Big Ten Leaders Division Breakout Players

Oct 27, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Brendan Kelly (97) rushes as Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman Dan Voltz (70) blocks during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Michigan State defeated Wisconsin 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Big Ten conference has only been broken into separate divisions for the last two seasons. Beginning in 2011 with the addition of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the traditional powers of the North have been split into the ‘Legends’ and the ‘Leaders’ divisions–although this will change next season as they transition to the much less-confusing designations of ‘East’ and ‘West.’

Nonetheless, the Legends and Leaders are here for 2013 and the latter are looking to obtain their third consecutive conference crown by winning the annual championship game which was born when the conference expanded. So far, the Big Ten Championship game has only known the Wisconsin Badgers as its victor. They are the back-to-back kings of the Big Ten, and will look to remain so for a third consecutive season.

For the other teams in the conference to knock the Badgers off the top of the mountain, they’re going to need some young, hungry players to step up. Or in the case of the Penn State Nittany Lions, they’re going to need players to emerge so they can spoil other team’s aspirations.

Without further ado, here are the candidates for those slots, as well as a couple that will be looking to keep Wisconsin on top.

Wisconsin Badgers

• C Dan Voltz: When you think of Wisconsin football, one of the first thoughts that immediately comes to mind is the consistent success of the offensive line. Three out of the five starters return from that championship squad last year, however it’ll be up to the redshirt freshman Voltz to step in and man the center position. Although Bret Bielema is gone, this will still be a team that relies heavily on the run game and Voltz will be tasked with helping open up those gaping holes through the middle.
• RB Melvin Gordon: For the past few seasons, Big Ten teams have had to deal with the headache that was the Montee Ball–James White tandem in the backfield. With Ball now a member of the Denver Broncos, White is looking for a new backfield mate to help carry the load with him. Melvin Gordon will be that guy. He has experience, having carried the ball last year as a freshman 62 times for 621 yards and three touchdowns. This year should bring a lot more sophomore and make him a household name.

Penn State Nittany Lions

• WR Brandon-Moseby Felder: Probably one of the worst kept secrets on the Penn State team this year is that, plain and simple, Allen Robinson is a really, really good wide receiver–to put it lightly. But now that people know that, a lot of the focus will be on him, thus creating a situation where Moseby-Felder needs to amp his game up and take some of the heat off his receiving partner, and he can do just that. The 6-2, 200-pound senior should improve on the 437 receiving yards he collected last year with the renewed focus on Robinson.
• LB Nyeem Wartman: The tradition of ‘Linebacker U’ should continue this season with the emergence of redshirt freshman Nyeem Wartman. He showed signs of becoming a great player last year by blocking a punt in the opening game against the Ohio Bobcats. An injury shortly after would force Wartman to miss the rest of the season, however he was able to pick up the medical redshirt. After spring ball concluded, Wartman was listed at the top of the depth chart at one of the OLB positions and should begin to show major signs of stardom in 2013.

Purdue Boilermakers

• DE Jalani Phillips: Although not starting, Phillips stepped into a much larger role as a backup on the 2012 Purdue defense. He saw action in all 13 games and registered 23 tackles. A lot more should be expected this season from the 6-4, 260-pound junior. With the experience under his belt, Phillips should be ready to use his freakish athleticism to become a terror off the edge.
• RB Akeem Hunt: Another player that saw time in all 13 games last season for Purdue, Akeem Hunt is ready to be the lead in the Boilermakers’ backfield with the departure of Akeem Shavers. Hunt should break out this season not only running the ball, but catching it out of the backfield in new head coach Darrell Hazell‘s fast-paced, spread offense.

Apr 12, 2013; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Mile Osei (8) catches a ball before the spring football game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Fighting Illini

• WR Miles Osei: Even with experienced QB Nathan Scheelhaase under center last season, one this was clearly evident–the passing game for the Illini was horrendous. They need help, and that help may come in the form of quarterback-turned-wide receiver, Miles Osei. He’s made the transition to wide receiver better than most have, and was a dangerous contributor to the special teams last season. The senior showed promise at the end of last season in regards to being a dangerous receiving threat and should progress upon that in 2013 during his last season in Champaign.
• SS Earnest Thomas: Thomas has been on the field for the Illini since his freshman season in 2011 where he was a mild contributor. Last season, the then sophomore recorded 69 tackles and an interception, showing the makings of a key defender in the Big Ten. This season, he’ll be counted on to improve a passing defense that was not exactly up to par last year.

Indiana Hoosiers:

• RB Stephen Houston: In the third year of Kevin Wilson as head coach in Indiana, I can easily see Houston breaking the 1,000 yard barrier this season as a senior. He was close last season, rushing for 749 yards and 12 TDs. With Nate Sudfeld still settling in at QB, Houston will be looked upon to be the leader of an offensive attack that, quite frankly, a lot of people are looking at to produce some big things.
• DT Ralphael Green: Just a redshirt freshman, Green steps into the middle of the defensive line and seems ready to perform. He’s slimmed down significantly since arriving on campus and has a tremendous first step off the ball which could create a nightmare for opposing Big Ten rushing attacks.

Ohio State Buckeyes (Last but certainly not least) 

• RB Rod Smith: Although this may be an obvious one given the Carlos Hyde suspension, Rod Smith really just have a chance to make a crucial mark on the Ohio State offense beyond that this season. At 6-3 and 238-pounds, Smith is a perfect combination of size and speed that can wear down defenses as the games progresses. In an offense that prides itself on having versatile running backs, Smith is the perfect candidate to ease the loss of Hyde and can have himself being talked about by many in the nation by the time 2013 is over.
• DE Noah Spence: Entering his sophomore season, Spence is ready to live up to the massive hype that was thrust upon him during his recruitment. As a freshman last year, Spence notched 12 tackles and just one sack. Now, while that’s not anything to be ashamed of for a true freshman by any means, it’s time for him to utilize his speed off the edge and get to the QB a lot more, and I confidently expect that from Spence this season. His first year as a full-time starter is bad news for opposing conference offensive units.

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Jack is a College Football Columnist for Saturday Blitz. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackJ14CFB