The Wolverine

February 2012

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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2012 Big Ten Outlook Taking Stock Of Michigan's Conference Competition Next Year Who will win it next year? Much will change for Michigan's W 11 competitors between now and September — much will even change between now and the spring — but here is a quick recap on who's leav- ing and must be replaced, players on the rise and those in the spotlight for their respective teams. Leaders Division ILLINOIS 2011 Record: 7-6, 2-6 Big Ten Departing Starters: 5 offense, 3 de- fense, 1 special teams Biggest Shoes To Fill — Defen- sive end Whitney Mercilus: An All- American, Mercilus, who recently declared for the NFL Draft, was the catalyst for an Illini defense that fin- ished second in the Big Ten in to- tal defense (183.6 yards allowed per game), ravaging opposing offenses for a conference-leading 16 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. In The Spotlight — Linebacker Jonathan Brown: The junior finished the 2011 season on an absolute tear, recording 108 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, recov- ering two fumbles and forcing one other over the last seven games of the season. With Mercilus moving on, Brown will have to become an even bigger playmaker for the Illini defense to continue its torrid play. On The Rise — Tailback Dono- vonn Young: Young gained 451 yards and scored six times on 87 carries (5.2 yards per carry) as a true fresh- man, and he will have to shoulder the load for an Illini offense that loses the services of senior ball carriers Ja- son Ford and Troy Pollard. INDIANA 2011 Record: 1-11, 0-8 Big Ten Departing Starters: 3 offense, 3 de- fense, 1 special teams 40 THE WOLVERINE FEBRUARY 2012 BY KEVIN MINOR isconsin won the Big Ten in 2011, edging Michigan State in the first-ever Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller rushed for 715 yards and seven touchdowns and threw for 1,159 yards and 13 more scores as a freshman in 2011. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL Biggest Shoes To Fill — Line- backer Jeff Thomas: Thomas pro- vided a steadying force, both in the locker room and on the field, for a young Indiana squad. He led the Hoosiers with 80 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss, in his final colle- giate season and finished his Indiana career with 162 total stops. In The Spotlight — Quarterback Tre Roberson: In his inaugural col- legiate campaign, Roberson became the first true freshman in Indiana his- tory to start under center. Roberson finished with 937 passing yards and three touchdowns, and added 529 yards and two scores on the ground. Roberson's challenge in 2012 is to lead a hapless Hoosier team that fin- ished eighth in the Big Ten in total offense with 360.4 yards per game. On The Rise — Tailback Stephen Houston: The void that has existed in the Indiana backfield for close to a decade now seems to have been filled by Houston after he led the Hoosiers in rushing with 802 yards and eight touchdowns on 151 attempts (5.3 yards per carry). The redshirt junior also had 17 receptions for 164 yards. OHIO STATE 2011 Record: 6-7, 3-5 Big Ten Departing Starters: 3 offense, 2 de- fense Biggest Shoes To Fill — Center Mike Brewster: Brewster has been an integral member of the Ohio State offense in each of his four seasons, closing out his career with 49 con- secutive starts. The Buckeyes will be hard-pressed to adequately replace him in 2012. In The Spotlight — Quarterback Braxton Miller: The sophomore struggled mightily in the passing game as a true freshman, but dis- played sporadic flashes of promise.

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