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orable mention All-Big Ten safety Ibra- heim Campbell, Northwestern has got the personnel to do it. Keep an eye on outside linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo. He's a rising star after finishing his junior season with 106 tackles and four inter- ceptions. OUTLOOK Having challenged the very foundations of college football with their recent efforts to unionize, North- western players now turn their attention to a more immediate concern: getting back to a bowl game. Last year's one- win conference record – the Wildcats' worst since 2002 – was a big disap- pointment. But they look to have the talent to regroup. What's more, they've got a nonconference schedule that gives them a shot at a running start. It begins with Cal, then features Northern Illinois and Western Illinois, all at home. Unless they're waylaid by injuries, as was the case last year, they should come into Beaver Stadium with the wind at their backs. 2013 RECORD 7-6 (3-5 Big Ten) SERIES RECORD Michigan leads, 10-7 LAST MEETING Penn State rallied in the final minute to tie the score and went on to outlast the visiting Wolver- ines, 43-40, in an epic quadruple-over- time battle on Oct. 12, 2013. OFFENSE Mercurial quarterback Devin Gardner is back for his senior sea- son. He was magnificent at times last season, ranking second in the Big Ten in total offense at 286.9 yards per game, but he also tossed 11 interceptions and was as fumble-prone as ever. Part of the prob- lem was his protection; Michigan gave up 36 sacks, second-most in the league. But shoring up the offensive line won't be easy with tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield gone. The Wolverines have some difference-makers, notably sure-handed Devin Funchess, who is moving from tight end to wide receiver. But the real key will be to develop a reli- able ground game. Michigan ranked 102nd in the country in rushing last sea- son, which helps explain why Brady Hoke hired offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier away from Alabama. DEFENSE Michigan has two fine cor- nerbacks in junior Blake Countess and senior Raymon Taylor, and it is getting set to welcome another with blue-chip freshman Jabrill Peppers set to arrive this summer. Countess and Taylor com- bined for 10 interceptions last fall and are going to see plenty of action. But Peppers is expected to have a big impact – not just on defense but in the return game, too. The Wolverines also have high hopes for senior linebacker Jake Ryan, who has moved inside after play- ing eight games at outside linebacker last year following his recovery from ACL surgery. OUTLOOK You can bet the Wolverines will be looking for some serious payback after Penn State sent them into a tailspin last season. And with the rematch set for the Big House, they're certainly capable of getting it. Season-opening opponent Appalachian State should likewise be prepared for the Wolverines' best effort, as the Mountaineers are returning to the scene of one of the biggest upsets in re- cent college football history, a 34-32 victory in 2007 that snuffed out Michi- gan's championship hopes mere hours into the season. But for Big Blue to chal- lenge Ohio State and Michigan State for this year's league title, it will need to bring its A game every week. That wasn't the case last season. 2013 RECORD 12-2 (8-0 Big Ten) SERIES RECORD OSU leads, 15-13 LAST MEETING The host Buckeyes dealt Penn State its most lopsided defeat since 1899, scoring 42 first-half points en route to a 63-14 victory on Oct. 26, 2013. OFFENSE Ohio State returns its mar- quee player in senior quarterback Braxton Miller. He's a do-it-all offen- sive threat, having passed for 2,094 yards and rushed for 1,068 last season. Miller missed spring practice after un- dergoing shoulder surgery but is ex- pected to be fine this fall. There are some questions concerning his sup- porting cast, however, as the Buckeyes must replace their leading rusher (Car- los Hyde) and leading receiver (Corey Brown), along with four starting offen- sive linemen. Wideouts Devin Smith and Evan Spencer are back, and run- ning backs Ezekiel Elliott and Rod Smith give coach Urban Meyer plenty of options in the backfield, with Elliott supplying the speed and Smith the power. But don't expect the Bucks to average a nation-leading 6.8 yards per carry as they did last season. DEFENSE The Buckeyes are loaded up front, with pocket-crushing ends Noah Spence and Joey Bosa back after com- bining for 15.5 sacks last year. Also re- turning is nose tackle Michael Bennett, who had seven sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss as a junior. Ohio State will miss leading tackler Ryan Shazier, who left early for the NFL, but fellow lineback- ers Curtis Grant and Joshua Perry are back, and the Buckeyes recruited the nation's top inside linebacker prospect in Raekwon McMillan. The only real concern on this side of the ball is the secondary, where senior cornerback Doran Grant is the lone returning starter. OUTLOOK Despite its losses on of- fense, Ohio State remains the class of the Big Ten, and as such is being touted as a potential playoff contender. Its first six opponents are Navy, Virginia Tech, Kent State, Cincinnati, Maryland and Rutgers. Except for the matchup with the Terrapins, all of those games will take place at Ohio Stadium. Suffice it to W E E K 6 MICHIGAN 7 P. M . , O C T. 1 1 M I C H I GA N STA D I U M W E E K 7 OHIO STATE 8 P. M . , O C T. 2 5 B E AV E R STA D I U M

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