IOWA CITY - Iowa's football season opener with Maine is at hand.

Like any year, it has been circled on Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz's calender for months.

But Saturday's game is about more than the usual optimism that comes with the beginning of a new season. It will mark a new beginning and the end of a tumultuous offseason that was marked with more negatives than positives.

Ferentz has been ready for Aug. 30.

"This is a new season, a new year," Ferentz said. "I'm hopeful at the end of the day people judge this team on what it does this year. But we're a long way from home right now. We all know that. But I think this group's really excited about what's in front of them right now.

"I like the feel of the team, like the way they're operating."

After missing out on a bowl game last year, the Hawkeyes are also eager to erase that painful memory.

To prepare for the season, Ferentz and his staff have done more to build a cohesive team.

"It's been an ongoing process," Ferentz said. "I think we've taken steps, and so far I think they've been fairly effective, at least judging by the way the guys are working right now. "

Through strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle, Ferentz directed a series of team-bonding exercises in addition to the regular summer workouts.

The players feel it has worked.

"Improving our team cohesiveness will help a lot," quarterback Jake Christensen said. "Once you start playing with guys and start knowing what they like and what they don't like you become more comfortable. That is a big part of it. Just like confidence, experience … that is right up there."

Over the past two years, as Iowa has struggled to a 12-13 mark, the Hawkeyes have looked like a distracted team with off-the-field issues lingering over the program like storm clouds.

This team, according to the players, has a different feel.

"We've come a lot closer this past year as a team," defensive tackle Mitch King said. "There's not one thing you can put your finger on, but you can just tell there are a lot of guys interacting with each other. It's a lot different than past years."

"I feel like we are as focused as we've ever been, and I think that is kind of expected after the last two years," senior wide receiver Andy Brodell added. "Both seasons have ended with disappointment and with the off-the-field stuff … we want to improve our image. We don't want people to think negatively of our program, which has been the trend of late."

Contact Jim Nelson at (319) 291-1521 or jim.nelson@wcfcourier.coms

Illinois

The 2007 season was a breakthrough year for the Illini under Ron Zook.

In his third year with Illinois, Zook took the Illini to their first bowl game in six seasons.

But the only thing Zook remembers is the 49-17 shellacking the Illini took from USC in the Rose Bowl.

"The thing we've talked about with the football team since we've gotten back from California is that we're not there yet," he said.

Illinois has enough of its 9-4 2007 squad back to be as good or better.

It will all start with quarterback Juice Williams, who passed for 1,743 yards and rushed for 755 more. He made a quantum leap from his freshmen year to his sophomore year, and in his third year as starter he is expected to get better.

Williams has his No. 1 target back in sophomore Arrelious Benn (54 catches, 676 yards, two touchdowns), but he'll miss first-round NFL draft choice Rashard Mendenhall and his 1,681 rushing yards.

Defensively, J Leman will be missed at middle linebacker, but six starters ruturn, including cornerback Vontae Davis.

HEAD COACH: Ron Zook

2007 RECORD: 9-4 overall, 6-2 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

BASIC DEFENSE: Multiple eight-man front

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (44)

RETURNING STARTERS: (13)

Offense (6): Xavier Fulton, lt; Jon Asamoah, rg; Ryan McDonald, c; Arrelious Benn, wr; Kyle Hudson, wr; Juice Williams, qb.

Defense (6): Derek Walker, de; Will Davis, de; David Lindquist, dt; Brit Miller, lb; Dere Hicks, cb; Vontae Davis, cb.

Specialists (1): Anthony Santella, p.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Williams 153-267-12-1,743, 13 touchdowns. Rushing - Williams 165-755-7. Receiving: Benn 54-676-2

Defense: Tackles - Davis 76. Sacks - NA. Interceptions - Davis 4.

Indiana

Like Illinois, Indiana had a season for the ages in 2007 as the Hoosiers earned a bowl bid (Insight Bowl) for the first time in 13 seasons.

With Kellen Lewis at quarterback and three starters from a defensive line that harassed opposing quarterbacks to the tune of a school-record 42 sacks all back, Indiana has a strong chance to replicate its 7-6 2007.

"We're coming off our first winning season, first bowl experience in a number of years, so we feel like we have some confidence on campus," head coach Bill Lynch said. "I think our guys are really looking forward to the season."

Lewis will be a candidate for the Big Ten's offensive player of the year if he puts up numbers anywhere near what he had as a junior when he passed for 3,043 yards and 28 scores and rushed for 736 yards and nine additional touchdowns.

However, Lewis will miss 6-foot-7 James Hardy and his 79 catches, 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns. Hardy left Indiana a year early to pursue the riches of the NFL.

Defensive end Greg Middleton was a first-team all-Big Ten pick a year ago, and he is joined on the line by returning starters Jammi Kirlew and Greg Brown.

HEAD COACH: Bill Lynch

2007 RECORD: 7-6 overall, 3-5 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (51)

RETURNING STARTERS: (14)

Offense (6): Kelen Lewis, qb; Marcus Thigpen, rb; Andrew Means, wr; Ray Fisher, wr; Rodger Saffold, lt; Pete Saxon, lg.

Defense (7): Jammie Kirlew, le; Greg Brown, dt; Greg Middleton, re; Will Patterson, wlb; Geno Johnson, slb; Austin Thomas, ss; Nick Polk, fs.

Specialists (1): Austin Starr, k.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Lewis 265-442-10-3,043, 28 touchdowns. Rushing - Lewis 147-736-9. Receiving - Fisher 52-482-4.

Defense: Tackles - Thomas 112, Patterson 104. Sacks - Patterson 2. Interceptions - Chris Phillips 3.

Iowa

To say the 2007 season was a disappointment for the Hawkeyes would be an understatement.

With a chance to go to a bowl game late in the season, Iowa stumbled against a sub-.500 Western Michigan squad and stayed home for the first time since Kirk Ferentz's sophomore campaign in Iowa City. That's history.

"We've got a great feel about this team, and obviously, our group is excited to get going," Ferentz said. "In general, we have a young football team right now, but it's a team that has experience, so it's kind of a rare combination."

Eight starters return on offense for Iowa, but it is a unit that still has question marks across the board.

At quarterback, incumbent Jake Christensen is hoping for a second go as the starter, but is being pushed by sophomore Rick Stanzi. If injury-prone wide receivers Andy Brodell and Trey Stross, as well as tight end Tony Moeaki, can stay healthy, Iowa will be more consistent.

Shonn Greene will take over at running back.

Defensively, it all starts up front where Mitch King and Matt Kroul are two all-Big Ten caliber defensive tackles. Linebacker A.J. Edds is a star in the making after playing in the shadows of Mike Humpal and Mike Klinkenborg last season.

HEAD COACH: Kirk Ferentz

2007 RECORD: 6-6 overall, 4-4 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (52)

RETURNING STARTERS: (15)

Offense (8): Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, wr; Brandon Myers, te; Kyle Calloway, ot; Seth Olsen, ot; Bryan Bulaga, og; Dan Doering, og; Rafael Eubanks, c; Jake Christensen, qb.

Defense (5): Matt Kroul, dt; Mitch King, dt; A.J. Edds, lb; Harold Dalton, db; Brett Greenwood, db.

Speicalists (2): Ryan Donahue, p; Daniel Murray, pk.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Christensen 198-370-8-2,269, 17 touchdowns. Rushing - NA. Receiving - Johnson-Koulianos 38-482-2.

Defense: Tackles - Edds 80. Sacks - King 4.5. Interceptions - Greenwood 2.

Michigan

A program as tradition-rich as Michigan's is going to see a whole lot of new in 2008.

New is first-year head coach Rich Rodriquez after a successful stint at West Virginia. New is Rodriquez's patented spread offense. And unrecognizable will be the Wolverines' offense, which has to replace eight starters, including quarterback Chad Henne, running back Mike Hart and wide receivers Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington.

"We're going to be very young on offense. I'm not a pessimist or an optimist, I'm more of a realist, and I prefer to tell it like it is," Rodriquez said. "We've lost some of the best players that probably have ever played at the University of Michigan on offense."

Greg Matthews will be asked to pick up the slack at receiver. He had 39 catches in 2007.

Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown combined for 165 carries and 767 yards while subbing for Hart.

Rodriquez isn't sure who will replace Henne at quarterback, but it appears sophomore Nick Sheridan or freshman Steve Threet, a Georgia Tech transfer, are the frontrunners.

Defensively, the Wolverines will be fine with seven starters back, although the top four tacklers from 2007 graduated.

HEAD COACH: Rich Rodriquez

2007 RECORD: 9-4 overall, 6-2 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Spread Option

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (45)

RETURNING STARTERS: (12)

Offense (3): Carson Butler, te; Mark Moundros, fb; Stephen Schilling, ol.

Defense (7): Obi Ezeh, lb; Brandon Graham, de; Tim Jamison, de; Will Johnson, dt; Terrance Taylor, dt; Morgan Trent, cb; Donovan Warren, cb.

Specialists (2): K.C. Lopata, k; Zoltan Mesko, p.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - NA. Rushing - Brandon Minor 90-385-1. Receiving - Greg Mathews 39-366-3.

Michigan State

The Spartans jumped back into the bowl picture a year ago (lost to Boston College in the Champs Sports Bowl) under first-year head coach Mark Dantonio and expect to make another jump in 2008.

Dantonio returns 14 starters - seven on each side of the ball - including running back Javon Ringer, who racked up 1,260 yards and six touchdowns.

Quarterback Brian Hoyer is also back, but lost his favorite target - Devin Thomas - when Thomas decided to turn pro.

Defensively, linebacker Greg Jones and cornerback Kendell Davis-Clark will be expected to lead, again, after finishing 1-2 on the Spartans' tackle chart.

HEAD COACH: Mark Dantonio

2007 RECORD: 7-6 overall, 3-5 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3.

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (37)

RETURNING STARTERS: (16)

Offense (7): Deon Curry, wr; Mark Dell, wr; Joel Nitchman, c; Roland Martin, rg; Jesse Miller, rt; Brian Hoyer, qb; Javon Ringer, rb.

Defense (7): Justin Kershaw, dt; Greg Jones, lb; Eric Gordon, lb; Kendell Davis-Clark, cb; Otis Wiley, fs; Ross Weaver, cb; Chris Rucker, cb.

Specialists (2): Brett Swenson, k; Aaron Bates, p.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Hoyer 223-376-11-2,275, 20 touchdowns. Rushing - Ringer 245-1,447-6. Receiving - Thomas 79-1,260-8.

Defense: Tackles - Jones 78. Sacks: Davis-Clark 5.5. Interceptions - Wiley 4.

Minnesota

Not many people are giving the Golden Gophers much of a shot in 2008, but don't be surprised if second-year head coach Tim Brewster and his charges surprise a couple of teams along the way.

Despite its 1-11 mark last season, Minnesota made strides and it recruited well, garnering what is considered by some publications as the third-best recruiting class in the Big Ten.

"What we want to do is we want to become a better football team, a more improved football team, and I really believe that we've taken the steps necessary to become a more confident, improved football team," Brewster said.

The Golden Gophers have 15 starters back, including eight on offense.

Leading the way is sophomore quarterback Adam Weber, who passed for 24 touchdowns as a freshman. He has his main target back in Eric Decker, but otherwise Minnesota will be inexperienced at running back and wide receiver.

Where the Golden Gophers need to improve the most is on defense after allowing a school-record 6,224 yards. Seven defensive starters return.

HEAD COACH: Tim Brewester

2007 RECORD: 1-11 overall, 0-8 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Spread

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (43)

RETURNING STARTERS: (17)

Offense (8): Duane Bennett, rb; D.J. Burris, rg; Eric Decker, wr; Tray Herndon, wr; Jack Simmons, te; Ralph Spry, wr; Ned Tavale, lg; Adam Weber, qb.

Defense (7): Lee Campbell, de; Ryan Collado, cb; Steve Davis, lb; Deon Hightower, lb; Eric Small, dt; Kyle Theret, ss; Willie VanDeSteeg, de.

Specialists (2): Joel Monroe, k; Justin Kucek, p.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Weber 258-449-19-2,895, 24 touchdowns. Rushing - Weber 146-617-5. Receiving - Decker 67-909-9.

Defense: Tackles - Hightower 70. Sacks - Davis 0.5. Interceptions - Theret 3.

Northwestern

For as much as the Wildcats have coming back, there hasn't been much talk about them.

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald returns 17 starters from a 6-6 squad, including a wealth of offensive firepower.

Quarterback C.J. Bacher has a full cast of stars to distribute the ball to, including running back Tyrell Sutton and three of the top four receivers - Eric Peterman, Ross Lane and Rasheed Ward.

"We are very excited based not only on the wealth of experience we have coming back in our starters but also on the competition we've been able to recruit in the last couple years," Fitzgerald said.

Bacher led the Big Ten in passing average (304.7), but many of the positive things he did with the ball he negated with 19 interceptions.

Defensively, the top two tacklers are gone - Adam Kadela and Eante Battle - so safety Brad Phillips and defensive tackle John Gill be asked to step up.

HEAD COACH: Pat Fitzgerald

2007 RECORD: 6-6 overall, 3-5 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Spread

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3.

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (47)

RETURNING STARTERS: (17)

Offense (8): C.J. Bacher, qb; Tyrell Sutton, rb; Eric Peterman, wr; Ross Lane, wr; Rasheed Ward, wr; Kurt Mattes, ot; Joel Belding, ol; Brendan Mitchell, sb.

Defense (7): Adam Hahn, dt; John Gill, dt; Corey Wootton, de; Prince Kwatering, lb; Sherrick McManis, cb; Brad Phillips, ss; Kevin Mims, de.

Specialists (2): Stefan Demos, p; Amado Villarreal, k.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Bacher 318-512-19-3,656, 19 touchdowns. Rushing - Sutton 108-522-4. Receiving - Peterman 66-744-3.

Defense: Tackles - Phillips 55. Sacks - Gill 4.0. Interceptions - Arrington 1.

Ohio State

The Buckeyes have played in the last two national title games, but this could be Jim Tressel's best team.

Ohio State returns 20 starters - nine each on offense and defense and both specialists - and the Buckeyes appear to have no weaknesses.

Senior quarterback Todd Boeckman returns for his second year. He passed for 25 touchdowns and 2,372 yards as a rookie signal-caller last year, but he'll likely share duties with freshmen phenom Terrelle Pryor, considered the top quarterback recruit in the nation.

Running back Chris Wells slashed his way through opponents to the tune of 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns, and defenses had trouble containing the receiving duo of Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline.

Linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman are two of the best and have combined for 429 tackles, 29 1/2 for loss, during their careers.

Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins is a leading candidate for the Jim Thorpe Trophy.

HEAD COACH: Jim Tressel

2007 RECORD: 11-2 overall, 7-1 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (52)

RETURNING STARTERS: (20)

Offense (9): Todd Boeckman, qb; Alex Boone, ot; Ben Person, og; Jim Cordle, c; Steve Rehring, og; Beanie Wells, tb; Brian Robiskie, wr; Brian Hartline, wr; Rory Nicol, te.

Defense (9): Cameron Heyward, de; Doug Worthington, dt; Lawrence Wilson, dt; James Laurinaitis, lb; Marcus Freeman, lb; Malcolm Jenkins, db; Donald Washington, db; Anderson Russell, db; Kurt Coleman, db.

Specialists (2): Ryan Pretorius, k; A.J. Trapasso, p.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Boeckman 190-298-14-2,372, 25 touchdowns. Rushing - Wells 274-1,609-15. Receiving - Robiskie 55-925-11.

Defense: Tackles - Laurinaitis 121. Sacks - Russell 7.0. Interceptions - Jenkins 4.

Penn State

The Nittany Lions have to be considered one of the challengers to Ohio State's throne.

Joe Paterno returns 17 starters from a squad that went 9-4 and won its third consecutive bowl game last year, topping Texas A&M, 24-17, in the Alamo Bowl.

Penn State's biggest worry will be finding a new quarterback and two new running backs.

Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin are the frontrunners at QB, but Paterno hasn't been in a hurry to name a starter.

"Well, I'm not interested in an easy decision," Paterno said. "I just hope we can make a good decision."

Whomever is throwing the ball, he will have plenty of weapons at receiver with the top three pass catchers back - Derrick Williams (55-529-3), Deon Butler (47-633-4) and Jordan Norwood (40-484-5).

Defensively, the Nittany Lions suffered a huge blow when standout linebacker Sean Lee went down with a knee injury during spring drills. Fifth-year senior Tyrell Sales will have to pick up some of the lost production.

HEAD COACH: Joe Paterno

2007 RECORD: 9-4 overall, 4-4 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

BASIC DEFENSE: Multiple

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (35)

RETURNING STARTERS: (17)

Offense (8): Deon Butler, wr; Gerald Cadogan, t; Dennis Landolt, t; Mike Lucian, g; Rich Ohmberger, g; Andrew Quarless, te; A.Q. Shipley, c; Derrick Williams, wr.

Defense (7): Tony Davis, s; Maurice Evans, de; Josh Gaines, de; Sean Lee, lb; Tyrell Sales, lb; Anthony Scirrotto, s; A.J. Wallace, cb.

Specialists (2): Jeremy Boone, p; Kevin Kelly, k.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Daryll Clark 9-6-0-31, no touchdowns. Rushing - Evan Royster 82-513-5. Receiving - Williams 55-529-3.

Defense: Tackles - Lee 138. Sacks - Evans 12.5. Interceptions - Scirrotto 3.

Purdue

The Boilermakers are hoping to send Joe Tiller out a winner.

Tiller has announced his 12th season at Purdue will be his last. He is two victories away from surpassing Jack Mollenkopf as Purdue's all-time winningest coach.

The Boilers are coming an 8-5 season that included a 51-48 victory over Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl.

Thirteen starters return, including quarterback Curtis Painter (3,846 passing yards) and running back Kory Sheets (859 rushing yards).

"You know, I think we've got a chance to have a good football team," Tiller said as he approaches his 44th season as a coach. "We don't know that much about our team just yet in the sense that this fall is ironic. We had 15 players that we are counting on or planning on being starters that missed all or the majority of spring practice."

Defensively, Purdue will be led by linebacker Anthony Heygood, who was second on the team with 81 tackles. However, five of the top six tacklers graduated.

HEAD COACH: Joe Tiller

2007 RECORD: 8-5 overall, 3-5 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: One-back

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (41)

RETURNING STARTERS: (13)

Offense (6): Zach Jones, rt; Greg Orton, wr; Curtis Painter, qb; Zach Reckman, lg; Sean Sester, lt; Kory Sheets, rb.

Defense (6): Ryan Baker, dt; Keyon Brown, de; Anthony Heygood, lb; Brandon King, fs; Alex Magee, dt; David Pender, cb.

Specialists (1): Chris Summers, k.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Painter 356-569-3,846-11, 29 touchdowns. Rushing - Sheets 168-859-11. Receiving - Orton 67-752-3.

Defense: Tackles - Heygood 81. Sacks - Heygood 1.0. Interceptions - NA.

Wisconsin

The Badgers will be another team expected to contend for the Big Ten title as head coach Bret Bielema has 17 starters back, including bruising running back P.J. Hill.

Hill rushed for 1,212 yards and 14 touchdowns in just 11 games last year.

Tight end Travis Beckum is one of the nation's best at his position. He led Wisconsin with 75 catches for 982 yards.

"As always, there are high expectations, but those things are based off the premise of what we've done in the past, as well the 17 starters that we have coming back," Bielema said.

The Badgers graduated quarterback Tyler Donovan, but Kansas State transfer Allan Evridge is expected to take over.

Defensively, Wisconsin looks salty with guys like Matt Shaughnessy and possibly the best linebacking corps in the nation - Jonathon Casillas, Deandre Levy and Elijah Hodge. Those four combined for almost 300 tackles and nine sacks in 2007.

HEAD COACH: Bret Bielema

2007 RECORD: 9-4 overall, 5-3 Big Ten

BASIC OFFENSE: Multiple

BASIC DEFENSE: 4-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN: (48)

RETURNING STARTERS: (17)

Offense (8) - P.J. Hill, rb; Chris Pressley, fb; Kyle Jefferson, wr; Travis Beckum, te; Gabe Carimi, ol; Andy Kemp, ol; Kraig Urbik, ol; Eric Vanden Heuvel, ol.

Defense (9) - Mike Newkirk, dl; Matt Shaughnessy, dl; Jason Chapman, dl; Elijah Hodge, lb; Jonathan Casillas, lb; DeAndre Levy, lb; Shane Carter, db; Aubrey Pleasant, db; Allen Langford, db.

Specialists (0) - None.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS:

Offense: Passing - Allan Evridge 5-12-0-66, no touchdowns. Rushing - Hill 233-1,212-14. Receiving - Beckum 75-982-6.

Defense: Tackles - Casillas 96. Sacks - Shaughnessy 5.0. Interceptions - Carter 7.