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 - Indiana, easily, is going to be the worst team in the Big Ten. Their most athletic player, Kellen Lewis, was booted off the team. There are questions at every position and the talent level just isn't there. On defense, the Hoosiers need defensive ends Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew to be 15 sack guys. Each. But as Bill Lynch said at media days, they have to be able to stop the run to set up a pass rush. And, really, do you see Indiana doing that? If I were a team in the Big Ten, I'd be disappointed if Indiana was one of the teams skipped on the schedule, especially if I were a six or seven win team teetering on bowl eligibility.

Dave Birkett: I can't argue with anything you said, Mike. The Hoosiers regressed as a program last year after their feel-good 2007 season. They haven't had a winning Big Ten record since 1993 and I don't see that changing anytime soon. If you're an optimist and you're looking for reasons to hope, the defense does return eight starters and Middleton has a chance to be a special player. He led the nation with 16 sacks as sophomore. I know he only had four last year, but I'm not convinced that's all him. As for the offense ... Let me ask you, how is this team going to score?

MR: I'll say it right now. Middleton is overrated. He's better than he was last year but probably more of a six sack guy. Remember, in 2007, IU had such juggernauts as Indiana State and pre-2008 Ball State on the schedule. I'm pretty sure I could pick up a couple sacks against Indiana State. IU's safeties are OK and the real stud of the defense is Kirlew. I like his game and he might end up carrying Middleton to a decent season. Optimism? Bill Lynch is an optimist, perhaps eternal. This guy? Based in reality. As for scoring points, um, good luck. Lynch wants to switch it up from the spread to the pistol (which, in reality, has some root in the spread). But can Ben Chappell run that offense efficiently? Or did Lynch forget Kellen Lewis isn't a quarterback or on the team anymore? It's nice to run the pistol, which is a Nevada staple. But Chappell isn't Colin Kaepernick (watch him in the season opener on NBC against Notre Dame) and what good is a pistol if you're firing with blanks. IU has OK running backs led by Trea Burgess, Demetrius McCray, Darius Willis and Bryan Payton, but can any of them prove to cause Indiana to at least have one effective chamber?

DB: First, the only sack I can see you picking up, against Indiana State or anyone else, is a sack of White Castles. Second, you better share those burgers with me if we're watching Indiana football this year. This is no shot at your boy Bryan Payton, but I wouldn't want any of those guys on my fantasy Big Ten team. Chappell is average. He can sling it a little bit, but he doesn't have Lewis' wow factor and he doesn't have much around him. Indiana's best receiver last year (Ray Fisher) is now a cornerback and its best running back (Marcus Thigpen) will be on an NFL practice squad somewhere. Four starters are back on the offensive line, so maybe Willis has a breakout season. But with Western Michigan and Virginia on the schedule, the Hoosiers need four conference wins to make a bowl game. That ain't happening.

MR: I see you've been following me on Twitter. And man, don't hate on the sack, even though I'm pretty sure White Castle might be one of the most unfriendly places on earth for people with gluten allergies. Just saying. Gotta agree on the schedule. Clearly Bill Lynch hasn't learned from the Jim Boeheim of old, the Mike Brey of the present when looking at basketball or from some SEC schools about how to non-conference schedule to make the post-season. It's going to be a long, long season in Bloomington. I say - and maybe this is being kind - 2-10 for the Hoosiers.

DB - That Tweetledoo thing, Joe Pa and I haven't got the slightest idea what you're talking about. As for Indiana, I do know they won't be in the mix for a bowl this year. They'll win the opener against Eastern Kentucky, beat one of the two MAC schools on the schedule, then lose a bunch of games until the Purdue season finale. Mark me down for 3-9 and a bunch of lopsided losses.

Dave Birkett and Michael Rothstein cover University of Michigan sports for annarbor.com. They can be reached at davidbirkett@annarbor.com and michaelrothstein@annarbor.com.