28 BIG TEN AUGUST 28, 2003 Ohio St., U-M early favorites

2002 STANDINGS back. Ross rushed for 619 Buckeyes begin quest yards and six TDs; Hall ran Big 10 Overall WL WLfor 370 yards and four TDs. ... to defend national Ohio State 8 0 14 0 All-American kicker Mike Iowa 8 0 11 2 Nugent converted 25 of 28 championship MICHIGAN 6 2 10 3 field goal attempts. Penn State 5 3 9 4 Illinois 4 4 5 7 MICHIGAN: See Page 26. BY JASON STRAIT Purdue 4 4 7 6 WISCONSIN: WR Lee Evans AP Sports Writer Minnesota 3 5 8 5 returns after missing the 2002 MICHIGAN ST. 2 6 4 8 Ohio State and Michigan season with a knee injury. The Wisconsin 2 6 8 6 school’s all-time receiving can’t wait for the season to Indiana 1 7 3 9 start. Northwestern 1 7 3 9 leader set a Big Ten record The longtime rivals are once with 1,545 receiving yards in again the favorites to battle 2001. ... Ranked last in the Big for the Big Ten and should be Washington on Aug. 30 and Ten in passing last season. ... in the hunt for another nation- play No. 16 North Carolina Walk-on safety Jim Leonhard al title. State two weeks later in led the nation with 11 inter- The No. 2 Buckeyes return another tough nonconference ceptions. ... Junior RB 18 starters from last year’s game. Wisconsin, Penn State Anthony Davis rushed for championship team, while No. and Michigan are also on an 3,021 yards in his first two sea- 4 Michigan brings back a unforgiving schedule that will sons, best in the country. three-year starter at quarter- test the reigning national PURDUE: Lading rusher Joey back and the conference’s champs. Harris was ruled academical- preseason player of the year A year ago, the Buckeyes ly ineligible for the season. on defense. passed every tough test. Harris rushed for 1,115 yards Now if only things were Ohio State won seven games and eight TDs last season. ... going as well off the field. by a or less and Faces Michigan and Ohio Ohio State’s 14-0 season and needed overtime to get by State on the road. The national title was called into Illinois during the regular Boilermakers’ road record doubt with questions about season and Miami in the against those teams since the academic eligibility of its Fiesta Bowl. 1968? 1-27. star, , and “We have stressed to our PENN STATE: Went 9-4 after then an NCAA investigation team that in some ways we consecutive losing seasons. ... into his claim that he had were fortunate to be undefeat- Big shoes to fill at running thousands of dollars of stereo ed last season,” Tressel said. back with the loss of Larry equipment stolen from a car. “I think our team has learned Johnson, the school’s first The Big Ten’s top returning that, but we will not know 2,000-yard rusher. ... RBs Mike defensive player, Marlin until we get out on the field Gasparato, Donnie Johnson Jackson, also faces off-field this year.” and freshman Austin Scott troubles. The Michigan defen- Eight schools have won at should compete for playing time. ... Defensive line a ques- sive back pleaded guilty last least a share of the Big Ten The Associated Press week to aggravated assault for championship in the past 10 tion after three starters were After leading Ohio State to the national title, quarterback chosen in the first two rounds striking a man in the eye. years. In the past, such parity is all smiles about the upcoming season. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr was considered a weakness of the NFL draft. ... The hasn’t commented on for the Big Ten. Coaches hope Nittany Lions play at quarterback. The 6-foot-7, 250- NORTHWESTERN: The Jackson’s future with the Ohio State’s title changed that Nebraska Sept. 13 but get pound senior is short on expe- Wildcats have gone 3-13 in the team. Clarett, the league’s perception. Ohio State and Wisconsin at rience, playing just five games Big Ten since winning a share preseason offensive player of “We all sat up here a year home. as backup. ... Returns seven of the conference title in 2000. the year, is being held out of ago having to say what’s wrong MINNESOTA: Marion Barber starters to a defense that ... Must improve its defense to practice until the issues are with the league. People said it III ran for 742 yards and allowed 82 yards a game rush- have a chance. The Wildcats resolved. was a weak league,” scored seven as a ing. allowed 41 points and 502 “I don’t think anything off Wisconsin coach Barry freshman in 2001 but was ILLINOIS: QB Jon Beutjer led yards a game last season. ... the field is really going to Alvarez said. “We proved that injured for most of last sea- the Big Ten in passing at 228 Quarterback Brett Basanez affect this team,” said Ohio we were a very strong league son. Terry Jackson ran for yards a game despite splitting has fully recovered after State defensive end Darrion last year. We’re a stronger 1,317 yards and six touch- time in four games and sitting breaking his leg in a 45-42 loss Scott. “Coach (Jim) Tressel league than a year ago.” downs, while Thomas Tapeh for one. ... Receivers are to Minnesota. has taught us to handle adver- A capsule look at the Big added 806 yards rushing and unknown and untested. INDIANA: QB Matt LoVecchio, sity. We can overcome a lot of Ten, based on predicted order seven touchdowns. ... Glen Kendrick Jones is the only a transfer from Notre Dame, obstacles. When adversity of finish: Mason needs seven wins to returning wideout with a beat out freshman Graeme comes we don’t run away from OHIO STATE: Two-way starter reach 100 for his career. reception, and he had one. ... McFarland for the starting it — we face it head on.” Chris Gamble led the IOWA: Lost eight starters Defense was third worst in the job. ... Averaged a conference- Ohio State won’t have to wait Buckeyes with four intercep- from an offense that averaged Big Ten, allowing 421 yards a low 21.5 points a game last long for those challenges. tions and was second in recep- a conference-best 37 points a game. ... Won four of final six season. ... Linebacker John The Buckeyes, who return tions with 31. ... If Clarett is game. ... Nathan Chandler games. Kerr, who led the Hoosiers in every starter on offense, open out, and Maurice steps in for Heisman Trophy MICHIGAN STATE: See Page tackles as a freshman, trans- the season against No. 17 Hall will fill in at running runner-up Brad Banks at 27. ferred to Ohio State.