Fact or Fiction: Ohio State is a lock to win the Big Ten
National recruiting director Mike Farrell and national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney tackle three topics daily and determine whether they believe the statements or not.
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1. Ohio State is a lock to win the Big Ten.
Farrell’s take: FACT. I know they lost Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis and could lose more, but they are still the most talented team in the Big Ten hands down (and Davis may return). Penn State has a good team and could give Ohio State a run and I like Wisconsin, but this is what Ohio State is built for. The Buckeyes have so much depth they should win the conference.
Gorney’s take: FICTION. Ohio State is of course the frontrunner to win the Big Ten and might be the favorite to win the national championship – although Clemson looked good Saturday night against Wake Forest - but a Big Ten title is not a lock. This season is going to be filled with uncertainty and for that reason alone I can’t sign off that the Big Ten is decided before it even starts. Penn State is going to be very good and Wisconsin is going to have an outstanding defense. The Buckeyes are definitely in a great spot, but this is far from decided.
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2. Nebraska will be the surprise team in the Big Ten this season.
Farrell’s take: FICTION. I kind of want them to be because a powerful Nebraska is great for college football with its fan base, but there are still too many holes to fill and not enough playmakers. Wan'Dale Robinson will have a good year and I like the defensive coaches to bring players along, but this won’t be a Minnesota-like emergence. The Huskers are still a couple years away and Adrian Martinez would have to have a monster season.
Gorney’s take: FACT. I could see Indiana being a tough-out in the conference because the Hoosiers have playmakers and veterans, but I believe in Nebraska this season – and mainly in coach Scott Frost to figure it out. What excites me most about the Huskers is not Martinez or Robinson but that they bring back their offensive line and that should establish the ground game, which should keep games close, and open things up in the passing game as well. Surely, there are lots of questions left to answer but Nebraska lost four games by seven or fewer points last season. That means the program is close and this is the year it starts working out.
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3. Justin Fields will in fact play and not opt out.
Farrell’s take: FACT. Justin Fields could very well say forget it and prepare for the draft, but from his petition to his outspoken nature about playing, it’s clear he’s ready to compete. A Heisman Trophy and national title could come with it.
Gorney’s take: FACT. Every sign points to the former five-star quarterback leading Ohio State out of the tunnel this season and possibly to a national title. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is playing and part of me thinks Fields is itching for the opportunity to put up better numbers, win the Heisman and maybe even take out Clemson in the College Football Playoff. It’s not impossible to think Fields could also be the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft and he wants a big season to prove he might be the best quarterback in the country.
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