Big Ten Opens Season with 4 Ranked Teams in Coaches' Poll

If you get a chance in the next few days before camp, take a good long look at the first Coaches Poll of the season. Sitting at the top is none other than the Ohio State University despite losing 9 starters on defense, not to mention Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year A.J. Hawk. The next Big Ten team to appear is Michigan, but they enter in way down at number 15. Following them is Iowa at 17 and finally Penn State at 19. That's it, 4 teams and done. For the past few years, we've all heard from the national media about how the conference was down in basketball. Now it appears that the same talk will surface for football.

And why shouldn't it? Look at the coaching situation. For the first time in a LONG time, both coaches in Michigan (Lloyd Carr and John L. Smith) are on the hot seat. Couple that with two second-year coaches (Ron Zook and Terry Hoeppner) and two first-year coaches (Bret Bielema and Pat Fitzgerald).

With about a third of the coaches still adjusting to new programs and with the talent level down, it means the Big Ten is more wide open than it's been in years. Any of 4 teams have a shot at the title (OSU, UM, Iowa, and PSU).

This is plenty significant for Illinois. With the conference being down, it gives them a chance to sneak up on some of these teams at home this year despite the possibility of players still adjusting to Zook's system. If they can go 3-1 in the nonconference part of the schedule, it only leaves them with 3 wins to go for a (dare I say it?) bowl game. Their Big Ten home schedule has Iowa, Indiana, Ohio State, and Purdue. Two of these are very possible wins if the secondary and the offensive line decide to show up. Add that to an also very possible road win over Northwestern, and it may mean Christmas in Detroit or Nashville (what, you were expecting New Year's in Florida?).

No one's more cynical than I am when it comes to Illini football, but even I can't help noticing that the schedule alone puts them in position for success this season.

One last thing. Go to your calendar, circle Sept. 9th. #1 OSU vs. #2 Texas in Austin. It was one of the best games of the season last year. Look for the past to repeat itself.