2009 College Football Preview: The Big Ten

With the college football season just weeks away, KSJ will look at the players, coaches, teams, conferences, issues, and rivalries. Here's the previous installments in the 2009 college football preview.

The big question this year in The Big Ten is, who can compete with Ohio St. and Penn St. for the Big Ten championship?

Both Penn St. and Ohio St. reloaded in the off season with top 25 recruiting classes. Also with Michigan rebuilding, the question looks to be already answered.

If there is a challenger to this spot it looks like it will come from the Michigan St./Iowa camps. Michigan St. has to replace their quarterback and running back, but they return a veteran defense. Iowa returns their starting quarterback and most of their defense. Also Northwestern could make a run in the Big Ten this year. Northwestern doesn't have to play either Ohio St. or Michigan and they return a veteran defense.

Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois will continue to improve. After a disastrous first season at Ann Arbour, Rich Rodriquez has finally recruited his type of players that can run his type of offense. Freshman Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier will have a lot of focus on him this season. Forcier will have to prove whether or not Michigan has improved from last season.

I don't expect we will be hearing any stories regarding whether or not a Big Ten team has a chance at the National Championship game. Until Michigan can get back to their dominate self, the Big Ten is still a year away from national contention.

Will We Hear a Thud Again?: That thud you heard coming from Michigan last season, was Rich Rodriguez's first season in Ann Arbour. I think everyone expected Michigan to struggle early on with Rodriguez's spread offense. But not to the point where the team goes 3-9 and loses to Toledo and is blown out by Ohio St.

The quarterback situation last year didn't help. Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet shouldn't be starting quarterbacks on a Junior College level, but this is what Rich Rod had to work with. And you can see why Rodriguez would be so frustrated throughout the whole year.

But this is a new year and Rich Rod finally has a quarterback who can run his system. Tate Forcier is a dual-threat quarterback from San Diego who should be a perfect fit for the spread offense. The Wolverines also return every starting wide receiver from last season. They also return a veteran offensive line and they have a load of running backs. The defense should be helped out by new defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. While Robinson was a disaster as a head coach at Syracuse, he was one of the best defensive coordinators in college football. And Michigan will need his experience to work with a young defense. While Michigan fans have plenty to look forward to, don't expect Michigan to compete for the Big Ten title this season.

Will Illinois Struggle Again?: A year after appearing in the Rose Bowl, Illinois failed to even appear in a bowl game after finishing the season 5-7. The offense faltered, the defense couldn't make enough big plays. Questions that Ron Zook had in his time in Florida was starting to pop up in Illinois. Is Ron Zook just a great recruiter, and not a great coach?

Illinois returns quarterback Juice Williams for his senior season and they brought in a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball. But if the offense staggers again, then Illinois will once again struggle. And the offense will have to carry the team while the defense gains some much needed experience. The schedule is tough with match ups against Ohio St., Penn St., and Michigan St. I think Illinois will reach a bowl game, but they won't be competing for another Rose Bowl.

Team That'll Surprise, Northwestern: Northwestern returns a veteran defense and they don't have to play either Ohio St. or Michigan. While the offense will go through some growing pains, they should still rack up the rushing yards. Mike Kafka returns to quarterback after gaining some much needed experience, and he can kill an opposing team with his legs. I like Northwestern to compete with Ohio St. and Penn St. for the Big Ten title this season.

Team That'll Disappoint, Minnesota: The Golden Gophers started the season last year 7-1, then they lost their last five games of the season to finish with a 7-6 record. Minnesota does return their starting quarterback but they start fresh with a new offensive coordinator. Also Minnesota will move away from the spread offense and into a more traditional multiple-set offense. And with a tougher non-conference schedule and a tougher conference schedule, Minnesota will be lucky to win five games this season.

Big Ten Game of the Year, Ohio St. vs. Penn St.: Last year's game wasn't exactly great, but it did give us the Big Ten champion. And this years meeting in Happy Valley will once again be the battle for the Big Ten crown. I like Penn State in this game.

Coach on the Hot Seat, Bret Bielema Wisconsin: Bielema was a prized assistant coach when he took over the Wisconsin job from legendary coach Barry Alvarez. Well a couple of years later and Bielema isn't looking too hot. Wisconsin went into last season with high expectations and they fell flat on their backs. Bielema is now in a win or go home mode. If Wisconsin does not improve from last year, he could be dusting off his resume.

Coach of the Year: Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern

Offensive Player of the Year: Evan Royster, Penn State

Defensive Player of the Year: Navorro Bowman, Penn State

Freshman of the Year: Dorian Bell, Ohio State

Heisman Contender: None

Conference Champions: Penn State