needs help. Santa needs to bring P.J. Fleck the ability to trust his quarterbacks, since the Gophers had a combined 1513 yards and 9 touchdowns through the air.
Nebraska
The Cornhuskers have received the best gift of all, a brand new coach. Signing Scott Frost will surely help Nebraska be on the path to success these next few years. Quarterback Tanner Lee was very good, as he was second in passing yards per game. Receivers Stanley Morgan Jr. and JD Spielman will be coming back, which will certainly be helpful for Lee. Overall, Nebraska was the worst defense in the conference. Saint Nick needs to bring them any help they can get on defense, because the Huskers sure can score.
Northwestern
Northwestern is always a team that opponents are scared to face. They play every team tough and it all starts with Pat Fitzgerald, one of my favorite coaches in college football. He’s done a great job recruiting so far, with four 4-star recruits coming to Evanston. Unfortunately, the Wildcats will be losing start running back Justin Jackson, but most likely will have Clayton Thorson returning at quarterback. With an arsenal of receivers and a great run defense, their secondary seems to be Northwestern’s biggest downfall, since they were last in passing defense in the Big Ten. This Christmas, Fitzgerald will be asking to get some elite defensive backs and then they will be a dangerous team in the Big Ten West.
Ohio State
After 4 years, the Buckeyes will finally lose J.T. Barrett. On the bright side, running back J.K. Dobbins was a stud and perhaps the most dominant freshman in college football. Ohio State had the best scoring offense in the Big Ten, as well as a premiere defense. Their recruiting class for 2018 is phenomenal so far and they will again be at the top of the Big Ten. The best gift for the Buckeyes is Dwayne Haskins gaining confidence at quarterback for next year.
Penn State
Haters will keep hating on Penn State, but I’m used to it by now. Their recruiting class is OUTSTANDING, with two 5-stars and fourteen 4-stars. Anyways, Franklin has done an excellent job at getting the players he wants and turning the program around after the Sandusky scandal. Saquon Barkley will surely be on his way out after the Fiesta Bowl, but Miles Sanders has great potential to fill his shoes. Losing Mike Gesicki is also not ideal, but Trace McSorely will find a way to make their offense work. I think Santa should bring Trace McSorely more patience and better decision-making for this upcoming season.
Purdue
For the first time since 2012, the Boilermakers are bowl eligible, thanks to head coach Jeff Brohm. Purdue ranked in the middle for total offense and total defense, which correlates well with their 6-6 record. Purdue just doesn’t have that one playmaker on offense who they can lean on to produce in a time of need. I think Brohm has really done well with this team, but I think Santa Claus needs to bring Brohm a guy who will step up and be their “guy.”
Rutgers
I have a tough time watching Rutgers play football. It’s really unsettling to watch them go up against any powerhouse in the Big Ten. They couldn’t even beat Eastern Michigan. They were somehow 4-8 this season, but I think their record does them no justice. They have the worst offense in the Big Ten, only scoring more touchdowns than Illinois this year. Through two years of coaching, Chris Ash has a 6-18 record. Santa, can you please bring the Scarlet Knights a new coach?
Wisconsin
I really liked what I saw out of the Badgers this year. They had perhaps the best offensive line in the conference and freshman running back Jonathan Taylor dominated opponents. Losing Troy Fumagalli will not be good for the Badgers, since he was Alex Hornibrook’s favorite target. Hands down, Wisconsin was the best defense in the Big Ten, and one of the best in the country, and will have about 5 of those players on defense returning. Santa Claus needs to help Hornibrook cut back on interceptions and have backups on defense step up.
Happy Holidays everyone!