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• Big Ten Freshman of the Year Chris Borland will miss spring ball at Wisconsin following shoulder surgery, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal. Bret Bielema is in no rush to hire a defensive backs coach, Mulhern writes.
• Minnesota could look to these names to fill its offensive coordinator vacancy, Kent Youngblood writes in the Star Tribune.
• Rejection really hurts in recruiting, especially for ego-driven college football coaches, Tim May writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• The troubles continue for former Michigan cornerback Boubacar Cissoko, who was arrested Friday for marijuana possession with the intent to sell, annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes. Former Wolverines linebacker Brandon Smith lands at Temple, Kevin Tatum writes in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Penn State could be adding another Royster to the team, Josh Moyer writes.
• Illinois remains in the mix for heralded recruit Corey Cooper, who isn't visiting Florida State, Mike Helfgot writes in the Chicago Tribune.

Bowl talk coming later today, so don't miss out.

• Notre Dame has no intention of relinquishing its independent status and joining the Big Ten, Teddy Greenstein writes in the Chicago Tribune. Greenstein also breaks down the pros and cons of Big Ten expansion hopefuls.
• Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez provides some personnel updates, including the likely departure of Brandon Smith, Mark Snyder writes in the Detroit Free Press. Rodriguez picks up a recruit who had committed to his former team.
• The Sporting News names its All-Big Ten squad.
• Verlon Reed wanted to play quarterback, and Ohio State will give the standout recruit a chance, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Two Michigan State players charged in the residence hall incident still haven't turned themselves in to authorities, Eric Lacy writes in The Detroit News. Three other players pleaded not guilty earlier today, Ben Schmitt writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• Wisconsin's J.J. Watt is happy at defensive end, but he'll move inside if the team needs him to, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• More Big Ten expansion thoughts here and here and here and here.
• There will be some serious speed on the field in Orlando as Penn State's Stephfon Green squares off against LSU's Trindon Holliday, Josh Langenbacher writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News.

Michigan players have selected defensive end Brandon Graham, left tackle Mark Ortmann, linebacker Stevie Brown and punter Zoltan Mesko as captains for the 2009 season, head coach Rich Rodriguez announced Thursday. Rodriguez had previously named captains for each game this fall.

No major surprises here, as all four seniors served as game captains on multiple occasions. Graham is a candidate for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, while both Mesko and Ortmann are candidates for All-Big Ten honors.

"Stevie, Brandon, Zoltan and Mark have played at a high level all season and received the greatest honor that a player can receive, selection as captain by your peers," Rodriguez said in a statement. "They, and our other seniors, will lead us into Michigan Stadium Saturday to play the greatest rivalry game in college football."

Michigan finishes the regular season Saturday against No. 10 Ohio State (ABC, noon ET).

The team also issued its official injury report for the Ohio State game.

OUT

• C David Molk, knee
• RB Brandon Minor, shoulder

DOUBTFUL (25 percent chance of playing)

• S Mike Williams, ankle

PROBABLE (75 percent chance of playing)

• WR Martavious Odoms, knee

Minor's absence will sting, as he might be the Big Ten's most dominant runner when healthy. Injuries have dogged the Wolverines senior all season, limiting his availability. Selfishly, I really wanted to see Minor out there one more time, especially against a great defense like Ohio State's. Carlos Brown likely will be the featured back for Michigan, though freshman Vincent Smith got a lot of playing time last week. Williams' absence reduces the depth in an already suspect secondary. Freshman Brandon Smith likely will get the start if Williams can't go, but Michigan has all sorts of problems in the back four. Odoms' presence gives Michigan another weapon on offense.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Time to catch up on some of your questions.

Joe from Des Moines, Iowa, writes; This question seems very premature, but looking into the future I have been wondering if there would be any possible return to Iowa for Bret Bielmema. It's been well documented that the lack of success in the badger state has come down on his head. There is obvious ties to the Hawkeyes. Could he be a new "head coach in waiting?" Norm Parker is loved by Hawks fans and no one can dispute how he has had an effect on the defense, but how many 70 year olds can keep up this pace? Would Bielema accept a demotion (?) back to defensive coordinator if removed from Wisconsin or is it more tempting continue running his own program somewhere else? Is this a story line 4-5 months from now?

Adam Rittenberg: I wonder if there's an unwritten rule about how many schools someone can be tabbed head coach in-waiting. After all, Bielema already held the tag at Wisconsin. Though there does seem to be increasing outside pressure on Bielema, he would really need to struggle this season to lose his job. Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez hired Bielema as his own successor, and Alvarez would need to be pushed heavily by his bosses to make a change. Norm Parker won't be succeeding Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, but neither will Bielema. It's an interesting scenario you present, but a highly unlikely one.

---

Adam from Ypsilanti, Mich., writes: Who will start for UM at safety this year and how do you expect them to perform?

Adam Rittenberg: Good question, Adam, and I doubt even the Wolverines coaches know at this point. Stevie Brown was used as a linebacker-safety hybrid for most of the spring, and he'll likely spend more time in the box than in the secondary. Troy Woolfolk should be one of the starters at safety, most likely at the free position. Mike Williams appears to be the frontrunner at strong safety, but several other players (Brandon Smith, Jared Van Slyke) also are in the mix. But you could say safety is Michigan's biggest concern on defense heading into the fall.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

As expected, several more Big Ten players are signing with NFL teams as free agents or earning tryouts.

• Penn State cornerback Tony Davis signed with the Cardinals
• Minnesota punter Justin Kucek has a tryout with the Vikings
• Minnesota tight end Jack Simmons has a tryout with the Jets
• Ohio State offensive lineman Steve Rehring has a tryout with the Bengals
• Ohio State tight end Rory Nicol has a tryout with the Redskins
• Ohio State defensive tackle Nader Abdallah has a tryout with the Jaguars
• Ohio State fullback Brandon Smith has a tryout with the Bears
• Northwestern quarterback C.J. Bacher has a tryout with the Bears
  
• Former Illinois running back Walter Mendenhall signed with the Eagles
• Former Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli re-signed with the Cardinals
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

	Andy Lyons/Getty Images
	OSU running back Chris 'Beanie' Wells could be playing his final collegiate game at the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Monday night.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It's been 43 days since Ohio State's last game, but running back Chris "Beanie" Wells hasn't spent all this time preparing one of his patented pre-game pep talks.

"It ends up happening at the moment," Wells said. "I don't pre-write anything. I just say how I'm feeling."

Wells' off-the-cuff style resonates with his teammates, who look forward to hearing from their emotional leader, especially before big games like Monday's showdown against No. 3 Texas in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl (Fox, 8 p.m. ET).

"Very emotional," guard Steve Rehring said of Wells' speeches.

"He might have been more fired up than anybody in our locker room for the [USC] game," fullback Brandon Smith said, "and he didn't even dress."

Wells will be in uniform Monday night as he tries to help No. 10 Ohio State knock off Texas. Much of the focus this week has been on Ohio State's 28 seniors, but Wells also could be playing his final collegiate game before entering the NFL draft, where he's expected to be one of the first two running backs selected.

The setting and the situation will only add fuel for a player who thrives on big games and big moments. Add in the fact that Wells is as healthy as he's been since sustaining a foot/toe injury in the season opener, and Ohio State could have a better chance that many think.

"He is a difference maker," Ohio State senior tight end Rory Nicol said. "He does something to the morale of the team. It's like [cornerback] Malcolm [Jenkins] always says, a little spark kindles a great fire.

"Often times, he's that spark."

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- More than once after a game this season, Terrelle Pryor noted how college football isn't all that different from the Pennsylvania high school scene he dominated as the nation's No. 1 recruit.

	AP Photo/Seth Perlman
	Terrelle Pryor has successfully made the transition from high school to the college game.

After helping Ohio State stomp Michigan State, 45-7, on Oct. 18, Pryor told reporters, "It's just like high school." The line became Pryor's trademark this fall as he won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and led Ohio State to another BCS bowl appearance as the starting quarterback.

"Liar," Buckeyes senior tight end Rory Nicol said. "But Terrelle's from PA [Pennsylvania], I'm from PA, too, so I'm allowed to say that. He's a good athlete, man."

Such a good athlete that Pryor's transition from high school to college has been smoother than many had expected, even for a freshman who came to Ohio State with unparalleled hype. Pryor has had his growing pains, but he led the Big Ten in pass efficiency (152.1) and posted an 8-1 mark as the starter.

With small-forward size and a smooth, seemingly effortless running style, Pryor at times looked like the best player on the field, just like he was at Jeannette Senior High School.

Could it really be that easy?

"You can't really argue with him," senior cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said. "He was just in high school last year, so he comes in, he's doing amazing things as a freshman. It kind of is just like high school."

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Terrance Taylor knows Michigan's season can't be salvaged along the banks of the Olentangy River. He knows most people have attached weights to the Wolverines and tossed them in the deep end weeks ago.

But Taylor also knows that the Michigan-Ohio State game, no matter the circumstances, always has a lasting effect on memories and perceptions of both teams.

To illustrate this, the Wolverines senior nose tackle recalled the last time the program was near the top of college football, ranked No. 2 nationally and headed to Columbus to face the top-ranked Buckeyes in 2006.

Michigan lost a wild game, 42-39.

"People don't talk about the great class that we had or the great games that we played in or how we led the nation in rush defense," Taylor said. "They talked about how we lost to Ohio State and the penalty [Shawn] Crable got on the sideline.

"It has proven over the years that [the good things] don't matter. To a lot of people, it matters how you finish out the season."

Taylor understands that the wounds from this season won't heal even if Michigan beats Ohio State on Saturday in what would be the greatest upset in the 105-year history of the rivalry.

People won't forget Toledo or the sputtering offense or poor defensive performances against Illinois and Purdue. People won't forget a school-record eight losses and Michigan's first losing season since 1967.

But there's plenty to be gained Saturday (ABC, noon ET) for both squads.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ohio State's Week 1 depth chart came out today (scroll to Page 10) and heralded freshman Terrelle Pryor is listed as the third-string quarterback behind senior Todd Boeckman and redshirt freshman Joe Bauserman. Pryor's passing progress impressed coach Jim Tressel throughout the preseason, but Bauserman retained the backup spot behind Boeckman. You'd still have to think Ohio State will make a strong effort to get Pryor in the game Saturday against Youngstown State.

Tressel doesn't address the media until Tuesday, but here are some more depth chart notes:

• Sophomore Brandon Saine isn't listed on the depth chart at running back, possibly the result of a hamstring injury he battled throughout the preseason. Saine is listed as a starting kickoff returner with Dan "Boom" Herron, but Herron and Maurice Wells are slotted behind starting running back Beanie Wells on the chart. The Buckeyes won't waste a talent like Saine, who has top-end speed and can be a weapon as a receiver, but they would be wise to wait until he's fully healthy.
• Fifth-year senior Nader Abdallah is listed as the team's starting nose tackle ahead of Doug Worthington, a returning starter who was arrested last month and charged with driving while intoxicated. It wouldn't surprise me if Worthington doesn't play in the opener.
  
• Sophomore cornerback Chimdi Chekwa will start the opener and likely the second game against Ohio as starter Donald Washington serves a two-game suspension.
  
• Heralded freshmen offensive linemen Mike Adams, Mike Brewster and J.B. Shugarts are listed as third-teamers at left tackle, center and right tackle, respectively.
  
• Fifth-year senior Brandon Smith will start at fullback and be backed up by Ryan Lukens.
  
• Tight end is the only spot with two potential starters -- senior Rory Nichol or junior Jake Ballard.