Quarterbacks

1.) Curtis Painter, Purdue, (6'4, 223 lbs.) -  As a sophomore, Painter's 3,985 passing yards ranked 4th in the nation.  With stud receiver Dorien Bryant back for the 2007 campaign, Painter's numbers should be even better as head coach Joe Tiller's Boilermakers may surprise some folks this season.  Painter will, however, need to improve on his decision-making in his junior effort.  While his 22 touchdown passes tied him for second in the Big Ten with Michigan's Chad Henne and Minnesota's Bryan Cupito, his 19 interceptions were worst in the Big Ten.  A year wiser and more experienced, expect Painter's interception totals to fall off and his touchdown passes to match or exceed his 2006 effort.  A four week midseason stretch against Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, and Iowa may be brutal on Purdue's win totals, but Painter should put up big numbers against the Irish, Wolverines, and Hawkeyes. 

2.) Chad Henne, Michigan, (6'2, 226 lbs.) - He would top this list, but in three seasons as the signal-caller for Michigan's offense, Henne has exactly as many victories against Ohio State and in bowl games as I do.  While it's unfair to pin the lack of success entirely upon him, it's fair to drop him to second on this list as a result.  With Heisman candidate RB Mike Hart back for his senior year, and a trio of explosive receivers in Mario Manningham, Adrian Arrington, and Greg Matthews at his disposal, the steady Henne is poised for a career season.  If his numers even come close to matching last year's (2,508 yards, 22 tds, 8 ints), he will leave Ann Arbor as Michigan's all-time leading passer.  The only question remaining for him to answer is whether or not he can get the big win.  With his legacy on the line and star recruit Ryan Mallett pushing him, Henne will have plenty of motivation for an outstanding senior season.  Barring injury, expect a stellar effort from the four year Michigan starter.

3.) Anthony Morelli, Penn State (6'4, 232 lbs.) - Last season Morelli was bemoaned for his inconsistent play against the Big Ten's big dogs.  In the Nittany Lions losses to Ohio State and Michigan, it was the offense that cost them.  Morelli looked rattled and confused, but was also getting beaten up on a pretty consistent basis.  The offensive line needs to protect him better against their stiffest competition, and if they do so, Morelli could put up huge numbers.  Wideouts Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, Jordan Norwood and tight end Andrew Quarless will provide a multitude of targets that blend explosive speed (Williams), steady hands (Quarless), and consistent reliability (Butler).  The offensive line will be anchored by A.Q. Shipley at center and Dennis Landlot at tackle.  Protection shouldn't be a big issue, and its make or break time for Morelli.  If he can muster up a brilliant season, the Nittany Lions will make serious noise atop the Big Ten standings.  If he can't, Happy Valley will be, well, less happy.

4.) Tyler Donovan, Wisconsin (6'1, 187 lbs.) - Donovan gets the nod in part because of his performance when John Stocco went down late last season with a shoulder injury.  In contests against Iowa and Buffalo Donovan showed more mobility than Stocco and compiled nearly 300 yards of total offense in both victories.  While losing John Stocco was a preseason question mark, Donovan's effort in limited action last season was more than adequate.  Tight end Travis Beckum is the best in the conference, and perhaps country, and receivers Luke Swann and Paul Hubbard have Badger alum Lee Evans' speed and gamebreaking ability.  They'll provide plenty of assistance in getting Donovan comfortable running the offense, and it won't hurt that defenses will have to commit 8 men to containing RB P.J. Hill either. With one of the nation's most vaunted defensive units, Donovan needs to merely limit his mistakes for Wisconsin to be a legitimate BCS threat.  He should be as good, if not better, than Stocco was a year ago.

5.) Kellen Lewis, Indiana (6'1, 177 lbs) - Everyone likes to talk about Juice Williams, and some may feel he deserves a spot on this list, but Lewis is a better passer and has similar running skills to Williams.  Perhaps its the lack of a creative nickname, or the fact that he plays for the Hoosiers, but Lewis gets little pub.  He didn't play until week two last season but managed twice as many passing touchdowns (14) as interceptions (7) and added five more scores on the ground.  Four performances of 75 or more rushing yards and seven games of 225 or more passing yards make Lewis a true dual threat quarterback.  He struggled mightily in blowout losses to Ohio State (96 total yards) and Michigan (110) and his completion percentage (54.9) was less than impressive, but expect Lewis to be a playmaker for the inspired Hoosiers in 2007.

Guy that just missed this list - C.J. Bacher, Northwestern

Most overrated - Juice Williams, Illinois

Most underrated - Brian Hoyer, Michigan State