<
        >

          Big Ten Blog

          B1G mailbag: Big Ten-SEC challenge pairings, Illinois a sleeper?

          • Brian Bennett, ESPN Staff WriterJun 1, 2016, 03:30 PM ET
            Close
            • ESPN.com Big Ten reporter.
            • Joined ESPN.com in 2008.
            • Graduate of the University of Kentucky.
            Follow on X

          It's been a few weeks since I dipped into the ol' mailbag. Let's make up for lost time:

          Brian Bennett: Arkansas' Bret Bielema mentioned this possibility (again) at the SEC meetings this week (and had it quickly shot down). It's not the first time such an idea has been raised. While it would be more fun than we can scarcely imagine, this is less than hypothetical. Because of how scheduling works in the real world, it's impossible. But ... it's June, so why not live in Fantasyland for a bit? Here would be my matchups for the totally nonexistent 2016 SEC/Big Ten challenge:
          • Michigan vs. Alabama: Especially after that Jim Harbaugh/Nick Saban business Tuesday. Hopefully this would be a better game than the 2012 season opener.
          • Ohio State vs. LSU: Wisconsin vs. LSU is already happening, but there's a more interesting matchup for Wisconsin. I'd love to see all the talent on the field in this rematch of the 2008 title game.
          • Wisconsin vs. Arkansas: #karma.
          • Michigan State vs. Ole Miss: Two on-the-make programs, though only one is in NCAA hot water.
          • Iowa vs. Florida: Put it in Gainesville or a neutral site, because Iowa fans love an excuse to travel.
          • Penn State vs. Tennessee: James Franklin goes against former assistant Bob Shoop.
          • Nebraska vs. Texas A&M: Because the Cornhuskers dearly miss playing against Texas schools.
          • Northwestern vs. Auburn: A rematch of the underrated 2010 Outback Bowl.
          • Indiana vs. Kentucky and Illinois vs. Missouri: Naturally. Maybe they can have basketball scrimmages, too.
          • Purdue vs. Vanderbilt: Quiz Bowl at halftime.
          • Minnesota vs. Georgia: The Golden Gophers' top two tailbacks, Shannon Brooks and Rodney Smith, are from Georgia. That's not much, but I do think Minnesota will be sneaky good this year.
          • Maryland vs. Mississippi State and Rutgers vs. South Carolina: OK, we're struggling here at the end. But I'd still watch all of these. Wouldn't you?
          Brian Bennett: If by hot seat you mean James Franklin is in danger of being fired in 2016, then no. I don't see Penn State letting Franklin go after his third season unless there's some sort of disaster. That could mean a scandal, or a 4-8 type season with ugly losses -- and dropping games to Pitt and Temple. He will get time because of the NCAA-caused depth issues he inherited and because of his recruiting prowess. But another 7-6 kind of season could certainly put him on the clock for 2017. As for Rutgers, I guess it depends on what you mean by compete. In the Scarlet Knights' first Big Ten season, they were one monumental collapse against Maryland away from winning nine games. They beat Michigan and lost to Penn State by just three points. So there's reason to believe that new coach Chris Ash can get this program to that level. Maybe not every year, mind you, but certainly on occasion. Can Rutgers ever win a Big Ten or even an East Division title? That's a major, major challenge, given the 800-pound gorillas in the division. I think Rutgers would need incredible fortune, like a special group of seniors and a cycle where at least two of the East powers are down because of a coaching change or NCAA issues or something, to get over that particular hump.

          Brian Bennett: Wow, you must really believe in Lovie Smith. It's hard to know what to expect out of Smith, since he's never been a college head coach and he didn't take over the program until March. It should be fascinating to see. But he would have to work miracles, in my opinion, for the Illini to win the West Division. While Smith inherited a good senior quarterback in Wes Lunt and one of the better defensive line groups in the West, Illinois remains thin at several key positions. I don't think there's nearly enough depth for this team to be a serious title contender in 2016.

          Brian Bennett: The running back position is loaded nationally. But people may be sleeping on Wisconsin's Corey Clement since he was basically a ghost last year because of injuries and other issues. Remember that two seasons ago, Clement ran for 949 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per carry -- as Melvin Gordon's backup. If he's healthy and right, he's absolutely one of the 25 best backs in the country and probably top two in the Big Ten (along with Penn State's sensational Saquon Barkley). But Clement has a lot to prove, including against good competition at the position on his own team.