Get Gamm - ACC v. B10 style...
Admittedly not enough time to do proper research and give these games just due. In Florida for business and time is at a premium.

So, without further ado...

Monday 11/26 - Wake Forest at Iowa
Iowa is good and scrappy and so is Wake Forest. Neither team has much to hang their hat on, but I like Big Ten teams at home. Iowa 63 - Wake 60

Tuesday 11/27 - Georgia Tech at Indiana
Indiana comes in madder than a wet hornet after Xavier smoked them in Chicago. The Ramblin' Wreck will be a nice test, but a young IU team learned its lesson. Indiana 78 - Tech 69.

Tuesday 11/27 - Minnesota at Florida State
Might be the ugliest game on the slate. Minnesota is better than I expected, but the 'noles are tough at home. FSU 74 - Minnesota 67.

Tuesday 11/27 - Northwestern at Virginia
This is a good UVA team and well, not such a good NU squad. Not much more to say. ACC evens the slate. UVA 74 - Northwestern 56.

Tuesday 11/27 - Wisconsin at Duke
Does Duke always play at home in this thing? The only unbeaten in the series, Wisconsin will give 'em a run for their money. But the Dukies are playing well right now and sneak out a nice W. Duke 73 - Wisconsin 68.

Tuesday 11/27 - Purdue at Clemson
Two teams that are full of potential. Clemson is probably further along though and at home. ACC gets a two game edge. Clemson 69 - Purdue 61.

Wednesday 11/28 - N.C. State at Michigan State
Michigan State blew it against UCLA and struggled with Oakland, but Neitzel should be 100% again and this game will have the Izzone's attention. NC State is game, but not game enough. Michigan State 72 - NC State 65.

Wednesday 11/28 - Illinois at Maryland
Illinois is a shade better than the Terps at this point, but road games in this series scare me. Going with league allegiance here and hoping the Illini don't let me down. Illinois 70 - Maryland 68.

Wednesday 11/28 - Boston College at Michigan
Two programs rebuilding. A real chance for Michigan to make a statement, but I'm not sold they can do it yet. B.C. 67 - Michigan 62.

Wednesday 11/28 - North Carolina at Ohio State
Probably the clincher. OSU is a good young team but good enough to beat a massively talented Tar Heels squad? Hansborough will go crazy in C-bus. UNC 83 - OSU 72.

Wednesday 11/28 - Virginia Tech at Penn State
Hmmm, interesting match-up. Penn State has talent and has a chance to be decent. VA Tech also has talent and more experience in "big" games. ACC seals the deal with another win begging the question, will the Big Ten ever win this contest? VA Tech 76 - PSU 64.

Monday morning QB - on Tuesday afternoon...
Sorry for the late entry this week. Yes, I am still giddy with my Spartans for their big win over Penn State, but alas it is work that has kept me from the column. The days of partying over big wins for days on end stopped when I finally detoxed my liver after four years of cheap, flat beer way back in the mid 90s!

It was a thrilling weekend to cap an excellent Big Ten season. For starters, are you kidding me? TEN bowl eligible teams? Fantastic. Indiana goes up big, holds on and wins late over rival Purdue to seal a bowl game? Priceless. Michigan State goes down big early in the second half, wrestles back the lead and actually holds on late? Wow. Ohio State captures another Big Ten title by flat out owning the Wolverines all day - again? Superb. Minnesota gives Wisconsin all it can handle in an effort to salvage something this season? Admirable. Illinois rambles over Northwestern and stays in play for a BCS berth? Extraordinary. Finally, Western Michigan waltzes into Iowa and ruins Senior Day and maybe squashes bowl hopes? Improbable.

Yep, it was a great ending to top off what's been as exciting a season in the Big Ten as I can recall. The best part? It isn't over yet. There will be at least eight teams bowling, maybe more. Ohio State can still backdoor into the national title game. Illinois is hopeful that the BCS will come calling. Indiana goes bowling for the first time since 1993 - MSU the first time since 2003. It's all good in the Big Ten my friends, it's all good...

I'll do a team by team assessment/grade after the bowl games are officially announced. Suffice it to say that I had some teams pegged and others, well, not so much. Look for that in early December when we're in 'tweener season - between the bowls and meaningful basketball. Until then, a glance at where I think things will play out for each team:

• Ohio State - another terrific season. The Bucknuts own Michigan right now. They've made Carr into Cooper. OSU needs help, but can still get to the title game. The Bucks have to root for either LSU or WVU to lose because Kansas and Mizzou still play each other and then in the B12 title game. My guess? BCS Title game.
• Illinois - an incredible turnaround. Guess Ron Zook can also coach in addition to recruiting. Illinois needs help as well, but if OSU gets to the title game, I have to believe the Rose Bowl will be seeking a PAC 10 - Big Ten match-up anyway. My guess? Rose Bowl.
• Wisconsin - another solid season. Mid-season swoon aside, the Badgers produced another very good season. A New Year's Day bowl is on the table again. Not what it might've been, but good enough. My guess? Capital One Bowl.
• Michigan - bookend two game losing streaks. Not an ideal way for Lloyd Carr to go out, but let's face it, this was never anything close to a national title caliber team. Injuries doomed the Wolverines as did a defense that was shaky as best. For the maize and blue, who will coach next will be more fun than prepping for the bowl. My guess? Outback Bowl.
• Penn State - not a bad effort by the Nits this year, but not what was expected. Lost to Michigan, Ohio State, Illinois and Michigan State and therefore, didn't really beat anyone (except Wisconsin). My guess? Alamo Bowl.
• Michigan State - might the last two results be the turning points for a program that has been asleep too long? Time will tell, but the wins sure served notice and buoyed the Spartans from a trip to Detroit to somewhere warm. Great building blocks for next year and beyond. My guess? Champs Bowl.
• Indiana - hat's off to the Hoosiers. A heart-warming story of a team winning one for Hepp. IU ends the league's longest bowl drought and gets its just reward. My guess? Insight Bowl.
• Purdue - a hard, fast fall. From 7-2 to 7-5 in the blink of an eye. From the brink of BCS chatter to wait and see mode. The last three losses came to teams now ahead of them in the bowl pecking order and that relegates Purdue to the "can't win" bowl. A win is expected, a loss is an embarrassment. Can't win. My guess? Motor City Bowl.
• Iowa - just when you thought Iowa was a lock. That's why they play the games. No one in their right mind (outside of K-zoo) thought that Iowa would lose at home to Western Michigan. But alas they did and now find themselves rooting desperately for Illinois to get into the BCS mix. Without that, forget it this year. With it, an at large comes calling. My guess? Las Vegas Bowl.
• Northwestern - perhaps no team needed the seventh win more than Northwestern. Tossed into a pool of 6-6 teams fighting for maybe, maybe three at-large spots, NU is not nearly attractive enough to make the cut. Iowa will travel in droves. Alabama is the same. NU has something to build on for next year, but disappointment lingers. My guess? No bowl.
• Minnesota - well, thank goodness this mess is over. I'll give you that the Gophers played a fair amount of close games and that it should bode well for next year, but man is that gap wide between last place and the four-way tie for seventh.

Players of the Week:
Offense - a ton of choices. From Beanie Wells to Zach Brown, Devin Thomas and more. But you gotta go with Juice Williams. 356 total yards (220 passing, 136 rushing) and three scores. Stellar - and only a sophomore.

Defense - Vernon Gholston from OSU. 4 TFLs, 3 sacks. Led a stifling defense that stymied Michigan all day long.

Special Teams - Austin Starr was a hero in a rivalry game, kicking two field goals - the last a lengthy game winner.

Get Gamm...
AndrewJ1313 sits atop the standings and by virtue of nailing the margin last week, gets to pick the bowls with me this season. This will be our last chance to move in the standings. Stay tuned for bowl announcements.

In the meantime, let's pick ACC - Big Ten challenge! It'll be our start for college hoops, which will go full time when league play tips off. In the meantime, get your picks in by the start of the challenge next week:

Monday 11/26 - Wake Forest at Iowa
Tuesday 11/27 - Georgia Tech at Indiana
Tuesday 11/27 - Minnesota at Florida State
Tuesday 11/27 - Northwestern at Virginia
Tuesday 11/27 - Wisconsin at Duke
Tuesday 11/27 - Purdue at Clemson
Wednesday 11/28 - N.C. State at Michigan State
Wednesday 11/28 - Illinois at Maryland
Wednesday 11/28 - Boston College at Michigan
Wednesday 11/28 - North Carolina at Ohio State
Wednesday 11/28 - Virginia Tech at Penn State

Get Gamm - Week 12 ...
It's here. The Big Ten season is full of rivalry games but there is no week as packed with them as this one. And the big one - Michigan vs. Ohio State - is for all the Big Ten marbles. It's been a tough week to find a minute to get these picks in, but that's given me plenty of time to think them over. Bowl lives and who goes where is at stake, so let's get right to it...

Schedule:
Ohio State at Michigan (Tiebreaker)
Northwestern at Illinois
Wisconsin at Minnesota
Purdue at Indiana
Penn State at Michigan State
Western Michigan at Iowa

Ohio State at Michigan
Let's get right down to it. This game - big shocker - is for the whole kit and caboodle. Winner smells the Roses. Loser is relegated to second run to the rival for a year. Ohio State has flat out owned the Wolverines since "The Vest" took over. He embraced this rivalry from day one and it has shown. Michigan is lucky at this point to have eight wins. Injuries have hurt, but so has the underachieving defense. Ohio State comes in stung by the loss to Illinois and is hungry to make it another happy ending. Hart and Henne are dinged, and even if they go, they'll be targets. I just don't see Michigan getting the win, even though it will be close. Ohio State 23 - Michigan 16.

Northwestern at Illinois
The 101st meeting for the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk is at stake and there is more than a trophy to be played for. Northwestern is bowl eligible but needs a win to guarantee a trip - or at least near guarantee one. Illinois is a win from playing on New Year's Day. A loss isn't a big killer but it would be a downer after the big upset win in C-bus. It'll be tight because Illinois might not yet know how to handle success like that earned last week. Illinois 31 - Northwestern 27.

Wisconsin at Minnesota
The battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe ensues in the Homer Dome. Minnesota can't close this season fast enough. Wisconsin is very much in the mix for a New Year's Day trip and wants to keep double digit wins (including a bowl game) in sight. Minnesota will be fired up to end on a positive but just doesn't have enough in the tank. Wisconsin 34 - Minnesota 23.

Purdue at Indiana
Another game, another trophy at stake. This one is the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. Purdue has lost two straight and is teetering on the edge of an also ran bowl after coming into November on the cusp of a big, meaningful bowl. Indiana lost a heart-breaker at Northwestern and really needs a win to ensure a bowl berth. These teams can put up points and it should be a barn burner. I think IU gets the win that eluded them last week and puts Purdue in a precarious position. Indiana 37 - Purdue 35.

Penn State at Michigan State
The battle for the ugliest trophy in the Big Ten - The Land Grant Trophy - kicks off in East Lansing at 3:30 on Saturday. Penn State is like Wisconsin and Illinois - in the mix for a New Year's Day trip. Michigan State is like Indiana and Northwestern, as well as Iowa - in need of another win to feel safe. The Spartans have been oh so close all season long and finally got it done at Purdue last weekend, State's first road win over an opponent with a winning record in November since 1998. Penn State is riding high but leaves some troubled defenders at home. MSU takes back the trophy. Michigan State 30 - Penn State 26.

Western Michigan at Iowa
Boring. Iowa closes out a great season ending run, nails down a bowl berth and finishes strong. Iowa 28 - Western Michigan 8.

Monday morning QB ...
We have a handful of "firsts" to talk about this morning. The first is shocking and telling all the same: this is the FIRST time since 1959 that both Michigan and Ohio State enter their "game week" coming off a loss. For the math challenged, that is 48 years. WOW!

How about this one: the Big Ten has TEN bowl eligible teams. I haven't done the ad nausea research, but I have to believe that no other conference this size (11 teams) has done this before. The SEC also has ten, but has 12 teams. 90.9-percent of the conference is eligible for postseason play (83.3% in the SEC). That doesn't mean all ten will go to a bowl, but ten are eligible and that is quite an achievement and proves the overall balance in the league.

Continuing on the theme of firsts... MSU got its first conference road win over a team with a winning record during the month of November since 1998. No, that isn't a miss-print. Illinois won its first game over a top-ranked opponent since 1956 and its first on the road - ever. Penn State Coach Joe Paterno played - and beat - a former player (Temple Head Coach Al Golden) for the first time in his storied career.

• Ohio State - ouch. The Buckeyes were in the driver's seat as far as the BCS Championship Game was concerned but that got flushed with the loss to Illinois. OSU can still head to Pasadena and win the outright conference title with a win over arch-rival Michigan.
• Michigan - double ouch. It appears that the Wolverines played at Wisconsin for no reason other than because it was on the slate. Chad Henne played sparingly and Mike Hart not at all. Why? Michigan knew that no matter what, the OSU game was for all the marbles. Shady if you ask me...
• Illinois - bravo. Coach Ron Zook recalled leaving the scene of the 40-2 beatdown in C-bus a few years ago with the credo that things would be very different on the next return trip. Good call. The Illini were solid all game long and proved that with sweat and hard work, you can turn around a dud given time.
• Wisconsin - solid. It wasn't always pretty. It was probably closer than it should have been. But Wisconsin got a nice W over nemesis Michigan in Mad-town and is a win over lowly Minnesota from 9-3 and a likely New Year's Day bowl.
• Penn State - yawn. 31-0 is always nice. But come on folks, this was Temple. Granted a much improved Temple but still, it was Temple. The Nittany Lions can get into the New Year's Day conversation with a win in East Lansing, but are more than likely looking at a mid-tier bid.
• Purdue - unimpressive. Sorry Boiler fans, but your team doesn't excite me. The offense is potent but who has Purdue beaten this year? Even with a win in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, Purdue's best hope is the Alamo Bowl.
• Iowa - trudging through. Iowa has taken the momentum gained from the comeback win over Michigan State and turned it into bowl eligibility despite myriad injuries and other issues. The only knock on the Hawkeyes, who are as likely to get to seven wins as any of the four stuck on six is that they are bland and mighty beatable. Still, hard to pass up on a team that travels really well...
• Northwestern - still alive. Just when it looked like Indiana had more or less sealed the fate of the Wildcats, they come through with another great comeback. Wipe out that ugly loss to Duke and this is a team looking to get to eight wins instead of seven. Illinois is a tall task this week and the 'cats are likely the least attractive of the bowl eligibles in the Big Ten.
• Michigan State - impressive. The Spartans struck first, took everything Purdue could muster and finally closed out a fourth quarter lead. In time, this game could be the one that people point to as the turning point. Meantime, a win over Penn State is paramount if State wants to assure a bowl trip and also lessen the chances that the trip is mere miles down the road (Motor City Bowl).
• Indiana - devastating. The loss to Northwestern may well be the one that stands between the Hoosiers and a bowl game. You know if it comes down to MSU and Indiana, the Motor City Bowl will take the Spartans. The collapse puts extra emphasis on the rivalry game with Purdue.
• Minnesota - well... There isn't much to say. The Golden Gophers haven't hung it up as evidenced with the way they fought for the Floyd of Rosedale, but I've been saying it all season long - this just isn't a very good football team.

Players of the Week:
Offense - Juice Williams, QB - Illinois. Hard to argue with the Big Ten's pick this week. Juice beat the Buckeyes with his purported weakness - his arm - tossing four TD passes for the game. He sealed the deal with his strength - his legs - picking up many key first downs in a killer 8+ minute drive to end the game.

Defense - SirDarean Adams, LB - MSU. Adams made two critical interceptions and set up 10 of State's 17 points off of turnovers.

Special Teams - James Bailey, KR - Indiana. The wideout averaged over 40 yards per kick return, including one for a score in Indiana's heartbreaking loss at Northwestern.

Get Gamm:
No one got me this week as there were piles of .500 records for the week. St. Louis Jeff laid an egg that tightened up the race at the top with one regular season week and bowl game picking to go.

Schedule:
Ohio State at Michigan (Tiebreaker)
Northwestern at Illinois
Wisconsin at Minnesota
Purdue at Indiana
Penn State at Michigan State
Western Michigan at Iowa

Get Gamm - Week Ten ...
It's well-established that this race is all about NEXT weekend's OSU v. Michigan match-up. In the meantime, three Big Ten teams are trying to get to six wins and a few are trying to add to six or even seven and step up the end bowl result a notch. With time at a premium for me this week, let's get right down to it...

Schedule:
Indiana at Northwestern
Minnesota at Iowa
Michigan at Wisconsin (tiebreaker)
Michigan State at Purdue
Penn State vs. Temple (Philly)
Illinois at Ohio State

Indiana at Northwestern
Hang on to your hats, this could be a barn-burner. Both teams like to spread it out and can score at will. Neither has a particularly sound defense, though Indiana can get after the passer. IU is bowl eligible but might need one more to be on the safe side. NU needs at least one more and this appears to be the best shot. I like the 'cats to stay alive. Northwestern 38 - Indiana 37.

St. Louis Jeff says ... Indiana finally got their sixth win last week. They can very well keep adding to that total on Saturday with a trip to Evanston. This one could become a shootout (as many NW games are), but I'll still go with Indiana on the road. Indiana 31 - Northwestern 24

Minnesota at Iowa
Floyd of Rosedale is on the line when the Gophers head south to take on rival Iowa. The thing is, Minnesota just isn't a good football team and Iowa was buoyed by that win over MSU and is hungry to get to six wins. It will happen as the momentum carries over for a big Iowa win. Iowa 34 - Minnesota 13.

St. Louis Jeff says ... Iowa is looking to become the 8th Big Ten school to be bowl eligible. They'll get there this week playing the worst team in the league. Minnesota is just plain bad. They really haven't a good game all year (maybe NW). Iowa's defense will dominate. Iowa 24 - Minnesota 10

Michigan at Wisconsin
I know this is a Big Ten blog and all, and that I'm supposed to be objective. But I have to get if off my chest. I have NO respect for Mike Hart and I hate the Wolverines. That said, they have rebounded big time since the disastrous start and no matter what happens in Madison, have a shot at the Rose Bowl and Big Ten title. Wisconsin is hungry to avenge last year's only loss and wants to finish out strong. Going with the home crowd advantage in this one. Wisconsin 23 - Michigan 20.

St. Louis Jeff says ... Michigan is on a roll. Madison is a very tough place to play and after a demoralizing 4th quarter in Columbus, they'll be hungry against Michigan. I still think that Michigan is a touch better overall, so I think they'll pull off a win on the road with Henne and "little brother" Hart. Michigan 37 - Wisconsin 34

Michigan State at Purdue
MSU hasn't won in W-L since 1993. The Spartans are coming off yet another gut-wrenching, heart-breaking loss. Purdue got handled by Penn State but still had a shot at the win. The Boilers are playing for where they go, not if they go. State is fighting for its bowl life. If the Spartans can truly play angry, I can see a win. If not, it could be another trip down heartbreak lane. Going green here... Michigan State 30 - Purdue 28.

St. Louis Jeff says ... After three stinging losses, MSU has to go back on the road to face a tough Purdue team. MSU has been close all year in their losses, and unfortunately, I think they may be on the wrong side of another one this week. I hope they prove me wrong! Purdue 31 - Michigan State 28

Penn State vs. Temple
Yawn. Late season OOC game that means zilch. Temple is better than they've been but still should be no match for Penn State. The Nits still have thoughts of a January bowl dancing in their heads. Penn State 41 - Temple 13.

St. Louis Jeff says ... Penn State gets in a nice little scrimmage before heading to East Lansing next week. Penn State rolls. Penn State 35 - Temple 13

Illinois at Ohio State
This one could be interesting. Ohio State is two games from a second straight trip to the BCS title game. Michigan looms. But here sits Illinois - a team that has some nice wins to its credit this year. The thing is, OSU has such speed on defense that it negates Juice and Mendenhall. Illinois stays close early but it gets outlasted. Ohio State 33 - Illinois 14.

St. Louis Jeff says ... Illinois is having a fantastic year. They'll be going to a good bowl, and have losses to only Missouri (#7 in the country), at Iowa which is a tough place to play, and to Michigan. They will add to that loss total this week in Columbus. Ohio State is by far the best team in the country and will not lose at home. Ohio State wins going away. Ohio State 34 - Illinois 20

Monday afternoon QB ...
It is officially a two horse race to the finish for the Big Ten title. Illinois is the only team still within two games of the top, but cannot do better than a tie for second place. Several teams remain in the chase for bowl eligibility with seven already qualified and three on the brink. It was a weekend with some good football and epic plays but in the end, it still looks like this: Big Two, Little Nine.

Michigan held its spell on the Spartans by staging the third late game comeback win in the past four seasons. The common denominator in all three? Chad Henne. He was brilliant down the stretch with two pinpoint TD tosses to steal away a win from the desperate Spartans in the waning moments of the game. Meanwhile, Wisconsin stayed with Ohio State for three quarters before a late onslaught pushed the scarlet and gray to another impressive win. Those same Badgers and the aforementioned Illini are all that stand between the two meeting at 7-0 on November 17.

As for the rest, well ... Indiana finally got to the six-win mark and can breathe a little easier. Iowa got back to .500 with a late comeback and suddenly looks to be a seven win team. Penn State held off the potent Purdue offense long enough to get back to winning ways. Illinois hammered Minnesota - the one team the Spartans don't get that they so wish they did! NU, MSU and Iowa are perched at five wins, in a season where six might not be enough anyway. It all makes for an interesting last couple of weeks of the season...

• Illinois - the Illini ran their record to seven wins and have a huge game at Ohio State this coming weekend. While out of the title hunt, a win would be enormous in terms of a final destination for bowl season.
• Indiana - after several weeks of coming up short, the Hoosiers finally got to the six-win mark. The cream and crimson might need a seventh win, however, to actually garner an invitation. Northwestern and Purdue remain, both winnable, but equally as lose-able.
• Iowa - the win over MSU sparked something in the Hawkeyes. Beaten and battered, the Hawkeyes have an easy road to two more wins and a bowl game. If any team deserves it, it might be Iowa.
• Michigan - the Wolverines found a way against the Spartans - again - and won their sixth straight in the rivalry. Chad Henne has a magic when it comes to playing MSU. Wolverines fans hope that magic somehow appears against OSU for a change.
• Michigan State - that's five losses this season, each by less than a TD. At the half, the Spartans looked left for dead but dominated the first 23 minutes of the second half. Unfortunately, the green and white haven't learned how to seal the deal and now are in a corner when it comes to bowl eligibility.
• Minnesota - the Golden Gophers are just playing out the string. Two rivalry games remain but it seems like the maroon and gold has packed it in. Illinois ran roughshod on the Gophers at home. Tough first year for Coach Brewster.
• Northwestern - with three i's to try and "dot" over the last three weeks of the season (Iowa, Indiana, Illinois), the Wildcats are down to two more chances to get to six wins. With only seven bowls (maybe eight) to go around, six wins might not be enough.
• Ohio State - the Buckeyes continue to answer and need to do so for two more games to get back into the title game. Illinois will be no picnic but I'm telling you, I like this team more than I liked last year's - even with as loaded as that team was...
• Penn State - the Nittany Lions are playing for destination now. Win two more to get to nine and Florida will come calling. Lose to lowly Temple and embattled Michigan State, and it might be Arizona at best. My guess is they will split the difference...
• Purdue - the Boilers have yet to beat anyone this season. There is a bowl in the gold and black's future, but the next two - not unlike PSU - will go a long way in determining the final destination.
• Wisconsin - see Purdue and Penn State. Wisconsin has a grand opportunity this weekend with Michigan coming to town. Win that and the Capital One Bowl is all but a certainty.

Players of the Week:
Offense - Kellen Lewis, QB - Indiana. 406 total yards. 354 passing with 4 TDs. He led IU to its sixth win - a first for the program since 1994.

Defense - James Laurinaitis, LB - Ohio State. 19 tackles, 2 for a loss. 1 sack. A fumble recovery. This guy is an animal.

Special Teams - Aaron Bates, P - Michigan State. He was the unsung hero of the first half against Michigan. Three punts downed inside the 10 - one on the one. A long of 67 yards.

Get Gamm...
St. Louis Jeff hit the jackpot with a perfect week and stands alone at the top. His three wins is tied with Bruce S with three picking weeks remaining.

Schedule:
Indiana at Northwestern
Minnesota at Iowa
Michigan at Wisconsin (tiebreaker)
Michigan State at Purdue
Penn State vs. Temple (Philly)
Illinois at Ohio State

Basketball...
A reminder that my Big Ten preview for basketball is live. A link can be found in the right nav at all times during the season.

Break for basketball...
Note: perhaps I should have waited another week. Read: MSU has its own Appalachian State.

Anyone who knows me or who has followed my former web site and now blog knows where my true sports love lies. College basketball. And no, it isn't just because my alma mater is usually in a free fall on the gridiron by now! I love the game. Can't get enough of it. I just wish I had the time to devote to my previews for hoops that I do for football. But alas, it's all about timing and with football in full swing and work busy, there just isn't the time to go as in-depth as I'd prefer.

That said, I did, as always, take the time to study each team, review their schedules, predict the entire Big Ten season, and for that matter, the entire season for each team in the greatest conference around. So, what follows is a snapshot of what I'd love to ramble on and on and on about but don't have the time for.

I expect great things for the conference this year, but a great divide between the good and the bad with little in between. Unlike the football side of things, there are several programs that will vie for a title in basketball but fewer who will make the postseason. No watered down Big Ten this year. Big boys versus the rest... Without further ado...

Predictions:

1 - Michigan State Spartans
OOC Projection: 12-1
Big Ten Projection: 15-3
Big Ten Tourney: Champs
Postseason: NCAA Tournament - Final Four
Total Record: 34-5

Comments: This team is flat out loaded. A team that had to rely on very little guard depth last year hit the jackpot with three guards in a highly ranked recruiting class. 10-12 players will battle for time, which means a return to the fervent pace that Tom Izzo prefers. If the freshmen can gel quickly, play defense to Coach Izzo's standards and the bigs continue to improve - look out. This could be a sleeper national title contender. Drew Neitzel is a legitimate Player of the Year contender and we saw last year that this bunch can defend. Look for the first Big Ten title since 2001 in E.L.

2- Indiana Hoosiers
OOC Projection: 11-2
Big Ten Projection: 14-4
Big Ten Tourney: Semi-finals
Postseason: NCAA Tournament - Sweet 16
Total Record: 28-8

Comments: It will be interesting to see if any of the recent off court issues (Assistant coach resigning as a part of yet another recruiting rules violation by Sampson and a recruit busted for cocaine) have a bearing on what could be Indiana's best season in years. The Hoosiers lost five players from last year's team but have reloaded with some NBA caliber talent - namely Eric Gordon. If DJ White can stay healthy and the new Hoosiers gel, this could be a big year in Bloomington.

T3 - Ohio State Buckeyes
OOC Projection: 10-3
Big Ten Projection: 13-5
Big Ten Tourney: Finals
Postseason: NCAA Tournament - 2nd Round
Total Record: 26-10

Comments: Talk about reloading. Thad Matta has to replace two lottery picks and three other key players from a team that lost in the national title game last April. There is a nice mix of veteran leadership to go with an influx of fresh blood that will have OSU right in the thick of things again this season. If Jamar Butler can provide the incredible leadership, poise and gamesmanship that will be missed with Mike Conley's departure, the Buckeyes will be a huge factor in the league race.

T3 - Wisconsin Badgers
OOC Projection: 9-3
Big Ten Projection: 13-5
Big Ten Tourney: Semi-finals
Postseason: NCAA Tournament - 2nd Round
Total Record: 24-10

Comments: Another contender that has to reload. Do you sense a theme? Teams all around the Big Ten - with the exception of Michigan State - lost some key cogs from last season. That can certainly be said about the Badgers, who lost its leading scorers (Alando Tucker and Kammron "don't call me Chris Rock" Taylor) and a defensive stopper (Jason Chappell). But don't shed any tears for Bo Ryan. His brand of basketball doesn't call for a superstar - even if Tucker was just that - and he may have one sitting on his roster anyway, in the person of Marcus Landry. Wisconsin will be a thorn in the side of everyone vying for the top slot. They always are...

5 - Illinois Fighting Illini
OOC Projection: 10-3
Big Ten Projection: 12-6
Big Ten Tourney: Quarterfinals
Postseason: NCAA Tournament - 2nd Round
Total Record: 23-11

Comments: It can be argued that Illinois has the best established, returning frontcourt in the Big Ten. The trouble is, will the backcourt produce? Guard Jamar Smith is suspended for the season and that doesn't help an already thin and traditionally (as of late) banged up corps of guards. Illinois will grind teams to their pace and while it is a safe bet that Coach Weber would rather have guys like the Head-Brown-Williams trio on the court, he'll take the laborious approach - especially if it means Ws. It won't be pretty, but Illinois will win its share of games the old-fashioned way - with stiffling defense.

6 - Purdue Boilermakers
OOC Projection: 10-3
Big Ten Projection: 10-8
Big Ten Tourney: Quarterfinals
Postseason: NCAA Tournament - 2nd Round
Total Record: 22-13

Comments: In the past, losing two big-time scorers and battle-tested seniors like Carl Landry and David Teague would relegate the old gold and black to the back of the pack. Not this time. Matt Painter is quietly bringing Purdue back to the top after a few years of suffering in West Lafayette. It helps tremendously that many so-called experts are putting his recruiting class into the same conversation as the one that Tom Izzo landed in East Lansing and Thad Matta in Columbus. This team has some grit returning and will get better as the season wears on and might be the surprise team of the conference when all is said and done.

7 - Penn State Nittany Lions
OOC Projection: 9-3
Big Ten Projection: 6-12
Big Ten Tourney: Quarterfinals
Postseason: NIT - 2nd Round
Total Record: 17-17

Comments: How long has Penn State been due to have a breakout season? A long, long time. In fact, so long that this may be the last shot that Coach Ed DeChellis has in State College. There are two stars in the lineup in Geary Claxton and Jamelle Cornley and the supporting cast might be as strong as it's been in years. But, can the team get over the hump? It can't get much worse than the 2-14 conference record a season ago. That's why the pressue is on this season. I think Penn State is going to get a few brow-raising wins, but lose its share of head-scratchers as well. In the end, will an NIT berth be enough to save the program from starting over - again?

T8 - Iowa Hawkeyes
OOC Projection: 9-3
Big Ten Projection: 5-13
Big Ten Tourney: Quarterfinals
Postseason: None
Total Record: 15-17

Comments: How's this for starters - Iowa has to replace two players from a very average team. Those players (Adam Haluska and Tyler Smith) combined to put up 35.4 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 6.2 apg and 2.9 spg. Oh and there is a new coach in Iowa City. It can be said, however, that the latter is a good thing - at least if you ask Hawkeyes fans. Steve Alford was never fully embraced at Iowa for one reason or another. But when new boss Todd Lickliter brings his Butler brand of basketball and turns a relative group of no names into a competitive team, watch the love fest begin. This will be a transition year, but I expect Iowa to surprise people at times throughout the season.

T8 - Michigan Wolverines
OOC Projection: 7-5
Big Ten Projection: 5-13
Big Ten Tourney: 1st Round
Postseason: None
Total Record: 12-19

Comments: Another team with a new coach, searching for a new, tougher identity. John Beilein is just the type of coach that can turn the Michigan program around. Tommy Amaker did yeoman's work in getting the maize and blue past the debacle that was the Brian Ellerbe era and moved the Wolverines out of the shadow of scandal, but never did get them over the hump. Beilein will bring a new style, one that worked in a blue collar sort of way at West Virginia. He has some talent to work with but a brutal OOC slate. Give it time and Michigan will be back in the mix. But U-M is at least a season away from being truly competitive in the conference.

10 - Minnesota Golden Gophers
OOC Projection: 8-4
Big Ten Projection: 4-14
Big Ten Tourney: 1st Round
Postseason: None
Total Record: 12-19

Comments: The biggest coup by any team - possibly in America - that had to go find a coach was Minnesota luring an embattled Tubby Smith away from Kentucky. Smith is a fantastic basketball coach with big time credentials. He knows how to run a spotlight program and has a real chance to build Minnesota basketball into something special. He inherits a rag tag roster of sorts but should have an immediate impact on their level of success. Give him a recruiting class or two and watch the Gophers rise up as well... it just won't happen this season.

11 - Northwestern Wildcats
OOC Projection: 6-4
Big Ten Projection: 2-16
Big Ten Tourney: 1st Round
Postseason: None
Total Record: 8-21

Comments: Coach Bill Carmody has been in Evanston for a while now, with nothing major to show for during his tenure. He's an excellent basketball mind but simply cannot get the type of horses needed to contend in the Big Ten. He often goes the eastern European route and gets some ballers, but his teams haven't been rugged enough to compete. This team was dealt at least a temporary blow as well when Kevin Coble took a leave to tend to his ill mother. Northwestern may prove me wrong, but my guess is that this might be Carmody's last stand in Evanston.

All Big Ten Team:
Drew Neitzel - G, Michigan State
Jamar Butler - G, Ohio State
Raymar Morgan - F, Michigan State
Marcus Landry - F, Wisconsin
D.J. White - F, Indiana

Player of the Year:
Drew Neitzel - G, Michigan State

Freshman of the Year:
Eric Gordon - G, Indiana

Coach of the Year:
Tom Izzo - Michigan State