Feel free to tear up all those college football magazines you bought this summer to get your Big Ten fix.
Go ahead and nuke those personal, top-secret scouting reports.
And while you're at it, burn all the Big Ten record books detailing Northwestern's mostly forgettable football history. (Though you might want to save the pages covering the last few seasons and review them carefully.)
The Wildcats, who won five Big Ten titles from 1903 to 1936 and then endured a 58-year title drought, are the top choice to win the 2001 Big Ten title. If that projection holds true, it will be Northwestern's fourth title in the past seven seasons.
Michigan and Ohio State, who have combined to win 68 Big Ten titles, are picked to finish second and third, respectively, by reporters who cover the Big Ten.
Can it be true that the Wildcats, who have a 214-415-21 conference record in 105 years of play, have become the new bullies of the Big Ten?
Northwestern coach Randy Walker, who led the Wildcats to a share of the conference title with Michigan and Purdue last season, doesn't believe his program has proved anything just yet.
"We know we have a lot of work to become a good football team," said Walker, who is entering his third season in Evanston. "We had a nice season last year but we weren't a great football team.
"And if there was any evidence needed, that happened to us in December."
There is the rub for the Big Ten as the 2001 season approaches.
|  | | Damien Anderson leads a Wildcat offense that averaged 38.5 ppg last year. |
The Wildcats' meteoric turnaround last season under Walker (from 3-8 to 8-4) and their lofty preseason status make for a heartwarming story. But the fact remains that two of the Big Ten's three co-champions last season lost in bowl games. Walker's team was absolutely embarrassed by Nebraska, 66-17, in the Alamo Bowl.
This season, though, Northwestern is trying to deal with the death of safety Rashidi Wheeler, who collapsed and died Aug. 3 during an offseason workout. So far, it hasn't been easy, but the Wildcats have until the Sept. 7 opener against UNLV to work through the pain.
On the field, Northwestern's continued improvement this season will hinge upon a defense that was horrible at times last season. Michigan must replace five offensive starters who were taken in the first 43 picks in the NFL draft. Ohio State must win with an inconsistent quarterback and adapt to a new coach, Jim Tressel.
Wisconsin, which won titles in 1998 and '99, has holes on offense and defense and no proven kicker or punter. Purdue must replace Drew Brees, who was only the most prolific passer in Big Ten history.
"I think the Big Ten is extremely close right now and has been the last couple of years," Illinois coach Ron Turner said. "Last year I remember making the statement that there were seven or eight teams that could win the conference and I don't think many people put Northwestern in that pod.
"I think the same situation is true this year. There are seven or eight teams that have a chance to win this thing."
As a result of the plethora of personnel questions, none of the Big Ten contenders is expected to challenge for one of the top two spots in the BCS rankings and a spot in the Rose Bowl, the site of the 2002 national title game.
Yet the Big Ten coaches contend that the Rose Bowl remains their No. 1 goal.
"I don't think any of us are going to concede," Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez said, "that we are not going to play in that game."
Game of the Year: At the risk of leaving Ohio State and Michigan fans livid, the season-ending showdown between the Buckeyes and Wolverines is no longer the main attraction. This year that honor goes to Northwestern and Purdue, set to meet on Oct. 27 in West Lafayette. The best offense in the Big Ten (Northwestern) vs. potentially the best defense (Purdue). When the teams met last season, Purdue held Damien Anderson in check and won, 41-28.
Offensive Player of the Year: No debate here. Anderson returns for his senior season not only as the most dominating performer in the Big Ten but a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. Anderson possesses speed (a time of 4.41 seconds in the 40), strength (430-pound bench press) and is a tremendous presence in the locker room. His numbers from last season are most telling: 311 carries, 2,063 yards, 23 touchdowns and no fumbles.
Defensive Player of the Year: Wisconsin senior defensive tackle Wendell Bryant was the preseason choice according to the reporters who cover the Big Ten, but Ohio State junior strong safety Mike Doss is perhaps even more disruptive. He gets the nod over Bryant because he doesn't have to worry about the constant double-teams Bryant faces. Doss recorded a team-high 94 tackles last season, including 73 solos. He scored two defensive touchdowns and finished with three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble.
Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
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