Academic Suspension – Well, the defense might not be a complete waste of 11 bodies this year, but the secondary is the same guys that got burned regularly last season. Better front line? Might mean less big plays, but it might not slow down the opposing offense enough to really matter.
Michigan
Coach: Rich Rodriguez
2007: 9-4 overall, 6-2 in Big Ten (T-2nd).
Head of the Class – The defense, which returns seven starters, will most certainly be the team’s strong point. The question is, can they handle what should be a noticeable spike in their playing time, compensating for the offense?
Underachievers – The team has loads of talented but unproven players, as new coach Rodriguez figures out if any of the guys he has beyond this year can fit into his system, and how much of his first recruiting class is remotely ready to be starters.
Academic Suspension- This has the potential to be an absolutely terrible year for Michigan. Their most talented quarterback option and one of their two returning lineman both transferred when Rodriguez arrived, so they have one returning starter on offense, and no quarterback that has any experience whatsoever, let alone experience with the option offense that will go into effect in Ann Arbor. I’ll be surprised if they post a winning season.
Northwestern
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
2007: 6-6 overall, 3-5 in Big Ten (T-7th)
Head of the Class – Much like last season, this offense is going to absolutely light up all but the best defenses they play. With C.J. Bacher returning at quarterback and Tyrell Sutton back in the backfield, and a schedule where a mediocre Iowa squad is their toughest test in the first five weeks, this team could at least launch itself out of the conference bottom, if not contend for a bit.
Underachievers – Or, the offense could go nowhere if an offensive line that only returns two starters isn’t able to protect Bacher or open up lanes for Sutton. We won’t really know what this team is capable of until they head to Michigan State in their sixth game.
Academic Suspension – This team has developed a bit of a reputation as managing to just lose – either not making a complete comeback, or managing to squander a lead at the last minute. A new defensive coordinator (Wisconsin’s old one) could make all the difference, or none at all.
Iowa
Coach: Kirk Ferentz
2007: 6-6 overall, 4-4 in the Big Ten (T-5th)
Head of the Class – Probably the two best things you can say about Iowa this year are that everybody is a year older and they don’t have to play Michigan or Ohio State. However, a year older doesn’t guarantee that they’re a year better, and they do still have to face Penn State and Wisconsin, plus Illinois and Pitt on the road.
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