Ohio State Buckeyes
2004: 8-4, 4-4 Big Ten, fifth place
Coach: Jim Tressel, fifth season, 40-11 at OSU, 167-64-2 lifetime
Player to watch: Rated by scouts as the front-runner for the Butkus Award, senior linebacker A. J. Hawk anchors one of the deepest and best linebacking crews in the nation. Hawk led the Buckeyes in tackles in each of the past two seasons, and as a returning All-American, he will be the defense's on-field leader.
Offense: The offense will go as far as the five guys up front allow. With inexperience at the running back position in sophomore Antonio Pittman, redshirt freshman Erik Haw and true freshman Maurice Wells, the offensive line - which returns four starters, including senior center Nick Mangold - will have the brunt of the pressure on them. Junior wide receiver Santonio Holmes and sophomore stud Ted Ginn Jr. return as possibly the nation's best wideout duo. It will be interesting to see how the quarterback battle unfolds once junior Troy Smith's suspension has been served.
Defense: The linebacking unit is the strongest position on an intimidating defense. Hawk will be joined by returning seniors Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel and Mike D'Andrea. With the loss of defensive end Simon Fraser, the linebackers must put it on themselves to lead the defense. The secondary, featuring hard-hitting safety Nate Salley, will be pressured with the loss of captain Dustin Fox. Watch out for lightning fast cornerback Ashton Youboty, who will be counted on to lock down the opposition's best wideout and stepped up at the end of last year. Senior Tyler Everett will start opposite Youboty with junior Donte Whitner at strong safety.
Outlook: It should come as no shock that the Buckeyes have a shot at contending for a title this year. With Ginn becoming more a part of the offense, the Buckeyes look poised to throw the football and put up big numbers. The kicking game Tressel relies on so heavily will feature two new kickers, but this is the most solid team in the Big Ten.
-Jeff Heller
Michigan Wolverines
2004: 9-3, 7-1 Big Ten, first place
Coach: Lloyd Carr, 11th year, 95-29
Will lose to Ohio State: Nov. 19
Player to watch: Sophomore tailback Michael Hart became the third true freshman in Big Ten history to lead the league in rushing last season and finished 10th nationally in rushing yardage. He could be better this year.
Offense: Michigan fans think they have a well-oiled machine with two excellent sophomores, Hart and quarterback Chad Henne, returning as starters in the backfield. Although their offense will be powerful, it might not be as strong as last year. Michigan lost its best offensive weapon, wide receiver Braylon Edwards, to the NFL draft. He was the best receiver in Michigan history and made Henne look good. Senior Steve Breaston will have to pick up the slack, and the Michigan offense will have to what keep the team in games.
Defense: At the end of last year, the Michigan defense was picked apart by two mobile quarterbacks in OSU's Troy Smith and Texas' Vince Young. There might not be any difference this year, as the defense is still a real question mark. Michigan lost cornerback Marlin Jackson and defensive back Ernest Shazor, the team's leading tackler, and might not be able to replace the two. Defensively this team will be in trouble. They are going to have to rely on Hart and Henne to have huge games nearly every game.
Outlook: Michigan's defense is full of question marks, which is a problem because Lloyd Carr is not particularly good at answering questions. This team has enough talent to beat most of the Big Ten, but with the holes in the defense, and the penchant for underachieving Carr's teams have, they will drop a few along the way.
-Jon Knausz
Iowa Hawkeyes
2004: 10-2, 7-1 Big Ten, first place
Coach: Kirk Ferentz, 7th season, 42-31 at Iowa, 54-52 lifetime
Plays Ohio State: Sept. 24
Player to watch: Junior quarterback Drew Tate is arguably the best quarterback in the Big Ten and was named the conference's preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Tate threw for 2,786 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2004. He just makes plays.
Offense: In 2004, the Hawkeyes running backs fell under a curse and were all injured at some point. This year, if senior Marques Simmons can stay healthy, the offense could become one of the best in the Big Ten. In the passing game, Tate's biggest targets will be seniors Ed Hinkel and Clinton Solomon. Hinkel conjures memories of former Hawkeye Tim Dwight and fills highlight reels with his acrobatic catches.
Defense: The big question with the Hawkeye defense will be the defensive line, which lost Matt Roth, Jonathan Babineaux, and Derreck Robinson to the NFL. All four starters this year will be underclassmen. The good news for Iowa is that junior Abdul Hodge and senior Chad Greenway make up one of the best linebacking duos in the country. They will be joined by a strong secondary that features senior cornerbacks Jovon Johnson and Antwan Allen.
Outlook: Kinnick Stadium can be just as intimidating a home field as any other in the Big Ten, especially if the wind is blowing from the direction of any of the nearby hog farms. The Hawkeyes' Oct. 22 game against Michigan will have significant Big Ten championship implications. Ferentz has done great things with this program, and Tate is an incredible player. A Big Ten title would not be a shock.
-Jon Shecket
Purdue Boilermakers
2004: 7-5, 4-4 Big Ten, fifth place
Head Coach: Joe Tiller, 9th year, 62-37 at Purdue, 101-67-1 lifetime
Does not play Ohio State
Player to watch: After losing star quarterback Kyle Orton and receiver Taylor Stubblefield to the NFL, it is only fitting that the star of this team is on the other side of the ball. Defensive end Ray Edwards is a future NFL millionaire, but he will be a rock on the Boilermakers' defense until his name is called at the draft. The junior notched 45 tackles (11 for loss) and eight sacks and has the speed of a linebacker.
Offense: Junior quarterback Brandon Kirsch will have to step up his game to replace Orton. Kirsch enters the season as an experienced backup because Orton did have problems with staying healthy while at Purdue. The Boilermakers lose Stubblefield to the NFL draft but he will be quickly forgotten - Purdue's wide receivers will compete to be the best crop of receivers in the conference. Junior Kyle Ingraham, senior Ray Williams and sophomore standout Dorien Bryant should keep defensive backs on their heels all season.
Defense: With all 11 starters returning, Purdue will look for its defensive line to add heavy pressure to make up for a lack of talent in the secondary. Edwards and senior Anthony Spencer are speedy on the outside, which will trouble offensive lines throughout the Big Ten. A major problem for Purdue is that they might have the worst pass coverage defensive backs in the conference. They allowed 240 yards per game and 15 touchdowns last year and shouldn't be much better in 2005. The Boilermakers will look for the physical play up front to make up for mistakes made in back.
Outlook: Without any doubt, the highlight of the year for Purdue will be its schedule. By the hand of some higher power, Ohio State and Michigan have been left off the schedule and the Boilermakers will play Iowa at home, which gives the team a chance to make a run for an undefeated season. If Purdue can get past the Badgers in Madison, it could very well slide into the big dance.
-Nicholas Daubenmire
Minnesota Golden Gophers
2004: 7-5, 3-5 Big Ten, eighth place
Coach: Glen Mason, ninth year, 51-45 record at Minnesota, 110-109-1 lifetime
Plays Ohio State: Oct. 25
Player to watch: Last year, junior running back Laurence Maroney rushed for 1,348 yards and 12 touchdowns on 217 carries, teaming up with Marion Barber III to give the Gophers the best rushing offense in the Big Ten. This year, with Barber in the NFL, Maroney is sure to see the ball more often and could be a contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Offense: The key question is whether junior quarterback Bryan Cupito can stay healthy and complete passes to give the Gophers a more balanced offense. The Gophers' greatest offensive weakness is a lack of depth at quarterback, with freshmen Tony Mortensen and Mike Maciejowski, who is a product of Upper Arlington High School, backing Cupito up. Whoever is throwing the ball will have a good set of receivers, including senior Jared Ellerson and sophomore Ernest Wheelwright. The offensive line is led by senior Greg Eslinger, a candidate for the Rimington Award for the nation's best center.
Defense: In 2004, Minnesota's greatest weakness was a pass defense that gave up more than 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, making it the worst in the Big Ten. This year, the Gophers will need better play from the entire secondary, which is led by junior cornerback Trumaine Banks and senior free safety John Pawielski. Fortunately for the Gophers, they return a strong defensive line, led by senior tackle Anthony Montgomery. The linebackers leave a lot to be desired.
Outlook: It is going to be pretty hard with this defense to make a run at a Big Ten title. Last season, a good Gophers team fell apart and lost five of its final six Big Ten games. Cupito and the defense must step up for this team to really scare people. The early season schedule has the usual cream puffs (Tulsa, Colorado State and Florida Atlantic), so Minnesota's first tests will not come until the Big Ten season.
-Jon Shecket
Wisconsin Badgers
Last Year: 9-3, 6-2 Big Ten, third place
Coach: Barry Alvarez, 15th season, 108-70-4
Does not play Ohio State
Player to watch: After transferring from Colorado, junior running back Brian Calhoun should inherit the starting running back position. Although he will share carries with bruisers Booker Stanley and Matt Bernstien, Calhoun will provide much needed speed and quickness in the backfield.
Offense: Wisconsin looks to improve an offense that averaged only 21 points per game last season. Junior John Stocco will return at quarterback and attempt to improve on last season's numbers, when he finished with only nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. Stocco will be protected by a solid offensive line led by senior center Donovan Raiola, who should contend for All-America honors. Senior Brandon Williams, who led the team with 42 receptions and 517 yards last season, will share the pass catching duties with another talented senior, Jonathan Orr.
Defense: The Badgers do not lack talent on their young defensive line. Sophomore Justin Ostrowski is expected to develop into a phenomenal tackle, and he will be assisted by freshman defensive end Jason Chapman and sophomore Jamal Cooper. The linebacking unit, led by senior Dontez Sanders, a converted safety, and junior Mark Zalewski, should be able to correct the mistakes made by the inexperienced defensive line. The secondary is the major concern: Scott Starks and Jim Leonhard graduated, and senior cornerback Brett Bell is recovering from a torn ACL.
Outlook: It's a rebuilding season, but there is still talent, and Wisconsin has a big home-field advantage that could help knock off Big Ten heavyweights Michigan and Iowa, which both visit Camp Randall Stadium. This is always a tough team, and they will play with heart during Alvarez's final season.
-Ed Collari
Michigan State Spartans
2004: 5-7, 4-4 Big Ten, fifth place
Coach: John L. Smith, third year, 13-12 at MSU, 123-72 lifetime
Plays Ohio State: Oct. 15
Player to watch: When healthy, junior quarterback Drew Stanton might be as good as the Big Ten's other Drew, Iowa's Tate. Stanton is an aggressive player that has the guts and talent to come up with big plays. Stanton rushed for nearly 700 yards and five rushing touchdowns to go along with his 1,601 passing yards and eight scores. The key for Stanton is staying healthy throughout the season.
Offense: The Michigan State offense is effective when Stanton is in. The Spartan offense has a wealth of experience at key positions with a decent amount of talent. Senior running back Jason Teague will have big shoes to fill after the graduation of DeAndra Cobb, who averaged nearly 7.6 yards per carry. Stanton will also look for senior wideouts Matt Trannon and Kyle Brown to catch his often ugly but effective throws downfield. Up front, the Spartans boast four linemen weighing more than 300 pounds, three of which are seniors.
Defense: Mediocre at best is the only way to describe the Spartan defense. Senior linebacker/safety Eric Smith is a bright star for the Spartans on defense. However, the rest of the MSU defense is quite dim. It will be a long season for the linebackers with four sophomores competing for playing time. Eight interceptions was all the Spartan secondary could muster last season and this season could be worse - no returnee had multiple picks last year.
Outlook: Michigan State could have a successful season in 2005, but Spartan fans across the nation shouldn't get their hopes up and prepare for another frustrating season. Too many question marks and a lack of real talent will plague MSU for the majority of the season. Stanton needs to stay healthy for them to surprise some people.
-Nicholas Daubenmire
Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Year: 4-7, 2-6 Big Ten, ninth place
Coach: Joe Paterno - 40th Season (343-116-3)
Plays Ohio State: Oct. 8
Player to Watch: Senior cornerback Alan Zemaitis. Although most offenses stayed away from his side of the field, Zemaitis still managed to collect 47 tackles and two interceptions in 2004. Look for Zemaitis to cover the opposition's best receiver.
Offense: Senior quarterback Michael Robinson was named the starter in spring, but he is more of a runner than a passer. In addition to his 172 rushing yards, Robinson caught 33 balls for 485 yards and three touchdowns in 2004, which will make it interesting to see how Paterno uses him this year. Junior running back Tony Hunt, who led Penn State in rushing yards with 777 and added 39 receptions, is the most explosive player on a mundane unit. The receiving core is led by true freshman Derrick Williams, one of the nation's top recruits. Williams, who runs a 4.3 40-yard dash, will be the Nittany Lions' best deep threat.
Defense: Last year, Penn State was 10th in the nation in defense and should be just as good this year with nine returning starters. The Penn State tradition of tough linebackers will continue this season with junior Paul Posluszny leading the way. With no dominant pass rusher, it will be up to Posluszny and sophomore linebacker Dan Connor to give Paterno one last taste of hard-nosed football. The Nittany Lions will depend on the cornerback duo of Zemaitis and senior Anwar Phillips to shut down the opposition and allow no more than 21 points a game as they did last season.
Outlook: With a lack of skill on the offensive side of the ball, it will be up to the defense to carry the load for the Nittany Lions in 2005. With a tough schedule, including Ohio State, Michigan and Purdue, do not expect too much, and Paterno's 40th season might be his last.
-Jeff Heller
Northwestern Wildcats
2004: 6-6, 5-3 Big Ten, fourth place
Coach: Randy Walker, seventh season, 30-41 at NU, 89-76-5 lifetime
Plays Ohio State: Nov. 12
Player to Watch: The leader of the offense and a starter in 28 consecutive games, senior quarterback Brett Basanez looks to build on a season in which he finished with 2,838 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Offense: Walker utilizes the spread offense to perfection, using multiple receivers and deception to keep his team competitive. Surrounding Basanez in the backfield will be senior Terrell Jordan and emerging sophomore Brandon Roberson. The receiving corps is deep and experienced, headed by senior Mark Philmore, who led the team with 54 catches for 633 yards and two touchdowns in eight games. The offensive line should be one of the best in the Big Ten and is led by tackle Zach Strief, a 6-foot-7, 335-pound senior who is an All-America candidate.
Defense: Senior defensive tackle Barry Cofield will lead the line, which should be able to control the run despite the loss of junior defensive end Loren Howard, who is injured and out for the year. The Wildcats have a solid linebacking unit that includes junior Nick Roach and senior Tim McGarigle, who led the Big Ten with 12.6 tackles per game last season. An average secondary is aided by the return of cornerback Marquice Cole, who has world-class speed but missed all of last season with a broken ankle.
Outlook: Qualifying for a bowl game would be a significant accomplishment when taking into consideration the schedule Northwestern will face. The Wildcats have a brutal five-game stretch that includes Purdue, Michigan State, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State.
-Ed Collari
Illinois Fighting Illini
2004: 3-8, 1-7 Big Ten, 10th place
Coach: Ron Zook, first year at Illinois, 23-14 lifetime
Plays Ohio State: Nov. 5
Player to watch: Sophomore strong safety Justin Harrison gets this, but only by default; there are just not many breakout players on this team. Harrison had 79 tackles and an interception last year as a freshman.
Offense: Chris Pazan is the only quarterback who played last season, and he threw only 63 passes. He'll fight with junior Tim Brasic and freshman Kisan Flakes for the starting nod. Whoever is throwing the ball will be passing to an unheralded group of receivers, the best of which is senior Kendrick Jones. The bright spot is the running back position, as juniors E. B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas averaged 5.15 yards per carry between them in 2004.
Defense: The safety spot is stacked, with Harrison joined by converted running back Morris Virgil, a senior, at the free safety spot. In addition, senior Travis Williams had 91 tackles in 2003 but missed much of last season with an injury. The defensive line must improve after notching only 12 sacks and giving up nearly 200 yards rushing per game last season. The projected linebackers are all underclassmen, so in 2007 they might be stronger.
Outlook: Zook could not keep national power Florida at the top of the polls but should bring a shot of excitement to moribund Champaign-Urbana, Ill. However, this year will be a year of growing pains.
-Jeff Svoboda
Indiana Hoosiers
2004: 3-8, 1-7 Big Ten, 10th place
Coach: Terry Hoeppner, first year at IU, 48-25 lifetime
Plays Ohio State: Oct. 22
Player to watch: The player to watch here is Bracey Wright. Wait, wrong sport. The real player to watch here is junior Lance Bennett, who averaged 30 yards per kick return, good for fourth in the nation.
Offense: Indiana's offense is going to be very shaky. Sophomore Blake Powers will be the new quarterback at the helm. He threw just 22 passes in 2004. Indiana's top quarterback, top rusher and top receiver from last year all graduated, so it's going to be an uphill battle to score points in Bloomington.
Defense: Indiana's defense is not as bad as their offense, but it is still not that good. They have a bright spot in senior linebacker Kyle Killion. Killion started every game at middle linebacker for the Hoosiers last season and is moving to outside linebacker this fall. He finished fifth in the Big Ten in tackles. Killion should be one of the nation's best linebackers this year and will be asked to anchor the IU defense.
Outlook: The key to the Hoosiers' season lies on first year head coach Terry Hoeppner. Hoeppner has created a buzz around IU football that has been missing for some time. He led Miami University to two Mid-American Conference East Division titles in his final two years, but it might take awhile for the results to hit the field.
-Jon Knausz
Spring Break
