The B1G has been tagged with the "overrated" label over the past few years, due to poor performances on the biggest stages. This year, they are looking to remove that title.
Many of the teams at the top return a lot of their key players, and added high level recruits. Teams like Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin are all vying for the top spot in the conference, and teams like Michigan, Minnesota, and Penn State are all in the second tier looking to move up.
However, there are some key positional battles in the conference that need to be sorted out. Here is a look at some of the biggest competitions in the conference.
Ohio State Safeties
The Buckeyes lost both C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant to graduation, so they will need to replace both safeties entering 2014. Right now, Tyvis Powell, a redshirt sophomore, is projected to start in one spot. Powell has great size (6’3”, 205) and has cover skills and saw snaps as an extra corner in 2013. The other spot will come down between Cam Burrows and Vonn Bell, both sophomores. At this time, Bell looks to have the advantage, as he started the Orange Bowl against Clemson, but Burrows is also projected to see a lot of snaps this season, so it’s hard to tell who will be the guy when Ohio State opens their season against Navy.
Michigan Quarterback
It’s no secret that Devin Gardner was inconsistent last season after entering 2013 with incredible hype. Gardner barely completed 60-percent of his passes and threw 11 interceptions, but he did also throw 21 touchdowns and 2,960 yards. He had plenty of big moments, but faded as the season went along, including suffering a foot injury in the regular season finale, causing him to miss the Bowl Game. Gardner also struggled in the spring game, only completing two of ten passes.
The competitor will be sophomore Shane Morris, a left-handed sophomore. Morris started the bowl game against Kansas State, and while he had an average game (24-38, 196 yards, 1 interception), Brady Hoke raved about him later. Morris also had a better performance than Gardner in the spring game, completing five of his eleven attempts.
Right now, Gardner projects to be the starter again in 2014, but he will be on a short leash, as the hype for Morris grows.
Illinois Quarterbacks
Illinois has struggled their first couple seasons under Tim Beckman, and a lot of that has been because of poor defensive play. However, inconsistency on offense hasn't helped.
The Illini are in the process of finding the replacement for longtime-starter Nathan Scheelhaase. The leader in the clubhouse at the moment is Oklahoma State-transfer, Wes Lunt, who left the Cowboys after losing out to J.W. Walsh and Clint Chelf in Stillwater. Coach Tim Beckman loved how Beckman played in spring practices, but was outshined in the spring game by senior, Riley O’Toole, who threw for 126 yards and two touchdowns. O'Toole saw plenty of action over the past couple years as well, splitting time with Scheelhaase, so he has some experience in Beckman's system. Throw in sophomore Aaron Bailey, who may be the longhshot but is still considered in the running, and there is no answer yet for who will be under center in Champaigne.
Beckman has declined to name a starter to this point, letting the competition roll over into fall practices. While many seem to think Lunt will win eventually, the signs show the battle is far from over.