Terrelle Pryor
QB, Ohio State
On the heels of his Rose Bowl MVP performance, the Buckeyes star enters his third year as starter with Heisman hopes and the chance to lead a national-title contender.
Mike Brewster
C, Ohio State
A third-year starter and former Freshman All-American, the Orlando native is one of several talented veterans on the Buckeyes' O-line.
Cameron Hayward
DE, Ohio State
The son of late NFL star Craig "Ironhead" Hayward becomes the Buckeyes' primary pass-rusher following the departure of Thaddeus Gibson.
Ross Homan
LB, Ohio State
An instinctive playmaker, Homan led the Buckeyes last season with 108 tackles while also notching five interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles.
Chimdi Chekwa
CB, Ohio State
With the speed to anchor OSU's 4X100 relay team, Chekwa locks down opposing receivers, notching seven pass breakups in 2009.
Jermale Hines
S, Ohio State
A fast, hard-hitting strong safety who moved into a starting role last season, Hines will be counted on more in pass coverage with the departure of star Kurt Coleman.
CAN ANYONE CATCH PRYOR AND THE BUCKEYES THIS YEAR
Good article from si.com and I agree with it, but I am very scared that everyone is basing the Buckeyes on one good game by Pryor in the Rose Bowl. What do you think, please leave your feedback.
Big Ten Conference Report
Is Ohio State ready to set Terrelle Pryor loose? Has Penn State found a quarterback? Can Rich Rodriguez save his job? SI.com's 2010 conference reports continue with Stewart Mandel's Big Ten breakdown.
How They'll Finish
Conference Overall
Ohio State 7-1 11-1
Wisconsin 6-2 10-2
Iowa 6-2 9-3
Penn St. 5-3 8-4
Michigan St. 4-4 8-4
Northwestern 4-4 8-4
Purdue 4-4 7-5
Michigan 3-5 6-6
Illinois 3-5 5-7
Indiana 1-7 5-7
Minnesota 1-7 2-10
Offensive MVP
QB Terrelle Pryor
2009 Season Stats: 2,094 pass yards, 18 TDs, 11 INTs, 779 rush yards
2010 Projected Stats: 2,730 passyards, 26 TDs, 8 INTs, 660 rush yards
In his third season as starter, the athletic star should continue the momentum generated by his breakthrough Rose Bowl performance. With a healthy knee, improved decision-making, more touch on his deep ball and a plethora of weapons around him, Pryor will primarily be a passing threat while using his elite scrambling ability to produce big gains out of broken plays. He gets the slight nod here over Wisconsin running back John Clay.
Defensive MVP
DE Adrian Clayborn
2009 Season Stats: 70 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss
2010 Projected Stats: 62 tackles, 13 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss
Coming off a monstrous junior season in which he forced four fumbles, blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown against Penn State and earned MVP honors in Iowa's Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech, Clayborn should establish himself as the nation's top defensive end in 2010. His production might not increase significantly due to the wealth of other elite defenders around him, but his presence will be felt by opposing quarterbacks and rushers on virtually every snap.
Impact Freshman
LB William Gholston
High School Stats: 115 tackles, 27 sacks, 44 tackles for loss
2010 Projected Stats: 22 tackles, five sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss
The gifted 6-foot-7, 237-pound Gholston was the conference's top-rated recruit last winter and just happens to fill an immediate need for the Spartans. MSU is looking for a third starting linebacker to go alongside All-American Greg Jones and veteran Eric Gordon. Gholston might not get the nod on opening day, but should become a frequent contributor, possibly as a hybrid rush-end whom coaches can use in certain blitz packages.
Coach On The Hot Seat
Rich Rodriguez
Last Season: 5-7 (1-7 Big Ten)
Career at Michigan: 9-15 (3-13 Big Ten)
While a transition period was inevitable after the former West Virginia coach replaced the retired Lloyd Carr, no one could have foreseen such a nightmarish two years both on the field and off it, where Rodriguez's program stands accused of the school's first-ever major NCAA violations. If the Wolverines reach a bowl and show they can compete with the league's upper-echelon, Rodriguez will be fine. But another embarrassing finish will be too much for the administration to bear. Note: Illinois' Ron Zook -- coming off a 3-9 debacle -- is on similarly thin ice.
VIDEO: Can Rich Rodriguez save his job?
Three Key Nonconference Games
Connecticut at Michigan
Saturday, September 4
3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
If Rodriguez wants to start rebuilding enthusiasm in Ann Arbor, he needs to win the school's first game in the remodeled Big House -- no small chore against the Huskies.
Miami at Ohio State
Saturday, September 11
3:30 p.m ET (ESPN)
This rematch of the thrilling and controversial 2003 Fiesta Bowl should indicate whether the Buckeyes have what it takes to reach this year's championship game in Arizona.
Penn State at Alabama
Saturday, September 11
7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Nittany Lions' new quarterback -- likely sophomore Kevin Newsome -- faces a daunting first road start against the defending national champions.
Three Key Conference Games
Michigan State at Michigan
Saturday, October 2
TBD
In what could be a benchmark game for both programs, the Spartans look to build on their first two-game winning streak over Michigan in 42 years.
MANDEL: Michigan seniors looking to go out on high note
Ohio State at Wisconsin
Saturday, October 16
7:15 pm. ET (ESPN or ESPN2)
The Buckeyes' first real conference test may well be their toughest -- the Badgers are 25-3 at home in four seasons under coach Bret Bielema.
Ohio State at Iowa
Saturday, November 20
TBD
Last year's winner-takes-the-conference showdown in Columbus was an overtime thriller, and this year's edition could well be for the same stakes.
Did You Know?
Eleven of the conference's top 12 rushers from 2009 return, including three (Dan Herron, Terrelle Pryor and Brandon Saine) from Ohio State.
While Iowa boasts four accomplished starters on its defensive line, its returning offensive linemen have combined for just 36 career starts -- fewest in the Big Ten.
The Big Ten's top three returning receivers all play in the state of Indiana: Purdue's Keith Smith (91.7 yards per game) and Indiana's Tandon Doss (80.2) and Damario Belcher (64.2).
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