The Big Ten should be stronger at the quarterback spot in 2010 than it was 2009, but the league still will feature plenty of competition under center when spring practices begin next month. Penn State, Illinois and Purdue are all wide open at quarterback, while Northwestern, Minnesota and Michigan have a few question marks entering spring ball. I thought about including Michigan State on this list, but Kirk Cousins seems to have a pretty good grasp on the job.

Here's a team-by-team look at what to expect from these races this spring:

PENN STATE

Who's gone: Two-year starter Daryll Clark, a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2009
The top candidates: Kevin Newsome (So.), Matt McGloin (So.), Paul Jones (Fr.)
Late arrivals: Heralded recruit Robert Bolden arrives this summer
Favorite: Newsome. He's not a huge favorite by any means, but he backed up Clark in 2009 and showed a few flashes in limited action.
Starter decision: Unless Newsome really separates himself this spring, Penn State likely will wait well into fall camp before naming a starter. Bolden certainly could contend for the job, but he'll need to catch up quickly.
Spring storylines: You can't overstate the importance of the quarterback race in Penn State's season, as the other positions on offense look pretty solid. Expect the new starter to run the ball more than Clark did in 2009. Penn State probably wants to redshirt either Bolden or Jones, which would keep some separation between the two heralded recruits and Newsome. Jones will have the jump on Bolden in preparation time, so he needs a good spring.

ILLINOIS

Who's gone: Four-year starter Juice Williams
The top candidates: Jacob Charest (So.), Eddie McGee (Sr.), Nathan Scheelhaase (Fr.), Chandler Whitmer (Fr.)
Late arrivals: None
Favorite: No real favorite here, although both Charest and McGee received playing time in 2009, with Charest starting two games.
Starter decision: Considering the competition is wide open and Illinois has a new offensive coordinator in Paul Petrino, the quarterback race almost certainly won't be decided until preseason camp.
Spring storylines: After running the spread offense with heavy zone read elements the last few years, Illinois likely will want more of a traditional drop-back passer for Petrino's scheme. The coordinator change truly makes things up for grabs, and both Scheelhaase and Whitmer, an early enrollee, will have a legitimate shot. Whitmer needs a strong spring, but he comes to Illinois with good credentials. McGee has played a lot but never truly claimed the starter's tag. This spring could be his last shot.

PURDUE

Who's gone: Joey Elliott, who threw for 3,294 yards in his lone season as the starter
The top candidates: Robert Marve (Jr., transfer from Miami), Caleb TerBush (So.), Rob Henry (Fr.)
Late arrivals: Talented recruit Sean Robinson arrives this summer, but he expects to redshirt in 2010.
Favorite: Marve. He hasn't played a down in the Big Ten, but his experience at Miami and his obvious talent gives him a slight edge.
Starter decision: It would be a surprise, but not a shock, if Purdue named a starter at the end of spring ball. Marve tore his ACL last summer and needs to show he can master the offense and command the locker room. It's unlikely TerBush or Henry would win the job this spring.
Spring storylines: Marve is clearly the big story at Purdue this spring: how he progresses after the knee injury, how he's learning the offense, whether the attitude issues he had at Miami are behind him. TerBush barely played in 2009 but drew good reviews from the coaches in practice. Now he really gets a chance to showcase his skills. Henry brings some versatility to the position but will need to improve as a passer this spring to challenge both Marve and TerBush.

NORTHWESTERN

Who's gone: Mike Kafka, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in his only season as the starter
The top candidates: Dan Persa (Jr.), Evan Watkins (Fr.)
Late arrivals: Trevor Siemian and Kain Colter both arrive this summer, and while head coach Pat Fitzgerald loves to redshirt everyone, he might not have that luxury with such little depth at QB.
Favorite: Persa. He got a decent amount of playing time in 2009 and has been groomed to take over for Kafka. While Watkins has some exciting potential, he's probably looking at a backup role in 2010.
Starter decision: If Persa has a strong spring, he'll essentially nail down the starting job. The coaches might not come out and say it, but he controls his own destiny here.
Spring storylines: Kafka made major strides during the last offseason to transform from a run-first quarterback into a precision passer (64.8 percent completions). Persa must go through a similar evolution this spring. He's an excellent runner who fits Northwestern's spread system very well, but he needs to get better on the short to intermediate passes that drive this offense. NU will run Persa plenty in 2010, but the coaches also want to protect the undersized junior. Watkins also must have a strong spring as he'll be Northwestern's main insurance policy.

MINNESOTA

Who's gone: No one
Top candidates: Adam Weber (Sr.), MarQueis Gray (So.), Moses Alipate (Fr.)
Late arrivals: Quarterback recruits Tom Parish and J.D. Pride arrive this summer, but they're not expect to challenge for the starting job.
Favorite: Weber. Sure, the competition is open, but Weber's three years as a starter simply can't be overlooked here.
Starter decision: New offensive coordinator Jeff Horton sounds like he's in no rush to name a starter, and both Weber and Gray likely will be in the mix next fall. Unless one of them truly separates himself this spring, the competition will spill into the summer.
Spring storylines: This might be the most fascinating quarterback race in the Big Ten, given the unique dynamics. You have a three-year starter in Weber who will be working with his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Weber clearly regressed as a junior in 2009, but he also was working in a new offense that didn't suit his best attributes. Gray has all the talent in the world and might be the popular choice for the job, but he too must master the pro-style offense and improve his accuracy. Alipate needs a breakout spring to challenge the top two, but he's a drop-back passer who might fit the system better than Weber or Gray.

MICHIGAN

Who's gone: No one
Top candidates: Tate Forcier (So.), Denard Robinson (So.), Devin Gardner (Fr.)
Late arrivals: None
Favorite: Forcier. He has a full season as the starter under his belt and certainly showed some good things in 2009. It's not a slam-dunk decision by any means, but Forcier certainly has to enter the spring as the frontrunner.
Starter decision: If Forcier builds on 2009 and creates significant separation between himself and both Robinson and Gardner this spring, he should lock up the job. Still, I doubt this race will be decided until preseason camp.
Spring storylines: Gardner's early enrollment at Michigan certainly thickens the plot. There's a contingent of Michigan fans who want to see Gardner redshirt in 2010, but if he shows an embattled coaching staff that he can challenge Forcier and Robinson this spring, odds are he'll see the field. Forcier's offseason progress will be important to watch, but Robinson could be the more intriguing figure. Will he remain a quarterback or move to another spot? He'll get every chance to prove himself as a signal caller this spring, but he needs a strong performance.