Top 3 position battles to watch in the Big Ten
Top 3 Position Battles
Fall camp is approaching, and with it key position battles that could alter several team's identities.
While there are many of these competitions playing out around the Big Ten, there are three in particular that can play significant roles in their team's seasons and shape the conference title race.
Ohio State's quarterbacks
Ohio State's quarterback competition is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing position battles in college football. The competition became clearer after Braxton Miller announced his intentions to move from quarterback to H-back, leaving the Buckeyes with two more-than-capable players in J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones to lead the offense.
This battle is important because it will shape the dynamic of Ohio State's offense this season, as both quarterbacks have differing skill sets. Jones is a formidable ball-carrier who throws deep passes effortlessly. He completed passes of 40 yards or more in each of his three games as a starter last season.
Barrett offers more balance. In his first season as starting quarterback, he broke Drew Brees' Big Ten record for most touchdown passes in a season with 45. Where Barrett shines is in his feel for the game; he can see the whole field, make accurate reads quicker, and make big plays with his arms and feet. Barrett’s versatility allows the Buckeyes to run a more balanced offense, making him the favorite to start.
Wisconsin's offensive line
Wisconsin has a history of developing outstanding offensive linemen. The result is a fierce running game, which has turned running backs Montee Ball, James White, and Melvin Gordon into household names. The Badgers' line lost 98 combined starts in departing seniors Kyle Costigan, Dallas Lewallen, and Rob Havenstein. Their replacements will be tasked with maintaining Wisconsin's identity as one of the country's strongest rushing attacks.
The two returning starters from last season - left tackle Tyler Marz and center Dan Voltz - will anchor a line that'll be filled out by linemen who haven't yet started a game for Wisconsin. That doesn’t mean the others don’t possess game experience, though. Ray Ball has played in 31 games, most notably the Auburn game in which he filled in at left guard for the injured Lewallen. Ball is the favorite to start at left guard.
The key battle will be at right tackle. There’s a slew of players vying for the starting spot, with Hayden Biegel, Walker Williams and Jake Maxwell among the notables. The spring game featured Biegel in the role, but that doesn’t mean he's a lock.
Once the Badgers find the right five guys, it's going to take time for them to form chemistry in game environments. Their development throughout the season will be crucial for Wisconsin.
Michigan's quarterbacks
Unlike Ohio State, which has two quarterbacks clearly capable of running its offense at a high level, Michigan has a bevy of quarterbacks with unique skills but plenty of uncertainty.
Shane Morris is the favorite heading into fall camp, though that can change quickly. Morris doesn't have much game experience, and his 2014 stats are not eye-catching. He completed only 14 of his 40 pass attempts for 128 yards and three interceptions. To be fair, in his lone start against Minnesota, he suffered a concussion, so the numbers don’t paint the full picture.
Morris' stiffest competition will likely come from Iowa graduate transfer Jake Rudock. Rudock threw only five interceptions last season - fewer than any other quarterback in the Big Ten. He has more collegiate game experience than any quarterback on Michigan's roster, and, more importantly, he's shown the ability to make good decisions on the field.
Then there are redshirt freshmen Wilton Speight and Alex Malzone - who participated in spring practice - and incoming freshman Zach Gentry to figure into the mix. There's no question the Wolverines have numbers at the quarterback position, but they need a player who has the ability to consistently make good decisions.
Michigan threw 18 interceptions last season, most in the Big Ten. For them to have any measure of success in Jim Harbaugh’s first season, one of these players has to show the mental acumen the position demands. The safe bet is Rudock earning the starting nod; he has the game experience and has shown the ability to make smart decisions.