And you may ask, How did I get here?
If you had the 2006 valedictorian from Adrian (Mich.) High School penciled in as the starting quarterback at Michigan this season, you must be his mom. Steven Threet initially enrolled at Georgia Tech in 2006, but then transferred home. He probably figured he'd be holding the clipboard for Ryan Mallett his entire career. Then it looked as if he'd be doing the same for Terrelle Pryor.

Threet is now a slight favorite to open the season as Chad Henne's replacement, albeit without Mike Hart and four of last year's five O-line starters.

Unhappy Val-Lee
Penn State linebacker and team captain Sean Lee tore an ACL during spring practice and will likely miss the season. There may be no player whose presence is more vital to his team's success this season. If this is JoePa's final season, Lee's absence is a cruel blow.

Meat the linemen
No conference serves up Grade A, 100% USDA-approved beef quite like the Big Ten (you may have noticed who was the No. 1 pick in April's NFL draft). In honor of that, here's our All-Meat Big Ten offensive line, a distinction based on Bunyanesque size, name or pure talent:

Eric Vandenheuvel, OT, Sr., 6-7, 321, Wisconsin
Steve Rehring, OG, Sr., 6-7, 345, Ohio State
David Moosman, C, Jr. 6-5, 292, Michigan
Zach Reckman, OG, Sr., 6-6, 308, Purdue
Ken Plue, OT, Fr., 6-8, 361, Purdue

Waiting in the wings
Michigan's 6-6, 292 backup guard Mark Huyge, provided he gains 25 pounds and renders the "y" silent.

Moonraker Boilermaker
And finally, a secretary in the Purdue football office has a Bond-girl name, Foxy LaFon, and a Bond-girl mane. Will someone please pick up LaFon? is likely a time-worn line in West Lafayette.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Illinois
Tight end Mike Hoomanawanui is scourge of opposing safeties and Big Ten Network broadcasters.

Indiana
Defensive end Greg Middleton led nation in sacks (16) last season.

Iowa
Quarterback Jake Christensen's first pass in the Hawkeyes' spring game was intercepted and returned 53 yards for a touchdown.

Michigan
Due to stadium renovations, Wolverines played their spring game at Saline High School, the alma mater of walk-on (and possibly starting) QB Nick Sheridan.

Michigan State
Linebacker Greg Jones led the Spartans in tackles as a freshman.

Minnesota
Big-time recruit Kevin Whaley (6,301 rushing yards in high school in Virginia Beach, Va.) was shot in leg during a drive-by shooting, and is recuperating at home.

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Northwestern
Coach Pat Fitzgerald was recently elected to College Football Hall of Fame, as a player.

Ohio State
The nation's top-rated pass defense in '07 returns its entire secondary intact.

Penn State
The Nittany Lions are 0-5 versus Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin over the past two years.

Purdue
Brock Spack's defense has allowed 300-plus points the past three seasons.

Wisconsin
Among Big Ten coaches, only Michigan's Fielding Yost (who did not lose until his 57th game) had more wins in his first two seasons than Bret Bielema's 21.