Preseason prediction: OSU expected to be No. 1 in Big Ten

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez also cleared up all the drama surrounding him during Thurday’s media event.

CHICAGO (AP) — Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez stepped to the podium Thursday for his first appearance at the Big Ten preseason media event and promised to clear up what he called “a little bit of drama going on in the last seven months.”

That’s putting it mildly. Rodriguez’s departure from his alma mater West Virginia was messy and acrimonious and ended up in court.

“It was like I was afraid to open up a paper to see what’s next and what do I have to refute. There were some tough lessons learned,” Rodriguez said.

“I always tell my coaches that you give your life and soul to the place you’re working at and I probably did that. It certainly didn’t end the way we wanted it to. But there were a lot of great people there, a lot of great young men on the football team, a lot of great fans in the state of West Virginia and I know they’re going to have great success in the future.”

His transition at Michigan has not been without problems, either.

Offensive lineman Justin Boren left the program, saying the family values had eroded and then he did the unthinkable. He transferred to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes, losers in the last two BCS championship games, were chosen in a media poll to win the Big Ten again. Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells and Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis were chosen preseason offensive and defensive players of the year.

Ohio State has 20 returning starters — nine on defense, nine on offense, including quarterback Todd Boeckman, and two on special teams.

Wells rushed for 1,609 yards last season and Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award.

“At Ohio State, among the Ohio State faithful, we’re expected to win the conference every year,” coach Jim Tressel said.

Wisconsin was tabbed to finish second in the league and Illinois, which played in the Rose Bowl after a remarkable turnaround under Ron Zook, picked for third. But the Illini will have to make up for the departure of star running back Rashard Mendenhall.

The 2008 season will mark Joe Tiller’s 12th and final one at Purdue. He’s directed the Boilermakers to 10 bowl games.

And perhaps it’s the last season for 81-year-old Joe Paterno, who’s been coaching at Penn State since 1950 and been the head coach in State College since 1966.

As usual, Paterno was asked if he might be ready to retire.

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” he answered. “How many times can I say it? I’m having fun, I’m enjoying it.”