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: Bye, bye basketball on grass. The Big Ten will miss you. Of course, now, fans can go watch Texas Tech or any other program that runs the spread, including half the league. That's what Joe Tiller brought to the Big Ten and Purdue and what he leaves behind as he flyfishes his way across Wyoming. Now, new coach Danny Hope wants to be more balanced and a bit more traditional. Except for that pesky fact that most of Tiller's players were recruited to a system. And that the team named for a fairly horrendous alcoholic drink was actually nastier on the football field last season. Is Joey Elliott the answer? Jaycen Taylor? A defense that has never been particularly good before? I don't know although I'd lean toward a big, fat no. All I do know is that at least Hope can bring it in the mustache department like Tiller did.

Dave Birkett: Hope's not too bad at outmaneuvering stern-talking student newspaper reporters, either, though his "young lady" crack somehow didn't appear on the official Big Ten media day transcripts. Hmm. Anyway, I understand Hope defending Elliott so vehemently as his quarterback. What else is he going to say, I can't wait 'til Robert Marve's eligible next year? Purdue's offense isn't scaring anyone right now, but I think there's potential there if Taylor can stay healthy. They're not making a bowl, but with Taylor and safety Torri Williams they might spring an upset or two.

MR: Yeah, some reporters put that on the same level of Bill Lynch's comment about liking sororities over fraternities as perhaps the most inappropriate of the media days. I think you're having wishful thinking about Purdue pulling an upset, unless you think an upset is over a team fairly close to them in the projections at home. By any team with real talent (read: Top 5 in the Big Ten) they are going to get rolled. And they travel to Oregon and play Notre Dame at home. Two more losses. Hope might be the right fit at Purdue to follow Tiller - but the Boilers shouldn't judge it on this season, because it'll be awful.

DB: What was wrong with Lynch's comments about sororities? I like them better than fraternities, too. Look, Tiller didn't do Hope any favors leaving him the schedule and players he did. But Purdue's biggest problem last year was its inability to score (except when playing Michigan). The Boilermakers were held to a touchdown or less in four Big Ten games. If Elliott really is halfway decent, and if Taylor has the season I expect, Purdue will be better than anyone gives them credit for right now. That doesn't mean a lot of wins, but who in the Big Ten scares you besides Ohio State and Penn State, who the Boilermakers don't even play?

MR: Hey, I liked my sororities, too, when I was in college and in a fraternity (feel free to guess which one, readers, below). I'm also still under 30 so it's OK for me to say that. But, I digress. As far as that offensive ineptitude, I don't know why you see it changing. You're putting a lot of faith in Joey Elliott. Nice kid. Good quote. But the closest he's going to get to Sam Bradford or Colt McCoy is having their cell phone numbers (he does) and working out with them at the Peyton Manning camp (he did). Having Illinois right after Ohio State is a bad thing and three of four on the road to end the season isn't a great schedule when it gets cold in Ann Arbor. Oh, and Purdue drew Wisconsin on the road on Halloween. And if you've been to Madison for the Halloween party on State St., you know to be plenty scared. In all, yeah, they might be better than some people think, but I think they'll be pretty terrible. Put 'em down for 4-8. They'll surprise one team in the Big Ten (Northwestern?) and beat IU, Toledo and Northern Illinois.

DB: We're pretty much on the same page. My gut tells me Purdue will be bad but competitive this year. The crowned field will get them at Oregon just like it did Michigan a few years back, and there's a lot of losses late in that schedule. I've got them upsetting Minnesota or Illinois, losing to Indiana and finishing with the same record you see, 4-8.

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.