The final BCS conference that I will predict is the Big Ten conference. The Big Ten took a big hit last season when both of their marquee teams, Ohio State and Michigan, fell flat on their face in their bowl games. This season it looks as if there are 3 or 4 teams that have a stake in claiming they will be conference champion at the end of the season.

Michigan returns a lot on offense with QB Chad Henne, RB Michael Hart, and WR Mario Manningham. The Wolverines also have a favorable schedule, not leaving Ann Arbor till the end of September. They have to fill some holes on the defense, but it is hard to dispute that they are not the front runner in the Big Ten.

Both Wisconsin and Penn State want to have a say in the matter. The Badgers return Sophomore RB PJ Hill Jr, as well as most of their defense. The Nittany Lions return most of their defense (minus defensive line), and plenty of skilled players on offense. This core group of wide receivers might be the best unit in the history of Penn State football.

Ohio State lost a lot to the draft, but with the recruiting job that Jim Tressel is doing, they have the raw talent to compete. Look for RB Chris Wells to carry the load early until the rest of the group picks up. In the middle of the pack we have Purdue, Iowa, as well as my sleeper team Illinois. Ron Zook has a lot of people fired up in Champaign, and rightfully so. Juice Williams bring excitement to a program that has been down for a few years.

1. Michigan 7-1 (11-1)
2. Penn State 7-1 (11-1)
3. Wisconsin 6-2 (10-2)
4. Ohio State 5-3 (9-4)
5. Illinois 4-4 (7-5)
6. Iowa 4-4 (8-4)
7. Purdue 4-4 (7-5)
8. Indiana 3-5 (6-6)
9. Minnesota 2-6 (5-7)
10. Northwestern 1-7 (3-9)
11. Michigan State 1-7 (3-9)