re: Where do you see the Big10 headed?

BTW, here's how I look at all the Big10 teams:

Indiana - Perennial doormat of the big10, and I don't see them moving out of the bottom half of the conference. If Bill Lynch isn't gone after this year, his time will be numbered. Sure they can bust out a season with a bowl game every 5 years or so, but thats about it.

Purdue - Really to tell where they'll end up in a few years with new coach Danny Hope. The thing working for them is they at least have something going on and they aren't just sitting around. For example they are trying to reshape the team through recruits and JUCO guys right now, similar to what Brewster did with Minnesota. I think that they'll share the same fate of Indiana though.

Wisconsin - They are currently crumbling. They are able to still bring in great back after great back, but the rest of things seem to be tanking. They'll be in the basement for a little while I think.

Iowa - Two years of sub .500 records, two years of bowl games. Rinse and repeat. Never a threat for anything consistently, they can make a run for the league title every 3 or 4 years.

Minnesota - New stadium and a new attitude in Minneapolis. Their new digs will help recruiting a lot I think, but the question is can they keep their momentum up and become a consistent player in the Big10? I doubt it - they'll alternate "up" and "down" years with Iowa.

Illinois - Zook can recruit and can't coach. This team will win a few games they shouldn't and lose a few games they shouldn't ever year. Similar to Iowa/Minnesota, they'll alternate years of contention with years of being in the bottom half.

Northwestern - One of the best coaches who has to work with a team that never gets any respect. All this team does is produce without much top talent. I truly admire Fitzgerald and this team will consistently be mid-to-top of the conference.

Michigan St - The other great coach and program builder in the ranks of the Big10. This squad will constantly be improving and in 5 years they WILL be an annual talk about the league title. Here's how recruiting in Michigan will shape up: If you are an elite defensive player, you go to Michigan St. If you are an elite offensive player, you go to Michigan.

Michigan - As painful as it is for me to say it, this program is going to be scary down the road, and you're blind if you can't see it. The problem for them though will be can DickRod avoid losing the games he shouldn't? Shades of WVU/Pitt in 07 creep into my vision...

Penn St - When Joe Pa goes (which should be shortly I think) they will not miss a beat. They have a great stadium and great fans and that will keep the Penn St buzz going after Joe Pa goes. They will consistently have a down year or two every five years though.

Ohio St - not slowing down anytime soon. The only shocker for some will be when Tressel steps down in ~5 years from now, and OSU tries to woo Dantonio away from Michigan St.