Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, August 2, 2013
It?s difficult enough to select an All-Freshman team after the season. Well, the good folks at College Football News have picked a preseason All-Redshirt Freshman Team. Check out the offense here. And the defense here.
A few Big Ten players made it: Michigan State running back Riley Bullough; Wisconsin center Dan Voltz; Michigan guards Kyle Kalis and Ben Braden; Nebraska defensive end Avery Moss; linebacker Vince Biegel; Penn State linebacker Nyeem Wartman; Ohio State defensive back Tyvis Powell. Banner year for redshirt freshmen in the Big Ten!
THOUGHTS ON NO. 2, COACH? Ohio State came in at No. 2 in the coaches poll which was released yesterday. How does Urban Meyer feel about that?
25 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT POLL: Speaking of the USA Today poll, here are 25 things to know about it.
The tidbit on Ohio State in interesting: Coach Urban Meyer is a combined 34-4 during his second seasons with a program (9-3 at Bowling Green in 2002, 12-0 at Utah in 2004 and 13-1 at Florida in 2006). The latter two teams reached a BCS bowl; the 2006 Gators won the national championship.
How about this on Nebraska? Last year?s defense allowed 214 points to UCLA, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Georgia, and only 172 points to the remaining 10 teams on its schedule.
HAGEMAN FEATURE: Nice story on star Minnesota DT Ra?Shede Hageman by Marcus Fuller of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Hageman has come a long way emotionally and academically.
When was the last time a defensive player was the face of Golden Gophers football? It probably was Tyrone Carter in the late 1990s.
INSPIRATIONAL ILLINI: Looking for inspiration? Look no further than Illinois offensive lineman Corey Lewis, who has endured three torn ACLs and five surgeries. But, he?s back to finish his career as a key part of the o-line. Amazing.
FITZ IN THE FOLD: Michigan running back Fitz Toussaint has been declared healthy for the coming season after a broken leg ended his 2012 early. And that?s great news for a Wolverine rushing game that floundered in 2012.
But I can?t wait to see true freshman RB Derrick Green, who is rated by some as the top incoming back in the nation.
NCAA TOURNEY CHANGES: Tweaks to the NCAA tournament selection process were announced yesterday. Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids Gazette has a nice summation.
Basically, the NCAA altered its men?s basketball selection principles to allow conference teams to meet more frequently in the tournament?s earlier rounds. Conferences rivals formerly were placed away from one another until the regional finals. But changes will allow teams that have met only once during the regular season to face one another in the tournament?s third round (round of 32). It?s designed to make the seed list more accurate - and give geographic sites a major boost - when the 68-team bracket is announced.
Bravo!
BECK BACK TO NORMAL: Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck is back on the job-and sleeping better-after going through a procedure that saw his jaw broken in four places to help remedy a sleep apnea condition.
HOOSIER HYSTERIA: There is a lot of excitement about the Indiana season. In fact, some feel the Hoosiers could make a bowl for the first time since 2007. I am one of those people.
Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson thinks his team needs to back up that hype with results. No doubt, the Hoosiers have the offense to excel. But can the defense develop some teeth? If so, IU could be a 6-6 or 7-5 team.
MSU POSITION BATTLES: The great Mike Griffith of MLive.com chronicles the top seven position battles for Michigan State.
The spot I?m most fascinated by? Running back. Griffith thinks Riley Bullough will be the starter because he knows the offense and can be counted on in pass protection. The tougher of the other two backs - Gerald Holmes and Delton Williams - gets the majority of the rest of the carries with the speed backs taking their turns on third downs.
WISCONSIN CHAT: Wanna get caught up on the Badgers? Read Tom Mulhern?s chat recap.
Who will be the QB? Here is what Mulhern says: As of this point, I'd be surprised if it's McEvoy. Don't forget, he's got three years of eligibility. It's not like they brought him in and he's got to play right away. His background is limited, only two years of playing the position. So, I don't think you can compare him to last two transfers who came in. I thought Stave had the best spring. As of now, I'd put it like this: 1, Stave; 2, Phillips, 3, McEvoy. By no means do I feel confident about that prediction. We're going to have to see how it plays out in camp.
TWEETS THAT MATTER
Greg Mattison says, during the season, staff works anywhere from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) August 1, 2013
My take: If a football coach works that long, how long does a NASA scientist work? I mean, how complex can football be?
https://twitter.com/audsnyder4/status/363023581619302400
My take: That?s how it always should be at every school.
#Badgers FB players thanking AD Barry Alvarez for UW providing players with iPads.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) August 1, 2013
My take: Nice.
Dantonio in response, on U-M rivalry: ?It?s important to us. I really don?t care if it?s important to them or not. It?s important to us.?
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) August 1, 2013
My take: True. But, we all know Ohio State is Michigan?s top rival. Michigan State fans shouldn?t care.
Nebraska opened No. 16 in last season's coaches' poll, and finished No. 23. Envision something similar this season?
— Steven Sipple (@steven_sipple) August 1, 2013
My take: This is what those in the biz call ?foreshadowing.?
Depending on how much help Hageman gets up front and off the edge I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a few more than last year's six sacks.
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) August 2, 2013
My take: Will be a bit disappointing if he doesn?t get more.
Seven of #Purdue's 1st 8 games are against @USAToday top 43 (in voting points)
— mike carmin (@mike_carmin) August 1, 2013
My take: Gulp.