10. Northwestern Wildcats
Be Excited About … a defense that’s about to be far better, even though it wasn’t bad. The Wildcats finished 25th in the nation in total defense and didn’t get a lick of help from the offense. This year’s group – starting with the linebacking duo of Paddy Fisher and Blake Gallagher – will be a killer. But …
Be Concerned About … the offensive side that has 15 miles to go to merely be miserable. The Cats averaging fewer than 300 yards per game and only averaged 16 points per outing. The line is a good start, but the skill parts have a massive prove-it factor coming.
The Season Will Be Successful If … it’s back to a bowl game for the fifth time in six years. 2019 has to be nothing more than a bizarre blip after going to the Big Ten Championship in 2018, but every possible break has to go the right way – like 2018.
9. Indiana Hoosiers
Be Excited About … an offensive backfield that won’t be the best in the Big Ten, but it’s going to be terrific. Michael Penix has the talent to be one of the league’s new star quarterback, and RB Stevie Scott will be an all-around playmaker. The receiving corps isn’t bad either.
Be Concerned About … the rushing offense that has to be more consistent. Scott is great, but the ground attack only got past 200 yards once and was under 100 yards five times – all losses – including in three of the last four games.
The Season Will Be Successful If … the Hoosiers go bowling again. They finally got over the bowl hump under head coach Tom Allen, and lost in brutal fashion to Tennessee in the Gator. It’s going to take a big upset to go bowling, but this team is good enough to do it.
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8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Be Excited About … the offense that should finally start to hum in Year Three under Scott Frost. QB Adrian Martinez only seems like he’s been around since the Frank Solich era, and RB Dedrick Mills is a good one. It would’ve been nice if JD Spielman didn’t bolt for TCU, but the explosion is there.
Be Concerned About … the lines that are just okay. The offensive front is fine, but it doesn’t have a ton of brand-name killers and it gave up way too many plays in the backfield. The defensive side has to be far, far better against the run.
The Season Will Be Successful If … the Huskers go bowling. The dream was that Frost would be going into this season with the program about to push for College Football Playoff greatness. Just going to a bowl – heck, just beating Purdue – would be a good step forward.
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7. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State CFN 2020 Preview
Be Excited About … Mel Tucker bringing in a fresh dose of enthusiasm. The Mark Dantonio era had turned a tad stale after two straight 7-6 seasons, and now the Spartans have their guy who knows defenses. He’s inheriting a potentially amazing back seven.
Be Concerned About … the offense that’s been a fat load of yuck over the last two years. The attack wasn’t as bad the second half of 2018 version, but it wasn’t terribly far off. MSU managed 14 points or fewer in nine of its last 20 games.
The Season Will Be Successful If … Tucker gets the Spartans to a bowl game and beats either Ohio State, Penn State or Michigan along the way. His one year at Colorado was underwhelming, but coming up with one giant win and getting MSU to a bowl game would be a great first run.
6. Iowa Hawkeyes
Be Excited About … a passing game that might be a whole lot more fun. It wasn’t awful, but it should’ve been dangerous with the parts that were in place. There’s enough explosion – starting with Ihimir Smith-Marsette – to average more than 229 yards per game.
Be Concerned About … besides the issues within the program this offseason, on the field the team needs to score more. It survived a whole slew of close battles, but it only put up more than 27 points four times. That’s where the passing attack should kick in if QB Spencer Petras is ready to be terrific.
The Season Will Be Successful If … the Hawkeyes make a whole lot of noise in the SEC West race. They get Wisconsin and Nebraska at home, but road games at Ohio State and Penn State might be too much to hope for a division title.