Now, as we move forward to one of the most attractive weekends in recent memory, here’s what fans can take away from the first week of 2010.

I Will Survive…Barely – Sooner Nation:  These were not the Aggies from Texas A&M that you defeated.  No, these were the mighty Utah State Aggies who nearly pulled off the shocking upset in Norman.  Sure wish I could have been a fly on the wall during Bob Stoops’ post-game locker room speech.  And you thought Rex Ryan on Hard Knocks was bad.

John Brantley is no Superhero – When was the last time we heard boos in the Swamp directed at the hometown orange and blue?  Paging Ron Zook.  We all knew that replacing the well-chronicled humanitarian/devout Christian/bulldozing quarterback would be no easy task in Gainesville, but Florida fans could certainly not have expected Saturday’s performance.  Think Urban is re-considering a leave of absence?

Dances with Wolves – Sure it is only one game, but Michigan made Kirk Herbstreit and most of America (me included) eat crow on Saturday after a dominating performance against UCONN.  FireRichRod.com had the least amount of hits in over six months and the reward for the embattled coach?  A trip to South Bend to renew acquaintances with old Big East rival Brian Kelly.  Win in the shadows of Touchdown Jesus and Wolverine fans may begin production of “My Man Rich” shirts.

Say It’s Finally So, Joe – Penn State start a true freshman quarterback??? Unbelievable indeed.  Straight from Orchard Lake, MI to the practice fields in State College, Rob Bolden had approximately four months to learn the Penn State offense and out-duel three quarterbacks who spent countless hours on  XBox learning the Spread HD with Jay Paterno.  Check and check, and after dispatching Youngstown State (20-29, two touchdowns) what’s next on the youngster’s agenda?  A trip down south to Tuscaloosa to face defending National Champion Alabama.  Anyone willing to bet how many times Brent Musburger refers to Rob as “Young Bolden” during Saturday night’s telecast?

Kelly Go Bragh – Notre Dame Stadium was once again alive as the Irish kicked off the Brian Kelly era by downing Purdue.  One noticeable difference between this team and the Notre Dame of the past, intensity on defense.  If the performance of the unit is any indication, the Irish will have a chance to compete with every team on their schedule.  Michigan is next and a 2-0 start will certainly leave Charlie Weis green with envy.

BCS Busters – One-loss teams in November will look back to Boise’s last-minute win over Virginia Tech and cringe.  oh what could have been.  At the very least, the Broncos have punched their ticket to a spot in the BCS.  This team is too talented and well-coached to slip up against Fresno, Utah State, or Nevada.  One last test awaits.  A visit from Oregon State to the blue turf in late September.  The Beavers possess the Rodgers brothers but are too inexperienced at quarterback to compete in Boise.  Wouldn’t it be something if one participant in the BCS Title game was virtually decided in the first week of September?

Clear Out the DVR – Can’t Miss Games in Week 2:

Noon – Georgia at South Carolina

3:30 – Michigan at Notre Dame

3:30 – Florida State at Oklahoma

3:40 – Miami at Ohio State

7:00 – Penn State at Alabama

1. October 2: Florida at Alabama – A rematch of the 2009 SEC Championship game, the top two teams in the SEC will square off in Tuscaloosa.  New Florida signal caller John Brantley will have a few games under his belt, but will not have walked into an atmosphere quite like the one he will encounter in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

2. September 11: Michigan at Notre Dame – Notre Dame and new coach Brian Kelly will be looking for revenge after last year’s devastating loss to Michigan in Ann Arbor.  A rash of injuries and defections in the Michigan secondary will make it quite difficult for the Wolverines to defend the spread offense.  If the Irish roll, look for firerichrod.com to be the most popular website in the state of Michigan.

3. September 11: Penn State at Alabama – For the first time since 1990, the blue and white will roll into Tuscaloosa in what could be Joe Paterno’s last season prowling the sidelines at Penn State.  Breaking in a new quarterback on the road during the second week of the season will likely spell doom for Penn State, but if they play the way Paterno has won for years: ball control, tough defense, no mistakes, Alabama may find themselves in a battle with the young lions late in the game.

4. November 20: Ohio State at Iowa – The Big Ten title could be on the line in Iowa City.  In a similar situation last season, Terrelle Pryor picked apart the Penn State defense in Happy Valley which propelled the Bucks to the Rose Bowl.  November road games do not rattle the Bucks, but Kirk Ferentz somehow finds a way to do more with less.

5. September 6: Boise State vs. Virginia Tech – The Broncos will trek cross-country to Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD to take on the Hokies in a de-facto home game for Virginia Tech.  Pre-season polls have Boise as high as #3, and they will have their chance to prove to the rest of the country in the national spotlight that they are for real.

6. September 25: Alabama at Arkansas – The ultimate trap game for the Tide as they look forward to Florida the following weekend.  Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallet is being touted as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate and a memorable performance against the defending National Champs will certainly vault him to the top.

7. October 16: Texas at Nebraska – The Cornhhuskers will take on Texas for the last time as a member of the Big XII.  Nebraska will certainly be looking to go out of the conference on a high note.  This may only be round one between the two teams with a potential re-match in the Big XII title game.

8. September 4: North Carolina vs. LSU – The Georgia Dome will be rocking as the Tar Heels come into the season with high hopes for 2010.  In this setting last season, Alabama rolled Virginia Tech on their way to a National Championship.  Could one of these two teams begin a title run on the turf in Atlanta?  If LSU struggles, look for the Les Miles naysayers to be out in full force in Baton Rouge.

9. October 9: USC at Stanford – Think the Trojans are ready for revenge after suffering through a 55-21 blowout at home to the Cardinal?  Pride will be on the line for Lane Kiffin and company as they head to the bay area knowing that no matter how well the season ends, they will spend the holidays at home.

10. November 27: The Egg Bowl – Mississippi State at Ole Miss – Ranking this game in the top ten may be a surprise to most, but this annual bloodbath for state bragging rights is full of drama.  Recently on ESPN Radio, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen only would refer to Ole Miss as “that school up north.”  I can’t wait to see Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt welcome Mullen to Oxford during pre-game warm-ups.

East:

Penn State (Nebraska)

Ohio State (Michigan)

Wisconsin (Iowa)

Minnesota (Northwestern)

Indiana (Illinois)

Purdue (Michigan State)

West:

Michigan (Ohio State)

Nebraska (Penn State)

Iowa (Wisconsin)

Michigan State (Purdue)

Northwestern (Minnesota)

Illinois (Indiana)

Recall that the team in parenthesis is the protected cross-divisional game that will be played each year.

The summer months certainly were the busiest in recent memory as talk of expansion finally came to fruition. Most notably, the Nebraska Cornhuskers abandoned their ties to the Big XII Conference and announced an agreement to become the twelfth member of the Big Ten Conference. Big Ten fans across the country celebrated the addition of a storied program with strong football tradition, while the Big XII soon suffered the loss of a second conference member, Colorado. The Buffaloes bolted for the West coast with Utah to become the newest members of the PAC 10. So that now means that the Pac Ten has twelve teams, the Big XII, ten, and the Big Ten, twelve. Confused yet? Don’t be. The change in the conference landscape does not take place until 2011. In the entire process, Nebraska and the Big Ten are clearly the big winners. The Cornhuskers felt like a red-headed stepchild to Texas, who they believed exhibited too much power and control in the Big XII. The Big XII’s loss is certainly the Big Ten’s gain.

During conference meetings a little over three weeks ago, Big Ten commissioner, Jim Delany, announced that the twelve-team league would break into two divisions and play a conference championship game in 2011 at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis. The division breakdown will be one of the most anticipated and debated announcements in conference history. More on how I would separate the conference later…

The Pac Ten + Colorado and Utah had envisioned raiding four more teams from the Big XII. Reports came out that Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma were involved in serious discussions to head west. The Aggies were even rumored to be negotiating to join the SEC. In the end, we may never know the seriousness of these discussions, but Big XII Commissioner, Dan Beebe, was credited with saving the conference. His plea to the remaining ten members to continue their allegiance was accepted by each member institution, much to the jubilation of the Texas Longhorns. UT has identified themselves as the top team in the conference, leaving Oklahoma in the dust bowl the past five seasons. Now, it is this simple for Texas: Beat Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl and a berth in a BCS game is yours. No longer will Texas have to face an upset-minded team from Nebraska in the Big XII Championship game or travel to a trap in Lincoln that could end their dreams of a National Title. The most vaunted road game on Texas’ schedule? A trip to either Lubbock or College Station where the burnt orange will have nearly as many supporters in the stands. Really, nothing has changed for Texas except for the fact that they will not have to face the enormous pressures of a conference championship game where a loss sends you packing to the Holiday Bowl.

Let the debate begin, but after much deliberation, here is how I would separate the twelve teams in the Big Ten. In parenthesis are the protected rivalry games that will be played every year.

West:

Penn State (Ohio State)

Nebraska (Wisconsin)

Iowa (Northwestern)

Michigan State (Michigan)

Minnesota (Purdue)

Illinois (Indiana)

East:

Ohio State (Penn State)

Michigan (Michigan State)

Wisconsin (Nebraska)

Northwestern (Iowa)

Indiana (Illinois)

Purdue (Minnesota)

Summary: When asked how conference officials will separate the twelve teams into two divisions, Jim Delany stated that they would evaluate the performance of each team since 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten. It is clear that for the last seventeen years, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State have been the most dominant teams in the conference. Therefore, I do not see a possible scenario that could feature a division with the big three. The easiest solution to the problem is to send Penn State west where they can continue to develop a rivalry with Iowa and finish conference play each year in November against Nebraska. Sorry Michigan State, the year-end matchup against Penn State for the Land Grant Trophy was too one-sided.

In this model, long-established and competitive rivalries have been kept in-tact. In addition to playing each divisional opponent and one protected rivalry game during the regular season, teams from the east and west will play two intra-divisional opponents that will rotate every two years. This is the same scheduling format that the SEC has effectively used since it introduced two divisions and a conference championship game in 1992. Keep checking to the blog for expansion updates as a decision is expected sometime in September. In the meantime, check back tomorrow for a look at ten anticipated match-ups during the upcoming season.

A successful season hinges on these three things:

1. Quarterback play: Dayne Crist’s ability to take control and orchestrate Kelly’s up-tempo quick-strike offense that keeps defenses off-balance will be the difference between a trip to the BCS or the Sun Bowl.  Kelly anticipates that Crist will be 100% come September 4th, and you can be sure that Purdue will do everything to test Crist’s mobility.

2. Front seven:  Notre Dame’s front four was consistently knocked off the ball by opposing offensive lines throughout last season, and the chaotic blitz packages employed by former Defensive Coordinator, Jon Tenuta, were ineffective, at best.  New Defensive Coordinator, Bob Diacco, will bring a 3-4 package that will demand inside linebackers to fill gaps and create pressure on a consistent basis.

3.  Offensive line:  The Irish lose three experienced players up-front, and must be able to allow time for Crist to make quick reads and decisions under Kelly’s new scheme.  Notre Dame’s ability to find a combination on the offensive line that keeps Crist’s #10 jersey clean and opens holes for talented running backs, Armando Allen, Cierre Wood, Jonas Gray, and Robert Hughes, should make this offense one of the most high-powered attacks in the country.

Check the blog later this week for my prediction for the Irish in 2010…

The latest rumor:  The Big Ten will add five teams to create a super conference that includes teams from the east coast, great lakes, and heartland.  The potential additions:  Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Missouri, and Nebraska.  And without further adieu, the four divisions…

The Joe Paterno Division:

1. Penn State

2. Pittsburgh

3. Rutgers

4. Syracuse

The Bo Schembechler Division:

1. Michigan

2. Michigan State

3. Minnesota

4. Northwestern

The Woody Hayes Division:

1. Ohio State

2. Purdue

3. Indiana

4. Wisconsin

The Hayden Fry Division:

1. Iowa

2. Illinois

3. Missouri

4. Nebraska

Some obvious questions arise:  How will the conference schedule be determined?  Will traditional rivalries be protected and therefore contested each year?  Will the winners of each division compete in a four team playoff to reach the conference championship?  These are answers that only the Big Ten brass can answer but it does not take the sharpest tool in the shed to realize some obvious problems with this potential model.

Big Ten Commissioner, Jim Delany, recently agreed to a contract extension to inevitably lead the conference through expansion.  Something tells me he will wish he was on the golf course or fishing for bass when these tough questions have to be answered.

In Orlando, the SEC speed of LSU was no match for Penn State as the Nittany Lions enjoyed an impressive victory over the Tigers in the Capital One Bowl.

At the Orange Bowl, Iowa’s run defense stymied Georgia Tech and Ricky Stanzi returned from injury to lead the Hakweyes to an eleven-win season.

With rumors of expansion on the horizon, it may only be a matter of time until we see three or five more teams competing for conference supremacy.  Only time will tell.  But for now, here’s your first look at how I see the conference race playing out.

1.  Iowa – I give the Hawkeyes the slight edge over Ohio State because of their schedule.  Iowa welcomes Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State to Kinnick Stadium in the fall.  I witnessed Iowa’s last second upset of #2 Penn State in 2008 and the atmosphere was electric.  This year, the Hawks will face Penn State at night on homecoming before a nationally televised audience.  Kinnick Stadium is underrated in terms of home-field advantage.  Iowa also returns 16 starters from last year’s squad including an experienced quarterback in Ricky Stanzi and a dominating defensive line featuring Adrian Clayborn and Karl Klug.

Area of concern:  Offensive line – Iowa is always strong at this position, but Kirk Ferentz and company will be tested as they must reload up front.  Keeping Stanzi healthy is a must after seeing the struggles the team faced after his injury late last season.

Circle this date – 11/20/2010 vs. Ohio State – Early indications are that this game will decide the Big Ten Title.  The Hawkeyes will be ready to revenge an overtime loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus a season ago that cost Iowa a trip to Pasadena.

2. Ohio State – The Buckeyes should be brimming with confidence after their impressive performance in the Rose Bowl, and the Buckeyes must bring the same offensive scheme and intensity to the table throughout the regular season this year if they hope to repeat as Big Ten champs.  A maturing Terrelle Pryor continues to make better decisions, but OSU would be wise to utilize a talented stable of running backs to take pressure off of the signal caller.  The schedule includes visits from Miami (FL), Penn State, and Michigan and trips to Wisconsin and Iowa.

Area of concern:  Play-calling – In big games, Jim Tressel’s M.O. is to employ an extremely conservative strategy on offense and depend on his defense and kicking game to create turnovers and favorable field position.  He finally opened up the playbook in the Rose Bowl and the risk paid off.  The big question this season is whether Tressel will be willing to trust Pryor to make the big plays down the stretch in hostile environments in Madison and Iowa City.

Circle this date: 10/16/2010 at Wisconsin – The Buckeyes will take on the Badgers under the lights at Camp Randall and the winner will have the inside track at the Big Ten title or a New Year’s Day bowl.

3. Wisconsin - The Badgers have questions on the defensive side of the ball after losing five starters, but return running back John Clay and quarterback Scott Tolzien.  I hesitate to put Wisconsin in this spot because whenever they are rated high, they seem to disappoint.  The schedule could be tricky as they miss Penn State and welcome Ohio State but face Michigan State, Michigan, and Iowa on the road.

Area of concern: Inconsistent offense – Wisconsin’s attack looked extremely pedestrian in the spring game as the offense only mustered two touchdowns and 101 yards rushing.  If the Badgers hope to compete with the upper echelon in the conference, they will have to pound the running game and wear out opposing defenses.

Circle this date: 10/2/2010 at Michigan State – An early chance to gain momentum with a road victory in East Lansing, but the Spartans will be out for blood after blowing a late lead the last time these two teams played at Spartan Stadium.

4.  Penn State – Facing one of the most difficult schedules in recent memory, Penn State will struggle to replace quarterback Daryll Clark, defensive tackle and first round draft pick Jared Odrick, and do-everything linebacker, Sean Lee.  The Nittany Lions travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the second week of the season to take on defending national champion Alabama at night on ESPN/ABC.  They also face Iowa and Ohio State on the road and welcome Michigan and Michigan State to Happy Valley.  Kevin Newsome, the heir-apparent to Clark, struggled passing the football in the spring game and he is an extremely raw talent.  He has explosive speed and quickness and Joe Paterno called him one heck of a tailback.  If he becomes the starter, Newsome will be aided by steady running back, Evan Royster, and a full complement of playmakers at wide receiver.  Year in and year out, Tom Bradley produces top-ranked defenses and again this year should be no exception.  With an unproven leader behind center, Bradley’s defense must be stingier than ever.

Area of concern:  Offensive Line – If Penn State cannot find a dependable line to protect an unproven quarterback, Joe Paterno and company will be in for a long season.  The running game  and defense will allow Penn State to be competitive, but the starters up front must consistently open holes to take the pressure off of whomever solidifies himself as the starter at quarterback.

Circle this date: 10/30/2010 vs Michigan – After battling Alabama and Iowa on the road, Penn State will return home in late October to take on the Wolverines in front of a white house at Beaver Stadium.  Michigan has had Penn State’s number until late, and the Wolverines rotate off the schedule for two years.  Nothing like sending Michigan home to Ann Arbor with their tail between their legs.

5. Michigan State – The Spartans occupy the fifth spot in my conference breakdown because they have an offense that should be able to shred opposing defenses and score at will.  Quarterback Kirk Cousins has established himself as the clear-cut starter after an impressive spring and State has what seems to be an endless supply of skill people surrounding him.  In years past, State has gotten off to hot starts out of the gate, often defeating Notre Dame, only to find themselves underachieving in conference play.  When given a chance to solidify their spot at the top of the conference, Michigan State has suffered humiliating defeats to both Penn State and Ohio State.  If Sparty wants to be mentioned in the upper echelon of the conference, they are going to have to beat the cream of the crop.

Area of concern:  The Spartan Defense:  A year ago, the Spartans ranked 112th nationally against the pass and allowed Penn State to score 42 points on senior day in East Lansing.  Middle linebacker Greg Jones is a Butkus candidate and should earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, but he must have help in the secondary if State hopes to reach a Jan 1 bowl game.  The continued inability to develop a consistent pass rush up front will haunt Michigan State.

Circle this date:  At Michigan 10/9/2010 – Sparty gets Notre Dame at home in primetime in what will be Brian Kelly’s first road game coaching the Irish on September 18th, but the showdown for Paul Bunyan’s axe in Ann Arbor on the ninth of October will go along way in deciding MSU’s spot in the conference.  Lose this game and the Spartans still have two more monster road tests at Iowa and at Penn State, a place where Michigan State has failed to win since joining the Big Ten.

6.  Northwestern – Pat Fitzgerald is quietly becoming one of the most talked about up and coming head coaches in all of College Football, and his teams at Northwestern exude the qualities of intensity and determination which he demonstrated during the program’s most successful years in the mid 1990s.  The Wildcats earned a New Year’s Bowl berth last season and nearly upset Auburn in the Outback Bowl.  The Wildcats must replace NFL draftee, Mike Kafka, at quarterback, but back-up Dan Persa earned quality playing time when Kafka was injured late in the season.  Persa faced top defenses in Penn State and Iowa and should be more comfortable behind center come the fall.

Area of concern:  The running game – The Wildcats ranked 95th nationally in rushing in 2009 and lack the home run threat that will place fear in opposing defensive coordinators.  If the Cats cannot develop a dependable back to shoulder some of the load, Dan Persa will be under fire throughout 2010.

Circle this date: At Vanderbilt 9/4/2010 – The first game of the year will go a long way in deciding whether or not Northwestern will return to a bowl game.  Vanderbilt is the least hostile environment in the SEC and this is a game Northwestern cannot lose if they hope to build sustained success.

7.  Michigan – After defeating Notre Dame at home in the second week of the season, Michigan appeared to be once again ready to stake their claim at the top of the Big Ten.  But losses in their last seven conference games plummeted the Wolverines to the bottom of the league and out of the bowl picture.  Criticism of Rich Rodriguez is at an all-time high, and with a new Athletic Director in place, Rodriguez better be ready to win now or begin searching for opportunities outside of Ann Arbor.  Sophomore quarterbacks, Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson, continue to compete for the starting role, but Michigan’s major problem in 2009 was on the defensive side of the ball.

Area of concern: Defense – I was somewhat surprised to see Defensive Coordinator Greg Robinson return to the program after his defense was picked apart by opposing quarterbacks throughout the majority of the season.  The Wolverines lose first round pick, Brandon Graham, who was a dominating force on the defensive line, and the secondary will have to find dependable cover men after graduation and defections plagued the depth of this unit.  Michigan’s offense will limit turnovers in 2010 and score points, the onus lies on the defense to be able to stop teams on a consistent basis.

Circle this date:  At Notre Dame 9/11/2010 – Notre Dame Stadium will be rocking when the arch rivals from the north come to South Bend.  Brian Kelly and Rich Rodriguez are familiar foes after squaring off for years in the Big East and both like to run an up-tempo attack on offense.  This potential shootout would only make Bo Schembechler and Lou Holtz cringe.  After the Irish, the Wolverines do not get any breaks having to face Iowa, Penn State, and Wisconsin before the annual showdown against Ohio State, played this year in Columbus.

8. Purdue – The Boilermakers received devastating news in the spring when it was revealed that starting tailback Ralph Bolden would have to undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL.  Miami (FL) transfer, Robert Marve, is the favorite to take the reigns of Purdue’s spread attack, and he received rave reviews after his performance this spring.  Like Michigan, Purdue has a multitude of offensive weapons but will need to rely on its defense to slow down opponents.  Purdue almost knocked off Pac 10 champ Oregon at the beginning of the year before dismantling Ohio State in West Lafayette.  This team has the ability to sneak up on some teams, especially if Marve steps up as the leader of the offense.

Area of concern:  Health issues – Purdue was forced to postpone two practices this spring due to injuries as 10 starters missed time.  Depth in key spots is thin and Purdue cannot afford to be without key personnel during the season.

Circle this date:  At Northwestern 10/9/2010 – The Boilers will have had two weeks to prepare for a night game in Evanston to open up conference play.  After opening at Notre Dame, Purdue will entertain Western Illinois, Ball State, and Toledo at home and should be 3-1 when they arrive in the Chicago area.  A win here would build momentum heading into a stretch of games featuring Ohio State and Wisconsin.

9.  Indiana – In 2009, the Hoosiers had Penn State on the ropes in Happy Valley and were two bad calls away from defeating Iowa in Iowa City.  Couple those two games with a close loss at Michigan and the 2009 season could have been much different for Bill Lynch’s squad.  Indiana’s defense in the spring game received praise as this unit is a major area of concern headed into 2010.  An inability to make key third down stops plagued Indiana throughout the year and the defense was gassed late in games at Penn State and Iowa.  On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Ben Chappell  and receiver Tandon Doss will give defenses fits, and if IU can find a runner to take the load off the passing game, this unit could be one of the most talented in the conference.

Area of concern: The schedule – Indiana did not receive any breaks in the Big Ten portion of the schedule as they face Iowa, Wisconsin, and Penn State in consecutive weeks late in the season.  It was announced last season that Indiana would forgo a game in Bloomington and move their November 20th contest with Penn State to Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland.  While this is slated to be an IU home game, the Nittany Lion nation will take over the D.C. area, creating Happy Valley south.  The move was made by AD Fred Glass in an effort to make more money for the athletic department, but it is unfortunate that Indiana will miss the opportunity to play the game in Bloomington.

Circle this date:  Vs. Michigan 10/2/2010 – Indiana should defeat Towson, Western Kentucky, and Akron before welcoming Michigan to Bloomington in what will be a pay-back game for last year’s heartbreaking loss at the Big House.

10.  Minnesota – The outlook is bleak for Minnesota who struggled in 2009 on offense and will have to replace nine starters on defense in 2010.  Starting quarterback Adam Weber had a horrible performance in the spring game, completing only 8-20 passes, and many Gopher fans are ready for a change at quarterback.  This will be an important year for coach Tim Brewster, who has not received a ringing vote of confidence from his athletic director.  The schedule will be daunting, but the team must show improvement if Brewster hopes to return.

Area of concern:  Offensive strategy – Minnesota has changed from a spread offense to a more traditional I-formation set and this has caused problems for quarterback Adam Weber.  The Gophers possess two strong running backs and should revert back to the days when Marion Barber III and Laurence Maroney ran wild in Minneapolis.  Minnesota must find an identity if they are to have success against stingy Big Ten defenses.

Circle this Date:  10/23/2010 vs. Penn State – Minnesota is still looking for a signature win in new TCF Bank Stadium and defeating the Nittany Lions would certainly please the locals.  If they miss their opportunity against Penn State, Ohio State visits a week late in prime time.  Who knows what the weather will be like in Minnesota in late October.

11.  Illinois – The Fighting Illini have shown little to no fight under Ron Zook over the past two seasons and I was surprised to see him return as head coach.  He hired new offensive and defensive coordinators, likely at the instance of the administration, and Illini fans are hoping new energy will provide the team with a spark.  While Illinois certainly had talented players on the offensive side of the ball, egos got in the way and team chemistry was void throughout the year.

Area of concern:  Quarterback – Juice Williams led the Illini to a Rose Bowl in 2007, but in his last two seasons, he was forced to become a pocket passer and often found it difficult making reads down the field resulting in poor throws and interceptions.  His successor, likely Nathan Scheelhaase, is more of a polished passer who is comfortable making reads and staying in the pocket.  His lack of experience is a cause of concern for coaches.

Circle this date:  Vs. Missouri in St. Louis 9/4/2010 – Missouri has won the last five meetings in this series and Illinois needs to beat their border rivals to restore fan support in the program.  Lose for the sixth time in a row and 2010 could be a long year.

As always, let me know what you think.  There is quite a bit of time between now and the first week of September, but for now, this is how I see the Big Ten race playing out in the fall.

In Orlando, the SEC speed of LSU was no match for Penn State as the Nittany Lions enjoyed an impressive victory over the Tigers in the Capital One Bowl.

At the Orange Bowl, Iowa’s run defense stymied Georgia Tech and Ricky Stanzi returned from injury to lead the Hakweyes to an eleven-win season.

With rumors of expansion on the horizon, it may only be a matter of time until we see three or five more teams competing for conference supremacy.  Only time will tell.  But for now, here’s your first look at how I see the conference race playing out.

1.  Iowa – I give the Hawkeyes the slight edge over Ohio State because of their schedule.  Iowa welcomes Penn State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State to Kinnick Stadium in the fall.  I witnessed Iowa’s last second upset of #2 Penn State in 2008 and the atmosphere was electric.  This year, the Hawks will face Penn State at night on homecoming before a nationally televised audience.  Kinnick Stadium is underrated in terms of home-field advantage.  Iowa also returns 16 starters from last year’s squad including an experienced quarterback in Ricky Stanzi and a dominating defensive line featuring Adrian Clayborn and Karl Klug.

Area of concern:  Offensive line – Iowa is always strong at this position, but Kirk Ferentz and company will be tested as they must reload up front.  Keeping Stanzi healthy is a must after seeing the struggles the team faced after his injury late last season.

Circle this date – 11/20/2010 vs. Ohio State – Early indications are that this game will decide the Big Ten Title.  The Hawkeyes will be ready to revenge an overtime loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus a season ago that cost Iowa a trip to Pasadena.

2. Ohio State – The Buckeyes should be brimming with confidence after their impressive performance in the Rose Bowl, and the Buckeyes must bring the same offensive scheme and intensity to the table throughout the regular season this year if they hope to repeat as Big Ten champs.  A maturing Terrelle Pryor continues to make better decisions, but OSU would be wise to utilize a talented stable of running backs to take pressure off of the signal caller.  The schedule includes visits from Miami (FL), Penn State, and Michigan and trips to Wisconsin and Iowa.

Area of concern:  Play-calling – In big games, Jim Tressel’s M.O. is to employ an extremely conservative strategy on offense and depend on his defense and kicking game to create turnovers and favorable field position.  He finally opened up the playbook in the Rose Bowl and the risk paid off.  The big question this season is whether Tressel will be willing to trust Pryor to make the big plays down the stretch in hostile environments in Madison and Iowa City.

Circle this date: 10/16/2010 at Wisconsin – The Buckeyes will take on the Badgers under the lights at Camp Randall and the winner will have the inside track at the Big Ten title or a New Year’s Day bowl.

3. Wisconsin - The Badgers have questions on the defensive side of the ball after losing five starters, but return running back John Clay and quarterback Scott Tolzien.  I hesitate to put Wisconsin in this spot because whenever they are rated high, they seem to disappoint.  The schedule could be tricky as they miss Penn State and welcome Ohio State but face Michigan State, Michigan, and Iowa on the road.

Area of concern: Inconsistent offense – Wisconsin’s attack looked extremely pedestrian in the spring game as the offense only mustered two touchdowns and 101 yards rushing.  If the Badgers hope to compete with the upper echelon in the conference, they will have to pound the running game and wear out opposing defenses.

Circle this date: 10/2/2010 at Michigan State – An early chance to gain momentum with a road victory in East Lansing, but the Spartans will be out for blood after blowing a late lead the last time these two teams played at Spartan Stadium.

4.  Penn State – Facing one of the most difficult schedules in recent memory, Penn State will struggle to replace quarterback Daryll Clark, defensive tackle and first round draft pick Jared Odrick, and do-everything linebacker, Sean Lee.  The Nittany Lions travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama during the second week of the season to take on defending national champion Alabama at night on ESPN/ABC.  They also face Iowa and Ohio State on the road and welcome Michigan and Michigan State to Happy Valley.  Kevin Newsome, the heir-apparent to Clark, struggled passing the football in the spring game and he is an extremely raw talent.  He has explosive speed and quickness and Joe Paterno called him one heck of a tailback.  If he becomes the starter, Newsome will be aided by steady running back, Evan Royster, and a full complement of playmakers at wide receiver.  Year in and year out, Tom Bradley produces top-ranked defenses and again this year should be no exception.  With an unproven leader behind center, Bradley’s defense must be stingier than ever.

Area of concern:  Offensive Line – If Penn State cannot find a dependable line to protect an unproven quarterback, Joe Paterno and company will be in for a long season.  The running game  and defense will allow Penn State to be competitive, but the starters up front must consistently open holes to take the pressure off of whomever solidifies himself as the starter at quarterback.

Circle this date: 10/30/2010 vs Michigan – After battling Alabama and Iowa on the road, Penn State will return home in late October to take on the Wolverines in front of a white house at Beaver Stadium.  Michigan has had Penn State’s number until late, and the Wolverines rotate off the schedule for two years.  Nothing like sending Michigan home to Ann Arbor with their tail between their legs.

Check back this weekend for a look at teams 5-11…

As legendary football coach Joe Paterno finished an interview with ESPN’s Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, and Matt Millen in the booth during the second quarter of Saturday’s Blue-White game in State College, he made a promise to the trio in his patented whiny voice that all Penn State fans hope will ring true in the fall.  “We’ll be better.”

Sure some will say that it is only the spring, but it is clear that Penn State coaches have a long road ahead on the offensive side of the ball if the team hopes to find itself at the top of the Big Ten.  The two leading candidates at quarterback (Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin) to replace Darryl Clark were a combined 15-35 with two interceptions, while a heralded true freshman (Paul Jones) shined with two touchdown passes.

Though Jones may have had the best day of the three, he has only been on campus since January.  Instead of studying for finals he is studying a playbook, and instead of attending his senior prom, he is dancing in the pocket trying to avoid a pass rush.

As the college football season approaches, one thing is for certain about Coach Paterno.  He will not be starting a freshman quarterback when Penn State takes their show on the road to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for a night game against the defending National Champions on September 11.  So get ready Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin.  Because Nick Saban was certainly watching your performance on Saturday and will put together a blitz package that could make your night down south a living hell.

Irish Eyes are Smiling…

Back in South Bend, all eyes were on Brian Kelly’s high-octane, quick tempo offense, and quarterbacks Dayne Crist and Nate Montana did not disappoint.  Crist, coming off a knee injury suffered in late October, had a nice afternoon, but it was the son of Irish legend Joe Montana who turned heads.  As one observer told me, “If I knew nothing about the two quarterbacks going into the game, I would have pegged Montana as the starter.”

As Crist continues to gain mobility in his knee, look for him to maintain a firm grasp on the starting role. The kid has an absolute gun and his ability to stretch the field to receivers Michael Floyd, John Goodman, and Theo Riddick will keep opposing defensive coordinators up at night.

As usual, offense will not be the problem for Notre Dame this season.   But the ability of Kelly and his coaching staff to develop a physical, stingy defense will be the difference between a BCS Bowl game or a return trip to the Hawaii Bowl.