Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, August 20, 2015
You have questions, and I have answers in my mailbag. I type this from the BTN bus as we chug toward State College, Pennsylvania, to watch Penn State practice.
We have seen lots of interesting things that have stirred Big Ten Nation. Thanks for the cards and letters!!
How much of a loss is WR De?Mornay Pierson-El for Nebraska? – Matt P.
It is a huge loss for the Cornhuskers. Pierson-El, who is out six to eight weeks with a foot issue, was one of the Big Ten?s most electrifying players, a true go-the-distance guy who can score each time he touches the ball. Witness his two punt returns of over 80 yards for TDs last year. Iowa knows all about his explosiveness. Bottom line: Nebraska can?t replace the guy. Few teams could. It is too bad.
[ MORE: 5 things Tom Dienhart learned at Nebraska | Fun notes from Nebraska ]
How are the Michigan receivers looking? – John Ritcheske
I think they looked good. Amara Darboh and Jehu Chesson were running with the top team at the practice that I watched. Each is a savvy senior that knows the drill. When it?s all said and done, this could be one of the better tandems in the Big Ten this fall-but neither is a blazer. And I like freshman Brian Cole, too. Sophomore Maurice Ways also got a lot of reps, along with freshman Grant Perry. Sprinkle in a deep corps of tight ends led by Jake Butt-who will be one of the league?s best-and the Wolverine quarterbacks will have no shortage of options-just not many deadly game-breakers.
[ MORE: 5 things Tom Dienhart learned at Michigan | Fun notes from Michigan ]
How is Northwestern set for running backs? Will the Cats have a good FG kicker? – Dennis Jans
The Wildcats are sitting good at running back led by Justin Jackson, who was a freshman sensation last year. And depth is good, too, with junior Warren Long, sophomore Solomon Vault and freshman Auston Anderson, who is speedy like Vault. Plus, Dan Vitale is a great Superback who can play all over the field. As for kicker, junior Jack Mitchell is back. He missed just one field goal inside 40 yards in 2014 but was spotty from long distance.
Did you get to see much of Tyriq Thompson or Chris Frey at linebacker for Michigan State? Ed Davis is a huge loss. – Matt Lemiesz
I watched a lot of Frey. And, he moves well. I know the staff likes freshman David Dowell and JC Drake Martinez. Jon Reschke is another linebacker who should be a factor, and senior Darien Harris is a savvy vet. And Riley Bullough looks like a lynchpin in the middle. Plus, this group will be well coached by Mark Snyder.
[ MORE: 5 things Tom Dienhart learned at MSU | Fun notes from MSU ]
Is Michigan's defense an elite unit, and can it carry the team while the offense gels? – Brandon
An ?elite? unit? I don?t think so. But, it is a good unit that may be capable of carrying the offense for a bit. To be ?elite,? a pass rusher must emerge. And, none has so far. But that guy could be senior Mario Ojemudia.
What do you think Michigan's record will be this season?? – Bryan Zachery
Let?s do this together:
At Utah L
Oregon State W
UNLV W
BYU L
At Maryland W
Northwestern W
Michigan State L
At Minnesota L
Rutgers W
At Indiana W
At Penn State W
Ohio State L
7-5. How does that sound?
If there is a three-way tie for first place in the East or West divisions, what criteria is used to select the team that will play in the Big Ten title game? – Jim Rakestraw
Glad you asked! Here you go!
What type of defense will Nebraska have? – Marc Leger
It has a chance to be good. ?Blackshirt? good? I?m not sure about that. I love the tackles, led by Maliek Collins. He may be the best at the position in the Big Ten. Greg McMullen and Jack Gangwish are solid ends, but neither is a primo pass rusher. The secondary has experience, speed and athletic ability. Safety Nate Gerry is a pro. I like senior corners Daniel Davie and Jonathan Rose, too. It?s the linebackers that could be an issue. Michael Ivey-Rose looks primed for big things. And Josh Banderas is an anchor inside. But depth is spotty.
How do you rate the defensive backfield for the Spartans? – Bob Keto
I rate it solid for now. The ?No Fly Zone? is good at safety with Montae Nicholson and RJ Williamson. But concern looms at cornerback with two new starters. The staff has Arjen Colquhoun, Demetrious Cox, Vayante Copeland and Jermaine Edmondson competing. Getting good cornerback play is key in this defense, which feeds off the ability of the corners to play press-man coverage.
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| About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
