Some of the best examples of consistency in college football can be found in the Big Ten.

There’s Ohio State, the school that’s won at least a share of the last four conference titles. There’s Penn State, led by Joe Paterno, the 82-year-old Hall of Fame coach entering his 44th year on the job.
Here’s one trend, though, the Big Ten would like to reverse in 2009: its embarrassing showing in bowl games. A 1-6 record in bowls last postseason, and a winless streak in Bowl Championship Series games since 2005 has fueled critics’ talk that the conference doesn’t compare to the SEC and Big 12.
“I think it’s unfair to beat down the Big Ten, because every game we play in a bowl game is an away game,” Paterno said. “I don’t think it’s any indication” of weakness.
“I think the Big Ten is a very strong conference. Whether we don’t win a couple bowl games a couple years in a row ... I wouldn’t judge it on three-four games,” Paterno said.
Only Iowa won its bowl game (Outback) last season. Penn State tied for its second Big Ten crown in four years and went to the Rose Bowl after defeating Ohio State in the regular season.
But Pasadena didn’t work out for the Nittany Lions after Southern California ended Penn State’s three-game bowl winning streak.
Once-powerful Michigan didn’t even get to the postseason, ending a 33-year streak. Coach Rich Rodriguez hopes the second year of his rebuilding job in Ann Arbor brings more success than last year’s dismal 3-9 record.
The Buckeyes lost to Texas in the Fiesta Bowl, which followed lopsided defeats the previous two years in the BCS title game for Ohio State.
Coach Jim Tressel and his Big Ten colleagues are aware of the whispers.
But, Tressel said at Big Ten media days in Chicago, “I don’t know if anyone in this conference has an inferiority complex ... If you watch ball games, our guys will play toe-to-toe with anyone.”
Not to worry, coach: the Buckeyes could get another chance to prove their BCS mettle.
Ohio State and Penn State are the favorites again, though both teams have enough question marks that dark horse contenders like Iowa and Michigan State could break through.
It could all come down to the Nov. 7 showdown between Ohio State and Penn State in Happy Valley.
A capsule look at teams in predicted order of finish:
OHIO STATE — Key players: QB Terrelle Pryor, So.; RB Dan “Boom” Herron, So.; DT Doug Worthington, Sr.; S Kurt Coleman, Sr. Returning starters: 4 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Sept. 12 home date with Southern California is key to whether Buckeyes can make another national title run. ... Pryor led the Big Ten as a freshman with a pass-efficiency rating of 151.3 in conference games. ... “Boom” must replace a “Beanie” in 1,200-yard rusher Chris “Beanie” Wells, who left for the NFL after his junior year.
PENN STATE — Key players: QB Daryll Clark, Sr.; RB Evan Royster, Jr.; LB Sean Lee, Sr.; LB Navorro Bowman, Jr. Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense.
Notes: Six of first seven games at home. ... Penn State’s “Spread HD” offense must operate with new starting receivers and rebuilt offensive line. ... Lee looks healthy after missing 2008 with right knee injury. ... DT Jared Odrick among best linemen in league, though defense must replace speed-rusher Aaron Maybin.
IOWA — Key players: QB Ricky Stanzi, Jr.; RB Jewel Hampton, So.; LB Pat Angerer, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: RB Shonn Green took his 1,800 yards to the NFL. Hampton, his presumed replacement, suffered an offseason knee injury but is expected to be ready for the season. ... D-line loses steady tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul. ... Hawkeyes face a brutal road schedule: at Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State.
MICHIGAN STATE — Key players: LB Greg Jones, Jr.; LB Eric Gordon, Jr.; K Brett Swenson, Sr. Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: Sophomores Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol are top candidates to replace departed QB Brian Hoyer. ... 1,700-yard rusher Javon Ringer will be sorely missed. ... Spartans coming off first nine-win regular season since 1999.
ILLINOIS — Key players: QB Juice Williams, Sr.; WR Arrelious Benn. Jr.; MLB Martez Wilson, Jr. Returning staters: 8 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: There’s no question who the cover boys are for this year’s Illini: Williams and Benn are featured on a school Web site, 7-to-9.com, to tout their postseason credentials. ... Williams needs 425 total yards to become the Illini’ all-time offensive yardage leader at 8,880.
WISCONSIN — Key players: RB John Clay, So.; DE O’Brien Schofield, Sr.; LB Jaevery McFadden, Sr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: Another year, another new starting QB? Redshirt freshman Curt Phillips could take job at from fifth-year senior Dustin Sherer, who took over at midyear last season. ... Top three receivers return, including TE Garrett Graham.
MICHIGAN — Key players: RB Brandon Minor, Sr.; DE Brandon Graham, Sr.; P Zoltan Mesko, Sr.. Returning starters: 10 offense, 5 defense.
Notes: Year 2 of coach Rich Rodriguez’ rebuilding project finds freshman Tate Forcier taking over at quarterback. ... Wolverines last year gave up 347 points, the most in school history. Greg Robinson, fired last year as coach at Syracuse, takes over as defensive coordinator.
NORTHWESTERN — Key players: QB Mike Kafka, Sr.; DE Corey Wootton, Sr.; S Brad Phillips, Sr. Returning starters: 5 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: The 6-foot-7 Wootton had 10 sacks last season, but is recovering from right knee surgery after getting injured in the Alamo Bowl. ... Wildcats must replace top RB Tyrell Sutton and top three receivers. ... Northwestern doesn’t have to play Ohio State or Michigan.
MINNESOTA — Key players: QB Adam Weber, Jr.; WR Eric Decker, Sr.; LB Lee Campbell, Sr. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense.
Notes: Gophers move home digs from dingy Metrodome to new, open-air TCF Bank Stadium on campus. ... Weber-to-Decker combo among best in Big Ten, though Gophers must boost rushing attack (3.1 yards per game in 2009).
PURDUE — Key players: RB Jaycen Taylor, Sr.; CB Brandon King, Sr.; CB David Pender, Sr. Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense.
Notes: Danny Hope takes over as coach for Joe Tiller after spending 2008 as coach-in-waiting. ... Senior Joey Elliot, voted captain, likely replaces Curtis Painter at QB.
INDIANA — Key players: DE Jammie Kirlew, Sr.; DE Greg Middleton, Sr.; QB Ben Chappell, Jr. Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.
Notes: Former starting QB-turned-receiver Kellen Lewis booted off team in April for violating team rules. ... Kirlew’s 10.5 sacks tied for second in Big Ten, but Middleton trying to reclaim ’07 form (16 sacks) after just four last year.