Troy Smith has developed a different view of football over the last year.

Sure, he can run and pass with the best quarterbacks, including a large group of talented ones returning to the Big Ten this season. But now the Ohio State star considers himself a student of the game, transformed by hours of film study into more than just a playmaker.

In fact, he'd feel comfortable piecing together his own game plan. Almost like a coach.

"Without a doubt," Smith said. "You can't go out and wing it. You have 80 players, 90 players out there and as soon as you open up a bag of footballs, it turns into a frenzy. I understand what coaches go through. I understand why they have a whistle and a blowhorn."

Smith, who became the starter in the third game a year ago, averaged 263 yards total offense last season and was the MVP of a Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. But his real progress is measured in what he sees and knows.

"I think the depth of his understanding of what you have to do to become a good quarterback has been the turning point. When that occurred exactly, I'm not sure," Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said.

"I do think he has a good grasp on what it takes to be a good quarterback. I think when you're young, sometimes you think it's a physical game. Then when you get older, you realize it's a mental game. I think that's what he grew to learn."

Smith is the marquee name of a list of returning quarterbacks this season. There are nine of them, the most in two decades in the Big Ten.

Every team, except Northwestern and Penn State, will have veteran leadership at the most important position on the field.

Northwestern must replace 2005 all-conference first-teamer Brett Basanez. The Nittany Lions will have to find a successor for Michael Robinson — last year's offensive player of the year in coaches' voting — who led the Nittany Lions to a share of the Big Ten title with Ohio State.

Smith, Michigan's Chad Henne, Iowa's Drew Tate, Wisconsin's John Stocco, Minnesota's Bryan Cupito and Michigan State's Drew Stanton all have two years of experience. Indiana's Blake Powers, Purdue's Curtis Painter and Illinois' Tim Brasic are entering their second seasons as starters.

"They've been there and they understand what it's like to play in the Big Ten venues and against these schemes. So, it's a great advantage," Tressel said.

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POWER RANKING 2:

Conference favorite: Ohio State

Surprise team: Iowa

Overrated: Michigan

Best game: Michigan at Ohio State (Nov. 18)

Heisman hype: Troy Smitn, QB, Ohio State