Big 10 Preseason Predictions (Part 3)
Article By: 8. MICHIGAN STATE (ROHK)
OUTLOOK - Another dark horse in the Big Ten are the Spartans, who went out and got Coach Rohk after a great debut season in the NDL where he went 9-3 with UMass. This is the big time though for the second-year coach, we’ll see how he handles the pressure of the Big Ten with a team lacking the talent the rest of the conference will boast.
PLAYERS TO WATCH - Michigan State does have a strong running game with Nate Carter and UMass transfer Kay’ron Lynch-Adams, running behind a strong O-line. It’s the other side of the ball however that will determine the Spartans success this year.
SEASON PREDICTION - On paper, Michigan State does not have the talent to make a run for the top half. However, you could have said the same about UMass in season 29 so if Rohk can produce the same results, you could see some surprise victories coming out of Lansing this season.
7. IOWA (WILDES12)
OUTLOOK - Coach wildes12 was a first-year coach in the return on the NDL, and had a strong debut with a 9-4 record with the Hawkeyes. He makes a return to the Black and Yellow as he looks to challenge for a Big Ten title.
PLAYERS TO WATCH - Obviously the Hawkeyes are led by their defense with linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson along with free safety Sebastian Castro. However, watch out for Iowa’s rushing attach as well as wildes12 managed to turn the Hawkeyes into a scoring force which makes them a difficult out in Big Ten play.
SEASON PREDICTION - Returning to a team you just played with is always a huge advantage, which leads to a higher expectations as well for the Hawkeyes this season. If the offense keeps rolling, they are a true challenger for a spot in the Big Ten title game.
6. PENN STATE (the_niddler)
OUTLOOK - Coach niddler makes his fourth stop in the B1G and first season with the Nittany Lions after a 5-8 campaign at Pittsburgh. Coach looks to improve on the 9-4 season 29 campaign but wadding into the meat grinder of the B1G things may not turn up so happy in the valley.
PLAYERS TO WATCH - The Nittany Lions are led by their outstanding strong safety Kevin WInston Jr and Nicholas Singleton at tailback who is as an exposive runner there is in the nation.
SEASON PREDICTION - (xxth place) Penn State has to take the road against Mizzu, Washington, Ole Miss, Ohio State, and a revived Washington program. The fans are in a frenzy over having USC come to Happy Valley but with this schedule there may not be many happy endings in the valley.
5. NEBRASKA (SPYDER_XT)
OUTLOOK - One of three coaches returning to the Big 10 with their team from a year ago, the Cornhuskers were a huge threat in the league with a 7-2 record, and have their hopes on nothing short of a league title this year. A first-year NDLer in Season 29, if he repeats his success don’t be surprised to see Nebraska make a return to the top of the standings.
PLAYERS TO WATCH - With untested options on offense outside of wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, freshman Dylan Raiola will need to step up and find enough points for the Cornhuskers to compete in the league. A solid defense will help Nebraska against the high powered offenses the newly expanded league boasts since last season.
SEASON PREDICTION - Typically, coaches in the NDL returning to their team will at least repeat their success if not surpass it, and Nebraska is absolutely a situation where we could see Spyder_XT not only make the CFP but advance to the Final Four even.
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