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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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(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

12. Who’ll have the best defense this season?

Michigan State’s defense not only maybe the best in the Big Ten but they may end up being top-five in the country this season. Its defensive line can be debated as the best in the country and certainly top-three going into the season. Joe Bachie is a coach’s dream to have at middle linebacker as a senior and Josiah Scott may be the must underrated cornerback in the Big Ten. Expectations are very high for this Spartan defense and they are the key for Michigan State contending for a Big Ten East title.

11. Who could contend for the Heisman Trophy?

There have been articles and predictions saying that numerous Big Ten quarterbacks, if their respective teams win the Big Ten, have an outside chance of winning the Heisman Trophy in 2019.

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However, the Big Ten’s best chance of winning the Heisman is not a quarterback but a running back and his name is Jonathan Taylor. The Wisconsin running back can do what Ron Dayne did when he won the Heisman in 1999. Taylor ran for over 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns as a sophomore and was 23 yards short of rushing for 2,000 yards as a freshmen.

If the Badgers can win the Big Ten East with only one loss and Taylor runs for over 2,500 yards and 20 touchdowns, he could surprise many and win the Heisman Trophy in December.

10. Will a Big Ten team make the College Football Playoff?

The Big Ten will be its worst enemy this season. There is so much parity in both divisions that you can see the two teams in the Big Ten Championship game having two losses each by the selection of the playoff teams.

Just look at Ohio State last season. The Buckeyes won the Big Ten and had one loss and was shut out of the playoff. Not only does the Big Ten champion need to go undefeated or only have one loss, they must win convincingly to prove to the playoff selection committee that they are worthy of a spot over a group of teams like Alabama, Georgia, Clemson and Oklahoma.

However, next season (2020) will more than likely be the year that a Big Ten team makes an appearance in the playoff.

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