Saturday Blitz
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Offensive lineman Keegan Render #69 and defensive back Jake Gervase #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes carry the Cy-Hawk trophy after the match-up against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 08: Offensive lineman Keegan Render #69 and defensive back Jake Gervase #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes carry the Cy-Hawk trophy after the match-up against the Iowa State Cyclones on September 8, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

16. What are the three best non-conference rivalry games?

In no particular order, Iowa versus in-state and Big 12 rival Iowa State, Michigan versus long-time rival Notre Dame and Penn State against in-state and ACC rival Pitt.

15. What are the three most anticipated games in August?

Once again in no particular order, the battle for academic supremacy with Northwestern at Stanford in a Big Ten versus Pac-12 showdown, Wisconsin traveling to South Florida in a Friday night season opener and Purdue heading out west to take on the Wolf Pack of Nevada.

14. Which three transfer QBs will be the most closely watched?

Former Georgia quarterback now Ohio State play-caller Justin Fields is the most highly-anticipated player that will be watched in his season opener against Florida Atlantic. Former Clemson quarterback Hunter Johnson will be closely viewed and critiqued when his new team Northwestern takes on Stanford in their season opener.

Lastly, former Virginia Tech starter and quarterback Josh Jackson will be the leading play-caller for Maryland in the Terrapins season opener against FCS opponent Howard.

13. Which three RBs can run for over 1,500 yards this season?

The top of the list is last season’s Big Ten leading rusher, Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin, who rushed for over 2,000 yards. JK Dobbins, who split carries last season, still rushed for over 1,000 yards after rushing for over 1,400 in his freshmen season. Anthony McFarland Jr. ran for over 1,000 yards last season and will look to get more carries this season in the new Terrapins offense. All three running backs are capable of rushing for over 1,500 yards this season.

Home/Big Ten