Know the Opponent: B1G Part II
By Mike Vamosi
We conclude our non-conference Know the Opponent series with part II of the Big Ten Conference with three schools. We’re previewing Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern are the last three schools we’ll look at.
Mark Dantonio and his Michigan State Spartans invade Autzen Stadium on September 6. Photo Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan Wolverines – 7-6/3-5 B1G, Brady Hoke enters his fourth season in Ann Arbor on the hot seat given the standards of Michigan football. Last season they narrowly fell to Ohio State 42-41 before Kansas State dispatched them in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. 15 starters return from last season’s team with seven on offense and eight on the defensive side. Senior quarterback Devin Gardner returns to lead the Wolverines after passing for 2,960 yards 21 TD’s and 11 interceptions while rushing for 483 net yards with 11 scores. Saturday, September 20 they host Utah at Michigan Stadium with kickoff to be determined.
Full 2014 Schedule: Appalachian State (Aug. 30), @Notre Dame (Sept. 6), Miami (OH) (Sept. 13), Utah (Sept. 20), Minnesota (Sept. 27), @Rutgers (Oct. 4), Penn State (Oct. 11), @Michigan State (Oct. 25), Indiana (Nov. 1), @Northwestern (Nov. 8), Maryland (Nov. 22), @Ohio State (Nov. 29)
Michigan State Spartans – 13-1/8-0B1G, Mark Dantonio had the hottest team at the end of 2013 and start of 2014 after a impressive New Year’s Day win versus Stanford in the Rose Bowl. His team returns 12 players from last season with seven on offense and five on defensive. QB Connor Cook who had huge wins at Nebraska, Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game and Stanford returns after throwing for 2,755 yards with 22 touchdown passes and six interceptions. They’ll head west on Saturday, September 6 to take on Oregon at Autzen Stadium with kickoff at 3:30 pm on FOX.
Full 2014 Schedule: Jacksonville State (Aug. 29), @Oregon (Sept. 6), Eastern Michigan (Sept. 20), Wyoming (Sept. 27), Nebraska (Oct. 4), @Purdue (Oct. 11), @Indiana (Oct. 18), Michigan (Oct. 25), Ohio State (Nov. 8), @Maryland (Nov. 15), Rutgers (Nov. 22), @Penn State (Nov. 29)
Northwestern Wildcats – 5-7/1-7 B1G, For Pat Fitzgerald it was a rough 2013 following a 4-0 start which was followed up with seven straight defeats including two in overtime and a defeat via a Hail Mary at Nebraska. It’ll be a veteran team that’ll play in the Big Ten West division returning 17 starters with nine on offense and eight the defense side. Senior Trevor Siemian who saw action under center will be the starter after throwing for 2,149 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine INTs. Saturday, August 30 they’ll open with California coming to Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois for a 12:30 pm kickoff on ABC or ESPN2. Last season Northwestern opened in Berkeley defeating Cal 44-30.
Full 2014 Schedule: California (Aug. 30), Northern Illinois (Sept. 6), Western Illinois (Sept. 20), @Penn State (Sept. 27), Wisconsin (Oct. 4), @Minnesota (Oct. 11), Nebraska (Oct. 18), @Iowa (Nov. 1), Michigan (Nov. 8), @Notre Dame (Nov. 15), @Purdue (Nov. 22), Illinois (Nov. 29)
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