2008 Big Ten Football Preview

The Buckeyes have now played for the national title three times in the last six years. They have established themselves as the dominant program in the Big Ten and one of the three best in the entire country. So it's incredible the Buckeyes get so little respect. Then again, they have only themselves to blame after being blown out in back-to-back BCS championship games. The 2008 team doesn't figure to be blown out by anyone, however. Linebacker James Laurinaitis and corner Malcolm Jenkins lead the nation's best defense, while Beanie Wells is a force at tailback. If this team beats USC in early September, they're a lock to appear in a third straight BCS title game. And, oh yeah, they'll win the Big Ten again too.

Prediction: 12-0

The Wisconsin Badgers are one of the most predictable teams in the Big Ten: Never flashy but always disciplined, the Badgers consistently end up near the top of the conference standings. That trend figures to continue in 2008, as the Badgers look to make up for a somewhat disappointing 9-4 campaign in 2007. Tailback P.J. Hill and tight end Travis Beckum, potential All-Americans, will lead a physical offensive attack. The defense is talented but prone to lapses.

Prediction: 10-2

Is Joe Paterno on the hot seat? Not exactly. But even Paterno admits he can't afford another letdown in 2008. The 2007 Nittany Lions had their moments (a 38-7 win over Wisconsin) but upset losses to Illinois and Michigan State kept them from fulfilling their potential. This year, the Lions return 16 starters and should field the Big Ten's best receiving corps (Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood) and best defensive line (end Maurice Evans is a force). Quarterback contenders Daryll Clark (a run-pass threat) and Pat Devlin should be an upgrade over Anthony Morelli, and tailback Stephfon Green will provide some excitement. There is talent here. But can Paterno finally get his team past Ohio State and Michigan?

Prediction: 9-3

Mark Dantonio has Michigan State headed in the right direction. After leading the Spartans to a 7-6 mark in 2007, the former Ohio State defensive coordinator must know he has a great chance to take this program to the next level. The Spartans return talent on both offense (quarterback Brian Hoyer; tailback Javon Ringer) and defense (linebacker Greg Jones; defensive end Trevor Anderson) but, even more importantly, seem more mentally focused under Dantonio than they've been in years. The Spartans had their meltdown moments in 2007 (see: the collapse against Michigan) but also showed grit in the season finale, coming back from 17 down to knock off Penn State. In short, the future looks bright in East Lansing.

Prediction: 9-3

Those ready to anoint Illinois as a Big Ten contender might be well-served to look less at the Illini's remarkable 2007 season -- they came out of nowhere to earn a Rose Bowl bid -- and more at the team's 2008 roster. Though the media focused their attention last year on freshman quarterback Juice Williams and his classmate, receiver Arrelious Benn, the players most responsible for Illnois' 2007 success were linebacker J Leman and tailback Rashard Mendenhall. Both Leman and Mendenhall are now gone, and though coach Ron Zook has been stockpiling talent on the recruiting trail, he doesn't have anyone on his roster to replace those guys. This team is still talented and still dangerous. But they'll take a step back in 2008.

Prediction: 8-4

The mighty Michigan Wolverines -- sixth-best team in the Big Ten? Believe it. Just one year removed from one of the most up-and-down seasons in Michigan history, Wolverines fans had better prepare for another bumpy ride. There's no question coach Rich Rodriguez will eventually win in Ann Arbor, but he won't win this year. No Chad Henne. No Jake Long. No Mike Hart.

Prediction: 7-5

The key to the season for Purdue? Simple: Curtis Painter. The steady senior quarterback is one of the best ever at Purdue, and enters his senior season having already thrown for 8,763 yards and 54 touchdowns. This year, however, Purdue will need Painter be better than ever. With the loss of his two top targets to the NFL (receiver Dorien Bryant and tight end Dustin Keller), Painter will have to be very sharp, especially early in the season, as receivers Greg Orton, Arsenio Curry and Aaron Valentin get their feet wet. Tailbacks Jaycen Taylor and Kory Sheets return, which should help some, but Purdue's offense is likely to be less prolific than years past. It will cost them.

Prediction: 6-6

Northwestern finished 6-6 last year yet failed to make a bowl game. But that's what happens when you lose to Duke -- probably the most frustrating loss in a generally frustrating season for the Widcats. Another 6-6 season isn't all together unlikely, though it's also not crazy to think the Wildcats could win as many as eight games. The reason is their offense, which has the potential to be special. Quarterback C.J. Bachér threw for more than 300 yards per game in 2007 and tailback Tyrell Sutton -- who ran for more than 1,000 yards in both 2005 and 2006 before missing six games last year to injury -- is one of the Big Ten's best. The key to the season might be the Sept. 27 showdown with Iowa.

Prediction: 6-6

It doesn't seem all that long ago that Kirk Ferentz was considered one of the best coaches in the country -- a guy whose name was mentioned any time a high-profile coaching job opened up. Well, these days, Ferentz isn't held in nearly the same esteem -- not even in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes are 19–18 in the past three seasons (including a measly 11-13 in the conference) and the program is looking somewhat stagnant. It's a situation that does not seem very likely to change any time soon. The Hawkeyes have questions pretty much everywhere, starting at quarterback, where Jake Christensen remains consistently inconsistent. There are no stars at running back or receiver. The defense, meanwhile, is OK, but hardly dominant.

Prediction: 5-7

The Hoosiers were one of the best stories of 2007. Playing in honor of their late coach, Terry Hoeppner, the Hoosiers delivered one of the better seasons in school history: They finished 7-5 in the regular season and earned their first bowl bid in 13 seasons. Now the obvious question is whether or not Indiana can do it again in 2008. Sadly, it doesn't seem likely. Though quarterback Kellen Lewis and defensive end Greg Middleton are two of the conference's best at their positions, the loss of superstar receiver James Hardy is a crushing blow. The Hoosiers also still lack depth in the defensive front seven. Until that changes, they'll have trouble stopping anyone. And without Hardy, scoring won't be easy, either.

Prediction: 5-7

Last season the Gophers did not win a single Big Ten game. They finished 1-11 overall. Even still, new coach Tim Brewster managed to go out and bring in one of the best recruiting classes in the Big Ten. So here's the good news for Minnesota fans: Better days are coming. The bad news? They aren't here yet. Though quarterback Adam Weber has the potential to be a star in Minneapolis, there's simply not enough talent around him right now to make the Gophers competitive. Even tailback -- a position where Minnesota is traditionally strong -- is major question mark. Minnesota won't go 1-11 again, but they'll still struggle. Look for them to start being competitive in 2010.

Prediction: 4-8