The Big Ten East is absolutely loaded heading in to the 2016 season with the defending conference champion Michigan State needing to get past rivals Ohio State and Michigan just to have a shot at playing for another title. Meanwhile, the Big Ten West has been pushed out of the spotlight but they could be considered a division on the rise with a handful of teams that will look to contend for a spot in the Big Ten championship game this season. Here is a look at the biggest X-factors in determining how the Big Ten West standings play out this coming season.
Iowa: WR Matt VandeBerg
VandeBerg isn’t the most explosive receiver in the Big Ten but he proved to be a reliable weapon with a team-high 65 catches in 2015 and he will be relied on to as a key piece of the Iowa offense again this season. There is no doubt the Hawkeyes need to have more big plays on offense after registering just 20 catches of 25-plus yards a year ago but Vandeberg was incredibly consistent and will continue to be quarterback C.J. Beathard’s most reliable target.
Wisconsin: LB Vince Biegel
Wisconsin has become a factory for top linebacker prospects over the years but they lost the reigning Big Ten linebacker of the year in Joe Schobert and will need Biegel to step in and perform at an elite level in order to fill the void. Biegel has registered 15.5 sacks over the last two seasons and his impact will be that much more important in his senior year. The Badgers paired a consistent pass rush with the nation’s fourth-best run defense last season and Biegel will need to perform at a high level in order to prevent a significant drop off in both areas.
Northwestern: WR Solomon Vault
Vault is the first player in Northwestern’s program history to return three kicks for touchdowns in his career and the Wildcats are hoping his elite burst can translate to the wide receiver position as well. Northwestern was one of three Power Five teams that didn’t have a wide receiver hit the 400-yard receiving mark but Vault’s explosiveness and elusiveness in the open field could help him to reach that mark in 2016.
Nebraska: WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
Pierson-El flashes his big-play ability as a freshman in 2014 before missing the majority of last year with knee and foot injuries that really hampered his level of play. Pierson-El should be back at full strength by the time the fall camps begin and there is no doubt he can be an X-factor for the Cornhuskers this season. Nebraska has some impressive weapons on both sides of the football but ultimately they need more playmakers to step up on offense including Pierson-El at the wide receiver position and in punt return situations.
Minnesota: RB Shannon Brooks
Brooks was an absolute force as a true freshman a year ago when he threw a 42-yard touchdown pass, ran for 174 yards against Illinois and caught 17 touchdown passes. His versatility and elite playmaking ability makes him an absolute force on offense and Minnesota will rely on him to continue to excel as a versatile weapon that can do absolutely everything for them from the running back position in 2016.
Purdue: S Leroy Clark
Clark led Purdue in tackles, pass breakups and interception return yards despite finishing with just two picks because opposing teams weren’t willing to throw in his direction. Clark is one of maybe two players on the Boilermakers’ rosters that could play on pretty much any Big Ten team and Purdue will rely on him to lead a talented secondary in 2016.
Illinois: RB Ke-Shawn Vaughn
The 5’10’’, 205-pound Vaughn flashed his outstanding skill set when Josh Ferguson went down with an injury last season and he will be relied on to step up and fill a void as an X-factor in the Illinois offense this season. The Fighting Illini have some intriguing talent on both sides of the football but they will need a number of players to step up and prove they can be key contributors in order to prove they can play to their potential. Vaughan has the potential to top the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2016 and all eyes will be on him to see if he can consistently perform at a high level this coming season.
