Camp is over and double sessions are done for most football teams. With the start of the season less than two weeks away, let's tackle the five biggest questions that will shape the Big Ten race.

1. How good can Ohio State's defense be with nine new starters? The Buckeyes are ranked No. 1, so everyone believes pretty darn good. All nine of their departures are in the NFL, but there's still talent on that defense. David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock are the Big Ten's best tackle tandem, and linebackers Marcus Freeman, James Laurinaitis, Ross Homan and Co. are stocked with talent. Don't be surprised if the Buckeyes give up big plays early to Northern Illinois and Texas, but don't be surprised when they have the offense to compensate, either.

2. Was last year's 7-5 season a sign Michigan is slipping or just an aberration? History shows that every major program goes through its lean years, and to Michigan fans that's what six straight seasons of at least three losses is. I say look at the roster. The Wolverines have more offensive talent than every team but Ohio State (Michigan State is a close third), and defensively they have three NFL players in Leon Hall, LaMarr Woodley and Alan Branch. I'm not predicting a Big Ten title, but 10 wins is definitely doable.

3. Is Penn State back for good? Now the Nittany Lions were in a freefall with four losing records in five seasons before last year's 11-1 turnaround. See what a couple out-of-this-world recruits can do? The premier program in a talent-rich state, Penn State is definitely back, though there might be a few bumps along the way this year with games at Notre Dame and Ohio State. The defense will still make plays, but I worry about the offense a little with 3 1/2 new starters on the line and a first-year quarterback in Anthony Morelli. The solution? Give the ball to Derrick Williams and get out of the way.

4. Who's schedule best sets up for a run at the title? Easy. Iowa. The Hawkeyes play two major-conference non-league foes in Iowa State and Syracuse, but should win both games. The miss Michigan State and Penn State altogether, and their road trips are all winnable games: at Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. If Iowa can beat Ohio State at home and Michigan at the Big House, they just wind up in the BCS title game.

5. Who'll be this year's Penn State? I've wavered a lot on this. Michigan State has tons of offensive talent and really could win eight or nine games. The Spartans had a good camp with no injuries and seem to have solidified their major weakness from last year, the kicking game. But defensively, I'm not ready to say MSU has turned the corner so I'm going with Purdue. The Boilermakers play 13 games, so the chance for nine wins is there. Expectations are way down after a disappointing 2005, and offensively Purdue has less experience but almost as many weapons as MSU. Plus, they should start 4-0 and confidence is a dangerous thing.