Big Ten: Season Preview

The Big Ten is a transition year with Nebraska coming into the league next season, it will alter the structure of the league that will feature two divisions and a championship game.

Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa and Wisconsin should battle each other in good old fashioned Big Ten dog fight for the right to go to the Rose Bowl.

Star players Terrelle Pryor, Evan Royster, Ricky Stanzi, John Clay, Adrian Clayborn and more will make the Big Ten one of the most entertaining leagues this season in college football.

Last Season With 11 Teams

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LINCOLN, NE - JUNE 11: Big Ten Conference Commissioner James Delany (C), flanked by (L) University of Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osbourne and Chancellor Harvey Pearlman (R) inform members of the media that the university has accepted an invitation t

We all know by now that Nebraska will join the Big Ten(that will have 12 teams) next season and the league will be split into two different divisions that will be officially announced Wednesday night.

The divisions will end up being:

Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Illinois, Indiana

Nebraska, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin

The biggest story in the division breakup will be that Ohio State and Michigan will be seperated and will not play at the end of the season, but could play twice with the conference championship game being played starting in 2011.

Ohio State's Preseason Number Two Ranking

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back to pass against the Oregon Ducks during the 96th Rose Bowl game on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Buckeyes are getting a load of hype this season to make the BCS National Championship Game.

It is a make or break season for Terrelle Pryor, who is now in his junior season.

Pryor will have a chance to prove himself early with a home matchup against Miami and with two big road games at Penn State and Iowa.

Pryor will definitely prove his worth this season either good or bad, and the Buckeyes' hopes mostly rely on him.

Who Starts at Quarterback For Penn State?

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 31: Head coach Joe Paterno of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks the sidelines as his team takes on the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 31, 2009 in Evanston, Illinois. Penn State defeated Northwestern 34-13. (Photo by

The Nittany Lions lost Daryll Clark to graduation and now Joe Paterno has still yet to name his starter before Saturday's opener at home against Youngstown State.

The three way competition is between sophomores Mike McGloin and Kevin Newsome and freshman Robert Bolden.

Whomever starts there will no doubt about who they will be handing the ball off to. Evan Royster is keen to have a big senior season and has an outside chance at being a Heisman contender.

Iowa's Home Field Advantage

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 05: The Iowa Hawkeyes get set to walk on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the FedEx Orange Bowl at Land Shark Stadium on January 5, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Kirk Ferentz's Hawkeyes have the big advantage in conference play with games against Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State all at home.

Penn State visits on October 2nd, Wisconsin comes in on October 23rd and Ohio State comes in the second the last week of the season on November 20th.

The Hawkeyes do have to go to Tucson to play Arizona on September 18th and have a meeting with Michigan at the Big House coming off a bye week on October 16th.

How WIll Robert Marve Fare at Purdue?

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MIAMI - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Robert Marve #9 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a pass while taking on the Wake Forest Demon Decons at Dolphin Stadium on October 25, 2008 in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated Wake Forest 16-10. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Imag

Marve transferred to Purdue from Miami last season and is now eligible to be the Boilermakers' signal caller.

In his one year as starter for the Hurricanes, Marve threw for almost 1,300 yards and completed 54% of his passes.

Marve now has two years to lead the Purdue offense and look and it might take until next year for him to have a real impact.

Just How Good Is John Clay?

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Running back John Clay #32 of the Wisconsin Badgers hops away from the grasp of Ross Homan #51 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

If you do not know who John Clay is, you better learn his name as soon as possible

Clay, the junior running back at Wisconsin had a breakout season in 2009 rushing for over 1,500 yards on almost 300 carries.

Clay is the workhorse the Badgers and will be a key part of any opposing defense's game plan to beat the Badgers this season.

WIll Michigan Finally Hit Its Stride Under Rich Rodriguez?

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 21: Kevin Leach #52 of the Michigan Wolverines jogs through the tunnel before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 21, 2009 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ohio State won the game 21-10. (Photo by Grego

The Wolverines have not been a major powerhouse in the college game in the past two years going 3-9 and 5-7 respectively.

The third year is crucial for any coach at any level and Rich Rodriguez could be on the hot seat if his team fails to perform this season.

With a tough home opener against UCONN and then a trip to Notre Dame to start their season, maize and blue fans will find out real quick how their season will go.