Our conference roundtable series continues, as we move on to the Big Ten conference. Yesh Ginsburg kicked things off for us earlier in the week, grading the East and West division’s non-conference schedules. Today, we’ll talk about which players will stand out the most this fall.
Q. Who is the player to watch in the Big Ten this year?
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
The best player in the conference should be J.T. Barrett, but he’s not my choice here. The guy I’m really interested in watching will be Nebraska’s Tommy Armstrong Jr.
At times Armstrong has put it all together and has looked like he’s figured it out. But those times haven’t been often enough. Last year he threw the most interceptions of his career with 16. He also had the most passing yards (3,030) and his best completion percentage (55.2%). In addition, he ran for the most TDs in his career but did so in fewer yards than 2014 which means he’s doing a better job picking his spots.
Armstrong’s continued development is key to Nebraska’s season. This will be Armstrong’s second year under the Mike Riley and his staff and I’m very interested in seeing how Armstrong does in his final season.
Phil Harrison
On Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB
We’ve all seen Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett, and that would be a fine choice, but for me, I’m going to turn my gaze further east to a running back in Happy Valley.
You saw Saquon Barkley flash on the scene last year as a freshman with an uncommon strength and maturity in his running for such a young guy. He’s had the entire off-season to get even stronger and hone his craft, and with the loss of quarterback Christian Hackenberg, you can bet that James Franklin and his staff will be going to the running game even more this year.
He’s on the fringe of the Heisman discussion now, but he’s got the tools to catapult up the list should Penn State figure things out this year. For me, he’s the number one guy to watch become a household name this year.
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
I mean, when someone (even if it’s your coach) says about you owning “the greatest in the world type of athleticism,” how is one not supposed to go ahead and watch that!?
I speak of course of Michigan defensive back/linebacker/all around do-whatever-guy on both sides of the ball, Jabrill Peppers. He’s had immense hype since signing with Brady Hoke and showed some of that long-awaited promise last year, but the hype is through the roof for the most Swiss Army Knife of players college football has to offer.
Last year, Peppers saw time in the defensive backfield, often came to the line of scrimmage, returned kickoffs and punts, and spent portions at running back, wide receiver, and even quarterback. I’m not sure why they haven’t tried him out at punter or let him kick an extra point. He needs to get on that.
Aside from all of that, coach Jim Harbaugh has lauded his drive and desire to get better and calls him “highly motivated,” noting that Peppers’ has felt like people have tried to put him down over his lifetime.
Also said about Peppers: “he could explode into a giant of a man.”
Well, how the heck can you not want to watch that?
Terry Johnson
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
I’m keeping an eye on J.T. Barrett.
Make no mistake about it: Barrett is the most talented quarterback in the Big Ten. In two years at Ohio State, he’s completed 296 of 461 passes (64%) for 3,826 yards with 45 TDs and only 14 interceptions. He’s been equally dangerous as a ball carrier, rushing 1,620 yards (5.66 ypc) and 22 TDs.
While the numbers above are impressive enough, what really stands out about Barrett’s game is how well he plays away from the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium. In 10 career road/neutral games, he has connected on 66.8% of his throws for 1,790 yards with a respectable 20/6 TD-to-INT ratio. He has also done a better job of stretching the defense away from home, averaging 9.13 yards per pass attempt.
With only three starters returning on offense, the Buckeyes will lean heavily on Barrett, especially early in the season. He’ll respond with the poise of a champion, and have Ohio State back in contention for Big Ten Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Eli Hershkovich
On Twitter @EliHershkovich
Like Phil, I’m choosing Saquon Barkley.
While he’s only a sophomore, the Penn State running back could blossom into a star this season.
In 2015, Barkley collected 1,076 yards on 182 carries (5.9 YPC), along with seven touchdowns, establishing himself as the leading freshman rusher in school history. Prior to the Nittany Lions’ first game against a conference foe, the Whitehall, Pa. native displayed his incomparable physicality against San Diego State, dashing for 62 yards, as well as gyrating his way for 22-yard touchdown catch.
Later in the campaign, even in the 23-21 loss to Northwestern, Barkley gashed the Wildcats’ No. 21 rushing defense for 120 yards on 25 carries (4.8 YPC). He showed off his elusiveness, too, dodging plenty of potential tackles. Overall, the tailback compiled 60 missed tackles in ‘15.
Entering this season, the 5-foot-11, 223-pounder ranks checks in as the No. 6 running back on Pro Football Focus’ list of the 101 best players in the country. Although the offense loses quarterback Christian Hackenberg, just one starting lineman from a year ago graduated. Therefore, considering Barkley bulked up over the offseason, he should finish top-20 in rushing yards among Division I running backs.
Previous Conference Roundtables
Sun Belt
MAC
Conference USA
Mountain West
AAC
Big 12
Pac-12
