Big Ten

HOW THEY'LL FINISH

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

Wisconsin RB P.J. Hill
Ohio State LB James Laurinaitis

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Top performers from unranked teams in the conference

VONTAE DAVIS
CB, Jr., Illinois
The 6-foot, 204-pound lockdown corner was All-- Big Ten last fall (four interceptions, 76 tackles). Physical and fast, he's projected as a future first-round pick.

MAURICE EVANS
DE, Jr., Penn State
The 6'2" 264-pounder has matured into a dominant pass rusher. Flashing speed off the corner, he led the Nittany Lions in sacks last year, with 12 1/2.

GREG MIDDLETON
DE, Jr., Indiana
As a sophomore the 6'3" 275-pounder led the nation in sacks, with 16. This season he'll be a force on a front seven that has five returning starters.

ERIC PETERMAN
WR, Sr., Northwestern
A quarterback in high school who was tried at wideout and cornerback by the Wildcats, he found his game as a receiver in 2007 with a team-high 66 catches.

JAVON RINGER
RB, Sr., Michigan State
Despite splitting time with Jehuu Caulcrick, he was the Big Ten's No. 3 ground-gainer last season, picking up 1,447 yards while averaging 5.9 per carry.

NOTABLE