1. Michigan
2. Purdue
3. Wisconsin
4. Ohio St.
5. Minnesota
6. Iowa
7. Michigan St
8. Northwestern
9. Indiana
10. Penn St
11. Illinois
Big Ten preview
It's just like the old days of the Big Two and the Little Eight. Michigan and Ohio State simply tower over the conference right now, and their reign looks unbreakable at this point. The only returning starting QB in the conference worth a damn is Kyle Orton, so if Purdue finds a defense, they might be able to crack the top. The sheer loss of talent from last season is depressing. There's only one returning 1000 yard receiver, zero 3000 yard passers, and two 1000 yard rushers but they both play for Minnesota. It's a long rebuilding year for almost every program, which means there's a real opportunity to sneak into the top of the standings. OSU and Michigan are top ten teams, but who can sneak into the race? Purdue hopes Orton can carry them. Minnesota hopes their running game can make up for the loss of el-Alamin. Wisconsin returns two lines almost entirely intact. Ferentz has built Iowa into a system need that doesn't need big stars. Always mercurial Michigan State could crack the list. Really, it's wide open. As long as you're not dreaming of the Rose Bowl.
ILLINOIS. The schedule breaks right and there’s some talent here, but
the long and short of it is that the Illini would be lucky to win three
games. That won’t keep Ron Turner employed.
INDIANA. 9 starters return on both sides of the ball, so if the
Hoosiers are ever going to make a run, this is the year. The problem
is, they just aren’t that good. Green-Ellis is a decent back and
LoVecchio’s an okay QB, so maybe they can flirt with .500
IOWA. The first ridiculously good defense we’ll encounter here. The
weakness last year was pass defense, but they look to have shored up
even that hole. The real worry is the two returning starters on
offense. But this team won’t win on offense.
MICHIGAN. Aside from having to replace the entire backfield, this team
is loaded. And with this offensive line, just about anybody could be
successful as a running back. Gutierrez is a much-hyped prospect
getting his chance under center. And the defense is simply stacked. The
schedule is backloaded, giving Michigan time to break in the QB.
MICHIGAN ST. They started 6-1 and finished 1-4. The schedule is set
up for that kind of season again. They play cupcakes first, and then
close with the heavyweights. Since they a breaking in a freshman QB,
this is great for the Spartans, who might build confidence as the year
goes on.
MINNESOTA. The defense is pretty good. Nothing special, particularly
in Big Ten country, but the offense could be special. They return not
one, but two 1000 yard rushers, not to mention five of six linemen. All
they
need to do is find a quarterback to keep the other team’s
honest, and they’ll score lots and lots of points.
NORTHWESTERN. 17 starters return from a 6-6 team. Lacking any
big-time producers on either side of the ball, 6-6 seems like the upper
level of accomplishment for this team. They just don’t have the
talent, though they’ll play you tough.
OHIO ST. A truly superlative defense the past few years has covered up
the simple fact the offense sucks out loud. The Buckeyes went 6-1 in
games decided by under 7 points, and those stats have a way of swinging
around on you. Only nine starters return, so OSU may slide down to the
pack a bit.
PENN ST. QB Zack Mills wasn’t the savior. He’s a good QB, but he
looked completely lost last season. And that sums up the team. Paterno
still
knows how to coach, but he doesn’t recruit well anymore
and the team just looks lost. The offense was one of the worst in the
country last year, inexcusable at a place like Penn State.
PURDUE. They only return three starters from one of the Big Ten’s best
defenses, and they may fall to the middle of the pack as the rest of
the conference improves. No matter. The offense will be expected to
carry the load. Orton is a slam dunk All-Big Ten QB, and the offense
could be the best Tiller has ever had, as eight starters return.
WISCONSIN. Anthony Davis is still in school? How long has he been at
Wisconsin? Eight years? The entire d-line returns which anchors a
pretty stout unit, though not as elite as, say, Ohio State’s. But
they’ll hand the ball off to Davis over and over again and pray for the
best.
GIOIA'S TWO CENTS. I’m actually tempted to pick Minnesota because they can run all over everyone, but this year they have a normal schedule, not the easy schedule they’ve had in recent years. Now, let’s be honest, last year the Big Ten was weak. It’s shouldn’t be totally weak, but it’s still going to be a logjam of pseudocontenders. I’ll pick Purdue for three reasons: 1) it’s funny; 2) the aforementioned offensive weapons; 3) they face their biggest rivals (except Iowa) at home (Michigan, OSU, Wisconsin).