Big Ten: Big Ten Conference
Buckeyes strike early off special teams miscue
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Joe Paterno talked about the kicking game being a big factor in this game and early on that's proving true.
After a pair of three-and-outs by each offense, Ohio State’s Ray Small took a short 37-yard punt from Penn State’s Jeremy Boone and returned it 41 yards to the Nittany Lions 9.
Two plays later it was Ohio State 7-0 as QB Terrelle Pryor used his legs to scramble and find the end zone for the early Buckeyes lead.
If Jim Tressel turns Pryor loose today and lets him create with his legs it could be Ohio State’s best chance against Penn State’s tough defense.
Dig in.
The man alleged to have attacked Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller has been charged with felony battery, The Columbus Dispatch's Ken Gordon writes in his blog. A great piece by The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises about Ohio State's first opponent, Navy.
Defensive tackle Abe Koroma, who we knew wouldn't be back at Penn State, will transfer to FCS Western Illinois, Bob Flounders writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News. Penn State's wideouts are eager to prove themselves, Ron Musselman writes in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Tate Forcier generated most of the preseason buzz at Michigan, but keep your eyes on another freshman quarterback, Denard Robinson, Michael Rosenberg writes in the Detroit Free Press. More on the young quarterbacks from The Sporting News' Dave Curtis. Also, a nice wrap-up of Michigan's media day.
Hand signals are pretty common in football, but Minnesota offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch takes things to a new level, Kent Youngblood writes in the Star Tribune.
If you want to play quarterback in the NFL, go to Purdue, Cory Giger writes in The Altoona Mirror.
Wisconsin running back Zach Brown came into camp with a chip on his shoulder, and it's showing as he's the projected starter, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal. Badgers quarterback Curt Phillips has drawn comparisons to Tyler Donovan, which is both good and bad, Mike Lucas writes in The Capital Times.
Illinois star wideout Arrelious Benn earned Bob Asmussen's award for training camp MVP.
Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga wants a Big Ten title before he's through in a Hawkeyes uniform, Ryan Suchomel writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
Injuries are once again cropping up for Indiana's offensive line, Hugh Kellenberger writes in The (Bloomington) Herald-Times.
The defensive line remains the one area of concern on Michigan State's defense, Shannon Shelton writes in the Detroit Free Press.
Three Big Ten teams appear in AP preseason poll
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
The AP preseason poll is out, and there are few major surprises, from the team on top to the three Big Ten squads included in the rundown.
Defending national champ Florida received 58 of 60 first-place votes and leads off the rankings ahead of Texas, which got the other two first-place votes.
Ohio State comes in at No. 6, while Penn State appears tied with Oklahoma State at No. 9. Iowa rounds out the Big Ten contingent at No. 22. Those rankings seem about right to me. I had Iowa a few spots higher in the ESPN Power Rankings, but the knee injury to running back Jewel Hampton creates a bit more anxiety about the Hawkeyes.
Illinois finished 27th in the voting, two spots ahead of Michigan State. The hype around Illinois continues to grow, largely because of what Ron Zook has coming back on offense. I'm a little more hesitant to buy in after last year's struggles, but Illinois certainly has the talent to perform well this fall.
Northwestern received five votes in the poll, putting the Wildcats at No. 44. Michigan didn't receive an AP preseason vote for the first time in recent memory.
Big Ten well represented on Butkus watch list
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Linebacker once again figures to be one of the Big Ten's strongest positions, as the league boasts one of the nation's best tandems (Penn State's Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee) and several other standouts.
Seven Big Ten players appear on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. Ohio State's James Laurinaitis was the last Big Ten player to win the award (2007), and six Big Ten players have won since 1994.
Here are this year's candidates:
- Iowa's Pat Angerer
- Penn State's Navorro Bowman
- Iowa's A.J. Edds
- Michigan's Obi Ezeh
- Michigan State's Greg Jones (Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year)
- Penn State's Sean Lee
- Illinois' Martez Wilson
If Indiana's Matt Mayberry puts up some big numbers early this fall, he should gain consideration as well.
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
It's been a while since we did one of these. Let's get started.
Brett from Scranton, Pa., writes: Adam,It is well documented how big of a game the September 12th matchup is between OSU-USC for the Big Ten. My first question is, which is the second most important match-up for our conference and why? Purdue-Oregon (you never know after last year's squeaker), Minnesota-Cal (the new stadium will be a great atmosphere), Iowa-Arizona (Has little Stoops made strides?). And which big OOC game has the potential to do the most harm? If any more can be done to our reputation that is. Thanks, and Fight On State.
Adam Rittenberg: Excellent questions, Brett. As for the second most important non-league matchup, I'm going with Minnesota-Cal. Obviously, if Purdue pulled off the upset in Eugene, it would be huge for the Big Ten, but it looks like a long shot at this point. Iowa really should handle Arizona if the Hawkeyes are as good as they're supposed to be. Minnesota gets a top 15 team in its new stadium with a chance to make a national statement. A Gophers victory coupled with one from Ohio State would be huge for the Big Ten and prove that when these games with the Pac-10 are played on Big Ten soil, things turn out differently. An Illinois win against Missouri also would help the league.
As far as the game that can do the most damage, any of the three games against Syracuse could hurt. Syracuse has been an awful program the last few years, and the Big Ten should be able to handle the Orange. But two of those games are in the Carrier Dome and Syracuse has the Greg Paulus factor now, so you don't want to take anything for granted. Losses by Minnesota, Penn State and Northwestern would hurt. Other potential stingers include Wisconsin-Fresno State, Iowa-Iowa State and Michigan-Western Michigan. I don't think the Notre Dame games hurt or help the Big Ten.
Josh from Minneapolis writes: Adam, everybody at the U of M is pumped for the TCF Bank Stadium and our football team. However, we have a difficult opening stretch of games (Cal, Syracuse, Air Force). Do you see the Gophers getting through this stretch unscathed?
Adam Rittenberg: I don't see Minnesota starting 3-0, but 2-1 is certainly possible. The Gophers need to take care of business in the Carrier Dome and not get caught up in all the hoopla over Doug Marrone's first game and Paulus playing quarterback for the Orange. Minnesota then must manage its own emotions again for the opener of the new stadium against Air Force, a team that always tests your discipline. Cal will be a major test no matter what, but Minnesota should be pleased with a 2-1 start.
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Ron: What cologne are you gonna go with? London Gentlemen or ... wait ... no no no, hold on -- Black Beard's Delight.
Brian: No. She gets a special cologne. It's called Sex Panther, by Odeon. It's illegal in nine countries. Yep, it's made with bits of real panther, so you know it's good.
Ron: It's quite pungent.
Brian: Oh yeah.
Ron: It's a formidable scent ... stings the nostrils ... in a good way.
Just like these links.
- Drew Astorino might lack the measurables some colleges seek, but his knack for clutch plays hooked Penn State on the promising safety, Bernard Fernandez writes in the Philadelphia Daily News. Illinois could be the trap game for Penn State this fall, and Illini star wide receiver Arrelious Benn tops the list of players Penn State should worry about.
- Michigan State quarterback Keith Nichol has impressed his teammates, while injuries nag the Spartans' offensive line, Shannon Shelton writes in the Detroit Free Press.
- With athletes like MarQueis Gray and Troy Stoudermire on the roster, it's no surprise Minnesota will use the Wildcat offense this fall, Marcus Fuller writes in the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press.
- The big play should be a bigger part of Michigan's offense this fall, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News. Don't count out Nick Sheridan, who was first in the quarterback rotation at Thursday's practice, annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes.
- With Jewel Hampton nursing a knee injury, redshirt freshman running back Jeff Brinson could take center stage for Iowa, Andy Hamilton writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
- Northwestern's "Brew" is refreshing, but not for the reasons you think, Teddy Greenstein writes in the Chicago Tribune.
- Jake Stoneburner isn't your typical Ohio State tight end, Doug Lemerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
- Blowing off the Big Ten before the season starts is a big mistake, CBSsports.com's Dennis Dodd writes.
- Wisconsin expects all of its starting offensive linemen to return from injuries, but time is running out and young players must get prepared, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Five from Big Ten on Rimington Trophy watch list
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Can the Big Ten have a repeat winner for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's top center?
Five players hope to make it happen.
Penn State's A.Q. Shipley took home the hardware last fall. Here are the five Big Ten centers named to the Rimington Trophy preseason watch list:
- Ohio State sophomore Mike Brewster
- Northwestern sophomore Ben Burkett
- Wisconsin junior John Moffitt
- Michigan sophomore David Molk
- Michigan State senior Joel Nitchman
A very solid group overall, and what really stands out to me is the fact that the center spot in the Big Ten appears to be a strength for years to come. Only five sophomores made the watch list, and three are from the Big Ten.
Many will notice that Shipley's successor at Penn State, junior Stefen Wisniewski, does not appear on the watch list. Wisniewski, a second-team All-Big Ten guard last season, moved to center during the offseason. According to Penn State, the Rimington folks were hesitant to include Wisniewski because he hasn't played center during his first two seasons, a decision Penn State respected. Wisniewski will be able to earn consideration for the award with a strong performance this season.
Brewster obviously has tremendous upside and should contend for the award each of the next three years. Burkett and Molk both will be part of much-improved offensive lines this fall, and Moffitt and Nitchman will be looked to as leaders for their respective teams.
Benn, Graham appear on Kiper's Big Board
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
The college football season is rapidly approaching, but many of you draftniks out there are starting a longer countdown -- to a weekend in late April when the NFL draft rules.
Mel Kiper is always thinking about the NFL draft and released the first installment of his Big Board (Insider access), projecting the top 25 picks in the 2010 draft. Only two Big Ten players made the board, and just barely.
They are:
10. Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois: Silky smooth, with excellent run-after-catch ability.
25. Brandon Graham, DE, Michigan: Awesome athlete and force off the edge.
Benn obviously has another season of eligibilty left after this one, but if he performs as expected this fall, it would be hard to see him sticking around Champaign.
I'd be very surprised if only two Big Ten players went in the top 25 picks. Iowa left tackle Bryan Bulaga definitely has first-round potential if he delivers another strong season and comes out early.
Linebackers Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee of Penn State and Greg Jones of Michigan State also could boost their stock. I could also see Northwestern defensive end Corey Wootton and Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick getting first-round consideration.
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Study up. These will be on the test.
- The attorney for the man alleged to have attacked Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller says his client acted in self defense, The Columbus Dispatch reports.
- Surprise, surprise. J.B. Shugarts is getting a shot at left tackle for Ohio State, Doug Lesmerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Buckeyes players have stiff-armed technology for some team bonding during camp.
- Illinois cornerback Miami Thomas might have suffered a torn ACL that will sideline him for the season, Bob Asmussen writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette.
- ESPN analysts weigh in on Michigan's chances this fall, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News.
- Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster expects to have much more depth this year than either of his first two teams, Kent Youngblood writes in the Star Tribune. The Minnesota Twins praised Gophers wideout Eric Decker for being honest about his athletic intentions, Charley Walters writes in the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press.
- Iowa fans are geared up for the Stanzi show this fall, Andy Hamilton writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
- Yet another Wisconsin offensive lineman sat out practice Wednesday, Jim Polzin writes in The Capital Times. Badgers players are polled on several topics, including their favorite road stadiums.
- This townie is ready to get in his kicks for Penn State in 2009, Gordon Brunskill writes in the Centre Daily Times.
- Purdue's new coordinators like what they see so far in camp, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
BIG TEN SCOREBOARD
Saturday, 11/21
3:50 4th Qtr 16 Wisconsin 31 Northwestern 33 2:26 4th Qtr Purdue 37 Indiana 21 5:50 4th Qtr 14 Penn State 35 Michigan State 7 Final 10 Ohio State 21 Michigan 10 Final Minnesota 0 13 Iowa 12
