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2021 Big Ten football season preview: Predicted order of finish, best players, breakout stars

By Richard Kimball

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, here making a throw in practice last week, played in three games without throwing a pass last season.Ohio State Football Training Camp
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, here making a throw in practice last week, played in three games without throwing a pass last season.Ohio State Football Training Camp /
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C.J. Stroud Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud (7)  (Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports) /

Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year – C.J. Stroud, Ohio State quarterback

While Ohio State quarterbacks have not had much success in the NFL, the Buckeyes are still a factory for quarterback talent, as they always seem to have one of the top quarterbacks every college football season. And with Stroud stepping in as the starter, things will not be any different. With weapons like wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson and tight end Jeremy Ruckert, Stroud finds himself in a good situation, which also means it’s his moment for the taking, a Heisman moment to be exact.

Runner-up: Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver Penn State

Dotson led the Big Ten in yards and touchdowns in 2020, and was third in receptions but was snubbed in the end-of-season awards.

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year – Micah McFadden, Indiana linebacker

The Indiana Hoosiers are bringing back nine starters from their 2020 defense. And leading that defense is senior linebacker, Micah McFadden. And despite playing in five fewer games, McFadden either reciprocated or produced better numbers compared to his sophomore year, finishing 2020 with 59 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two interceptions. If that kind of production is on the horizon for McFadden, then he might not only win defensive player of the year in the Big Ten but also be named the defensive player of the year in all of college football.

Runner-up: Brandon Joseph, Defensive Back Northwestern

As a redshirt sophomore, Joseph was tied for the most interceptions in college football in 2020.

Breakout Player of the Year – Graham Mertz, Wisconsin quarterback

As a former four-star recruit, quarterback Graham Mertz could have gone anywhere he wanted when coming out of high school, but decided to go to Wisconsin as the program’s highest-rated quarterback signee of all time. Now Mertz’s 2020 season was hot and then extremely cold, with seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in the first two games followed by a COVID absence that saw him throw just two touchdowns and five interceptions the rest of the season. But with a full season under his belt, the future is bright for Mertz and the Badgers.

Runner-up: Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland quarterback

The Alabama transfer showed flashes of what he’s capable of in 2020, but can he reach his full potential in 2021?

Next. College football power rankings: Top 30 programs of all-time. dark

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