Big Ten preview, top 11 storylines, predictions and Iowa glance

The Big Ten has risen from the ashes of 2007, perhaps the worst calendar year in league history.

The year began with heavy public debate that Michigan and Ohio State should meet for the national title. Both teams were unbeaten in their traditional finish in 2006 and Ohio State won the epic clash 42-39 . Ultimately, voters decided to put one-loss Florida ahead of the Wolverines but the public posturing continued.

Then came the bruising. USC blasted Michigan in the Rose Bowl. Florida destroyed Ohio State in the BCS title game. Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany issued a letter all but condemning the Southeastern Conference of short-changing the student portion of "student-athlete."

By August the league debuted its Big Ten Network but faced distribution challenges throughout its eight-state footprint. Division I-AA power Appalachian State provided perhaps the most shocking upset in college football history by beating No. 5 Michigan in Ann Arbor. Iowa's football program was racked with five felony charges ranging from stealing credit cards to sexual assault to drug dealing. Ohio State backed into the BCS title game and again was thrashed by an SEC school (LSU) in early 2008.

The Big Ten weathered that dip in public perception, the public scorn of a 1-6 2008 bowl season and six straight BCS bowl losses. The conference regrouped in 2009.

Ohio State and Iowa won a pair of BCS bowls. Four Big Ten teams posted bowl wins over top 15 schools for the first time in 11 years. The Big Ten Network now is available to 75 million homes and is distribution overthought. The conference is competitive on the football field and no longer a laughingstock.

"We needed to have a good bowl season last year. We had it," Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said. "We won a couple BCS games and beat some top-quality teams, and I think that was a good step in the right direction."

The off-field issues related to expansion - Nebraska will join the league in 2011 - and realignment (could be finalized within two weeks) overshadowed the on-field spotlight for the Big Ten and college football. But the league is earning respect, with three schools ranked in the top 12. Defending league champion Ohio State, which beat Oregon in the Rose Bowl last year, is the consensus No. 2 behind national champion Alabama. Iowa, which beat Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, is ranked No.  10 by the USA Today Coaches' Poll and No. 9 by the Associated Press. Wisconsin is No. 12 in both polls.

Ohio State returns 10 starters on offense, including preseason offensive player of the year in junior quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Wisconsin brings back 10 starters from the league's top-scoring offense, the reigning offensive player of the year in running back John Clay. Iowa possesses, perhaps, the nation's best defensive line and league's top defender in defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

"I've always said there are three teams that have separated themselves Iowa, Wisconsin and Ohio State," said Big Ten Network analyst Gerry DiNardo, a former head coach at Vanderbilt, LSU and Indiana. "In what order, I don't know.

"How all three of these teams handle the hype, the schedule and injuries and the kicking game is probably going to make the difference."

Iowa owns the more favorable schedule, playing both Wisconsin and Ohio State at home. Wisconsin hosts Ohio State in a prime-time slugfest. The Buckeyes seek a record-tying sixth consecutive Big Ten crown.

But there are other teams lurking that could challenge the top three. Penn State won 11 games last year and returns Evan Royster, its leading rusher. Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was tabbed the preseason defensive player of the year. Purdue returns defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who led the league in sacks last year.

With better teams and marquee players, the Big Ten is poised to re-enter the national discussion. But it has one hurdle to climb, DiNardo said.

"I think the thing that would put it over the top right now is a national champion," DiNardo said. "Until the Big Ten wins a national championship, it's always to be the SEC. But if you look at the SEC top to bottom, I don't know that it's one of their strong years. If you look at the Big Ten top to bottom, it is one of their strong years. This conference is really deep this year. I'd be shocked if someone goes through the conference undefeated."

BIG TEN AT A GLANCE

11 BIG STORYLINES THIS YEAR

1. Can Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor play with consistency? Pryor was erratic in both wins - 87 yards vs. Wisconsin, 93 vs. Iowa - and losses last year. But he was magnificent against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, completing 23 of 37 passes for 266 yards and two TDS. If he can duplicate those performances, especially on the road at Iowa and Wisconsin, the Buckeyes could end the season as national champions.
2. Is this it for Penn State Coach Joe Paterno? The living legend is six wins from 400 and has coached the Nittany Lions since 1966. But after several health issues over the summer, the 83-year-old could enter his final season as coach. Or maybe not. "I'm feeling really good, and as long as I enjoy it, I'll continue to coach," he said. "But we'll talk about that later."

3. Will 2011 realignment alter long-standing rivalries? It's possible Michigan and Ohio State could end up in opposite divisions and play in October. Iowa and Wisconsin, the league's most-evenly matched long-time rivalry, might rotate off the annual schedule. Some trophy games could shift from yearly status to four meetings in a 10-year period. How will Nebraska's presence affect the league in the future? We should know those answers within two weeks.

4. Can Iowa or Wisconsin shatter their programs' glass ceiling? The two programs are considered junior partners in the Big Ten realignment discussion because neither have won a national title in the poll era. Since the early 1980s, Wisconsin has won three Rose Bowls, and Iowa has appeared in five BCS bowls with one win. Should one get past Ohio State and possibly win a BCS title, it forever would alter the programs' perception.
5. Can Michigan Coach Rich Rodriguez save his job? In Rodriguez's first two years, Michigan posted back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1962-63 and tied for last for the first time since 1962. The football program faces NCAA sanctions for the first time in school history. Michigan has last its last six to Ohio State. Anything less than a major step forward in wins, compliance and possibly beating Ohio State likely will result in Rodriguez's departure.
6. Will Robert Marve take Purdue back to a bowl? The Miami transfer is loaded with talent and will start at quarterback for the Boilermakers. With returning talent like wide receiver Keith Smith (91 catches, 1,100 yards), Marve is expected to lead Purdue to its first bowl since 2007. "He's, I think, the most talented quarterback I've been around from a total package," Purdue Coach Danny Hope said.
7. Will Ron Zook survive another season at Illinois? In his five seasons at Illinois, only once has Zook led the Fighting Illini to a bowl game. Four times Illinois has posted losing seasons in his tenure. But that bowl games was a big one, the Rose Bowl, and Zook staved off the wolves for one more year by firing most of his coaching staff. Another losing season likely spells the end of the Zook era.
8. Can Minnesota take the next step as a program? The Gophers have languished between decent and mediocre since their last Rose Bowl in 1961. Now in the second year at its $300 million outdoor stadium, is it possible for Minnesota to take strides and perennially challenge for New Year's Day bowls? Or will the program seek another direction if Tim Brewster can move the Gophers past the seven-win plateau in his fourth season?
9. Will Chicago finally become Northwestern's sweet home? The Wildcats are banking that a Nov. 20 game at Wrigley Field against Illinois, a heavy community-service project and a major marketing push will expose Northwestern to Chicago.
10. Can Michigan State's perpetual talent come through on the field?Few teams look as athletic and talented as Michigan State. But the program has underachieved since its last Rose Bowl in 1987. "There's no reason to be overconfident," Michigan State Coach Mark Dantonio said.
11. Will Indiana's soft non-conference schedule help the Hoosiers return to their second bowl in 17 years?Indiana's three Division I opponents were 7-29 last year and its FCS opponent, Towson, was 2-9.

BIG TEN STANDINGS/PREDICTIONS

• Iowa                    11-1    7-1
• Wisconsin         11-1    7-1
• Ohio State         10-2   6-2
• Michigan State  9-3   5-3
• Penn State           8-4   5-3
• Michigan             7-5   4-4
• Purdue                  7-5   4-4
• Illinois                  6-6   3-5
• Northwestern    6-6   2-6
• Minnesota           3-9   1-7
• Indiana                 4-8   0-8

BOWLS

• Rose -- Iowa vs. Oregon State
• Sugar -- Wisconsin vs. Auburn
• Capital One -- Ohio State vs. Florida
• Outback -- Penn State vs. Georgia
• Gator -- Michigan State vs. South Carolina
• Insight -- Michigan vs. Missouri
• Texas -- Purdue vs. Texas Tech
• Dallas Football Classic -- Illinois vs. Oklahoma State
• Little Caesar's -- Northwestern vs. Northern Illinois

IOWA HAWKEYES

• 2009 record: 11-2 overall, 6-2 Big Ten (beat Georgia Tech 24-14 in Orange Bowl)
• 2009 review: Iowa could win the national title this year and it could be a less-exciting season than 2009. The Hawkeyes trailed in 10 games and found spectacular ways to win. A blocked punt at Penn State. A last-second TD pass at Michigan State. Two blocked field goals against Northern Iowa. A hot-potato 96-yard interception return against Indiana. A near-shocker with a freshman QB at Columbus. Plus, Iowa won the Orange Bowl by slamming Georgia Tech's unstoppable triple-option attack to take its first major bowl victory in 51 years. It was a season for the ages, leading to ultra-high expectations this year.
• 2010 schedule: S4 Eastern Illinois; S11 Iowa State; S18 at Arizona; S25 Ball State; O2 Penn State; O16 at Michigan; O23 Wisconsin; O30 Michigan State; N6 at Indiana; N13 at Northwestern; N20 Ohio State; N27 Minnesota

• 2010 preview: Iowa enters the season ranked in the top 10 in both polls. The defense is a strength, returning eight starters, including the entire front four. DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Karl Klug and S Tyler Sash are listed among several pre-season All-American lists. Offensively, the Hawkeyes return their top skill position players, but must contend with an inexperienced offensive line. QB Rick Stanzi is 18-3 as a starter, and WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is in line to break most of Iowa's receiving records. Iowa also returns 2009 original starting RB Jewel Hampton, who missed the season with a knee injury and leading rusher Adam Robinson. Iowa also returns its punter and assortment of kickers.

• Making the rounds: Iowa faces eight bowl teams from 2009 and also must play at traditional power Michigan. Iowa plays at Pac-10 runner-up Arizona and hosts traditional rival Iowa State. Iowa plays all of the preseason Big Ten contenders at home. Defending league champion Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State all travel to Iowa City. Iowa plays three of its final four games on the road and ends the season at rival Minnesota.
• Bowl game if: Really, it's BCS or bust for Iowa this year. Any other bowl might be a nice consolation prize, but it would be a disappointment. The key to the BCS is to handle the winnable games, survive injuries, avoid multiple-turnover games on the road, hold serve at home and at least split with Ohio State and Wisconsin. A pair of wins over the Badgers and Buckeyes could make this a special season.
• Home for the holidays if: Iowa will go to a bowl this year, it's just a matter of where. If it's not the BCS and it's outside of Florida, this season was an epic collapse.
• Quotable: “One thing for sure, if you're going to try to win a Big Ten championship, you're going to have to find a way to compete with (Ohio State) and beat them. And not many people have had much luck doing that.” - Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz
• Prediction: 11-1 overall, 7-1 overall (Rose Bowl)