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The Big Ten wanted no part of Missouri in its latest expansion push. But would the league be interested in a Mizzou quarterback?

Missouri announced Monday that quarterback Tyler Gabbert will be transferring from the school. While things seemed to work out well for Gabbert's big brother, Blaine, Tyler will be pursuing his career elsewhere.

Gabbert's father tells the Sporting News that several teams, including Iowa and Northwestern, already have been in touch about a potential transfer. Tyler Gabbert had the Hawkeyes along with Nebraska, Oregon and Wake Forest in his final pool of teams before choosing Missouri.

While both Iowa and Northwestern are in the mix for Gabbert's services, Nebraska reportedly is an unlikely destination for the quarterback.

Certain news reports already have identified Nebraska as a front-runner for Gabbert’s services. Tyler -- just as his brother Blaine had -- verbally committed to the Huskers as a high schooler before changing his destination to Columbia, Mo. Any talk of Gabbert, who was a redshirt freshman last season, zig-zagging back to Lincoln, Neb., is premature at best.

Northwestern and Iowa run very different offenses and Northwestern's system is a lot closer to what Missouri employs with its spread scheme. Gabbert would need to be committed to a pro-style system if he comes to Iowa City, but he obviously had some interest in the Hawkeyes the first time around.

The Wildcats will have a vacancy at quarterback after the 2011 season -- Gabbert won't be eligible until 2012 -- while Iowa's projected starter James Vandenberg is entering his junior year this fall.

It's time to take a look back at the highlights (there were a few) and lowlights (more of these) from the 2010-11 Big Ten bowl season.

Best performance: Iowa running back Marcus Coker in the Insight Bowl. You can make good cases for Terrelle Pryor and Nathan Scheelhaase as well, but Coker's performance under tough circumstances was absolutely amazing. The true freshman entered the Insight Bowl as Iowa's only reliable option at running back after Adam Robinson's suspension. He proceeded to rush for 219 yards -- an Iowa bowl record -- and two touchdowns as the Hawkeyes beat Missouri.

Best save: Dane Sanzenbacher showed why his Ohio State teammates voted him MVP on the opening drive of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Pryor neared the goal line on an electrifying run but fumbled the ball into the end zone. An Arkansas recovery would have turned momentum, but Sanzenbacher saved his quarterback by falling on the ball for his first career "rushing touchdown." Ohio State surged to a 28-7 lead and held on to win 31-26.

Worst defense: There are several nominees, as Michigan, Michigan State and Northwestern combined to allow 146 points in bowl losses. It's a tough call between the Michigan schools, but I've got to go with the Wolverines, who suffered the worst bowl loss in team history and surrendered 52 points to a Mississippi State team with a good, but not great, offense. Michigan State didn't fare much better against Alabama, which pulled many of its starters early in the third quarter.

Best play: There might not have been a bigger play in the 2010-11 postseason than Micah Hyde's 72-yard interception return for a touchdown with 5:32 left in the Insight Bowl. Iowa's defense looked gassed and Missouri had limited the Hawkeyes' offense to three second-half points before Hyde picked off Blaine Gabbert and took it to the house. Solomon Thomas' interception to seal Ohio State's Sugar Bowl win also merits a mention here.

Worst strategic adjustment: It's hard to attach "worst" to this one, but we're dealing with extremes here. Wisconsin diverted ever so slightly from its season-long plan to pound away at defenses at TCU and paid the price in a 21-19 loss. The Horned Frogs never consistently stopped Wisconsin's backs on runs between the tackles, but the Badgers veered from their power game at inopportune times. Even though Wisconsin's potential 2-point conversion attempt nearly worked, it's still surprising the Badgers didn't go down with their bread-and-butter run game.

Best closing argument: Illinois in the Texas Bowl. The Illini came in at 6-6 and had displayed the maddening inconsistency to suit their record. But they put it all together against Baylor in a dominating victory. Vic Koenning's defense held Robert Griffin III in check and Scheelhaase showed significant progress from the end of the regular season to the bowl and provided the type of offensive balance Illinois needed.

Worst closing argument: Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl. Coach Mark Dantonio talked about the game as a chance to "measure up," but the Spartans flat-lined and provided fuel to their critics with a poor performance. Although Michigan State admittedly overachieved this season, a co-conference champion has to be more competitive in such a big setting. Not the type of ending Michigan State wanted for a breakthrough season.

Best quote: Wisconsin players stole the show at Rose Bowl media headquarters leading up to the game. Safety Jay Valai provided several gems, including this one about coming to Wisconsin from Texas. "No. 1 party school, No. 1 college sports town and No. 9 education. I said, 'Hey, you live once, why not Wisconsin?' It's been a great move, except dealing with that cold, cold weather. Not good for my African blood."

Best bowl atmosphere: The Rose Bowl isn't only the best Big Ten bowl atmosphere, but the best setting in all of college sports. Fans from both Wisconsin and TCU turned out in force, and the weather held up to create an unbelievable environment in Pasadena. Wisconsin fans did the "Jump Around" at the end of the third quarter, shaking the stadium and making California natives like me get a little nervous that the Big One had finally arrived.

Worst pre-bowl storyline: The annual Joe Paterno retirement rumors. These are really getting old, pun intended. I could seriously do a separate blog that only addressed the incessant buzz about the Penn State coach stepping aside. The JoePa retirement talk dominated the days leading up to the Outback Bowl, and along with the Urban Meyer situation, we didn't hear much about the game itself. The Ohio State suspension situation also dominated the talk leading up to the Sugar Bowl.

Well, that was entertaining. The Big Ten is off to a 1-0 start in the bowl season after Iowa rallied to win a wild one in Tempe, Ariz.

Here's a quick look at Iowa's 27-24 win against Missouri in the Insight Bowl.

How the game was won: Headed toward another disappointing loss, Iowa turned the momentum midway through the fourth quarter when Micah Hyde picked off a Blaine Gabbert pass and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown. Gabbert (434 yards) had been brilliant before the pick-six, and Iowa's defense once again seemed to be wearing down. The shorthanded Hawkeyes' offense received a huge lift from freshman running back Marcus Coker and an offensive line that consistently opened holes. The game seemed to be following a typical and tragic script for Iowa, but Hyde created a Hollywood ending.

Player of the game: Marcus Coker. Iowa's depth chart at running back had been decimated by injury, transfer and suspension, leaving Coker as the team's only reliable option for the bowl. The freshman answered the call in a big way, displaying tremendous power and speed. He rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries, including a 62-yard scoring burst early in the second quarter to give Iowa a 14-3 lead. Hyde certainly merits a mention for his heroics.

Turning point: Hmmmm ... how about Hyde's 72-yard pick-six with 5:32 left in the game and Iowa looking dead in the water? Bingo. Although Gabbert made his only awful decision in an otherwise brilliant night, Hyde deserves credit for jumping the route and making a brilliant return up the sideline for the touchdown. It marked Hyde's second return touchdown of the season after he took a lateral from Tyler Sash and raced to the end zone against Michigan State. His score has to go right up there with the Warren Halloway touchdown in the Capital One Bowl as one of the most clutch plays in Iowa history.

Best call: It was the best or the worst, depending on whom you ask, but the replay overturn of a Missouri first-down catch late in the fourth quarter put Iowa in position to win. Missouri would have been in field-goal range had the catch held up, but an excellent camera angle showed the ball hitting the ground and moving. I'm still surprised the officials ended up overturning the call on the field because of indisputable video evidence, but it looked like they made the right decision.

Second guessing: Iowa's defensive scheme. The Hawkeyes played too many linebackers and too few defensive backs against Gabbert and Missouri's pass-happy spread offense. Without much of a rotation along the defensive line, Iowa looked gassed and didn't put much pressure on Gabbert. The plan nearly cost Iowa, but Hyde saved the day.

What it means: Iowa's decorated senior class ends an otherwise disappointing season on a great note, as the Hawkeyes won their third consecutive bowl game for the first time in team history. After blowing four fourth-quarter leads and allowing late touchdowns in all five regular-season losses, Iowa had seen this movie before,but made a play to change the ending. Although Iowa loses a lot for 2011, the encouraging performances from underclassmen like Coker, Hyde and linebacker James Morris raises hope for the future.

Here are three keys for Iowa heading into Tuesday night's Insight Bowl matchup against Missouri:

Pressure Blaine Gabbert: Iowa doesn't have enough firepower to keep up with Missouri in a shootout. The Hawkeyes need their veteran defensive line to get in Gabbert's face all game long. They're tied for third in the Big Ten with 20 sacks and will look for big performances from end Adrian Clayborn and others. If Gabbert has time to throw, Iowa will be in big trouble.

Establish some type of run game: This won't be easy without Adam Robinson, as true freshman Marcus Coker looks like Iowa's only option in the run game. But the Hawkeyes don't want to put Ricky Stanzi in too many obvious passing situations against Missouri's speedy pass rushers. Iowa averaged just 91 rush yards in its final three games and will need to find some gaps in the Tigers' defense to set up the play-action pass.

Avoid special teams miscues: Of all the shocking things out of Iowa's season, the mistakes in the kicking game might be at the top of the list. Iowa simply can't afford breakdowns in this game, especially with a shorthanded offense. Missouri boasts strong specialists but isn't strong in the return game. The Hawkeyes will miss Derrell Johnson-Koulianos on kickoff returns.

The Big Ten bowl season finally kicks off Tuesday night in the Arizona desert, as Iowa faces Missouri for the first time in a century.

Here's a quick preview of the Insight Bowl matchup:

WHO TO WATCH: Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn. The senior didn't have the dominant season many expected when he passed up a likely first-round selection in the NFL draft to return to school. But Clayborn certainly has the ability to step up in the spotlight. He proved it in the 2010 Orange Bowl, recording nine tackles and two sacks against Georgia Tech en route to winning game MVP honors. Iowa is short-handed on offense and needs a huge game from Clayborn and a veteran defensive line. Clayborn's ability to pressure Missouri senior quarterback Blaine Gabbert will play a major role in deciding the game.

WHAT TO WATCH: Iowa's short-handed offense. The Hawkeyes will play without record-setting receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and leading rusher Adam Robinson, both of whom are suspended. Given Iowa's end-of-season slide in production, the personnel losses could be especially damaging. This is a huge moment for senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi. He has improved in every statistical category, but his late-game mojo seems to have disappeared. If Stanzi can regain his magic and receive good protection against Missouri's talented defensive ends, he could do some damage.

WHY TO WATCH: The Hawkeyes' response from a rough patch both on and off the field will be fascinating. Iowa dropped its final three regular-season games and then endured the DJK mess and the suspension of Robinson. How will the Hawkeyes respond? They need their seniors on both sides of the ball to display strong leadership, particularly late in the game after blowing fourth-quarter leads in four of five regular-season losses. As disappointing as the season has been, Iowa still can win a third consecutive bowl game for the first time in team history.

PREDICTION: Iowa 21, Missouri 20. Bowl games have brought out the best in Iowa the past two seasons, and despite all the turmoil, I think the Hawkeyes' seniors will put together a good performance. The defensive line harasses Gabbert and forces several miscues, and Stanzi makes enough plays in the passing game to keep Iowa close. After so many close losses, Iowa finds a way to win a nailbiter.

Missouri Tigers (10-2) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5)

Dec. 28, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Missouri take by Big 12 blogger David Ubben: Missouri didn’t get passed over by the bowl committees this time. After three consecutive years of what the Tigers perceived as bowl snubs -- including the Insight Bowl taking 6-6 Iowa State over the 8-4 Tigers in 2009 -- Missouri got the nod from the folks at the Insight over Big 12 runner-up Nebraska.

That prevented a preview of the new Big Ten, and instead, the Tigers will take on Big Ten opponent Iowa. Missouri ended its season with a win over bordering Kansas, and will continue against its neighbors to the north, the Hawkeyes.

Midway through the season, Missouri looked like it might be making a beeline for the BCS, sitting at 7-1 and favored in its final four games. The Tigers stumbled, following a loss to Nebraska with another at Texas Tech, but rebounded to win its final three games and finish at 10-2 for the program’s third 10-win season in four years, bringing the program to its fourth such season ever.

Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi will provide a tough test for Missouri’s much-improved defense, coordinated by Dave Steckel.

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Iowa take by Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg: Bowl games often offer a chance for redemption, and the Insight Bowl certainly provides that opportunity for Iowa.

The Hawkeyes return to the state of Arizona, where on Sept. 18 they dropped the first of five games in a disappointing 2010 campaign. They also get a chance to send out a strong senior class with a victory after dropping three straight contests to end the regular season. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Iowa takes on Missouri, a team the Hawkeyes tried to schedule several years ago before an agreement fell apart.

There’s no love lost between Iowa fans and Missouri fans, and while most of Hawkeye Nation was hoping for a bowl matchup against a team from another bordering state, this contest still carries some intrigue. Iowa has won back-to-back bowl games (Orange, Outback) and coach Kirk Ferentz brings a 5-3 record in postseason play to the desert.

Although Iowa’s defense must contain Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, the bigger concern for the Hawkeyes might be putting up points of their own. Missouri ranks sixth nationally in both fewest points allowed (15.2 ppg) and sacks (3.1 per game), and the Tigers will test an Iowa offensive line that has endured some ups and downs.

Stanzi had Heisman-like numbers through the first two months of the season before struggling in November. Like the rest of his Iowa teammates, Stanzi gets one final chance to get things right.

It's time for our weekly look at future Big Ten member Nebraska, which picked up another big win on Saturday.

Record: 7-1 (3-1 Big 12)

National rank: No. 7 in BCS standings, No. 9 in AP Poll, No. 10 in coaches' poll

Last result: Beat then-No. 6 Missouri 31-17 in Lincoln

News to know: The Huskers lost star quarterback Taylor Martinez to a sprained ankle in Saturday's game, but running back Roy Helu Jr. picked up the slack and then some. Helu rushed for a team record 307 yards against Missouri, becoming the first FBS player to eclipse the 300-yard mark on the ground this season. He had first-quarter touchdown runs of 66 and 73 yards and added a 53-yarder in the third quarter, piling up an insane 228 yards on his first 10 carries. Now if only Nebraska fans could correctly pronounce Helu's name in their chants. "They called me 'HAY-loo'?" he said. "It's Roy 'HEL-lou' Jr." Martinez missed the second half but is expected to practice today and should be ready for Saturday's game at Iowa State. There was a little bit of controversy in the Missouri game as Tigers coach Gary Pinkel is asking the Big 12 to review a hit placed by Nebraska's Courtney Osborne on Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Pinkel doesn't think there was any malice with the hit but wants a review, while Huskers coach Bo Pelini called it a clean hit. Nebraska sacked Gabbert six times in the game.

Up next: Saturday at Iowa State

Five lessons from the week that was in Big Ten football.

1. Shoelace is the answer in Ann Arbor: So that's what Rich Rodriguez's offense is supposed to look like. Denard Robinson made Rodriguez look like a genius in a critical game against Connecticut, as he dazzled with both his feet and with his arm. Robinson made a decent Connecticut defense look bad throughout a 30-10 win, and his speed will be tough for Big Ten defenses to handle, especially now that he can throw the ball accurately. Michigan needs to be a bit more careful with his touches after he took several big hits Saturday, but if Robinson continues to grow and his offensive line stays healthy, the Wolverines will put up a lot of points.

2. Bolden continues rapid rise: Rob Bolden has been playing college football for less than a month, but he's already making a big impression in Happy Valley. Bolden had an impressive debut Saturday against Youngstown State, completing 20 of 29 passes for 239 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception that wasn't his fault. After some freshman mistakes early on, Bolden settled down nicely and threw two touchdown passes to Brett Brackett on intermediate routes. He'll likely have a rough time next week at defending national champ Alabama, but this kid looks like he'll only get better for the Lions.

3. Ohio State's offense will be fun to watch: Defense and special teams remain hallmarks of Tresselball, but Ohio State's offense gives you another reason to tune in this season. The Buckeyes displayed good balance in their opener but got more players involved, particularly in the passing game. Terrelle Pryor had an impressive debut (17-25 passing, 247 yards, 3 TDs), and he got help from running back Brandon Saine (9 carries, 103 rush yards, 2 TDs) and wide receivers Dane Sanzenbacher (3 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD) and DeVier Posey (4 catches, 41 yards, 2 TDs). Ohio State displayed perfect balance in the first half -- 16 rushes, 16 passes -- but it just felt the reins had been loosened a bit. Ohio State had nine different players record a reception.

4. Purdue, Illinois still works in progress: The only Big Ten squads to lose Saturday showed why they're still figuring things out. Purdue started slow, made mistakes at the wrong times and couldn't generate much of a run game at Notre Dame. Illinois' offense disappeared after halftime, and a shorthanded defense couldn't hold Missouri's Blaine Gabbert in check. But there were some positives for both squads, as Purdue controlled the clock and received a big performance from defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. Illinois' defense performed better than expected, and freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase showed some promise despite an ugly stat line. Not the ideal start for either squad, but don't be surprised if things turn around soon.

5. Run games revealed: We learned quite a bit about the rushing attacks in the Big Ten in Week 1. Teams like Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan State and Indiana that struggled at times on the ground in 2009 received strong opening performances from Duane Bennett, Adam Robinson, Darius Willis, Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker. Ohio State, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan continued to do their thing on the ground. On the flip side, Northwestern continued to struggle to generate a rushing attack, and Penn State's offensive line couldn't spark Evan Royster against FCS Youngstown State. Purdue missed Ralph Bolden in its loss to Notre Dame and needs to find an answer in the backfield.

After an encouraging first-half performance, Illinois fell flat after halftime.

The result was yet another season-opening loss to rival Missouri, which thankfully goes off the Illini schedule in 2011.

Leading 13-3 at halftime, redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase and the Illini offense couldn't do much at all in the final 30 minutes, generating only four first downs and 85 total yards. Scheelhaase, making his first career start, struggled in the passing game, completing just 9 of 23 attempts for 81 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Ball security will be Scheelhaase's top priority going forward after Illinois committed four turnovers in the opener. Running back Mikel LeShoure had a nice performance (20 carries, 112 yards), but Paul Petrino needs more balance on offense.

Illinois' defense also took a step back after halftime, as Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert started capitalizing on a shorthanded Illini secondary. Gabbert once again completed a high percentage of his passes (34-for-48) and tossed a pair of touchdown passes.

I can't fault Vic Koenning's defense too much, though. This was a very tough opening matchup.

It has been an interesting first half in St. Louis, and a very good one for a new-look Illinois team, which leads Missouri 13-3.

I'm pretty stunned that only 16 points have been scored, and only three by Missouri. New Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning has to be pleased with the way his group has looked, especially without two projected starters in the secondary (cornerback Terry Hawthorne and safety Supo Sanni). Missouri's Blaine Gabbert has a nice stat line (14-for-20 passing, 114 yards) but little to show for it on the scoreboard. Defenders Ian Thomas and Corey Liuget are stepping up nicely for the Illini.

Illinois redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase needs to take a bit better care of the football following two first-half turnovers, but he certainly has the ability to lead the offense. Scheelhaase is running the ball effectively, scampering 20 yards to set up a 52-yard Derek Dimke field goal at the end of the half.

One half to go, but so far, so good for Illinois.

Let's get picky.

My Year 2 record dipped a little -- 69-26 (.726) -- but I vow to do better this fall. Every Thursday during the season, I'll identify a Game of the Week and explain my selection in a video blog post later in the day.

All 11 Big Ten teams make their season debuts this week, and here's how I see things shaking out.

THURSDAY

Minnesota 26, Middle Tennessee 20: My pick changed when Middle Tennessee star quarterback Dwight Dasher was ruled out for the game. Dasher made MTSU a lot more dangerous. The Gophers get a boost from Duane Bennett in the run game and keep their new-look defense off of the field just long enough to escape Murfreesboro with a big win.

Ohio State 37, Marshall 7: Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes' offense deliver an efficient performance in the opener, jumping out to a 24-0 lead. Marshall struggles to move the ball against the Buckeyes' stout defense, which gets big performances from linebacker Brian Rolle and defensive lineman John Simon.

Indiana 31, Towson 14: Even without All-Big Ten selection Tandon Doss, Indiana flexes its muscles in the passing game against an FCS foe. Quarterback Ben Chappell and receiver Damarlo Belcher hook up for two touchdown passes as the Hoosiers roll.

SATURDAY

Michigan State 41, Western Michigan 17: There will be no MAC disaster this year in East Lansing. Quarterback Kirk Cousins lights up Western Michigan and finds Keshawn Martin for several big plays as the Spartans roll to an impressive opening victory.

Penn State 30, Youngstown State 6: Evan Royster and the Penn State run game take the pressure off of true freshman quarterback Robert Bolden, who wows the crowd on several throws in his first career game (and start). Penn State plays all three quarterbacks and gets solid play from Devon Still and the defensive front seven in a win.

Iowa 34, Eastern Illinois 9: The Hawkeyes learn from last season and refuse to let an opponent hang around. Ricky Stanzi turns in a clean performance and tosses a pair of touchdown passes, one to Marvin McNutt. Adrian Clayborn and the Iowa defense make it a rough day for the visiting Panthers.

Missouri 35, Illinois 23: It's tough to beat Missouri with a healthy secondary, much less one as banged up as the Illini's. Illinois holds its own for two and a half quarters, but Blaine Gabbert proves to be too much and fires three touchdown passes. Redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase shows some promise in his first career start, but it's not enough.

Michigan 28, Connecticut 27: The first game in the renovated Big House should be a great one. This certainly could go either way, but Michigan wins the game at the line of scrimmage with its size and athleticism. An improved offensive line creates enough room for its talented ball-carriers to make plays. Denard Robinson leads the winning touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame 31, Purdue 27: This is my Game of the Week. Check the blog later for a video breaking down my selection.

Northwestern 23, Vanderbilt 17: It'll be tough for Pat Fitzgerald's crew, but the defense comes up big against a Vanderbilt team that won't have star Warren Norman at 100 percent even if he plays. Northwestern's run game doesn't do much, but new starting quarterback Dan Persa earns his stripes in the second half to secure win No. 1.

Wisconsin 41, UNLV 17: I could see the Rebels starting fast as they open the Bobby Hauck era, but Wisconsin is simply too strong and too balanced on offense. The Badgers mix in Montee Ball and James White with starting running back John Clay and wear down UNLV in the second and third quarters. Defensive end J.J. Watt has a big night for Wiscy.

Tonight, it begins.

The wait is over and we finally get to see Big Ten teams play games that count. As opening weekend begins a little early with three games tonight, here are 10 things to watch around the league.

1. Quarterback questions at Michigan, Penn State: Two of the league's traditional powers likely will be evaluating multiple quarterbacks in their openers. True freshman Robert Bolden was named a surprise starter for the Nittany Lions, but sophomores Matt McGloin and Kevin Newsome also are likely to get some work. Denard Robinson could be poised to take control at Michigan, but head coach Rich Rodriguez expects to play more than one signal caller, so sophomore Tate Forcier and true freshman Devin Gardner likely will take some snaps in the spotlight. Penn State has to see what it has under center before a Week 2 trip to defending national champ Alabama.

2. Opportunity knocks for Marve, Boilers: No team in the Big Ten has a better opportunity to make a national statement than Purdue. All eyes will be on South Bend -- really, when aren't they? -- as Notre Dame kicks off the Brian Kelly era, but Purdue can ruin the fun by upsetting the Fighting Irish. Quarterback Robert Marve has done all the right things in West Lafayette since transferring from Miami, and he boasts a big arm and plenty of weapons to attack a suspect Notre Dame secondary. Marve should flourish in the spread offense, so expect a strong debut. It might not matter, though, if Purdue can't upgrade its run defense and protect a new-look secondary from Dayne Crist and Michael Floyd.

3. Heisman push begins for Pryor, Clay: When we last saw Terrelle Pryor in a game, the Ohio State quarterback was at his best, winning Offensive MVP honors at the Rose Bowl. By all accounts, Pryor made strides during the offseason and said he has a greater grasp of the offense and what it takes to be a leader on the big stage. His accolades heading into the season -- Big Ten preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Heisman Trophy candidate -- are based largely on hype and potential, but Pryor finally gets a chance to produce some hard evidence against Marshall. Wisconsin running back John Clay has been largely overlooked in the preseason, but he also could help his Heisman candidacy with a strong debut at UNLV, which ranked 112th nationally in rush defense a year ago.

4. Mystery team makes debut in St. Louis: Who's the Big Ten's mystery team this season? Illinois. The Illini have new offensive and defensive schemes, a new starting quarterback in Nathan Scheelhaase and plenty of unknowns on both sides of the ball. Missouri typically brings out the worst in Ron Zook's squad, and Illinois will need to show some resiliency in the Edward Jones Dome. Scheelhaase is young but skilled and athletic, and it'll be interesting to see how he handles the spotlight in an NFL stadium. Illinois' secondary faces Blaine Gabbert and Missouri's high-powered passing attack without two starters (safety Supo Sanni, cornerback Terry Hawthorne), so linebacker Martez Wilson and others need to step up.

5. Iowa's new-look offensive line: The Hawkeyes shouldn't have much trouble beating Eastern Illinois, although after last year's roller-coaster ride, you never know. The opener should give a new-look offensive line time to get comfortable and create holes for running back Adam Robinson. Iowa will start three new players up front -- right tackle Markus Zusevics, right guard Adam Gettis and center James Ferentz -- and needs to get comfortable before bigger tests the next two weeks against Iowa State and Arizona. Running back Jewel Hampton sits out because of a suspension, but Iowa really needs to get the run game going with Robinson and adequately protect quarterback Ricky Stanzi.

6. Spartans' secondary in spotlight: Most point to the secondary as Michigan State's biggest weakness in 2009, and for good reason. The Spartans ranked last in the Big Ten in pass yards allowed (267.6 ypg), allowed 11 more passing touchdowns (32 total) than any other Big Ten squad and recorded only six interceptions, the second-lowest total in the league. Several underperforming players are gone, and Michigan State hopes to be younger but better in the back four this fall. Cornerback Johnny Adams returns to the mix, and hopes are high for Trenton Robinson, Chris L. Rucker and others. The secondary needs to step up Saturday against Western Michigan, which loses standout quarterback Tim Hiller but returns top wideouts Robert Arnheim and Jordan White.

7. Line dance in the Volunteer State for Gophers, Wildcats: Both Minnesota and Northwestern boast veteran offensive lines that need to upgrade their run-blocking ability this fall. Minnesota ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing for the second straight year in 2009, while Northwestern finished eighth and had no big plays in the ground game. It'll be very interesting to see how both lines perform in what likely will be balmy weather in Tennessee. Minnesota opens Thursday night at Middle Tennessee, while Northwestern visits Vanderbilt in Nashville 48 hours later. Both squads have multiple backs competing for carries, but the performance of the two lines will go a long way toward showing what the upcoming season will hold.

8. Brock Mealer leads Michigan out of the tunnel: Doctors told Brock Mealer he'd never walk again after being paralyzed from the waist down in a car accident that killed his father and the girlfriend of his brother, Elliott, an offensive lineman for Michigan. But Brock never gave up hope and worked with Michigan strength and conditioning coaches Mike Barwis and Parker Whiteman to work his way out of a wheelchair. Saturday, he'll be walking out of the tunnel at Michigan Stadium as he leads the Wolverines onto the field for their opener against Connecticut. "He's that one percent," Wolverines defensive tackle Mike Martin told me. "People said he'd never walk again, and he's proving people wrong right there. We’ve got to come out right behind him and show what we've got."

9. Indiana's new-look defense: The Hoosiers' season likely hinges on whether a historically porous defense can improve. IU will use the 3-4 alignment more this season, but the coaches also are excited about defensive ends Darius Johnson and Fred Jones. Tyler Replogle provides excellent leadership at linebacker, but Indiana needs three junior college transfers -- linebacker Jeff Thomas and defensive backs Andre Kates and Lenyatta Kiles -- to make an immediate impact. A strong debut against Towson is key.

10. Quarterback-turned-receivers: There was a time when Michigan State's Keith Nichol, Minnesota's MarQueis Gray and Purdue's Justin Siller looked like the potential answers for their teams at quarterback. All three players now will play prominent roles at wide receivers on opening weekend. All three received strong reviews in training camp as receivers, and all three could start on Saturday. Gray is the likeliest to be called upon as a quarterback, as he remains Adam Weber's backup for the Gophers. Siller makes his first appearance since 2008 after being suspended from school for the 2009-10 academic year.

The Illinois-Missouri series goes on hiatus after Saturday's clash in St. Louis. For the men wearing orange helmets, it seems like the break can't come soon enough.

Illinois has opened its season against the rival Tigers five times since 2002, including each of the past three years. All five games have produced the same result for the Fighting Illini: 0-1.

Many forecast another opening loss for Ron Zook's crew Saturday at the Edward Jones Dome. Translation: there's no better time for the Illini to step up and get some revenge.

If Illinois wants to make a statement that things are turning around, the Missouri game provides the perfect platform.

"They're all important, but this one has an awful lot of importance on it," Zook told ESPN.com. "Obviously, we haven’t had a lot of success against them."

The Missouri game has been a buzzkill for Illinois in each of the past two seasons. After a run to the Rose Bowl in 2007, preseason No. 20 Illinois entered the dome to face No. 6 Missouri in one of the more anticipated matchups of the 2008 opening weekend.

Game result: Missouri 52, Illinois 42

Illinois season result: 5-7

Optimism had been restored by the time Illinois made the trip to St. Louis last year. Quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn had returned, linebacker Martez Wilson seemed on the brink of a huge season and the team had gone through a very successful preseason camp. Plus, Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin were no longer on Missouri's roster.

Game result: Missouri 37, Illinois 9

Illinois season result: 3-9

"We were healthy, we were fresh, no one was beat up, we put a big emphasis on it," Zook recalled. "And we get over there and the second play of the game, it was like somebody threw a blanket over us."

Benn and running back Jason Ford both went down with injuries. Wilson suffered a neck injury in the first quarter but remained in the game, only to learn days later that he needed season-ending surgery.

The team never fully recovered, plummeting to a 1-6 start.

As Zook prepares his team for another tough opener against Mizzou, he doesn't stiff-arm what has taken place the past few years.

“Traditionally, Missouri’s probably played if not their best, one of their best games of the year against us," Zook said. "That's the one thing we've tried to stress to our guys. You look at Missouri in the first game of the year, you look at them in the end, and they're not the same team.

"We've got to match the way they're playing."

Illinois isn't as healthy as it was a year ago, as two projected starters in the secondary, safety Supo Sanni and cornerback Terry Hawthorne, will miss the game. Missouri will play without running back Derrick Washington, but the Tigers still have quarterback Blaine Gabbert, who torched the Illini for 319 pass yards and three touchdowns last year.

Redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase makes his first career start for the Illini, who debut a new offense under coordinator Paul Petrino.

"I'm like everyone else, I want to see him play, too," Zook said. "I'm not going to say he’s going to be perfect, but he’ll learn from his mistakes and he'll do a great job."

After last year's loss, Zook and his players lamented that something happened on the bus ride from Champaign to St. Louis. No one could pinpoint the problem, but it zapped Illinois' mojo from a strong camp.

Saturday is a chance to get the momentum back.

"We all have something to prove," defensive end Clay Nurse said. "You can dwell on what your season was like last year, but I'm not one to dwell on that.

"I'm just ready to go out here and show people we can produce and be successful."

It has been hard enough for Illinois to slow down Missouri's offense with a healthy secondary the past few years.

Now the Fighting Illini will try to stop Blaine Gabbert and co. without two projected starters.

Starting cornerback Terry Hawthorne will miss 3-6 weeks with a stress fracture in his foot, Illinois head coach Ron Zook said today. Hawthorne had a screw inserted after dealing with the injury in his fifth metatarsal.

"He had [the injury] as a junior in high school, and he didn't practice for a week," Zook told ESPN.com. "He's such a tough kid, he doesn't complain about anything. It bothered him a little bit during camp, but he never said anything, so he kept going. You love him because he doesn't ever complain, but if he would have said anything, maybe we would have been able to get away with just giving him a few days off. But he'll be fine and we'll be fine."

Hawthorne's injury comes just days after Illinois lost junior Supo Sanni, the projected starter at strong safety, for the season with a ruptured right Achilles' tendon.

Hawthorne was one of few bright spots for Illinois in 2009, starting five games as a true freshman and recording an interception and five pass breakups.

The recent losses will put defensive backs like Tavon Wilson, Travon Bellamy, Trulon Henry and Miami Thomas in the spotlight. Justin Green recently moved from running back to defensive back, and receivers Steve Hull and Jack Ramsey also could see some work in the secondary.

"You get concerned in the depth department," Zook said, "but Travon Bellamy's had a great camp and really has done well. We have Tavon Wilson playing at both places, corner and safety. And we're taking a look at Justin Green, who really has a chance to be a special player for us."

We're less than 100 days from the start of the 2010 football season, and every Big Ten team will place a premium on starting strong. Teams often set the tone for the season with how they perform in Week 1. Last year, Illinois never got on track after flat-lining against Missouri in St. Louis. Iowa's Week 1 scare against Northern Iowa foreshadowed a season of drama for the Hawkeyes.

Now I'm not going to lie: the Week 1 slate in the Big Ten isn't overly impressive, and I'd be surprised if more than two Big Ten squads lose their openers. It wouldn't be a total shock if all 11 Big Ten teams started 1-0, but no one wants to start 0-1.

Here's a ranking of which Big Ten squad has the highest chance of losing first:

Illinois vs. Missouri, Sept 4 (at St. Louis): Illinois has dropped the past five of these neutral-site rivalry games against Missouri, and the Illini enter the Edward Jones Dome with plenty of question marks. What type of team will we see after all the offseason changes? How will quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase fare in what should be his first career start? Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert provides a big test for the Illinois defense.

Connecticut at Michigan, Sept. 4: If this game were on the road for Michigan, I'd put it at the top of the list. Connecticut provides a big challenge for a Michigan defense that loses its top two players and will again be relying on a lot of freshmen and sophomores this fall. Michigan needs its offense to put up points and its home crowd to provide an extra edge as a pivotal season begins for Rich Rodriguez and the program.

Minnesota at Middle Tennessee, Sept. 2: Anyone who watched Middle Tennessee quarterback Dwight Dasher run all over the field at the 2009 New Orleans Bowl knows this will be a rough opener for the Gophers. Minnesota loses nine starters on defense and needs to hold Dasher and running back Phillip Tanner in check. The Middle Tennessee crowd will be amped up to have a Big Ten team in its house on a Thursday night, so the Gophers need to start strong.

Purdue at Notre Dame, Sept. 4: Notre Dame has more questions than Purdue, as the Brian Kelly era begins with a new starting quarterback and plenty of uncertainty on defense. But the Fighting Irish tend to summon magic in games like this, and their weapons on offense (Michael Floyd, Kyle Rudolph) will test an unproven Purdue secondary. Can quarterback Robert Marve win a big one in what should be his first start for the Boilers?

Northwestern at Vanderbilt, Sept. 4: Vanderbilt isn't a very good team, but Northwestern almost always loses a game it shouldn't, especially in nonconference play. Quarterback Dan Persa needs a strong performance on the road in his first career start, and the Wildcats defense must contain Commodores running back Warren Norman, the 2009 SEC Freshman of the Year.

Wisconsin at UNLV, Sept. 4: UNLV is starting over under new head coach Bobby Hauck, and aside from having to travel west to play a night game, I don't see many concerns for Bret Bielema's crew. The Badgers need their offensive line and running back John Clay to be fresh and in good condition. I doubt UNLV can handle the size and strength it will see from Wisconsin.

Western Michigan at Michigan State, Sept. 4: The Spartans crushed Western Michigan 49-14 last year and should once again be heavy favorites against the Broncos. Kirk Cousins and an offense loaded at the skill positions will look to start fast against a Broncos team that ranked 101st nationally in total defense in 2009. Western Michigan is replacing standout quarterback Tim Hiller.

Youngstown State at Penn State, Sept. 4: Joe Paterno's squad should handle the Penguins, but Penn State is breaking in a new starting quarterback and needs its offensive line to step up after a shaky spring. It's hard to think Youngstown State will do much against a stout Nittany Lions defense, especially after losing quarterback Brandon Summers.

Eastern Illinois at Iowa, Sept. 4: The Hawkeyes better not make me look bad here. No Northern Iowa repeats, please. Eastern Illinois went 8-4 last season and boasts a talented running back in Mon Williams, a transfer from Florida. As long as Ricky Stanzi plays a clean game and Iowa's defensive line shows up, the Hawkeyes should be fine against the Panthers.

Marshall at Ohio State, Sept. 2: The Doc Holliday era at Marshall begins in Columbus, where Ohio State hopes to kick off its national title push. Marshall wasn't a bad team last season, going 7-6, and the Thundering Herd might look to Clemson transfer Willy Korn as its starting quarterback. Ohio State won't take this team lightly, and I just can't see the Buckeyes losing this one, especially with all the buildup for 2010.

Towson at Indiana, Sept. 2: If Indiana doesn't start 1-0, there's a serious problem in Bloomington. Towson looked totally overmatched last year against Northwestern, and while I'm sure the Tigers have improved since then, Indiana should have little trouble putting up points in this one.