It's two months of brutality.

In the Big Ten, where every school has sufficient resources and commitment, the schedule offers no breaks, no sure wins.

That's what makes the Big Ten women's volleyball season, which began this week, so grueling.

A lot of travel, a lot of games and a lot of good, tough competition. For the best teams it's a challenge, for the worst it can be torture.

"The Big Ten season is always something of an unknown," Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose said. "You never have great tapes from the non-conference season and some of the players are unknown quantities. The level of competition and intensity is so high, some kids step up and some shy away."

No. 8 Minnesota (13-2)

The Gophers have been strong through the early portion of the season, defeating Pepperdine, North Carolina and UCLA. Their only losses have come to a pair of powerhouses, No. 7 Northern Iowa and No. 4 Stanford. Minnesota's top player is, without question, outside hitter Cassie Busse. The 6-foot-1 junior is a preseason All-Big Ten selection and is a strong candidate for All-American honors.

"Cassie has the unique athletic ability to hit the ball when its extremely high," Minnesota head coach Mike Hebert said.

Preseason All-Big Ten middle blocker Bethany Bafford only bolsters the Gophers' front-line strength.

"Minnesota has had a great preseason. Right now, they appear to be the conference's best team," Rose said.

No. 11 Ohio State (6-3)

The Buckeyes were everyone's choice to grab the conference championship before the season started. However, injuries have besieged their ranks and it looks to be an uphill battle. Leading the list of the injured is the outstanding setter, Katie Virtue. Virtue, who broke her hand in a match earlier this season, is one of the conference's brightest stars when healthy, and teams up with Big Ten 2001 Freshman of the Year, Stacey Gordon, to form a lethal combination.

"I think Virtue is one of the best setters in the conference," Rose said. "She has been playing with Gordon a long time now, so they are extremely comfortable with each other. When Ohio State is healthy, they have to be among the favorites."

Northwestern (7-5)

For most teams in the conference, an eighth-place finish is less than inspiring. But for Northwestern eighth place last year meant their highest finish since 1991 and hope for the future.

"We're continuing to make positive strides," Northwestern women volleyball coach Keylor Chan said. "We're pretty confident heading into the Big Ten. I think we have the talent to make the NCAAs."

Leading the way for the Wildcats are middle blocker Erika Lange, the first Northwestern player to receive all-conference honors since 1993, and setter Drew Robertson.

The Wildcats will be ready for rigorous competition, having already faced Pepperdine, Notre Dame and North Carolina this season.

Purdue (7-3)

After dropping a pair of matches to Kansas and Southeast Missouri State two weeks ago, things were looking down for the Boilermakers. All of that changed, however, just a few days later when Purdue came from behind to beat heavily favored Notre Dame.

Now, things are looking up.

"That was a huge win for our program and everyone that stuck with us through the lean years," Purdue women's volleyball coach Jeff Hulsmeyer said.

Supplying the firepower for Purdue is outside hitter Katie McConaha, who has registered double-digit kills, including 21 against Notre Dame, in her last eight matches.

No. 13 Wisconsin (9-2)

After four straight years of Penn State domination in the Big Ten, the Badgers rose to the occasion and knocked off the Nittany Lions in 2000. They liked the title so much that they kept it in 2001. Now the target is on their back and they seem prepared for the challenge.

The Badgers have a pair of devastating outside hitters in Erin Byrd and Lisa Zukowski.

"Zukowski and Byrd are both great players," Rose said. "They have a huge impact on the game."

Top efforts from both will be needed if Wisconsin wants another Big Ten crown.

"We set the goal of winning the Big Ten championship every year," Wisconsin women's volleyball coach Pete Waite said. "I think we have the talent but we'll have to fight really hard to get where we want to be."