For each Big Ten preview, Michigan writers Dave Birkett and Michael Rothstein will jaw back-and-forth with words, parting shots and general opinions about why we selected each team to finish where we did.

Sometimes we'll agree. Other times, we won't.

Michael Rothstein: Terrelle Pryor. Really, that's all I should write, I guess. In reality, how the sophomore quarterback plays will determine how Ohio State's season is going to go. If he improves on his numbers from last year, the Buckeyes should be able to counter their depth and have another shot at a Big Ten title. If he stumbles a bit without Beanie Wells behind him, then the race might be a bit more open. But in all reality, Ohio State has to replace a lot. Jim Tressel said as much on media day, when he surmised this is the youngest group he's had since he's been in Columbus. Stilll, that team would probably beat Youngstown State, 70-7. But in many ways it seems ho-hum, another good year for Ohio State.

Dave Birkett: Yeah, Ohio State is the class of the Big Ten right now. The Buckeyes have won four straight conference titles, and there's no reason to think they won't be in the mix this year. Pryor gives them a unique weapon at quarterback, and he's actually got a pretty good supporting cast. DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher will be the second-best receiving tandem in the Big Ten this year (behind Arrelious Benn and Jared Fayson). Michael Brewster and Michigan transfer Justin Boren anchor a rock-solid offensive line. On defense, Thad Gibson is my dark horse for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He's due for a double-digit sack season, and Ross Homan might be the next standout at linebacker.

MR: You're pretty high on these guys, huh. Obviously, everything is relative when you talk about Ohio State in the Big Ten these days, but Pryor's cast is definitely the most inexperienced group of players since Tressel started this run. But you might be underestimating the loss of James Laurinaitis at linebacker and Malcolm Jenkins at corner. Jenkins was shut-down material on whomever you put him on. Laurinaitis was the soul of the Ohio State defense. And offensively, OSU lost the leader of the line in Alex Boone, which could be tough to replace early. What works for Ohio State - besides Pryor - is the schedule. I see three losable games or losses there. Not bad considering how much the Buckeyes lost.

DB: I just think, in terms of talent, Ohio State has the best collection in the Big Ten. They produce a bushel of NFL players every year and never seem to have a problem hatching replacements. Sure they're on the younger side this year, but the defense actually has a lot of experience. And that offensive line ... Boren is the only player Michigan's lost to transfer it will actually miss (though I reserve judgment on Dan O'Neill, too). As for the schedule, I'm not even sure I see three losses in there. The Penn State game is the de facto Big Ten title game this year, but the one I'm most looking forward to is Sept. 12 against USC. If Ohio State wins that game, it'd do wonders for the Big Ten's image.

MR: You brought up USC. Glad to see it. Ohio State has a shot at it this year, especially with the Trojans starting a bunch of new players on defense (Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing are gone. Taylor Mays - the second-best safety in college football behind Eric Berry - remains). There's also the quarterback issue, as Aaron Corp enters the fall as the starter with freshman Matt Barkley and former Arkansas starter Mitch Mustain behind him. In other words, Ohio State's got a shot. But...I just don't see it. Having covered Notre Dame for four years, I've seen USC when it is supposed to be replacing players and it just doesn't matter. The Trojans are faster than almost any team in college football and have more talent than all of them. The game in Columbus will be close, but SC will win it. Ohio State also drops on to Penn State on the road, making Ohio State 10-2 and in the conversation for yet another BCS bowl game.

DB: A shot, yes. But I don't see it happening either. As much as Ohio State reloads, USC is on another level. By the time this season is over, people will be talking about Corp as the next great USC quarterback. I think the Buckeyes have to win that game to get an at-large BCS berth. Too much Big Ten backlash right now otherwise. And we're in lockstep on the final record. Ohio State loses to Penn State in Happy Valley and finishes 10-2. That's good enough for the Buckeyes to share in their fifth straight conference title, in my opinion.