Big Ten preview

ILLINOIS
Coach: Ron Zook, fifth season overall, second at Illinois (25-23 overall, 2-9 at Illinois)2005 record: 2-9 (0-8 Big Ten)Returning starters: 10 offense, 10 defenseKey players: QB Tim Brasic, sr; RB Pierre Thomas, sr; RB E.B. Halsey, sr; WR Kyle Hudson, so; OT Akim Millington, jr; DT Chris Norwell, jr; LB J Leman, jr; S Justin Harrison, jr.Key departures: P Steve Weatherford; FB Jason Davis; DT Ryan Matha; CB James Cooper
INDIANA
Coach: Terry Hoeppner, eighth season overall, second at Indiana (52-32 overall, (4-7 at Indiana)2005 record: 4-7 (1-7 Big Ten)Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defenseKey players: DT Greg Brown; OL Justin Frye; WR Jahkeen Gilmore; WR James Hardy; CB Leslie Majors; C Chris Mangiero; LB Will Meyers; CB Tracy PorterKey departures: DE Victor Adeyanju; LB Kyle Killion; LB John Pannozzo; T Isaac Sowells; RB Chris Taylor; RB Yamar Washington
IOWA
Coach: Kirk Ferentz, 8th season (49-36)2005 record: 7-5 (5-3 Big Ten)Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defenseKey players: QB Drew Tate, RB Albert Young, G Mike Elgin, DE Kenny Iwebema, LB Edmond MilesKey departures: WR Ed Hinkel, WR Clinton Solomon, LB Chad Greenway, LB Abdul Hodge
MICHIGAN
Coach: Lloyd Carr, 12th season (102-34)2005 record: 7-5 (5-3 Big Ten)Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defenseKey players: QB Chad Henne; RB Mike Hart; WR Steve Breaston; TE Tyler Ecker; LT Jake Long; DE LaMarr Woodley; DT Alan Branch; OLB Prescott Burgess; CB Leon HallKey departures: WR Jason Avant; OL Adam Stenavich; OL Matt Lentz; OL Leo Henige; DT Gabe Watson; DT Pat Massey; CB Grant Mason
MICHIGAN STATE
Coach: John L. Smith, 18th season overall, fourth at Michigan State (128-78 overall, 18-18 at Michigan State)2005 record: 5-6 (2-6 Big Ten)Returning starters: 6 offense, 6 defenseKey players: QB Drew Stanton, Sr.; WR Jerramy Scott, Sr.; WR Matt Trannon, Sr.; RB Javon Ringer, So.; DT Clifton Ryan, Sr.; C/OG Kyle Cook, Sr.; OT Mike Gyetvai, Jr; LB David Herron Jr., Sr.; LB Kaleb Thornhill, Jr.Key departures: S Eric Smith, C Chris Morris, OT Stefon Wheeler, RB Jason Teague, WR Kyle Brown, OG Gordon Niebylski, DT Domata Peko
MINNESOTA
Coach: Glen Mason, 21st season overall, 10th at Minnesota (117-114-1 overall, 58-50 at Minnesota)Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense, three specialistsKey players: QB Bryan Cupito, TE Matt Spaeth, RB Amir Pinnix, C Tony Brinkhaus, DE Steve Davis, SS Dominic JonesKey departures: C Greg Eslinger, RB Laurence Maroney, G Mark Setterstrom, RB Gary Russell, LB Kyle McKenzie, DT Anthony Montgomery
NORTHWESTERN
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald, first season2005 record: 7-5 (5-3 Big Ten)Returning starters: 8 offense, 9 defense, 1 specialistKey players: RB Tyrell Sutton, so; WR Shaun Herbert; CB Marquice Cole; S Brendan Smith; LB Nick RoachKey departures: QB Brett Basanez; OT Zach Streif; LB Tim McGarrigle; DT Barry Cofield
OHIO STATE
Coach: Jim Tressel, 21st season overall, sixth at Ohio State (185-70-2 overall, 50-13 at Ohio State)2005 record: 10-2 (7-1 Big Ten)Returning starters: 8 offense, 2 defenseKey players: QB Troy Smith, RB Antonio Pittman, WR Ted Ginn Jr., WR Anthony Gonzalez, C Doug Datish, DT Quinn Pitcock, MLB John KerrKey departures: LB A.J. Hawk, LB Bobby Carpenter, LB Anthony Schlegel, CB Tyler Everett, CB Ashton Youboty, FS Nate Salley, SS Donte Whitner, SE Santonio Holmes, C Nick Mangold
PENN STATE
Coach: Joe Paterno 41st season (354-117-3)2005 record: 11-1 (7-1 Big Ten)Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defenseKey players: QB Anthony Morelli, RB Tony Hunt, OT Levi Brown, WR Derrick Williams, WR Deon Butler, DT Jay Alford, LB Paul Posluszny, CB Justin King, P Jeremy KapinosKey departures: QB Michael Robinson, DE Tamba Hali, DE Matthew Rice, DT Scott Paxson, CB Alan Zemaitis, CB Anwar Phillips, S Chris Harrell, S Calvin Lowry
PURDUE
Coach: Joe Tiller, 16th season overall, 10th at Purdue (106-73-1 overall, 67-43 at Purdue)2005 record: 5-6 (3-5 Big Ten)Returning starters: 7 offense, 4 defenseKey players: WR Dorien Bryant, QB Curtis Painter, RB Kory Sheets, WR Kyle Ingraham, LB George Hall, DE Anthony Spencer, OG Jordan Grimes, OT Mike Otto, OT Sean Sester, OG Uche NwaneriKey departures: QB Brandon Kirsch, SS Bernard Pollard, RB Jerod Void, TE Charles Davis, DE Rob Ninkovich, DE Ray Edwards, P Dave Brytus
WISCONSIN
Coach: Bret Bielema, first seasonReturning starters: 3 offense, 8 defenseKey players: OT Joe Thomas, QB John Stocco, LE Joe Monty, RE Matt Shaughnessy, LB Mark Zalewski, S Roderick Rogers, S Joe Stellmacher, CB Allen LangfordKey departures: RB Brian Calhoun, WR Brandon Williams, WR Jonathan Orr, TE Owen Daniels, TE Jason Pociask, C Donovan Raiola, FB Matt Bernstein.
Associated Press
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