For complete Big Ten player rankings and player previews, see our Draft Kit.
The Big Ten will see many changes heading into 2011, most notably the addition of the Nebraska Cornhuskers from the Big 12, which has resulted in two divisions and the conference’s first ever championship game.
Ohio State is going through team changes that have dominated the news of college football, and has the Buckeyes currently embattled in an NCAA investigation that resulted in the resignation of Head Coach Jim Tressel, the suspensions of running back Daniel Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey, and more importantly, quarterback Terrelle Pryor. While Herron and Posey will return in week six, Pryor has opted for the NFL supplemental draft (assuming there is one).
The conference still boasts plenty of fantasy talent, especially at quarterback with the likes of Michigan’s Denard Robinson, Dan Persa (Northwestern), Nathan Scheelhaase (Illinois), Russell Wilson (Wisconsin via NC State), and Taylor Martinez (Nebraska). That is a pretty impressive list.
As usual, Wisconsin returns some of the top running backs in Montee Ball and James White, but watch out for Iowa’s Marcus Coker to make a run at changing that in 2011.
The “unknown” position is wide receiver. Will Damarlo Belcher step up and be the new leader of the Big Ten, or will Roy Roundtree explode in his junior season and earn the coveted #1 Wolverine jersey?
All I know is, it’s going be a lot of fun to watch.
Nebraska
2010 Record: 10-4
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 38th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 9th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense
Significant losses: Running back Roy Helu, wide receiver Niles Paul
Newcomer of Note: Running back Aaron Green could immediately find himself spelling Rex Burkhead.
2011 Thoughts: Nebraska lost Roy Helu, but Rex Burkhead ran for 951 yards and is poised to take the lead role. Taylor Martinez begins his second year and brings another dual-threat quarterback to the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers have to absorb the loss of wide receiver Niles Paul, but this should not be a big concern. Jamal Turner moved from quarterback to receiver this spring and was outstanding.
Final Analysis: Martinez and Burkhead lead the Huskers fantasy attack, and both should push 1,000-yard rushing totals in 2011. Though Nebraska isn’t a place to look for wide receiver help, do keep an eye on Turner’s development.
Michigan State
2010 Record: 11-2
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 47th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 39th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 6 Offense, 6 Defense
Significant losses: Wide receiver Mark Dell, TE Charlie Gantt, OC Don Treadwell
Newcomer of Note: Watch true freshman WR Juwan Caesar, a big target. Also keep an eye on RS Frosh WR Tony Lippett, who had a very impressive spring and could see time on both sides of the ball.
2011 Thoughts: The Spartans return a ton of skill position players from 2010 and should continue to improve on offense. Senior quarterback Kirk Cousins will captain the attack with star running back Edwin Baker set to try and improve on his 1,201 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. While Mark Dell is gone, B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Keith Nichol return to give stability at the receiver position, and young Bennie Fowler looks like a rising star.
Final Analysis: Cousins isn’t going to dominate in fantasy because of the offense, but he will once again be a solid spot starter in BCS leagues. The real gem will be Baker, who established himself as a threat in 2010 and will continue to do so. Cunningham is a serviceable receiver who should match or exceed his 2010 output.
Iowa
2010 Record: 8-5
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 50th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 7th
Base Offense: Power I
Returning Starters: 5 Offense, 4 Defense
Significant losses: Running back Adam Robinson, quarterback Ricky Stanzi, wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos
Newcomer of Note: Running back Rodney Coe was expected to be this guy, but he’s opted to go JUCO for the 2011 season. Mika'il McCall is another running back signee who could see the field early.
2011 Thoughts: Ricky Stanzi is off to the NFL, and it’s now James Vandenberg who is expected to be under center for the Hawkeyes, however John Wienke is still in the running. Whoever the quarterback is, he will be fortunate to have Marcus Coker to hand the ball to with regularity. Marvin McNutt returns at wide receiver, but losing the reliable Koulianos will take time to replace. Keenan Davis should see an expanded role at receiver but must overcome his case of the “dropsies.”
Final Analysis: Marcus Coker is a star in the making, and should be your number one choice on the Iowa football team. McNutt was very good in 2010 and should continue to be an effective option, but it may take a few games while the new quarterback settles in. In other words, expect a heavy dose of Coker.
Northwestern
2010 Record: 7-6
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 63rd
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 77th
Base Offense: Spread
Returning Starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense
Significant losses: WR Sidney Stewart (39-437-0) is it.
Newcomer of Note: Christian Jones is a talented receiver from Texas who could see immediate playing time.
2011 Thoughts: Northwestern should be an offensive force in 2011, returning nine starters on offense, including the dangerous quarterback Dan Persa. Persa has his valuable wide receiver Jeremy Ebert (eight touchdowns, 953 yards receiving) back, as well as running back Mike Trumpy, who led all NU running backs with 116 rushing attempts last year.
Final Analysis: You’ll want to draft Ebert and Persa in this offense, Ebert will look to improve on his eight touchdowns from 2010, while Persa will be the focal point of the offense as both a runner and a thrower. Running back is still not a solid option for your squad on a weekly basis, but they do have a potential playmaker in running back Adonis Smith, who has yet to be featured.
Michigan
2010 Record: 7-6
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 25th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 107th
Base Offense: Pro Set
Returning Starters: 9 Offense, 7 Defense
Significant losses: Rich Rodriguez
Newcomers of Note: Running back Justice Hayes, tight End Chris Barnett, and Coach Brady Hoke. Also, keep close eye on RB Thomas Rawls, who may be the most Big Ten-ready of all incoming backs.
2011 Thoughts: Michigan was all Denard Robinson, all the time in 2010, but that is set to change a bit. While Robinson will still be a dangerous dual-threat weapon, the Wolverines will try to run the ball more traditionally in 2011, and Stephen Hopkins is a back to keep your eye on. Roy Roundtree returns at wide receiver, where he posted career high numbers last year. Provided Darryl Stonum can fulfill his team obligations stemming from a second alcohol + driving-related arrest, then he becomes a key component as well.
Final Analysis: It’s hard to imagine Robinson duplicating the monster year he had in 2010 (1,702 rush, 2,570 pass, 32 total touchdowns), but new HC Brady Hoke and OC Al Borges will continue to use him where he’s most effective, in the open field. Keep an eye on Hopkins as a potential break-out player, but he has competition with Vincent Smith, Michael Shaw and the aforementioned Mr. Rawls. Whoever the running back is, expect him to see a bigger load this season to keep Denard fresh and the defense off the field.
Minnesota
2010 Record: 3-9
2010 Offensive Rank (out of 120): 89th
2010 Defensive Rank (out of 120): 98th
Base Offense: Multiple
Returning Starters: 6 Offense, 8 Defense
Significant losses: Quarterback Adam Weber
Newcomers of Note: Running back Lamonte Edwards, wide receiver Marcus Jones
2011 Thoughts: Adam Weber’s tenure is over, but Minnesota finally puts MarQueis Gray at quarterback where he can cause havoc. Gray played mostly at wide receiver in 2010, posting 587 yards and five touchdowns. He will give the Gophers a dual (or triple, if you will) threat option that should make the offense more exciting.
Final Analysis:
Gray is a draft day option simply for his potential to be a diamond in the rough. The Gophers may make a change at running back and go with the redshirt freshman, Lamonte Edwards, who came highly-regarded to Minnesota in 2010. Da'Jon McKnight returns at receiver and is a solid Big Ten league and BCS spot starter, although Brandon Green could take some of his production.