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Ranking Best Big Ten Secondaries: Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State, Iowa Hawkeyes

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Ranking Best Big Ten Secondaries: Oregon Ducks vs. Ohio State, Iowa Hawkeyes


The Big Ten Conference is expanding in 2024 and with that expansion comes some of the best passing teams in the nation.

Oregon, Washington, and USC were among the five best passing teams last season. UCLA was down at No. 60, but their 229.2 passing yards per game would have been good for fourth in the Big Ten.

With returning air power Ohio State, and many other teams like Maryland, Wisconsin, and Nebraska making major upgrades in that part of the game, 2024 will be a major season for Big Ten secondaries.

Here are the top five secondary units in the Big Ten Conference heading into 2024.

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Oct 28, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) is congratulated by offensive linesman Nick Dawkins (53) after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium.

Oct 28, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) is congratulated by offensive linesman Nick Dawkins (53) after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Beaver Stadium. / Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

The Nittany Lions trailed only Ohio State and Michigan in passing yards allowed last season, giving up 153.6. They also grabbed 12 interceptions and had a nation-leading 49 sacks. When you can get to the quarterback, the opens up opportunities for your guys downfield to take the ball away.

Safety Kevin Winston will be key to the Penn State secondary, as he’s one of the best cover and run defenders in the nation. He’s joined by returning starter Jaylen Reed and dynamic corner Cam Miller.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after a turnover against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium.

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after a turnover against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter in the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The defending national champion Wolverines lost plenty of talent to the NFL Draft, but they’re still back with perhaps the nation’s best corner in Will Johnson. He’ll be joined by Jyaire Hill and Keshawn Harris, and, eventually, stud safety Rod Moore who will miss at least some of the season recovering from an ACL injury.

Michigan reeled in 16 interceptions in 2023, good for fifth in the nation. The Wolverines also gave up just 152.6 yards a game through the air, only trailing Ohio State in that category. Michigan should be tested as much as any Big Ten team this fall, with games against USC, Oregon, Washington, and Ohio State, as well as a non-conference game against Texas.

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Cole Martin (21) celebrates an interception with teammate Jahlil Florence (6) against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half at Mountain America Stadium.

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Cole Martin (21) celebrates an interception with teammate Jahlil Florence (6) against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the second half at Mountain America Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Having had to defend in one of the pass-happier leagues last season, the Ducks grabbed double-digit interceptions and did not allow a passing play of more than 60 yards. While Oregon lost Khyree Jackson, adding the No. 1 corner and other studs from the transfer portal is a nice way to improve the team.

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Jabbar Muhammad was All-Pac-12 at Washington last season. Coach Dan Lanning is also bringing in speedy corner Cam Alexander from UTSA. They join Jahlil Florence and Nikko Reed, as well as the highest-ranked corner to ever sign with Oregon in Dontae Manning.

With the Ducks expected to be playing in front in most of their games this season, the secondary should have plenty of opportunities to make plays against team’s attempting comebacks.

Oct 7, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) and defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) and defensive back Quinn Schulte (30) react after an interception by Higgins against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium.

Oct 7, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) and defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) and defensive back Quinn Schulte (30) react after an interception by Higgins against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. / Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Part of the magic for the Hawkeye defense is sheer frustration by their opponents. No other program in the country lives by the creed “Punting Is Winning” as much as Iowa does, and their perennially inept offense means short passing routes, a lot of running the ball, and playing field position. That results in less time for opponents with the ball.

That frustration many times turns into taking risks, something recently drafted Cooper DeJean thrived on. But even with DeJean gone, the Hawkeyes stay elite on the backend, with stars like Xavier Nwankpa, Sebastian Castro, Jemari Harris.

Iowa had a top-five defense in 2023, and that should continue in 2024 thanks to the secondary.

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Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) celebrates a tackle during the first quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers at AT&T Stadium.

Dec 29, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) celebrates a tackle during the first quarter of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic against the Missouri Tigers at AT&T Stadium. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA

The Buckeyes had the stingiest pass defense in the country in 2023, allowing just 147.4 yards a game through the air. Part of that success came with playing in the run-heavy Big Ten, but it also comes with elite players like Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, and Davison Igbinosun. Ohio State also got better in the offseason, adding Alabama transfer safety Caleb Downs.

With only two, maybe three, games of any difficulty on the schedule this season, the Buckeyes could again be the best in the Big Ten and the country.



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Oregon

5-star OL Ismael Camara nears decision, Oregon staying in touch

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5-star OL Ismael Camara nears decision, Oregon staying in touch


Every year, there are always a few recruiting races that are anything but normal. Twists and turns should be expected on the recruiting trail, but you can still always count on a surprise or two.

The Oregon Ducks have already landed four commitments along the offensive line in the 2027 recruiting cycle, most recently scoring three-star Lex Mailangi. The Ducks are still pushing for one more, however, and it’s the biggest of them all.

Five-star offensive lineman Ismael Camara has taken several visits to Eugene, including one earlier in the spring. However, the Texas star canceled his tour of official visits to finish high school early and give Gilmer High School his best effort on the field in the fall.

Those plans changed quickly when he opted to take unofficial visits to SMU and Texas in June. After once appearing to push his recruitment to the fall and commit closer to early signing day, it’s clear that Camara is now open for business, and he could be moving quickly toward a decision.

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When Camara left Eugene in the spring, the Ducks were perceived as a favorite in the race. However, after spending time away and connecting with programs in his home state of Texas, Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman believes Texas is now in the lead, and was told by one of Camara’s family members that a commitment could be coming soon.

While the Longhorns are in charge, SMU, LSU, Texas A&M and Oregon all still remain involved. While he has been able to tour the Texas programs this month, Camara has remained in touch with the Ducks over FaceTime.

“Just fantastic coaches and options all around,” Camara’s guardian, Todd Robison, told Rivals. “We are also in touch regularly with Tennessee, LSU, A&M, and Alabama. He also has had very well-attended FaceTime calls with the entire staff at Oregon. He feels the love for sure.”

The Ducks still appear to be in good standing with Camara, but the inability to get him on campus this month is a big setback. Even if Camara does commit over the summer, the Ducks will likely push hard to get him back to Eugene in the fall for another visit. Don’t expect Oregon to give up on this race until pen hits paper on signing day.

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

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Visit Delicious Oregon

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Visit Delicious Oregon


Editor’s note: In 2016, WW expanded its Cheap Eats guide to include a road trip. We identified nine diners, food trucks and one boat worth a pit stop when journeying through Oregon. Since then, a few things have changed: Two of our picks have closed, as noted below, and you don’t need to travel to Medford to find an In-N-Out Burger. But maybe you should!

This list first appeared in the March 23, 1016, edition of WW.

TAQUERIA GUERRERO

508 E 1ST ST., NEWBERG.

Half tienda, half taco spot, Guerrero serves its street tacos and huge mojado burrito ($8.95) with handmade tortillas that shame almost anything in Portland.

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JOE’S DONUT SHOP

39230 PIONEER BLVD., SANDY.

This 40-year-old candy-striped dough den offers a ridiculously rich cronut—that’s a fried croissant—fast service, and always-fresh doughnuts. It’s arguably the best doughnut shop in the state.

THE DINER

2580 SE STRATUS AVE., MCMINNVILLE.

The Diner makes one of the state’s greatest sandwiches—a fried-chicken club in which each layer is seasoned and housemade, and the middle slice of bread is replaced by the satisfying crunch of fried chicken.

EASTWIND DRIVE IN

395 WANAPA ST., CASCADE LOCKS.

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The Eastwind is where Cheryl Strayed first tasted civilization after ending her long, long walk. The soft-serve ice cream is good enough for you, too, motherfucker.

Bowpicker Fish & Chips Oregon Winter 2025: Denizens of Darkness (Thomas Patterson/Thomas Patterson)

BOWPICKER FISH & CHIPS

1634 DUANE ST., ASTORIA.

At this 28-foot converted gillnet boat, there are always 12 old men waiting in line for beautifully fresh-caught, hand-battered albacore tuna served with a raft of fries. Join them.

LOCAL BOYZ HAWAIIAN CAFE

1425 NW MONROE AVE., CORVALLIS.

A sweet shoyu chicken plate lunch will fill you up until dinner tomorrow. But broke high-school kids will buy rice for $1.50 just so they can douse it in the magical ginger-garlic-shoyu sauce.

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IN-N-OUT

1970 CRATER LAKE HIGHWAY, MEDFORD.

With an address that already sounds like a road trip, the magnificent double-double has punctured the state line. Even from as far away as Portland, it beckons.

NOW CLOSED:

FAT FREDDY’S

6320 PACIFIC AVE., PACIFIC CITY.

After a brief hiatus best forgotten, Pacific City’s beachfront home of towering burgers and equally towering Tillamook ice-cream milkshakes returned two years ago to the sound of hardening arteries.

CORNBREAD CAFE

1290 W 7TH AVE., EUGENE.

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It’s arguably Eugene’s best restaurant, and it’s also a perfect fit for the town—a vegan version of an old-school diner, complete with barbecued seitan and outrageously good greens.

Willamette Week’s reporting has real-life impact that changes laws, forces action by civic leaders, and drives compromised politicians from public office.

Support WW.





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OPB’s First Look: Town hall follows power outages

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OPB’s First Look: Town hall follows power outages


OPB’s First Look: Town hall follows power outages – OPB

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