We’ve already witnessed a couple of Big Ten teams in action, but the remaining twelve teams will be in taking the field Saturday. It’s impossible to watch them all, but if you somehow manage to dial up games on the television, laptop, tablet and and media control room, then here are five things to watch for:
5. How will the Penn State marriage between quarterback Trace McSorley and head coach Jame Franklin play out?
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Last time we saw James Franklin, he was bidding farewell to quarterback Christian Hackenberg. It might have been one of the most awkward forced nuptials in the history of college head coach/quarterback relationships we’ve ever witnessed.
In Franklin’s defense, Hackenberg was an inherited talent that never quite fit into the head coach’s way of doing things. It’s no secret that Franklin would rather have a more mobile quarterback calling the shots open things up a wee-bit. Now he has it.
At 6-0, 205 lbs, McSorley will provide the added dimension of keeping plays alive and have his number dialed up for running plays much more than the prototypical drop back Hackenberg. Hopefully, this marriage doesn’t need counseling as often as previous one. We’ll get to see these two go on their first date Saturday.
It’s the type of quarterback the Franklin offensive system McSorley missed (yuck, yuck).
4. New B1G coaches in new B1G places …
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So which one of the new coaching faces has the best chance to win immediately? Both Chris Ash (Rutgers) and D.J. Durkin (Maryland) are inheriting a grease fire of a situation, and will have to contend with the big boys of the East division.
You’d like to think that Lovie Smith will have an easier time with a little more talent in the cupboard in Champaign, but there are challenges there too as he’ll have to try and install his culture and system quickly in year one to see dividends on the field.
We could also consider Tracy Clayes a newby even though he had the keys to the rental car at the tail end of last year, and has a history of filling in for Jerry Kill in seasons past. He’s already notched one in the left hand column so the other three will be trying to keep pace.
You are all on the clock.
3. Can Iowa hit the ground running?
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Expectations are high in Iowa City this year. The Hawkeyes return a talented QB in C.J. Beathard and have a lot of skill back on both sides of the ball. You’d think that would result in another contending year, but you might want to pump the breaks a little.
The Hawkeyes have had issues putting two quality years together over the last decade or so under Kirk Ferentz, and far too often they’ve come out of the gate with more rust than an old Pinto that’s gone through one too many winters. There’ve been far too many close shaves and losses in MACtion and other not so formidable foes, and there’s another one on the docket Saturday with Miami (OH) coming for dinner.
Iowa can ill-afford to lose in week one before hosting in-state arch rival Iowa State.
2. Just how good is Ohio State’s youth?
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Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has been uncharacteristically brash about his team early on this year. He’s always been as honest as the day is long, and we usually get a brutally honest assessment of the shortcomings and warts of the team coming into the season.
Not so much this year.
You’d think with an FBS low six returning starter,s that doom and gloom would be camped out overtop of the ‘Ole Horseshoe. Instead, Meyer has praised this year’s team saying that it has a chance to be the most talented he’s ever had, and that he feels good about his team being nearly ready.
We won’t find out a ton on Saturday against Bowling Green, but we’ll at least get an idea.
1. Who in the world is the starting QB for Michigan?
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Head coach Jim Harbaugh has yet to name the starting quarterback for Saturday. Maybe if you have the right security clearance and the correct launch codes you could crack this little puzzle, but so far nobody in the media has been able to grab control the bridge and turn the key.
So is it transfer John O’Korn or redshirt sophomore Wilton Speight that will lead the continued resurgence in Ann Arbor this year? We’ll know Saturday, and it might just be the most important named starter in the entire conference with what’s at stake in 2016.
The Wolverines seem to be the darling pick for the conference crown and perhaps a College Football Playoff bid despite having to travel to Columbus, Iowa City, and East Lansing. To reach those lofty expectations, the man slinging the ball is may have to saddle the team up and win one or two games. We’ll know who the B1G man on campus is soon enough.
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Phil Harrison is a frequent contributor to The Student Section. He is also a featured contributor to collegefootballews.com, and talking10.com. You can follow him on twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB or email him at pharrison28@gmail.com. If that doesn’t work, you can find him in the doghouse at home.
