Michigan State held on to win a Big Ten championship in dramatic fashion in 2015. However, they will have a tough road to repeating as conference champs with Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa looking to knock them off at the top. Like every other true contender in the Big Ten, the Spartans have a number of strengths but aren’t without their own weaknesses that need to be addressed in order to come out on top in 2016. Here is a look at the biggest concerns for the top teams from the Big Ten heading in to this season.
Michigan State Spartans
A 38-0 loss to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl removed some of the positives for Michigan State following a 12-2 season and a Big Ten championship. It was ugly. Connor Cook threw two interceptions and while he was one of the Spartans best quarterbacks over the last 10 to 15 years, he couldn’t do anything against a stiff SEC defense. The Spartans – as a team – compiled just 29 rushing yards on 26 attempts, which boiled down to a 1.1 yards per carry average. Their own defense, which is allegedly stout, got run over to the tune of 154 yards and two touchdowns while giving up another 286 and two more touchdowns through the air. That’s a really sour note to end the season on.
The Spartans will have a tough time bouncing back from that loss this season and a change at quarterback will be the biggest reason for it. Connor Cook is gone and he will be replaced by Tyler O’Connor, who actually won at Ohio State while Cook sat with a shoulder injury but doesn’t have the same level of experience. O’Connor’s transition in to the starting job will be among the keys to Michigan State’s success and whether or not they will be able to defend their Big Ten title.
Michigan Wolverines
One of the more underappreciated aspects of Jim Harbaugh’s strong debut at Michigan was their play at quarterback where Jake Rudock played at a very high level for them. However, Rudock left after last season and that means the Wolverines will be leaning on a younger, less experienced quarterback this season. Sophomore Wilton Speight is expected to get the first crack at the job after serving as Rudock’s backup last season but he will have to hold off Houston transfer John O’Korn. Harbaugh has yet to name his starter for 2016 and that has to be the biggest concern for a Michigan team that is expected to contend for a Big Ten championship this coming season.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes were ravaged by the NFL Draft as they lost 12 draft picks, including nine underclassmen. That means they will enter the 2016 season with just six returning starters. Urban Meyer’s recruiting means Ohio State will be loaded with talent once again in the Big Ten but they will be lacking experience. There are so many young players breaking in to play key roles. The Buckeyes are fortunate to have quarterback J.T. Barrett back in the mix but they will need several young players throughout their roster to step up in order to make sure their lack of experience doesn’t cost them the opportunity to contend for a Big Ten championship in 2016.
Iowa Hawkeyes
It’s actually amazing how quickly college football fans have forgotten about what Iowa did last season. The Hawkeyes went from 7-6 to 12-0 and a Big Ten West division title and they return a solid core of 13 starters this season, including star quarterback C.J. Beathard. Still, nobody is buying this team. They said that the schedule was soft last year but it is more than manageable once again. Their toughest game will be on November 12th when Michigan visits. They should be favored in every other contest.
However, they do have one major concern after All-Big Ten defensive end Drew Ott’s injury waiver requesting a fifth season was denied. Ott’s exit will push sophomore Matt Nelson in to a starting role and their depth at the defensive end position could be one of their bigger concerns moving forward in to the 2016 season.
