B1G Headlines and Hot Takes: Ochocinco in Ann Arbor and A Long Offseason for Sparty

We’re getting closer to actual games that actually matter and actually having something of substance to read and write about!

For now, more stories from around the Big Ten Conference is what you get. Enjoy!

Chad Johnson chillin’ with Harbaugh

Yup. As reported by MLive, Ochocinco himself hungout with Turtleneck Jones aka Jim Harbaugh this past week. Apparently Johnson’s daughter was running in a big-time track event nearby and Chad decided to take in Ann Arbor. You’d be hard-pressed to find two people less alike than Harbaugh and Johnson, so it’s tough to imagine what their conversation could have possibly been about. My best guess would be that it centered around how neither one of them has ever won a national title or a Super Bowl, but who knows?

Bob Diaco talks up his safety

Former Hawkeye linebacker and current Nebraska defensive coordinator spoke with the media earlier this week. During that exchange, Diaco talked about how Joshua Kalu — the most talented defensive back on Nebraska’s roster not currently sidelined by injury — would end up being one of the best safeties in the country despite never playing the position at the collegiate level until this past Spring. Kalu has started 28 games at cornerback for the Huskers during his career. He has picked off five total passes.

The Huskers are 4-1 in games where he logs an interception, with the only loss coming to Miami in overtime in 2015. I’m not sure what any of that means, but it’s a stat and it exists.

Nobody is ready for the season to start more than Michigan State

In two separate articles from two different newspapers last week, we caught a glimpse of the awful offseason Sparty has had and how much the players are looking forward to getting back to football.

The Detroit News got its hand on and subsequently published the heavily redacted police report detailing the sexual assault investigation involving three Spartan players.

And that sheds light on some of the feelings expressed in an article by the Detroit Free Press published a couple of days earlier. That piece talks about how quickly the Spartans went from B1G darlings to just a total disaster on and off the field in 2016 and into the offseason. The players and coaches seem more-than-ready to get back to playing football and put the last year behind them.

Like most prognosticators, I don’t give the Spartans much of a chance to do anything in 2017. That said, there was something about Mark Dantonio’s demeanor and quiet swagger at Big Ten Media days that made me feel like he knew something the rest of us didn’t.

Mike Weber hobbled

The Columbus Dispatch reported on Ohio State starting running back Mike Weber being sidelined by a hamstring. On the one hand, it’s just a hammy and it’s early on in camp. On the other hand, I’ve seen hamstring injuries linger and derail seasons. Weber is the top returning skill player the Buckeyes have to compliment J.T. Barrett. Sure, they’ve got some talented depth behind him, but guys who eclipse 1,000 yards as freshmen aren’t exactly a dime a dozen. Keep an eye on Weber’s status going forward.