Big Ten Preview

After two straight BCS Championship game losses, this could be the year Ohio State gains revenge. The Buckeyes are prohibitive favorites to finish atop the Big Ten with the only non-conference roadblock to an undefeated season comes at USC on Sept. 13. The rest of the conference looks balanced. Here's a brief look at how the Big Ten shapes up.

Ohio St
Projected Record (10-2, 7-1)-Ohio State returns 19 starters from the team that finished the 2007 regular season No. 1. The Buckeyes outgained conference foes by 151.8 yards per game, which was 113.7 YPG more than the No.2 team. Senior quarterback Todd Boeckman struggled in the final three games. However, Coach Jim Tressel has the luxury of going to freshman sensation Terrelle Pryor in a pinch. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound Pryor has 4.35 speed and will be used like Florida's Tim Tebow was during his freshman year. Running back Beanie Wells is a Heisman contender. In addition, the Buckeyes have the Big Ten's best offensive line, the top-rated linebacker combo in the country and the best secondary in the land.

Illinois
Projected Record (8-4, 5-3)-Illinois hasn't had back-to-back winning seasons since 1989-90 but that should change this year. The Illini, coming off their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1983, are going to be hard-pressed to finish 9-4 again. Illinois has to play Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin on the road and Ohio State in Champaign. Juice Williams returns under center after setting a quarterback rushing record with 755 yards (4.6 ypc) and the Illini figure to have one of the best defensive lines in the conference. But they will sorely miss running back Rashard Mendenhall, who gained 1,681 yards and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Look for them to throw the ball a bit more with future NFL first round draft pick Arrelious Benn at wide receiver.

Wisconsin
Projected Record (8-4, 5-3)- Wisconsin may have the best group of running backs in America with thumper P.J. Hill, the solid Zach Brown and the slippery Lance Smith. But the Badgers face six bowl teams and will the defense be up to snuff? Coach Brett Bielema stresses defense, but his stop unit struggled to get into the backfield on a regular basis and wasn't tight enough against spread attacks. There are nine starters back from last year's unit, so they should be better. Wisconsin's offensive tackles have to be much better in pass protection as the quarterback's suffered some major beatings. Head coach Bret Bielema goes into his third season in Madison with a 21-5 record and should improve on that this season.

Michigan
Projected Record (7-5, 5-3)-Rich Rodriguez will get a baptism of fire in Ann Arbor when he takes over for Lloyd Carr. In fact, Michigan's 40-year streak of winning seasons may be in jeopardy. The Wolverines have 10 returning starters, the fewest in the league, and they will be changing schemes on both sides of the ball. The only quarterbacks on the spring roster are Steve Threet and David Cone-and neither has ever taken a snap in a college game. Eleven players with eligibility remaining have left the team since Rodriguez took over. The Wolverines will not sniff last year's nine win season.

Penn St.
Projected Record (8-4, 4-4)- The Nittany Lions are a talented team that lacks senior leadership at key spots and should need time to find itself. Penn State will need consistent quarterback play, whether from junior Daryll Clark or sophomore Pat Devlin. Coach Joe Paterno has a deep, developing defensive line and a veteran secondary. They should also benefit from an easy non-conference schedule which should have them 4-0 going into their September 27th home date with Illinois.

Purdue
Projected Record (7-5, 4-4)- Purdue returns six starters on both sides of the ball and is without several offensive playmakers from last year's 8-5 team. The Boilermakers lose four of their top five pass catchers, all three linebackers and their biggest weapon on the defensive line in Cliff Avril. Coach Joe Tiller's last season in West Lafayette could be a long one unless the defense improves after yielding 26.5 points and nearly 400 yards per game in 2007. On the other side of the ball, senior quarterback Curtis Painter returns, as does wide out Greg Orton and three solid offensive linemen.

Iowa
Projected Record (7-5, 4-4)- Iowa could sneak back into the bowl picture considering it doesn't have to face either Ohio State or Michigan. The Hawkeyes will have top-notch lines on both sides of the ball. However, coach Kirk Ferentz doesn't have a running back that had a carry in 2007. He does have good returning quarterback in junior Jake Christensen to go with an impressive receiving corps and every offensive lineman in the two-deep returning. Defensively, six of eight return on the defensive line, as does linebacker AJ Edds .

Northwestern
Projected Record (6-6, 3-5)- Northwestern will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator Mick McCall plans to move back to the no-huddle to take advantage of quarterback C.J. Boucher, who led the Big Ten in passing yards and had 19 touchdown throws. On the negative side he also had 19 interceptions, including 11 in the last four games. New DC Mike Hankwitz has eight returning starters to work with. If running back Tyrell Sutton stays healthy he could be one of the tops in the nation, despite operating behind an offensive line that is a major source of concern for Coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Michigan State
Projected Record (5-7, 3-5)- Michigan State will go as far as running back Javon Ringer will carry them. The senior rushed for 1447 yards last season while also making 35 catches for 295 yards. Head coach Mark D'Antonio begins his second season, so his players should be more familiar with the system. The Spartans didn't lose a single game by more than seven points last season and while there is a lot of talent on the roster, they have to find a way to win those close games if they want to find their way into a bowl game.

Indiana
Projected Record (6-6, 2-6)- Indiana came out of spring drills with question marks at wide receiver, on the offensive line, at cornerback and at quarterback. Projected starting QB Kellen Lewis was suspended and has to be considered a question mark heading into the season. The Hoosiers set single season records for yards and touchdowns last season, but don't expect more of the same. Indiana will be strong up front defensively but must replace two starting cornerbacks.

Minnesota
Projected Record (6-6, 2-6)- Minnesota was the worst team in the conference last year and was outgained by 108.5 yards per game. The Gophers welcome back sophomore quarterback Adam Weber, who set single season marks in completions (258), touchdown passes (24) and total offense (3512), but also threw 19 interceptions. Minnesota loses its top running back but should put up better numbers on the ground. Coach Tim Brewster must replace two three-year starters on the offensive line.

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