There are 85 players on a team, but let’s face it, some are more important than others. Here’s a look at the most indispensable player on each team in the Big Ten Leaders Division. Likewise, the most indispensable players in the Legends Division are available here.

Illinois: Linebacker Jonathan Brown

Last season, Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus was obviously the biggest show in town on defense, racking up 16 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. He’s gone, but that guy who had six sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss? That’s Jonathan Brown, and he’s back as only a junior.

With Mercilus gone, Illinois doesn’t have the same surfeit of talent and athleticism rushing off the edge, so Brown is going to be critical to the Illini defense’s up-front attack. 

Indiana: Center Will Matte

One of the most unheralded players in the Big Ten, Matte will finish a stellar career at center for Indiana this year and be the leader of a unit that desperately needs to improve its ability to keep QB Tre Roberson upright and spring holes for talented RB Stephen Houston.

Also, his beard is stellar. #TeamBeard

Ohio State: Tight end Jake Stoneburner

It’s not really a good sign when your most indispensable player is currently suspended for getting caught “watering the grass” then bolting when the cops show up, but the good news is that he did it in June, so barring any game suspensions, any stay in Urban Meyer‘s doghouse is probably going to be taken care of long before the season begins.

And once Stoneburner’s in Meyer’s good graces, he’ll go back to being the best tight end on the roster by a mile, and he’s got the versatility to line up all over the field and make life hell for opposing defenses. Stoneburner’s not the only multi-faceted guy on the team, but he is the only such difference-maker at tight end.  

Penn State: Kicker/Punter Anthony Fera

Hey, you laugh, but according to the College Football Matrix, returning both your starting punter and kicker is more conducive to wins than even a returning starting quarterback. Moreover, with the offense in year one of a major overhaul and still underwhelming under center, Penn State’s going to be using Fera a lot—though probably as a kicker a little more often, as the line looks decent enough to at least sustain a running game.

Purdue: Cornerback Ricardo Allen

Ignore the “sophomore slump.” It wasn’t much of one, and Allen is still far and away the best defensive back in West Lafayette—and maybe the entire Big Ten. Josh Johnson is a decent corner on the other side of the field, but if Allen is healthy and hungry, it’s going to change the entire complexion of opposing game plans. 

Wisconsin: Quarterback Danny O’Brien

It’s almost impossible to overstate how important it was for Wisconsin to land O’Brien. Jon Budmayr is battling chronic nerve problems in his throwing arm, and now he needs hip surgery. Talented true freshman Bart Houston is recovering from shoulder surgery. Wisconsin was left without a starting-quality QB until O’Brien showed up, degree in hand, eligible to play immediately.

Make no mistake about it: O’Brien can throw.

He can especially throw against a defense with eight men in the box. And if Wisconsin just gets 12-plus games out of him, that’ll probably be all the Badgers need to get back to Indianapolis with a shot at Pasadena on the line.

Without him, though? God help us all.

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