Blue White Illustrated

, , ! , ! , 2012 RECORD 11-3 (8-0 Mid-American Conference) SERIES RECORD Penn State leads, 3-0 MOST RECENT MEETING Penn State won, 24-0, in Beaver Stadium on Sept. 18, 2010. OFFENSE First-year head coach Paul Haynes made it clear during Kent State's spring game that the Golden Flashes are going to feature a runfirst offense. "I don't care if [opponents] know what we're doing," he said, "we have to pound the ball." Lucky for him, 247-pound running back Trayion Durham returns for his junior season after rushing for 1,346 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Haynes also inherited a deep wide receiver corps. But does he have a solid quarterback? The top two candidates are senior David Fisher and redshirt freshman Colin Reardon. DEFENSE The Golden Flashes won't lack depth or experience on this side of the ball. Tackle Roosevelt Nix (5-foot-11, 267 pounds) is an undersized overachiever who is getting set to return for his final season, and he'll be joined on the line by two other returning starters. Also back are starting linebackers Luke Batton and C.J. Malauulu, and the secondary is loaded, as six players return after playing in at least 13 games a season ago. OUTLOOK After falling in double overtime to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game, Kent State has a chip on its shoulder as it preps for the 2013 season. But the Golden Flashes are without head coach Darrell Hazell, who moved on to Purdue in the off-season. Haynes is in his first year as a head coach, and he's got a tough act to follow. But with its defense and power running game, Kent State is once again a favorite in the MAC. – T.O. 2012 RECORD 4-8 (2-6 Big Ten) SERIES RECORD Penn State leads, 16-0 MOST RECENT MEETING Penn State defeated Indiana, 45-22, in Beaver Stadium on Nov. 17, 2012. OFFENSE The Hoosiers had the topranked passing offense in the Big Ten last season even though their starting quarterback broke his leg in week two and missed the remainder of the season. Dual-threat QB Tre Roberson is fully healed now and is set to battle Cameron Coffman, who threw for 2,734 yards in 2012, for the starting spot. The line is intact from last year, and Indiana returns its top rusher and top three receivers, too. Basically, everybody returns and then some. Third-year head coach Kevin Wilson should have his most potent offensive attack since arriving in Bloomington. DEFENSE Indiana's defense was flatout bad last season. The Hoosiers finished last in the conference against both the run and the pass and surrendered more yards and points than any team in the Big Ten. But because it was a young and inexperienced group, nine starters return. Safety Greg Heban led the team in tackles, interceptions and pass breakups last year, and he has a year of eligibility remaining. He figures to be the heartbeat of this defense. OUTLOOK With 21 total starters returning, Indiana might have the most experienced lineup in the Big Ten, but will that experience translate into victories? Wilson sure hopes so. If Indiana is to get back on the Big Ten radar, this is the year in which to do it, but it will require drastic improvement on defense. One thing's for sure: The Hoosiers will be dressed for success. They've undergone an Oregon-style uniform makeover complete with chromedout alternate helmets. – T.O. 2012 RECORD 8-5 (6-2 Big Ten) SERIES RECORD Michigan leads, 10-6 MOST RECENT MEETING Penn State won, 33-21, in Beaver Stadium on Oct. 30, 2010. OFFENSE With Denard Robinson off to the NFL and Devin Gardner having locked down the No. 1 quarterback spot last year, head coach Brady Hoke is expected to finally introduce his pro-style offense this fall. Gardner, a junior who was rated a five-star prospect in high school, could be the guy to lift Michigan's offense back into the limelight, but he'll need assistance from his offensive line and backfield. The line's interior needs some rebuilding, but both starting tackles return for the transition, including Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year Taylor Lewan. Michigan also recruited the top running back in the country in 2013: five-star prospect Derrick Green. DEFENSE All-Big Ten linebacker Jake Ryan returns, and there are high hopes for sophomore James Ross, who made two starts as a freshman and is expected to be a full-time contributor this fall. The Wolverines have lost two starting defensive backs from a unit that was ranked in the top five nationally against the pass, but phenom Blake Countess is back from an injury, and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison has a couple of other potential replacements waiting in the wings. If they can develop a strong pass rush, the Wolverines could have one of the best defenses in the country. But three starters must be replaced up front, so Michigan isn't home free just yet. OUTLOOK They might have a different look on offense, but if the Wolverines are to earn a berth in their first Big Ten Championship Game under Hoke, they'll need a similar showing from their defense. – T.O.

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