Michigan State emerged as the best team in a top-heavy Big Ten conference a year ago, winning a conference championship and representing the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff. The loss of their star quarterback combined with the rise of several intriguing contenders has changed the overall outlook in the Big Ten heading in to this season and it will be interesting to see whether the Spartans can keep up with Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa among others. Here is a look at the four most indispensible players in the Big Ten right now.
CB/S: Jabrill Peppers
Michigan Wolverines
Jim Harbaugh’s arrival last year signaled the Wolverines’ return as one of the top teams in the Big Ten and all eyes are on Michigan to see what is in store for Year Two. The Wolverines got a lot better on both sides of the football on paper and the consensus is that they will be legitimate contenders in both the Big Ten and on the national stage. In order for that to happen, Michigan will need the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year to shine for them in the defensive secondary once again. Peppers had 45 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and 10 pass breakups while spending time at cornerback and safety last season and he has the potential to be even better with another year of experience. Factor in his contributions on offense where he had eight catches for 79 yards and 18 carries for another 72 yards, as well as his special teams work returning kicks and punts and it’s clear that Peppers is the most indispensible player on a loaded Wolverines roster.
CB: Desmond King
Iowa Hawkeyes
King’s announcement that he would return to Iowa for his senior season provided renewed hope for the Hawkeyes that they could maintain their hold on top spot in the Big Ten West division in 2016. King is widely regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in the entire country and he would have been a consensus first-round pick had he decided to enter the NFL Draft. Hopefully he has a good insurance policy like Leonard Fournette’s because he stands to make a lot of money as long as he stays healthy.
King tied an Iowa single-season record with eight interceptions and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back a year ago and all eye will be on him to see what he can do for an encore as the best player on a loaded Hawkeyes defense this season.
QB: J.T. Barrett
Ohio State Buckeyes
The two-tier quarterback system that the Buckeyes used a year ago clearly didn’t work out for them but expectations are high with Barrett set to be their full-time starter this season Barrett recorded 992 passing yards and 682 rushing yards with 22 total touchdowns in limited snaps a year ago and the potential is there for him to be even better in the unquestioned No. 1 role and with another year of experience. Ohio State was hit hard on both sides of the football this offseason and while they have a considerable amount of young talent in the fold there is no doubt Barrett will be their most indispensible player this season.
DT: Malik McDowell
Michigan State Spartans
Connor Cook’s departure at the quarterback position has left Michigan State with some major concerns heading in to this season but they will return some considerable talent on both sides of the football including most importantly their star defensive tackle McDowell. The 6’6’’ 275-pound McDowell came in to his own for the Spartans last season with 27 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks to earn second-team All-Big Ten honors and the potential is there for him to be that much more dominant with another year to develop his overall game. Michigan State will be in tough to repeat in an absolutely loaded Big Ten conference regardless of the production they get out of McDowell but at this point there is no doubt he is the most indispensible player on the Spartans’ roster.
