Let’s see what we can uncover in the Big Ten, with the teams listed in no particular order.

A decade ago did Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr even know the name of any high schoolers at this time of the year? Running back Christian Wilson of the Pennsylvania is the Wolverines 14th commitment for 2008’s freshman class. So much for rumors of Carr’s departure hurting recruiting. As if they don’t have enough built-in advantages, UM plays 6 of their first 7 games at home on their way to enjoying 8 of 12 contests in the Big House.

New quarterback Jake Christensen needs all the help he can get, so this isn’t good. Iowa’s leading wide receiver as a freshman last year (both in receptions and yards), Dominique Douglas has been suspended for credit card fraud. Teammate Anthony Bowman, another receiver, was also arrested. Both players are from Detroit (surprise, surprise). Meanwhile, Christensen’s backup, Arvell Nelson, has a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear in court on a traffic charge. Iowa catches a huge break by missing both Michigan and Ohio State this season.

Illinois is a very, very popular choice to be an “up and coming” team with a lot of young talent. I considered them as a go with team for (get your free copy now) The Maximum Profit Football Annual. But they may still be a year away, Juice Williams completed fewer than 40% of his passes last season, and Ron Zook is far from a proven game coach.

Minnesota’s Tim Brewster is doing a lot of experimentation with personnel in practice. The Gophers have 14 returning starters, but they have a lot of new things to learn. Bryan Cupito is gone, but Amir Pinnix is back, along with his 1200+ rushing yards. The offensive line is also a veteran group, but they’re learning a new system. Redshirt freshman Adam Weber is the likely starter but the coach’s true freshman son was a top Colorado prep quarterback and could be the school’s quarterback of the future.

Penn State caught a break when safety Anthony Scirrotto, All-Conference as a sophomore last fall, had 5 of 7 charges against him dismissed stemming from his involvement in a wild April Fool’s Day brawl off-campus.

Indiana will be playing with a lot of emotion for their former coach Terry Hoeppner, who succumbed to brain cancer in June. The Hoosiers have some skill position talent and a friendly schedule (no Michigan, no Ohio State) could have them in a bowl game for the first time since 1993. “Play 13” is realistic for a club with a friendly schedule of no Michigan, no Ohio State, 1-AA Indiana State and three MAC teams.

Those summarily dismissing the chances of Ohio State should consider that the Buckeyes return 7 of the top 10 tacklers to a defense that allowed less than 8 points per game before getting lit up by Michigan and Florida in their final two games. And while there are obviously a lot of skill position people to replace, the offense will have plenty of experience by the time they face Penn State (game 9), Wisconsin (game 10), and Michigan (game 12). With that backloaded schedule and all the future starts they have entering the lineup…..

Northwestern is seeing some spirited competition at the quarterback position. After tragedy forced Pat Fitzgerald to take over after spring practice last season, things are much more favorable for the Wildcats as they approach the 2007 campaign. Not only do they return 15 starters, but Wisconsin and Penn State are avoided in conference play. With the experience and a breezy non-conference schedule (Northeastern, Nevada, Duke, Eastern Michigan), Northwestern doesn’t have to improve a ton to go bowling.

Implementing new schemes both offensively and defensively, Michigan State will struggle at times this fall. But it legitimately seems as though they club has bought into Mark Dantonio’s discipline and accountability as part of the mix, which so often seemed to be missing under John L. Smith.

Joe Tiller’s defense didn’t do anything well last year (allowed the most passing first downs in 1-A, and 4.9 yards per rush). In particular, the secondary has been a disaster for Purdue the past couple of years. But they’re a lot more experienced this year, as is the entire defense, and the entire team. With 17 returning starters, Purdue seems poised for a move up. Of course, two years ago the Boilermakers had 18 starters back, including all 11 on defense, and could manage only a 5-6 record. That was the only year in the past decade that Purdue didn’t reach a bowl. But with a 20-17 mark the past three years, there is some impatience with Joe Tiller in West Lafayette.

Bret Bielema led his team to a surprising 12-1 mark in his first year as head coach at Wisconsin. And the Badgers are sure to miss All-Everything offensive tackle Joe Thomas. But will they miss much else? Believe it or not, Thomas was the only Badger drafted. There was far from a talent exodous from this 12-1 team. But Bucky has as tough a schedule as anyone in the conference, missing only Purdue and Northwestern and road tripping to both Penn State and Ohio State.

We’ll head out west to the rock solid Pacific Ten for our next report.