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Apologies for posting this late, but here's a full wrap-up from the Big Ten chat today. The Gunner Kiel news hadn't broken yet, or I'm sure I would have received a few questions about Indiana's most heralded recruit in recent memory.

Some highlights:

Dan (Iowa City): Adam, great work with the blog. With Iowa this season, which side of the ball do you see them having more trouble with? On offense they start a new quarterack, a unknown but possible gem at RB with Coker, and only 1 real WR option. On defense the D-line is virtually gone, Sash/Greenwood are out of town, and the LB's have a lot of unprovens. What side should I be worrying about?

Adam Rittenberg (12:11 PM): Dan, I'd have some concern on both sides, but a little more on defense. The offensive line will be solid, you have a top-line WR in McNutt and an experienced TE in Brad Herman (along with the promising C.J. Fiedorowicz). Also, both Coker and Vandenberg have proven something, albeit in limited action. Losing three multiyear starters on the defensive line and two multiyear starters at safety seems to be bigger issues.

Rick M (Louisville, KY): Adam, Why does it seem that you are afraid to admit that you do not want to see Nebraska win it. It will make the B1G look weak. I am of a differing opinion. I think that the Husker are a strong team and have too many weapons to deny their superior talent. Please, don't mis-interrupt my statement as arrogant. I look at it as confidence in my Huskers.

Adam Rittenberg (12:32 PM): It's not about being afraid. I don't care who wins the Big Ten. But in assessing whether a Nebraska title is good for the league in Year 1, I would say no. It will take time for Nebraska to be regarded nationally as a Big Ten program. If the Huskers win the league in Year 1, especially with their schedule, most will look at it as a poor reflection of the Big Ten, a conference that is still in many ways trying to repair its national reputation. So it's nothing against the Huskers, who certainly could win the league. But I have a pretty good grasp on national perception -- helps to work at ESPN -- but I don't think this would be favorable for the Big Ten.

Derek (NC): Do you think Penn State's OL will start this year more solid and consistent than last year's OL?

Adam Rittenberg (12:52 PM): Derek, the good news is that most of these linemen have been around for a while. Guys like Okoli, Barham, Troutman, Pannell, even Stankiewitch. They know one another and have been in the program for multiple years. It should ease the process of coming together as a line, but you're absolutely right that Penn State must start off the season much stronger up front than it did in 2010.

Also, here are some updates on Big Ten undrafted free agents who have found NFL homes. Check out the full list.

Michigan State P Aaron Bates: Pittsburgh Steelers

Wisconsin LB Blake Sorensen: Seattle Seahawks

LOS ANGELES -- The Big Ten is 6-3 in bowls since 2009 and has recorded five wins against top 15 opponents, but the league's reputation largely will be shaped in Pasadena.

The Wisconsin Badgers are well aware of this fact.

Conferences are judged primarily on national championships, and then on BCS bowl performances. The Big Ten once again gets two opportunities on the BCS stage, beginning Saturday with Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO.

Bret Bielema learned how BCS bowls impact a league's national reputation during his first season as Wisconsin's coach.

"We played Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl," Bielema recalled. "Everybody was telling us how bad we were going to get beat. We went out there and put a whooping on them, and nobody said anything about that. Well, because a couple days later, the Big Ten was in a couple BCS games and didn't fare very well.

"I realized the BCS is where everybody looks and everybody talks about. So this is the opportunity for us."

Although the Big Ten's perception isn't nearly as bad as it was before last year's bowls, the league still struggles to gain elite status in some college football circles. The questions about Big Ten speed resurfaced this week in California as the TCU speed vs. Wisconsin size story line was beaten to death.

The Badgers realize they're part of the image problem.

"Wisconsin is what they think about: big, slow, smash-mouth guys, no-skill guys, guys that can't run," Badgers linebacker Blake Sorensen said. "So that's the perception."

That's why Wisconsin is the perfect team to change it.

"Definitely," Sorensen said. "You get one shot a year to play these teams, and that's the only way to do it, to play these teams and beat 'em, and hopefully, they'll be quiet."

Adam Rittenberg talks with Wisconsin linebacker Blake Sorensen about facing TCU in the Rose Bowl.

LOS ANGELES -- When the time came for J.J. Watt to provide a senior quote for his high school yearbook, he started to search for the perfect words.

Watt studied several possibilities, including famous quotes from legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi. But the most meaningful words had to come from within.

"I came up with dream big, work hard," Watt said.

Anyone who has followed Watt's career at Wisconsin knows the phrase well. The Badgers' All-American junior defensive end ends many posts on his popular Twitter page with those four words or the acronym DBWH.

The motto carries Watt through everything he does.

"It really exemplifies what I am as a person," he said. "I want to get the message out that if you dream big, you can do anything you want in the world. But that's only half of it. If you're not willing to work hard, put in the time and the effort that it takes, you're just going to be dreaming."

Watt is living the dream this week in California as he and his Wisconsin teammates prepare to face TCU in the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO.

Watt blossomed for the Badgers this season, earning consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors and appearing on several All-America squads. He ranks third nationally in tackles for loss with 21 and is arguably the Big Ten's most versatile defender, recording every defensive statistic except safety this fall, and blocking three kicks on special teams.

College football fans know J.J. Watt, the finished product. He's a 6-6, 292-pound force projected to be an early-round pick in the 2011 NFL draft if he chooses to forgo his senior season.

It's hard to believe the same guy was a tight end in the MAC in 2007.

"I've never heard of it before," Badgers defensive coordinator Dave Doeren said. "His journey, it's unreal. To think that he was 6-4, 210 in high school and nobody recruited him, and now he's 6-6, 290, and everyone is telling him he should leave college early.

"What he's done is tremendous."

Badgers linebacker Blake Sorensen remembers the first time he saw Watt.

Both attended a football camp at the University of Minnesota as high school players. Sorensen was "Mr. Football" in Minnesota; a two-time all-state selection who led his team to back-to-back state championships.

And Watt?

"He's was this lanky, awkward-looking, random kid," Sorensen said.

Doeren, who served as Wisconsin's recruiting coordinator at the time, remembers discussing Watt. But Wisconsin didn't offer a scholarship.

Watt initially committed to Central Michigan, switched to Minnesota when Brian Kelly left CMU and then switched back to the Chippewas after Minnesota fired Glen Mason.

Although Watt appeared in every game for Central Michigan in 2007, he didn't feel right there. He returned home for six months, delivered pizzas and took classes at a local community college before transferring to Wisconsin and walking onto the team.

"Obviously, we didn't look very good when he transferred back and became our best player," Doeren said. "But it all worked out in the end."

The coaches didn't have high expectations for their new walk-on transfer, and Watt had to ask head coach Bret Bielema if he could try out at defensive end.

"I don't know if they really thought I was going to be much of a football player when I came here," he said. "I tried to make the most of it."

He began by transforming his body.

"It took a lot of hard work in the weight room, a lot of hard work in the kitchen, eating," Watt said. "It was tough to put on as much weight as I put on."

Watt left high school at 228 pounds. When he started his first game at Wisconsin in 2009, he weighed 286 pounds.

"It'd be like telling you," Sorensen said, looking at me, "that you'll look like Arnold Schwarzenegger."

In addition to super-sizing himself, Watt also faced the mental challenge of mastering a new position at the college level. After earning Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year honors in 2008, Watt started all 13 games last season and finished second on team in tackles for loss (15.5), pass breakups (5) and fumble recoveries (2) and third in sacks (4.5).

He ended the season strong, recording five tackles for loss, three sacks and two quarterback hurries in the final two games.

"If you look up a quote from last season, someone asked me who is going to be the unnamed guy who is going to be a good player, and I said J.J.," Badgers star left tackle Gabe Carimi said. "He's the one that I said. So it's not surprising. He's big, strong, powerful.

"There was no question that he was going to be a good player here."

Watt took his game to another level this fall, especially in Big Ten play. He recorded multiple tackles for loss in six of eight conference games and made more game-changing plays than any defender in the league.

Despite his size and ability to play both line positions -- there was some talk Watt would play defensive tackle this season-- he grew his pass-rushing repertoire.

"I've seen more finesse out of him than anything," said TCU tackle Marcus Cannon, who will oppose Watt in the Rose Bowl. "He has some really nice moves. I think power would be probably second to his speed."

The combination could prompt Watt to enter the NFL draft in April. He boasts an impressive college résumé, both on and off the field.

Watt this year established the Justin J. Watt Foundation, which raises money for local elementary and middle schools that lack funding for athletics. Like several of his teammates, he's a regular visitor at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison.

Few were surprised when Watt won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes both on-field performance and personal character.

It has been a long and unusual journey to Pasadena, but Watt wouldn't change a thing.

"I wouldn't have the work ethic I have," he said. "I wouldn't have the outlook on life that I have right now if it wasn't for everything that I had to go through to get here. So being in the Rose Bowl right now means that much more to me. ...

"I've seen everything," Watt continued. "I've seen the bottom, I've seen being out of college football, and now I'm seeing the top of college football. I was talking to my high school coach the other day. He told me, 'You've reached the Mecca of college football.' That's essentially what it is. The Rose Bowl is the biggest thing you can really do in the Big Ten.

"I'm just taking it all in and having a blast."

MADISON, Wis. -- Jay Valai had won a lot of games and delivered a lot of bone-crushing hits in his Wisconsin career.

But he'd never experienced this: swarms of students descending on the field at Camp Randall Stadium after a signature win, grabbing players "in bad spots," as he'd later say.

Valai, who follows college football as closely as any other player in the country, felt like he'd been missing out.

"Every year, like a wrestling match, we look like we're about to win," the Wisconsin senior safety said. "It's like, '1-2,' and then they knock us out."

The Badgers pinned No. 1 Ohio State to the mat, but they weren't exactly prepared for what came next. After Blake Sorensen's interception sealed a 31-18 win, head coach Bret Bielema removed his headset, having no need to signal in a kneel-down.

That's when director of football operations Mark Taurisani approached him.

"He said, 'If they rush the field, go out the far tunnel,'" Bielema recalled. "I'm like, 'Well, you better tell everybody else the same thing.'

"We hadn't exactly gone through an evacuation plan."

Wisconsin didn't have a need for one before Saturday night. These were the games the Badgers had lost for the past decade, the ones separating a very good program from once again reaching elite status.

Wisconsin hadn't defeated a No. 1 team since 1981 (Michigan), but the more significant burden fell on Bielema, who had yet to beat Ohio State in his career and boasted a record that looked stylish (43-15) but lacked substance (1-8 vs. ranked Big Ten opponents). The Badgers' first meeting with a ranked team this fall -- a Week 5 trip to Michigan State -- ended like so many others in recent memory, with a lackluster performance and a loss.

"We always hear we can't beat the big-name teams," Valai said. "The only ranked team we've beat the last couple years has been Miami. We came out with the mentality of us vs. the world."

Wisconsin players didn't let their past failures impact their preparation for Saturday.

They knew of Ohio State's No. 1 ranking -- Bielema mentioned it in the team meeting last Sunday -- but they didn't dwell on what it meant. They sensed the buildup to the game in a town that feeds on hype and excitement, but they didn't get drunk with anticipation.

"That is the challenge," said defensive end J.J. Watt, who twice sacked Terrelle Pryor and recorded three tackles for loss. "We had the No. 1 team in the country coming in here, and it's easy to get excited. You've got 'College GameDay' and everything around, but when you can go in there calm and collected and do your job, great things will happen.

"And obviously, tonight, great things happened."

To prepare for the Buckeyes, the Badgers focused on themselves and their bedrock values, the same values that propelled them from good to great under Barry Alvarez in the 1990s.

We're talking about controlling the line of scrimmage, the power run game, offensive efficiency, limiting big plays and major mistakes. Standard stuff for Wisconsin football.

The Badgers delivered early, slicing through the heart of Ohio State's defense on their first possession. And the Badgers delivered late, marching 73 yards on 10 plays in a game-defining touchdown drive after Ohio State had rallied to within three points.

"It's justification for me that we are doing the right thing," Bielema said. "What we do 365 days a year, you saw today, and I know it could be successful. As we build our program with recruiting and the constant belief about what we're all about, it solidifies it that much more."

Wisconsin won the game the Wisconsin way, which hasn't shown up enough in the national spotlight. During the week, Bielema challenged his offensive line, which had been billed as one of the nation's best before the season but hadn't performed like it.

More motivation arrived Friday when running back John Clay showed up with a new haircut: he had the jersey numbers of each of the starting linemen shaved into his head.

"I knew this was going to be a big game for us," Clay said, "so I told them when this game comes around, I'm going to do something special."

The linemen were the ones who did something special, completely dominating Cameron Heyward and the Ohio State defensive front. Wisconsin racked up 184 rushing yards and three rush touchdowns; the Buckeyes had allowed three rushing touchdowns all season before Saturday night.

The line also prevented a sack or a quarterback hurry, and Scott Tolzien delivered, completing 13 of 16 passes, six to junior wideout Nick Toon.

"There was just a feeling this week," senior guard John Moffitt said, "and I even felt it today: I was nervous, but I was also very settled. I just felt right about things. That comes from doing the right things and preparing the right way.

"That's how you win games."

By rededicating themselves to what put their program on the map, the Badgers won a very big game.

"Everybody has things they believe in," Bielema said. "When you say them over and over, and when kids finally see the results of that, that's when you can gain ground."

The Big Ten slate is a major snoozer this week, but there always are some intriguing story lines when league teams take the field.

Here are 10 of them.

1. Running back roulette: The Evan Royster situation at Penn State will continue to be a major issue until No. 22 starts looking like the running back we saw in each of the last two seasons. Stephfon Green seems to be gaining on Royster, although Penn State guard Stefen Wisniewski tells me Royster doesn't have to worry about his starting job. It'll be interesting to see how the run game fares against unbeaten Temple.

2. Missing their Mark: Michigan State will play its first game without head coach Mark Dantonio, who has returned home from the hospital after suffering a minor heart attack and undergoing surgery Sunday. Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell handles the head-coaching duties Saturday against Northern Colorado. Treadwell still will call the offensive plays, but he'll be on the field rather than in the coaches' booth. It'll be interesting to see how the Spartans handle the emotions and unfamiliarity of not having Dantonio leading them.

3. Must win for Minnesota: It's still September, but Minnesota can't come out of the month 1-3 and have a realistic expectation to reach a third consecutive bowl game. In fact, most of Minnesota's recent bowl appearances have been fueled by strong nonconference performances. The Gophers made some strides last week against USC but couldn't finish. They have to put it all together against a Northern Illinois team that will test the defense with quarterback Chandler Harnish.

4. Wolverines on the defensive: After letting UMass pile up 37 points and 439 yards last week, Michigan's defense had better buckle down Saturday against Bowling Green. The Wolverines are struggling to sack the quarterback (two sacks in three games) or stop the run (169.7 ypg allowed). Bowling Green will be without starting quarterback Matt Schilz (shoulder), so Michigan should have an opportunity to improve before Big Ten play begins.

5. Men down: Both Iowa and Wisconsin received some bad news this week, as the teams announced that Hawkeyes running back Jewel Hampton (knee) and Badgers linebacker Chris Borland (shoulder) both will miss the rest of the season with injuries. Iowa has only one healthy proven running back in Adam Robinson, and it'll be interesting to see how the offense changes, if at all, Saturday against Ball State. The Badgers shouldn't struggle too much with Austin Peay, but the game provides the opportunity to evaluate linebackers like Blake Sorensen, Kevin Claxton, Kevin Rouse, A.J. Fenton and others as they likely take on enhanced roles.

6. Wildcats aim for rare sweep: Between 1964-2007, Northwestern suffered at least one nonconference loss in every season. The Wildcats can sweep through non-league play for the second time in the last three years if they beat Central Michigan on Saturday. Despite road trips to Vanderbilt and Rice, Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald calls the Chippewas "our stiffest test of the year, no question." Northwestern has been solid in Big Ten play for the last decade, but it needs to get over it annual hiccups in non-league play.

7. Et tu, Brute?: There should be plenty of Ohio State highlights Saturday against Eastern Michigan, though it shouldn't be very competitive on the field. The real intrigue lies with Brutus Buckeye, who returns to the field after being ambushed by Ohio University's mascot last week. Eastern Michigan's mascot, Swoop the Eagle, looks friendly enough, but Brutus had better beware.

8. MAC attack: Eight Big Ten schools take on opponents from the Mid-American Conference on Saturday. Although most Big Ten fan bases aren't too worried about this, the MAC recorded four wins against its big brother league in 2008 and two in 2009. Temple, Toledo and Central Michigan all bring winning records into Big Ten stadiums Saturday. Don't be shocked if the MAC secures at least one win Saturday.

9. Show some ID, please: Several Big Ten offenses are still searching for their identities as league play beckons. Purdue is trying to overcome a rash of injuries and figure out what works best in the Robert Marve era before a bye week. Penn State boasts tremendous talent at wide receiver but has lacked consistency in the run game. Minnesota and Michigan State have been run-first teams so far this season, but both squads also boast some weapons in the passing game, as they showed last week. We should get a better idea of what these units are all about after Saturday.

10. Hoosiers on the ground: Indiana needs to improve both its rushing offense and rushing defense before Big Ten play kicks off next week against Michigan. The Hoosiers rank last in the league in both categories, making Saturday's game against winless Akron all the more critical. As good as Ben Chappell can be this season, he needs some help from Darius Willis and the running backs. And IU's defense has to lock it down better against the run before Denard Robinson comes to town.

There's no way to replace a guy like Chris Borland.

As I detailed before the season, Borland is the type of player you rarely find in today's college football. The Wisconsin sophomore linebacker might have fared better in the leather-helmet era, when men played 60 minutes and participated in all three phases of the game, stiff-arming specialization.

Borland did it all for Wisconsin in 2009, recording just about every statistic you can think of, including PAT conversions, en route to winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. His big-play ability really stood out, as he recorded five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.

It's why Tuesday's announcement that Borland will miss the remainder of the season because of recurring shoulder problems is such a blow for the Badgers. You could see this coming after Borland reinjured his surgically repaired left shoulder for the second time in three games Saturday against Arizona State. Coach Bret Bielema mentioned after the game that Borland had a redshirt year available, a telltale sign that the standout linebacker might not be back.

Wisconsin is definitely making the right call to preserve Borland's long-term health -- he should have no trouble earning a medical hardship and will retain three years of eligibility -- but the short-term impact is significant.

“After talking with our training staff and with Chris, we decided that the best thing for Chris was to shut him down for the rest of the year,” Bielema said in a prepared statement. “Obviously, Chris is a tremendous player and a ferocious competitor, but after looking at all the options, everyone agreed this was the only option for him.”

Borland's departure places a greater burden on linebackers Culmer St. Jean, Mike Taylor and Blake Sorensen to not only produce, but to stay healthy. Sorensen had a strong preseason and has carried it over into the first three games, recording 16 tackles and an interception. Wisconsin also needs second-stringers like Kevin Claxton to step up.

The Badgers missed Borland for most of the game against Arizona State, which had success running up the middle. Wisconsin is fairly unproven at defensive tackle, so the linebackers and veteran safeties Jay Valai and Aaron Henry really need to help in run-stopping.

Borland also was a major factor on special teams as a freshman, and Wisconsin will miss his presence on those units.

Wisconsin will be a lot better off when Borland returns in 2011. But for a team with legit Big Ten title hopes this season, this really stings.

Wisconsin sophomore linebacker Chris Borland will miss this week's pre-Big Ten tuneup against Austin Peay, although no decision has been made on whether he'll redshirt the season.

Borland reaggravated an injury to his surgically repaired left shoulder early in Saturday's win against Arizona State. He played in the season opener against UNLV before sitting out against San Jose State .

Coach Bret Bielema told reporters that Borland would have more tests today. Bielema and Borland will meet later this afternoon or tonight.

"We're only going to put him out there if it is in his best interests and [his] health and safety," Bielema said.

Borland can appear in two of Wisconsin's next three games and still have the option of redshirting.

The situation doesn't look good for Borland or the Badgers, who definitely will miss his playmaking presence on both defense and special teams. Wisconsin really needs Blake Sorensen, Mike Taylor and others to step up if Borland, the 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, misses an extended period or the rest of the season.

Top wide receiver Nick Toon is back on this week's depth chart, but he hasn't been cleared for the Austin Peay game after missing the past two contests with turf toe. Receiver David Gilreath also could return Saturday.

"If we had to play a game tomorrow they wouldn't be involved," Bielema said. "But they both got increasingly better as the week wore on last week."

Tight end Lance Kendricks did a phenomenal job as Wisconsin's top pass-catching threat against Arizona State, but the Badgers need to get Toon and hopefully Gilreath healthy for their Big Ten opener Oct. 2 at No. 25 Michigan State (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

Welcome to National Depth Chart Day. No day on the college football calendar inspires more curiosity about depth charts than the Monday before the season, when most teams release their Week 1 two-deeps.

(And then there's Purdue, which didn't include a depth chart in its game notes for Notre Dame. Ugh.)

I've had the chance to review depth charts from those programs that released them today -- two-deeps from Illinois, Michigan State and Minnesota are coming soon -- and I checked in on several coaches' news conferences.

Here's what stood out:

INDIANA

• Even though Indiana will shift to a 3-4 defensive alignment this year, the depth chart lists a 4-3 with Darius Johnson and Fred Jones as the starting ends and Chad Sherer and Tyler Replogle flanking junior college transfer Jeff Thomas at linebacker.
• Interesting to see several veteran offensive linemen like Justin Pagan and Cody Faulkner listed as backups rather than starters. Junior Andrew McDonald steps into some big shoes at left tackle as Rodger Saffold departs to the NFL.
• The backup quarterback job remains open, as Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker are both listed as No. 2 behind Ben Chappell.
• Indiana expects big things from redshirt freshman Duwyce Wilson, listed as a starter at wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner.

IOWA

• Sophomores Micah Hyde and Greg Castillo are listed as the starting cornerbacks. Shaun Prater doesn't appear on the depth chart after dealing with a leg injury in camp. Prater hasn't been officially ruled out for the Eastern Illinois game, but I wouldn't expect to see much of him on Saturday.
• James Ferentz is listed as the starting center, a spot where Iowa might be a little thin following Josh Koeppel's motorcycle accident Monday morning.
• Starting defensive end Broderick Binns is suspended for the opener, so Christian Ballard is listed as a possible starter at both end and tackle. Mike Daniels and Lebron Daniel are the next options behind Ballard.

MICHIGAN

• Sophomores Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier and freshman Devin Gardner are listed as co-starters at quarterback. Head coach Rich Rodriguez reiterated Monday that Gardner won't redshirt this fall.
• Vincent Smith and Michael Shaw are listed as co-starters at running back, with Michael Cox behind them.
• True freshman Carvin Johnson is listed as the starter at the spur position (safety/linebacker). Pretty big surprise here, and a testament to Johnson's work in camp.
• Senior James Rogers steps into Troy Woolfolk's starting cornerback spot opposite J.T. Floyd.
• Receivers Martavious Odoms and Kelvin Grady clearly showed enough in camp to be listed as starters or possible starters against Connecticut.

NORTHWESTERN

• Sophomore running back Arby Fields returned to practice Monday and wore a no-contact jersey after being sidelined with a shoulder problem. He's listed as a co-starter at running back with Jacob Schmidt and Stephen Simmons. Northwestern wanted a clear No. 1 running back to emerge in camp, but Fields' injury changed the plan.
• Junior Bryce McNaul is listed as the third top linebacker alongside returning starters Quentin Davie and Nate Williams. McNaul won the job in camp.
• Venric Mark is the only true freshman listed on the depth chart, both as a backup wide receiver and a co-starter at punt returner. I'll go out on a huge limb (sarcasm) and predict Mark will be the man on returns for the Wildcats very shortly.

OHIO STATE

• Junior defensive end Nathan Williams, a projected starter, will miss the Marshall game with a knee injury. He should be back shortly thereafter. Solomon Thomas will start in Williams' spot Thursday night.
• Starting cornerback Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring) is questionable for the Marshall game, but corner Devon Torrence (hamstring) should be fine.
• Sophomore C.J. Barnett's strong performance in camp lifted him ahead of Orhian Johnson on the Week 1 depth chart. Johnson missed a chunk of camp with an injury.
• Start salivating, Buckeyes fans, because running backs Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry likely will handle kickoff returns against Marshall.

PENN STATE

• Sophomores Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin and freshman Robert Bolden are listed as co-starters at quarterback for the Youngstown State game.
• Sophomore Devon Smith's strong camp landed him a starting spot at both receiver and kick returner, and a backup role on punt returns.
• Redshirt freshman Garry Gilliam is listed as the starting tight end, as Andrew Szczerba likely will miss the opener with a back injury. Penn State obviously is thin here after losing Andrew Quarless and Mickey Shuler.
• Veterans Nate Stupar, Chris Colasanti and Bani Gbadyu are listed as the starting linebackers, with promising younger players like Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges right behind them.

WISCONSIN

• After a very impressive camp, freshman running back James White appears at No. 3 on the depth chart behind both John Clay and Montee Ball. White also is the No. 2 punt returner behind David Gilreath. His emergence likely will result in veteran Zach Brown redshirting the season.
• Senior Blake Sorensen likely will start at outside linebacker, as Mike Taylor continues to rehab after undergoing a second procedure on his knee in camp. Culmer St. Jean and Chris Borland are listed as the other starting linebackers.
• The starting cornerback spots remain open, as Niles Brinkley, Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith will compete in practice this week.

Wisconsin went through spring ball without several key pieces -- running back John Clay and linebackers Chris Borland and Mike Taylor, to name three -- but the Badgers felt pretty good about their health entering camp.

Unfortunately for Bret Bielema's team, the injuries aren't going away.

Starting safety Jay Valai is the latest wounded Badger, as he missed practice Wednesday morning with an undisclosed injury. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jeff Potrykus, Valai was "wearing a wrap on his lower right leg, was limping noticeably and was using one crutch to get around." Bielema is expected to provide an injury update after the team's second practice tonight.

Valai joins Taylor (knee), linebacker Blake Sorensen (calf) and defensive tackle Jordan Kohout (knee) on the sideline. All four players are either starters or in the mix for starting jobs, and Taylor will miss at least the season opener at UNLV following a second knee surgery.

Conor O'Neill is pegged as Valai's backup but missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday morning, so free safety Shelton Johnson filled in as the first-team strong safety during the workout.

No major cause for alarm yet, but the Badgers aren't loaded on defense and need these guys on the field this fall. I'll certainly be interesting to hear about Valai, expected to be the leader of the defense this fall.

In other Wisconsin news, athletic officials are asking for a $76.8 million athletic performance center, which would be used primarily for football with new locker rooms and weight training facilities. The proposal also includes upgrades to the McClain Center, and the scoreboard and sound system at Camp Randall Stadium.

If approved, construction on the new facility would start in December 2011 and be completed by October 2013.

The plans call for two tunnels to be built, connecting the new locker room in the proposed performance center and the stadium to the antiquated McClain Center, constructed in 1988. The locker room would include multimedia space, recovery rooms, steam and shower rooms and a coaches suite nearby.

According to the proposal, the athletics department would borrow $50 million against its program's revenue and expects $26.8 million in gifts and grants to pay for it. According to a fundraising document, officials are asking for $7 million for naming rights to the building.

Wisconsin certainly needs the facilities upgrades. A program that has been as successful as this one should have a much better setup.

Whether the university's Board of Regents agrees remains to be seen.

It's time to take a look at the top five linebacker units in the Big Ten this fall.

1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes boast two of the Big Ten's top 10 linebackers in Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, and they also have good depth. Homan might have been the league's most underrated defender in 2009 after tying for fourth in the league in interceptions (five) and finishing eighth in tackles (8.3 per game). Rolle makes up for his lack of size with speed and explosiveness. Ohio State's supporting cast includes Etienne Sabino, Andrew Sweat, Dorian Bell and others.

2. Michigan State: Back-to-back Big Ten preseason Defensive Player of the Year Greg Jones enters the season as the frontrunner to win the Butkus Award. But he's not alone on what should be a loaded linebacking corps. All-Big Ten candidate Eric Gordon has played a ton of football alongside Jones, and the coaches were pleased with Chris Norman this spring. Hopes are extremely high for true freshmen William Gholston, the Big Ten's top-rated recruit, and Max Bullough. It's clear to see why the Spartans are moving closer to the 3-4.

3. Wisconsin: Health remains a concern, as Mike Taylor's knee problems will linger and Chris Borland comes off of shoulder surgery, but Wisconsin has plenty of talent here. Borland is a rare, do-everything player who won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2009. Taylor likely would have contended for the same award if not for a torn ACL against Iowa. The Badgers also bring back Culmer St. Jean and Blake Sorensen.

4. Northwestern: As a College Football Hall of Fame linebacker, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald loves the look of this group. Senior Quentin Davie is a bona fide NFL prospect who has consistently reached the offensive backfield throughout his career. Middle linebacker Nate Williams enters his third year as the starter, and the coaches have solid options in Bryce McNaul, Ben Johnson and David Nwabuisi. Fitzgerald says this is the most linebacker depth Northwestern has had in his tenure.

5 (tie). Iowa and Penn State: These teams combine to lose five All-Big Ten 'backers from 2009, including first-team selections Pat Angerer (Iowa) and Navorro Bowman (Penn State). But both have historically reloaded at linebacker, and this year should be no different. Iowa's Jeremiha Hunter returns for his third year as a starter, and Jeff Tarpinian and Tyler Nielsen are primed for bigger roles. Troy Johnson and Bruce Davis are two other names to watch, and hopes are high for freshman James Morris. Penn State loses all three starters, but Nate Stupar and Bani Gbadyu have played a lot of football. Michael Mauti's return from an ACL injury and Penn State's strong recruiting at linebacker also elevate hope for the group.

Next up: Secondary

More rankings ...

• Defensive line

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Follow me on Twitter during the Big Ten coaches teleconference, which begins right now.

• Iowa should be rooting hard for Oklahoma State this weekend, Andrew Logue writes in the Des Moines Register. The near consensus on Iowa's postseason destination is the Rose Bowl, Mike Hlas writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• Penn State and Pitt likely won't meet in a bowl game, but it's fun to compare the two rivals, Bob Flounders writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News.
• Michigan State's Mark Dantonio doesn't second-guess the decision to rush only three linemen down the stretch against Iowa, Chris Vannini writes in The State News.
• Former Indiana quarterback Kellen Lewis is in some trouble at his new school, Dustin Dopirak writes in The (Bloomington) Herald-Times (subscription required). A big blow to IU's recruiting class as Jibreel Black changes his commitment to Cincinnati, Terry Hutchens writes in The Indianapolis Star.
• Northwestern's banged-up secondary must "pick up the flag" this week, Teddy Greenstein writes in the Chicago Tribune.
• It doesn't say much, but here's the official notice of inquiry the NCAA sent to Michigan, courtesy of annarbor.com.
• It might be Blake Sorensen, not freshman sensation Chris Borland, who starts for Wisconsin in place of injured linebacker Mike Taylor, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The final seven Big Ten teams open preseason camp, including defending co-champs Penn State and Ohio State.

Here are three questions for the remaining seven squads during the next four weeks. If you missed Part I, check it out.

MICHIGAN

Camp opens: Monday

1. Will true freshman Tate Forcier create some early separation in the quarterback competition?

Forcier enters camp as the frontrunner after a solid spring, and he could further cement himself as the Wolverines' top quarterback in the coming weeks. He'll face some real competition now as junior Nick Sheridan returns from a broken leg and athletic freshman Denard Robinson joins the mix.

2. Who will step up alongside Brandon Graham on the defensive line?

Michigan brings back a potential All-American in Graham, who has 18.5 sacks the past two seasons. He'll need help up front, though, and the Wolverines need strong camps from Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen and William Campbell.

3. How many true freshmen see the field this fall?

The Wolverines will be much more experienced at several positions, but head coach Rich Rodriguez brought in a strong recruiting class, and several freshmen should contribute immediately. Along with Forcier, Robinson and Campbell, running back Vincent Smith impressed this spring and hopes are high for safety Vladimir Emilien. Defensive end Craig Roh also could be one to watch.

MICHIGAN STATE

Camp opens: Monday

1. Will we see any separation at quarterback before Sept. 5?

Head coach Mark Dantonio isn't planning on it and fully intends to play both Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol during non-league play. The two signal-callers paced one another throughout spring ball, but there's a chance one man might be ready to take the job.

2. Can true freshmen Edwin Baker and Larry Caper emerge as the top running backs?

None of Michigan State's older players really took charge in the spring, though Caulton Ray's emergence is intriguing. Many expect Michigan State's heralded recruits to emerge as potential starters by the end of training camp.

3. How will the secondary look by the end of camp?

Dantonio has a very good problem in the secondary -- loads of experience. Eight returning players have starting experience, and that doesn't include safety Trenton Robinson, the story of the spring on defense. The competition in the back four should be fun to watch.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Here are a few items I found while waiting for player interviews to start at Indiana.

• Xavier Fulton turned around his career at Illinois by hopping across the line, Terry Bannon writes.
• Iowa's young linebackers are ready to take on greater roles this fall. The Quad City Times' Eric Page takes a look at Iowa's pivotal position group, the offensive line.
  
• Cornerback Morgan Trent is no longer the weak link in Michigan's secondary, Jim Carty writes in The Ann Arbor News. Rich Rodriguez pulled a fast one on his players, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News.
• Michigan State's camp is winding down, and coach Mark Dantonio has Cal in his thoughts, Eric Lacy writes in The Detroit News. Also, standout linebacker Greg Jones could play either in the middle or outside.
  
• Minnesota's freshmen wide receivers are generating plenty of buzz, but don't forget about returnees like Ralph Spry and Ben Kuznia, Kent Youngblood writes.
  
• Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald sounds off about how the spread offense has changed the Big Ten since his playing days in the mid-1990s, Jon Spencer writes.
• Linebacker is only a temporary home for many Ohio State players, and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins might stay on the field in nickel packages, Ken Gordon writes. Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel is quoting Barack Obama, Doug Lesmerises writes. Does that mean Obama will carry Ohio in November?
  
• If you didn't know already, Penn State's defensive line is stacked. Jerome Hayes looks forward to rejoining the mix after a knee injury, Joe Miegoc writes.
• Purdue running back Jaycen Taylor is trying to stay positive following his season-ending knee injury, Tom Kubat writes.
  
• With Jonathan Casillas nursing an ankle injury, Wisconsin's Blake Sorensen could play a greater role at multiple linebacker spots this fall, Jeff Potrykus writes.