The Big Ten has had a representative in BCS many times in recent years, but the result has never been very good. Always under scrutiny for a cupcake schedule and a shot at the big game, but this year they have one of the deepest conferences in the country. This year, the top 4 teams to watch are as follows:

Ohio St. Buckeyes: Ohio St. has made it to the BCS championship game twice in the last two years only to come away badly beaten. They became the poster children for the team that shouldn’t be in the big game. They have set out to prove the critics wrong and have scheduled tough games like USC this year. With twenty returning starters, they will be the cream of the crop and go to the BCS again. Projected Completion: First in the Big Ten; 11-1

Wisconsin Badgers – This team is ready for a big season where they get the respect they should have gotten a long time ago. The running game is packed with four quality running backs, as long as they settle the QB battle between veteran Dustin Sherer and odds-on favorite Allan Evridge. The defense is injury-prone and already in trouble, but it will be ready to challenge Ohio St. for the top spot in the Big Ten. Projected Finish: Second in the Big Ten; 10-2

Penn St. Nittany Lions: Joe Pa is back and with him will come the scrutiny of an old man trying to continue training through the college ranks. That noise will fade when this team starts winning. They are full of experience and, more importantly, they have a killer defense. The D line is strong and the linebackers will play any offense in the league. What will make the big difference with this team will be the quarterback play. Projected Finish: Third in the Big Ten; 10-2

Illinois Fighting Illini: Ron Zook will have his team ready to go and with a great roster of returning starters, they could finish high in the Big Ten. The problem will be the schedule. Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin and Penn St will all be away games they could lose not to mention a game against Ohio St. This team has a lot of talent but they are not ready for this. Projected Finish: Fifth in the Big Ten; 7-5