My Quick view of the Big Ten
Since most of us are taking the number approach, I'll follow suit.
1. Ohio State is good, but vastly overrated. How can you be a preseason #1 if your team's success was due largely to your defense and you lose 9 starters including A.J. Hawk, Schlaegel, Ashton Youboty, Nate Salley, Donte Whitner, etc. I know there's still talent there, but losing 9 starters is a big deal. You can't replace experience.
2. No cornbread here, but Michigan is going to bounce back in a big way. Their 7-5 record from last year has fueled the off-season workouts and everyone is coming back stronger, leaner, and most importantly, hungry. Kevin Grady has lost 15 pounds, still has his power running ablility, but is more agile and quick. Michigan's runningbacks are by no means overrated. Hart will have a big year again, Grady will be solid spelling Hart and in short yardage situations, and just wait until you see Carlos Brown. I've never heard the Michigan coaches go off about a players speed like they have about him. Look out. Speaking of the coaches, the coaching changes will help out in a big way. Ron English runs a more aggressive defensive scheme, the new LB coach served under Bill Belichick in New England, and Mike DeBord is the OC again and does anyone remember what happened last team he was the OC? 1997 National Champions, 1999 Big Ten Champions, 2000 Orange Bowl champions. He's promised a more aggressive scheme as well, acknowledged the game has changed and is planning on throwing the ball down the field more. Bottom line, I think Michigan will finish at 9-3, possibly 10-2, and will challenge for the Big Ten title. I think we'll lose to ND, Ohio State, and possibly Iowa. I think we'll beat PSU. We own Penn State.
3. That brings me to my next point. PSU will be good, but not as good as last year. They return a lot of talent, but I think Michael Robinson did a lot more for that team than he was given credit for. The offense will change drastically with WB Morelli running the show, but he's very accurate and the Nittany Lions will move the ball, just in a different way.
4. MSU will have their typical season, but won't beat ND this year. They'll finish somewhere around .500 and Stanton will have gaudy numbers, but defense will be a big problem. He will not contend for the Heisman because of the W-L record. Ringer will have a big year, hitting 1000 yards, but the whack D will be too much to overcome.
5. Minnesota will be horrible with the loss of Maroney and last year's Wolverine killer Gary Russell, who's been suspended due to academic issues. "The Big Wheel" is scary good though.
6. Iowa will do a lot of damage. Tate scares me and Albert Young is a great RB. You know their O-Line is stellar every year, but the loss of Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge, two "impact players" will be tough to replace. If their defense steps up, they will contend for the B10 title.
7. I'm with Tre, Wisconsin will be horrible. Calhoun was their team last year. I'm glad he's a Lion.
8. Offensive player of the Year-Troy Smith, OSU, Defensive player of the year-Paul Posluzny, PSU.
9. Players from out of nowhere-Adrian Arrington, LaTerryal Savoy, Michigan, Jamario O'Neal, Anthony Gonzalez, OSU, Anthony Morelli, PSU.
10. Freshman of the Year-Chris Wells, OSU
11. 2006 Big Ten Champion-Ohio State