Big Ten Media Days 2012: Top Storylines Heading into Annual Preseason Session

The time has arrived in Chicago this summer for the annual barrage of questions and answers better known as Big Ten media days.

In 2012, there are a plethora of intriguing storylines to dissect. Among them, the unprecedented sanctions leveled against the Penn State football program earlier this week.

The news that came on Monday will likely be first on the agenda in the Windy City, but that's not all there is to talk about.

Here are some of the captivating topics of discussion sure to dominate the Big Ten conversation this summer.

Can Bill O'Brien Bring Happy Valley Back to Life?

First-year head coach Bill O'Brien certainly knew of the uphill battles he would face when accepting the top job at Penn State. The Nittany Lions football program was in the midst of a disturbing scandal that has since rocked the university to its core.

O'Brien will now have to fight tooth and nail for recruits and use his reduced scholarships wisely. In addition to the financial blow Penn State was dealt, the team can't play in a postseason bowl game for at least four years.

The terms of Penn State's punishment were crippling without question, but O'Brien looks to be the man for the job. His commitment to the program has not once wavered since taking the job, and he'll likely give Nittany Lions fans something to be excited about this fall during his interviews in Chicago this week.

According to Teddy Greenstein of The Chicago Tribune, the Penn State players scheduled to participate during media days will not attend.

Wisconsin a Lock For Big Ten Title Game

With Penn State and Ohio State serving bowl bans this upcoming season, the Wisconsin Badgers are a lock to take the Big Ten Leaders Division and return to their second consecutive Big Ten Championship Game (it would be the team's third straight Big Ten title).

The Badgers won the contest last year, earning a berth in the Rose Bowl.

Badgers coach Bret Bielema won't have Russell Wilson under center in 2012. However, he will have a solid core of experienced players, including 2011 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Montee Ball, back to defend Wisconsin's conference championship.

The bigger story here is obviously the issues at two prominent football programs in Ohio State and Penn State, but still, Wisconsin is likely to reap the benefits at season's end. 

Will Michigan Overcome Michigan State?

Last season, the Wolverines finished second to the rival Spartans in the Big Ten Legends Division, missing out on a shot at a conference title and settling for a Sugar Bowl appearance instead.

In 2012, All-Big Ten quarterback Denard Robinson will be back for Michigan, hoping to help the Wolverines reach an elusive Big Ten title. 

The Legends Division was down in 2011, with Nebraska and Iowa providing the only real resistance to either Michigan-based program. Therefore, the team that gets the edge next season will likely find itself in Indianapolis playing for a trip to the Rose Bowl.

With former Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins gone to the NFL, and Michigan State scrambling to develop a new star under center in 2012, Michigan will be the team to beat in the Legends Division. 

Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter.