College Football 2008 Preview: Big Ten

Once again, the Buckeyes are loaded with NFL-talent on both sides of the football. On offense, RB Chris Wells, perhaps one of the nation's best, leads an impressive cast. Senior QB Todd Boeckman returns for his second year at the position, which should only increase the hopes of the unit. This team will separate itself on defense. No less than three 2008 NFL Draft potential first rounders are returning to a unit that leaded the nation in total defense. Ohio State is certainly the class of the conference, and as in the past two years, the conference will produce a top two team by late November. The Buckeyes are poised to advance to its third consecutive BCS Championship game.

The Badgers are the only real threat to the Buckeyes for Big Ten dominance. The offense is lead by RB PJ Hill and one of the nation's most experienced offensive lines. It's the quarterback position that would probably keep the team from contending with Ohio State. There are two semi-inexperienced QBs battling for the position with senior Allan Evridge a little ahead of the more talented junior Dustin Shere. The defense is in a state of renewal. The front seven looks solid with Jason Chapman progressing nicely. It's the secondary that will give the team fits. If two stable corners emerge, the unit can flourish, if not they will be torched. Talent wise, the Badgers have no business challenging the mighty Buckeyes, but this is an intriguing team that always overachieves and they do play Ohio State at home this year.

No team in the conference is more poised to dethrone the Buckeyes than Penn State, but there's always something with the Nitty Lions. They have a hole at QB where neither Daryl Clark nor Pat Deviln had distinguished themselves this past spring. The wide receivers are as talented as they come and the offensive line is big and strong with tons of experience. The RBs, although not experienced, are talented and fast. Their defense that ranked near the top of the nation is scoring defense returns seven starters. The defensive line has a chance to be dominating. If they can find stability at QB, this team will be bowling on January 1st.

Ron Zook's team was a revelation last season. He can certainly recruit as the Gators 2007 victory told us and he is doing the same at Illinois. On offense, ultra talented QB Juice Williams returns to led a powerful attack. The only hole is at RB where massive Rashard Mendenhall proved to be a man against boys. If they can settle on a running back promptly, this unit has the opportunity to be more explosive than last season. The defense is solid, anchored by its defensive line and secondary, where a plethora of NFL talent lies. The schedule is brutal, but outside Ohio State, no team has as much talent as Illinois does, a testament to coach Zook's ability to recruit. Give him two more years and this team will be contending regularly for the Big Ten championship.

How the mighty have fallen. The once powerful men in Blue are now relegated to the second tier of the conference they used to dominate. However, this will not last. New coach Rich Rodriguez will infuse the team with a new sense of purpose and, eventually, badly needed talent. As of today, he will run his version of the spread offense with Georgia Tech transfer Steven Threet at QB instead of Pat White, a huge difference. The WR spot is iffy at best and the offensive line will struggle to adjust to the new blocking scheme. The only bring spot on offense will be the RB position where four talented players will vie for carries. The defensive unit will be the cornerstone of the team this season. The unit is loaded with impact players, especially at linebacker and secondary. The schedule is not daunting, so it would not surprise if this team makes a move up. A real dark horse in the conference standings and the nation's rankings.

The Hawkeyes are ready to take a move up in the conference's ladder. The offense is in the hands of junior Jake Christensen who needs to provide the unit with a big play dimension they lacked last season. The rest of the unit appears solid. On defense, the front seven has the chance to be the team's best in a decade. The only question mark is in the secondary where inexperience is abundant. This team will go to a bowl game, but it would not be a top one.

Talented and experienced QB Curtis Painter gives the Boilermakers a chance to be explosive on offense. If the offensive line improves, they should score enough points to offset a questionable defensive unit. Anything is possible for this team, but a low conference finish is more likely.