Football
Big Ten Preview, Part One
By Tony Gerdeman
Football season is creeping up on us. Before you know it, the whistle will blow and the Buckeyes will start their preseason with an in-state game against Miami University.
The preseason is fun, but it is just that, the preseason. Big Ten Conference play is the real meat and potatoes of the Buckeye football schedule.
We've asked new the-Ozone contributor Tony Gerdeman to take a look at the Big Ten and give us a little thumbnail of each team as well as a prediction of how they will fare this season. Here are Tony's observations and predictions for the bottom five finishers in the Big Ten. We'll publish his picks for sixth through third on Thursday, and give you Tony's picks for number one and two in the Grand Old Conference on Monday. Then we'll let Tony preview the Miami RedHawks for us game week.

11. Indiana 3-8 (1-7) (predicted finish)
Two Cent Overview
All of the playmakers on the offense are gone. A few players return on defense. However, Terry Hoeppner has won at lesser schools. There is no Antwaan Randle El here though, so it's going to take a while.
Schedule
Sept. 2 at Central Michigan (W)
Sept. 10 Nicholls State (W)
Sept. 17 Kentucky (L)
Oct. 1 at Wisconsin (L)
Oct. 8 Illinois (L)
Oct. 15 at Iowa (L)
Oct. 22 Ohio State (L)
Oct. 29 at Michigan State (L)
Nov. 5 Minnesota (W)
Nov. 12 at Michigan (L)
Nov. 19 Purdue (L)
Something To Look For
Competitiveness. It's not like the Hoosiers were just shelled week after week last year. They were "only" beaten by more than two touchdowns four times last year.

Returning Starters
Five on offense, ten on defense and the punter.

Best Player
Linebacker Kyle Killion. Second on the team in tackles last year with 107. He was also second team All Big Ten. Terry Hoeppner is very high on Killion and expecting big things and big time numbers from him.

Most Important Game
Kentucky. If they get by Central Michigan, the Hoosiers could be 2-0 heading into their home game with Kentucky. If they can beat Kentucky, then they are half way to being bowl eligible. The problem is that I don't see three other wins on their schedule.

Best Game to Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To
None, really. If you want to experience a road game from the comfort of home, just go to the Ohio State game.

Best Reason They Won't Be Undefeated
Because they play eleven other teams.

Player People Are Expecting Too Much From
If you're expecting too much from a Hoosier, that's your own fault.

Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By
Cornerback Tracy Porter. Had three picks as a freshman last year in half a season until he got injured. Look for continued improvement and plenty of opportunities to make plays, and I mean plenty.

Game On The Schedule That Glen Mason Is Jealous That He Didn't Schedule
Sept. 10: Nicholls State

Something They Do Well
Defend the pass. They didn't do it so well last year, but I think--individually--they have guys that can cover. They have a talented young secondary that will get better each week. An improved pass rush and some timely blitzes will make the secondary look even better.

What's improved?
Attitude. Head coach Terry Hoeppner has his players believing in what he's teaching. Players are having fun again and are willing to do whatever he asks of them to help out. "We want to make sure that when people leave Memorial Stadium that they see that we're having fun and flying around and making things happen." That's gotta count for something, right?

Player Most Likely To Own A Restaurant
John Pannozzo. They would specialize in Indiana-style pizza. Which means the dough is hung on the side of a barn and children throw basketballs at it until supper is ready.

10. Illinois 3-8 (1-7)

Two Cent Overview
The entire team will be better than it was last year, but that might not be saying much. The offense will live or die with Zook's ability to find a quarterback. The defense has potential and is relatively fast. Everybody involved in the special teams returns, so look for that to be a key to a win this year that they probably had no business winning.

Schedule
Sept. 3 Rutgers (W)
Sept. 10 San Jose State (W)
Sept. 17 at California (L)
Sept. 24 Michigan State (L)
Oct. 1 at Iowa (L)
Oct. 8 at Indiana (W)
Oct. 22 Penn State (L)
Oct. 29 Wisconsin (L)
Nov. 5 at Ohio State (L)
Nov. 12 at Purdue (L)
Nov. 19 Northwestern (L)

Something To Look For
The offense. While the Big Ten defenses are catching up with the spread offense, it is still the "Get Rich Quick Scheme" of college football. Zook brings his offense from Florida, and while it may not translate into victories, it should translate in competitiveness. For instance, instead of losing by seventeen points, they'll only lose by nine.

Returning Starters
Seven on offense, seven on defense and both the place kicker and the punter.

Best Player
Running back Pierre Thomas. He runs, he catches, and he returns. Ron Zook needs to get at least 200 carries out of Thomas. Last year Thomas only carried the ball twelve or thirteen times per game, and averaged nearly six yards per carry. The passing game could be a very effective complement to Thomas' running. The offense isn't as far away as you would think.

Most Important Game
Northwestern. A home win during rivalry week would be a great way to end the season and get the momentum going for 2006.

Best Reason They Won't Be Undefeated
Too many losses.

Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By
Quarterback Tim Brasic. Had a very good spring and is running the same type of offense he had in high school. He should have decent numbers this year--especially when you consider what they've done the past couple of years.

Game On The Schedule That Glen Mason Is Jealous That He Didn't Schedule
Sept. 10: San Jose State

Something They Do Well
Move the ball. The category should actually be "Something They Will Do Well". The offense will get better as the season goes, and the more they get Pierre Thomas involved the better everything will be. Consider Pierre Thomas the "bacon" in a BLT. Without Thomas, the Illini offense is just a lettuce and tomato sandwich.

What's gotten worse?
Nothing? Everything was bad last year, but I don't know that anything is "worse" than it was last year.

Player Most Likely To Own A Restaurant
Kambium Buckner. I don't know what it would serve, but the name of he restaurant would be "Kambium" and if I saw it whilst driving by, I would assume that I couldn't afford to eat there.

9. Wisconsin 5-7 (2-6)

Two Cent Overview
The offense will be your typical Barry Alvarez fare. Run it, run it, run it and throw smart passes. The defense is, well, atypical Barry Alvarez fare. There are replacements galore on both sides, but the defense took the biggest hits. The kicking game will be okay--provided a kicker is found.

Schedule
Sept. 3 Bowling Green (L)
Sept. 10 Temple (W)
Sept. 17 at North Carolina (W)
Sept. 24 Michigan (L)
Oct. 1 Indiana (W)
Oct. 8 at Northwestern (L)
Oct. 15 at Minnesota (L)
Oct. 22 Purdue (L)
Oct. 29 at Illinois (W)
Nov. 5 at Penn State (L)
Nov. 12 Iowa (L)
Nov. 25 at Hawaii (W)

Something To Look For
The Alvarez Factor. Announcing your retirement should net you at least two more wins, so I've probably got them a bit low.

Returning Starters
Five on offense, four on defense and the punter.

Best Player
Fullback Matt Bernstein. There is no answer for Bernstein. He is the Plow King. If the tailback follows him, there will be positive yardage gained. Plus, Bernstein can carry the ball when called upon.

Second Best Player
Left tackle Joe Thomas. Everything you would expect from a Badger lineman--he's big. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten last year as a sophomore. Played defense and some tight end as a freshman. Don't be surprised when you see him on the first-team all-conference team this year.

Most Important Game
Bowling Green. Yes, it's only the first game, and no, it's not a conference game. It is, however, the table-setter. If they win that, then they should be 3-0 with Michigan coming in. And if they win that, they could be looking at 6-0 again. I can't believe how down I am on the Badgers. They don't have a bad schedule.

Best Game To Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To
If you can't look at their schedule and figure out the best road game to go to...

Best Reason They Won't Be Undefeated
Turnover. As in they've lost too much on both sides of the ball to recover and expect to contend for a national title. Alvarez doesn't seem too put out, however, "I really like the makeup of this football team. We've got a lot of new faces. We also have a number of very productive veterans. And quite frankly, I like teams like this--teams that are hungry, teams that have to prove themselves." He likes it so much, he's quitting after the season.

Game They Shouldn't Lose But Could
at North Carolina. Barry has a history of losing to teams that he shouldn't. File this one away for a later date.

Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By
Tight end Owen Daniels. He is a versatile athlete that can stretch the field and also fight for yardage. He will be a valuable security blanket for quarterback John Stocco.

Game On The Schedule That Glen Mason Is Jealous That He Didn't Schedule
Sept. 10: Temple

What's Improved?
Focus. After Barry Alvarez announced his retirement, the games have become a little bit more important for all Badgers involved.

What's Gotten Worse?
Pass defense. They lose their pass rush from last year and they lose 75% of their secondary. This isn't a promising combination. Like Carl Lewis, a microphone and the national anthem.

Player Most Likely To Own A Restaurant
Defensive lineman Justin Ostrowski. Last name Ostrowski, in the state of Wisconsin. I'm thinking of some sort of sausage-themed Chuck-E-Cheese type place.

8. Northwestern 4-7 (2-6)

Two Cent Overview
The Wildcats lost their best player from last year, running back Noah Herron, but they are still the poor man's Running Back U. They have a senior quarterback in Brett Basanez and playmakers at receiver. The defense suffered some losses, including their standout defensive end Loren Howard who is transferring to Arizona State, but they do return linebacker Tim McGarigle.

Schedule
Sept. 3 Ohio (W)
Sept. 10 Northern Illinois (W)
Sept. 17 at Arizona State (L)
Sept. 24 Penn State (L)
Oct. 8 Wisconsin (W)
Oct. 15 at Purdue (L)
Oct. 22 at Michigan State (L)
Oct. 29 Michigan (L)
Nov. 5 Iowa (L)
Nov. 12 at Ohio State (L)
Nov. 19 at Illinois (W)

Five Questions Begging For Answers

1. Who will be the next running back to ease into 1,300 yards?

2. Will Brett Basanez finally throw for more than one touchdown per game?

3. Will cornerback Jeff Backes be missed more for his coverage or his experience?

4. Will Dan McGarigle lead the nation in solo tackles again?

5. Could they have gotten a more difficult Big Ten schedule?

Something To Look For
Expect a more inflictive passing attack this year. Basanez is a senior and he needs to show it with his arm as much as he has with his head.

Returning Starters
Six on offense, four on defense and the place kicker.

Best Player
Linebacker Dan McGarigle. He led the NCAA in tackles last year. He's going to continue to get opportunity after opportunity in 2005.

Second Best Player
Quarterback Bret Basanez. A senior quarterback in Randy Walker's system has no reason not to succeed. Walker believes that he has never had a group of seniors like this, and Basanez is at the head of that table, "I don't think there's a quarterback in the country that works harder than Brett Basanez...he came into our place at about 185 pounds. Now he weighs about 218 pounds and almost resembles a division one football player."

Best Chance For A Bad Loss
at Ohio State. Revenge is a dish best served in Ohio Stadium.

Most Important Game
Penn State. Not only would it be a quality win against a quality opponent, there is a chance that these two teams could be close in Big Ten record, and it would be nice to have the tiebreaker at the very least.

Best Game To Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To
at Arizona State. It'll be your only chance to see where the Fiesta Bowl is played. (Zing!)

Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By
Running back Brandon Roberson. The sophomore will be battling Terrell Jordan for the starting spot. Roberson is faster and more elusive, but Jordan is more experienced. Either way, it's not unusual for the backup running back to get significant yards in this offense--Noah Herron rushed for 700 as a backup in 2003.

Something They Don't Do So Well
Reach the endzone via the pass. Twelve touchdown passes last year for Basanez. Granted this is a running spread offense, but still, twelve touchdowns? They threw for almost 3,000 yards and only managed one touchdown pass per game. That's just odd.

Player Most Likely To Own A Restaurant
Campbell Black. Assorted tomato-based canned soups, duh.

7. Penn State 7-4 (4-4)

Two Cent Overview
Penn State has talent on offense and defense and even the special teams will be better. But right now, the stink of mediocrity permeates them. Michael Robinson is not a quarterback, but he'll be starting there for JoePa. The defense will be outstanding again. The kicking game and return game will be better than it was last year thanks to the loss of "kicker" Robbie Gould and the additions of freshmen returners Derrick Williams and Justin King.

Schedule
Sept. 3 South Florida (W)
Sept. 10 Cincinnati (W)
Sept. 17 Central Michigan (W)
Sept. 24 at Northwestern (W)
Oct. 1 Minnesota (L)
Oct. 8 Ohio State (L)
Oct. 15 at Michigan (L)
Oct. 22 at Illinois (W)
Oct. 29 Purdue (W)
Nov. 5 Wisconsin (W)
Nov. 19 at Michigan State (L)

Something To Look For
Low scoring games. It will be tough for opponents to get more than three or four touchdowns on Penn State's defense. Unfortunately for Penn State, that might be two or three too many.

Returning Starters
Eight on offense, nine on defense and the punter.

Best Player
Cornerback Alan Zemaitis. Perhaps the top cornerback in the league. He only had two interceptions last year, but you can't catch what isn't thrown your way.

Best Game To Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To
at Michigan State. C'mon, it's your Big Ten-mandated rival, get off your butt and support you team. Sheesh.

Best Reason They Will Be Undefeated
The Defense. They are tremendous, but a shield doesn't win a battle, it just prolongs the onslaught.

Player People Are Expecting Too Much From
Wide receiver Derrick Williams. He's a freshman and the fans are already touting him as their Ted Ginn. That's a tough comparison. I liken Williams this way: Imagine if The Flash moved to the east side of Metropolis. Knowing that Superman really never comes over to the east side, they are excited that they now have their own superhero. So the people glom onto The Flash. They ask him questions like, "Can you fly?"; "Do you have super strength?"; "Do you have heat vision?" And of course, to each question, he answers "No." Then somebody asks him what his super power is. He answers "I run fast!" The crowd replies, "That's it?" (In this analogy, the role of Superman was played by Ted Ginn Jr.)

Something They Do Well
Defend the pass. The Nittany Lions gave up five touchdown passes and intercepted sixteen last season. They return four starters in the secondary and pretty much everybody up front, so the seemingly improved pass rush should only help the pass defense.

What's Improved?
Everything. Seriously. The offense is better. If Austin Scott is healthy, he and Tony Hunt (and Michael Robinson) provide three legitimate running threats. And of course, they also have The Flash running fast routes. The defense is a year older and at least a year better. But still, they have to show it on the field.

Player Most Likely To Own A Restaurant
Michael Robinson. He could open some type of faux-classy joint. You know, the kind that looks fancy on the outside, but just isn't that good?

Installment II - Teams Six, Five, Four and Three

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