Conference Review: BIG 10

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With college football in full swing, we’ll be bringing you a review of the “Big Five” conferences each and every week. These recaps will feature sections for “Premier Conference Performer,” “Rising Players,” “Falling Players,” and a special Freshman spotlight. These weekly reviews will keep you up-to-date on all the happenings in devy leagues and allow you to keep tabs on future dynasty league assets. By the time the NFL Draft rolls around, you won’t see too many strangers.

Premier Conference Performers

Christian Hackenberg, QB Penn St

(through two weeks)
Attempts: 84
Completions: 54
Completion %: 65.1
Yards: 773
Touchdowns: Four
Interceptions: Four

It hasn’t been a perfect two weeks for Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg, but you can see the ceiling, and I’m excited. Rarely are there elite pro style quarterbacks in the Big Ten, so this is a surprising development. He’s still very young and developing, but he has full reigns of the offense and Penn State is allowing him to air it out every game. The interceptions are a concern as it shows he’s making mistakes, but I see Hackenberg as a similar type of player as Andrew Luck in that he’s super confident in his ability and will sometimes force a play here and there. This isn’t to say I’m putting him in the same ilk as Luck, but they do have quite a few similarities.

Devin Funchess, WR Michigan

(through two weeks)
Receptions: 16
Yards: 202
Yards per catch: 12.6
Touchdowns: 3

[inlinead]While week one was far more impressive, Devin Funchess has solidified himself as the THE player to watch in the conference this year. His catch radius and ball skills combination remind me of Kelvin Benjamin. With it becoming more and more difficult to decipher the difference between a wide receiver and tight end, Funchess fits that hybrid role perfectly.

Rising

David Cobb, RB Minnesota

(through two weeks)
Carries: 43
Yards: 291
Yard per carry: 6.8
Touchdowns: Two

David Cobb had his breakout performance this past Saturday. The senior back rushed for 220 yards on 27 carries (7.6 yards per carry) and added in two touchdowns. While he’s not the prettiest belle at the ball, Cobb is a guy with pro potential and someone I’ll be keeping tabs on, especially as we move into conference play. Minnesota is pretty limited as far as offensive weapons (besides tight end Maxx Williams), so if they’re going to find success, Cobb will have to continue to dominate.

Paul James, RB & Leonte Carroo, WR Rutgers
(through two weeks)

Paul James:

Carries: 42
Yards: 216
Yards per carry: 5.1
Receptions: Two
Yards: 100
Total Touchdowns: Six

Leonte Carroo

Receptions: Eight
Yards: 195
Yards per catch: 24.5
Touchdowns: Two

These two are carrying this Rutgers offense, don’t let anyone fool you. Running back Paul James has been dominant in his first two performances; he’s got a little Ryan Mathews to his game. While he isn’t quite the athlete, James has nice wiggle and ability to read blocks and make good decisions. I wouldn’t go proclaiming him a 3rd-4th round prospect yet, but if he continues on this pace, I could see a team being intrigued next offseason.

As for Leonte Carroo, if you’ve followed me on Twitter or read my article on him, you’ll know I’m really high on him. Carroo has continued his pace that he had last year, scoring touchdowns at an insane rate. Carroo has 36 career catches, 11 of them being touchdowns. While I believe regression will eventually hit in terms of touchdowns, I also believe the big plays will continue to happen. Carroo is too tough and strong at the catch point for college corners. I wouldn’t expect him to get out of the 3rd round.

Falling

Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin

(Through two weeks)
Carries: 33
Yards: 178
Yards per carry: 5.4
Receptions: Four
Yards: 22
Touchdowns: Two

Melvin Gordon played a great game against LSU, 38 yards on 17 carries against Western Illinois is going to hurt is stock a ton. The injuries are also starting to pile up, his hip being the biggest of the problems. Overall I think Gordon is fine, better than fine even. BUT, things can only trend down from a 1600 yard, 7.8 yard per carry season. Every team is going to game plan to stop him and teams will be stacking the box almost every play considering the recent struggles at quarterback and wide receiver for the Badgers.

Players to Keep An Eye On 

Kyle Prater, WR Northwestern

Kyle Prater was a former HIGHLY touted USC recruit. He’s battled through transferring and multiple injuries, but he finally has a role and is ready to go. He had seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown last week.

Tevin Coleman, RB Indiana

Tevin Coleman has been dominant. Coleman destroyed Indiana State last week to the tune of 247 yards, 10.3 yards per carry. This isn’t the only flash though; in 2013 Coleman had 958 rushing yards on only 131 carries, adding 12 touchdowns onto that. After Ameer Abdullah and Gordon, it’s a battle for third best back in the conference between Paul James and Coleman.

DaeSean Hamilton WR & Geno Lewis, WR Penn St

Along with tight end Jesse James, DaeSean Hamilton and Geno Lewis have become Hackenberg’s favorite targets. It will be interesting how the season progresses, but considering how ineffective they’ve been running the ball, you have to imagine they’re going to continue to lean on the pass game.

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