The Grades are in for the Big Ten.

Big Ten football starts in two days and all the fans are counting down the minutes until kick-off. But what areas are the teams in the Big Ten strongest this year? Is it the cornerbacks that will lead the way. How do the offensive linemen look? Here is how they stand right now.

Quarterbacks

This is a weaker area in the Big Ten right now. Although Todd Boeckman (Ohio State), Juice Williams (Illinois), and Curtis Painter (Purdue) return they are all just average quarterbacks. Williams has yet to improve his throwing ability, Boeckman throws too many interceptions, and although Painter is a good QB he doesn't have the receivers to put up the numbers to where we can call him an elite QB.

Grade-C

Runningbacks

This is the strongest area in the Big Ten with two preseason Heisman candidates in Chris "Beanie" Wells (Ohio State) and P.J. Hill (Wisconsin) and preseason all-American candidate Javon Ringer (Michigan State). Hill is coming back from injury-filled season but should bounce back easily. Michigan also brought in two of the best backs in the nation in Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw.

Grade-A

Wide- Receivers/Tight-Ends

The Big Ten is loaded with talents at receiver. Although they lost Mario Manningham(Michigan), Adrian Arrington(Michigan), and Devin Thomas(Michigan State) to the draft Brian Robiskie(Ohio State), Arrelious Benn(Illinois), and Brian Hartline(Ohio State) return bringing lots of depth. Also all-world tight-end Travis Beckum returns to Wisconsin and should easily pass the incredible numbers he put up last year.

Grade-B

Offensive-Line

Although Michigan's Jake Long was taken as the first-pick in the draft the conference still has alot of depth here. Fifth-year senior Kraig Urbik(Wisconsin) returns and Alex Boone(Ohio State) will start at left-tackle for the third straight season. Meanwhile the Penn State line is anchored down by Center A.Q. Shipley who has made 26 consecutive starts.

Grade-B+

Defensive-Line

This group is headlines by Penn State's Maurice Evans who last year had 12 1/2 sacks and 21 1/2 tackles for loss last year. Greg Middleton(Indiana) last year led the nation in sacks per game last season and is returning for more. Terrance Taylor(Michigan) is going to have his work cut out for him this year since the Wolverines are implementing a new offensive scheme but he looked fantastic at fall camp and should easily match his 55 stops from last year.

Grade-A-

Linebackers

James Laurinaitis(Ohio State) after winning the Butkus award, which is given to the best linebacker in the nation, surprised everyone and chose to stay for his senior season. Laurinaitis should easily have a big season and win the award again. Greg Jones(Michigan State) also returns after a season where he became the first true freshman to lead the Spartans in tackles since 1976.

Grade-B

Secondary

Malcolm Jenkins(Ohio State) surprised everyone as he chose to stay for his senior season for one last try at a national title. He brings back speed and great hands to the secondary that no one  will be able to match. Jenkins will easily clinch an all-American spot. Vontae Davis(Illinois) will now have to anchor the Fighting Illini defense now that J. Lehman departed for the NFL. Davis last year had 76 tackles and four interceptions. Donovan Warren(Michigan) had 52 tackles a a true freshman last year. Watch for him to improve on that this year.

Grade-A-

Kickers/Punters

Austin Starr(Indiana) last year was 21-of-23 on field goal attempts. Zoltan Mesko(Michigan) has the build of a punter that should be able to average 60 yards a kick. Watch for him in the all-American hunt.

Grade-C