2024 Big Ten football capsules

Aug. 28—Illinois

Last year: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten

Coach: Bret Bielema (18-19 at Illinois, 115-77 overall)

Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 5 defense, punter)

Players to watch: QB Luke Altmyer, OT J.C. Davis, WR Pat Bryant, RB Kaden Feagin, LB Seth Coleman, LB Gabe Jacas, CB Terrance Brooks, S Matthew Bailey

The big questions: Can quarterback Luke Altmyer, who passed for 1,878 yards in the nine games he played last season, improve his touchdown to interception ratio (13 TDs, 10 picks last season)? Who will replace three starters from last year on the defensive line, including Jer’Zhan Newton, a second-round selection of the Washington Commanders? Can Illinois avoid finishing in the lower half of the Big Ten in the first season of the conference’s return to not having divisions?

Indiana

Last year: 3-9 overall, 1-8 Big Ten

Coach: Curt Cignetti (0-0 at Indiana, 119-35 overall)

Returning starters: 5 (3 offense, 1 defense, punter)

Players to watch: QB Kurtis Rourke, RB Kaelon Black, WR Donaven McCulley, WR Elijah Sarratt, DE Lanell Carr Jr., DE Jacob Mangum-Farrar

The big questions: Will the drastic roster makeover after Curt Cignetti was hired as the Hoosiers coach achieve his goal of making IU faster and more athletic or did it rely too much on players who might need some time to adjust to the Big Ten, like the 13 athletes he brought with him from James Madison University? Will former Ohio University quarterback Kurtis Rourke be this year’s starter for Indiana? Can the Hoosiers tighten up their defense, which has ranked No. 98, No. 97 and No. 109 nationally the last three seasons?

Iowa

Last year: 10-4 overall, 7-2 Big Ten

Coach: Kirk Ferentz (196-123 at Iowa, 218-144 overall)

Returning starters: 15 (6 offense, 8 defense, kicker)

Players to watch: QB Cade McNamara, RB Leshon Williams, TE Luke Lachey, WR Kaleb Brown, LB Jay…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-big-ten-football-capsules-233300739.html

Author : The Lima News, Ohio

Publish date : 2024-08-28 23:33:00

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