ESPN College Football

Your questions, my answers ...

Andrew from Lansing, Mich., writes: Something occurred to me reading your recap of the B1G's NFL departures: there are a TON of defensive linemen leaving the conference this year. You mentioned Illinois loses both its starting DTs; Indiana does as well, MSU loses Anthony Rashad White as well as Gholston, OSU's entire line is graduating or leaving, PSU loses Jordan Hill, Purdue loses Kawann Short, Michigan loses Campbell and Roh...I know it's early in the offseason, but with a comparatively small contingent of offensive lineman leaving, and a lot of talented RBs coming back as well, do you picture substantially higher rushing totals next year in the conference?

Adam Rittenberg: Good observation, Andrew. One of my b0ld predictions for 2013 is that the Big Ten will have seven 1,200-yard rushers in 2013. That might be a low estimate, as I really like what the Big Ten returns at both running back and dual-threat quarterback (Braxton Miller, Taylor Martinez, Kain Colter, etc.). It doesn't necessarily mean the league will struggle along the defensive line, which recently has been the strongest position group around the Big Ten. But as you point out, defensive line is either the biggest question (Ohio State) or one of the bigger question marks for several Big Ten squads entering the offseason. All of the first- or second-team All-Big Ten selections at defensive line depart the league. There are a few familiar names -- Minnesota DT Ra'Shede Hageman, Wisconsin DE David Gilbert, Northwestern DE Tyler Scott, Penn State DE Deion Barnes -- but there will be many more fresh faces in bigger roles next fall.

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K from Iowa writes: Adam, so much of the discussion of B1G realignment seems to revolve around the assumption that it will stay at 14 teams, which validates the current 2-division model. But what happens if the B1G expands again? If the B1G were to add two more teams to get to 16, why not create four 4-team divisions? Call them A, B, C and D. Using "A" as an example, its four teams would do a home and away with each of the four "B" teams over two years, then switch divisions and do a home and away with each "C" team for two years, and then switch divisions again and do a home and away with each "D" team for two years. So, over a six-year period, each team would play every one of the four teams in its own division every year and each of the other 12 teams twice, once at home and once away. That means the B1G could get by with an 8-game conference schedule--3 division games + 4 against another division an annual "cross division rivalry" game so that if traditional rivals like Ohio State and Michigan end up in separate divisions, they can still play each other every year. And an 8-game conference schedule still allows for four OOC games. Four 4-team divisions is more manageable than two 8-team divisions, which means a 9-nine schedule, which means 7 division games plus 2 games against the other division's eight teams, which means it would take 8 years to play each of the other 12 teams twice.

Adam Rittenberg: K, many Big Ten fans have brought up this idea for a 16-team league, which seems inevitable. We're in the process of surveying athletic directors right now about the big-ticket items in the league, and part of me thinks all their work is pointless since the league eventually will be at 16. The big question with the four-team pod system, which I really like, is how you determine which teams advance to the Big Ten championship game. You're going to have ties and you'll have tied teams that don't play one another, especially if the Big Ten stays at eight league games. So how do you break those ties without upsetting most of the league? Not easy to do. I actually like keeping eight league games because it affords the nonconference scheduling flexibility that leads to more exciting matchups.

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Craig from Farmington Hills, Mich., writes: What would you think of changing the scholarship rules to penalize teams whose kids leave early? For example, a scholarship is for 4 years, if the kid leaves early, the spot is still tied up. Or giving coaches a % of the 85 scholarships based on the % of kids graduating?

Adam Rittenberg: Craig, while I like the idea of rewarding programs that graduate their players, I don't think teams should be penalized if their players are talented enough to jump to the NFL a year early. I'd love to see all of those players either earn their degrees before departing or return later to earn their degrees, but I don't fault a guy like Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins for turning pro when he'll likely be a top-15 pick and make a bunch of money for his family. I also don't think it's fair to penalize Ohio State or any other team for one of its players making a personal decision based on personal circumstances/needs. Graduation rates are important and if a program has a large number of players drop out, that's a different issue. But when it comes to NFL draft decisions, those should be left alone.

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Jared from Georgia writes: As a Michigan fan I really can't disagree with UM at 5 in your early Power Rankings for 2013. UM has been looking for an elite pass rusher since Brandon Graham got taken #13 over to the Eagles and didn't generate much of a push with the D-line last year. The O-line and WR positions are concerning as well. I think if the O-line comes together, which with Taylor Lewan announcing his return seems possible now, RB will shore up with young talent at the position. If UM shows development of an elite pass rusher this spring and the O-line starts to mesh well, where do you see my Wolverines in y'alls Power Rankings going into summer?

Adam Rittenberg: Taylor Lewan's return definitely will improve Michigan's position in the next set of our power rankings. Although the offensive line is still a question mark, the group has a proven leader and a nationally elite player in Lewan. Huge boost. Running back still is a big question mark, although Michigan can help its cause by securing a commitment from blue-chipper Derrick Green this weekend. I don't know how much the defensive line can sell us in spring and fall practices to improve the team's power rankings spot. Ultimately, teams make the biggest moves when the season actually kicks off. But I'll say this: Michigan's offseason is off to a really good start with Lewan back in the fold.

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Matt from Columbus, Neb., writes: Adam,In your Friday blog, you mentioned that the Big Ten is giving consideration to a 10 game conference schedule once Maryland and Rutgers join the league. What will this do to non-conference scheduling? I see the teams scheduling cupcakes in order to ensure 7 home games per year. In a league that has a recent unfavorable perception nationally, could this lack of marquee non-conference matchups prevent the Big Ten from gaining more respectability?

Adam Rittenberg: Matt, I have the same concern if the Big Ten goes to a 10-game league schedule. In recent months we've seen several Big Ten teams add blockbuster-type nonconference games. Ohio State has been particularly aggressive, adding series with Oregon, Texas and TCU. Would these series disappear with a 10-game league schedule? It'd be awfully tough to play those teams out of conference, plus 10 league games, and still compete for a playoff spot. The ideal model is that more conference games will mean fewer FCS/cupcake games, but it could go the other way and teams will be more cautious to schedule attractive nonconference opponents. I know the Big Ten's athletic directors are weighing the pros of better nonconference games versus the pros of a more attractive overall schedule (more Big Ten games = better attendance/interest).

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Seth from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Hey Adam, I think if in the new divisions Wisconsin and Ohio State get separated, I think most Buckeye fans would rather play Wisconsin every year even although Illinois is technically a trophy game for us. With Wisconsin's recent success and being so competitive with OSU, I have heard some Buckeye fans say that they think they might hate Wisconsin more than Michigan. If the BIG 10 is serious about TV money, I think Ohio State-Wisconsin on a yearly basis is going to bring in better ratings than Ohio State-Illinois. I am also 100% in favor of Michigan and Ohio State being in the same division. I would also like Purdue to stay in the same division as OSU just because they are one of the lower BIG 10 teams who always seems to play OSU tough for some reason. On a completely unrelated note and this isn't really a BIG 10 question, but what do you think of Cincinnati, if it can't get into the ACC soon, joining the MAC for football and placing the rest of its sports with the 7 Big East Catholic Schools in their new conference?

Adam Rittenberg: Seth, good points on the growing Ohio State-Wisconsin rivalry. It would be nice to keep it on an annual basis, even if Wisconsin moves out of Ohio State's division. There's more long-term history with Ohio State-Illinois (Illibuck), but recently the Ohio State-Wisconsin series has been a lot better. It'll be really interesting to see what the athletic directors do with the two Illinois schools and the two Indiana schools. There's definitely some flexibility there, and I hear ya about Purdue giving Ohio State all it can handle in recent years, but you can't have everything. Cincinnati is in a very tough spot, but I can't see the program going into the MAC, even just for football. Although whatever the Big East becomes will be closer to the existing MAC revenue-wise, Cincinnati still will be leaving money on the table if it makes that move.

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Eli from New York writes: 2012 end-of-season schedule:Iowa/Nebraska - Division; Minnesota/Michigan State - Division; Michigan/Ohio State - Cross; Northwestern/Illinois - Cross; Purdue/Indiana - Division; Penn State/Wisconsin - Division. You keep saying that there are too many cross-divisional games to end the season, but I only see two of six. And out f those two, only one is a "protected date". If that's the big deal, why not move all cross division games to the early part of the schedule?

Adam Rittenberg: Eli, you're right about the games on the final weekend, but there are quite a few other crossover games that have been played later in the season, in the final two to three weeks. We've seen Penn State and Nebraska play late in the year. Purdue and Iowa also have played later in the schedule. I agree you can move these cross-division games earlier -- Wisconsin-Minnesota usually is played in October -- but you'll have resistance with the Ohio State-Michigan game for sure. That's one game that really should be played on its traditional date, and strengthens the argument for putting the rivals in the same division. I think the best alignment proposals make the division rivalries more significant than the cross-division ones. The more division rivalries, the fewer issues about when games are played and which ones are played.

Only three names remain in our preseason countdown of the Big Ten's top 25 players. These are the virtual can't-miss prospects, the guys who could lead their teams to big things this fall.

As a reminder, these rankings are based on past performance and potential for this season.

The next player already has his new coach gushing and drawing comparisons to one of college football's greats (Tim Tebow) ...

No. 3: John Simon, DE, Ohio State, senior, 6-foot-2, 263 pounds

2011 postseason rank: No. 15

2011 numbers: Led Ohio State in both tackles for loss (16) and sacks (7), ranking seventh and fifth in the league, respectively. He finished with 53 total tackles had a fumble recovery, three pass breakups and a quarterback hurry, starting all 13 games for the Buckeyes.

Why he's here: Simon's teammates branded him a future superstar at an early age, and he has delivered so far and could be saving his best for last. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches in 2011 and was a third-team AP All-America selection after anchoring Ohio State's pass rush despite playing both line positions. Simon is a short defensive end and an undersized defensive tackle, which is probably why he doesn't get much love from the NFL evaluators. But the guy is an exceptional football player who can dominate games at times.

It didn't take long for Simon to win over new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer, who branded the senior "Tebowish" before self-editing and calling him "Simonish." Meyer told me this spring, "I've only coached one or two like him. He's a next-level type player: leader, character, toughness, commitment. He's elite, elite." Simon also excels in the weight room, and while he's not the most vocal person, his position as a team leader is unquestioned.

After anchoring an average Ohio State defense in 2011, Simon guides a unit that has a chance to reclaim a spot among the nation's elite. The defensive line could be the Big Ten's best, and he'll play mostly on the edge as a pass-rusher. His numbers could soar as Ohio State upgrades around him with players like Johnathan Hankins.

Defensive linemen have occupied the top spot on the postseason list in 2010 (Ryan Kerrigan) and 2009 (Brandon Graham). Don't be surprised to see Simon's name at the top early next year.

The countdown

No. 25: Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
No. 24: MarQueis Gray, QB, Minnesota
No. 23: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue
No. 22: Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin
No. 21: Jared Abbrederis, WR/KR, Wisconsin
No. 20: Denicos Allen, LB, Michigan State
No. 19: Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
No. 18: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
No. 17: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
No. 16: Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois
No. 15: Fitzgerald Toussaint, RB, Michigan
No. 14: Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State
No. 13: James Vandenberg, QB, Iowa
No. 12: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
No. 11: Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State
No. 10: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
No. 9: Jonathan Brown, LB, Illlinois
No. 8: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
No. 7: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
No. 6: Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
No. 5: Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State
No. 4: William Gholston, DE, Michigan State

The Big Ten hasn't produced a top-10 pick in the NFL draft since Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long and Ohio State defensive lineman Vernon Gholston went at No. 1 and No. 6, respectively, in 2008 (sorry, Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh doesn't count, played his entire career in Big 12).

The league's highest picks in the past four drafts have been Penn State's Aaron Maybin (No. 11 to Buffalo in 2009), Michigan's Brandon Graham (No. 13 to Philadelphia in 2010), Wisconsin's J.J. Watt (No. 11 to Houston in 2011) and Iowa's Riley Reiff last week (No. 23 to Detroit). Although the Big Ten's overall first-round numbers haven't been bad, and the league had 41 total players selected last week, its highest total since 2006, the lack of premier prospects is a bit of a concern.

But the top-10 drought could end in 2013, according to ESPN's Todd McShay.

My apologies for posting this a bit late, but McShay came out with his first mock draft for 2013, which he describes as an "extremely initial" version that "won't mean much by the time the summer is over."

Here's where he sees Big Ten players being selected next April.

No. 2: Wisconsin OT Ricky Wagner
No. 14: Michigan State DE William Gholston (underclassman)
No. 15: Michigan State CB Johnny Adams
No. 21: Purdue DT Kawann Short
No. 24: Illinois DE Michael Buchanan
No. 28: Ohio State DT Johnathan Hankins (underclassman)

It's an interesting list, albeit an early one. Wagner certainly will be a player to watch as he enters his third year as a starter for the Badgers. He has been a good player, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in 2011, but whether he can take several steps to become one of the nation's best offensive linemen remains to be seen.

Gholston seems like a strong candidate to leave Michigan State after this season, where he'll be a top contender for Big Ten defensive player of the year honors. Hankins drew rave reviews from his teammates and coaches this spring, and can be a disruptive force with his size.

All the defensive linemen on McShay's list have high-level talent, and there could be more from the Big Ten (John Simon, Akeem Spence).

One player who doesn't appear is Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, who many project to play wide receiver in the NFL. It'll be very interesting to see where "Shoelace" ends up next April.

Big Ten bloggers Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett will occasionally give their takes on a burning question facing the league. We'll both have strong opinions, but not necessarily the same view. We'll let you decide which blogger is right.

Today's Take Two topic is this: Last season, defensive tackle was clearly the strongest overall position group in the Big Ten. What position will be the best throughout the league in 2012?

Take 1: Brian Bennett

I'm tempted to go with linebacker, where some high-profile players and future stars are scattered throughout the conference. But my pick is running back.

There's some major star power at the position this year in the Big Ten, starting off with last year's Heisman Trophy finalist and record breaker, Wisconsin's Montee Ball. While Ball is the obvious choice for preseason offensive player of the year, he could get pushed by some other backs, including Nebraska's tough-as-nails Rex Burkhead, who ran for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Even with last year's No. 2 league rusher (Iowa's Marcus Coker) gone, the position is still stacked with guys like Penn State's Silas Redd, who we both think is primed for a huge season; Michigan's Fitz Toussaint, who ran for more than 1,000 yards despite not taking over lead rushing duties until the eighth game of the season; and Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell, who came on strong late last season and looks great this spring.

Purdue has some very capable runners in Akeem Shavers, Akeem Hunt and Doug Gentry, and Ralph Bolden is coming back from an ACL injury. Ohio State has a potentially strong group with Carlos Hyde, Jordan Hall, Rod Smith and freshman Bri'onte Dunn. Stephen Houston showed some good things for Indiana last year, and transfer Isaiah Roundtree had a big spring game. Minnesota is high on junior college import James Gillum. And don't forget James White at Wisconsin, who could start for most teams in the country.

Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern have some question marks at tailback. But overall, running back is where the Big Ten's bread will be buttered this season.

Take 2: Adam Rittenberg

A good choice, Bennett, as the Big Ten returns six of its top seven running backs and would have brought back all seven if not for Marcus Coker's transfer. But my experience covering this league has taught me to never overlook the defensive line. The D-line once again will be the Big Ten's strongest group in 2012.

Sure, the league loses standouts like Devon Still, Whitney Mercilus and Jerel Worthy. But you could substitute the names Aaron Maybin and Mitch King after the 2008 season, or Brandon Graham and Jared Odrick after 2009, or J.J. Watt and Corey Liuget after 2010. The Big Ten always finds ways to reload up front, and this year will be no different. There might not be as many familiar names as there are at running back, but that soon will change.

Let's start off with the top returning linemen, Ohio State's John Simon and Purdue's Kawann Short, both of whom earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2011. Both men will contend for All-America honors, and could be potential first-round picks in the 2013 class. Then you have a guy we're both excited about: Michigan State defensive end William Gholston. He's a physical freak, as you recently detailed, and has the potential to dominate games and become one of the nation's truly elite defenders in 2012. I'd also include Penn State defensive tackle Jordan Hill in this group of known commodities with the potential for very big things this season. Penn State's overall depth along the defensive line should be better this year.

Now for some lesser-known names who could have breakout seasons. Let's start at Illinois with defensive end Michael Buchanan and defensive tackle Akeem Spence. Buchanan is poised for a big year, as he showed in Illinois' spring game, while Spence is a next-level player who could follow Liuget's path this season. Speaking of defensive tackles, watch out for Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins, a very big man who can do very big things this season. The Buckeyes' heralded incoming freshmen should only bolster their line.

Michigan loses two standout linemen (Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen), but it's hard to imagine the Wolverines falling back much at all up front. Nebraska boasts good depth at the defensive end spot and could see a big year from a guy like Cameron Meredith.

While there are some question marks around the league, including an unproven line at Iowa, teams like Northwestern and Minnesota should be improved up front.

The Big Ten announced its 2011 all-conference teams and most individual awards Monday night, but four more awards will be revealed Wednesday afternoon. Before the winners are revealed, we're putting in our endorsements for Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Freshman of the Year. We'll agree on some and differ on others.

Here's our second endorsement, for the league's top defensive player in 2011:

Brian Bennett endorses Penn State DT Devon Still

There are three really strong candidates for defensive player of the year in Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus, Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David and Penn State's Still. I believe all three of them deserve All-America recognition. But in my view, there was simply not a more dominating, disruptive defensive presence in the Big Ten or the rest of the country than Still. Ever since his big showing in January's Outback Bowl, the senior played like he was on a mission. He had 55 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. Remember, he was playing a position -- defensive tackle -- that usually doesn't rack up big statistics, and he faced nearly constant double-teams all season long. Yet he always seemed to find a way into an opposing offense's backfield or at least occupy enough attention that his teammates could make a stop. Penn State won this year because of its defense, and Still led the way.

Adam Rittenberg endorses Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus

Brian, I'd even add a fourth candidate to the mix in Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy, who will be making a lot of money next year if he decides to forgo his senior season. This is a really tough call as all four men have been outstanding for their teams. Penn State's Still has been extremely disruptive, as you point out. But my vote goes to Mercilus, who, like past Defensive Player of the Year winners, shouldn't be punished for his team falling short. From a numbers standpoint, Mercilus blows away the other candidates. He leads the nation in both sacks (14.5) and forced fumbles (9), the latter mark setting a new Big Ten record. Mercilus has one more sack and three more forced fumbles than any other FBS player this season. He also is tied for fifth nationally in tackles for loss (19.5). The junior has added six quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery. Yes, Illinois faded down the stretch, but Mercilus never stopped producing. Last year's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, played for a worse team than Mercilus. The same held true for Michigan's Brandon Graham, the Big Ten's co-MVP in 2009. Mercilus should be viewed in the same way as both Kerrigan and Graham. He deserves the hardware.

The 2010 Big Ten postseason player rankings wrap up with ...

No. 1: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue, Sr., 6-4, 263

2010 numbers: Recorded 70 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one safety and two fumbles recovered; led the Big Ten in tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles; led nation in tackles for loss (2.17 per game), finished third in sacks (1.04 per game) and tied for second in forced fumbles (.42 per game); had at least one sack in nine of 12 games, one tackle for loss in 11 games and multiple TFLs in eight games; led FBS in tackles for loss during the regular season; set a Big Ten record and tied for the FBS all-time career record in forced fumbles with 14.

Preseason rank: No. 10 in the preseason Top 25 players

Why he's here: In a league loaded with elite defenders, Kerrigan rose above the rest with a dominant senior season. He impacted the game every time he took the field and spent a huge chunk of the season in opposing backfields making plays. The man nicknamed "Superman" did all he could for a star-crossed Purdue team, swarming ball-carriers and anchoring a strong Boilers defensive line. Some will ask how I can rank a guy No. 1 who played on a 4-8 team. Those folks didn't watch enough of Kerrigan, the consensus Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Much like last year's No. 1 player, former Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham, Kerrigan shined despite having a target on his back. Opposing teams knew what was coming from No. 94, and they still couldn't do anything to stop him.

Kerrigan became Purdue's first unanimous All-American since 1980 and was a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, Rotary Lombardi Award and Ronnie Lott IMPACT Trophy. Unlike Graham, Kerrigan received the accolades he deserved and deserves to be in this spot before he moves onto the NFL. Purdue certainly will miss him. The rest of the Big Ten will not.

• No. 2: Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt
• No. 3: Michigan QB Denard Robinson
• No. 4: Northwestern QB Dan Persa
• No. 5: Illinois DT Corey Liuget
• No. 6: Wisconsin LT Gabe Carimi
• No. 7: Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure
• No. 8: Illinois LB Martez Wilson
• No. 9: Ohio State WR Dane Sanzenbacher
• No. 10: Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien
• No. 11: Michigan State LB Greg Jones
• No. 12: Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa
• No. 13: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor
• No. 14: Wisconsin G John Moffitt
• No. 15: Michigan C David Molk
• No. 16: Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward:
• No. 17: Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi
• No. 18: Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins
• No. 19: Indiana WR Tandon Doss
• No. 20: Ohio State C Mike Brewster
• No. 21: Penn State G Stefen Wisniewski
• No. 22: Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn
• No. 23: Wisconsin RB James White
• No. 24: Ohio State LT Mike Adams
• No. 25: Indiana QB Ben Chappell

The 2010 All-Big Ten teams will be revealed tonight, so it's time for me to weigh in on who should take home the league's major awards.

Let's get the endorsements started.

Michigan QB Denard Robinson for Offensive Player of the Year

This was by far the toughest call, and I expect this to be arguably the most divided vote for an award in recent league history. You could make a case for at least five quarterbacks and a running back. Ultimately, I looked for the player who made the most dramatic impact on his team and whose presence most significantly impacted a game. In the end, it came down to Robinson and Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa.

Both players were outstanding, and Persa's absence certainly was felt in Northwestern's final two regular-season games. But Robinson's overall impact from start to finish put him over the top. He was not only an outstanding quarterback, but the Big Ten's top runner, setting a FBS single-season record with 1,643 rush yards and 14 touchdowns. Robinson is the nation's fourth leading rusher and ranks 20th nationally in passer rating.

I'd have no issue if the award went to Persa, but Robinson is my pick. While Terrelle Pryor, Scott Tolzien and Kirk Cousins all deserve consideration as well after leading their teams to league titles, all three had help in the backfield as well as better defenses than both Michigan and Northwestern.

Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan for Defensive Player of the Year

Wisconsin's J.J. Watt made this a very competitive race, especially the past few weeks, but I'm sticking with my original choice of Kerrigan. If you look at the overall body of work, Kerrigan gets the nod. That's not to take anything away from Watt, who made more game-changing plays than any Big Ten defender and was absolutely outstanding down the stretch in league play.

The Big Ten snubbed Michigan's Brandon Graham in 2009 because he played for a losing team, and Kerrigan should avoid the same fate. He leads the nation with 26 tackles for loss and ranks second nationally in both sacks (12.5) and forced fumbles (5). Both Kerrigan and Watt are All-Americans in my view, and while I wouldn't be upset to see a split on the Defensive Player of the Year award, Kerrigan gets my vote.

Wisconsin RB James White for Freshman of the Year

Wisconsin's rushing attack entering the season appeared to be John Clay and everyone else. But White immediately put himself in the mix and, at times, stole the show with his incredible speed and shiftiness. He leads Wisconsin and ranks fifth in the Big Ten in rushing with 1,029 yards, and has reached the end zone 14 times despite receiving fewer carries (148) than nine of the Big Ten's top 10 rushers.

Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase certainly deserves consideration as well after a terrific freshman season, but I'd be stunned if the award doesn't go to White. If White wins, Wisconsin will have produced the league's Freshman of the Year for the second consecutive season, and for the third time in the past five years.

Michigan State's Mark Dantonio for Coach of the Year

It's a close call between Dantonio and Wisconsin's Bret Bielema, the coach everyone loves to hate. Take your shots at Bielema, but the guy has done a terrific job in Madison. Still, Dantonio has guided Michigan State to new heights following a 2009 season that saw the program take a step back both on and off the field.

The Spartans were unranked entering the season and went on to record a team-record 11 wins and their first Big Ten championship in 20 years. Dantonio made two of the Big Ten's gutsiest calls -- "Little Giants" and "Mousetrap" -- and came back to coach the team after suffering a mild heart attack on Sept. 19. The Spartans showed tremendous resiliency this fall, and it started at the top.

Wisconsin LT Gabe Carimi for Offensive Lineman of the Year

Carimi shut down Kerrigan, Adrian Clayborn, Cameron Heyward and every other elite pass rusher he faced this fall. He should win the Outland Trophy in my view, and he could be the top offensive lineman selected in April's NFL draft.

Purdue's Kerrigan for Defensive Lineman of the Year

See above.

I normally save my Big Ten awards endorsements for after the regular season, but one race has already been decided.

Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan should be the 2010 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

End of discussion.

Kerrigan leads the nation in tackles for loss (23.5) and ranks second in both sacks (11.5) and forced fumbles (5). With two forced fumbles last week against Michigan, Kerrigan increased his career total to 14, breaking the Big Ten mark of 13 shared by Simeon Rice and Bob Sanders and tying the FBS record shared by Terrell Suggs (Arizona State, 2000-02), Antwan Peek (Cincinnati, 2000-02) and Kenechi Udeze (Southern California, 2001-03).

The 6-4, 263-pound senior is soaring up the draft boards after recording at least one sack in eight games and at least two tackles for loss in seven contests this season.

"I've been around a lot of All-American players, and he's playing his position at a higher level than just about any player I've ever been around," Purdue coach Danny Hope said. "His numbers speak for themselves. If we're talking about performance in 2010, Ryan Kerrigan's the best defensive player in the Big Ten."

So why bring this up now? Won't the Big Ten awards recognize the best players?

Not always. Forgive me for lacking faith in the Big Ten media or the coaches to get this one right.

Let's look back to last year and the case of Brandon Graham.

The Michigan defensive end was the single most dominant player in the Big Ten. He led the nation in tackles for loss (26) and ranked 14th in sacks average (10.5, .88 per game). Graham had nine games with multiple tackles for loss and recorded two forced fumbles, two blocked kicks, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt return for a touchdown.

"For a guy as strong as he is and as fast as he is, he was virtually unblockable," Kerrigan told me this week. "You could really take a lot from his game and apply that to yours. I've really tried to do that. He's probably the best defensive end I've seen since I've been in college."

Despite Graham's incredible production, he wasn't named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, an award instead shared by Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones and Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick. Graham shared the Silver Football but was largely overlooked for postseason awards. Odrick also was named the league's Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches.

Why did Graham get snubbed? Simple. He played for a lousy defense on a losing team. It had nothing to do with his individual accomplishments.

That brings us back to Kerrigan. Purdue needs to win its last two games to reach a bowl, a tall order. And Purdue's defense ranks a middling 57th nationally in yards allowed and 70th in points allowed.

Kerrigan faces an uphill battle to be recognized because of Purdue's struggles. He was inexplicably left off of the lists of finalists for both the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

"Even though we don't have a winning record," Hope said, "we've had a chance to win some games against some of the best teams in the country, and a lot of it has to do with Ryan Kerrigan’s performance on defense, to keep our football team alive.

"That speaks volumes, more so than being a good player on a great team when a lot of things are going well.”

Kerrigan clearly has gained respect around the Big Ten. Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, whose team faces Purdue this week, called Kerrigan "one of the premier players in the country, not just the conference."

Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt, Kerrigan's primary competitor for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, acknowledged Kerrigan on Twitter after last Saturday's games: "@RyanKerrigan94 jeeez man, you wanna save some sacks for the rest of us? Lol. congrats on the big game."

Kerrigan saw the tweet and holds the Wisconsin star in extremely high regard, saying Watt is "certainly deserving of any recognition he gets for the award as well." Although Kerrigan is about as selfless as they come about individual recognition, the possibility of being named the Big Ten's top defender isn't lost on him.

"That would be a great honor," he said. "With all the great players we have in this league, to be mentioned like that would certainly mean a lot to me."

I don't vote for the Big Ten postseason awards, but I implore the media members and the coaches to do the right thing this time.

Put No. 94 at the top of your ballots.

You know how to reach me. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter.

Nick from Chicago writes: Hey adam, I'm looking at the conference race this year and the likelihood of a tie at the top and am wondering who would be in the driver seats of reaching the championship game if the divisions came into effect this year. My best guess is that Wisconsin and Iowa would face off. your thoughts?

Adam Rittenberg: Yes, that's correct. Both Wisconsin and Iowa would have losses to teams in the opposite division (Michigan State and Wisconsin), while both Ohio State and Michigan State would have losses to teams within their division. While we don't know for sure what the tiebreakers will be within the divisions, it's a pretty good bet that record within the division will be paramount.

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Esteban from Grand Rapids, Mich., writes: Adam, as a Michigan State fan obviously I feel Greg Jones was slighted in the Lombardi finalist selection. He's had a very good year, and I think he's not played to his full potential. But I was very surprised that Clayborn was selected and Kerrigan was left out. And then I realized -- it's not that surprising. Is it just me or are the award selections basically just a mock draft and the finalists are whoever will go highest come April? Clayborn is a fantastic player that will likely have a great career in the NFL, but statistically speaking he's just not been better than Jones, Kerrigan or even Watt this year. Please help us understand how they make this decision.

Adam Rittenberg: I wish I could help you understand, Esteban, because I sure don't get it. Adrian Clayborn is an outstanding football player who will do some major damage in the NFL, and he has had a good year. He's just not having a better year than Ryan Kerrigan. People can talk about double teams all they want, which Clayborn faces on a consistent basis, but Kerrigan is facing those same things on a far inferior defense to Clayborn's at Iowa. And he's still putting up insane numbers. Again, not a knock against Clayborn, who deserves whatever he gets awards-wise, but it was a joke not to have Kerrigan on the list. Reminds me a lot of how Brandon Graham was overlooked in 2009 because he played for a mediocre team. Unfortunately, when you have voters who don't study the league and just remember names, this is what you get.

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Michael from Evanston, Ill., writes: Hey Adam I asked a question in the Wednesday chat about when's the last time Illinois had a 4th quarter comeback. Could you let me know when you find out that answer, please?

Adam Rittenberg: Thanks for reminding me because this is pretty stunning. Illinois has had a few games where it broke a fourth-quarter tie to win (i.e. Iowa in 2008). But Illinois hasn't rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit to win a game since the opening game in 2005, Ron Zook's first game as coach. The Illini erased a 27-10 fourth-quarter deficit against Rutgers and went on to win 33-30 in overtime. It's been a while, to say the least.

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Tony from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: Hey Adam, I noticed that in your Iowa prediction you said Iowa would score 4 touchdowns (3 from Stanzi, 1 from Robinson) and yet get 27 points. As a Hawkeye fan, I couldn't help but laugh a bit at this since some kick for the Hawkeyes, field goal or PAT, always seems to go askew in games this year. Special teams ...

Adam Rittenberg: I'm surprised how many e-mails I've gotten about this topic, but yes, I see a missed or blocked PAT. Weather could be a factor Saturday, and the kickers might be in for a long day. We'll see. Iowa will take a win, regardless of the score, in this series.

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Aaron from Madison, Wis., writes: You wrote in your rooting interest piece that Wisconsin's Rose Bowl rooting interest would be for Both Iowa and OSU to win this Saturday. I don't know why UW fans should root this way. If the sole interest is the Rose Bowl, there are two ways we get there (both assume Wisconsin wins out). Either (1) Michigan State loses and UW is in due to head-to-head with Iowa and OSU or (2) MSU and OSU both win out with Wisconsin staying on top in the polls. The Iowa game this weekend doesn't matter in the least for the first scenario. In the second scenario, shouldn't Wisconsin fans root for Iowa to lose? An Iowa loss this weekend would hurt the Badgers a bit, but wouldn't it be a much bigger blow to OSU who would lose the only truly significant opportunity to catch Wisconsin in the polls?

Adam Rittenberg: Aaron, it's all relative to what you think will happen with Wisconsin and Michigan State. The Badgers' biggest rooting interest by far is to have Michigan State drop one of its last two games. Wisconsin will win the tiebreaker no matter what happens with Ohio State and Iowa. Rooting for Iowa to win out makes sense for Wisconsin, because the Hawkeyes won't pass the Badgers in the BCS standings. The other thing to keep in mind is that Wisconsin's lead over Ohio State in the BCS standings seems to be increasing. There's no way Wisconsin will drop below Ohio State in the human polls if both teams keep winning, and Ohio State winning will help Wisconsin's profile because of the Badgers' head-to-head victory. I feel more confident that Wisconsin will finish ahead of Ohio State in the final BCS standings now than I did a few weeks ago.

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Christopher from Gainesville, Fla., writes: Every fanbase has morons that think their favorite team is being slighted no matter what you say. You recently responded to a Hawkeye fan of this caliber on your mailbag. Why do you publish and respond to such stupidity on your mailbag? It really reflects poorly on the fanbase. I can certainly appreciate the fact that responding to your critics validates your objectivity as a journalist, but really? REALLY? And while were at it, why do you refuse to acknowledge Ricky Stanzi's rushing TD's in his player of the year consideration? I understand he has 0 (or worse) rushing yards, but when you put him up against a dynamic game-changer like Denard Robinson every little TD counts. I think at the end of the day Robinson will probably end up deserving the award more (imagine if Michigan had Iowa's defense....) but it would be nice for people to appreciate Stanzi's entire body of work this year.

Adam Rittenberg: Christopher, thanks for making my week with this email. You bring up silly comments from fans -- trust me, there's a lot worse than that guy -- and then you take issue with me leaving out Ricky Stanzi's rushing numbers? My sincere apologies for omitting Stanzi's two rushing touchdowns and two net rushing yards on the season. I'll be sure to include them next week as I continue to push Stanzi as a Heisman contender, pretty much the only national media member to do so. It's getting lonely on this island.

You're worried about germs? I've seen you kiss a pigeon on the mouth.

• The NCAA hands down its ruling on Michigan's violations today, and the news is good for coach Rich Rodriguez, colleague Joe Schad reports. Former Wolverines star Brandon Graham thinks the defense's problems rest with the 3-3-5 alignment, annarbor.com's Pete Bigelow writes.
• Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin defies the walk-on label, Joe Juliano writes in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Joe Paterno keeps proving his critics wrong, Dick Weiss writes in the New York Daily News.
• Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio didn't hide from the Chris L. Rucker situation, Drew Sharp writes in the Detroit Free Press. Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins moves on from the interception-filled Iowa loss, Matt Charboneau writes in The Detroit News.
• The Altoona Mirror's Cory Giger writes that Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald would take the Penn State job (possible but unlikely, I've been told). Wildcats quarterback Dan Persa is the one Penn State let get away, Frank Bodani writes in the York Daily Record.
• Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning recalls recruiting Denard Robinson as a quarterback to Kansas State, Shannon Ryan writes in the Chicago Tribune.
• Wisconsin avoids talk of the bowls and the BCS standings, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Quarterback Scott Tolzien is a stabilizing force for Wisconsin's offense, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Purdue's seniors tried to provide a jolt to the team in a players-only meeting Sunday, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Kirk Ferentz is vague on the health status of Iowa running back Adam Robinson, Andrew Logue writes in the Des Moines Register. Freshman linebacker James Morris is more than holding his own for the Hawkeyes, Pat Harty writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
• According to the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press' Charley Walters, Minnesota is aiming really high for its next football coach. Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray says his recent tweets are no cause for alarm, Marcus Fuller writes in the Pioneer Press.
• Six wins doesn't necessarily guarantee a bowl berth in the Big Ten this year, Jeff Rabjohns writes in The Indianapolis Star.
• Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor wants to put the bye week to good use, Tim May writes in The Columbus Dispatch.

Corey Liuget faced a major dilemma after the 2009 season.

The Illinois defensive lineman missed the comforts of his Miami home, and the snow and cold enveloping Champaign, Ill., didn't help matters.

"It was just me missing home, family and the Miami lifestyle," Liuget said. "I'm so used to the sun out every day and being able to go to the beach, kick my feet up on the sand and do whatever.

"There's no sand around here."

But when Liuget called his mom to tell her he wanted to come home, Lorene Liuget responded to her son like a Big Ten running back would.

With a stiff arm.

"My mom was like, 'You're not welcome back home,'" Liuget said. "I was like, 'Well, I could live with this person or that person.' And she was like, 'Don't even think about living with them. It’s not going to happen. We expect a lot more out of you.'"

Liuget was homesick but couldn't go home. Quite a dilemma, indeed.

"I had to think, 'Either stay here and get an education and play football, or go home and be a nobody,'" Liuget said. "I would have to find my own place to live. It was going to be tough for me.

"So I decided to stay."

The decision is paying off for both Liuget and the Fighting Illini. Liuget is blossoming for a much-improved Illinois defense, recording 29 tackles, a team-high six tackles for loss, two sacks, a team-high four quarterback hurries and two pass breakups this year.

The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Liuget recorded a career-high 11 tackles, including a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries, last week at No. 7 Michigan State. His tackles total marked the most by an Illinois defensive lineman since Mike O'Brien had 12 against Missouri in 2002.

"Corey Liuget is legit," said Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, who watched Liuget (pronounced Legit) while scouting the Illinois-Michigan State game.

Liuget came to Illinois as a decorated recruit in 2008 and started two games at defensive tackle as a true freshman, recording a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and five tackles for loss. He made four starts last season, racking up eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 36 total tackles.

Not bad numbers, but not what Liuget had envisioned.

"Even though I was playing and making plays," he said, "it wasn't like what Adrian Clayborn was doing at Iowa, or Brandon Graham at Michigan. Those guys were already set in the Big Ten."

It didn't help that Illinois went 5-7 and 3-9 in Liuget's first two seasons, and made a change at defensive coordinator following the 2009 campaign.

Liuget thought about transferring to a school in Florida; mom quickly shot down the idea.

"She told me if I would transfer anywhere, I wouldn't be welcome at home at all," he said. "Me being the first male out of my family to actually go to college was pretty exciting for everybody. That played a role in why my mom was like, 'Everybody wants to see you succeed and be the first one to get a college degree.'"

After making the decision to stay and putting his mind at ease, Liuget set out to improve his body. He played last season well north of 300 p0unds but trimmed 30 pounds off his frame to get down to a lean 285.

Liuget initially had "a fishy feeling" about new Illini defensive coordinator Vic Koenning but bought in during spring ball when he witnessed Koenning's high-energy style.

"I was like, 'Wow, this guy's crazy. He's going to get me to where I need to be,'" he said.

Liuget credits Koenning, defensive line coach Keith Gilmore and others for helping him along. He's one of several former big-time recruits -- linebacker Martez Wilson is another -- to emerge this fall for the Illini defense.

"Not only is he stepping up his game on the football field, but he's stepping up his leadership in practice," Illinois head coach Ron Zook said. "That has a lot to do with how our defense has improved. ... Corey's becoming more of a vocal leader than he has in the past, and he's been improving every week, every game."

Illinois sits at 3-3 but has gone through by far the toughest part of its schedule. If things go right in the second half, the Illini will go bowling.

Three of the Big Ten's tie-in bowls -- Capital One, Outback and Gator -- happen to take place in Florida.

Lorene Liuget wouldn't mind welcoming home her son in January.

"She showed me some tough love right there and then," Liuget said. "But hey, it made me a better person."

As always, you can contact me here and be sure to follow me on Twitter.

Enjoy the first Saturday of Big Ten play!

Chris from Madison, Wis., writes: Adam, your faces are looking good on the video blogs although I wouldn't mind cameo appearances of the "funny faces" every here and there for old times sakes. Moving on, I'm growing more and more nervous for this game against Michigan St. on Saturday. How big of an impact will Nick Toon and David Gilreath have in this game? Do you see John Clay getting significantly more carries than he did in preseason action to bruise and soften up Big Ten defenses for later in the game? In short, how nervous should I be and what is the likelihood of me celebrating on State Street Saturday night?

Adam Rittenberg: I see what I can do for you on the faces, Chris. ... I really think having Toon and Gilreath back will be huge for Wisconsin. Lance Kendricks has been doing a great job the last two weeks, but it's different for a quarterback to have his No. 1 receiver back in the fold. Toon and Gilreath allow Wisconsin to really utilize the play-action pass and have better balance in the offense. I also think Clay will get more than 25 carries, and most likely more than 30, against Michigan State. The Spartans' D-line is unproven and Wisconsin will try to wear it down in the second half. Still, you should be nervous. All the intangible factors -- crowd, enthusiasm, drama -- point in Michigan State's favor, especially with Mark Dantonio returning to the coaching booth. But I have Wisconsin winning a squeaker, 31-30.

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Travis from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: I was looking at some statistics today and I noticed that Stazi's rating was at 179.4. This wouldn't be as big of a deal if it was an Iowa offense of the past with more running. They are letting him pass quite a bit, and he's a hair shy of 1000 yards through just 4 games with 9 TDs and only 1 int. What do you think he would have to do to actually solidify himself as a legitimate Heisman candidate in the next few games?

Adam Rittenberg: Ricky Stanzi needs a really big game against a really good defense. Fortunately for him, Penn State comes to Iowa City on Saturday with a really good defense. If Stanzi can attack downfield to DJK and Marvin McNutt, he could put up the type of numbers to get noticed. The other good thing is he still has games against Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State, games that people will be watching nationally. If he keeps up this type of efficiency in Big Ten play, he'll possibly get some Heisman love. What's working against him are all the great players elsewhere, including two within the Big Ten (Denard Robinson and Terrelle Pryor).

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Dan H. from West Lafayette, Ind., writes: how can you call ryan kerrigan the big 10's best defensive player, but say he's the second best defensive end? wouldn't being the second best at your position mean you are not the best player on your side of the ball?

Adam Rittenberg: I hate to quote a PSA from the 80s, but reading is fundamental. Mel Kiper called Ryan Kerrigan the second best defensive end prospect for the 2011 NFL draft, not me. In my view, Kerrigan has been the most impressive Big Ten defensive player by a sizable margin through the first four games. His big problem is that he plays for a struggling defense. It's a lot like Brandon Graham from Michigan in 2009: incredible statistics, but hurt by playing on a lousy unit. Kerrigan is legit, though, and he's looking like a first-round draft pick so far this season.

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Ryan from Traverse City, Mich., writes: Adam, I love your blog. But I've got to say, I don't get the MSU-Wisconsin pick. I understand, Wisconsin has John Clay and a great O-line. But, here's my thing, MSU has Coach D coming back, and the game is at home. It seems MSU plays its best when the Badgers come to town. I just think that the crowd will give Tolzien problems and Greg Jones and Eric Gordon are tackling machines. I have MSU in this game, and don't get me wrong, it will be close. Still, you have to think about the frenzy surrounding the game. We'll see what happens, but I think you're really going to take some heat and will be wrong.

Adam Rittenberg: You make some good points, Ryan, and as I mentioned several times, the Wisconsin-Michigan State pick drove me nuts this week. Really went back and forth on that game. I'm not sure how I'm going to "really take some heat" for picking a 1-point win when you yourself admit it'll be close, but that's another discussion. The intangible factors of having a fired-up crowd and Mark Dantonio back in Spartan Stadium certainly favor Michigan State, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see the Green and White start fast. But I'm not sold on this Spartans defense, and Wisconsin, when it's clicking, has more firepower on offense. Again, could go either way, but I'm sticking with my Badgers pick.

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Logan from State College, Pa., writes: Adam,23 FOR IOWA?! We give up 13 to Temple and you only give Iowa 23?! Haha, just messing with yuh, bud. I'll be in Kinnick Stadium this weekend so i'll give you the first hand account when i get back!Go State!Logan

Adam Rittenberg: Logan, I see you're back for more, my friend. Brave man. Enjoy your trip to Kinnick Stadium. It should be electric in there.

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Alex G. from Fairfield, Iowa, writes: If Ohio State were to lose to Iowa and Iowa and OSU finish the year 11-1, do you think Ohio State still has a shot at NC? I say this being an optimistic Hawk fan that also wants the best for the BT. That would give 2 definite BCS bowl contenders. But would a loss that late in the season for OSU be deadly? Or might that even put Iowa back in NC talk?

Adam Rittenberg: Alex, late-season losses are almost always killers for a team's national title hopes. You can often survive an early loss (see: Florida in 2008) and get back in the voters' good graces, but a Nov. 20 loss just three weeks before the final BCS standings come out would be almost impossible for Ohio State to overcome. Never say never, as Ohio State made the title game in 2007 despite a November loss, but that was a once-in-a-generation type of season. I wouldn't worry too much about the Big Ten getting multiple BCS berths because it keeps happening, but I really think the only way a Big Ten team makes the title game is by going undefeated. My concern for Iowa going forward is that the team it lost to, Arizona, might be just the third or fourth best team in the Pac-10.

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Brad from Chicago writes: Northwestern always seems to win at least one game that it should lose, and lose at least one game it should win. Looking at the conference schedule, I'd say that the "should win" column includes @Minnesota, Purdue, @Indiana, and Illinois; the "should lose" column includes Michigan State, @Penn State, Iowa, @Wisconsin. Where do the Cats stumble, and where do they pull the surprise upset?

Adam Rittenberg: Best chance for a stumble would be this week against Minnesota or Oct. 30 at Indiana. Best chance for a surprise upset would be against Michigan State or against Iowa, a team Northwestern has done well against the last six years. You're definitely right about this trend, though. The Wildcats seem to play up or down to their competition more than most Big Ten squads.

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Disconsolate Purdue Fan from Biloxi, Miss., writes: Adam, What's your honest opinion on Purdue finishing 6-6 and making it into a bowl game? Is it unrealistic of me to think that we legitimately have a chance to beat Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana and hope that we can pull an upset against one of our other Big Ten opponents?

Adam Rittenberg: I wouldn't give up hope, DPS, but it's not looking good right now. The defense has to start playing a lot better because you can't expect this offense to score a ton of points without Robert Marve, Ralph Bolden and Keith Smith. Purdue's coaches will really be earning their money as they try to make do with a redshirt freshman quarterback in Rob Henry and a patchwork rushing attack. Things could turn around for Purdue like they did in 2009, but it's a lot easier to stop committing turnovers than it is to develop young players not quite ready for prime time. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Who's rising? Who's falling? How are those awards races shaping up?

No worries, friends. I've got you covered.

STOCK UP

Iowa WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos: Go ahead and list him as a co-starter on your depth chart, Kirk Ferentz. He's still your best receiver. Again. DJK has recorded 11 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. He's getting closer and closer to passing Tim Dwight to become Iowa's all-time leading receiver.

Indiana TEs Ted Bolser and Max Dedmond: The Hoosiers' wide receivers get most of the hype, and deservedly so, but both Bolser and Dedmond provide more options for quarterback Ben Chappell. The two tight ends combined for three touchdown catches and 43 receiving yards in a win against Akron. Bolser ranks among the Big Ten leaders with four touchdown receptions and boasts nine catches for 128 yards on the season.

Northwestern DTs Jack DiNardo and Corbin Bryant: These two are holding it down on the interior line for the Wildcats. DiNardo blocked a field-goal attempt and a PAT attempt against Central Michigan, while Bryant had a fumble recovery. The two tackles have combined for 7.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and two blocked kicks this season.

Don Treadwell: The Michigan State offensive coordinator certainly deserves credit for steering the Spartans' ship through a tough time without head coach Mark Dantonio. But the biggest reason he appears here is the better offensive balance Michigan State has shown the last two weeks. The Spartans' rushing attack is legit, but quarterback Kirk Cousins is making more big plays through the air. A two-pronged attack really will help MSU heading into Big Ten play.

Michigan's supporting cast: It was important for Michigan's offense to produce without superstar quarterback Denard Robinson, even against a shaky defense like Bowling Green's. Reserve quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Devin Gardner both played well, particularly Forcier, and Michigan received boosts from receiver Roy Roundtree and running backs Fitzgerald Toussaint, Vincent Smith and Michael Cox.

STOCK DOWN

Minnesota's lines: You win and lose games at the line of scrimmage, and the Gophers need to get better on both sides of the ball. Minnesota's inability to covert two fourth-and-1 situations in the second half of the Northern Illinois loss was simply inexcusable. A veteran Big Ten offensive line that prides itself on the run game should get a yard against a MAC defense, period. The new-look defensive line didn't fare well, either, as NIU's Chad Spann ran wild (223 yards).

Ohio State's veteran RBs: I've gotten a bit annoyed by the incessant calls for Jaamal Berry from Ohio State fans, but maybe they have a point. Senior running back Brandon Saine had only 11 yards on three carries against Eastern Michigan, while junior Dan Herron had an OK day (12 carries, 55 rush yards, TD). Berry, meanwhile, had a 67-yard touchdown run, while Jordan Hall averaged 6.5 yards a carry and threw a touchdown pass to Terrelle Pryor. Perhaps it's time youth is served.

Purdue's defense: The unluckiest offense in America has lost its top running back (Ralph Bolden), its top receiver (Keith Smith) and now its top quarterback (Robert Marve). But a bigger issue could be the Boilers' defense, which struggled Saturday to stop a Toledo offense that entered the game ranked last nationally in yards. Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan is turning into this year's Brandon Graham: a great player on a very shaky defense. Purdue needs more from its front seven to protect a new-look secondary.

Penn State's red zone offense: Kudos to the Nittany Lions for finally reaching the end zone on an impressive 96-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, but they left too many points on the field. Penn State has scored only six touchdowns in 15 red zone opportunities this season. It needs to change in a hurry.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: OFFENSE

(Player, Week 4 performance)

1. Michigan QB Denard Robinson: five carries, 129 rush yards, 2 TDs; 4-for-4 passing, 60 yards in less than a quarter of work against Bowling Green.

2. Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor: 20-for-26 passing, 244 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT; seven carries for 104 rush yards, 1 TD; one reception for a 20-yard touchdown against Eastern Michigan.

3. Northwestern QB Dan Persa: 23 for-30 passing, 280 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 17 carries, 43 rush yards in win against Central Michigan.

4. Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi: 19-for-25 passing, 288 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT in win against Ball State.

5. Indiana QB Ben Chappell: 23-for-33 passing, 342 yards, 4 TDs in win against Akron.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: DEFENSE

1. Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan: 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery in loss to Toledo.

2. Michigan State LB Greg Jones: Recorded first two interceptions of his career plus a forced fumble, two quarterback hurries and four tackles in a win against Northern Colorado.

3. Northwestern LB Quentin Davie: Recorded a sack and a forced fumble in win against Central Michigan.

4. Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt: Recorded three tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in win against Austin Peay.

5. Ohio State S/LB Tyler Moeller: Recorded three tackles and a pass breakup in win against Eastern Michigan.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR RACE

1. Michigan State RB Le'Veon Bell: 11 carries, 93 rush yards, 3 TDs; 1 reception for 35 yards in win against Northern Colorado.

2. Wisconsin RB James White: 11 carries, 145 rush yards, 4 TDs; 2 kick returns for 45 yards; 1 reception for 12 yards in win against Austin Peay.

3. Penn State QB Rob Bolden: 18-for-28 passing, 223 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs in win against Temple.

4. Indiana TE Ted Bolser: 3 receptions for 35 yards, 2 TDs in win against Akron.

5. Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase: Bye week

Two of college football's storied programs meet Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium, but the only thing historic about these teams are their helmets. Two spread offenses and two coaches known for their offensive creativity match wits. Both Michigan and Notre Dame recorded critical wins in their season openers, and bloggers Brian Bennett and Adam Rittenberg take a closer look at this week's matchup.

Adam Rittenberg: So, Bennett, we meet again. Good starts for both the Irish and the Wolverines on Saturday, and it should be a great one in South Bend. Let's talk offense. What do you think Knute Rockne and Fielding Yost would say about these two systems matching up?

Brian Bennett: I think both coaches would have spit in a leather helmet in disgust. What's the over/under on total number of snaps under center on Saturday? Five?

Yet, for all the talk of the spread offense, Notre Dame stuck to an old staple to beat Purdue: the running game. Running backs Armando Allen and Cierre Wood together averaged better than six yards per carry, and the Irish were happy to hand off and stick to the short passing game as the Boilermakers defense played Cover 2 and protected against the deep ball. I don't think Michigan will attack Notre Dame the same way, and the bubble wrap will have to come off quarterback Dayne Crist in Week 2.

As for the Wolverines, Denard Robinson was incredible. But I didn't see a whole lot out of the backs and receivers, and now it looks like Roy Roundtree won't play. Is Michigan a one-man offense, and can it win on Saturday that way?

AR: Good point about the Irish run game, and I think the matchup between Michigan's defensive line and Notre Dame's offensive front could decide the game. Despite the loss of Brandon Graham, Michigan boasts good experience and talent up front with Mike Martin, Greg Banks, Ryan Van Bergan and dynamic sophomore Craig Roh. They'll try to take advantage of a young Notre Dame line that, despite all the talk about weight room progress, remains unproven in my eyes.

Robinson was ridiculous against Connecticut, and you can't expect him to duplicate the performance in South Bend. Then again, the guy only needs about a foot of daylight to break through the line, and then, good luck trying to bring him down. Vincent Smith and Michael Shaw both scored touchdowns in the opener, but they'll need to be more effective out of the backfield against the Irish. Roundtree would be a big loss, but wideouts Darryl Stonum and Kelvin Grady, and tight end Kevin Koger all are good targets for Robinson, who also hooked up with Terrence Robinson for a 43-yard gain.

In many ways, Michigan won the UConn game at the line of scrimmage. How do you see the two groups matching up on Saturday?

BB: The Irish played well in the trenches against Purdue, but Michigan presents a tougher challenge. With the way Brian Kelly runs the spread, the ball is out of the quarterback's hand quickly, so that neutralizes the pass rush to some degree. The key in my mind is whether the Notre Dame line can open running lanes when the Wolverines drop men into coverage.

Defensively, the front three for Notre Dame proved stout against Purdue, and surprisingly the backups gave them a solid rotation. Ian Williams looks like a perfect fit as nose tackle in a 3-4, and Kapron Lewis-Moore and Ethan Johnson can make plays off the edge. I think the pressure is on the Irish linebackers to make plays in this game. Manti Te'o should be a stud and the perfect antidote to Robinson, but he missed a lot of tackles in Week 1. Darius Fleming is their hybrid guy, and he was stuck on the sidelines with cramps for most of the Purdue game. Once Robinson gets through the first line of defense, can the Irish contain him in the open field?

How about the Michigan pass defense? Connecticut missed some opportunities there, but the Huskies don't have guys like Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph at their disposal.

AR: Totally agree about Connecticut missing some major opportunities to attack downfield, especially in the first two and a half quarters. Michigan is extremely young in the secondary and likely will be down another starter, as linebacker-safety Carvin Johnson sprained his knee in the opener. Michael Floyd absolutely shredded this defense a year ago, so you can bet Notre Dame will try to get him the ball a lot on Saturday. We'll likely see a lot of Floyd vs. Floyd, as Michigan's J.T. Floyd as emerged as the team's top cornerback and forced a big fumble against UConn. Cue the Pink Floyd music.

I'm interested to see how Michigan approaches Rudolph, a matchup problem for pretty much any team he faces. Linebackers Jonas Mouton and Obi Ezeh played well in the opener, but they'll certainly be tested by No. 9. Roh brought a ton of heat against UConn, but he might have to drop back more in this game.

OK, Bennett, you're on the spot. Your Michigan-UConn pick didn't work out so great, and some of my new friends in Ann Arbor were calling you nasty names Friday night. Who wins Saturday and what's the biggest key to the game?

BB: Well, I'm happy to play the villain in Ann Arbor as long as they still let me in the bars there. I have little doubt this will be a close game, possibly as exciting as last year's shootout. Notre Dame will have its hands full with Robinson, but I think the Irish have a more well-rounded offensive attack. And they will take advantage of that young secondary while making just enough plays of their own defensively. A special-teams play might be the difference. Brian Kelly gets his first big win as the Irish squeak by.

Now tell me why I'm wrong.

AR: You're always welcome in Ann Arbor. Just tell them you know me.

It'll definitely be a close game, and like last year, we should have a dramatic finish. Michigan's young secondary concerns me, and Crist will make plays downfield to both Floyd and Rudolph. But I also have my doubts about Notre Dame's line play and the overall toughness of that team. Robinson is certainly the X-factor here, and while Michigan can't run him 29 times again, he'll make some big plays. If special teams makes the difference, Michigan could be in trouble. Notre Dame jumps ahead, but D-Rob leads the Wolverines back in the fourth quarter for a narrow win and continues to grow his legend in Ann Arbor.

Connecticut at Michigan is one of the more intriguing opening-week matchups. The Wolverines desperately need to get off to a good start, while UConn has drawn a lot of offseason buzz. Plus, the biggest Big House yet makes its debut.

Big Ten blogger Adam Rittenberg and Big East blogger Brian Bennett break it all down.

BB: All right, Adam. No more talk of the Big Ten raiding the Big East. Just Big Ten and the Big East meeting, thankfully, on the field. How badly does Michigan need this win, and are the Wolverines aware of just how good Connecticut is?

AR: Michigan needs this game real bad, but not for the obvious reasons. We saw this team start fast last year and fall apart in Big Ten play, so a win against Connecticut might still be greeted with some skepticism. Michigan needs a win because it needs something good to happen after another rough offseason. The Wolverines need to show their fans that progress is being made, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They need to get their renovated stadium fired up again. They need to revive what's left of the Michigan mystique. This gets us to your second question (double-barrel, tsk, tsk). After the last two seasons, the Wolverines shouldn't be taking any team lightly, especially a very solid UConn team that consistently produces NFL talent and has an outstanding head coach in Randy Edsall. Michigan players know many folks are picking them to lose to the Huskies.

Let's look a little deeper at UConn. What are the two or three things Michigan must be most concerned about on Saturday?

BB: I know, it was bad question form but we're trying to save space here. Anyway, Michigan must be most concerned about the UConn running game. The Huskies have a big, physical offensive line that bulldozes people. Jordan Todman went over 1,100 yards last year, and they have a stable of other backs including USC transfer D.J. Shoemate.

Defensively, Connecticut has three standout, senior linebackers in Lawrence Wilson (140 tackles last year), Scott Lutrus and -- surprise! -- Greg Lloyd. They can all run and make plays. And mostly, Randy Edsall's team never beats itself. UConn is always very well coached, fundamentally sound and avoids mistakes.

On the other hand, the Huskies are small up front defensively and will have their hands full with Michigan's offensive line. Speed could be a major issue, as it was whenever Rodriguez played Edsall when the former was at West Virginia. The secondary is also unsettled and was the worst in the Big East against the pass last year.

What other areas should concern UConn?

AR: Michigan certainly can put up a ton of points. Everyone is fussing about the quarterback situation, but I'm not overly concerned. Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier both have experience in Rodriguez's system, and true freshman Devin Gardner might be the most natural fit for the offense. You can't underestimate the importance of Year 3 in the spread. The O-line should be solid, as center David Molk returns to a group that has a good mix of experience and promising young players.

Rodriguez hasn't announced a starter at quarterback, but Robinson seems likely to take the first snap. He's got ridiculous wheels, and he has improved as a passer after completing just 45.2 percent of his throws last year. Forcier also brings some playmaking ability to the backfield, especially when he's on the move. The receiving corps could be a strength for Michigan, as Roy Roundtree leads a group that boasts excellent speed.

The biggest questions for Michigan are on defense, especially after losing Big Ten co-MVP Brandon Graham and corner Donovan Warren. There's not much depth in the secondary, so the Wolverines need a strong performance from hulking nose tackle Mike Martin and the rest of the defensive line. The kicking game also is a concern.

Connecticut had a historic win at Notre Dame last year but fell just short against several good teams on the road. How do the Huskies get over the hump at what should be a fired-up Big House?

BB: This is a veteran, confident UConn team that won't be intimidated by the atmosphere. As long as the Huskies can keep the Michigan quarterbacks from running wild like Pat White used to do against them, I like their chances of pulling this one off. They're going to score points with Zach Frazer running the no-huddle offense and the running game pounding away. I say they get an early lead, causing Michigan and its fans to get nervous and tight. Dave Teggart kicks a winning field goal in the final minute for a 31-28 win.

Your take?

AR: I agree that UConn won't flinch at what's left of the Michigan mystique, but I still expect the Wolverines to make some big plays early and feed off of the atmosphere. Robinson doesn't need much space to take it to the house, and I expect him and some of the backs to break off several big runs behind an improved offensive line. Michigan's defense worries me, especially in the back seven, but Martin leads a strong effort from the front four to contain the Huskies' rushing attack. This one definitely goes down to the wire, but I have the more desperate team winning. Michigan, 28-27.