#9-ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI

The Zooker returns for another season in Champaign with what appears to be his most talented team yet as 15 starters are returning.

Impressive QB Nathan Scheelhaase looks to build on an impressive 2010 when he totaled 868 yards rushing in addition to his 1,825 yards and 17 touchdowns through the air. Star RB Mikel Leshoure is off to the NFL so Jason Ford looks to finally get his shot full time. The offensive line returns three of five starters and is led by senior left tackle Jeff Allen.

On defense, the secondary figures to take charge now that the Illini's two defensive line anchors from 2010 Corey Liuget and Clay Nurse are gone. Ball hawking cornerbacks Tavon Wilson and Terry Hawthorne will allow the Zooker to send the blitz out of almost any defensive package.

Illinois hosts two gimmes prior to hosting a good Arizona State team in late September. The conference slate looks manageable with no Iowa or Nebraska however Ron Zook always finds a way to lose the close games. Illini fans will hope 2011 is it for Zook after another disappointing season. Prediction: 6-6 overall; 3-5 in conference.

#10-PURDUE BOIILERMAKERS

The Boilermakers enter the 2011 season looking to rebound from a 4-8 2010 campaign. On the plus side, Purdue returns depth and experience at many key positions. On the downside, these same players went 4-8 last fall.

Offensively, Rob Henry had won the starting QB job until he went down in camp with a season ending injury. Robert Marve (if eligible) will get another shot to lead a Boilermaker offense that has lacked their signature high octane passing game for the past several seasons. Ralph Bolden returns at RB after missing all of 2010 with a knee injury. The WR position is the main question mark on offense however the OL returns 4 starters.

On defense, Ryan Kerrigan is gone (NFL) which figures to negatively impact an already weak defensive line. Purdue’s secondary looks to be the strength of the unit with Ricardo Allen back after 3 INTs and 2 TDs last season. Purdue also boasts perhaps the best kicker in the country with Carson Wiggs. Once past midfield, Wiggs is in range.

The non-conference schedule features 3 very winnable games followed by Notre Dame visiting West Lafayette. The Boilers figure to get out of this stretch at 3-1 before entering conference play vs Minnesota. Prediction: 5-7 overall, 2-6 in conference.

#11-INDIANA HOOSIERS

New head coach Kevin Wilson takes over in Bloomington looking to restore a program that has been sputtering now for the better part of two decades.

Star quarterback Ben Chappel has graduated which means Dusty Kiel likely gets the nod behind center this fall. Wilson is known to be an offensive guru so the Hoosier faithful are hoping he can turn Kiel into what he turned Sam Bradford into at Oklahoma. The ground game doesn’t look much more promising with Trea Burgess likely to get the bulk of the carries after amassing 600 yards in his first two seasons.

On the defensive side of the ball, things do not look much more promising for a unit that gave up 40+ points four times last season (including 83 at Wisconsin). Jeff Thomas returns at linebacker but that doesn’t figure to be enough for an Indiana team that ranked 102 in points allowed in 2010.

The non-conference schedule is light as usual with trips to Ball State and North Texas surrounding home games versus Virginia and South Carolina State. The Hoosiers likely come out of this with a 2-2 mark before heading to conference play where they travel to Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio State and Michigan State. The only real hope for a conference win comes in their annual state showdown with Purdue. Prediction: 3-9 overall, 1-7 in conference.

#12-MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS

Today begins our annual Big Ten conference rundown. If past years are any indication, you can take these locks to the bank! Up first is the Golden Gophers of Minnesota:

The Gophers enter the season coming off another losing season that improbably ended on a high note with a home win over Iowa.

Jerry Kill takes over in Minneapolis and will do so with a gaping hole at QB after the graduation of Adam Weber. Highly ranked dual threat recruit Marqueis Gray takes over an offense which figures to be able to move the ball on the ground with DeLeon Eskridge returning.

As usual, the defense looks to be the weakness for Minnesota. Last year the Gophers gave up over 33 points and 400 yards of offense per game and it doesn’t appear that will improve in the new 4-3 system brought by new Defensive Coordinator Tracy Claeys.

Minnesota opens at USC then plays 3 mid-majors (at best) at home. A 3-1 start looks likely however the Gophers last victory of the 2011 season may very well come in September. With no Indiana on the schedule, the best shot for a Gopher conference victory looks to be versus Illinois on the last Saturday of the regular season. Prediction: 3-9 overall, 0-8 in conference.