Who Can Challenge the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten?

With just over two weeks until the beginning of the 2008 college football season, it seems as if it is time to crown Ohio State king of the Big Ten once again.

However, fans of the other 10 schools want to see their own school at the top of the standings in December, and they are tired of seeing a sweater-vested Goliath standing in the way.

While the ability of the Buckeyes to compete against elite competition can be debated, their dominance over the league can not. Since 2006, Ohio State is 15-1 and has outscored its opponents by an average of 22 points in Big Ten play.

Two schools have the ability to challenge the Buckeyes, and a few more have a chance to finish with strong records and help boost the perception of the conference.

Penn State and Wisconsin are each coming off of lackluster four-loss seasons and return 17 starters who will be out to prove something.

Illinois and Michigan face tough graduation losses and could finish near the top or the bottom of the league.

Assuming the Buckeyes, Nittany Lions and Badgers will be good enough to earn the conference two BCS bids, Iowa, Michigan State and Purdue will all battle the Illini and Wolverines for the right to play in the last New Year’s Day game.

But the No. 1 story will still be who may play David to Ohio State’s Goliath. In sports, it is a guarantee that David will come along eventually; it’s just a matter of when and who he will be.

Ohio State Buckeyes

2007: 11-2 (7-1, 1st), National Championship Game Loss to LSU

Returning Starters: 10 offense/9 defense

Projected Record: 12-0 (8-0)

Biggest Game: at Southern Cal, Sept. 13. If they didn’t play in the regular season, this could be a National Championship Game match-up, but the loser is now probably out of the picture.

Offense: The line must replace a tackle, but should do so easily. Elsewhere, their quarterback, running back and all receivers return. Look for this unit to be one of the most consistent in the nation.

Defense: Must replace Vernon Gholston, but having stars James Laurinaitis and Malcolm Jenkins put the NFL on hold for one more year will make that transition easier. Returning are five of the top six linebackers and all of the starting secondary.

Penn State Nittany Lions

2007: 9-4 (4-4, T-5th), Alamo Bowl Win over Texas A&M

Returning Starters: 9 offense/8 defense

Projected Record: 11-1 (7-1)

Biggest Game: at Ohio State, Oct. 25. The difference between just another team playing second fiddle to the Buckeyes and possibly playing for a national championship all hinges on this game.

Offense: Returning all five starting linemen, three starting receivers and a strong corps of running backs should provide solid support to whoever starts at quarterback (Clark, Devlin or both). If the QB situation works out, the offense could be explosive.

Defense: Dan Connor was a big loss to graduation that became huge when Sean Lee went down in spring practice. Despite two tackles being kicked off of the team, the defensive line could still be one of the best in the country. The defensive backfield should not have too much trouble replacing Justin King.

Wisconsin Badgers:

2007: 9-4 (5-3, 4th), Outback Bowl Loss to Tennessee

Returning Starters: 8 offense/9 defense

Projected Record: 10-2 (6-2)

Biggest Game: Penn State, Oct. 11. This game will decide who will either finish second to or, with a surprise win, overtake Ohio State.

Offense: Must replace their starting center, but the Badgers annually boast one of the best lines in the Big Ten and look no different this year. Bruiser P.J. Hill returns and could be one of the Big Ten’s best if he stays injury-free. If the new quarterback can produce, this offense should be able to get the job done.

Defense: Returning are three of four defensive backs, three of four linemen and all three linebackers, along with backups with ample experience. This defense looks ready to return to the production levels of 2006, when they gave up 12 points a game.

Michigan State Spartans

2007: 7-6 (3-5, T-7th), Champs Sports Bowl Loss to Boston College

Returning Starters: 6 offense/6 defense

Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3)

Biggest Game: at California, Aug. 30. Opening the season with a win on the road against a top team from another BCS conference would be a huge boost for any team.

Offense: Losing four starting linemen, two receivers and half of a running back duo that rushed for nearly 2,400 yards last year will make it hard to replicate last year’s unit, which was one of the Big Ten’s best.

Defense: The Spartans lose two of their better linebackers, but return their top two leading tacklers, six of their top eight defensive backs, and many linemen with experience. For the team to succeed, the defense needs to play exceptionally.

Iowa Hawkeyes

2007: 6-6 (4-4, T-5th)

Returning Starters: 8 offense/5 defense

Projected Record: 9-3 (5-3)

Biggest Game: at Michigan State, Oct. 4. This game should decide who will finish fourth in the conference and have a good shot at getting a New Year’s Day bowl bid.

Offense: The glaring hole on this team is the running backs, none of whom had a single carry for Iowa in 2007. Hawkeye fans hope that returning their quarterback, all but one receiver, and all ten linemen on the two-deep will help.

Defense: The Hawkeyes lose both starting corners, both starting defensive ends and two starting linebackers, but returning players have lots of experience and talent.

Illinois Fighting Illini

2007: 9-4 (6-2, T-2nd), Rose Bowl Loss to USC

Returning Starters: 7 offense/6 defense

Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4)

Biggest Game: Missouri, Aug. 30. Starting their season off with a win against one of their biggest rivals, who just happen to be one of the best teams in the Big 12, would be a great boost.

Offense: The loss of Rashard Mendenhall is possibly the biggest in the entire conference. If the Illini can’t find a replacement for him, the offense could be much worse than last year despite returning game-changers Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn.

Defense: Returning eight of the top 10 linemen is a great start, but the Illini lose their top two linebackers, who were the team’s top two tacklers, and both safeties. Overall, they will not be as deep, but coach Ron Zook’s famous recruiting may still shine through.

Michigan Wolverines

2007: 9-4 (6-2, T-2nd), Capital One Bowl Win over Florida

Returning Starters: 3 offense/7 defense

Projected Record: 6-6 (3-5)

Biggest Game: Michigan State, Oct. 25. A victory over the in-state rival could be the difference between just being bowl eligible and actually going to a bowl.

Offense: Just how quickly new coach Rich Rodriguez can get his spread offense to click is the key factor to this team. The Wolverines lose their quarterback, running back, and top two receivers; and their offensive line has a combined 16 career starts.

Defense: This unit could be the team’s saving grace. Despite losing their top four tacklers, they return the entire two-deep on the line and a lot of talent behind them. If the offense can work, the defense can get the job done.

Purdue Boilermakers

2007: 8-5 (3-5, T-7th), Motor City Bowl Win over Central Michigan

Returning Starters: 6 offense/6 defense

Projected Record: 5-7 (3-5)

Biggest Game: Michigan, Nov. 1. This game could be the decider as to whether the Boilermakers keep their streak of nine bowl games in 10 years alive.

Offense: Always one of the Big Ten’s best, this unit returns their quarterback, top two running backs and three starting linemen. The test for Joe Tiller’s pass-happy offense will be replacing two NFL receivers.

Defense: They lose both defensive ends, a starting linebacker and two defensive backs, but return a number of players with game experience. If they perform, the team could finish two to three places higher in the standings.

Northwestern Wildcats:

2007: 6-6 (3-5, 7th)

Returning Starters: 7 offense/8 defense

Projected Record: 6-6 (2-6)

Biggest game: at Michigan, Nov. 15. Much like the Wolverines, the Wildcats could finish bowl eligible but not be picked for a game. Winning this one could push them over the hump.

Offense: The No. 1 question mark is the line, which loses three starters. NU returns their starting quarterback, running backs and a group of strong receivers. If the line opens holes and gives the quarterback time, this group could surprise some people.

Defense: The Wildcats need to replace their top linebacker and two defensive backs, but return most of the backups and all of the line. This unit could also be a surprise and if the offense clicks as well, the team as a whole could surprise.

Indiana Hoosiers:

2007: 7-6 (3-5, T-7th), Insight Bowl Loss to Oklahoma State

Returning Starters: 6 offense/7 defense

Projected Record: 3-9 (1-7)

Biggest Game:at Minnesota, Oct. 4. This game will most likely decide who goes winless in the conference, although Indiana should be noticeably better than Minnesota.

Offense: Returning are all of the top running backs and, pending suspensions, quarterback Kellen Lewis. However, losing draft choice James Hardy at receiver, as well as three of five linemen, will hurt.

Defense: The Hoosiers lose a lineman, linebacker and two defensive backs. While the depth is there to replace the losses in the front seven, it is not in the backfield. Passing defense will be the Achilles heel of this team.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

2007:1-11 (0-8, 11th)

Returning Starters: 8 offense/7 defense

Projected Record: 2-10 (0-8)

Biggest Game: Indiana, Oct. 4. Again, should be the battle between the bottom two teams.

Offense: They will struggle again, but they return their quarterback, three linemen and parts of a solid receiving corps. Also returning is running back Amir Pinnix, who had a strong 2006, but suffered from injuries last season.

Defense: They return six linemen with starting experience, but the rest of the defense suffered heavily from graduation. Half of the defensive backfield will be first-time starters.