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Big Ten Football: 20 burning questions for August 2019

By Ryan Kay

MADISON, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 24: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball while being chased by Blake Cashman #36 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - NOVEMBER 24: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs with the ball while being chased by Blake Cashman #36 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The Big Ten football season is right around the corner and most teams will be kicking things off in the last weekend of August. What questions need answers?

This monthly segment will focus on 20 questions that will vary and cover multiple topics on Big Ten football and it’s individual teams for the 2019 season.

It will cover all 14 Big Ten teams and programs for the 2019 season and questions and topics will discussed, analyzed and debated.

Let’s get started as we focus on preseason camps and looking ahead to the season openers.

20. How do non-conference schedules rank?

  • 14. Indiana (vs. Ball State, Eastern Illinois, UConn)
  • 13. Rutgers (Massachusetts, Boston College, Liberty)
  • 12. Illinois (Akron, at UConn, Eastern Michigan)
  • 11. Wisconsin (at South Florida, Central Michigan, Kent State)
  • 10. Penn State (Idaho, Buffalo, Pittsburgh)
  • 9. Ohio State (Florida Atlantic, Cincinnati, Miami (OH))
  • 8. Michigan State (Tulsa, Western Michigan, Arizona State)
  • 7. Minnesota (South Dakota State, at Fresno State, Georgia Southern)
  • 6. Nebraska (South Alabama, at Colorado, Northern Illinois)
  • 5. Northwestern (at Stanford, UNLV, Massachusetts)
  • 4. Maryland (Howard, Syracuse, at Temple)
  • 3. Iowa (Miami (OH), at Iowa State, Middle Tennessee)
  • 2. Michigan (Middle Tennessee, Army, Notre Dame)
  • 1. Purdue (at Nevada, Vanderbilt, TCU)

19. Who will be the surprise of the Big Ten East?

Maryland could surprise many with a top four finish in the highly-competitive Big Ten East. The Terrapins; quarterback issues of last season should be resolved with Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson, who started 16 games for the Hokies during his career in Blacksburg.

Maryland’s high-powered running game returns 1,000-yard rusher in running back Anthony McFarland Jr. who is a redshirt sophomore this season. Its receiving group is more talented than others give them credit for and can can collectively have a breakout season under new head coach and former Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. He appears to have stabilized the program after last season’s firing of former head coach D.J. Durkin.

It’s feasible that the Terrapins could enter Big Ten play 3-0 and take that momentum into a battle with the Nittany Lions. Maryland has to get wins against Rutgers and Indiana as well as beating either Purdue or Minnesota on the road. The Terrapins have Penn State, Michigan and Nebraska all at home. If they could win two out of these three games that would virtually guarantee a fourth-place finish and an invitation to a top end mid-level bowl game.

Remember last year? They took Big Ten champion Ohio State to overtime, losing by only one point and they also dominated Minnesota at home and beat a ranked Texas team that ended up beating Georgia in its bowl game.

If the Maryland defense can hold opposing defenses to under 30 points a game, the best-case scenario is an overall finish of 8-4 and 5-4 in the Big Ten. Even if the Terps lose a non-conference game, they can still win five Big Ten games and go to a respectable bowl.

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