Considering how much disdain these teams have for one another - based on their last meeting and the aftermath - I would expect a spirited effort from the Hawkeyes. With an improved (can’t be worse) offense, Iowa should hold its own in just about every game. Iowa loses some key pieces but has the shell of a really good defense, plus the best special teams unit in the country. The Hawkeyes defense led the nation last year in yards allowed per play at 3.99, which is a minor miracle considering how much it was on the field. The last two times Iowa played in Happy Valley, it scored 41 and 24 points, so personnel had something to do with the recent horror show. But the Hawkeyes have retooled with former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara and tight end batterymate Erick All, plus two new receivers and two new linemen. Scott Dochterman: It was easy to mock Iowa’s offense the last two years, where scoring points was like squeezing the last few drops out of a ketchup bottle. Moody was basically automatic the past two years, and there’s going to be some anxiety the first time Michigan has to try a field goal in the fourth quarter of a close game. The Wolverines have to replace Olu Oluwatimi and Mazi Smith, the anchors of their offensive and defensive lines, plus both specialists, kicker Jake Moody and punter Brad Robbins. Amorion Walker, the projected starter, got burned a few times in the spring game and Michigan added Josh Wallace from UMass to bring in another veteran. It remains to be seen whether the offensive line can keep the quarterback, either Kyle McCord or Devin Brown, upright enough to get the ball in the hands of the plethora of weapons.Īustin Meek: Michigan doesn’t have a lot of obvious flaws, but the second cornerback spot opposite Will Johnson is one area of concern. Ohio State is going to have no problem scoring points next year - the weapons are too good - and the defense should be much improved. They lost three starters to the draft, including All-American Paris Johnson Jr., and enter the summer without a bona fide starter at right tackle and with a freshman battling an injured junior at center. The question holding the Buckeyes back from whether they’ll be Big Ten favorites isn’t who will take over at quarterback but what the offensive line will look like. and Emeka Egbuka, a deep group of running backs and an improved secondary. Here are their responses:Ĭameron Teague Robinson: Ohio State returns one of the most talented rosters in the country, led by the elite wide receiver duo of Marvin Harrison Jr. I’ve enlisted the help of my colleagues who cover Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa. I focused your question on the Nittany Lions’ top three opponents because to make a lot of noise nationally, Penn State has to first get through the final year of play in the Big Ten East. There shouldn’t be any surprises with Penn State’s top challenges in the Big Ten.
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