High expectations surround Big Ten

With four of its 11 teams ranked in the national Top 25, the Big Ten conference is not lacking in recognition. Nor is it lacking in competition, according to its coaches. In fact, coaches like Northwestern's Randy Walker believe the Big Ten is as fierce as ever, especially for this upcoming season. \n"The Big Ten is probably too strong," Walker said in a statement at Big Ten media day. "From top to bottom, it is the best league in America. College football has a certain amount of variability when it comes to who plays for a national championship, but if you look at the Big Ten and the quality of football, it is as good as it has ever been."\nDuring the past 15 years, the Big Ten has crowned nine different teams as conference champions. Despite his Wolverines being named preseason favorites to win the conference, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said the championship is always up for grabs, and he sees this year as no exception.\n"I've just been informed that we've been selected again as the preseason favorite to win the conference championship, and I hope that you guys (the media) know what you are talking about," Carr said in a statement. "Our goals are high. The biggest question about Michigan across the country is our defense, but I think up front we have a lot of experienced guys back."\nSo far this preseason, several teams have scrambled to finalize rosters and fill the voids left by graduates. The Illinois Fighting Illini and IU Hoosiers welcomed new coaches to their programs, Ron Zook and Terry Hoeppner. Hoeppner, the former head coach at the University of Miami (Ohio), said he couldn't be happier to be joining the conference.\n"I grew up in Big Ten country and have always been a Big Ten fan, so the opportunity for me to not only be a football coach, but a football coach at Indiana University is something special," Hoeppner said in a statement. "I feel that the greatest challenge you have as a new coach is just getting to know your team."\nWhile the conference saw two new coaches arrive in preseason camps this year, one coach arrived at his very last. Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez announced his retirement before the start of camp and said he is comfortable with the timing of his decision.\n"Barry (Alvarez) has been great for the Big Ten and the University of Wisconsin," Carr said in a statement. "When you are across from him, you always know you are going to be in a real fight."\nDespite the vast change in coaches, players and personnel, one thing remains the same -- the Big Ten conference is wide open. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, whose Hawkeyes come into the season ranked 11th in the Associated Press Top 25, said he sees the conference as more than just a four-team battle as the polls would suggest.\n"We (in the Big Ten) have a strong conference and we don't find any teams here that don't pose their own challenges," Ferentz said in a statement. "I don't think (Iowa is) being overlooked, but another team that should be mentioned besides Michigan and Ohio State is Purdue. Looking at the players and the amount of starters returning, they are going to have a high quality football team."\nOhio State coach Jim Tressel added to the consensus among the coaches.\n"I believe the Big Ten will be tremendously strong this year," Tressel said in a statement. "I think that it is encouraging because if you end up being the champion, you have the chance to be as good as there is in the country"