It's Michigan - by a landslide

There are degrees of certainty in most everything in life.

Take, for instance, the Theory of Relativity. On one hand,Einstein developed the formula. But when it comes to getting cityjobs for cousins, Chicago politicians have turned it into a science.

What does that have to do with picking a Big Ten champion?

Well, like politics, it's a dirty job, but somebody has to doit.

So with the certainty of a third-generation Daley filling out ajob application at City Hall, here is the predicted order of finishin the Big Ten:

1. MICHIGAN: The question is not whether the Wolverines will goto the Rose Bowl, but rather, will they go undefeated and vying for anational championship?

Offensively, coach Bo Schembechler's team is solid top tobottom. Returning from its Rose Bowl championship team of last yearare fullback Leroy Hoard, tailback Tony Boles and quarterbackMichael Taylor.

While Boles rushed for 1,408 yards last season, Hoard ledMichigan with 11 touchdowns and was the Rose Bowl MVP with 142 yards.

Taylor, a fifth-year senior, threw only two interceptions innine games last year.

Although all-everything tackle Mark Messner graduated, the BigTen's top defensive unit returns nine of its 11 starters.

If an obstacle looms on their road to a championship, it may bethat the Wolverines must play three of their four toughest conferencegames (Michigan State, Iowa and Illinois) on the road. Michigan willplay its traditional rival, Ohio State, Nov. 25 at Ann Arbor.

2. MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans return the nucleus of a defensethat held opponents to a league-low 9.5 points a game last seasonand ranked second over all to Michigan.

Middle linebacker Percy Snow, an all-America candidate, willlead the defense. Senior tailback Blake Ezor (1,496 yards rushing)heads the I-formation offense.

MSU won six straight conference games to close last season and,with its last six against Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Minnesota,Northwestern and Wisconsin, could do it again.

3. OHIO STATE: The Buckeyes should be the Big Ten team with themost improved won-lost record this season. For coach John Cooper'sjob security, it had better be.

Last year, OSU bumbled its way to a 2-5-1 conference mark withdisastrous home losses to Illinois and Purdue.

This year, Cooper returns 15 starters (eight on offense andseven on defense), including his top passer, rusher and receiver andthree of his top four tacklers.

4. ILLINOIS: Thin may be in if you're Oprah, but not if you'rea football team.

While the Illini return one of the finest starting squads inthe conference, some of those quality players will get hurt -especially with opening road games at USC and Colorado. The Illinialso will have a tough time replacing running back Keith Jones' 1,196rushing yards.

Healthy, Illinois contends for a strong second. Hurt, theIllini could be a faltering fifth or even a sinking sixth.

5. IOWA: Even coach Hayden Fry, he of the perpetualFoster-Grants, seems to be in the dark as to how well his Hawkeyeswill fare.

"I've never gone into a season with so many question marks," hesaid.

After losing Chuck Hartlieb and his 3,738 passing yards tograduation, Fry hopes senior Tom Poholsky will be the answer atquarterback.

Without All-America tight end Marv Cook to throw to, theHawkeyes should run more, especially with Tony Stewart, Nick Belland Mike Saunders - who combined for more than 1,500 yards -returning in the backfield.

6. MINNESOTA: The good news for the Golden Gophers is theyreturn almost all their starters. The bad news is they were 0-6-2.

Even though it was winless, Minnesota was close often, losing toMichigan 22-7, Ohio State 13-6 and Iowa 31-22 while tying Illinois27-27. This year, Minnesota should be 3-5.

7. INDIANA: If any team is feeling the sting of graduation thisyear, the Hoosiers are it.

Coach Bill Mallory returns but one starter on defense and onlyfive on offense. Fortunately for him, two of those are Heismancandidate Anthony Thompson at tailback and Dave Schnell atquarterback.

If Thompson can duplicate last season - in which he led theconference in rushing and scoring - Indiana should be at least 4-4.

8. NORTHWESTERN: Since the Wildcats don't have to play Michiganand get to play Minnesota at Dyche Stadium, they could improve lastyear's 2-5-1 mark by a game or two.

9. PURDUE: Hope the indoor practice facility being built forthe Boilermakers has a stronger foundation than the team. With anoffense that lacks a proven quarterback, running back and front line,the only thing keeping Purdue from falling into the basement isWisconsin.

10. WISCONSIN: If it's true that misery loves company, youmight want to visit your relatives in Madison during the season.With only four starters returning to run a veer offense that recordedonly one victory last year, look for the Badgers to go winless.