1. Ohio State
It’s good to be the kings, and ever since the guy with the sweater vest arrived, that’s what the Buckeyes have been.
Now, with just about all their weapons returning—including quarterback Todd Boeckman, running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (easily the Big Ten’s strongest Heisman candidate), and linebacker James Laurinaitis—it’s difficult to see the Buckeyes as anything but the Big Ten champions for 2008.
The Buffalo Bucks have a lot of doubters (not the least of which reside below the Mason-Dixon Line), and they can go a long way toward proving them wrong (for a little while) when they visit the USC Trojans at the Coliseum.
On the other hand, just remember what happened the last time the overwhelming favorite to win the Big Ten opened up against a team from Division I-AA.
2. Wisconsin
One of the more consistent teams in recent years has been the Wisconsin Badgers. When Bret Bielema took over for living legend Barry Alvarez, the Badgers didn’t miss a beat.
With PJ Hill—the Wisconsin Winnebago—returning, along with talented tight end Travis Beckum and quarterback Allan Evridge, 10 wins and a return to Florida on New Year’s Day look like a cinch.
The offense looks as powerful as ever, but the defense—a traditional Badger staple—needs improvement, particularly a secondary that yielded 222 passing yards per game.
The schedule gets tough late in September, but softens up again once November hits. After a trip to Ann Arbor and an evening visit from the Buckeyes, the rest doesn’t look so bad. Don’t expect a title, however, unless something dreadful happens at the top.
3. Illinois
Betcha can’t do that again! Ron Zook’s third year in Champaign proved to be a breakthrough few could have foreseen. The Illini won nine games, and by virtue of beating Ohio State, made their first Rose Bowl since the 1983 season.
So what can you do for an encore? Running back Rashard Mendenhall left a year early to the NFL, and the defense’s emotional leader J Leman graduated.
The good news, however, is that Isaiah “Juice” Williams is only a junior, and receiver Arrelious Benn returns after winning the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year award. Inexperience looms at linebacker, while the safeties also look suspect.
The schedule—complete with several daunting streaks—is rather ominous. For starters, the Illini haven’t beaten Ohio State in Champaign since 1991. Instead of a return trip to Pasadena, a New Year’s date in Florida seems more likely.
4. Michigan
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