Ever since the Wildcats reached the Rose Bowl in 1995, Big Ten schools besides Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan have realized they can reach the big time. Ron Dayne is gone, but plenty of talent remains. Drew Henson makes splashy debut as full-time starter. Boilermakers' offense must outscore foes every week. Lions' defense too young to get to Pasadena.
Buckeyes are still a year away from bouncing back.
Tough schedule interrupts Bobby Williams' honeymoon. Gophers will struggle to sustain '99 success. Hoosiers still don't have enough to break through. Hawkeyes won't contend until they rebuild their defense. Our columnists have the preseason covered every which way.