1. IOWA

2007-08 Record: 21-1, 8-0 (1^st in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Colby Colvington, Mark Ballweg, Jeret Chiri

Key Subtractions: Mark Perry, Matt Fields

What 2 Expect: Another national title. Sure they’ll be without two-time national champion Mark Perry, but they return standout talents like Brent Metcalf (national champion), Charlie Falck (all-American), Joe Slaton (all-American), Alex Tsirtsis (all-American), Jay Borschel (all-American), and Philip Keddy (all-American). So my bet is they’ll be fine and pick up pretty much where the left off.

  

2. OHIO STATE

2007-08 Record: 19-4, 6-2 (2^nd in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Dave Rella, C.J. Magrum, Johnny Hiles

Key Losses: J.D. Begman,

What 2 Expect: This Buckeyes squad will be returning almost all of a squad that finished 2^nd in the Big Ten, and ultimately 2^nd in the nation last season. Their one major loss is J.D. Berman, a senior leader and All American.  However, with individual national champs J Jagers and Mike Pucillo, and All American Lance Palmer returning this squad shouldn’t miss a beat, and if the stud newcomers step up the Buckeyes could actually be better than Iowa this time out. 

 

3. ILLINOIS

2007-08 Record: 13-4, 5-3 (T-4^th in the Big Ten)

Key Additions:

Key Losses: Gabe Flores

What 2 Expect: The good news is that the Illini will be welcoming back the core of the 07-08 team that finished in the top half of last year’s conference standings. Most notably they return Mike Poeta a two-time all-American. The downside is that no one seems particularly excited about this year’s recruiting haul. A top ten national finish is within reach, but a league title would be expecting too much.

 

4. PENN STATE

2007-08 Record: 14-5, 5-3 (T-3^rd in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Jack Chidester

Key Losses: Phil Davis, Mark McKnight

What 2 Expect: I see Penn State slipping a bit. Yes, they return three all-Americans (Bubba Franks, Jake Strayer, and Dan Vallimont). But given the loss of national champion Phil Davis and Mark McKnight, I just don’t see this squad finishing anywhere near third nationally as they did in 07-08.

 

5. MINNESOTA

2007-08 Record: 14-7, 5-3 (T-3rd in the Big Ten) 

Key Additions: Ryland Geiger, Jake Deitchler, Mario Mason, Matt Mincey 

Key Losses: Roger Kish, Mack Reiter, Manuel Rivera 

What 2 Expect: J Robinson has put together what is widely considered the best recruiting class in the nation. Geiger, Deitchler, Mason look to be an immediate factor for the Gophers. At the very least they should balance the loss of three of last year’s solid contributors. The Gophers won’t threaten the top two teams in the league, but a third place finish is within reach.

 

6. NORTHWESTERN

2007-08 Record: 8-9, 3-5 (T-7 in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Jason Welch, Brian Roddy, and Eric Galka

Key Losses: Dustin Fox

What 2 Expect: Coach Tim Cysewski has to hope that his star-studded recruiting class can offset this loss of two-time national champion Dustin Fox.  In the long run this program is clearly headed in the right direction, but in the short run results will be mixed. The Wildcats have the talent to post another respectable season, but their inexperience and brutal schedule will ultimately prevent them from climbing into the upper echelon of the conference.

 

7. WISCONSIN 

2007-08 Record: 14-4, 5-3 (T-3^rd in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Tyler Graff, Andrew Howe, Ben Jordan, Travis Rutt, and Cole Schmitt 

Key Losses: Dan Clum, Colin Cudd, Jake Donar, and Craig Henning

What 2 Expect: W.I.N. Magazine ranks the Badgers 15^th in their preseason ranking. High expectations are understandable when you consider they return six starters and 17 letter-winners from last years squad, and welcome to campus what W.I.N. Magazine calls the number four recruiting class in the country.

 

8. INDIANA

2007-08 Record: 13-8, 2-6 (T-9^th in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Geno Capezio, Danny Monaco, and Vince Ramos

Key Losses: Brandon Becker

What 2 Expect: Unlike some of the other teams at the bottom of last year’s standings the Hoosiers have some serious talent worth following., Angel Escobedo, last years 125- pound national champion. But like most of the other teams that struggled the Hoosiers lack depth. It certainly doesn’t help that Indiana lost only other All-American, Brandon Becker, to graduation. 

 

9. PURDUE

2007-08 Record: 10-8, 2-6 (T-9^th in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Brennan Cosgrove, Ethan Smith, and Kegan Handlovic

Key Losses:

What 2 Expect: Like nearly every other team in the Big Ten the Boilermakers landed an impressive corp of newcomers. W.I.N. Magazine ranked them 19^th nationally. That’s the good news. The bad news  that probably isn’t good enough to catapult a team tied for ninth last year into the upper echelon in an absolutely brutal conference.

 

10. MICHIGAN

2007-08 Record: 16-8, 3-5 (T-7^th in the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Ben Apland, Hunter Collins, and Brett Marsh

Key Losses: Josh Churella, Eric Tannenbaum

What 2 Expect: Like Penn State, Michigan looks to be good enough to finish in the top ten nationally, but not do much better than five within the conference. The loss of seniorAll-Americans Josh Churella and Eric Tannenbaum could weigh heavily on the 2009 team.

 

11. MICHIGAN STATE

2007-08 Record: 4-12, 0-8 (11^th int the Big Ten)

Key Additions: Colby Borchetta, Mason Reid, and Jeremiah Austin

Key Losses:

What 2 Expect: Not very much. This team went winless within the conference last year. They seems to have done a decent job on the recruiting trial, but it certainly doesn’t look like they’ve brought in the type o horses that can immediately turn around a program is such a competitive league. Borchetta could have an impressive freshman campaign though.