Illinois Fighting Illini
2000 overall record: 5-6
Conference record: 2-6 (t-9th)

Returning starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 6
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Antoineo Harris* (772 yds)
Passing: Kurt Kittner* (1,982 yds)
Receiving: Greg Lewis* (544 yds)
Tackles: Robert Franklin (109 tackles)
Sacks: Fred Wakefield (9)
Interceptions: Eugene Wilson* (4)

What's new
Brandon Lloyd returns to the lineup after missing all of the 2000 season with a broken femur. As a true freshman in '99, Lloyd helped Kurt Kittner stretch defenses while averaging 17.0 yards per catch. That deep threat was noticeably absent from the Illini offense last season.
Battling it out
A pair of four-year starters needs to be replaced on the offensive line, and there were plenty of contenders in the spring. The left tackle spot now seems to be between David Diehl and Sean Bubin and this battle will certainly be continued in the fall. Aaron Hodges and redshirt freshman Bucky Babcock have separated themselves at right guard.
Eye catcher: WR Dwayne Smith
Smith had only 146 receiving yards last season but was a star in spring drills. In the first two scrimmages, he combined nine catches for 194 yards and two TD. He is the starter at split end entering the fall.
Budding star: CB Eugene Wilson
After intercepting three passes in the final three games of 2000, Wilson looks to keep that momentum in the Illini's new defensive scheme. More man-to-man coverage has not been a problem for Wilson, who made an interception in each of the first two spring scrimmages.

Indiana Hoosiers
2000 overall record: 3-8
Conference record: 2-6 (t-9th)

Returning starters
Offense: 8
Defense: 8
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Antwaan Randle El* (1,270 yds)
Passing: Antwaan Randle El* (1,783 yds)
Receiving: Versie Gaddis (554 yds)
Tackles: Johnny Anderson (92)
Sacks: Justin Smith* (6)
Interceptions: Sharrod Wallace* (2)

What's new
Already one of the best running and passing combinations in college football history, Antwaan Randle El will add receiving to his resume in 2001. In order to get some playing time for talented quarterback Tommy Jones, Randle El will line up at wideout some of the time (if not a majority of the time) and also return punts. But don't expect him to entirely disappear from behind center. As we have learned, you never know what Randle El is going to do.
Battling it out
The Hoosiers have four solid candidates for the two safety spots. Ron Bethel started all 11 games at free safety last year, which might give him the inside track, but he received plenty of competition this spring. Last year's nickel back, Joe Gonzalez, was impressive, as were JC transfers Antonio Watson and Willie Northern (both enrolled in January). Northern had an interception in the spring game.
Eye catcher: CB Michael Hanley
Hanley played in all 11 games as a freshman but had to sit out last year for academic reasons. He is a good cover corner whose talents were certainly missed. But the layoff didn't do too much to his footwork and timing. After a great spring, he is listed as a starter entering the fall.
Budding star: FB Jeremi Johnson
The 270-pounder may be one of the more versatile backs in the Big Ten. Not only is he a devastating lead blocker, but he has also scored 5 TDs between rushing and receiving over the last two seasons. He has great agility for his size and could even be used in a one-back set when Indiana chooses to break out that formation.

Iowa Hawkeyes
2000 overall record: 3-9
Conference record: 3-5 (8th)

Returning starters
Offense: 8
Defense: 8
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Ladell Betts* (1,090 yds)
Passing: Kyle McCann* (862 yds)
Receiving: Kevin Kasper (1,010 yds)
Tackles: LeVar Woods (97)
Sacks: Derrick Pickens* (7)
Interceptions: Ryan Hansen (3)

What's new
The team's performance in the last four games of 2000 (including wins at Penn State and vs. Northwestern) has instilled a confidence that carried over into the spring. There is a renewed optimism surrounding this Hawkeyes team, and the Iowa fans are truly excited about football season for the first time in a few years.
Battling it out
The most competitive battle is at quarterback between Kyle McCann and John Beutjer, who both started four games last year. Coaches are saying that the race is too close to call, but Ferentz is excited about the competition and believes he can win with either quarterback.
Eye catcher: TE Dallas Clark
Clark played in every game as a linebacker last year but was switched to tight end after graduation left very little depth there. He showed good hands in spring drills and played as well as anyone at the position. With continued improvement over the summer, Clark has a very good chance to be the starter.
Budding star: RB Ladell Betts
Big Ten fans are very familiar with Betts, who has demonstrated much talent in his first three seasons without a great offensive line to clear the way. This team, however, has a lot of returning experience on the line, which should allow Betts to have his best season yet. He is already the school's third-leading career rusher with 2,626 yards.

Michigan Wolverines
2000 overall record: 9-3
Conference record: 6-2 (t-1st)

Returning starters
Offense: 4
Defense: 8
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Anthony Thomas (1,733)
Passing: Drew Henson (2,146)
Receiving: David Terrell (1,130)
Tackles: DeWayne Patmon (86)
Sacks: Victor Hobson* (3)
Interceptions: Todd Howard* (6)

What's new
Everyone knows QB John Navarre will replace Drew Henson, who left Michigan early to play in the New York Yankees organization, but another big change will be the left side of the offensive line. The Wolverines must replace four-year starters Jeff Backus and Steve Hutchinson. The pair had a combined 93 career starts and were both taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Battling it out
Chris Perry and Walter Cross are the leading candidates to replace Anthony Thomas at tailback, which will be a tall order. Perry would be the favorite going into the fall, but there could also be competition from redshirt freshman Tim Bracken.
Eye catcher: LB Zach Kaufman
He has played since the first game of his true freshman season, but mostly on special teams. This spring, Kaufman showed good defensive instincts and was often in the middle of plays. He should see playing time as a backup inside linebacker in addition to his continued role on special teams.
Budding star: WR Marquise Walker
Had it not been for David Terrell, Walker might already be a star. But instead, his 50 catches and 700 receiving yards last season were somewhat overlooked. And don't expect the departure of Drew Henson to have much effect on Walker's 2001 season. Last season, he caught four TD passes -- three of which were thrown by Navarre.

Michigan State Spartans
2000 overall record: 5-6
Conference record: 2-6 (t-9th)

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 6
Kickers: 2

2000 Statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: T.J. Duckett* (1,353 yds)
Passing: Jeff Smoker* (1,365 yds)
Receiving: Herb Haygood* (539)
Tackles: Josh Thornhill* (114)
Sacks: Drew Young and Jabari Hendricks (3 each)
Interceptions: Cedric Henry* (5)

What's new
The Spartans will have a few deep threats this year after averaging only 12.5 yards per reception last season. Newcomers Charles Rogers and BJ Lovette will join Herb Haygood (15.4 ypr) and Marcus Waters (16.4 ypr) to give MSU plenty of big play potential. Rogers, Lovette and Waters are all 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds with speed.
Battling it out
One of coach Bobby Williams' priorities for the spring was to identify a starting QB, but both played so well that he had no choice but to extend competition to the fall. Jeff Smoker started six games last season, while Ryan Van Dyke started the other five. Each looked like a new QB in the spring with receivers who could stretch the field.
Eye catcher: OLB Ivory McCoy
McCoy began last season as a two-way player (OLB and TE) but finished the season exclusively as a backup tight end. He began this spring at TE, then was moved back to defense after a couple of weeks. In his first scrimmage, he had two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception on the goalline. He continued to impress and has coaches hopeful he can become a playmaker in the mold of Julian Peterson.
Budding star: MLB Josh Thornhill
A three-year starter, Thornhill was solid but not spectacular until last season, when he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors with 114 tackles. He anchors a Spartan defense that led the Big Ten last year and should be one of the best in the conference again this season. If so, Thornhill could also contend for national honors.

Minnesota Golden Gophers
2000 overall record: 6-6
Conference record: 4-4 (t-5th)

Returning starters
Offense: 9
Defense: 3
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Tellis Redmon* (1,368 yds)
Passing: Travis Cole* (1,982 yds)
Receiving: Ron Johnson* (1,125 yds)
Tackles: Delvin Jones (88)
Sacks: Karon Riley (13)
Interceptions: Clorenzo Griffin (2)

What's new
A new defensive staff, led by coordinator Moe Ankney, will be the most noticeable difference in 2001. Don't expect wholesale changes, but this scheme should put more pressure at the line of scrimmage and utilize smaller, quicker linebackers. This increased speed will help the Gophers match up better with offenses like Purdue and Northwestern which gave them all sorts of trouble last season.
Battling it out
Asad Abdul-Khaliq began last season as the starter but struggled early and was replaced by Travis Cole. Both played throughout the rest of the season and are still battling for the starting job this year. Cole still leads the competition, but it accelerated the progress of both players in the spring.
Eye catcher: FS Jack Brewer
A cousin of tailback Tellis Redmon, Brewer was playing at receiver through last season. This spring, he made the switch to defensive back and is now the No. 1 free safety heading into fall. He has proven to be a hard hitter and has shown good leadership in the secondary.
Budding star: TE Ben Utecht
The converted wide receiver moved to tight end at the beginning of last year and has continued to improve as he has developed physically. He is a big target at 6-6, but he weighed just 210 pounds a year ago. Now, he is up to 250, still runs well and is getting better as a blocker.

Northwestern Wildcats
2000 overall record: 8-4
Conference record: 6-2 (t-1st)

Returning starters
Offense: 10
Defense: 6
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Damien Anderson* (2,063 yds)
Passing: Zak Kustok* (2,389 yds)
Receiving: Sam Simmons* (498 yds)
Tackles: Billy Silva* (124)
Sacks: Dwayne Missouri (9)
Interceptions: Harold Blackmon (5)

What's new
Mike Dunbar joins the staff as tight ends, H-backs coach and special teams coordinator -- the first time Randy Walker has used a special teams coordinator at Northwestern. The Wildcats weren't awful in the kicking game last year but need to focus on it as another area in which they can gain a competitive advantage.
Battling it out
Florida transfer David Wasielewski is competing for the starting job at both punter and kicker. He battles incumbent J.J. Standring for the punting position and squares off with Daniel Huffman for field goal duties. The Wildcats also have a three-way competition to replace NFL draft choice Harold Blackmon at cornerback. Raheem Covington, Sean Weiber and Marvin Brown are all getting consideration, and the race is too close to call after spring drills.
Eye catcher: QB Tony Strauss
Though he might not be a threat to Zak Kustok's starting job, Stauss turned some heads with his play in spring practice and could give Northwestern solid insurance at QB in 2001. Stauss completed 9-of-12 passes with two TD in one intrasquad scrimmage and was even handed the reins of the first-team offense for part of the second half in the spring game.
Buddin star: QB Zak Kustok
He might not be the most dynamic player on his own offense, but Kustok has a chance to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten in 2001. With the departure of both Drew Brees and Drew Henson from the conference, Kustok might not be as overlooked as he was a year ago. His decision making and timely passing have paved the way for the success of RB Damien Anderson and the productivity of the Big Ten's top offense.

Ohio State Buckeyes
2000 overall record: 8-4
Conference record: 5-3 (4th)

Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 6
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Derek Combs (888 yds)
Passing: Steve Bellisari* (2,319 yds)
Receiving: Ken-Yon Rambo (794 yds)
Tackles: Mike Doss* (94)
Sacks: Brent Johnson (9)
Interceptions: David Mitchell (5)

What's new
It's always tough to succeed on the heels of success, but at least for now, new head coach Jim Tressel has the full support of the Buckeye family. He has emphasized hard work and teamwork, which might have been somewhat lacking in recent seasons on a roster full of top-level talent. Offensively, he used a wide range of looks in the spring to see what his personnel could do. In the fall, we will see what he found.
Battling it out
The tailback race is tight between senior Jonathan Wells and sophomore Sammy Maldonado. Wells has the advantage in game experience, having started three times last year. Both are powerful runners with enough speed to get outside, and both showed significant improvement in the spring.
Eye catcher: DE Will Smith
The previous coaching staff had high hopes for Smith, and now the new staff knows why. After seeing action as a true freshman, he had an impressive spring and is likely to take over the right defensive end spot. He has a good size and strength and is very quick on his feet.
Budding star: OT Adrien Clarke
Clarke broke into the starting lineup in the third game of his redshirt freshman season last year and was the Buckeyes' starting left tackle the rest of the way. Now that Tyson Walter is back from his season-ending injury, Clarke might move to the right side, but he will definitely have a place in the starting lineup. He is an excellent pass blocker with his good agility and great size (6-4, 340).

Penn State Nittany Lions
2000 overall record: 5-7
Conference record: 4-4 (t-5th)

Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 6
Kickers: 1

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Eric McCoo* (692 yds)
Passing: Rashard Casey (2,001 yds)
Receiving: Tony Stewart (451 yds)
Tackles: James Boyd (109 yds)
Sacks: Jimmy Kennedy*, Michael Haynes* and Justin Kurpeikis (6 each)
Interceptions: Shamar Finney*, Bhawoh Jue and James Boyd (3 each)

What's new
The word "new" is not typically associated with Joe Paterno, but this season, he should become the new leader in wins by a Division I-A football coach. Paterno needs just two more victories to pass Paul "Bear" Bryant as the winningest coach in major college history. Paterno currently has 322 career wins in 35 seasons.
Battling it out
Though Eric McCoo has been the starter, he is being pushed for his job by Omar Easy and Larry Johnson. McCoo practiced sparingly in the spring as he concentrated on academics and did not play in spring game. Easy and Johnson both had excellent springs to make the race much closer. Regardless, all three should see plenty of game action as they did in 2000.
Eye catcher: OLB Tom Williams
Williams is a fifth-year senior and a transfer from Lafayette College. He played a little bit last year but does not yet have a tackle in a Division I-A game. In the spring, however, he was very active and moved to the top of the depth chart. He has proven to be a very instinctive and hard-nosed player.
Budding star: WR Bryant Johnson
After making only four catches as a sophomore last year, Johnson had a great spring. He made five catches for 103 yards in the spring game and was named the most improved offensive player during spring drills. He enters the fall listed as the No. 1 flanker.

Purdue Boilermakers
2000 overall record: 8-4
Conference record: 6-2 (t-1st)

Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 10
Kickers: 2

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Montrell Lowe* (998 yds)
Passing: Drew Brees (3,668 yds)
Receiving: Vinny Sutherland (1,014 yds)
Tackles: Stuart Schweigert* (85)
Sacks: Akin Ayodele* (9)
Interceptions: Stuart Schweigert* (5)

What's new
The Boilermakers lost four of their five starting offensive linemen from the Rose Bowl (three were drafted), and the one returning starter, Gene Mruczkowski, has switched from guard to center. Fortunately for Purdue, a veteran defense could take up the slack while the new-look offensive line and new quarterback Brandon Hance gain some experience.
Battling it out
Montrell Lowe rushed for almost 1,000 yard last season but is still fighting for his job. Big back Sedrick Brown is a better receiver than Lowe and had a really good spring to close the gap. Both could get competition from new signee Reggie Benton, as well as Joey Harris, who will gain eligibility this fall. Lowe is still listed at No. 1 after the spring.
Eye catcher: CB Antwaun Rogers
The redshirt freshman had an impressive spring to assume the only position vacated from last year's defense. Rogers put on a lot of muscle during his redshirt year and still recently timed out as the fastest player on the team. He had three interceptions in two spring scrimmages.
Budding star: DE Shaun Phillips
As a freshman last year, Phillips was second on team in both sacks (7) and tackles for loss (14). He is a smaller but athletic pass-rushing end who gets around the corner with great quickness. With Akin Ayodele on the other side, Purdue should have one of the more formidable sack tandems in the nation.

Wisconsin Badgers
2000 overall record: 9-4
Conference record: 4-4 (t-5th)

Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 5
Kickers: 0

2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Michael Bennett (1,681 yds)
Passing: Brooks Bollinger* (1,479 yds)
Receiving: Chris Chambers (813 yds)
Tackles: Nick Greisen* (146)
Sacks: Nick Greisen* and Wendell Bryant* (6 each)
Interceptions: Jamar Fletcher (7)

What's new
Without a workhorse running back to depend on this year, Wisconsin put in some one-back, spread offense packages similar to what Northwestern did a year ago. This allows them to better utilize the athleticism of quarterbacks Brooks Bollinger and Jim Sorgi. In the first half of the spring game, the Badger QBs were a combined 16-20 for 300 yards. Both quarterbacks will get playing time this season.
Battling it out
The early departure of Michael Bennett and a torn ACL of Broderick Williams leave three redshirt freshmen to compete for the starting job at tailback. The coaches seem comfortable with all three, and all played with the first team in the Spring Game. Tyron Griffin is the bigger back of the three, while Anthony Davis and Jerone Pettus are shiftier runners. Wisconsin has had a 1,000-yard rusher in eight consecutive seasons.
Eye catcher: WR Lee Evans
With the departure of Chris Chambers, Evans should become the focal point of the Badgers' passing attack. He made several highlight-reel catches in the spring and closed with 130 yards and a TD in the spring game.
Budding star: CB Mike Echols
Echols is no longer "the other corner" and will now assume the leadership role in the secondary. He will match up with the opponent's best receiver and will be a key to the success of the Wisconsin defense -- just as Jamar Fletcher was the past two seasons. Echols missed some spring practice with an ankle injury, but will have the chance to prove his mettle in 2001.