Illinois Prediction
9-3 (6-2 Big Ten)

The turnaround in at Illinois took plenty of people by surprise a season ago.

Led by the strong ground attack of Rashard Mendenhall, the Fighting Illini earned a BCS berth into the Rose Bowl and a runner-up finish behind Ohio State in the Big Ten standings.

Head coach Ron Zook promised change around the Illini campus when he took the job, and the master recruiter did just that, sparking a new-found sense of energy into the Fighting Illini.

Mendenhall departs this year, leaving a serious void in the backfield, but multi-talented quarterback Juice Williams returns, along with highly-regarded prep wide receiver Arrelious Benn.

Williams improved by leaps and bounds a season ago, boosting his completion percentage up by 18 points. He also ran for 755 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Benn was named league freshman of the year after grabbing 54 passes for 676 yards and two scores.

The two will be counted on for even more this year, as the Illini look to do something they have struggled to do in their long history: put together back-to-back great seasons.

Player to Watch:
Daniel Dufrene will get the first crack at making people forget about Mendenhall, a first round NFL Draft pick. Dufrene made a strong early impression on the Illini faithful by breaking off an 80-yard run in the Rose Bowl loss to USC a year ago. Dufrene put in a solid preseason, and should help keep pressure off of Juice and company this year.

Key Game(s): vs Missouri, at Wisconsin, at Ohio State

Indiana Prediction
6-6 (2-6 Big Ten)

If Indiana were ever going to make a case for a Big Ten title, this would be the season to do it.

The Hoosiers scored nearly 32 points per game a year ago, and, outside of wide receiver James Hardy, return the majority of those that contributed to that.

The schedule is also in Indiana’s favor, as they play eight home games and do not face Ohio State or Michigan this year.

But Hoosier fans need to wait a second before you start engraving your name on that Big Ten title trophy. Indiana just broke its string of 13 consecutive seasons without playing in a bowl game by qualifying for the Insight Bowl a year ago. And, junior quarterback Kellen Lewis was suspended during the spring for violations of team rules.

Lewis is back in camp, but has yet to make his way up the depth chart to No. 1, as that position is currently being held by Ben Chappell. Lewis, though, is expected to reclaim his job after racking up over 3,700 yards of total offense and scoring 37 touchdowns.

Whoever wins the QB job will have to excel without the services of Hardy, a major target on the field and in the red zone.

Junior Greg Middleton returns after leading the nation in sacks with a school-record 16. The force will try to duplicate that feat from his end spot again.

Linebacker and safety are also key parts of the Hoosier defense, as starters return at two of the three spots in the middle and both safety positions.

Player to Watch
If Lewis can get back in the good graces of head coach Bill Lynch, he should have his best season yet. He is experienced and dangerous with his legs, and, despite the loss of Hardy, Lewis has shown that he is a one-man attack unit with the ball in his hands much like former Hoosier great Antwaan Randle El was.

Key Game(s): at Minnesota, Iowa, at Purdue

Iowa Prediction
5-7 (2-6 Big Ten)

As if the recent slide in terms of wins and losses was enough for Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz to worry about, he has also had to deal with plenty of off-the-field issues. But this is a preview about the actual Iowa team, so we won’t hark on those problems.

Coaching-wise, Ferentz has to concern himself with an Iowa offense that has sputtered in recent years. Quarterback Jake Christensen was beaten up last year, as the Hawkeye offensive line allowed 46 sacks. He did throw for 2,269 yards and was picked off just six times, but Iowa failed to do much in terms of a deep-passing attack.

Running back is another concern, as Albert Young and Damian Sims have exhausted their eligibility. Junior college transfer Nate Guillory joined the squad in January and brings and impressive resume to Iowa City, while Shonn Greene returns after spending last year at a JUCO.

The ‘K and K Connection’ of Mitch King and Matt Kroul will be counted on to shore up the defense from inside the trenches. King was an all-Big Ten first-team selection, while Kroul has started 37 straight games.

Iowa’s schedule would seem favorable, as Ohio State and Michigan are both not on it for the second consecutive year, but the Hawks could only manage a 6-6 mark last season. Iowa had a chance to qualify for a bowl, but a home loss to Western Michigan erased that chance in the season finale at Kinnick Stadium.

Player to Watch
Erik Campbell will not suit up for Iowa this season, but he will be very important to the success of the Hawkeye offense. Campbell is the new receivers coach at Iowa after spending time on the sidelines at Michigan. His ability to get the most out of Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Trey Stross, Andy Brodell and Tony Moeaki will be key this year.

Key Game(s): Purdue, at Minnesota

Michigan Prediction
6-6 (4-4 Big Ten)

Not much changed around the Michigan campus since last year…………..oh, wait, EVERYTHING changed!!!!!!

Lloyd Carr has left, Rich Rodriguez has replaced him, and the atmosphere in Ann Arbor is completely different.

Rodriguez brought plenty of controversy with him, but he is a proven winner that has gotten the job done wherever he has set up shop.

Wolverine fans, though, may have to wait a year or two for the benefits to having RichRod as their coach, as the master of the spread offense was unable to get a full supply of ‘his’ kind of recruits. And by ‘his’ I am talking about speed, speed and more speed.

The offseason was also full of learning curves for everyone involved with the program, as RichRod expects complete focus at all times. His in-your-face attitude may have driven off a few players, but it is how you win games in college football, and Rodriguez has proven he knows how to win games.

Many positions are still left up in the air as the season opener approaches, but this is Michigan people, and you know they have talent up and down the roster.

Along with shifting the offense to a more up-tempo attack, the defense will also see a drastic change, going from the 4-3 to a 3-3-5, which – much like the offense – relies on speed.

If nothing else happens this year, Rodriguez can change everything for the better by defeating Ohio State in the season finale and snapping the Wolverines out of their recent funk vs. their rivals.

Player to Watch
This would have been a prime spot to talk about Terrelle Pryor had the gifted dual-threat quarterback decided to attend Michigan instead of Ohio State. But, Pryor will be on the opposing sideline of RichRod this year, leaving the coach to work with a collection of QBs in Nick Sheridan, Steven Threet and Justin Feagin. Feagin, a freshman, is the lone true spread quarterback of the bunch.

Key Game(s): Notre Dame, at Wisconsin, at Ohio State

Michigan State Prediction
7-5 (4-4 Big Ten)

While many of the Big Ten powers are shifting to new-found styles of offense, Michigan State and head coach Mark Dantonio prefer the old style of sound defense and a reliable ground game.

Dantonio helped get the Spartans off on the right foot in his first year, as they played Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl, falling 24-21. Now, MSU wants to continue to move forward.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer returns for his senior season, but will not have the services of surprise standout wide receiver Devin Thomas, who left early and is now playing with the Washington Redskins. Joining Hoyer in the backfield is classmate Javon Ringer, a speedster that has averaged over six yards per carry for his career.

Three linemen return to protect Hoyer and open holes for Ringer, while the Spartan defense should be just as strong as last season.

If Michigan State hopes to take that next leap, Hoyer must be sound with his decision making and the defense needs to continue making plays.

Player to Watch
Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham have been battling to secure that No. 1 receiver position vacated by Thomas. Whichever of the two becomes Hoyer’s main threat should put together an all-Big Ten season and may decide just how far the Spartans go.

Key Game(s): at California, at Michigan

Minnesota Prediction
6-6 (2-6 Big Ten)

Tim Brewster’s first season as head coach at Minnesota was a nightmare. The Golden Gophers were anything but golden, going 1-11 and failing to win a conference game.

Brewster, though, showed his power by bringing in a Top-20 recruiting class that will be counted on to push Minnesota back into bowl contention over the next few seasons.

Sophomore quarterback Adam Weber is a year wiser after breaking several school records, but must first focus on cutting down on his 19 interceptions thrown. If he can do that, the Gophers might have a solid find on their hands.

Who Weber gets the ball to create on the field is another challenge, as Minnesota is thin at running back and equally depleted at wide receiver outside of standout Eric Decker.

Ted Roof, the former head coach at Duke, was brought in to shore things up on defense, and as many as seven new starters could see the field.

If Roof can get the Gophers to play defense and stop opponents even a few more times than last year, expect Weber and company to find a groove on offense and the Gophers to score at least one Big Ten victory.

Player to Watch
Justin Kucek is one of the elite punters in all of college football. He averaged 42.7 yards per kick a year ago, placing 21 punts inside the 20-yard line. Of course, kicking inside of a dome (the Metrodome), helps any kicker out.

Key Game(s): Florida Atlantic, Northwestern, Iowa

Northwestern Prediction
4-8 (1-7 Big Ten)

There is plenty of optimism around the Northwestern campus this fall, as C.J. Bacher and Tyrell Sutton return to lead a potent offense.

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald, a defensive-minded leader, directed the Wildcats to a 6-6 mark, but, the school was unable to return to the postseason.

Bacher threw for a school-record 3,656 yards, but must cut down on the number of mistakes he made. Sutton, meanwhile, needs to remain healthy so that he can be a force each game and help take the pressure off of Bacher.

Fitzgerald hired a new offensive and defensive coordinator in Evanston, so the coaching staff has had to put in extra time to get themselves – and the players – prepared.

The schedule for the Wildcats is also difficult, as they close with Ohio State, Michigan and Illinois, meaning Northwestern needs to be bowl eligible before Nov. 8 if they hope to play in the postseason.

Player to Watch
Senior Malcolm Arrington takes over at middle linebacker for the Wildcats this season. Since Fitzgerald once occupied the spot, Northwestern has made it a point to be solid up the middle. Arrington was the weak-side starting linebacker a year ago.

Key Game(s): Ohio, at Iowa

Ohio State Prediction
11-1 (8-0 Big Ten)

The Buckeyes and their fans have just one question: is this the year they finally get over the hump and win another national title?

After being stopped by Florida and LSU each of the past two seasons, many around the country have cried that Ohio State is not a worthy competitor to compete for the BCS title.

But the Buckeyes do what they must, and that means winning the Big Ten and taking care of business.

This year should be no different, as several vital cogs to the success of Ohio State a year ago are back, including quarterback Todd Boeckman, running back Chris “Beanie” Wells and linebacker James Laurinaitis.

Couple in another sound recruiting class – highlighted by the signing of quarterback Terrelle Pryor – and it is easy to see why many feel Ohio State will return to the championship game for a third straight season.

Laurinaitis spurned NFL money to return to Columbus for his senior season with one goal. The son of former wrestling legend “Animal” of the Road Warriors/Legion of Doom can nearly cement his quest in gold on Sept. 13 when the Buckeyes visit Southern Cal by earning a victory and quieting all those naysayers.

But, if Ohio State falls to USC and were to somehow make it back to the top before the end of the season, you can bet that there will be many out there calling the Buckeyes ‘paper-champions’ again.

Player to Watch
Pryor probably would have started right away had he decided to attend rival Michigan, but the opportunity to play for a contender from the get-go led him to Ohio State. With a rocket for an arm and a pair of strong legs, you can bet that Pryor will see the field this season in some kind of role – possibly one similar to what Florida gave Tim Tebow when he was a freshman.

Key Game(s): at Southern Cal, at Wisconsin, at Illinois, Michigan

Penn State Prediction
8-4 (4-4 Big Ten)

Joe Paterno is back for another season in Happy Valley.

Paterno, who directed Penn State to a 9-4 record last year, has 18 players that saw considerable playing time a year ago to work with. There really was little doubt that he would be back on the sidelines, but the question remains when will be his final go-round?

A new quarterback will be under center in the form of either Daryll Clark or Pat Devlin. Clark is the favorite, as the senior has waited for his turn. But Devlin, a strong-armed sophomore, could push him should he stumble on the field.

Evan Royster, another underclassmen, will be counted on to continue the recent trend of capable running backs for Joe Pa. Also returning are wide receivers Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood, who all came into school together and are still searching for that memorable season.

The Penn State defensive front four is one of the best in the conference – if not the nation – when they are all eligible and on the field, as off-the-gridiron troubles have hindered them in recent months.

Replacing Justin King in the secondary will also be key for the Nittany Lions, as they were able to literally shut down one side of the field when King was playing for them.

Player to Watch
A.J. Wallace, a 6-foot-1, junior has been hailed as a rising star and will get the first crack at taking over for King in the secondary. He made five tackles and picked off a pass in the Alamo Bowl.

Key Game(s): Oregon State, at Ohio State

Purdue Prediction
6-6 (4-4 Big Ten)

This is it for Joe Tiller. While Penn State legend Joe Paterno continues to keep his intentions unknown to the public, Tiller has decided to hang up the whistle following this season at Purdue.

And if that isn’t reason enough to get the Boilermakers excited, having quarterback Curtis Painter back in the fold should.

Painter will have his name written all over the Purdue history books should he remain healthy this season. But, to cement his place in the minds of Boilermaker faithful all around the country, he needs to improve his play in big games.

Against the quartet of Big Ten heavyweights Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin, Painter is 0-7 with a combined eight interceptions and just two touchdowns. That isn’t good enough to get Purdue where they want to be, which is on top of the league race when all is said and done.

The Boilermakers will be able to prove their worth right off the bat, as they open Big Ten play with Penn State and Ohio State.

Player to Watch
It is obvious to see why Painter is so well-regarded among college quarterbacks. He has all the tools needed to succeed with his strong arm and quick release. But, his knack for falling apart when needed the most is what keeps him from moving to that elite level of play that Purdue wants out of him.

Key Game(s): at Notre Dame, Minnesota, Indiana

Wisconsin Prediction
11-1 (7-1 Big Ten)

The Badgers have been as solid as they come in each of the past two seasons, going 11-1 in 2006 and 9-4 in 2007. But, to get back to that level this year, Wisconsin will have to fight through plenty of injuries.

Five potential starters on defense are already banged up, and the season is still weeks away. Those injuries will force others to step up and fill in during the meantime, which could cause problems for the Badgers.

Also, the injury-riddled defense will put even more pressure on an offensive unit that is breaking in a new quarterback this year. Allan Evridge was a starter at Kansas State before moving north. He has a strong arm and is mobile, but has yet to see the field in a critical game for Wisconsin.

Evridge does have the luxury of handing the ball off to P.J. Hill, granted Hill can stay healthy. Hill has over 2,800 yards and 29 touchdowns during his first two seasons in Wisconsin, and was even healthy for the first time this spring. Depth isn’t a problem should Hill go down, but it would help Evridge to have him around.

Player to Watch
Redshirt freshman running back John Clay is behind a solid threesome of backs, but, he impressed the staff so much this offseason that they have re-worked the offense just to get him on the field. The 231-pounder has impressive speed and could be used to spell Hill – or replace him if he goes down with another injury.

Key Game(s): at Fresno State, Penn State, at Ohio State