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Ohio State has won or shared the last five Big Ten championships. According to the media, the Buckeyes will celebrate a sixth consecutive title in late November.

For the third straight year, Ohio State has been picked as the Big Ten preseason favorite. Led by All-America candidate Cameron Heyward, the Buckeyes aim to match a team record with their sixth consecutive Big Ten crown after doing so from 1972-77.

No one will be surprised by Ohio State's selection. The bigger drama came at the No. 2 spot, as media around the country seem to be split on Iowa and Wisconsin. Iowa got the nod from the Big Ten press corps, coming in at No. 2 after an Orange Bowl championship in January. Wisconsin rounds out the preseason poll at No. 3 (unlike other leagues, the Big Ten only reveals the top three teams in preseason voting).

The media's selections for preseason players of the year mirrored last year's choices: Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor (offense) and Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones (defense). It marks the first time this has happened since 1998, when Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne and Ohio State linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer received the honors.

Pryor is certainly more deserving of the honor this year than he was in 2009, when Big Ten media members got drunk in the hype surrounding the Buckeyes signal-caller. He comes off of his best career performance against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, winning the game's offensive MVP honors. I voted for Wisconsin junior running back John Clay, who won 2009 postseason Offensive Player of the Year honors and could be even better this fall. Clay is the better choice, but both he and Pryor are Heisman Trophy candidates entering the fall.

Jones lived up to the hype in 2009, sharing postseason Defensive Player of the Year honors with Penn State's Jared Odrick. The three-year starter ranked third nationally in tackles with 154 and fifth in the Big Ten in sacks with nine.

Both player of the year races should be very competitive, especially the defensive side, as Iowa's Adrian Clayborn and Heyward will challenge Jones.

Football strength training is the flavor this week on ESPN.com, as we attempt to pump ... you up! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Head coaches get most of the credit -- and, to be fair, most of the blame -- but strength coaches spend more time with players than anyone else on campus. They play major roles in developing personnel for the season.

So who are these guys? Here's a quick look at the Big Ten strength coaches.

ILLINOIS
Name: Lou Hernandez
At Illinois since: 2005
The skinny: Hernandez made the transition from Florida to Illinois with Fighting Illini head coach Ron Zook, for whom he has worked since 2003. A native Texan, Hernandez received both his bachelor's and master's from the University of Houston, where he worked from 1992-2001 as both an assistant strength coach and the head man. Hernandez spent 2002 as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the New York Jets. Despite being just 5-foot-8, Hernandez was a competitive power lifter who could bench 507 pounds and squat 720 in his heyday. He also consults Illinois players on nutrition and helped defensive end Will Davis add to his frame in 2008.

INDIANA
Name: Mark Wateska
At Indiana since: 2002
The skinny: Wateska has spent nearly a quarter century as a strength and conditioning coach, including the last eight seasons with the Hoosiers football program. He played football at Penn State and was part of the 1986 national championship team. Wateska received both his bachelor's degree and his master's degree in exercise and sports science from Penn State and started his career there. He eventually left for Boston College, where he served as an assistant strength coach for four years before he took his first head job at Maine. Before Indiana, Wateska spent seven years as Stanford's head strength and conditioning coach. After his first year at The Farm, Wateksa was named Pac-10 Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA).

IOWA
Name: Chris Doyle
At Iowa since: 1999
The skinny: Doyle has been in Iowa City for every step of the program's resurgence under Kirk Ferentz. He made his mark right away, earning Big Ten Strength Coach of the Year honors from the NCSA in 1999. Doyle has helped 149 players who have reached the professional ranks in the NFL, NHL and NBA, including 24 Iowa players selected in the last six NFL drafts. A native of Quincy, Mass., who earned two degrees at Boston University, Doyle came to Iowa after a year at Utah but was no stranger to the Big Ten. He served as Wisconsin's assistant strength and conditioning coach from 1996-98. Doyle worked both the football and hockey teams in Madison.

MICHIGAN
Name: Mike Barwis
At Michigan since: 2008
The skinny: Barwis followed Rich Rodriguez to Michigan after spending 14 years at West Virginia, where he worked with the school's Olympic sports programs before taking over strength and conditioning for football in 2003. Rodriguez is extremely loyal to Barwis and gives Barwis a lot of credit for the Mountaineers' rise to national prominence from 2005-07. Barwis has coached 24 NCSA All-Americans since 1999 and received the Bronze Award from the NCSA certification commission in 2004. A former mixed-martial arts fighter, Barwis' workout regimes at West Virginia became legendary, and the Philadelphia native has developed quite a reputation among Michigan players and fans.

MICHIGAN STATE
Name: Ken Mannie
At Michigan State since: 1994
The skinny: Mannie made the transition with Nick Saban from Toledo to Michigan State in 1994, but while Saban moved on, Mannie remained a fixture in East Lansing. He has received numerous awards and honors during his Michigan State tenure, including being named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the NSCA in 2002 and being inducted into the Varsity S Club as an honorary member in 2007. Mannie, who oversees the strength and conditioning programs for all of Michigan State's sports, is a regular contributor to the Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director publication. He first met Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio at Ohio State, where they both served as graduate assistants in 1984.

MINNESOTA
Name: Mark Hill
At Minnesota since: 2007
The skinny: A 1999 graduate of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Hill already has worked as a high-level strength coach in the Big 12, Pac-10 and Big Ten. He joined Minnesota's staff in head coach Tim Brewster's first season after spending three years as associate director of performance enhancement at Arizona. Hill worked closely with Antoine Cason at Arizona, helping the defensive back win the Thorpe Award. He has mentored six All-Big Ten players at Minnesota and helped coach 13 All-Americans and 28 NFL draft picks as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Oklahoma from 2000-03. Hill was an All-Southern Conference wide receiver at Tennessee-Chattanooga.

NORTHWESTERN
Name: Larry Lilja
At Northwestern since: 1981
The skinny: Lilja is the dean of Big Ten strength coaches and counts current Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald among the many Wildcats players he tutored during his lengthy run in Evanston. He was a three-year starter at Northwestern from 1973-75, serving as a captain in 1974, before returning in 1981 to run the school's strength and conditioning center. Lilja played a major role in helping Northwestern transform its football program by winning Big Ten championships in 1995 and 1996. He earned Big Ten Conference Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year honors in 1996. The Lilja family has deep roots in the Big Ten, as Larry and his brothers George (Michigan) and Dave (Indiana) are the only siblings in league history to serve as captains for three different teams.

OHIO STATE
Name: Eric Lichter
At Ohio State since: 2006
The skinny: Lichter built his reputation in the private sector by opening the Speed Strength Athlete Training Center in Euclid, Ohio, where he trained athletes in many sports, including Ohio State NFL draft prospects like Donte Whitner and Bobby Carpenter. He served as a consultant to Ohio State's 2002 national championship team and brought Power Plate technology to the program. Head coach Jim Tressel hired him in 2006 to oversee the strength and conditioning program. Lichter has trained six Top 10 NFL draft picks and has worked with LeBron James, Ron Dayne and others. His mother, Linda Lichter Witter, is Ohio State’s synchronized swimming coach, and Eric served as a consultant for the synchronized swimming team before joining Tressel's staff.

PENN STATE
Name: John Thomas
At Penn State since: 1992
The skinny: Like pretty much every member of Joe Paterno's staff, Thomas has been in State College for quite some time, making his mark on the Penn State program. In 2002, Thomas was named a Master of Strength and Conditioning Coach by the NSCA, one of only 27 people to carry the title at the time. He also was named National Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 1997. Thomas is a staunch supporter of the High Intensity Strength Training System (HIT), which early last decade created some discontent that has since subsided. Thomas came to Penn State from Army, where he served as head strength and conditioning coach in 1990-91. He played both offensive and defensive line at Muskingum College.

PURDUE
Name: Jim Lathrop
At Purdue since: 1998 (sixth year as director of strength and conditioning)
The skinny: Lathrop made the trek with Joe Tiller and Danny Hope from Wyoming to Purdue after being named the WAC's strength and conditioning coordinator professional of the year in 1996. He spent seven years as strength and conditioning coordinator before being promoted to oversee strength and conditioning for Purdue's entire athletic program. Lathrop designs specific training programs for football, wrestling, and men's and women's track. A former offensive guard for Northwest Missouri State, Lathrop served as both an assistant and a director of strength and conditioning at Georgia Tech from 1988-92. Georgia Tech won the 1990 national championship during his first year as director.

WISCONSIN
Name: Ben Herbert
At Wisconsin since: 2002 (named head strength and conditioning coach in January 2009)
The skinny: Herbert cut his teeth under longtime Wisconsin strength coach John Dettman before working his way into the top football job last winter. A two-year starter on the defensive line for the Badgers, Herbert helped Wisconsin reach back-to-back Rose Bowls in 1998 and 1999. He joined Wisconsin's strength and conditioning staff as an intern in 2002 before being promoted to an assistant the next year. Herbert shook things up after becoming the head strength coach, introducing position group workouts, innovative competitions and some unique motivational props, including a WWE replica belt and two potted plants.

The wait is over.

Many of you -- hundreds? thousands? -- have asked me to review your proposals for Big Ten divisions and to offer my own. It's truly amazing how much interest this part of expansion garners. Even before Dec. 15, I received hundreds of e-mails not only proposing new members to the Big Ten, but outlining how the divisions would set up. It must be the fantasy sports aspect in all of this.

OK, let's get started.

Note: This is all based on the Big Ten remaining a 12-team league with Nebraska as the only new addition. These divisions apply to football only, so don't start crying about basketball or other sports. There's no need for divisions when you have conference tournaments.

OBJECTIVES

There's no perfect model to divisions, and someone is going to be upset no matter what. But it's important to identify some criteria.

• Competitive balance. I can't stress this enough, but as commissioner Jim Delany said Friday in Lincoln, competitive balance is the top priority in determining divisions. There are lessons to be learned from the Big 12, which shifted its power to the South division and made the league championship game weaker. The Big Ten wants its title game to mean something. Recent history certainly matters when evaluating programs, but so does long-term history.
• Rivalries (old and new). The Big Ten is nothing without its rivalries, but not every rivalry will be saved unless the league goes to an 11-game round robin schedule (not happenin'). It's also important to be forward thinking and project new rivalries that not only appeal to the two fan bases, but to casual fans and to national audiences.
• National appeal. You've seen me write a lot about teams that "move the needle." Certain teams have national appeal, and certain teams don't. That's just the way it is. A league needs to address this in divisions and ensure it has as many opportunities as possible to showcase its product nationally. You want to get the ABC Saturday night game as often as possible.

(Read full post)

That sigh of relief you hear echoes from Columbia to Waco and from Ames to Lawrence.

The Big 12 has been saved, and college sports Armageddon has been averted. At least for now.

Meanwhile, it's quiet in Park Ridge, Ill, site of Big Ten headquarters. The Big Ten made its move Friday -- much earlier than it wanted to, mind you -- and added Nebraska as its 12th member. In doing so, the league became unquestionably stronger with a fourth traditional powerhouse program now occupying its western edge.

The only question that remains: how long will Jim Delany sit still?

The Big Ten could be finished with expansion and satisfied with a 12-team league. The need to become a 16-team superconference certainly seems less urgent than it did 30 hours ago. The Big Ten remains rich, and it should get better on the field with Nebraska. If this round of expansion roulette is over, the Big Ten secured the best available prize.

Then again, the Big Ten certainly might act again in expansion. Keep in mind that we're only one-third of the way through the 12- to 18-month period Delany and the Big Ten brass laid out in December to study expansion. The Big Ten likely wouldn't have added any teams until the fall or winter if the Pac-10 didn't make an aggressive push for Big 12 teams. Now that Delany and co. are back on their own timetable, they could decide to make another move on their own terms.

"We’re back to the slower tempo sort of game," Delany said Friday.

But the game is far from over.

The Big Ten still has a television network to grow and a population shift to address. Those were the two driving forces for the expansion study, Delany told us in May.

Nebraska doesn't help a lot in either of those areas.

The Big Ten will continue to explore its options, and most likely look to the East. I've heard Rutgers, Maryland and even Boston College mentioned by Big Ten sources in recent days. And the Big Ten's Holy Grail, Notre Dame, is still out there, clinging to its independence. Unless Notre Dame's BCS bowl access changes, I don't see the Irish joining a league.

Could the Big Ten still raid the Big East? Possible, but unlikely. The Big Ten's next move likely will be driven by the Big Ten Network, meaning a coveted media market must be added.

Delany has talked extensively about limiting damage on the back end of expansion, and there seems to be a genuine feeling among college sports' power brokers not to be labeled the one who ruined everything.

Maybe Delany leaves the Big East alone. Maybe he doesn't. But to assume one of the most powerful and ambitious figures in college athletics is finished would be foolish. Delany devotes more than half of his time to the expansion issue, and he absolutely could have a major move left in him.

For now, the Big Ten waits, and so will we.

Rivalries are undoubtedly among the primary concerns for fans and some media members when assessing realignment in college football.

Rivalries define the sport, and they're certainly at risk depending upon what happens. Nebraska and Colorado, longtime Big 8/Big 12 rivals, both have left for other conferences, leaving their annual series in doubt. There are also nonconference rivalries like Iowa-Iowa State that could be altered or possibly ended if the dominoes don't fall the right way.

This post focuses solely on current Big Ten rivalries (excluding Nebraska). They mean everything in this league, and they will be impacted, one way or another, by the league expanding to at least 12 teams.

“We’re going into this with the idea that rivalries really matter," Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said Friday. "But not all rivalries are equal.”

We've got a ton of time to look at divisions, championship game possibilities and the like, but here's my take on the rivalries that must be preserved, should be preserved and could be sacrificed for the good of the league.

If you need a refresher, here's the Big Ten's list of protected rivalries and my thoughts on the good and the eh.

OK, let's get going ...

HANDS OFF!

• Michigan-Ohio State
• Michigan-Michigan State
• Minnesota-Wisconsin
• Indiana-Purdue
• Minnesota-Iowa
• Wisconsin-Iowa

HANDLE WITH CARE

• Ohio State-Penn State
• Illinois-Ohio State
• Michigan-Minnesota
• Iowa-Penn State

EXPENDABLE

• Michigan State-Penn State
• Illinois-Northwestern
• Indiana-Illinois (should be able to save)
• Penn State-Michigan
• Minnesota-Penn State
• Wisconsin-Michigan
• Purdue-Illinois (did you know this is a trophy game?)
• Northwestern-Iowa (should be able to save)
• Purdue-Northwestern
• Michigan State-Indiana

Nebraska's entrance into the league certainly changes the rivalry landscape. Is it worth sacrificing a current Big Ten rivalry or two to build some potentially great ones between Nebraska and teams in its new league?

There are some great possibilities out there: Nebraska-Iowa, Nebraska-Wisconsin, Nebraska-Minnesota, Nebraska-Penn State. Wisconsin is already pushing for a late-season rivalry game with the Huskers.

But that's a conversation for another day.

What are your thoughts on which rivalries are worth saving?

For the last three seasons, the Big Ten has paid the price in the preseason conference rankings because of poor bowl performances the previous years.

Has it been a little unfair? Perhaps. Bowl performances don't mean everything, and it's important to examine the personnel lost and the personnel returning for each team.

But if bowl performance is nation's No. 1 factor for evaluating conference, why not use it in the Big Ten's favor? That's exactly what I'm doing by ranking the Big Ten as the nation's second best conference behind the SEC.

The Big Ten went 4-3 in last year's bowls, beating four teams ranked in the top 15 and winning two BCS games (Rose and Orange). Of the four bowl champions, you can make a strong case that three of them -- Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin -- will have even stronger teams in 2010. Ohio State is a bona fide national championship contender, Iowa brings tremendous skill and mental toughness and Wisconsin returns the most starters in the league, including Heisman Trophy candidate John Clay.

All three squads will appear in many preseason top 10 rankings.

Penn State loses six All-Big Ten performers, including quarterback Daryll Clark and Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Year Jared Odrick, but the Nittany Lions have been consistently strong since 2005. They'll enter the season in the Top 25 and should have little trouble getting back to a bowl game, where they do their best work (27-13-2 all-time record).

The middle of the Big Ten could be stronger as well. Michigan State gets star linebacker Greg Jones back in the fold, and the Spartans are stocked with skill players and have a very favorable schedule. Purdue held its own during Big Ten play last year and should be very explosive on offense. Northwestern has shown for the first time in its history that it can reload, winning 17 games the last two seasons and six or more games in six of the last seven seasons.

If Michigan can get back on track during a pivotal season for head coach Rich Rodriguez, the Big Ten's profile will be further enhanced.

How can the Big Ten become the top conference? Simple. Beat the SEC in the BCS title game. The SEC has won the last four of them, and nothing shapes national perception of conferences more than performance in the BCS championship.

The Big Ten also must hold off challengers for the No. 2 spot, namely the Big 12 and Pac-10. The Big Ten has dropped its last five bowl matchups against the Big 12, a trend that really needs to change this year. The Pac-10 should be very solid top to bottom, but Oregon's messy offseason and some lingering questions around USC keep the league a little behind.

My conference pecking order

1. SEC
2. Big Ten
3. Big 12
4. Pac-10
5. ACC
6. Mountain West
7. Big East
8. WAC
9. The rest ...

CHICAGO -- For the second consecutive year, Big Ten coaches and administrators have discussed a proposal that would allow football recruits to take official visits in June.

The plan wouldn't adjust the number of official visits a prospect can take (five), but it would allow recruits, many of whom make verbal commitments during or shortly after their junior years, to get on campuses as soon as their junior years end. Right now, many prospects take unofficial visits in June, which can take a financial toll.

NCAA recruiting rules only allow prospects take official visits after their senior years have begun.

"It's something we'd like to do," Illinois head coach Ron Zook said. "Particularly if everyone keeps pushing the early signing date, it just makes sense. It gives you an opportunity to get to know them a little bit better, it gives you an opportunity to get them on your campus. Otherwise, they might be signing before their families get on campus."

Zook said one of the questions about the proposal is whether prospects would take official visits in June and then stay for football camps at schools. He thinks the rule should be written to prohibit prospects from doing both.

"Everybody in our room is in favor of it," Zook said.

"So many kids are taking unofficial visits right now and the cost to families is astronomical trying to go see X amount of schools in June,” Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “It only makes sense. How many of these kids are making early decisions, making verbal commitments, without ever taking an official visit that you can pay for to be on campus for that 48-hour window?"

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said the proposal would be discussed further at meetings Wednesday afternoon. It could be tweaked a bit before moving up the ladder toward the NCAA.

Alvarez supports June official visits, adding that an early signing period in recruiting seems more and more likely.

"The coaches are in favor of [an early signing period], most of the leagues are in favor of it," Alvarez said. "Somehow it got stopped in legislation last year. We're not really sure where, but everyone seems to be in favor of it. That wasn't the case a few years ago. A few years ago, it was split 50-50.

"Most of our [teams] have five to 10 commitments now. The kids that have committed know where they want to go. Why not let them sign in December?"

CHICAGO -- Commissioner Jim Delany outlined two major forces behind the Big Ten's expansion study in his meeting with reporters Tuesday.

The first is obvious: The Big Ten Network, a project that faced plenty of initial skepticism but has not only survived, but thrived. The potential to grow the network in new markets or potentially strengthen existing markets is a huge part of what the Big Ten has been studying the last five months.

The second force is bigger than the Big Ten and impacts numerous industries in America.

People are heading south in larger numbers, and the population shift has put northern institutions like the Big Ten on notice.

"As far as the shifting population, that is reason, by itself, enough, to look at the concept of expansion," Delany said. "We've been blessed in many ways by the economy and the density of the population in the 20th century. Our schools have benefited by healthy economies, by strong markets, by growth, by integration. ... In the last 20, 30 years, there's been a clear shift in movement into the sun belt. The rates of growth in the sun belt are four times the rates they are in the East or the Midwest.

"You do want to look forward to 2020 and 2030 and see what that impact would be on our schools."

Delany has brought up the demographic shift several times in recent years when talking about recruiting and other topics. He knows that in order for the Big Ten to maintain its national standing, its alumni base and its brand, the league might need to get bigger.

Iowa athletics director Gary Barta said shifting demographics were one of the first subjects brought up when league officials decided to push forward with an expansion study.

"Without going into any specific school, it's just projecting ahead," Barta said. "Do we need to grow the business in the next 20 years, and, if so, does adding schools make any sense? That's part of the principle of whether or not we look at expansion."

Aside from Texas, most of the rumored expansion candidates are located in the Midwest or toward the East Coast.

It begs the question: Should the Big Ten look to the South to capitalize on the population shift, or is the league best served by getting stronger in its existing footprint?

"It depends," Ohio State athletics director Gene Smith said. "You could address the census issue by getting [stronger] where we are."

CHICAGO -- Greetings from the site of the Big Ten spring meetings of coaches and athletic directors.

The first set of meetings begins early this afternoon, as basketball coaches and athletic directors convene. The ADs and coaches are rolling through the lobby, and several have stopped to talk with a growing group of reporters, including yours truly and ESPN colleague Joe Schad.

Expansion is obviously the hot topic around the Big Ten and will be on the agenda this week. Athletic directors Dave Brandon (Michigan) and Barry Alvarez (Wisconsin) both expressed curiosity about the expansion study and expect to receive updates on the process from league commissioner Jim Delany.

"There's a general feeling that change is in the wind," Brandon said. "Obviously, the prospects for change are out there, or there wouldn't be as much time spent. There's clearly energy around change, but that doesn't mean it's going to manifest itself in an outcome that's either immediate or as significant as what's been rumored.

"We'll see."

Keep it right here for coverage of the spring meetings all week.

Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said Texas isn't among the 15 schools included in an initial report by a search firm helping the Big Ten with its expansion study.

Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds recently told The Oklahoma's Berry Tramel that "something drastic" would need to happen for Texas to leave the Big 12.

So the Big Ten-Texas talk is dying down, right?

Not so fast, my friends.

Washington athletic director Steve Woodward shared this interesting tidbit over the weekend with The Seattle Times (scroll down to the bottom).

Woodward also talked about expansion and said the Pac-10 and the Big Ten have reached out to officials at Texas and Texas A&M. "I'd be surprised if our office is not in contact with them," he said. "I'm sure those conversations have happened and are taking place."

When asked if the league might expand beyond two teams, Woodward said that's a possibility. "It could be two, four or a merger of Big 12. ... There's a theory that at the end of the day there's only going to be four super conferences. Now that it's going to look like, God only knows."

Though phrases like "I'd be surprised" don't sound overly concrete, it's interesting that Woodward mentioned both Texas and Texas A&M. It's unlikely the Texas legislature would let Texas go without A&M being part of the package.

Could the Big Ten and Pac-10 get into a bidding war over the Texas schools? Nothing against the Pac-10, but from a revenue and media rights perspective, it doesn't compete with what the Big Ten has to offer.

In the end, I don't think Texas and Texas A&M will leave the Big 12. But as I've written before, it would be silly for the Big Ten to not at least gauge the interest. And if Woodward is to be believed, the talk about Texas as an expansion candidate isn't going away.

It's that time again.

Four weeks have passed since the year-end installment of the power rankings, and while no games were played during the span, there has been some news. We know who's coming back (Greg Jones, Evan Royster, Cameron Heyward) and who's not (Thaddeus Gibson, Navorro Bowman, Amari Spievey). We also can size up the recruiting classes for each Big Ten team.

Spring practice in the Big Ten officially kicks off March 13 at Wisconsin, so let's take a look at how the teams stack up heading into the spring. Please remember that the power rankings can -- and will -- change several times before the season begins Sept. 2.

1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes will be a consensus top 5 team and a legit national title contender entering the fall. Heyward's decision to return is huge for a talented defensive front. If quarterback Terrelle Pryor builds off of his Rose Bowl performance and Ohio State solidifies things at left tackle, safety and possibly running back, this team will be scary good.

2. Iowa: The NFL draft stung the Hawkeyes a bit, as both Spievey and left tackle Bryan Bulaga opted to turn pro. But All-America candidate Adrian Clayborn returns, and Iowa will be stacked at both running back and wide receiver in 2010. Rebuilding the offensive line will be Iowa's top priority as it aims for a Big Ten championship this fall.

3. Wisconsin: The mojo is back in Mad-town as Wisconsin returns the core players from a team that went 10-3 and finished 16th in the final AP Poll. Heisman Trophy candidate John Clay leads a balanced and efficient offense, while the defense boasts a lot of young talent but must replace star pass rusher O'Brien Schofield.

4. Penn State: No Big Ten team lost more standout players than the Nittany Lions, but Penn State has shown an ability to reload, particularly in the defensive front seven. Royster's decision to return is huge for Penn State, which will rely on the rushing attack and an improved offensive line in 2010. A crucial quarterback competition begins this spring, as Kevin Newsome tries to hold off several young challengers.

5. Michigan State: I'm a bit leery to put Michigan State this high after 2009, but Jones' decision to return eased some concerns about the defense. The Spartans must get better on both lines and in the secondary, and quarterback Kirk Cousins needs to rebound after a rough finish to his sophomore season. Recruits William Gholston and Max Bullough should help the defense right away.

6. Northwestern: The Wildcats proved in 2009 that they could overcome the losses of several offensive standouts. They'll need to do it again as All-Big Ten quarterback Mike Kafka departs and junior Dan Persa steps in. Northwestern must revive its rushing attack this spring behind an offensive line that returns fully intact. The secondary also is a concern as three starters graduate.

T-7. Michigan: The offense will put up points again, but Michigan's big concerns rest with a defense that loses standouts Brandon Graham and Donovan Warren. A recruiting class headlined by safety Demar Dorsey certainly should help matters, as Michigan needs immediate contributions from its young players. The Wolverines need a strong spring from their early enrollees as they prepare for a critical 2010 season.

T-7. Purdue: It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Purdue finishes in the top half of the Big Ten in 2010, but a few key questions remain. The biggest one comes at quarterback, where Miami transfer Robert Marve and sophomore Caleb TerBush will compete for the top job. Purdue also must reload in the secondary and improve a run defense that has ranked last in the Big Ten in each of the last two seasons.

9. Minnesota: Spring practice will be critical for a Gophers team trying to establish an identity on offense and reload on defense. The starting quarterback job is up for grabs as incumbent Adam Weber tries to hold off MarQueis Gray and impress new coordinator Jeff Horton. Minnesota must replace all three starting linebackers, both starting defensive tackles and both starting cornerbacks.

10. Indiana: The Hoosiers should be very dynamic on offense in 2010, but they must address their chronic defensive woes as soon as possible to rebound this fall. Head coach Bill Lynch is moving several offensive players to defense this spring, and IU's ability to identify impact players likely will determine whether it can rise up the rankings.

11. Illinois: Things have been anything but quiet around Champaign the last eight weeks, as head coach Ron Zook shuffled his coaching staff, bringing in two new coordinators and four new position coaches. Illinois doesn't have time for growing pains, and the new assistants will need to implement the scheme and get the most out of a roster filled with question marks. One way or another, Illinois will be a fascinating team to watch between now and the season opener.

The last decade brought us many memorable moments in the Big Ten. From coaching milestones to individual awards to a national championship to the possibility of expansion, the Big Ten had it all in the aughts.

Here's a look back at 10 moments that stand out:

1. The Game pits No 1. vs. No. 2 -- Nov. 18, 2006: The Big Ten had the national stage all to itself as its premier rivalry pitted college football's top two teams, No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Michigan, at Ohio Stadium. A day after the death of coaching legend Bo Schembechler, the Buckeyes and Wolverines met in the most anticipated regular-season game ever. Ohio State won, 42-39 and earned the right to play in the BCS National Championship Game.

2. The Flag -- Jan. 3, 2003: It was the most famous -- or infamous -- call of the decade, a pass interference penalty on Miami's Glenn Sharpe that gave Ohio State new life in overtime at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. The Buckeyes went on to tie the game and win in the second overtime for the Big Ten's only national championship in the aughts.

3. JoePa passes The Bear -- Oct. 27, 2001: Joe Paterno became college football's all-time winningest coach as Penn State rallied from a 27-9 deficit to beat Ohio State 29-27 at Beaver Stadium. Paterno's 324th career win pushed him past Paul "Bear" Bryant for the record.

4. Iowa wins bowl on final play -- Jan. 1, 2005: In one of the most exciting bowl game finishes ever, Iowa's Drew Tate found Warren Halloway for a 56-yard touchdown with no time remaining as the Hawkeyes stunned LSU 30-25 in the Capital One Bowl. LSU had taken a 25-24 lead with 46 seconds left before Tate's heroics.

5. Big Ten announces expansion plans -- Dec. 16, 2009: For the first time, the Big Ten publicly announced it would explore the possibility of expansion. More football coaches and athletic directors were behind the movement than ever before, and the league felt that the "time is right" to seriously look into a hot-button issue.

6. Starks' fumble return against Purdue -- Oct. 16, 2004: Purdue entered the game ranked No. 5 nationally and boasted the Heisman Trophy frontrunner in quarterback Kyle Orton. The Boilers led 17-14 late in the fourth quarter when Orton, running for a key first down, lost the ball. Wisconsin's Scott Starks recovered and raced 40 yards for a touchdown. Purdue never recovered that season.

7. Spartans win in Clockgate -- Nov. 3, 2001: Michigan State beat archrival Michigan 26-24 as Jeff Smoker found T.J. Duckett in the end zone with no time remaining. Many believe the Spartans shouldn't have had a chance to run the final play, as the clock could have expired before Smoker spiked the ball on third down.

8. Deaths of Walker and Hoeppner -- June 29, 2006 and June 19, 2007: The Big Ten tragically lost head coaches Randy Walker (Northwestern) and Terry Hoeppner (Indiana). Walker died suddenly of a heart attack weeks before training camp, while Hoeppner lost a battle with brain cancer almost exactly one year later.

9. Michigan beats Penn State on final play -- Oct. 15, 2005: Penn State's quest for a perfect season and a national championship ended on the final play at Michigan Stadium. Chad Henne found Mario Manningham for a 10-yard score as Michigan handed Penn State its only loss.

10. Krenzel to Jenkins on fourth down, Nov. 9, 2002: Ohio State's national title hopes teetered as the offense faced fourth-and-1 with less than two minutes left against Purdue. On a call that surprised everyone, Craig Krenzel threw to Michael Jenkins for a 37-yard touchdown as the Buckeyes rallied for a 10-6 win and went on to the championship.

The 2009 football season is in the books, so let's take one final look at the Big Ten power rankings. No major surprises here, and there likely won't be a ton of shuffling at the top until the season kicks off in September.

1. Ohio State (11-2): That Purdue loss feels like a long time ago, doesn't it? Ohio State capped an impressive turnaround with a Rose Bowl championship, snapping a three-game slide in BCS bowls. Terrelle Pryor's performance in Pasadena and a productive defense raises the expectations for 2010, when Ohio State could contend for the national title.

2. Iowa (11-2): Everyone outside Iowa seemed to doubt the Hawkeyes all year long, but this team just kept winning. Iowa delivered its best performance of the season against Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl, jumping out to a 14-0 lead and never looking back. The final score didn't show how dominant Iowa was in this game. Ricky Stanzi and Adrian Clayborn will try to lead Iowa to a Big Ten title in 2010.

3. Penn State (11-2): Quarterback Daryll Clark and a valuable group of seniors went out with a big win in the Capital One Bowl against LSU. Penn State notched a signature victory against a talented opponent, completing an excellent two-year run. The Lions now must overcome some key personnel losses to challenge Ohio State for the league title this coming fall.

4. Wisconsin (10-3): A return trip to the Champs Sports Bowl ended up being the perfect opportunity for the Badgers to showcase the progress they made this season. Wisconsin beat Miami by only six points but thoroughly dominated the game on both sides of the ball. The Badgers return a bunch of key players, including running back John Clay, and will enter 2010 ranked in the top 15.

5. Northwestern (8-5): For the second straight year, the Wildcats participated in one of the most exciting bowl games, only to come out on the losing end again. Pat Fitzgerald's team gained some national respect with their comeback against Auburn, but Northwestern eventually needs to get over the hump in a bowl. The Wildcats lose several key pieces, but the program is on the rise and should again contend for a postseason berth in 2010.

T-6. Minnesota (6-7): The Gophers defense definitely came to play against Iowa State, but the offense couldn't translate good drives into points in the Insight Bowl. Getting the offense on track will be the top offseason priority for head coach Tim Brewster and his staff as they enter a pivotal 2010 campaign.

T-6. Michigan State (6-7): Credit the Spartans for performing admirably without 14 of their teammates in the Alamo Bowl, but their season long struggles in the secondary eventually caught up to them against Texas Tech. Despite a disappointing season, the Spartans are a young team that could make a jump next fall. Mark Dantonio must fix a defense that broke down too often this year.

8. Purdue (5-7): It would have been great to see Purdue represent the Big Ten in a bowl this year, but the Boilers' inability to finish games and avoid major mistakes kept them at home. Purdue is my early pick as the sleeper team in the Big Ten next fall, as head coach Danny Hope returns several exciting skill players and an excellent pass rusher in Ryan Kerrigan. I really liked what I saw in Big Ten play from the Boilers.

9. Illinois (3-9): Ron Zook will be back in 2010, but his coaching staff received a major facelift. Illinois will have new coordinators on both sides of the ball this coming season, not to mention several new position coaches. It'll be a make-or-break season for Zook, who needs young players to step up on both sides of the ball.

10. Michigan (5-7): The offense should be potent in 2010, but Rich Rodriguez must repair a defense that really couldn't stop anybody. Michigan loses its two top defenders in end Brandon Graham and cornerback Donovan Warren, so the coaches need to identify and develop talent during the offseason. The Wolverines simply can't afford another bowl-less season.

11. Indiana (4-8): Much like Michigan, Indiana's offense should be very dynamic in 2010, but the defense has major question marks in all three levels. The Hoosiers were close to getting over the hump this fall, but they lose a good senior class and continue to fight a history of defensive futility.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing about the Big Ten's strong bowl performance is what it means for the future.

Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin all return a large core of players from bowl championship squads. Penn State loses a bit more than the others, but running back Evan Royster's return solidifies the run game for 2010.

So how rosy is the Big Ten's outlook for the 2010 season? Colleague Mark Schlabach likes what he sees.

Schlabach lists three Big Ten teams in the top 10 of his way-too-early Top 25. The Big 12 is the only other league with multiple top 20 teams (Texas and Nebraska).

Rose Bowl champion Ohio State comes in at No. 2, one spot behind reigning national champ Alabama. Don't be surprised if the two teams who won bowl games in Pasadena meet for the national title in Glendale, Ariz., next year.

Iowa comes in at No. 9 in Schlabach's poll, as nine starters return on defense. Wisconsin surges to a No. 10 ranking and will return 10 starters on offense, including running back John Clay, the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year.

Penn State rounds out the Big Ten contingent at No. 19.

Here's what Schlabach wrote about each Big Ten squad:

Ohio State: "Terrelle Pryor finally looked like the quarterback everyone thought he would be, and coach Jim Tressel might finally be ready to open his playbook in 2010, Pryor's third season."

Iowa: "Iowa will have back six starters on offense, but the line must be rebuilt with center Rafael Eubanks, right guard Dace Richardson, left tackle Bryan Bulaga and right tackle Kyle Calloway leaving. Nine starters should return to a very stingy defense."

Wisconsin: "With tailback John Clay coming back, and quarterback Scott Tolzien making big strides at season's end, the Badgers should be very good on offense in 2010."

Penn State: "Penn State coach Joe Paterno needs six more wins to reach 400 career victories, but he'll have to rebuild his team's defense to match this season's 11-2 record."

In today's college football, offense sells. I get that. Players love offense, sports writers love offense, TV broadcasters love offense, fans love offense. Heck, I love offense, too.

And particularly when the offense uses a gimmicky, er, innovative scheme, it will attract a ton of attention.

Did anyone else get tired of hearing about Oregon's high-powered zone read spread or Georgia Tech's unstoppable triple option?

In the end, Big Ten defenses made those offenses look pedestrian. All four Big Ten bowl winners faced teams boasting high-powered offenses and/or supposedly superior skill players. And all four bowl winners played lock-down defense.

While the Big Ten received surprisingly strong quarterback play in the bowls -- more on that later -- it regained some national respect because of its defensive performance. Sound fundamentals and strong preparation trumped tricky systems.

Here's a look at how Big Ten defenses stepped up to win bowls:

WISCONSIN

Result: 20-14 win against No. 15 Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl

Opposing QB: Jacory Harris completed 16 of 29 passes for 188 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He had nine rushes for minus-1 yard.

Defensive superlatives:

• Recorded five sacks and nine tackles for loss as seven players contributed TFLs
• Allowed only 249 yards (Miami came in averaging 412.5)
• Allowed only 61 rush yards on 23 carries (Miami came in averaging 144.4 rush yards)
• After Miami scored on its first play from scrimmage, the Badgers blanked the Hurricanes for the next 58 minutes
• Held Miami to six drives of nine yards or fewer

PENN STATE

Result: 19-17 win against No. 12 LSU in the Capital One Bowl

Opposing QB: Jordan Jefferson completed 13 of 24 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He had eight carries for 11 yards.

Defensive superlatives:

• Allowed only three points, 67 yards and two first downs in the first half. LSU gained 54 of those yards on just two plays, as Jefferson twice found wideout Brandon LaFell
• Held LSU to 41 yards rushing and a season-low nine first downs in the game
• Kept LSU out of the end zone for the first 44:47
• Recorded two sacks and six tackles for loss to go along with two takeaways

OHIO STATE

Result: 26-17 win against No. 7 Oregon in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi

Opposing QB: Jeremiah Masoli completed only 9 of 20 passes for 81 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He had just six carries for nine yards and a touchdown.

Defensive superlatives:

• Held Oregon well below its season averages in points (17 vs. 37.7), total yards (260 vs. 424.7), offensive plays (53 vs. 69.3), 20-yard plays (3 vs. 6) and possession time (18:23 vs. 28.12)
• Held Oregon to season lows in passing yards (81). Oregon's total yards total was its second lowest of the season, and its 12 first downs marked a low for a Ducks bowl game.
• Held Oregon to just 2 of 11 on third down
• Forced two turnovers, giving Ohio State 35 takeaways for the season

IOWA

Result: 24-14 win against No. 9 Georgia Tech

Opposing QB: Josh Nesbitt completed 2 of 9 passes for 12 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He had 20 rushes for 46 yards

Defensive superlatives:

• Georgia Tech had season lows in points (14), total yards (156) and first downs (9)
• Iowa forced Yellow Jackets punts on their first six possessions after Tech had gone 22 consecutive possessions without a punt
• The Hawkeyes held Georgia Tech to 32 yards of total offense in the first half, marking Tech's lowest first-half total in at least 20 years
• Georgia Tech's scoreless second quarter marked just the eighth time in 55 quarterbacks that the Yellow Jackets failed to score
• Iowa recorded three sacks, five tackles for loss and an interception