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: Derrick Williams, Deon Hunter and Jordan Norwood are gone, meaning Daryll Clark has a bunch of new people to throw to. Clark's offensive line is new, too. Doesn't matter. Penn State is going to be the best team in the Big Ten this year as long as Clark and Royster stay healthy. I think by the end of this, you're going to be stunned at what I pick. But the maturity of Clark as a quarterback is going to be a big story this year, and by the end of the season he's going to be in the discussion (not win, but be in the discussion) for that trophy given out in Midtown Manhattan. Defensively, having Sean Lee back for what feels like his 15th year will provide stability for the defense. I'm high on JoePa, because I think that he's got one more real good year left in him as a coach.

Dave Birkett: You do know Joe Pa doesn't actually coach, don't you? He's been a figurehead since you and I were in middle school. Your point's well taken, though. Clark was actually my pick for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He's the most polished of the big three quarterbacks - Terrelle Pryor and Juice Williams being the others - and Royster is the best back in the Big Ten. It's a joke he was left off the Doak Walker watch list. I think there's a clear Big Two in the Big Ten this year, Penn State and Ohio State, and that game's in wild-and-crazy State College. Could be a good omen for the Nittany Lions.

MR: Hey, I know that JoePa and the Queen of England have essentially the same role these days. JoePa, though, might be more effective at it. And, by the way, I'm proud to say I was in middle school in the 1990s. That Ohio State-Penn State game - like a season ago - should be the game of the year in the Big Ten. Both teams, by the time they play, could be in the Top 5 in the country. Wouldn't be the worst place to spend a Saturday, either. The big question, and I mentioned this before, is how the offensive line does. Replacing three starters is tough and Stefen Wisniewski is shifting from guard to center, which will be at least a small adjustment. Good news for Penn State is they open with three anti-powers in Akron, Syracuse and Temple. By then, there should be some familiarity there. If they get past a tough game at Illinois on Oct. 3, ooh boy, that Ohio State date in State College on Nov. 7 should be fun. Too bad we'll be watching Michigan and (yawn) Purdue. But you know what I think of the Boilers already. What people aren't talking about, though, is Penn State's defense. What do you think of them?

DB: Hey, Michigan and Purdue put up 90 points last year. Don't you want to see the rematch? Don't answer that. As for the defense, I know Michigan State's Greg Jones was the preseason Defensive Player of the Year, but I'm not sure Penn State doesn't have two better linebackers in Lee and Navorro Bowman. Both those guys are playmakers, and Jared Odrick, while a bit of a brawler, is a beast in the trenches. Maybe if Penn State goes to another BCS game - am I warm on your prediction? - Joe Pa will finally step down as coach. He's got the all-time wins record wrapped up now thanks to Florida State's academic scandal, what else is the man waiting for?

MR: Hey, don't forget, he wants Bobby Bowden to get those wins back. That's a big deal to him. To answer your question, I think he's waiting for one more shot at a national title. I just finished Michael Rosenberg's excellent book on Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes and a theme at the end was if Woody would retire if he won another national title. Now, of course, everyone knows how Hayes' career ended but you might be on a similar path with Paterno. Now that you mentioned it, I think you're about to be shocked. Penn State is going 12-0. I'm throwing that down right now. 12-0 - and no trip to the national championship game. Florida will go at 12-1 after winning the SEC and plays Oklahoma, which goes undefeated in the Big XII. It leads to a bunch of debate, an uproar because JoePa is a sympathetic figure now and people want to see him get another shot. His team beats USC and then, for the first time since 2003, there's a split national champion. I know, it's pretty out there...but hey, it could happen.

DB: Breezy on your limb out there? I actually have Penn State winning the Big Ten, too - sharing the title, actually, by virtue of its win over Ohio State. But I can't see the Nittany Lions in the national championship discussion. They wouldn't beat Oklahoma, Texas, Florida or USC on a neutral field (or in the Rose Bowl if it comes to that). In fact, I have them losing at Illinois in their first road game and getting a run for their money at Michigan and Michigan State. The schedule's so bad, even if they do go undefeated no one will be conned into thinking they're the best team in the country.