Coming onto the 2002 season the Big Ten had been struggling, failing to place a team in the top 10 of the final Associated Press poll in each of the previous two seasons, and going a combined 4-8 in bowl games in the 2000 and 2001 seasons.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the league posted a 38-15 non-conference record last season, which included a 5-2 mark in bowls. Ohio State won the national championship while Iowa (No. 8) and Michigan (No. 9) finished in the top 10, and Wisconsin, Minnesota and Purdue all upset higher-ranked teams in their bowl games.

	A healthy Lee Evans could put Wisconsin in positon for a Big Ten crown.

That success and momentum will make for a wide-open race in what could be the best conference in college football, and it all begins with a boat load of returning talent. Purdue returns 19 starters, Ohio State and Wisconsin return 18, Minnesota brings back 18 and Michigan returns 15, giving all a chance to make some noise.

Minnesota has a favorable schedule that could result in a 6-0 record when the Golden Gophers face Michigan on Oct. 11, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Gophers win nine or 10 games this year. Wisconsin misses the Wolverines altogether and gets Ohio State and Purdue at home, while on the flip side Purdue plays at Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

With so many players returning on units that led the Big Ten in total offense and total defense, Purdue would probably be my pick to win the title with an easier schedule because each of the Boilermakers' six losses last year came by seven points or less. But that brutal slate -- which includes 13 straight games without a bye week -- will likely derail any championship hopes.

Wisconsin's fortunate schedule and the return of All-America receiver Lee Evans make the Badgers another team to watch. Anthony Davis is one of the best backs in the country, and if the run defense comes around and Jim Sorgi plays well at quarterback, things could be interesting.

On the same date that might feature 6-0 Minnesota playing host to Michigan, the Badgers play host to Ohio State in a game that will likely put one team or the other in the driver's seat for the league championship and could be the decisive game on the conference schedule.

The gist of it all is that for a change there is much more to think about in the Big Ten than just Ohio State and Michigan. The conference is talented and deep, and this should be an incredible year in the Midwest. The Big Ten will be among the best leagues in the country, and maybe the best of all.

Kirk Herbstreit is an analyst for ESPN College GameDay and a regular contributor to ESPN.com during the college football season.