Finally, the Big Ten season

Greetings.

Well, finally, we're back in the Big Ten.

You can feel the difference over at the football complex, and not just because they're getting ready to play Northwestern, a team that has won heart-breakers against the Gophers the past two seasons.

Here are some notes from today:

--I really think Eric Decker's ankle is OK. He was moving around very well on the field during the part of practice we're allowed to watch. And it turns out he only got three stitches in his chin. No big deal, right?

--Marcus Sherels looked to be moving well, too. The Gophers have their starting secondary back intact just in time to face a very good Northwestern passing attack.

--DT Brandon Kirksey has a cut on his toe, but it shouldn't be a big deal.

--Coach Tim Brewster said a lingering turf toe has been hampering backup running back Kevin Whaley, in case you were wondering why he wasn't playing more.

But, back to the Big Ten. I just took a look at my own predictions for the conference race that ran just before the nonconference season started. Here's how I saw the race a month ago:

1. Penn State

2. Ohio State

3. Illinois

5. Iowa

6. Minnesota

7. Northwestern

8. Wisconsin

9. Michigan

11. Indiana

How do I feel about this now? I still like Penn State. But then, how can we be sure considering the nonconference schedule they play? Ohio State still looks good for No. 3

Illinois? I might have been wrong there. They sure didn't look good against Missouri. But I still think there's a lot of offense there so I'll stick with the pick. Michigan State, I think, looked pretty good against Notre Dame. But there are a lot of offensive questions there. If I had it to do over, I'd move them down.

I'd move Iowa up to four were I to do it again. I stand by Minnesota and Northwestern going 6-7.