1. Michigan
Coach: Lloyd Carr
Last Year: 11-2, 7-1
Key Returners: QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, WR Mario Manningham, OT Jake Long
Key Losses: CB David Harris, DT Alan Branch, DE LaMarr Woodley
What's Up: This team's loaded. Pretty much all of Michigan's offense returns after its Rose Bowl season. A year after Carr was on the hot seat, his squad should be an early favorite to win the national championship.
What's Down: The Wolverines lost seven defensive starters, including projected first round picks Harris and Branch. They could end up relying heavily on the offense to win games, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
2. Wisconsin
Coach: Bret Bielema
Last Year: 12-1, 7-1
Key Returners: RB P.J. Hill, WR Paul Hubbard, CB Allen Langford
Key Losses: QB John Stocco
What's Up: The Badgers silently crept to the top of the Big Ten standings and are poised for another run at the conference title thanks to bruising tailback Hill. He led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,569 yards last year. Hill and the Big Ten's highest scoring defense will be a formidable foe for anyone in the country.
What's Down: Although Wisconsin is a run-first team, it has to find a competent replacement for Stucco, who seemed like he spent 10 years under center. Right now Bielema is considering senior Tyler Donovan, junior Allen Evridge and sophomore Dustin Sherer.
3. Ohio State
Coach: Jim Tressel
Last year: 12-1, 8-0
Key Returners: LB James Laurinitis, CB Malcolm Jenkins
Key Losses: QB Troy Smith, WR Ted Ginn Jr., RB Antonio Pittman, WR Anthony Gonzalez
What's Up: The Buckeyes are coming off an undefeated regular season and are certainly going to reload their plethora of talent. Their loss to the Florida Gators in the BCS title game will certainly fuel the Buckeyes' quest for a national championship.
What's Down: Graduation and the NFL Draft were cruel to Ohio State in the offseason, as they must find a way to replace 13 starters including Heisman Trophy winner Smith. Jim Tressel will prove his worth with a young, inexperienced team. He might even earn a new sweater vest.
4. Penn State
Coach: Joe Paterno
Last Year: 9-4, 5-3
Key Returners: QB Anthony Morelli, WR Derrick Williams, CB Justin King, LB Sean Lee, LB Dan Connor
Key Losses: RB Tony Hunt, LB Paul Posluzny
What's Up: Joe Pa proved he could lead the Nittany Lions back to national prominence and Penn State will most likely compete for third in the Big Ten this year. Morelli will once again have to silence his critics and lead an experienced Penn State team to a BCS Bowl.
What's Down: Even Linebacker U will have trouble replacing the supreme talent of Posluzny, who will probably be a first day draft pick. Also, finding a tailback to make-up for Hunt's 1,386 rushing yards might not be such an easy task. This season will rest squarely on Morelli's shoulders.
5. Purdue
Coach: Joe Tiller
Last Year: 8-6, 5-3
Key Returners: WR Dorien Bryant, QB Curtis Painter, WR Greg Orton, LB Dan Bick
Key Losses: DE Anthony Spencer, LB George Hall
What's Up: The Boilermakers return 18 starters, making them one of the most veteran teams in the Big Ten. Purdue led the conference in passing offense and total offense, averaging more than 415 yards per game. Purdue will be equally potent this year if Bryant and Orton can combine for another huge season.
What's Down: Purdue will sorely miss Spencer, a soon-to-be first round draft pick, who led the conference in tackles for loss (26.5) and forced fumbles (5). Opposing quarterbacks should have more fun to pick apart Purdue's secondary with Spencer in the NFL.
6. Northwestern
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
Last Year: 4-8, 2-6
Key Returners: RB Tyrell Sutton, QB C.J. Bachér, DE Corey Wootton, SS Brendan Smith
Key Losses: WR Shaun Herbert, OT Ryan Keenan, LB Nick Roach
What's Up: Sutton and Bachér will keep the potent sporead offense moving with a deep receiving corps. Look for Wootton to have a breakout performance as he joins seven other returning defensive starters in what will be an improved unit.
What's Down: The Cats' offensive line has always been a lingering problem, but the graduation of Keenan and guard Joe Tripodi could prove costly. NU will also have to search within the lockerroom for emotional leaders to replace Roach and superback Erynn Cobb.
7. Indiana
Coach: Terry Hoeppner
Last Year: 5-7, 3-5
Key Returners: QB Kellen Lewis, WR James Hardy, CB Tracy Porter
Key Losses: FS Will Meyers, SS Troy Grosfield, P Tyson Beattie
What's Up: Everything is looking up for the Hoosiers this spring. Then again, they haven't played a game yet. There is a bit of hope in Indiana since Lewis, the team's leading passer and rusher is returning.
What's Down: The Hoosiers were 10th in total offense and 9th in total defense, with not much sign of progress. Hoosierland will have to suffer through another losing season while praying for basketball season to start.
8. Iowa
Coach: Kirk Ferentz
Last Year: 6-7, 2-6
Key Returners: RB Albert Young, LB Mike Klinkenborg
Key Losses: QB Drew Tate, OL Mike Jones
What's Up: After struggling tremendously for much of the 2006 Big Ten schedule, the Hawkeyes are looking to bounce back. Senior running backs Young and Damian Sims are likely to carry the bulk of the offense while a new quarterback adjusts to Ferentz's offense.
What's Down: It will be difficult to replace Tate, Iowa's starting quarterback for the last four years. Sophomore Jake Christensen is the favorite to take over behind center.
9. Minnesota
Coach: Tim Brewster
Last Year: 6-7, 3-5
Key Returners: RB Amir Pinnix, S Dominique Barber, LB Mike Sherels
Key Losses: QB Bryan Cupito, LB Mario Reese
What's Up: Following a shocking collapse against Texas Tech in the Insight Bowl, Minnesota turned the program over to Brewster, the former Denver Broncos tight ends coach. With most of the defense returning and a solid running back corps, this should be a team on the rise.
What's Down: … so long as new quarterback Tony Mortensen can handle the Gopher's spread offense. They could very well end up being one-dimensional on offense, making life easier for opposing defenses.
10. Illinois
Coach: Ron Zook
Last Year: 2-10, 1-7
Key Returners: QB Juice Williams, LB J Leman
Key Losses: RB Pierre Thomas
What's Up: Hope and expectations … and in a big way. Zook, always an excellent recruiter, netted the surprise class of the year. With a lot of good, new talent, Illinois is poised for one of its best seasons in recent memory.
What's Down: This is still a young team, and Zook doesn't have the greatest reputation as an in-game coach, so it may take at least one more year before the Illini reach their potential.
11. Michigan State
Coach: Mark Dantonio
Last Year: 4-8, 1-7
Key Returners: FS Otis Wiley, RB Javon Ringer
Key Losses: QB Drew Stanton, WR Kerry Reed, LB David Herron Jr.
What's Up: After a pitiful Big Ten season in which their only win came in the comeback against NU, the Spartans have a fresh start. They've got a new coach (Dantonio) and a new quarterback (junior Brian Hoyer).
What's Down: Although much has changed, don't expect the results to be any different in East Lancing - 2007 Michigan State football will be the epitome of a rebuilding year.
Reach Ben Larrison at b-larrison@northwestern.edu. Reach Steve Silver at s-silver1@northwestern.edu.
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