ACC | Big East | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-10 | SEC | UWIRE Top 10
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin
Conventional wisdom: Michigan and Ohio State. Ohio State and Michigan. At least until Appalachian State and Oregon happened. The Wolverines are a disaster at the moment, and Lloyd Carr could be fired. … Wisconsin and Penn State will battle to fill UM’s top-two spot alongside the Buckeyes. … But then, these teams look awesome every year. USC and Florida showed in January that sometimes teams that look great in Midwestern slugfests can’t quite handle supertalented national title contenders. For all the hype, many neutral observers would like to see a top-notch non-conference win or two.
Best high and tight: Mike Hart, Michigan
Three fumbles in 750 career carries says the man knows how to hold on to the football. The Wolverines’ driving force is perhaps the steadiest back in the college game - a trait that has been with him since childhood. (Even if his timing on guaranteeing wins needs work.)
Cutest nickname: Beanie Wells, Ohio State
Possibly the best running back named Beanie in Buckeyes history, the man formerly known as Chris is a power back despite his cuddly nickname. More Beanie Sigel than Beanie Baby, Wells got the name because he was a long, skinny baby.
Biggest if: Anthony Morelli, Penn State
A strong performance in the Capital One Bowl has PSU partisans hoping the most Italian quarterback in college football can be a plus instead of a minus in his second year as a starter. Seriously, Anthony, what is going on with this haircut? It was 2003, not 1983!
Longest bloodlines: Shane Carter, Wisconsin
His older brother is Cris Carter. Yes, that Cris Carter — the 40-year-old former Vikings all-pro. Butch Carter, the former NBA head coach, is another brother. Well, the old men are 20-year-old Shane’s half-brothers, but still. How big are those family reunions? (No relation, unfortunately, to Fred, Nick or Jimmy Carter.)
Best physical freak named Vernon: Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
Inheriting the crown previously worn at Maryland by 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, Gholston is just one of those guys who wears bands on his elbows to make his biceps pop — as if they needed help. Good thing he’s a heck of a lot more than just a good body. Iowa RB Albert Young can tell you about that.
Most heir apparent: Dan Connor, Penn State
Ah yes, another Penn State linebacker. Linebacker U and all that. Well, there’s a reason. These guys are awfully good, from Jack Ham all the way down to LaVar Arrington. Now Connor assumes the mantle from the departed Paul Posluszny, now a second-string MLB with the Buffalo Bills. The Nittany Lions’ little secret, though, is that Connor was already as good as his more heralded teammate last season.
Best weight watcher: P.J. Hill, Wisconsin
On the other end of the physical-freak scale, the next Ron Dayne — at least in his bashing, big-man running style — lost about 20 pounds after a great rookie season last fall. He’s been worrying about weight his whole life, since he was an 8-year-old struggling to make weight in Pop Warner. But this year, you know he’s in for big things, especially behind a stocked, stacked offensive line.
Least likely to hit the broad side of a barn: Juice Williams, Illinois
I don’t mean to pick on the guy, but come on - he completed less than 40 percent of his passes last year, with as many interceptions (9) as touchdowns. Particularly gruesome was 9-for-32, 3-pick day at home against Iowa. But hey, he’s got a cannon for an arm. The Illini need better than that if they’re going to improve at all after a 2-10 season.
Most overlooked: Iowa
Kirk Ferentz is one of the best coaches in the country. One bad year and everyone writes off the Hawkeyes? Sure, they have to go to Wisconsin and Penn State, but they don’t play Michigan or Ohio State. They’ve got a new quarterback, but a great defense and a superlative offensive tackle in Dace Richardson. Don’t forget about Iowa.
Most one-step-at-a-time: Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
After the failures of Bobby Williams and John L. Smith, the new coach from Cincinnati is a man with a plan, most of which involves laying down the proverbial law. Any team with a linebacker named SirDarean can’t be all bad, but the Spartans are looking for now to just get back to respectability.