Jeff Budlong, On the Rebound

Last week I took a look at the Vikings lineup position by position as the NFL gets its 2006-2007 season under way. So this week I decided to change my focus to the college level and look at the top of the Big Ten.

This is an interesting season in the conference with a little bit of normal (Ohio State sitting on top), a little bit of weird (Michigan struggling) and some unknown (Penn St. and Purdue.)

Ohio St. &045; The rich keep getting richer and I am sick of it but I also respect it. Jim Tressel has done what John Cooper could do (recruit) and what he couldn’t (beat Michigan and win a national championship) and he isn’t going to slow down this year.

In five years,

he has amassed a 50-13 record and continued to build a football powerhouse despite losing one stud after another each season to the NFL.

The good: Ted Ginn Jr. can be just as electrifying as some guy who played running back at USC last year. The running game is going to be dominant with the addition of freshman phenom Chris Wells.

The bad: The defense has to replace just about everyone off of last year’s squad, but this is where Tressel seems to be at his best. He will find a way.

My question: Quarterback Troy Smith was on fire at the end of last year, but his past history of inconsistency and some off the field problems make me wonder if he is ready to lead for a full season.

Michigan &045; Can you hear that? It’s the book closing on the Lloyd Carr’s tenure with the Wolverines. That will be the case if they suffer another sub-par season like they did last year with a 7-5 mark.

The good: This is still Michigan and they still play in the Big House. Recruiting has been solid so there are still plenty of excellent players, and a healthy Mike Hart could make all the difference.

The bad: This team has under performed for years now and they have tough games at Notre Dame, at Penn State and at Ohio St.

My question: Just like last year I think this team will rise or fall on the arm of quarterback Chad Henne.

Penn St. &045; Last year was a big bounce back for the Nittany Lions and Joe Paterno, but now the question remains: Was it a fluke?

The good: You don’t wish injury on anyone but Paul Posluszny’s knee injury kept him out of NFL and give Penn St. a star on defense to go along with offensive spark plug Derrick Williams.

The bad: No proven quarterback and to hear Joe Pa talk about the front runner, Anthony Morelli, certainly doesn’t instill a lot of confidence.

My question: The Nittany Lions have not dominated since joining the Big Ten and the best they can do is put a good squad on the field once every four years. Can the younger players from a touted recruiting class step it up now and keep them going forward.

Iowa &045; The Hawkeyes have won a share of two conference titles in recent years, but last year was a bit of a downer despite going to a January bowl game for the fourth consecutive year.

The good: An experienced QB in Drew Tate, a good looking running game with Albert Young and Damian Simms and a rock-solid offensive line.

The bad: Absolutely no experience in big games for the returning wide receivers. The Hawks have two good tight ends, but if Tate can’t connect with his receivers it could be a long year.

My question: Is the defensive line ready to make a serious impact from day 1. It came on towards the end of last season, but were dominated by Florida in the bowl game. With two new linebackers the line has to get to the QB and stuff the run.

Purdue, Michigan St. and Minnesota are teams that could all make a move if they have things break their way. Wisconsin has a new head coach and lost their best running back. Indiana is the team that I think is the most on the rise. They aren’t going to shake up the league this year, but head coach Terry Hoeppner is doing good things in basketball country. Northwestern is dealing with the death of its head coach and is hard to read. Illinois will be bringing up the rear.

(Sports editor Jeff Budlong’s column runs every Wednesday.)