5. PURDUE — A favorable league schedule didn't help much last season when the Boilermakers had their first losing season under Joe Tiller since he arrived in 1997. But for a second straight season, Purdue doesn't have to play Ohio State or Michigan ... Curtis Painter has a standout receiver in Dorien Bryant ... Bill Legg and Ed Zaunbrecher will share offensive coordinators' job.

6. PENN STATE — Joe Paterno, 79, is starting his 41st season as head coach with no plans to retire ... The Nittany Lions must replace 13 starters lost from offense and defense, none as important as the elusive and versatile Michael Robinson. Anthony Morelli attempted 20 passes last season ... Penn State is counting on preseason defensive player of the year Paul Posluszny to be full strength after hurting his knee in the Orange Bowl victory over Florida State.

7. MICHIGAN STATE — Spartans need to avoid late-season fades that resulted in two straight losing seasons. They lost six of final seven last season and dropped four of last five in 2004 ... Drew Stanton, at 6-3, 230, is a top pro prospect after throwing for more than 3,000 yards last season.

8. MINNESOTA — Coach Glen Mason got a five-year extension after last season. The Gophers return 17 starters, but lost top rusher Laurence Maroney to the NFL and must see if RB Amir Pinnix can continue long tradition of 1,000-yard runners under Mason ... Bryan Cupito threw for 2,500 yards with 19 TDs last season. All-league TE Matt Spaeth is back.

9. INDIANA — Blake Powers had 22 TD passes but 16 interceptions in coach Terry Hoeppner's first season. The Hoosiers' only league win came over Illinois and they dropped their last six games to go 4-7. Must improve defensively after surrendering more than 40 points in five of the final six games ... Indiana returns 14 starters, seven on each side.

10. NORTHWESTERN — Heavy hearts for the Wildcats after the sudden death of coach Randy Walker this summer. Their emotions will be a factor in the season opener at Miami (Ohio), Walker's alma mater ... Coach Pat Fitzgerald, just 31, was a leader as a star linebacker in the school's turnaround in the mid-1990s ... Tyrell Sutton was a 1,400-yard rusher as a freshman last year. QB C.J. Bacher should get first crack at replacing Basanez.

11. ILLINOIS — Ron Zook's first season resulted in an 0-8 league mark and nine straight losses ... Illini return more starters than any team in the Big Ten — 10 on each side ... Tim Brasic passed for nearly 2,000 yards. Leading rusher Pierre Thomas also back.