ILLINOIS

• Coach: Ron Zook (fourth year, 13-23)

• Last season: 9-4 (6-2 Big Ten); lost to Southern California in Rose Bowl

• Returning starters: 14 (seven offense, six defense, punter)

• Outlook: The Zooker has fantastic playmakers in QB Juice Williams and WR Arrelious Benn , but seeks answers at several other positions. An easy schedule early should lead to a fast start, before trips to Penn State and Michigan help decide whether this team can stay in the Top 25 or fall. The Illini defense must improve as it gave up nearly 380 yards per contest last season. Expect the Nov. 15 home game against Ohio State to be one of the best conference matchups this season.

INDIANA

• Coach: Bill Lynch (second year, 7-6)

• Last season: 7-6 (3-6 Big Ten); lost to Oklahoma State in Insight Bowl

• Returning starters: 14 (six offense, seven defense, kicker)

• Outlook: You have to appreciate what the Hoosiers accomplished in the wake of coach Terry Hoeppner 's death: They went to a bowl, beat rival Purdue and have facility improvements in the works. This team should have a formidable defensive front seven, led by sack monster Greg Middleton . QB Kellen Lewis should take another step forward in his development -- he earned the job back after off-field problems. But there are issues with a young offensive line and many concerns in the secondary.

IOWA

• Coach: Kirk Ferentz (10th year, 61-49)

• Last season: 6-6 (4-4 Big Ten)

• Returning starters: 15 (eight offense, five defense, kicker, punter)

• Outlook: The Hawkeyes always are pretty powerful up front, good tacklers and well coached, but there are a lot of holes to fill this season -- and fast. A pitiful offense a season ago returns QB Jake Christensen , who struggled from start to finish as a first-year starter. DT Matt Kroul is one of the best at his position in the conference, so stopping the run shouldn't be as much of a problem as it was last season. It's going to take a lot for this team to make a true run at securing a bowl spot.

MINNESOTA

• Coach: Tim Brewster (second year, 1-11)

• Last season: 1-11 (0-8 Big Ten)

• Returning starters: 13 (seven offense, four defense, kicker, punter)

• Outlook: No joke, this team needs help everywhere. A physical, power game of a running attack has changed under Brewster to a spread offense that last season struggled mightily to put points on the board. The defense ranked 199th in the nation, giving up nearly 519 yards per contest. There was some improvement by the end of 2007, which saw the Gophers nearly beat Wisconsin. Sophomore QB Adam Weber should have a much better year.

NORTHWESTERN

• Coach: Pat Fitzgerald (third year, 10-14)

• Last season: 6-6 (3-5 Big Ten)

• Returning starters: 16 (seven offense, seven defense, kicker, punter)

• Outlook: These Wildcats and that quirky spread offense seem to be the wild card of the Big Ten every season. There's always potential for upsets, lots of points and quite a bit of excitement. This season shouldn't be any exception, despite some major issues on defense. Last year, the Wildcats' defense gave up nearly 411 yards a game. QB C.J. Bacher and TB Tyrell Sutton return to form one of the most underrated tandems in the conference. And, keep an eye on Fitzgerald, who is one of the best and most energetic young coaches in the country.

OHIO STATE

• Coach: Jim Tressel (eighth year, 73-15)

• Last season: 11-2 (7-1 Big Ten); lost to LSU in BCS championship game

• Returning starters: 20 (nine offense, nine defense, kicker, punter)

• Outlook: The Buckeyes have everything they need to contend for another national title. It would be a shock if they didn't sit atop the Big Ten mountain once again. It's scary that Terrelle Pryor , the nation's top high school quarterback, isn't even deemed a starter on this team. James Laurinaitis , an incredibly talented linebacker, is at times like an extra safety on the field because he has so much speed. Expect a diversified attack on both sides of the ball.

PENN STATE

• Coach: Joe Paterno (43rd year, 372-125-3)

• Last season: 9-4 (4-4 Big Ten); beat Texas A&M in Alamo Bowl

• Returning starters: 16 (seven offense, seven defense, kicker, punter)

• Outlook: Old man JoePa has a team that's strong where it needs to be -- on the offensive and defensive lines and the secondary. The Nittany Lions, however, will unveil a new starting quarterback, junior Daryll Clark . It will be interesting to see what the team's new "Spread HD" offense looks like. On defense, expect leadership from senior CBs Tony Davis and Lydell Sargeant and senior S Anthony Scirrotto , who helped anchor one of the best groups in the nation.

PURDUE

• Coach: Joe Tiller (12th year, 122-84-1)

• Last season: 8-5 (3-5 Big Ten); beat Central Michigan in Motor City Bowl

• Returning starters: 14 (six offense, six defense, kicker, punter)

• Outlook: When will this team get over the hump and beat quality programs? Unfortunately for Tiller, in his final season, this doesn't appear to be the year. QB Curtis Painter puts up good numbers, but he's not very mobile. There are some nice players at the skill positions, but success comes down to the defense, which gave up nearly 390 yards a game last year. Three starters on the offensive line missed spring practice because of surgeries.

WISCONSIN

• Coach: Bret Bielema (third year, 21-5)

• Last season: 9-4 (5-3 Big Ten); lost to Tennessee in Outback Bowl

• Returning starters: 17 (eight offense, nine defense)

• Outlook: The Badgers don't get anything easy from the get-go with three straight conference games against Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State. But there are several reasons to be optimistic in Madison, including a running game, led by P.J. Hill , that should continue to thrive, and depth at linebacker, led by All-Big Ten playmaker Jonathan Casillas . Like most seasons, Wisconsin will have a huge and physical offensive line ready to do some pounding.

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