Big Ten links: Football season takeaways, Iowa's future & more

Penn State is turning the page as it moves to 2016, the third season under James Franklin. Christian Hackenberg is gone, as the offense transitions under a new QB and new coordinator. Those are just two questions facing PSU. Pennlive.com has 16 Penn State-related questions.

***

Steve Politi of NJ.com has graded the Big Ten bowl teams and how they impact Rutgers.

***

Former Husker Adam Carriker has key some key takeaways from the 2015 Nebraska season.

Carriker says that considering that the Huskers? seven losses came by a combined 31 points, it's reasonable to believe that this team is a lot better than its record. No doubt. This team is much better than its final 6-7 mark. We all can agree on that. As for QB Tommy Armstrong keeping his job over hotshot newcomer Patrick O'Brien, I agree with Carriker in thinking Armstrong will still be the guy.

***

On the subject of takeaways … here are three from Michigan State's season.

A lack of speed is apparent. Check out this note from Mike Griffith of Mlive.com:

Alabama had four plays of 40 yards or more in the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl last Thursday night. Michigan State had five - all season. The Spartans' recruiting has to put more focus on speed, particularly in the secondary and at receiver.

***

While Michigan State looks to rebound from a tough finish to 2015, Michigan has all sorts of mojo heading into 2016–which could be a special season. Maybe a championship season?

"Just being in our locker room, I can tell you this: I don't know about the word — what word to use to describe it other than if you could have been in there with us, you would have noticed that guys like being on our ball team," Jim Harbaugh said after capping his first season with a 41-7 smashing of Florida in the Citrus Bowl. "We're on a ball team. Michigan, the Wolverine football team.
"We like being on that ball team."

***

Can't really blame Wisconsin DC Dave Aranda for going to LSU. The guy nearly tripled his salary.

He will make $1.3 mil his first year of a three-year deal. And it will increase from there. Plus, if Les Miles gets canned, Aranda still will be taken care of. Aranda had to leave for such a sweet deal. Wisconsin wasn?t gonna pay that type of loot.

***

All the helmets haven't been put away yet, but Chad Leistikow of HawkCentral.com has projected the 2016 starters for Iowa. Why not?

Spoiler alert: There is a lot to like with this veteran crew back. Two caveats-DE Drew Ott is applying for a fifth season after Tommy John surgery (left elbow) and torn-ACL surgery (right knee) shortened his senior year. Consensus all-America cornerback Desmond King has until Jan. 18 to decide whether he wants to apply early for the NFL draft. And it sounds like King is returning for his senior season. That would be huge.

***

And there is this: Purdue QB Austin Appleby is transferring to Florida. This, after Purdue saw Danny Etling leave for LSU after 2014. Appleby?s first pass of 2015 was a pick six. It basically went downhill from there. So, the Boilermakers are left with two legit options at QB in sophomore David Blough and redshirt freshman Elijah Sindelar, a former Mr. Football Kentucky who can really spin it.

***

In case you haven't noticed, Ohio State has won six games in a row. Yes, this is the same team that earlier this year lost to Texas-Arlington and Louisiana Tech. How good of a coach is Thad Matta?

***

Email Tom Dienhart using the form below.

And if you want to leave a comment on this post, use the box below. All comments need to be approved by a moderator.