B1G position rankings: Offensive Line

1. Wisconsin: The Badgers will once again be big, nasty, and overpowering along the offensive line.  The Badgers never seem to rebuild, they just reload.  With lineman such as Joe Thomas, Gabe Carimi, and Aaron Gibson the Badgers have a great lineage at the position.  Wisconsin lost Gabe Carimi to the NFL draft, but will return senior Kevin Zeitler and Junior Peter Konz.

2. Iowa:  The Hawkeyes return James Ferentz and Riley Reiff to a veteran offensive line.

3. Michigan State: Joel Foreman returns to a dominant o-line.

4. Ohio State:  Michael Brewster anchors what will be the best position group for the Buckeyes.

5. Illinois:  Jeff Allen and Graham Pocic will return to a group that absolutely punished people on the ground last year.  Expect a dominant line this year at Illinois.

6. Nebraska: The Huskers are always solid along the offensive line and their first year in the B1G will be no different.

7. Penn State: JoePa is a stubborn, no nonsense, meat and potatoes head coach, ditto his offensive line.  Look for Eric Shrive to become an All B1G offensive tackle this year.

8. Purdue:  This is a veteran group, but hardly a dominant one.  I will give them the nod over Northwestern and Michigan based upon experience, but there are more talented o-lines below them.

9. Northwestern: The Cats offense always seems to purr, but I think that is more of a reflection on the offensive system and skill players than beef along the offensive front... Nonetheless talent and experience does return in Evanston this year.

10. Michigan: Richrod recruited different offensive lineman than what Brady Hoke will recruit.  Look for Hoke's o-lines to be bigger and tougher as the years progress, but this year he will have to make do with this group.

11. Minnesota:  Young players such as Jimmy Gjere and the Olson brothers (Ed and Tommy) could force this group to be ranked much higher by seasons end, but for now I have to rank them this low strictly because of youth.

12. Indiana:  Not much to work with along the offensive front for Kevin Wilson in year 1.