EAST DIVISION
INDIANA
Last year: 4-8, 1-7 Big Ten, 7th East Division
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter)
Players to watch: QB Nate Sudfeld, RB Jordan Howard, RB Devine Redding, LB T.J. Simmons, FS Antonio Allen.
The big questions: Will three solid recruiting years and transfers like UAB’s Jordan Howard (1,587 yards rushing last year) be enough to overcome the loss of leading rusher Tevin Coleman (2,036 yards) and leading receiver Shane Wynn (56 catches)? Will the defense, which gave up more than 30 points six times last season, improve enough to take some pressure off the offense?
Coach’s quote: “If you can’t play up front you can’t play winning Big Ten football.” — Kevin Wilson
MARYLAND
Last year: 7-6, 4-4 Big Ten, 3rd East Division
Returning starters: 11 (6 offense, 4 defense, kicker)
Players to watch: QB Caleb Rowe, WR Marcus Leak, RB Brandon Ross, CB Will Likely
The big questions: Can quarterback Caleb Rowe stay healthy after playing only 13 games his first three seasons? Can the defense, which wasn’t stellar last season, be effective with six new starters on the front seven? Will cornerback Will Likely (6 interceptions, 2 for TDs) convince an NFL team to take a chance on a 5-foot, 7-inch defensive back?
Coach’s quote: “We found out it (Big Ten) is really a lineman’s league. You better be able to control the line of scrimmage if you’re going to give yourself a chance to win.” — Randy Edsall
MICHIGAN
Last year: 5-7, 3-5 Big Ten, tie 4th East Division
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)
Players to watch: QB Jake Rudock, QB Shane Morris, RB Derrick Green, LB James Ross, S JabriCB Jourdan Lewis.
The big questions: Will Jim Harbaugh look like a miracle worker by the end of the season or will returning Michigan to its former status take a while? Will graduate transfer quarterback Jake Rudock start for Michigan after being Iowa’s starting QB last year? Will it be last year’s backup Shane Morris? Or will it be someone else? Will safety Jabrill Peppers become a star after injuries limited him as a freshman?
Coach’s quote: “We’re going into a submarine and you won’t see us for a while. We’ll be working.” — Jim Harbaugh
MICHIGAN STATE
Last year: 11-2, 7-1 Big Ten, 2nd East Division
Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 6 defense, kicker)
Players to watch: QB Connor Cook, TE Josiah Price, C Jack Allen, DE Shilique Calhoun, LB Ed Davis.
The big questions: Will starting two inexperienced cornerbacks and the departure of defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi to become Pittsburgh’s coach make MSU’s defense a little less intimidating? Who will replace running back Jeremy Langford, who gained 2,900 yards the last two seasons. Will the Spartans beat Michigan for the seventh time in eight years or is Jim Harbaugh their Kryptonite?
Coach’s quote: “We’ve got depth in the offensive line, which is huge in college football.” — Mark Dantonio
OHIO STATE
Last year: 14-1, 8-0 Big Ten, 1st East Division
Returning starters: 16 (7 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter)
Players to watch: WR Braxton Miller, QB Cardale Jones, QB J.T. Barrett, RB Ezekiel Elliott, WR Jalin Marshall, DE Joey Bosa, LB Darron Lee.
The big questions: Can the Buckeyes repeat as national champion? Which quarterback will get the most playing time? Will the high-scoring offense miss coordinator Tom Herman, now the head coach at Houston?
Coach’s quote: “People have asked me which one (of his three national championships) is better and all that. You can’t go there. — Urban Meyer
PENN STATE
Last year: 7-6, 2-6 Big Ten, 6th East Division
Returning starters: 16 (8 offense, 7 defense, punter)
Players to watch: QB Christian Hackenberg, RB Akeel Lynch, WR DaeSean Hamilton, DT Anthony Zettel, DT Austin Johnson.
The big questions: Has quarterback Christian Hackenberg (2,977 yards, 12 TDs, 15 interceptions) been over-hyped or did he suffer from having a poor surrounding cast last season? Can an offensive line which allowed 44 sacks last season be fixed?
Coach’s quote: “The story line last year wasn’t Christian Hackenberg, it was all the pieces of the puzzle around him.” — James Franklin
RUTGERS
Last year: 8-5, 3-5 Big Ten, tie 4th East Division
Returning starters: 11 (4 offense, 5 defense, kicker, punter)
Players to watch: WR Leonte Carroo, RB Robert Martin, DT Darius Hamiolton, LB Steve Longa.
The big questions: Who plays quarterback? Can Rutgers’ defensive line, which is undersized by Big Ten standards, become competitive? Can the Scarlet Knights take advantage of playing four of their first five games at home?
Coach’s quote: “I have no doubt it (being in the Big Ten) has elevated our recruiting over the last two years.” — Kyle Flood
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