Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Big Ten Football Spring Preview: 10 biggest questions and storylines

By Patrick Schmidt

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh prior to the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer and Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh prior to the game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 11
Next
Nov 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Justin Jackson (21) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Is Justin Jackson the Big Ten’s most underrated player?

The best kept secret in the Big Ten Northwestern Wildcats rising junior running back Justin Jackson. The only player to run for than Jackson’s 1,418 yards in the Big Ten last year was Ezekiel Elliott and no back carried it more than Jackson’s 312.

What’s even more impressive is Jackson did this damage with the Big Ten’s worst passing offense under redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson.

Just imagine how many more yards Jackson would have been able to rack up with the threat of a passing game preventing a ninth defender from stacking the box on first and second downs.

If Thorson can make steady progress in the spring and into the fall, Jackson could finish as the Big Ten’s leading rusher and help the Wildcats toward a second straight 10-win season.

Next: Will luck be on Nebraska's side?

Home/Big Ten