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The Big Ten has gone through a bit of a rough patch in recent years. It has garnered nicknames like Slow 10 and Little 11. The last time they were able to hold their heads up high was on November 18, 2006. That was when Ohio State and Michigan entered THE GAME ranked #1 and #2. All was right with the world. But then it began. Michigan was embarrassed by USC in the Rose Bowl and Ohio State was "just too slow" for Florida in the national championship game. It did not help matters when #5 Michigan lost their home opener that next season to FCS (or DIV 1-AA) opponent Appalachian State. Then Ohio State backed their way into the national championship to lose to yet another SEC opponent LSU. And in the 2008-2009 season the Big Ten went 1-6 in bowl games. It hasn't been pretty. There were some games that brought a little smile to Big Ten fans like Michigan over Florida (2008 Capital One Bowl), Penn State over Tennessee (Outback Bowl 2007), Wisconsin over Arkansas (Capital One Bowl 2007) and Iowa over South Carolina (Outback Bowl 2009). But that wasn't enough.

And this upcoming season isn't going to be any easier. If you look at the non-conference schedules of the teams in the Big Ten you may want to laugh. There are only a few games that can be called tough. The SEC may be able to get away with not scheduling tough because of how strong their conference is but the Big Ten can't. Not right now. Until they can get back to being the mighty Big Ten they should look to schedule tougher teams than Montana State and Wofford. So how good is the Big Ten this year? Who knows. The state of the league rest on the shoulders of Ohio State when they face off against USC on September 12th. A win will help the Big Ten tremendously. A loss will just be deja vu. Now I'm sure you may be sick of the Big Ten so we will go through my preseason rankings quickly. Road games are very important when I look at how a team might fair in the upcoming season.

Preseason Rankings:

1. Ohio State

because I'm a Buckeye fan (I know that's what you're thinking). But seriously it is true when they say that Ohio State doesn't rebuild, they reload. Most of their tough games are at home but that game on November 7th at Penn State is key. And we can't forget about Michigan on November 21st. Michigan is still Michigan.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:USC

Conference: @ Penn State

2. Penn State

because they will be good. Maybe great? If they do get past their not so cupcake road games (Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Michigan State) and tough home games against Iowa and Ohio State they could end up in the national championship. Of course they may have to hope for a Buckeye victory on September 12th for that to happen. No one outside of the Big Ten wants to see a remake of the 06-07 & 07-08 national championship games. Even if they are with a different team in the conference.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:Syracuse

Conference: Ohio State

3. Michigan State

because Dantonio may have something here. If Michigan State wants to turn things around they need to have back to back 9 or more win seasons. They get their rivals Michigan and Penn State at home but have to travel to Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Purdue.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:@ Notre Dame

Conference:Penn State

4.  Illinois

because Ron Zook can recruit. He has the athletes now all he has to do is coach. Tough road games at Ohio State and Minnesota (their new stadium opens this year. Can't hide in the dome anymore) won't be easy.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:Missouri

Conference:@ Ohio State

5. Iowa

because their road games are not going to be easy. Road games against Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State. The only team that won a bowl game last season probably deserves to be higher but their road schedule is just too tough.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:Arizona

Conference:@ Penn State

6. Wisconsin

because I'm not a fan of their coach. The Badgers have declined year after year after year. Their coach is on the hot seat. Road games against Minnesota, Ohio State, Indiana and Northwestern. Penn State is off the schedule but they have tough home games against Michigan State and Iowa. If they win Coach Bielema's seat gets cooler. If their season is worse than last years, will he be run out of town?

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:@ Hawaii

Conference:@ Minnesota

7. Michigan

because you can't do worse than 3-9, right? Rich-Rod SHOULD fair better in his second year at The Big House. The goal for this team should be to get back to a bowl game. That's not the standards at Michigan but neither is going 3-9. Their road games are against Michigan State, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:Notre Dame

Conference:Ohio State

8. Minnesota

because it takes time. Coach Brewster went from 1-11 to 7-6. A nice turn around but a bit disappointing. They lost their last 5 games. We will have to wait and see what Brewster will be able to do with this team in their new outdoor stadium.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:California

Conference:Wisconsin

9. Northwestern

because I'll have to see it to believe it. The Wildcats went 9-4 and 5-3 in the Big Ten last season. Although they don't meet Ohio State or Michigan this season they do have tough road games against Michigan State, Iowa and Illinois.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:@ Syracuse

Conference:Michigan State

10. Purdue

because they are rebuilding. New coach. Inexperienced QB and wide receivers. They don't play Penn State and Iowa this year but home games against Ohio State and Michigan State won't be simple.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:@ Oregon

Conference:Northwestern

11. Indiana

because bye bye Kellen Lewis. Kellen Lewis moved from QB to wide receiver to off the team roster. He could have known as their best player. We will have to see how the offense fairs without him. They have a tough schedule with road games against Michigan, Iowa and Penn State.

Games to Watch. Non-Conference:@ Akron

Conference:Purdue