The Ohio State Buckeyes are favored to win the conference, looking to clinch their sixth straight Big Ten title under Jim Tressel.

Close behind, the Wisconsin Badgers and the Iowa Hawkeyes are predicted to be in contention for the number two position. Wisconsin Badgers’ head coach Bret Bielema recently welcomed Chris Ash to his staff, who worked last year at Iowa State as defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator.

Michigan Wolverines continue their pursuit of rebuilding their program, while current third-year head coach Rich Rodriguez is in the coaching hot seat. How much more can the Wolverine faithful endure?

Michigan State Spartans and Mark Dantonio hope to focus on the positive and get past last year’s bowl game suspensions.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers recently added Steve Watson as wide receivers’ coach, bringing experience from the Denver Broncos.

Joe Paterno and his Penn State Nittany Lions will have a new quarterback and are expected to be solid competitors. The Illinois Fighting Illini and Ron Zook just hope to be competitive in the league, while faced with several new faces in key positions.

The Purdue Boilermakers may give a few upsets, but not much more. Northwestern Wildcats look to make their fifth bowl in six years, but don’t present too much trouble for their in-conference competitors.

At the bottom of the Big Ten will most likely be held by the Indiana Hoosiers.