Can Mark D’Antonio rebuild the in-state rivalry and get the Spartan faithful believing they are relevant again? It’s a tall task given the annual start strong in September and wilt in late October and November theme that John L Smith built in 5 seasons. Last year’s 7-6 (3-5 in Big 10) season culminated in a Champs Sports Bowl loss to Boston College and this season is littered with question marks. The Spartans return 11 starters from last year’s team.
Let’s begin with the good news. The electrifying, game breaking Javon Ringer is back at runningback in East Lansing. In a split carry system last year, he amassed 1,447 yards and 6 touchdowns. Look for those numbers to improve dramatically barring injury. Ringer should find the end zone 10+ times in 2008.
Again, entertaining thoughts that your school’s athletic department knows anything about athletics is LAUGHABLE. First we have the 1997 men’s hoops team getting disqualified from the school’s only final 4 appearance due to then coach Clem Haskins and the administration writing papers, taking exams and the like for the players. This was followed by the removal of a tenured winning coach, Glen Mason (who lent pride, name recognition, excellence and a couple of little brown jug wins), for an embarrassing 1-11 (0-8 Big 10) campaign. I LOVE IT!! But hey, according to Rivals.com, Tim Brewster’s first full recruiting class was rated 17th best, nationally. This may mean something to the alumni, the online readers and fantasy footballers in 2011. I promise to stay on top of this situation for all of you. For now the team has 14 returning starters, 3 worth mentioning.
I like Coach Bret Bielema as much as the next guy, however I continue to misunderstand the hype around what he has (or in my opinion has not done) with this program in the post Barry Alvarez era. Lack of ability to recruit “ANY” kind of talent at the QB position in the Big 10 is glaring. I would be shocked if Wisconsin finishes the year as highly ranked as they are now, but then again, no one is paying me for my prognostication skills. The Badgers need to improve on both sides of the football to replicate last year’s 9-4 (Outback loss to Tennessee) season. They backed into 2nd place in the Big 10 following Penn State and Michigan giving away late season games.
Wide receiver offers nothing to speak of from a fantasy point of view. The Badgers top 2 returning pass catchers from 2007 were tight ends. Of course, that leads us to a TE conversation worth having as Travis Beckum had 75 catches, 982 yards and 6 touchdowns. He was a John Mackey Award finalist in 2007 and should be in a good position to make another run at it. Garrett Graham caught 30 balls for 328 yards and 4 scores.
This is going to be hilarious to watch Michigan Wolverine fans clamor for Ron Zook’s recruiting class by year end. Three spread-option teams in the Big 10 (when you include Northwestern) and the Zook-lead Illini should be a top challenger to Ohio State’s dominance atop the conference. Remember, Illinois went into Columbus and shocked the Buckeyes while Michigan had yet another home loss to Tressel’s boys. The Illini return 12 starters from last year’s Rose Bowl squad which was humiliated by USC.
Where to begin? From a drafting perspective as well as from the fan-base it has to begin and end with Juice Williams, right? Yes sir it does…..he is EVERYTHING you want a fantasy QB to be. He throws enough to score points for your team through the air, but gives you an above average dual threat with his legs. Let me illustrate for you:
This was one of the feel good stories of the year in 2007 as Indiana captured its first Bowl invitation (Insight Bowl) in years after the untimely death of former coach Terry Hoepner. One now wonders if Bill Lynch and the Hoosiers can build from last season’s emotionally filled season. Or, do they go back to being doormats in the Big 10 football landscape. The Hoosiers were trounced by T. Boone Pickens (billionaire alum turned football donator enthusiast) and his Oklahoma State Cowboys 49-33 in the Insight Bowl and things have not been much better since December 31st.
Simply put, you must own Quarterback Kellen Lewis who might be rated higher than Juice Williams and probably Todd Boeckman. Like Juice he is a dual-threat totaling 3,779 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2007. However, here lies the problem I am having with this selection.
Can Mark D’Antonio rebuild the in-state rivalry and get the Spartan faithful believing they are relevant again? It’s a tall task given the annual start strong in September and wilt in late October and November theme that John L Smith built in 5 seasons. Last year’s 7-6 (3-5 in Big 10) season culminated in a Champs Sports Bowl loss to Boston College and this season is littered with question marks. The Spartans return 11 starters from last year’s team.
