Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/79325
emotions were still running high weeks later amid an outpouring of support for the players and coaches on the current team. But emotion only gets you so far. The on-field tal- ent will ultimately make the differ- ence, and even though they have more than you might have thought they would have when their players were essentially declared free agents in July, this doesn't have the look of a championship season. And not just for the obvious reason. QUOTABLE O'Brien: "We've got a bunch of kids in State College right now who are sticking together, who have been through a lot of tough times over the past six months but have turned the page and are ready to move forward." 4. PURDUE 7-6, 4-4 STRENGTHS The Boilermakers have three potential starting quarterbacks in Caleb TerBush, Robert Marve and Rob Henry. All three are experienced, but TerBush, a fifth-year senior, fig- ures to be the favorite after complet- ing 61.7 percent of his attempts last year for 1,905 yards. On defense, senior tackle Kawann Short spear- heads a very solid line. A year ago, Short amassed 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, and he's poised for even bigger things this year. Likewise, junior cornerback Ricardo Allen is best avoided. He already has re- turned three interceptions for touch- downs in his career. CONCERNS The Boilermakers' offensive line struggled during an injury- plagued spring, but three starters are set to return, including senior center Rick Schmeig, so there's cause for op- timism. The defense, while chock full of individual talent, needs to play with more cohesion. Last year, the Boilermakers surrendered nearly 27 points per game. Only Northwestern, Minnesota and Indiana were worse. OUTLOOK TerBush is probably the key to Purdue's chances of moving up in the Leaders Division standings. He was very successful at times last year and didn't throw any interceptions in the Boilers' last four games. They've got many of the other pieces in place, notably a defensive line that is better than you think. But they've also got a meat grinder of a schedule. Purdue's first three Big Ten games are as fol- lows: Michigan, Wisconsin, at Ohio State. If they can get through that with a couple of victories, things get a bit easier in November. But what are the chances they'll get through that with a couple of victories? QUOTABLE Coach Danny Hope: "We're very fortunate to be in the position that we are right now with what we have at the quarterback position. We have three experienced quarterbacks, three very talented quarterbacks, three very driven quarterbacks." 5. ILLINOIS 7-6, 2-6 STRENGTHS Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase improved in just about every statistical department last sea- son, completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 2,110 yards. Scheelhaase isn't the league's most consistent passer, but first-year coach Tim Beckman is fortunate to inherit such an accomplished leader. On defense, the Illini have a difference-maker in end Michael Buchanan. As a junior, Buchanan ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 7.5 sacks. CONCERNS Ball security has to be a priority for the Illini this year. They led the league with 28 turnovers last season, including 15 fumbles. The of- fensive line was another weakness in 2011, as the Illini finished sixth in the Big Ten in rushing while surren- dering an unacceptable 36 sacks. The line will be young this season, with redshirt freshman Ted Karras and sophomore Simon Cvijanovic expect- ed to play key roles. OUTLOOK Illinois lost six games in a row to end its 2011regular season. That's one reason why Beckman, for- merly of Toledo, has replaced Ron Zook as head coach. There's enough potential here for Illinois to surprise, but they will need some playmakers to emerge on offense and they will need much better play from their spe- cial teams in order to turn potential into reality. QUOTABLE Beckman: "The major con- cern as we all know is the offensive line. The offensive line has got to be able to protect and block for you. … We've got to establish the run first for us to be successful." 6. INDIANA 1-11, 0-8 STRENGTHS Indiana has two of its top three receivers back, and while Damarlo Belcher isn't one of them, the return of juniors Jamonne Chester and Kofi Hughes will help el- evate the passing game. The Hoosiers also welcome back leading rusher Stephen Houston, who finished with 833 yards in 2011. Better yet, Hous- ton will be running behind an offen- sive line that returns three starters. CONCERNS The Hoosiers need to up- grade their defensive front seven after a 2011 season in which opponents gouged them for 244 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per attempt. On offense, the biggest questions are at quarterback. Sophomore Tre Roberson, a run-pass threat, is the leader now that Dustin Kiel and Ed- ward Wright-Backer have transferred, but the arrival of juco passer Cameron Coffman could complicate matters. OUTLOOK Pick a Big Ten defensive sta- tistic – any statistic – and chances are, Indiana finished at or near the bottom of it last season. Simply put, the Hoosiers can't afford to give up nearly 40 points per game as they did a year ago. They've got a couple of solid defensive tackles in seniors Adam Replogle and Larry Black, but they will need to get a more consis- tent pass rush, and they must devel- op some real depth. An influx of juco talent should help. Kevin Wilson's first season was destined to be a tough one, as he ripped up the depth chart in hope of building for the fu- ture. This year, he should start reap- ing the benefits of last season's fresh start. Don't expect another 1-11 fin- ish. But don't expect a bowl invita- tion, either. QUOTABLE Wilson on Indiana's quarter- back situation: "When you're a 1-11 football team, there's no job safety. There's nothing etched in stone."