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TEAM CONFERENCE OVERALL
Ohio State 7-1 11-1

Michigan 7-1 10-2

Iowa 6-2 10-2

Penn State 5-3 8-4

Purdue 5-3 8-5

Michigan State 4-4 6-6

Wisconsin 3-5 7-5

Minnesota 3-5 6-6

Northwestern 3-5 6-6

Illinois 1-7 4-8

Indiana 0-8 3-9

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TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS

OHIO STATE

SCS.com The Buckeyes rebounded from a somewhat disappointing 2004 season to win 10 games and claim a conference co-championship last fall. However, just nine starters are back for the 2006 campaign, including only two on defense. Many of the squad's big-time playmakers on offense do return though. Among those back is QB Troy Smith. The senior threw for nearly 2300 yards and 16 TDs last year while running for 600 more yards and 11 more scores. Also back are RB Antonio Pittman (1300 yards, 7 TD), WR Ted Ginn Jr. (800 yards, 4 TD), and WR Anthony Gonzalez (400 yards, 3 TD).

The home opener against Northern Illinois won't be easy, as the Huskies are our favorite in the MAC this fall. A road trip to defending national champ Texas follows. Another road trip, this one to Iowa in late September, will set the tone for conference play early on, though the league title is likely to come down to the showdown with Michigan in the season finale. OSU's September results are likely to decide if that game has national title implications.

Projected Wins: NIU, CIN, PSU, BGSU, at MSU, IND, MINN, at ILL, at NW
Projected Losses: (none)
Toss-Ups: at TX, at Iowa, MICH
Projected Record: 11-1 / 7-1

MICHIGAN

SCS.com Much like Ohio State in 2004, the Wolverines had a disappointing 2005 season but are hoping to rebound this fall in search of a conference title. With fourteen starters back on campus, it appears many of the pieces are in place to do just that. QB Chad Henne returns for his junior season after throwing for over 2500 yards and 23 scores a sesaon ago. Also back are RBs Mike Hart (700 yards, 4 TD) and Kevin Grady (500 yards, 5 TD), as well as WRs Mario Manningham (400 yards, 6 TD) and Steve Breaston (300 yards, 2 TD). The latter is also a huge threat on special teams.

A 2-0 start should get UM ready for a mid-September road trip to Notre Dame, which will have a huge effect on the early-season BCS picture. A two-game swing in mid-October at Penn State and at home against Iowa will be the Wolves' next big challenge before the season-ending trip to Columbus. Though they may not win in South Bend, it's very likely that Lloyd Carr's squad could be unbeaten in Big Ten play heading into that final game of the regular season.

Projected Wins: VAN, CMU, WISC, at MINN, MSU, at PSU, NW, BALL, at IND
Projected Losses: (none)
Toss-Ups: at ND, Iowa, at OSU
Projected Record: 10-2 / 7-1

IOWA

SCS.com The Hawkeyes have become a mainstay near the top of the Big Ten standings in recent years, and with fourteen starters back for the 2006 campaign, don't expect that to change this season. The offensive leader is senior QB Drew Tate, who threw for over 2800 yards and 22 TDs last fall. Also back is star RB Albert Young. The junior dashed for more than 1300 yards and 8 TDs a season ago. One of Iowa's biggest challenges will be replacing the receiving prowess of both Clinton Solomon and Ed Hinkel. That pair combined for more than 1300 yards and 14 scores a season ago.

Like UM, the Hawks should start 2-0 before the schedule gets a bit tougher. They'll host in-state rival Iowa State in mid-September before closing out the month at home against Ohio State. A 5-0 start could get this team in the BCS talk heading into the month of October. A road trip to Michigan comes around later in October, and a home matchup with MAC favorite Northern Illinois follows the next week. After that, though, they should find the schedule a bit easier, hoping they've put themselves in contention for a Big Ten title.

Projected Wins: MONT, at SYR, at ILL, PUR, at IND, NW, WISC, at MINN
Projected Losses: (none)
Toss-Ups: ISU, OSU, at MICH, NIU
Projected Record: 10-2 / 6-2

PENN STATE

SCS.com A magical run to a Big Ten co-championship quieted all of the Paterno critics for at least one year, but matching that success in 2006 won't be easy. Just nine starters return from a season ago, and QB Michael Robinson is one of those who has left campus after accumulating over 3000 yards of total offense and 28 TDs in 2005. Back, though, is star RB Tony Hunt, who dashed for over 1000 yards and 6 scores himself last fall. Five of the team's top six wideouts also return, which should help the new signal-caller transition into the starting position.

A season-opening home game with Akron can't be overlooked before a week two trip to Notre Dame. Another road trip, this one to Ohio State, comes two weeks later, which means a 2-2 start to the season is a very real possibility. Michigan comes to town in mid-October before a two-game road swing to Purdue and Wisconsin later in the season. Though a winning record and good bowl should be expected, another BCS run like last year is likely out of the question in 2006.

Projected Wins: Akron, YTownSt, NW, ILL, TEMP, MSU
Projected Losses: at ND, at OSU, MICH
Toss-Ups: at MINN, at PUR, at WISC
Projected Record: 8-4 / 5-3

PURDUE

SCS.com A disappointing 2005 season left the Boilers just 5-6 and out of postseason play for the first time in quite a while. A dozen starters are back this fall including seven on offense. Though top RB Jerod Void will have to be replaced, sophomore Kory Sheets looks to step in after a freshman campaign that saw him run for nearly 600 yards and 10 TDs. Another rookie, QB Curtis Painter, stepped in late last season and looks to take over under center full time this year. The team's top two targets, WRs Dorien Bryant (950 yards, 4 TD) and Kyle Ingraham (500 yards), both return, which should help him adapt that much faster.

A 4-0 start to the season should be expected before a brutal three-game road swing at Notre Dame, Iowa, and Northwestern. Winning just one of those games would be acceptable and still leave the team in good Big Ten position. That's because Purdue avoids both Michigan and Ohio State on the schedule this fall and therefore could stay in the running most of the season if they handle their business on the field. A return to bowl activity should be expected in 2006.

Projected Wins: IndSt, MiaOH, BALL, MINN, at ILL, IND
Projected Losses: at ND, at Iowa
Toss-Ups: at NW, WISC, PSU, at MSU, at HAW
Projected Record: 8-5 / 5-3

MICHIGAN STATE

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Projected Wins: Idaho, EMU, ILL, at IND
Projected Losses: at PITT, ND, at MICH, OSU, at PSU
Toss-Ups: at NW, PUR, MINN
Projected Record: 6-6 / 4-4

WISCONSIN

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Projected Wins: at BGSU, W.ILL, at IND, ILL, BUF
Projected Losses: at MICH, PSU, at Iowa
Toss-Ups: SDSU, NW, MINN, at PUR
Projected Record: 7-5 / 3-5

MINNESOTA

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Projected Wins: at KENT, TEMP, NDSt, IND
Projected Losses: at CAL, MICH, at OSU, Iowa
Toss-Ups: at PUR, PSU, at WISC, at MSU
Projected Record: 6-6 / 3-5

NORTHWESTERN

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Projected Wins: NH, EMU, ILL
Projected Losses: at PSU, at MICH, at Iowa, OSU
Toss-Ups: at MiaOH, at NEV, at WISC, PUR, MSU
Projected Record: 6-6 / 3-5

ILLINOIS

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Projected Wins: E.ILL, IND
Projected Losses: Iowa, at MSU, at PSU, at WISC, OSU, PUR, at NW
Toss-Ups: at RUT, SYR, Ohio
Projected Record: 4-8 / 1-7

INDIANA

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Projected Wins: WMU, SIU
Projected Losses: WISC, Iowa, at OSU, MSU, at MINN, MICH, at PUR
Toss-Ups: at BALL, CONN, at ILL
Projected Record: 3-9 / 0-8

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE

OFFENSE

QB Troy Smith Ohio State

RB Albert Young Iowa

RB Tyrell Sutton Northwestern

WR Dorien Bryant Purdue

WR James Hardy Indiana

TE Matt Spaeth Minnesota

OL Joe Thomas Wisconsin

OL Levi Brown Penn State

OL Mike Jones Iowa

OL Trevor Rees Northwestern

OL Jordan Grimes Purdue

DEFENSE

DL Jay Alford Penn State

DL Quinn Pitcock Ohio State

DL LaMarr Woodley Michigan

DL Kenny Iwebema Iowa

LB Paul Posluszny Penn State

LB Dan Connor Penn State

LB Dave Harris Michigan

DB Maurice Cole Northwestern

DB Leon Hall Michigan

DB Will Meyers Indiana

DB Joe Stellmacher Wisconsin

SPECIAL TEAMS

K Kyle Schlicher Iowa

P Ken DeBauche Wisconsin

KR Steve Breaston Michigan

PR Ted Ginn Jr. Ohio State

Individual team previews by SCS.com editor Jonathan.
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