ESPN College Football

Look, I know that you're concerned, but I'm designing T-shirts now. They're gonna be huge. Also medium and small.

• Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith says the department isn't facing any major violations right now. Former Buckeyes linebacker Andrew Sweat chooses safety over potential NFL stardom.
• Michigan State expects top quarterback Andrew Maxwell (knee) to be 100 percent by June. A look at several 2013 recruits Michigan State has offered.
• Jerry Kill says Minnesota needs a facilities upgrade soon. Minnesota's outgoing AD Joel Maturi weighs in on playoff possibilities and other Gopher-related topics.
• Penn State 2013 recruit Greg Webb talks about his recovery from a torn ACL. Lions coach Bill O'Brien reviews spring ball and looks ahead.
• Indiana coach Kevin Wilson is geared up for his second season in Bloomington. Wilson weighs in on the trickiness of non-league scheduling.
• BTN.com's Tom Dienhart looks at Week 3 in the Big Ten this season.
• Purdue offers scholarships to two teammates from Georgia (subscription required) who both play defensive end.
• Hail to the Orange writes that Illinois needs Tim Beckman to be its version of Hayden Fry.
• Great news as Iowa announcer Gary Dolphin is cancer free and ready for the 2012 season.
• Several freshmen offensive linemen could be in the mix for Michigan this year. Michigan's backup quarterbacks remain works in progress.
• A look back at Tom Rathman's 84-yard touchdown run for Nebraska in 1985.

Here are your lunchtime -- wait for it -- links.

• Playoffs are on the minds of Big Ten leaders as they gather in Chicago today.
• Penn State coach Bill O'Brien says he'd like to play Pitt on an annual basis, but the schedule may not allow it to happen. A decision on the Lions' starting quarterback should be coming soon. Penn State has gone to great lengths to help restore its reputation.
• Michigan receiver Jerald Robinson had his hearing on a misdemeanor charge postponed. A one-time Wolverines recruiting target says Michigan doesn't pressure prospects into committing. Tate Forcier signed with a CFL team.
• Le'Veon Bell is earning some high praise at Michigan State.
• Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke wants to preserve the Rose Bowl tradition.
• Concussions caused Ohio State's Andrew Sweat to walk away from football. Tom Dienhart analyzes the Buckeyes' schedule.
• Indiana's Kevin Wilson won't follow Tom Crean's lead and start recruiting eight- or ninth-graders.
• Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald was asked about the debate over compensating players in a talk with students.
• Versatility will be key as former Gopher fullback Jon Hoese tries to make the Green Bay Packers.
• An Ohio linebacker has taken notice of Illinois and Tim Beckman.
• The married life suits Bret Bielema just fine.
• Kirk Ferentz went on the road to talk about what's happening with Iowa football.
• Nebraska's nutritionist talks about how to feed a bunch of hungry Huskers. The Lincoln Journal Star's countdown of the Cornhuskers' top 100 most memorable touchdowns takes a look at the beginning of the Triplets.

Several Big Ten players who didn't hear their names called in New York during the weekend still received some good news about their football futures. As soon as the NFL draft concluded, the undrafted free agent scramble began.

Here's an initial list of Big Ten UFA signings. Every Big Ten squad except Indiana had a player signed through free agency. We'll be sure to post more as they become official.

ILLINOIS

• Derek Dimke, K, Detroit Lions
• Jason Ford, RB, Houston Texans
• Jack Cornell, OL, Baltimore Ravens

IOWA

• Broderick Binns, DE, Arizona Cardinals
• Tyler Nielsen, LB, Minnesota Vikings
• Brad Herman, TE, New England Patriots
• Markus Zusevics, OL, New England Patriots

MICHIGAN

• Ryan Van Bergen, DE, Carolina Panthers
• Troy Woolfolk, CB, Dallas Cowboys
• Michael Shaw, RB, Washington Redskins
• Brandon Herron, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MICHIGAN STATE

• Brian Linthicum, TE, New York Jets
• Garrett Celek, TE, San Francisco 49ers
• Todd Anderson, FB, St. Louis Rams

MINNESOTA

• Eric Lair, TE, Green Bay Packers
• Duane Bennett, RB, Green Bay Packers

NEBRASKA

• Brandon Kinnie, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
• Yoshi Hardrick, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NORTHWESTERN

• Al Netter, OL, San Francisco 49ers

OHIO STATE

• Mike Brewster, C, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Andrew Sweat, LB, Cleveland Browns
• J.B. Shugarts, OL, Cleveland Browns

PENN STATE

• Quinn Barham, OL, Detroit Lions
• Derek Moye, WR, Miami Dolphins
• D'Anton Lynn, CB, New York Jets
• Andrew Szczerba, TE, Dallas Cowboys
• Eric Latimore, DE, Minnesota Vikings
• Nick Sukay, S, Buffalo Bills
• Chaz Powell, CB, Oakland Raiders

PURDUE

• Joe Holland, LB, San Francisco 49ers
• Carson Wiggs, K, Seattle Seahawks
• Albert Evans, Miami Dolphins
• Jared Crank, FB, Arizona Cardinals

WISCONSIN

• Louis Nzegwu, DE, Atlanta Falcons
• Antonio Fenelus, CB, Indianapolis Colts
• Jake Byrne, TE, New Orleans Saints
• Aaron Henry, S, Oakland Raiders
• Patrick Butrym, DT, San Francisco 49ers

Several players seem to be in good situations, whether it's playing for their hometown team (Kinnie, Netter) or near a family member (Lynn, whose dad, Anthony, coaches running backs for the Jets). It's still shocking to see Brewster on this list rather than the draft one. I'm also surprised Moye, Wiggs, Linthicum and Dimke didn't get drafted.

Other Big Ten players have tryouts with NFL squads, such as Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa (Tampa Bay), Minnesota wide receiver Da'Jon McKnight (Minnesota Vikings), Indiana offensive lineman Chris McDonald (Miami, Green Bay) and Minnesota safety Kim Royston (Minnesota Vikings).

We continue our postseason position rankings today as we move on to the linebackers.

Not surprisingly, Linebacker U takes the top spot, though it was a very close call. Depth helped the top two teams on this list, while star power marked spots Nos. 3 through 5. After that, it's a bit of a dropoff.

Away we go ...

1. Penn State: We thought this group could be the deepest linebacking corps in the league this past season, and that depth proved both true and invaluable when starter Michael Mauti went out in the fourth game of the season. Even without him, the Nittany Lions' linebackers played great, led by first team All-Big Ten performer Gerald Hodges, who had a breakout campaign. Nate Stupar filled in nicely for Mauti, and Glenn Carson was solid in his first year as a starter in the middle.

2. Michigan State: We wondered in the preseason how the Spartans would replace stars Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. The answer: very nicely, thank you. Sophomores Denicos Allen and Max Bullough emerged as fierce playmakers, especially on the blitz, and Chris Norman provided steady play on the weak side. All three return in 2012 to give Penn State a run for its money as the best group in the league.

3. Wisconsin: Mike Taylor and Chris Borland were finally healthy in the same season, and what a difference that made. They were a terrific pair, combining for 293 tackles and becoming the only Big Ten duo to average more than 10 tackles per game each. Taylor in particular made great strides. Kevin Claxton was overshadowed a bit as the third Badgers linebacker, but that's understandable given the amount of plays Borland and Taylor made.

4. Illinois: The emergence of Jonathan Brown (108 tackles, 19.5 for loss) as fire-breathing pass-rusher made this unit better than we projected in the preseason. Ian Thomas also had a good season at the position with 85 tackles, and Trulon Henry rounded out a strong crew before he missed time late following a shooting incident. The Illini defense stayed consistent throughout the team's struggles.

5. Nebraska: Depth was not a strong suit for the Huskers by any means, but there was no better linebacker in the league and few better in the nation than All-American Lavonte David. He had 133 tackles and countless big plays. Will Compton came on as the season wore along to provide a good complement to David. Finding consistent play elsewhere at the position was a challenge for Nebraska.

6. Ohio State: We pegged the Buckeyes at No. 3 in our preseason linebacker rankings, but it wasn't a vintage year for a group that struggled down the stretch drive. Andrew Sweat led the way with 72 tackles despite missing two games because of injury, and Etienne Sabino had a decent season (62 tackles, 6.5 for loss) if not the breakout season many had predicted. Freshman Ryan Shazier announced himself late in the year as a potential star in the making.

7. Michigan: The Wolverines' defense surprised everyone in 2011, though the defensive line was clearly the vanguard on that side of the ball. Kenny Demens led the team with 94 tackles, while freshmen Desmond Morgan and Jake Ryan made an immediate impact as starters. This wasn't an overwhelming group, but it was one that mostly did its job.

8. Iowa: The Hawkeyes had a hard time keeping everybody healthy and consistent, but this spot might have been the best part of their defense. James Morris and Christian Kirksey tied for the team lead with 110 tackles each, while Tyler Nielsen added 73 stops while battling some nagging injuries. The Iowa defense overall was disappointing, however.

9. Purdue: Danny Hope usually knew what to expect from week to week out of his linebackers: solid, consistent play. Joe Holland, Dwayne Beckford and Will Lucas each had between 82 and 94 stops as the top three tacklers on the team. Lucas and Holland also recorded double-digit tackles for loss. The chief complaint here is that the Boilermakers gave up some big point totals during the season.

10. Minnesota: The Gophers struggled up front and in the secondary, but linebacker was their most experienced and reliable defensive position, as expected. Veterans Gary Tinsley, Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper played in every game, and were among the most consistent players on the team. Tinsley led the way with four sacks. Florida transfer Brendan Beal was expected to make an impact, but missed the season with a knee injury.

11. Northwestern: It wasn't a very good year overall for the Wildcats' defense, and linebacker was no exception. David Nwabuisi ranked third on the team with 84 tackles, while Bryce McNaul was right behind with 76. But Northwestern's starting trio combined for just 2.5 sacks and didn't come up with enough difference-making plays throughout the season.

12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers was that Jeff Thomas was the best player on defense in 2011, finishing with 80 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. The bad news is that he was a senior. Besides Thomas, Indiana was forced to go young at the position, playing freshmen Chase Hoobler, Mike Replogle and Mark Murphy, a safety/linebacker hybrid, at times during the season. Kevin Wilson hopes the experience makes them better in '12, but this is yet another position that needs vast improvement going forward.

The folks at ESPN Recruiting stepped into the rewind machine Wednesday and looked back at the ESPNU 150 from 2008 to see which heralded recruits panned out and which did not.

From a Big Ten slant, this exercise is essentially a referendum on Ohio State's class, which ranked sixth nationally that year and featured eight ESPNU 150 prospects, headlined by quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Several other Big Ten squads had prospects in the 150 as well.

Overall, the results are mixed. Some players matched their hype, like Ohio State center Mike Brewster and, when healthy, Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti. Others did not or have not, once again proving that recruiting rankings should be viewed with caution.

Here's a look.

Prospects ranked from 1-25

No. 4: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State -- Helped Buckeyes win three Big Ten championships and two BCS bowls before departing in June because of multiple NCAA rules violations.

No. 18: Etienne Sabino, LB, Ohio State: -- Started the 2011 season after redshirting in 2010. Hasn't been a difference-maker for Buckeyes, but ended with a strong performance in the Gator Bowl and could be a key player in 2012.

Prospects ranked from 26-50

No. 42: Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State -- Four-year starter undoubtedly paid off for Ohio State. Brewster earned All-Big Ten honors and was an All-America candidate his final two seasons.

No. 48: Andrew Sweat, LB, Ohio State -- Sweat had a solid but unspectacular career for Ohio State. He was the team's top linebacker in 2011, and Ohio State missed him late in the season.

Prospects ranked between 51-75

No. 56: J.B. Shugarts, T, Ohio State -- Started the final three seasons at right tackle but never earned All-Big Ten honors.

No. 58: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State -- Plagued by knee problems, but very effective when healthy. He turned in a strong 2010 season and entered 2011 as an All-America candidate before tearing his ACL in September. He'll be back in 2012.

No. 69: Dann O'Neill, T, Michigan -- Redshirted as a freshman before transferring to Western Michigan, saying Michigan wasn't the right fit. He earned third-team All-MAC honors in 2011.

No. 71: Darryl Stonum, WR, Michigan -- Turned in a nice year in 2010, but found himself in off-field troubles throughout his Michigan career. Wolverines coach Brady Hoke on Tuesday dismissed Stonum after his latest infraction that resulted in jail time.

Prospects ranked 76-100

No. 88: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State -- One of the Big Ten's top offensive linemen during his final two seasons, earning first-team all-conference honors in 2010 and second-team honors in 2011 despite playing in only seven games. He had some off-field issues with the Buckeyes and was part of the Tat-5 with Pryor.

Prospects ranked 101-125

No. 107: Jake Stoneburner, TE, Ohio State -- An excellent weapon when used in the Ohio State offense. He recorded a team-high seven touchdown receptions in 2011, but had only 14 overall receptions. He returns in 2012 and should have a bigger role in a more wide-open offense.

No. 115: Brandon Moore, TE, Michigan -- Moore has two receptions in three years as a reserve tight end for the Wolverines. He could see a bigger role in 2012 as Kevin Koger departs.

No. 119 Baker Steinkuhler, DT, Nebraska -- Started the past two seasons on the Huskers' defensive line and recorded 40 tackles, including five for loss and two sacks, during the 2011 season. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and will be called upon to take a leading role for Big Red in 2012.

Prospects ranked 126-150

No. 128: Patrick Nixon-Youman, CB, Illinois -- Hip surgery a few years ago slowed Nixon-Youman's progression, but he appeared in 11 games in each of the past two seasons in a reserve role. He could play a bigger role in 2012.

No. 130: Keanon Cooper, LB, Minnesota -- Started in 2011 for Minnesota and recorded 77 tackles, including six for loss, as well as two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He enters his third season as a starter in 2012 and will need to be a big contributor for the Gophers' defense.

No. 135: Travis Howard, CB, Ohio State -- Took on a bigger role in 2011 and recorded 44 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups for the Buckeyes. He'll enter the 2012 season as a projected starter and could end his career with a flourish.

No. 141: J.B. Fitzgerald, LB, Michigan -- Started only three games in his career, but appeared in 50 contests and was a valuable reserve and special teams performer for Michigan in 2011.

No. 148: Tyler Westphal, DE, Wisconsin -- Had a serious shoulder injury following his redshirt year in Madison and eventually transferred to North Dakota State.

Minnesota linebacker Brendan Beal, who has yet to play for the Gophers after transferring from Florida, is No. 133 in the rankings.

Urban Meyer won't be coaching in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, but his fingerprints will be all over the game. It's also a rematch of the 2007 BCS title game. Ohio State hopes for a better outcome in this one.

WHO TO WATCH: Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller. The precocious true freshman quarterback showed flashes of greatness this season, including his game-winning touchdown heave to beat Wisconsin. He has incredible shiftiness for a quarterback and has run for at least 91 yards five different times this season. Miller put it all together in the season-ending loss at Michigan, totaling 335 yards and three touchdowns. The Buckeyes finally took the reins off the passing game in that contest, something they'll probably have to do again against Florida's defense, which is ranked No. 9 nationally. Meyer has already gushed about Miller's potential in his system, and this will be a good gauge of how far the youngster has progressed after some extra bowl practices.

WHAT TO WATCH: Will the real Ohio State defense please stand up? The Buckeyes were uncharacteristically sloppy with their tackling and techniques down the stretch while losing their final three games. Penn State stunned the defense by running the Wildcat, while Michigan racked up 444 total yards in a 40-34 win. Key injuries and youth prevented this from being a vintage Silver Bullets squad this year. The unit should be healthier now, with players like linebacker Andrew Sweat back to full strength, and the young players have had more practice time. They have a favorable matchup against a Gators offense that struggled to find its identity and ranked 101st in the FBS in yards per game this season. Florida also has a new offensive coordinator after Charlie Weis left for Kansas. Ohio State has little excuse not to turn in a strong defensive performance here.

WHY TO WATCH: While Meyer will dominate much of the discussion, the former Florida and future Ohio State coach has said he doesn't plan to attend the game in person. Buckeyes fans are more fired up about the first spring practice under Meyer than they are watching this 6-6 team any more, but it's their last chance to see their school play in a bowl game until at least December 2013 because of next year's NCAA-imposed bowl ban. So they'd better enjoy this one now. The fact that Ohio State gets another crack at an SEC team in a bowl -- technically, the program is 0-for-9 against the SEC in the postseason since last year's Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas was officially vacated -- injects a little more spice into the matchup.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 24, Florida 23. With nothing to lose and no bowl game next year, the Buckeyes let it all hang out. Miller plays well, and Ohio State gets valuable contributions from running back Dan Herron and receiver DeVier Posey, who each had an instrumental role in the NCAA punishment. It's not exactly redemption for them or for 2007, but it sure beats losing.

Borrowing an idea from our friends at the SEC blog, I wanted to recognize some of the best seniors in the Big Ten in 2011.

To spread the love around, the following list features one senior from each Big Ten team. I really looked for guys who saved their best for last, took their game to the next level and performed consistently all season. There are obviously more standout seniors than the ones mentioned below, but these players all deserve some recognition.

Here's the list, in alphabetical order:

Michigan State WR B.J. Cunningham: He took the step from good (50 catches, 611 receiving yards, 9 TDs) to great (72 catches, 1,240 yards, 12 TDs) this season. He eclipsed 100 receiving yards in both games against Wisconsin and went for 154 yards on nine catches against Ohio State. His 17.2 yards-per-reception average was tops among the Big Ten's leading receivers. Cunningham became a very hard player to contain on the outside.

Nebraska LB Lavonte David: He played only two seasons in Lincoln but won't soon be forgotten. David didn't match his team record tackles total from 2010 (152) but still had 122 stops, the third-highest total in the Big Ten. He also become more of a difference-maker, making the critical plays for the Huskers in wins like Ohio State. David led Nebraska in tackles for loss (11) and finished second in sacks (3.5). He also had two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Illinois WR A.J. Jenkins: The Illini offense disappeared in the second half, but Jenkins' accomplishments shouldn't go unnoticed. He went from a decent receiver to one of the best in the Big Ten, recording a league-best 82 receptions for 1,197 yards and seven touchdowns. Although Jenkins did much of his damage in the first six games, he still recorded six or more receptions in nine games and at least four catches in all 12 regular-season contests. He accounted for 53.3 percent of the team's receiving yards, the most nationally by eight percent.

Purdue LT Dennis Kelly: The offensive linemen deserve some love on this list, and Kelly stabilized Purdue's front five in his third season as a starter. Kelly started every game for the third consecutive season, giving him 37 career starts, and anchored a Purdue line that helped the team rank fifth in the league in rushing (181.6 ypg) and third in first downs (20.5 per game). Kelly finished his career as a bowl champion as Purdue captured the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Tuesday night.

Iowa WR Marvin McNutt: McNutt had been a productive pass-catcher for Iowa, but he took his game to the next level this season. The Big Ten's best receiver recorded 78 receptions for 1,269 yards and 12 touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard receiving performances and four games with multiple touchdown catches. McNutt also made the best catch of the Big Ten season against Michigan State on Nov. 12.

Northwestern S Brian Peters: It was a very rough year for the Wildcats' secondary, but it would have been even worse without Peters' contributions. He made by far the most big plays for the unit, recording four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Peters finished second on the team in tackles (85) and had four tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a sack.

Minnesota S Kim Royston: Talk about a player who made the most of his final opportunity. Granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, Royston turned in a terrific season, leading Minnesota and finishing third in the Big Ten with 123 tackles, 36 more than any other Gophers defender. Royston had an interception, two pass breakups and a sack. He recorded double digits in tackles in eight contests and provided leadership for a unit that needed it.

Penn State DT Devon Still: Brian and I look like fools (yeah, it happens a lot) for leaving Still off of our preseason top 25 player rankings. But he wasn't nearly the same player in 2010 as he turned out to be this fall. The Lions star put it all together to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. A disruptive force that put strain on every opposing offensive line, Still recorded 17 tackles for loss, tied for fourth in the Big Ten. He had 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, and his stats hardly tell the full story. No Big Ten player better fits the definition of Super Senior.

Ohio State LB Andrew Sweat: It wasn't a typical year for Ohio State's senior class, as several key players missed chunks of the season because of suspensions. Sweat stepped up his play for a mostly young defense, though, and contributed 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble, an interception and three pass breakups. The Buckeyes sorely missed him in their final two games, when he sat out with head and elbow injuries.

Indiana LB Jeff Thomas: Youth was served all season at Indiana, which played more young players than any FBS team this season. But Thomas did his part on a flawed defense, leading the squad in both tackles (80) and tackles for loss (10.5). He added three pass breakups, a sack and a fumble recovery. The junior-college transfer has been one of few bright spots for Indiana's defense the past two seasons.

Michigan DE Ryan Van Bergen: Many Wolverines defenders benefited from a new coaching staff and a new scheme, but perhaps none more than Van Bergen. He led the team in both tackles for loss (12) and sacks (5) and finished second with three fumble recoveries. Van Bergen finished the season playing his best football, recording seven tackles for loss in the final three games.

Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson: He came to Madison as a senior and turned in one of the more memorable offensive performances in team history. Although Wilson had put up big numbers at NC State, he became a much more efficient quarterback with the Badgers, completing 72.5 percent of his passes with 31 touchdowns and only three interceptions in 284 attempts. He ranked second nationally in pass efficiency (191.6), trailing only Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III. Wilson earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors.

Hope you all had a great Christmas. Now let's get back to football.

• Junior-college transfer Antonio Marshall wants to be a physical cornerback for Indiana (subscription required).
• Iowa linebacker Tyler Nielsen may lead the Big Ten in scars, but he's still playing. Some questions facing the Hawkeyes for the Insight Bowl.
• Brady Hoke plans to scale back Michigan's practices leading up to the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Offensive coordinator Al Borges is familiar with the Virginia Tech defense.
• Mark Dantonio had his best year as Michigan State coach, Greg Johnson writes. Trenton Robinson was a leader on defense for the Spartans.
• After a much-needed break Nebraska workhorse running back Rex Burkhead should be rejuvenated for the Capital One Bowl. Bo Pelini's new staff addition boosts the Huskers' Big Ten knowledge, Sam McKewon writes.
• A bowl ban doesn't necessarily have to ruin Ohio State's 2012 season. Senior Andrew Sweat will move to middle linebacker for the first time in the Buckeyes' bowl game.
• The Little Caesars Bowl will be a happy homecoming for Purdue receiver Justin Siller. Another Boiler has been ruled out of the bowl: punt returner Waynelle Gravesande.
• Wisconsin center Peter Konz is optimistic he'll play in the Rose Bowl, though he's unsure whether he'll turn pro afterward.

It's time to pass out grades for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

OFFENSE: D

Uncertainty surrounded the unit heading into the season after the departure of starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor and the suspensions of three other starters. But the Buckeyes' offensive struggles reached new lows in the first half of the season before freshman Braxton Miller emerged at quarterback. Ohio State looked lifeless in losses to Miami and Michigan State, nearly suffering its first shutout at home since 1982. The Buckeyes won a game at Illinois despite completing just one pass and attempting only four. Coordinator Jim Bollman infuriated fans with ultra-conservative game plans, even though Miller, the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year, raised hope for the future with his play-making ability. An inexperienced receiving corps struggled mightily, the offensive line was inconsistent, but the backs performed decently, especially when Dan Herron returned from suspension. But Ohio State ended up 107th nationally in total yards and 117th in passing. Not good.

DEFENSE: C+

The defense kept the Buckeyes in several games and won one against Illinois to spark a three-game win streak. But the typical dominance associated with the unit didn't show up nearly as much in an atypical season. Ohio State had good players in all three levels of the defense -- lineman John Simon, linebacker Andrew Sweat, safety C.J. Barnett -- but lacked the all-around depth that's normally a given in Columbus. The defense struggled for chunks of games -- the second half at Nebraska, the first half at Purdue, the first half against Penn State -- and had no answers for rival Michigan in the regular-season finale, a 40-34 loss. While much was made about the offensive stars involved in the tattoo parlor scandal, Ohio State lost a ton of defensive production from the 2010 team, and it showed. The unit still finished 24th nationally in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

After a shaky season on special teams in 2010, the Buckeyes rebounded for the most part this fall. They ranked in the top 25 nationally in both punt coverage and kickoff coverage. Specialists Ben Buchanan and Drew Basil were, for the most part, pretty solid, and Jordan Hall had a decent year on returns. Still, it's impossible to look past the extra-point attempt Ohio State had blocked against Purdue that would have given the Buckeyes a 21-20 lead in the final minute (Ohio State went on to lose in overtime).

OVERALL: D+

After dominating the Big Ten for the better part of Jim Tressel's tenure as coach, the Buckeyes faced unique and difficult circumstances this season. Players and coaches both were thrust into new and challenging roles. Still, even the more pessimistic prognosticators figured Ohio State would win more than six games. The Buckeyes lost more Big Ten games this season than they had in the previous six combined. That's a precipitous drop. While there's hope for the future with Miller and Urban Meyer, Ohio State would just as soon forget this season.

Today ESPN.com's recruiting experts take a look back on the 2011 ESPNU 150 class -- our list of the top prospects in the country -- and see how they fare in their rookie seasons.

It's way too early to make judgments about these players' careers. But in some instances, we can already see the promise being delivered. In others, we wait for a major impact.

Here's a look at the players from the ESPNU 150 list who signed with Big Ten schools in February and how their first season on campus turned out:

No. 11: Aaron Green, RB, Nebraska: "With an experienced group of tailbacks above him on the depth chart, Green was the fifth-leading rusher for the Cornhuskers. He rushed 24 times in 2011 for a 4.4-yard per carry average and two touchdowns. He'll have to continue fighting for playing time because carries in Lincoln should be hard to come by in the foreseeable future." Green will have to sit behind Rex Burkhead another year and has classmates Ameer Abdullah and Braylon Heard at the same position. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of them change positions.

No. 30: Steve Miller, DE, Ohio State: "Miller played in two games this season, finishing with one tackle. The defensive end came into Ohio State as one of the Buckeyes' most-heralded recruits but sat behind a few upperclassmen. With a year to get bigger and stronger, look for Miller to have an impact season as a sophomore a year from now." Guess we'll have to wait for the Columbus version of the Steve Miller Band.

No. 46: Curtis Grant, ILB, Ohio State: "Grant played in eight games as a freshman. He made just two tackles but made several big plays on special teams. He recovered a fumble against Wisconsin off a blocked punt that helped the Buckeyes upset the Big Ten champs. He's expected to compete for a starting job at inside linebacker next fall." Grant showed flashes, but it was another freshman linebacker who really impressed for OSU. More on that in a bit ...

No. 50: Jamal Turner, ATH, Nebraska: "Turner graduated high school early and was able to enroll at Nebraska in January and participated in spring practice. After being recruited as an athlete, Turner played receiver for the Huskers and had a solid freshman season. He caught 15 balls for 243 yards while averaging a little more than 16 yards a reception." Turner had some nice moments but also disappeared in the middle of the season as his coaches didn't think he was practicing hard enough.

No. 54: Angelo Mangiro, OG, Penn State: "Mangiro did not play for Penn State this season, but he will have a chance to make an impact next season as a redshirt freshman, as the Nittany Lions will lose both their starting guards."

No. 80: Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State: "A true freshman, Miller has taken the reins as the starting quarterback and will lead the Buckeyes in the Gator Bowl against Florida on Jan. 2. Miller has thrown for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns, and rushed for 695 yards and seven scores." There were 79 better prospects than Miller last year?

No. 81: Ryan Shazier, OLB, Ohio State: "Shazier has been a major contributor on an improving Ohio State defense. He recorded 48 tackles and a team-high three sacks. Shazier isn't a regular returner on special teams, but he has returned a punt 25 yards." Here's the linebacker I referenced earlier. Shazier really came on strong late while filling in for Andrew Sweat and showed grit while battling through a knee injury against Michigan.

No. 106: Evan Spencer, WR, Ohio State: "Spencer played in 11 games, caught three passes for 78 yards and had one touchdown reception. He started one game, against Illinois." Classmate Devin Smith (12 catches, 247 yards and four touchdowns, including the game-winner against Wisconsin) was much better.

No. 108: Christian Jones, WR, Northwestern: "Jones played in all 12 games, catching 16 passes for 195 yards and averaging 13.9 yards per catch, which ranked second on the team. He earned his first career start against Iowa."

No. 109: Charles Jackson, CB, Nebraska: "Jackson's high school coach, Drew Svoboda, said Jackson never made it to Lincoln because the NCAA questioned some classes he retook over this past summer. He's working on passing the test in an effort to get qualified. He's also staying in shape at home in Klein, Texas. 'The bottom line is they said he didn't qualify,' Svoboda said. 'His clock has not yet started, and he's working towards meeting those standards and gaining his eligibility. He's still optimistic that he will be there [Nebraska] for spring ball. That's his plan.' Nebraska could use some depth at CB with the loss of Alfonzo Dennard.

No 115: Bubba Starling, QB, Nebraska: "On Aug. 14, Starling signed a three-year, $7.5 million contract with the Kansas City Royals; he had been the No. 5 pick in June's Major League Baseball draft. The Nebraska commit was an all-state selection in football, baseball and basketball."

No. 127: Michael Bennett, OG, Ohio State: "Bennett played all 12 games at defensive line this season and was tied for third on the team in tackles for loss (5) and sacks (3). He had 16 tackles." Bennett looked impressive at times and should help continue the defensive line tradition in Columbus. And with a great last name like that ...

No 132: Bill Belton, ATH, Penn State: "Belton played in seven games this year with 27 rushing yards on seven carries. He also attempted a pass (incomplete) and had a 15-yard kick return." Played a huge role in the Wildcat formations that led the Lions to a win at Ohio State. Will be interesting to see how he's used next season and beyond.

No. 138: Jon Davis, ATH, Illinois: "Davis played all 12 regular-season games and was third on the team in receptions (21) and fourth in yards (187). Davis also caught a touchdown pass." And touchdowns were hard to come by the final six games for Illinois.

No. 150: Lawrence Thomas, ILB, Michigan State: "Thomas injured his shoulder early in summer camp and was forced to take a redshirt." All three starting linebackers return for Michigan State next year, so Thomas will have to earn his way into the lineup.

We've had some time to digest the bowl selections and examine the Big Ten's bowl lineup for this season.

Here are some thoughts after looking over the bowl landscape:

• As usual, the Big Ten's bowl lineup will be challenging, but not as daunting as it was last year. Having two teams in BCS bowls every year makes things tougher for the squads in non-BCS bowls, especially given the locations of the games. It's vital for the Big Ten to get at least a split in the BCS bowls. Although Oregon is a tough draw, Wisconsin can put up points and control possession time. Michigan State exposed Wisconsin's lack of speed on defense, and Oregon will try and do the same. Wisconsin will need a bunch of eight-minute scoring drives to win this game.
• Michigan will be a popular pick against Virginia Tech, which has been miserable in BCS bowls, but those thinking the Wolverines will roll the Hokies should tone it down a bit. If Denard Robinson limits mistakes, he'll be a tough matchup for Virginia Tech.
• The SEC-Big Ten matchups look more favorable after the Big Ten embarrassed itself against its rival conference in last year's bowls. Nebraska's offense will be challenged by South Carolina's ferocious defense, but the fact the Huskers are so run-oriented should help them against a team that is good but not great against the run. Michigan State and Georgia are evenly matched, and while the Spartans are disappointed after their Big Ten title game loss, they should be motivated to get their first bowl win under Mark Dantonio. As Dantonio said last week, the Spartans showed in the 2011 Capital One Bowl that they weren't BCS-worthy. They have another chance to change perception against Aaron Murray and Georgia, and they must take advantage. Ohio State and Florida both are mediocre, but I like this matchup for the Buckeyes, who should benefit from bowl practice. Buckeyes linebacker Andrew Sweat (concussion) should be back, and he'll provide a big boost against an anemic Gators offense.
• The Big 12-Big Ten matchups are by far the toughest on paper, and it's tough to see the Big Ten doing any better than a 1-1 split. Iowa and Northwestern both are sizable underdogs against Oklahoma and Texas A&M, respectively. Although Oklahoma has been the most overrated team in America for much of the season, the Sooners boast a lot of talent. Iowa has been fabulous in bowls under Kirk Ferentz, but the Insight Bowl will be a major test. Texas A&M's motivation could be an issue for the Aggies, who saw their coach fired last week. This would play into Northwestern's favor, as the Wildcats will be geared up to get their first bowl win since the 1949 Rose. But Northwestern's defense has been pretty awful for most of the season, and without top cornerback Jordan Mabin, the Wildcats could struggle against a dangerous A&M offense.
• Speaking of motivation, it will be the key factor for Penn State in the TicketCity Bowl. The Lions deserved a better bowl after going 9-3, and the players were unfairly punished for a situation they had no part in creating. As you can see here and here, Penn State players weren't too thrilled about their bowl placement. If Penn State shows up to play, the Lions have a great chance to beat Houston, which showed itself to be a fraud in the Conference USA title game. The Cougars can't stop the run, and Penn State's Silas Redd should have a huge day in Dallas. But if the Lions don't care, Case Keenum could shred them.
• Ricardo Allen and Purdue's secondary will be tested by Western Michigan's passing attack, led by quarterback Alex Carder and receiver Jordan White. It's another good opportunity for Allen to showcase his skills against an elite wideout. The Boilers will miss top running back Ralph Bolden (knee), but they have other backfield options and face the nation's No. 107 rushing defense. Pretty even matchup in Detroit.
• It's hard to know what to expect from Illinois or UCLA in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco. Both teams had their coaches fired, and both had disappointing finishes to the season. Will Illinois coordinators Vic Koenning and Paul Petrino, both in the mix for other jobs, still be around to coach the game? Illinois' defense should be able to contain a UCLA offense that averages just 23.8 points per game. But if the Illini offense doesn't figure things out and show life for the first time since early October, it likely won't matter.
• Remember that a .500 record typically qualifies as a strong bowl performance from the Big Ten, which faces the nation's toughest lineup almost every year. It's crucial the Big Ten wins at least one of its BCS games and performs better against the SEC. If the Big Ten can get 5-6 wins with one BCS victory and a 2-1 mark against the SEC, the bowl season should be deemed a success. But there aren't many gimmes in the lineup and could be another rough year for the league.

Turkey stock is boiling over.

Stock up

Ryan Shazier: Stepping in for the injured Andrew Sweat, Ohio State's freshman linebacker made 15 tackles against Penn State in his starting debut. "I doubt if there's any linebackers that we have that get there a whole lot quicker," Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said. "He has instincts that are phenomenal. ... He's going to be an unbelievable linebacker at Ohio State. There's no question about that."

Northwestern's defense: The Wildcats haven't exactly morphed into the Monsters of the Midway, but their defensive improvement is worth noting the past three games. They've held all three opponents to three points or fewer in one half of each game, and their passing defense has allowed just 182.7 yards per game in that span after getting torched for most of the season. "It starts with the guys' attitudes," head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "They've really come to work, they've really come together every day and bonded tighter as we've moved forward. We went through some growing pains with some inexperienced players in October, but to the young men's credit, they stayed the course. We are playing our best defense of the year right now."

Curtis Drake and Bill Belton: The two Penn State speedsters led the Wildcat formation that surprised Ohio State and proved key to last week's 20-14 victory in Columbus. Drake has overcome serious leg injuries to become a factor, while the freshman Belton showed off his considerable skills for the first time on such a big stage. "I think he'll be a multi-dimensional guy for us," interim head coach Tom Bradley said of Belton. "He's a guy who will have a lot of tags to him. He's somebody who is just scratching the surface of some of things he may be able to do."

Mike Daniels: The Iowa defensive tackle had eight tackles, including four tackles for loss and two sacks last week at Purdue, giving the Hawkeyes a much-needed disruptive presence up front. "Mike's been nicked up a lot this year, unfortunately, and I think it affected his performance," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "Last week in practice was probably the first week in quite some time where he felt 100 percent from start to finish, and it showed up on the field."

Michigan's third-down defense: Nebraska converted just 3-of-13 third downs last week in Ann Arbor. Opponents are converting just 35.6 percent of their third downs against the Wolverines, who have been great in short-yardage situations most of the season. Credit the defensive line, which has been the team's strength. "There's a sign in our defensive room that says, 'One yard is all we need to stop somebody,'" defensive end Ryan Van Bergen said. "We feel very confident in our goal-line and short-yardage game."

Stock down

Ohio State's starts: Are the Buckeyes aware what time their games start? For the third straight time last week, they fell behind 10-0 in the first half. They lost the past two of those games, to Purdue and Penn State, and a better start could have changed the outcome. "We have to make sure we're starting fast," defensive lineman John Simon said. "Once we get situated and make our adjustments, we're playing great defense. But we need to come out of the gate fast and make some plays early."

Nebraska's special teams: It was a tough few days for a unit that usually excels. The Huskers fumbled two kickoff returns, had a blocked punt and gave up a successful fake field goal at Michigan. Then Brett Maher was snubbed for finalist honors on both the Lou Groza and Ray Guy awards despite his outstanding season. Way to kick a kicking game when it's down.

Illinois ball security: The Illini committed four turnovers last week against Wisconsin, continuing a troubling trend. During their five-game losing streak, thy have given the ball away 15 times. Illinois is tied for 111th in the FBS with turnovers lost with 26 and is 97th in turnover margin, one year after being plus-eight in that department.

Purdue's third quarters: Maybe the Boilers should just stay on the field at halftime. They haven't scored a point in the third quarter since Oct. 15 versus Penn State, an improbable five-game streak. Danny Hope joked last week that his halftime speeches must be really bad, and that was before another scoreless third quarter against Iowa.

Happy Turkey eve.

• Brady Hoke's dislike of "Ohio" is interesting since he's from Ohio and his dad once played for Woody Hayes. Michigan has a prime chance to end its losing skid against the Buckeyes.
• Ohio State linebacker Andrew Sweat is waiting for the OK to return from a concussion. The Buckeyes lead Michigan for top Ohio recruits, but the Wolverines have made inroads.
• Tom Bradley wants to be considered for the permanent Penn State head-coaching job. Silas Redd is limited in practice again this week. Jerry Sandusky's lawyer went on the offensive. The Lions have to find a way to slow down Wisconsin's offense.
• Wisconsin's interior linemen will have their hands full with Devon Still.
• Nebraska could have a hard time replacing Alfonzo Dennard and Lavonte David next year. Dennard says he can still play better after he gave up his first touchdown pass last week.
• Iowa has one of the most productive offensive trios in recent school history, though one of the stars needs a nickname. Kirk Ferentz doesn't mind the short week for the Black Friday game against Nebraska.
• Mark Dantonio's checklist of goals at Michigan State is narrowing after the Spartans' recent success. The Spartans are planning raises for their assistant coaches, though Pat Narduzzi will likely get some job offers.
• Northwestern's seniors have written a success story.
• New athletic director Mike Thomas won't wait on Illinois' finish to make a decision on Ron Zook. The Illini hope a win this week will get them somewhere warm for bowl season.
• Minnesota's Brandon Kirksey sees some worthy heirs on the Gophers' defensive line. MarQueis Gray will remain the team's starting quarterback next season.
• Danny Hope needs a win this week to prove that Purdue has made progress under his watch.
• Indiana coach Kevin Wilson has developed an appreciation of the Bucket game with Purdue (subscription required).

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A few pregame notes from Ohio Stadium, where Penn State and Ohio State will kick off in a bit.

• Penn State running back Silas Redd (collarbone) didn't look limited during warmups, but he wasn't getting hit. It'll be interesting to see if the Lions will give Stephfon Green more carries again since Redd has been banged up the last few weeks.
• Ohio State right tackle J.B. Shugarts warmed up with the first-team offensive line. How much will he play after dealing with a knee injury?
• Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins and wide receiver Corey Brown, also injury question marks, warmed up for the Buckeyes. Linebacker Andrew Sweat isn't dressed for the game.
• Penn State acting athletic director Dave Joyner met with local media before the game. He said he and president Rodney Erickson will handle the coaching search and are forming a search committee. He also said he's open to becoming the school's permanent AD.
• Penn State stayed on the field long after Ohio State for warmups. The Buckeyes had to prepare for the Senior Day celebration, but the Lions got in some extra work.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Greetings from the Horseshoe, where this afternoon No. 21 Penn State and Ohio State meet in a game like none other in recent memory.

Both programs are dealing with controversy and uncertainty about the future.

Penn State, still shaken from the sex-abuse scandal, learned Friday that former coach Joe Paterno has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Paterno's son, Jay, the Nittany Lions' quarterbacks coach, discusses the news here and notes that his father's cancer is treatable. Penn State also received a letter Friday from NCAA president Mark Emmert, who wrote that the NCAA will look into whether there was a lack of institutional control at the school in its handling of the sex-abuse allegations against former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. It's up to interim coach Tom Bradley, whose future with the program is unknown, to get his team focused for a huge Leaders Division matchup.

Speaking of coaches with uncertain futures, meet Luke Fickell. He has guided Ohio State through a turbulent season, but the team sits at 6-4 after last week's loss at Purdue. The Buckeyes' streak of six consecutive Big Ten titles (outright or shared) is on life support. Rumors are swirling that Ohio State has a coaching replacement in line for 2012, and Fickell could be leading the Buckeyes for the final time at Ohio Stadium today. It's Senior Day, and a class with a complicated legacy will be honored before the game. One of its members, wide receiver DeVier Posey, will make his season debut after serving two five-game suspensions for violating NCAA rules. Posey, by far the team's best receiver, could play a big role in the game.

There's no rain in the forecast and it's partly cloudy, but wind could be a factor.

On the injury front, Ohio State senior linebacker Andrew Sweat (concussion) is out. Other Buckeyes like defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins, offensive tackle J.B. Shugarts and receiver Corey Brown are hobbled, but they all should play in limited fashion.

Penn State star running back Silas Redd also is expected to play despite practicing sparingly this week because of a collarbone injury. Redd, the Big Ten's No. 4 rusher at 105.9 yards a game, has been banged up for a few weeks.

The Lions have really struggled in Columbus, winning here just once since joining the Big Ten in 1993. Penn State has recorded only two touchdown passes at The Shoe as a Big Ten member, both from last year's game.

Much more to come from C-Bus, so don't go anywhere.