Now is the time of year in women's volleyball when the "experts," myself included, start making predictions on what team is going to win a certain conference. Whether it be the Pac 10, SEC, or the Big Ten, writers from all over the nation look at the match results of each team, study the strength of the teams they have played, and examine each team's losses to graduation or injury.

Unlike some of the more popular college sports, volleyball isn't as widely televised. So most fans and some writers never see another team play, outside of their teams and their opponents. Rankings can be useful but then you rely on someone else's opinion to make your conclusions. By doing that you're just guessing and I will give you my best educated guess on what I believe is going to happen in the Big Ten this season.

First, I'll start at home with the Penn State women's volleyball team. The Nittany Lions come into conference play undefeated after breezing though a rather easy preseason schedule. Their only actual tough opponent was Stanford, played at Stanford. I'll give Penn State credit -- it was a nice win -- but the Lions just barely got it.

The Lions have also lost two of their best players to graduation, Erin Iceman and Cara Smith, and it has turned an offense that was dependable into the almost one-dimensional variety. Penn State is depending a lot on senior Ashley Peterson and the up-and-down health of sophomore Cassy Salyer to carry the load. Granted the Lions have had some other players chip in, especially superfrosh Kate Price, but none of those players have been through the rigors of a Big Ten road schedule.

Penn State relies on its defense for experience. The Lions have the best libero that I have seen live in junior Kaleena Walters and a very steady defensive specialist in fifth-year senior Tabitha Eshelman. Walters just finished her best weekend of the season as she recorded 57 digs in nine games. The Lions only consistent blocker has been Salyer, but she's always questionable because of the nagging injury.

Enough of my dissecting Penn State; My job is to inform you of the other teams in the conference.

I'll start with the dark horse of the conference: Ohio State. The Buckeyes may have the best offensive player in the conference in Stacy Gordon. Gordon has already broken the 2,000-kill plateau. Yes, 2,000 kills. And there is still more than two-thirds of the season remaining. Even though she is their only weapon on offense, she is a very dangerous weapon.

Ohio State also comes into conference play undefeated (10-0), but has played an even easier schedule than Penn State. The only team on its schedule with any national recognition is Georgia Tech, who is currently outside the top 25 but is receiving some votes.

Another strong team is Illinois. The Illini have been an up-and-coming team over the last season or two, and have apparently arrived in 2004. Illinois defeated formerly invincible USC and ended the Women of Troy's 52-match winning streak.

But, the favorite to win the Big Ten title is Minnesota and for good reason: the Golden Gophers are the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Gophers played the hardest non-conference schedule of any of the teams in the Big Ten, beating No. 5 Florida and No. 19 Kansas State. Their five-game loss to No. 2 USC at a neutral site in Colorado is much more impressive than the Illinois victory.

Now for the grand finale and what every one has continued to read for: The Myers Big Ten prediction. Well, after some sleepless nights and some intense pondering deep into the night, I've finally decided the Big Ten Champion will be...

Minnesota.