OK, it’s time for the annual ritual of the preseason picks.  Lest I be embarrassed at the end of the season, here goes:

1)    PSU (and #1 in the nation as well)

2)    Minnesota

3)    Wisconsin

4)    Purdue

5)    (tie) Mich/Mich St

7)  Illinois

8)  Indiana

9)  Ohio State

10)  Iowa

11)  Northwestern

Frankly, the bottom 4 could be a complete toss-up.  Relative to last year, I think Indiana will improve, and so will Iowa, with NU falling.  But any of those teams has work to do before they can crack into the middle of the conference with the Michigans and Illinois.

Also, 2-3 is a close call.  It could easily go Wis-Minn instead of Minn-Wis, but I like the Gophers’ chances to take their solid returnees and mold a strong NCAA team. 

Purdue and Illinois are the X factors this year.  We will see how well they integrate their moving parts and form cohesive, good chemistry teams.

PSU has to stay injury-free, especially to key players like Glass and Harmotto.  If they do, look out world.

Rob