1

Ohio State again?

Yes, the Buckeyes could be back in the BCS Championship for a third consecutive season after dismal showings in losses to SEC powers Florida and LSU the past two years. The key figures to be getting past USC in a Sept. 13 nonconference road game. OSU looks like the class of the Big Ten, with Heisman contender Chris Wells at running back and linebacker James Laurinaitis (above), a Wayzata High School alum who has been the nation's top linebacker the past two seasons.

2

A new era at Michigan

Rich Rodriguez built West Virginia into a national powerhouse using the spread offense. Now Rodriguez has brought the spread to Michigan, which had relied on a traditional power running game under Lloyd Carr. Rodriguez could have some rough going as his players adapt to the change. Plus the Wolverines are without quarterback Chad Henne, running back Mike Hart and last year's top receivers. It will be interesting to watch Michigan alums have their patience tested.

3

The bulky Badgers

As most Big Ten schools embrace the wide-open spread offense, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema remains a holdout with his preference for old-fashioned power football. The Badgers will rely on a huge offensive line that returns four starters and a stable of running backs led by 230-pound P.J. Hill. That could be a potent combination, because most Big Ten defenses have gotten smaller and faster to stop the spread. Can any of them stop the Badgers' ground game?

4

Focus on coaches

Purdue's Joe Tiller, the man credited with bringing wide-open football to the once-stodgy Big Ten, will retire after this season. That much we know. But two of the league's other big-name coaches are surrounded by question marks. Penn State's Joe Paterno will turn 82 this season and is in the final year of his contract. And Iowa's Kirk Ferentz needs a winning season to make fans forget about the 18 Hawkeyes who have been arrested since April 2007.

5

Tim Brewster, Year II

The Gophers need to generate some positive momentum as they ready for the move into their new on-campus stadium in 2009. Brewster was 1-11 and winless in the Big Ten his rookie season. He can't afford another 0-8 league record as he tries to sell enthusiasm for the future. The Gophers should be better with quarterback Adam Weber in his second season of operating the spread offense and a handful of talented recruits added to the defense.

DENNIS BRACKIN