How the Big Ten is stacking up

You've got to love Joe Paterno.

Not just because of the 366 career wins. Not just because he has raised millions for the Penn State library that bears his name.

It's also because, when you really need a quote, he'll hook you up.

So, Coach, does the Big Ten look a little down this year? You know, seeing as how Appalachian State won at Michigan, Duke won at Northwestern, Iowa lost at Iowa State and Minnesota lost at something called Florida Atlantic?

"I don't know," Paterno told reporters Tuesday. "Maybe we're down. Maybe we're up. Maybe we're in the middle. That's why you guys get paid to make those perfect predictions."

Bingo, JoePa. Thanks for the endorsement of this piece, which sets out to predict the winner of the 112th "Chase for the Big Ten title."

We'll count them down from No. 11 to No. 1. And, hey, Mr. Paterno, stick around for the ending. Think you might like it.

No. 11 Minnesota (1-2)

• What's to like: Riveting finishes. The Gophers' two home games went overtime, while the loss at Florida Atlantic was by just 3 points.

• What's not to like: Seven turnovers against Florida Atlantic? And the Owls rolled up 580 total yards, too.

No. 10 Northwestern (2-1)

• What's to like: With steady, unruffled C.J. Bacher at quarterback, the Cats have the potential to put up points early and, in particular, late.

• What's not to like: The pass defense still leaves everything to be desired. They rank 105th nationally against the pass with opponents completing 66 percent.

No. 9 Michigan (1-2)

• What's to like: Mike Hart. If he hits his career average of 116 yards per game, he'll finish as the Big Ten's No. 4 all-time rusher with 5,226 yards.

• What's not to like: The pass defense, which oddly has been coupled with a bad passing offense.

No. 8 Michigan State (3-0)

• What's to like: Coach Mark Dantonio has harnessed the Spartans' potential while reining in their tradition of self-destruction (bad penalties, late losses, etc.).

• What's not to like: The schedule with trips to Wisconsin, Ohio State, Iowa and Purdue, and with visits from Penn State and Michigan.

No. 7 Illinois (2-1)

• What's to like: Ron Zook's talented youngsters are starting to capitalize on their experience. There'll be one game this year when they put it all together and blow somebody away.

• What's not to like: The vertical passing game has been absent, except when backup QB Eddie McGee has the controls. Until Juice Williams hooks up deep, opponents will bring eight or nine defenders to stuff the run.

No. 6 Iowa (2-1)

• What's to like: Here's the list of the schools that didn't give up a TD in the first 3 games: Iowa and, uh, Iowa.

• What's not to like: With just four career starts under his belt -- none of them in the Big Ten -- soph QB Jake Christensen still has a long way to go.

No. 5 Indiana (3-0)

• What's to like: The versatile offense, led by sophomore QB Kellen Lewis, can attack every nook and cranny of the field. The defense shares the national lead with 17 sacks.

• What's not to like: Indiana's last winning season was in 1994. Somewhere, there's a mental block to overcome.

No. 4 Purdue (3-0)

• What's to like: Have you seen Curtis Painter's stats? He's hitting 69 percent of his passes for 952 yards, 13 TDs and no interceptions.

• What's not to like: The defense was solid against Toledo, Eastern Illinois and Central Michigan. Will that carry over into Big Ten play?

No. 3 Wisconsin (3-0)

• What's to like: RB P.J. Hill, who piled up a school-record-tying 5 TDs last week. QB Tyler Donovan has been more than solid.

• What's not to like: Last year's 12-1 record came on the strength of their defense. They retained seven starters, but they've struggled against dual-threat QBs -- and the Big Ten has a few of those guys.

No. 2 Ohio State (3-0)

• What's to like: The defending Big Ten champs own the league's best nonconference win (at Washington) and the best defense.

• What's not to like: Still not sold on QB Todd Boeckman, though he ranks 20th nationally in pass efficiency. And has stud RB Chris Wells conquered last year's fumbleitis?

No. 1 Penn State (3-0)

• What's to like: The nation's No. 1 rush defense (53 yards in 3 games), which also is the nation's co-leader in sacks (17). QB Anthony Morelli has a better TD-to-INT ratio (8-1) than he did last year (11-8).

• What's not to like: The O-line is so thin that true freshman Stefen Wisniewski may play serious minutes.