BleedGopher
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Two reporters pick Ohio State, two pick Michigan:
Brian Bennett: Michigan
I don't want to doubt Urban Meyer or disrespect Michigan State (though the Spartans probably would like that). But both teams lose a lot of invaluable pieces. Meanwhile, the Wolverines bring back the nucleus of a 10-win team and should only get better in Year 2 under Jim Harbaugh, as his teams historically have. They have to go to Columbus and East Lansing in 2016, which complicates matters. And they have to find a suitable replacement for Jake Rudock at quarterback. But I like the direction in which this team is trending and its returning experience, including standouts like Jabrill Peppers, Jake Butt and Jourdan Lewis. Michigan is perfectly positioned to make a big move next season.
Austin Ward: Ohio State
There will be plenty of new faces contributing for Ohio State next season, but the two guys most responsible for keeping the program in position to win a conference or national title are the same. As long as Meyer is on the sideline and J.T. Barrett is taking the snaps, the Buckeyes are going to be just fine -- and nothing is more valuable in projecting a contender than the combination of elite coaching and quarterback play. Obviously replacing the volume of starters that Ohio State will have lost to this offseason will be a challenge, but Meyer has been recruiting at such a high level since he arrived on campus that it’s much more likely he’ll be reloading than rebuilding despite all the attrition. And with Barrett regaining his Heisman Trophy-type form at the end of 2015, the redshirt junior should be able to cover up for any early growing pains at the skill positions with his dual-threat ability as experience develops around him. There’s already a 2014 feel developing around Meyer’s next team, and by the time conference play starts, he and Barrett will be leading the Big Ten favorites.
Jesse Temple: Ohio State
It's difficult to pick against Ohio State despite all the attrition. Of the teams that finished in the top five in the Big Ten East this season -- Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Indiana -- only the Buckeyes return their starting quarterback. J.T. Barrett has the talent to make everybody around him better, and it's not like Meyer doesn't have plenty of skill remaining. Barrett, guard Pat Elflein and linebacker Raekwon McMillan -- all of whom were named team captains for 2016 -- will be the centerpieces. Players like Bri'onte Dunn, Curtis Samuel and Noah Brown could emerge as major contributors on offense. And let's not forget Meyer is an insane 50-4 in four seasons in Columbus, including 31-1 in Big Ten regular-season games. It is hard to bet against those numbers.
Josh Moyer: Michigan
Let's forget about the Buckeyes and their nine declaring underclassmen for just a moment. The Wolverines are still returning eight offensive starters and seven -- maybe eight, if Willie Henry decides to hang around -- defensive starters. And there's more talent here than they get credit for. Next season, who's the East's most-talented cornerback? Jourdan Lewis. Best tight end? Jake Butt. Best safety? Jabrill Peppers. Michigan returns seven All-B1G players in all, which is more than twice that of the Buckeyes. On top of that, Jim Harbaugh doubled the 2014 squad's win total this past season, was just a single play away from beating Michigan State and absolutely demolished Florida, 41-7, in the Citrus Bowl. With so much talent returning, it's no stretch to think Harbaugh can do a whole lot more in Year 2.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...le-who-should-be-the-big-ten-favorite-in-2016
Go Gophers!!
Brian Bennett: Michigan
I don't want to doubt Urban Meyer or disrespect Michigan State (though the Spartans probably would like that). But both teams lose a lot of invaluable pieces. Meanwhile, the Wolverines bring back the nucleus of a 10-win team and should only get better in Year 2 under Jim Harbaugh, as his teams historically have. They have to go to Columbus and East Lansing in 2016, which complicates matters. And they have to find a suitable replacement for Jake Rudock at quarterback. But I like the direction in which this team is trending and its returning experience, including standouts like Jabrill Peppers, Jake Butt and Jourdan Lewis. Michigan is perfectly positioned to make a big move next season.
Austin Ward: Ohio State
There will be plenty of new faces contributing for Ohio State next season, but the two guys most responsible for keeping the program in position to win a conference or national title are the same. As long as Meyer is on the sideline and J.T. Barrett is taking the snaps, the Buckeyes are going to be just fine -- and nothing is more valuable in projecting a contender than the combination of elite coaching and quarterback play. Obviously replacing the volume of starters that Ohio State will have lost to this offseason will be a challenge, but Meyer has been recruiting at such a high level since he arrived on campus that it’s much more likely he’ll be reloading than rebuilding despite all the attrition. And with Barrett regaining his Heisman Trophy-type form at the end of 2015, the redshirt junior should be able to cover up for any early growing pains at the skill positions with his dual-threat ability as experience develops around him. There’s already a 2014 feel developing around Meyer’s next team, and by the time conference play starts, he and Barrett will be leading the Big Ten favorites.
Jesse Temple: Ohio State
It's difficult to pick against Ohio State despite all the attrition. Of the teams that finished in the top five in the Big Ten East this season -- Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Indiana -- only the Buckeyes return their starting quarterback. J.T. Barrett has the talent to make everybody around him better, and it's not like Meyer doesn't have plenty of skill remaining. Barrett, guard Pat Elflein and linebacker Raekwon McMillan -- all of whom were named team captains for 2016 -- will be the centerpieces. Players like Bri'onte Dunn, Curtis Samuel and Noah Brown could emerge as major contributors on offense. And let's not forget Meyer is an insane 50-4 in four seasons in Columbus, including 31-1 in Big Ten regular-season games. It is hard to bet against those numbers.
Josh Moyer: Michigan
Let's forget about the Buckeyes and their nine declaring underclassmen for just a moment. The Wolverines are still returning eight offensive starters and seven -- maybe eight, if Willie Henry decides to hang around -- defensive starters. And there's more talent here than they get credit for. Next season, who's the East's most-talented cornerback? Jourdan Lewis. Best tight end? Jake Butt. Best safety? Jabrill Peppers. Michigan returns seven All-B1G players in all, which is more than twice that of the Buckeyes. On top of that, Jim Harbaugh doubled the 2014 squad's win total this past season, was just a single play away from beating Michigan State and absolutely demolished Florida, 41-7, in the Citrus Bowl. With so much talent returning, it's no stretch to think Harbaugh can do a whole lot more in Year 2.
http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post...le-who-should-be-the-big-ten-favorite-in-2016
Go Gophers!!
