A Look Ahead at the 2008 Season in the Big Ten

A Look Ahead at the 2008 Season in the Big Ten

The deceptively-named Big Ten looks towards 2008 having placed only four teams in the final top-25 standings of 2007 (Ohio State [5th], Michigan [18th], Illinois [20th] and Wisconsin [24th]) and only Ohio State finished in  the top-15. Conference-champ, Ohio State, dropped its second-consecutive BCS Championship game but had the rare honor of playing in that game two consecutive times in the third place. Much to the chagrin of their conference-mates, the Buckeyes lose so few starters from their 2007 model (four of 24) that they have to be considered favorites to challenge for the national title yet again.

While the conference left few ripples in the final standings last season, it produced a couple of national award winners in the likes of 2007 Butkus Award Winner, James Laurinaitis (LB, Ohio State) and Bednarik Award Winner, Dan Connor (LB, Penn State). 

In what might be termed an off year for the conference, only four players (J. Leman [LB, Illinois]; Jake Long [OT, Michigan]; Laurinaitis and Connor) were named to at least two different first-team All-American teams. Curiously, not one of them was an offensive skill player (the only offensive All-American was Long - probably the nation's premier offensive tackle). Keeping with the spirit of the formerly "three yards and a cloud of dust" conference, it is noteworthy that three of them, Leman, Laurinitis and Connor, were linebackers.  Laurinitis and Connor return for 2008 to anchor the Buckeye and Nittany Lion defenses, respectively.

Much of the offensive star-power from 2007 has graduated for declared for the draft.  From the 2007 all-conference roster, only three offensive players return for 2008: center A.Q. Shipley (Penn State), tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells (Ohio State) and tight-end Travis Beckum. 

The story is quite different on defensive, however, where a majority of the All-Big Ten roster from 2007 returns for another swipe at the championship. Three of the all-conference linemen return including Indian's Greg Middleton (end), four-year starter Mitch King (tackle, Iowa), and end Maurice Evans of Penn State.  At the next level, the only missing all-star is J Leman of Illinois since Connor and Laurinaitus were the other two all-conference backers. In the backfield, outstanding corners Vontae Davis (Illinois) and Malcolm Jenkins (Ohio State) are back for more.

Many eyes will be in Champagne, Illinois to see if Ron Zook can continue the magic which led his Illini to the Rose Bowl for the first time in twenty-five years. In Rashad Mendenhall, Zook lost the thunder of his offensive attack. However, the Illini return several impact players, including quarterback Juice Williams and the aforementioned Davis at cornerback, and they expect a much-improved Arrelious Benn at receiver after recovering from a shoulder injury in his true freshman season.

As spring takes place, it is impossible not to look towards Columbus, Ohio and wonder whether the Buckeyes will make it to an unprecedented third-consecutive BCS Championship game. Yes, they lost the last two. But don't forget that they were IN the last two in the first place. And they lose a frighteningly small number of players. Gone on offense is offensive lineman Kirk Barton as well as co-starter Maurice Wells at tailback. That's pretty much it… And, on defense, two of the outstanding players in their position in the nation (Laurinaitis and Jenkins) decided to return for their senior campaigns which means there were only two lost starters. Clearly, end Vernon Gholston's early declaration for the draft leaves a hole but there is so much talent and experience available that it is hard to be discouraged by that vacancy.

Iowa has fallen off the map in the last couple of years but will anchor a defensive line with two four-year starters this season in Mitch King and Matt Kroul.  Never forget that the team which controls the line of scrimmage, often controls the game.  Outside backer AJ Edds is back after finishing second in tackles last season and three former starters return to the backfield including both safeties and big-bodied corner Bradley Fletcher (6-2, 200).  Meanwhile, Coach Ferentz hired Michigan's Eric Campbell as their new receivers/tight-ends coach and Campbell inherits no fewer than four starters.  Keep an eye on Iowa City this fall…

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