A look at Big Ten teams in predicted order of finish; DMN picks

Note: Teams ranked in predicted order of finish

1. MICHIGAN — The Wolverines' biggest stars — OL Jake Long, TB Mike Hart and QB Chad Henne — are back ... The Wolverines still need to patch some holes on both lines and at linebacker, but standouts such as WR Mario Manningham, LB Shawn Crable and S Jamar Adams should make that reconstruction easier ... All those literally blue-collar fans at The Big House have tired of the late-season pratfalls of the guys in winged helmets — four straight bowl losses and a three-year drought against rival Ohio State. Many are not happy with the coach.

2. WISCONSIN — This team is loaded, just not at a couple of key spots. With QB John Stocco graduated, the nation's most overlooked 12-1 team last year desperately needs Tyler Donovan or Allan Evridge — either one — to take control of the job. That's the only hole on offense from a team that is riding a nine-game win streak ... TB P.J. Hill is coming off a 1,569-yard season and will ease the transition for the young QBs ... The Badgers get Michigan at home a week after they play at Ohio State on Nov. 3. The whole season will revolve around how they do in that short span.

3. OHIO STATE — Must rebuild its offense. No problem. A year ago the Buckeyes came in with just two starters on defense, and all the new guys did was hold nine teams to 10 or fewer points ... QB Todd Boeckman draws the assignment of replacing Heisman winner Troy Smith ... LB James Laurinaitis is the Big Ten's best on defense ... The Buckeyes will have their hands full on Nov. 17 in the traditional season-ender against Michigan in Ann Arbor.

4. PENN STATE — There is nothing that 80-year-old Joe Paterno would like better in his 42nd year as head coach than a third national title. He's joined by standout LB Dan Connor and QB Anthony Morelli ... Penn State must find somebody to replace TB Tony Hunt (1,386 rushing yards, 27 catches) and LB Paul Posluszny, who led the team with 116 tackles.

5. IOWA — An 0-4 finish doomed the Hawkeyes to their first losing season (6-7) in six years under coach Kirk Ferentz ... Most of the offensive line is gone, along with QB Drew Tate ... Ferentz will earn his $2 million-plus annual salary if he can get the Hawkeyes flying up instead of down.

6. PURDUE — Will pay for a relatively soft early schedule (Toledo, Eastern Illinois, Central Michigan, Minnesota) with consecutive tests against Notre Dame, Ohio State and at Michigan. That doesn't mean coach Joe Tiller is down. "We have a degree of optimism at Purdue in the sense that we have the most starters back (18) that we've had in our 10 years here," Tiller said.