Champion: Penn State
Runner-Up: Ohio State
Overrated: Michigan State
Spread-Beater: Illinois

The top of the Big Ten should be as wide open it has been in years but it most likely will come down to the two teams that tied for the league last season. Despite losing a lot of key players, Penn State still has the schedule to return to a BCS bowl and deliver another conference title. There are some holes to fill with only nine returning starters but all the key spots feature veteran play-makers. The schedule also presents a very weak non-conference schedule and facing Ohio State at home. None of the road games will be easy outs but the Lions will likely be favored in every game this season.

Ohio State will have the opportunity to play in a fourth consecutive BCS game but there are some tough games on the schedule. The early season USC game could take a toll into other games no matter the result and the Buckeyes must also play Penn State and Michigan on the road. The offense takes a big hit with the loss of RB Wells and the loss of last year’s top two tacklers. This is a very talented team but new leaders on both sides of the ball will need to step up.

The team in the best position to move into the top two might be Illinois, a team that went just 5-7 last year. The Illini out-gained opponents significantly last season despite the record and three of the four conference road games will be winnable contests. Illinois has all of their top offensive players back in action and the talent at the skill positions is right up there with anyone in this conference. The defense will likely prevent a conference title but Illinois will be a serious player in the Big Ten this season.

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After a failing to deliver a great season with a favorable schedule last year Iowa will have to do its best with arguably the toughest conference schedule of any Big Ten team. The Hawkeyes do not play Illinois but must face four road games against teams that will likely finish in the top half of the conference. Iowa won nine games last season and had a lot of momentum late in the year. Losing RB Greene will be a big hit but the defense should keep the Hawkeyes in every game.

After a disappointing 7-6 season and a couple of embarrassing efforts Wisconsin needs to take a step back in the right direction to get confidence in the coaching staff. This team is not likely as strong as last year’s team but actually could have an improved record, missing Penn State and Michigan State and playing three winnable conference road games. QB play from Dustin Sherer was not ideal last season but the running game should be solid.

Many enjoyed watching Michigan struggle last season but don’t get used to it, the Wolverines should be back in a bowl game this year. A very light non-conference schedule and personnel that is much better suited for the new offense should lead to considerably improved results. Michigan lost several close games last season and will be well motivated to turn things around.

Late in the season Michigan State actually had a shot at the Big Ten title last year and expectations will be elevated after picking up nine wins. The Spartans caught some breaks last year with two narrow conference wins and this team was still badly out-classed by Penn State and Ohio State in blowout losses. The conference road games against similar level teams will make or break the season and the new pieces at QB and RB might not be ready to deliver away from home in early season tests.

Last year Minnesota improved considerably moving from one win in 2007 to seven wins. The Gophers have a veteran team with 17 starters back including the top performers at QB, RB, and WR as well as six players back with 40+ tackles in 2008. Unfortunately the schedule is going be significantly tougher with three difficult non-conference games and three extremely tough conference road games. Getting back to a bowl game will be difficult for Minnesota even though this team has a lot to work with and will be competitive in most games.

With nine wins last season Northwestern was a nice surprise team but catching those same breaks with an offense that has very little experience is unlikely. The Wildcats could have a decent defense but a closer to .500 record overall is likely even with a few weak non-conference games.

It is clearly a rebuilding year for Purdue with a coaching change and the losses of the top two QBs, top three RBs, and the top two WRs. Purdue was a more competitive team than the 2-6 conference mark indicated last season and this defense could keep the Boilers at a respectable level even through a tough slate.

Indiana had the worst defense in the Big Ten last season and although many of those players are back in action it should be another tough season getting stops. Losing QB Lewis hurts the offense and the running game and the schedule will present few opportunities for wins and many of those games will come on the road. Indiana could start 3-0 but win #4 will be elusive for the Hoosiers.