1. Ohio State
Coach: Jim Tressel (8th season)
Last Year: 11-2, 7-1, lost to LSU, 38-24, in the BCS Championship
Key Returners: RB Chris Wells, QB Todd Boeckman, LB James Laurinaitis
Key Losses: DE Vernon Gholston
What’s Up: The Buckeyes return 20 starters and have been to the national championship game the past two seasons. Ohio State has an explosive offense and the defense will remain stout. And its game with Michigan is at “The ‘Shoe”.
What’s Down: After failing to win the BCS title both times, the pressure is on this experienced squad to make it back and win. This Ohio State team has proven it can run through the conference and get there. Now, can they win the whole thing?
2. Wisconsin
Coach: Bret Bielema (3rd season)
Last Year: 9-4, 5-3, lost to Tennessee, 21-17, in the Outback Bowl
Key Returners: RB P.J. Hill, TE Travis Beckum, CB Shane Carter
Key Losses: LB Jonathan Casillas
What’s Up: Wisconsin has been on the doorstep of a Big Ten championship for a few years and this may be the team that finally wins it. The Badgers return star running back Hill, one of the premier rushers in the conference.
What’s Down: The Badgers will be working in a new quarterback, which may allow defenses to focus on stopping Hill. Wisconsin will need its new quarterback to step in quickly if it wants to compete for a Big Ten championship.
3. Penn State
Coach: Joe Paterno (43rd season)
Last Year: 9-4, 4-4, defeated Texas A&M, 24-17 in the Alamo Bowl
Key Returners: DE Maurice Evans, LB Sean Lee
Key Losses: QB Anthony Morelli, LB Dan Connor
What’s Up: Penn State continues to be “Linebacker U,” with new talent to replace Connor. The Nittany Lions defense allowed only 17.5 points per game and just more than 300 yards per game.
What’s Down: The Nittany Lions will be making a lot of replacements on the offensive end of the field. Both their quarterback and running back are gone from an offense that racked up 400 yards per game last year.
4. Michigan
Coach: Rich Rodriguez (1st season)
Last Year: 9-4, 6-2, defeated Florida, 41-35, in the Capital One Bowl
Key Returners: DE Tim Jamison
Key Losses: OL Jake Long, QB Chad Henne, WR Mario Manningham, RB Mike Hart
What’s Up: The spread has proven effective against Big Ten opponents in bowl games and Michigan hopes it can translate in year one. At least the defense will remain strong.
What’s Down: The Wolverines are transferring from Lloyd Carr’s offense to the spread option. It is time for a major restart after losing their starting quarterback and running back.
5. Purdue
Coach:: Joe Tiller (12th season)
Last Year: 8-5, 3-5, defeated Central Michigan, 51-48, in the Motor City Bowl
Key Returners: QB Curtis Painter, RB Kory Sheets
Key Losses: WR Dorien Bryant, CB Terrell Vinson
What’s Up: The Purdue offense should continue chugging along with the return of senior Painter and the running back tandem of Sheets and Jaycen Taylor. The Boilermakers racked up 435.9 yards per game and scored 34.3 points per game last season.
What’s Down: The Boilermakers struggled on defense last season, especially against the run. They gave up almost 400 yards per game, which yielded 28.3 points per contest.
6. Illinois
Coach: Ron Zook (4th
season)
Last Year: 9-4, 6-2, lost to USC, 49-17, in the Rose Bowl
Key Returners: QB Juice Williams, DL Will Davis
Key Losses: RB Rashard Mendenhall, LB Jeremy Leman
What’s Up: Illinois gets another year from Williams, who is a threat to pass and run the ball. He makes the offense very dangerous.
What’s Down: Williams will struggle without Mendenhall behind him to take the brunt of the carries. He was a big reason why Illinois got to the Rose Bowl last season.
7. Northwestern
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (3rd season)
Last Year: 6-6, 3-5
Key Returners: QB C.J. Bachér, RB Tyrell Sutton
Key Losses: LB Adam Kadela, WR Kim Thompson
What’s Up: The Wildcats had one of the top offenses in the conference, gaining 427.7 yards per game. Bacher, Sutton and wide receiver Eric Peterman all have experience playing well in the Big Ten and should reach a bowl game after missing out last year.
What’s Down: NU has the potential to put up a lot of points and give up a lot of points. The team’s defense could again be what prevents the offense from flying higher in the conference.
8. Michigan state
Coach: Mark Dantonio (2nd season)
Last Year: 7-6, 3-5
Key Returners: RB Javon Ringer, S Otis Wiley
Key Losses: WR Devin Thomas, DE Jonal Saint-Dic
What’s Up: Ringer had a couple of big games, racking up nearly 1,500 yards last season. He looks to be featured even more and should keep Michigan State’s offense near the top of the Big Ten.
What’s Down: The defense is losing its top two pass rushers. The offense is losing two of its three top receivers.
9. Iowa
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (10th season)
Last Year: 6-6, 4-4
Key Returners: QB Jake Christensen
Key Losses: RB Albert Young, DE Bryan Mattison
What’s Up: Christensen ran an efficient offense, throwing 17 touchdowns and six interceptions.
What’s Down: Unfortunately he will not have an experienced running back. The Hawkeyes will try and find someone to replace their stalwart backs but do not have many experienced options.
10. Indiana
Coach: Bill Lynch (2nd season)
Last Year: 7-5, 3-5, lost to Oklahoma State, 49-33, in the Insight Bowl
Key Returners: QB Kellen Lewis
Key Losses: WR James Hardy, DB Tracy Porter, DE Kenny Kendal
What’s Up: Indiana has one of the easiest schedules in the conference, avoiding Michigan and Ohio State.
What’s Down: Lewis was suspended for the spring season for an undisclosed reason. That spells trouble.
11. Minnesota
Coach: Tim Brewster (2nd season)
Last Year: 1-11, 0-8
Key Returners: WR Eric Decker, LB Deon Hightower
Key Losses: WR Ernie Wheelwright, FS Dominique Barber
What’s Up: The Gophers can only go up. They return most of their offensive production from last season and should be slightly improved.
What’s Down: Their quarterback was inconsistent. Their defense, which gave up 49 points to NU last year, remains raw. Wheelwright was a big-play threat, but he’s headed to the NFL.
