Jon (Colorado): Brian, you've often said that Wisconsin is the Leaders favorite, in part because OSU is ineligible for the championship this year. After the O'Brien transfer, if you assume OSU were eligible, who would be your favorite? I think the edge should still go to UW due to the game against OSU being in Madison and the fact that OSU will have new systems and coaches on both sides of the ball. I think that is a factor that is being overlooked and that OSU is going to struggle somewhat with the transition.
Brian Bennett: I tend to agree with you, Jon. Having that game in Madison is a huge advantage, though let's not forget that Wisconsin has tough games at Nebraska and at Penn State looming. I think Ohio State is probably two years away from being really, really good

Cam (Akron): You recently spent time in Bloomington. With players like Sthephen Houston, Kofi Hughes on offense. Hoobler, Murhpy, Replogle and the JUCO guys on defense, does it seem IU is closing the talent gap that seemed awfully evident at times last year.
Brian Bennett: I got to see an entire Hoosiers practice, and it was evident that Indiana is getting better. There are some good players on the roster, and the defense should be better (not that it has much room to get worse). However, there are still major depth concerns. This is very much a rebuilding process, though I think IU will win at least 3 or 4 games this year

Mike (Lawrence, KS): What B1G team do you think will make the biggest improvements this year?
Brian Bennett: Well, if I've got IU going from 1 to possibly three or 4 wins, that's a jump. Ohio State will be a lot better than 6-6. And I think Purdue has a chance to make a jump

Drew (Milwaukee): Hey BB - At the risk of sounding crazy, I'm going to suggest that including the Rose Bowl in a 4 team playoff would do more to harm the significance of the game than keeping it separate. It would reduce the game to penultimate status in the run up to the game everyone actually cares about. Everybody knows who won the 1986 super bowl. How many people care about who they played in the NFC championship game to get there?
Brian Bennett: That's an interesting point. Would fans who would normally go to Pasadena instead save up for a potential national championship trip? And there's the possibility that a four-plus system would cause major animosity from non-partisan fans toward the Rose Bowl's special treatment. It's a bad idea in many ways.

Johnny (East Lansing, MI): The most recent national championship proved the old adage that Defense wins championships. With that being said, is the MSU defense strong enough to carry the Spartans to a conference championship with all of the question marks on offense
Brian Bennett: I think it is. Of course, Andrew Maxwell has to be competent and he needs some receivers. But that defense has a chance to be special. I'll be checking out the Spartans later on this week so will have a better idea then.

Ted (VA): What is the best case scenario for Purdue this year?
Brian Bennett: In an absolute best-case scenario, Purdue wins the Leaders Division. Remember that Ohio State is ineligible, Penn State and Illinois are going through coaching transitions and Wisconsin lost a lot on offense. So it's possible, though things would all have to break right for the Boilers.