BTN.com staff, July 25, 2014
Think Braxton Miller is just a runner? Think again. The electric Ohio State quarterback tossed a Big Ten-leading 24 touchdowns last season.
Will Miller, the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, lead the Big Ten again?
See Tom Dienhart, Sean Merriman and Brent Yarina's picks in this post.
PASSING TOUCHDOWNS
2013 leader: Braxton Miller, Ohio State – 24
2014 returning leader: Braxton Miller, Ohio State – 24
Tom Dienhart: Wes Lunt, Illinois. I know, the guy never has thrown a pass in Champaign. But I think the Illini attack will be built around Lunt and his ability to throw. Why not? He?ll be the best player on offense, able to raise the play of those around him. The guy is gonna be a stud.
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Sean Merriman: Christian Hackenberg, Penn State. This guy lived up to the hype, and then some during his freshman season. Now, it?s time for Hackenberg to take the next step in his development, which is scary to think about. The Nittany Lions? signal caller threw 20 touchdowns, to go along with 2,955 yards, last season. The loss of do-it-all receiver Allen Robinson will be challenging, but Hackenberg has other wide receiver targets ready to step up, as well as a great trio of tight ends.
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Brent Yarina: Connor Cook, Michigan State. No one has forgotten the Big Ten title game or Rose Bowl Game performances, have they? If so, Cook torched Ohio State and Stanford for a combined 636 yards and five TDs in the two biggest games of his life. He tossed 22 scoring strikes last season, which tied for second in the Big Ten, plus he hardly played in the first two weeks. Cook is only getting better, and he has an underrated and deep receiving corps at his disposal.
