Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, July 19, 2012
Storms all over the Midwest so be careful out there, people. Now here's my look at Thursday's Big Ten football news, including this video where the great Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Ohio State?s Braxton Miller is one of the Big Ten?s top quarterbacks. Lesmerises is correct, and let me tell you why.
If Miller continues to develop as a passer and quickly grasps Urban Meyer?s spread offense, he may-MAY-have a chance to be the top signal-caller in the Big Ten. Miller also will need help from a receiving corps that is looking for playmakers.
It?s going to be fun to watch his program transition under Meyer during a 2012 season that I think may see the Buckeyes post the best record in the Big Ten.
Ohio State should be 4-0 when it travels to Michigan State on September 29th in the Big Ten opener for both teams in what could be one of the best games of the season. Tell me what you think in the comments below.
Tickets moving: Despite the pall that has been cast over Penn State amid the fallout of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, fans are still gobbling up season tickets.
I can?t say that I am surprised. Anyone who has been to Penn State for a game knows the depth of passion the alums and fans possesses for the school and football program.
About 94 percent of 2011 season ticket holders have renewed their seats for 2012. The 3,400 new season ticket purchases more than doubles the number from the previous year.
What kind of product will fans see? Count on it being well-coached by Bill O?Brien. The defense could be good. The offense? That?s the key, especially the passing game and line. Still, this looks like a bowl team.
Great debate: Kyle Meinke and Nick Baumgardner of AnnArbor.com continue their back-and-forth banter on issues pertaining to all things Wolverine football in 2012. Today they debate if running back Fitz Toussaint will become the sixth Michigan player to run for 1,600 yards in a season.
I have to agree with Meinke, who thinks Toussaint can do it. He ran for over 1,041 yards last year despite not becoming the top back until Week 8 vs. Purdue. What can Toussaint do with a full season being the main man?
And he won?t be marked man, as Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson will continue to be the focus of defenses. That will allow Toussaint to work unfettered.
This is gonna be fun. ?
Future watch: Look, fat playbooks with lots of fancy Xs and Os are nice. But winning games typically comes down to one thing: Which team has the best players? With that, here?s an early look at how the 2013 Big Ten football recruiting rankings are shaping up from the Detroit Free Press.
No big shocks here. Ohio State is No. 1, followed by Michigan. But the fact Penn State is No. 3 is a bit of a surprise, as the Nittany Lions don?t appear to be suffering any negative consequences from the Jerry Sandusky scandal-so far. Credit Bill O?Brien and staff.
TWEETS THAT MATTERS
Indy throwing away chance to host first college football playoff title game. Forget the plate-is-too-full reason. That just seems silly,
— Pete DiPrimio (@pdiprimio) July 19, 2012
My take: I would have liked to have seen Indy get in the running. It?s a first-class city when it comes to playing host to major sporting events. Too bad.
Phil Steele lists Montee Ball at No. 6 on his Heisman list and says Ball will be in NYC if #badgers make Rose Bowl http://t.co/VxDksvOL
— Dave Heller ?? (@dave_heller) July 19, 2012
My take: This seems a bit low for me. Hard to believe that there are five more viable candidates. But Steele has USC?s Matt Barkley, Oklahoma?s Landry Jones, Florida State?s E.J. Manuel, Arkansas? Tyler Wilson and South Carolina?s Marcus Lattimore ahead of Ball. Oh, well.
But seriously, college football is going to be more fun this season with John L. getting his shot with Arkansas. Is there SEC-TV yet?
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) July 18, 2012
My take: Yes, this is gonna be fun! Thanks, Arkansas!
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