ESPN College Football

Just how tough is it to play at Camp Randall Stadium?

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Love and hate are the themes of the day around these parts, so I figured I'd chime in about the Big Ten. There are many reasons why I love covering football in this conference, and a few things I'm not so crazy about.

Let's begin with five good things. 

Big stadiums -- Size matters in the Big Ten, which boasts three of the nation's four largest stadiums at Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State. Ohio Stadium, Beaver Stadium and Camp Randall Stadium are on the short list of toughest places to play, and other Big Ten venues (Kinnick Stadium, Spartan Stadium) add their own charm. The game-day experience is truly captured where Big Ten teams call home.

The Game (and other rivalries) -- The Big Ten lays claim to quite possibly the greatest rivalry in all of sports, between Ohio State and Michigan. No series has produced more colorful figures and memorable moments. The league also features exciting annual matchups like Michigan-Michigan State, Penn State-Ohio State and Minnesota-Wisconsin. At stake are coveted items like a bronzed pig, a giant ax, a brown jug and an ancient bucket.

Regent Street and the Beaver Stadium grounds -- They are two of the nation's prime tailgating spots, and they both belong to the Big Ten. Tailgating at Wisconsin or Penn State is an experience every college football fan should enjoy. You get beer and brats in Madison, and elaborate set-ups and daylong debauchery in State College. As a college football fan, you can't go wrong at either place. 

Legendary coaches -- The Big Ten has produced legendary coaches through the decades. From Fielding Yost and Bob Zuppke to Bernie Bierman and Fritz Crisler to Woody and Bo to Hayden Fry and Duffy Daugherty to Barry Alvarez and Jim Tressel, the Big Ten has been at the top of the coaching ranks. The arrival of Penn State's Joe Paterno in 1993 has only added to the league's rich coaching tradition. 

Night games in Columbus, Madison and State College -- Noon kickoffs are generally the norm in the Big Ten, which sort of blows but makes the rare night game all the more special. Ohio State will host only the ninth night game in team history this fall against USC, and the atmosphere will undoubtedly be electric. Same goes for any game under the lights at Camp Randall Stadium -- there were two last year -- and at Penn State, which thankfully welcomes night football more than any other Big Ten team. 

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The schedule snapshots finish up with Wisconsin, which will end the regular season later than any other Big Ten team. 

NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 Northern Illinois

Sept. 12 Fresno State

Sept. 19 Wofford

Dec. 5 at Hawaii

My take: Wisconsin's decision to move back its series with Virginia Tech took something away from a nonconference slate that still features a few challenges. The Badgers' win at Fresno State last year lost some luster after the Bulldogs struggled down the stretch, but Pat Hill's squad is usually solid and a Wisconsin victory this fall should mean more. Northern Illinois is on the rise under head coach Jerry Kill and will provide Wisconsin's new starting quarterback with a decent opening test. Hawaii is always tough at home, as Big East champ Cincinnati found out last year, and Wisconsin will need to put up points to beat the Warriors in Honolulu. 

BIG TEN SCHEDULE

Sept. 26 Michigan State

Oct. 3 at Minnesota

Oct. 10 at Ohio State

Oct. 17 Iowa

Oct. 24 Open

Oct. 31 Purdue

Nov. 7 at Indiana

Nov. 14 Michigan

Nov. 21 at Northwestern

Byes: Penn State, Illinois

My take: The Badgers are the only team with a bye in the middle of the Big Ten schedule -- Illinois likely will have one before league play opens -- and it comes at a good time. The opening stretch is brutal with trips to rival Minnesota and Ohio State bookended by tough home contests against Michigan State and Iowa. Wisconsin can do some damage during the second half of the conference slate, but it needs to avoid another slow start after dropping its first four league games in 2008. Road games at Northwestern and Hawaii could go a long way toward determining Wisconsin's postseason fate or bowl destination.   

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It's always fun at this time of year to look back at preseason thoughts and predictions. In August, I outlined 25 items I wanted to see during the Big Ten season. Several of them came true, others didn't and some materialized in different ways.

Here's a look back at the list to see what worked out and what didn't. 

	AP Photo/Carlos Osorio
	Terrelle Pryor earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors.

1. Terrelle Pryor lead an offensive drive -- He might be a Tim Tebow-like weapon near the goal line, but I'm more interested in how the Ohio State freshman quarterback handles a real offensive series. Pryor's athleticism is undeniable, but it will be important to monitor his passing accuracy and the way he leads older teammates.

The verdict: We had plenty of opportunities to see Pryor lead drives after he was named Ohio State's starter in Week 4. Despite a few growing pains, Pryor held his own and displayed remarkable athleticism in winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. He also came up big in the clutch to lead Ohio State's game-winning touchdown drive Oct. 4 at Wisconsin. 

2. Michigan's quarterbacks -- Rich Rodriguez has ushered in a new era in Ann Arbor and will turn to unproven players like Steven Threet, Nick Sheridan and possibly Justin Feagin to lead his spread offense. There will undoubtedly be growing pains, but if one of those three takes control, the Wolverines will surge.

The verdict: Oh, there were growing pains. Big ones. Threet and Sheridan struggled to fit into Rodriguez's system, and Michigan finished the season ranked 109th nationally in total offense. Feagin likely will move to slot receiver in 2009, and incoming freshmen Shavodrick Beaver and Tate Forcier will compete for the starting quarterback spot. 

3. Jump Around at night -- Camp Randall Stadium is intimidating enough during daylight hours, but the electricity will reach new levels this fall with back-to-back night games against Ohio State and Penn State. The Badgers haven't lost at home under coach Bret Bielema, and they should have a tremendous home-field edge this fall.

The verdict: It was pretty cool to see Ohio State players jump in lockstep with the Wisconsin students on Oct. 4, but Camp Randall certainly lost its edge this fall. Wisconsin saw its home win streak fade against Ohio State and then suffered its worst home defeat since 1989 the next week against Penn State. Plus, the Badgers band was suspended from performing Oct. 4 after allegations of hazing surfaced. 

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Week 7 had a bit of everything: surprise, shock, disappointment and domination. Here are five lessons from the week that was in Big Ten football. 

1. Penn State should be in the national title discussion -- Their starting quarterback has been questioned. Their defensive depth has been questioned. Their road toughness has been questioned. But all the Nittany Lions do is continue to provide answers. They recorded a benchmark blowout of Wisconsin on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium, handing the Badgers their worst loss since 1989. Head coach Joe Paterno spent his second consecutive game in the press box and watched his team destroy the Badgers with aggressive offensive play-calling, hard-hitting defense and polished special teams. Few FBS teams have been as consistently dominant as Penn State, which validated itself as a national championship contender.

2. The Gophers are back -- A year after going 1-11 and setting team records for futility on defense, Minnesota became bowl eligible on Oct. 11. The impressive about-face was capped by a signature road win against Illinois, the alma mater of Gophers coach Tim Brewster. Behind first-year defensive coordinator Ted Roof, Minnesota forced three Illini turnovers, including a Juice Williams fumble that Simoni Lawrence returned to the end zone for the decisive touchdown. Senior defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg turned in a dominating performance as the Gophers locked up their first Big Ten road win since 2006.

3. Misery at Michigan -- Coach Rich Rodriguez's attempt to challenge his players by calling their previous performance "soft" clearly didn't work, as a team loaded with inexperience and the wrong type of personnel suffered one of the worst losses in program history. Michigan's sputtering spread offense imploded against 1-4 Toledo, and the Wolverines suffered their first defeat to a Mid-American Conference team in 25 tries. At 2-4, Michigan needs a miracle to avoid its first losing season since 1967. This is beginning to look a lot like Notre Dame of 2007.

4. Michigan State has turned a corner in October -- College football's biggest tease has found a new identity behind second-year coach Mark Dantonio. A Spartans team prone to September surges and October collapses turned in a near-spotless performance against mistake-prone Northwestern, winning its sixth straight and setting up a huge matchup Saturday against Ohio State. Dantonio has instilled greater discipline on both sides of the ball, and Michigan State is cashing in on its opponents' errors instead of the other way around.

5. Big Ten title could be decided in the next two weeks -- Minnesota could continue to surprise everyone, but it seems as though the league's top three teams (Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan State) have separated themselves from the pack. The next two Saturdays should reveal a lot, as Ohio State visits East Lansing after an unimpressive showing against Purdue. Penn State then visits Columbus, where it has never won as a Big Ten member. Should both the Spartans and Nittany Lions survive, the championship could come down to their meeting Nov. 22 in Happy Valley.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

MADISON, Wis. -- Camp Randall Stadium is shaking again, thanks to the House of Pain hit "Jump Around." But Penn State has sent the real tremors through Wisconsin and the rest of the Big Ten.

The Nittany Lions have validated themselves as the best team in the Big Ten and one of the best in the country with another dominating performance. After defense and special teams sparked a 24-7 halftime lead, Daryll Clark raised his play in the third quarter, racking up 175 passing yards.

The downfield passes have been there all game, and Clark is finally converting in a big way. Clark somehow found James McDonald after being flushed out of the pocket and then hit a wide-open Deon Butler for a 44-yard touchdown.

Wisconsin fans finally got something to cheer about when backup quarterback Dustin Sherer replaced the struggling Allan Evridge at the end of the quarter. Sherer completed two passes and led the Badgers into Penn State before throwing an interception to Lydell Sargeant, who picked off his second pass of the quarter. The Badgers could have a quarterback controversy brewing, but they need something to change on offense in a hurry.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It should be another revealing week of Big Ten football, particularly in Madison and Evanston. Here are 10 things to track as you watch the action Saturday.

Quarterbacks are popular on this week's rundown.

1. Quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and C.J. Bacher -- The man who plays better likely will determine the winner of the Michigan State-Northwestern game. Both players share backfields with capable running backs (Heisman Trophy candidate Javon Ringer and Tyrell Sutton), but both signal-callers have struggled with consistency this season. Bacher has dominated the Spartans in two meetings but faces a much-improved defense. Hoyer is starting to hit his stride but still owns an unsightly completion percentage (47.7).

2. Joe Paterno's whereabouts -- With questions looming about the 81-year-old's coaching future beyond this season, Paterno could end up in the press box for the second consecutive week because of a right leg injury. He also might tough it out on the Camp Randall Stadium field, where he suffered a broken left leg in 2006. Penn State has continued to win no matter where Paterno ends up, but the Nittany Lions face a big test against the browbeaten Badgers.

3. Wisconsin quarterback Allan Evridge -- Evridge remains the Badgers' starter, but head coach Bret Bielema hardly gave him a ringing endorsement this week. The fifth-year senior needs to improve his accuracy and limit mistakes. All-American Travis Beckum had six receptions last week against Ohio State, and Wisconsin could get talented tight end Garrett Graham back in the mix. Aaron Maybin and Penn State's talented defensive line likely will pressure Evridge, who needs to keep his poise.

4. Eric Decker vs. Vontae Davis -- The nation's leading wide receiver goes up against one of the top cover corners in FBS. Decker and Minnesota have a great chance to validate a surprising start against Illinois, which comes off its best game of the year last week at Michigan. Ohio State and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins held Decker in check two weeks ago, and the talented Davis will try to do the same.

5. Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter -- After being replaced in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to Penn State, Painter gets the start against No. 12 Ohio State. Coach Joe Tiller wondered this week whether Painter has been trying too hard after seeing his completion percentage drop (57.6) and his touchdown-to-interception ratio balance out (5-5). Painter's career stats are impressive, but he struggles in big games and needs a strong showing against the Buckeyes.

6. Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe -- Head coach Kirk Ferentz has defended O'Keefe and shielded him from the media, but another poor offensive performance against Indiana will turn up the heat on both men. Fans are concerned that Iowa has fallen behind the times with its offensive structure and play calling. O'Keefe can quiet the critics -- momentarily, at least -- if the Hawkeyes capitalize on a Jekyll-and-Hyde Hoosiers defense and end a three-game slide.

7. Michigan's defense -- When Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez ripped his team for playing "soft" against Illinois, he was speaking directly to a veteran defense that had answered the bell before last week. Top pass rusher Brandon Graham (leg infection) could be sidelined, but Michigan needs to regain its defensive edge against Toledo, which has scored just 16 points the last two weeks after a 54-point effort against Fresno State.

8. Minnesota coach Tim Brewster -- He didn't play up his return to his alma mater, but you can bet Brewster would like nothing more than to beat Illinois. Illini players said Brewster wanted the Illinois head-coaching job that went to Ron Zook, and they expect a fired-up Golden Gophers squad on Saturday. Zook asked Illini fans to turn out in force this week -- and to bring their "Zook Zone" towels -- to cheer on a team that played its last two games in two tough environments (Michigan Stadium and Beaver Stadium).

9. Northwestern's coaching staff -- Pat Fitzgerald and his assistants have had two weeks to prepare for one of the more anticipated games in recent program history. The extra time should help veteran defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz figure out a way to contain Ringer, but Fitzgerald's ability to keep his players grounded will be the biggest key. Fitzgerald knows what it's like to play with expectations at Northwestern, something the team has struggled with since 2000.

10. Offensive play calling at Camp Randall -- Penn State fans hope the Lions offense went conservative in last week's unstylish win at Purdue and will open things up again against Wisconsin. Galen Hall and Jay Paterno likely will expand the playbook, particularly with top wideout Jordan Norwood back, but quarterback Daryll Clark must continue to play smart on the road. Wisconsin reserve running back John Clay has provided a lift in each of the team's last two losses. Clay has to touch the ball more for the Badgers to have a chance at an upset.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Not surprisingly, Penn State coach Joe Paterno is doing his best to downplay the leg injury that has kept him off the sidelines for a game and a half this season. But because of Paterno's age (81) and uncertain coaching future beyond this season, the injury continues to draw attention.

Paterno has arthritis in his right leg, which he injured while demonstrating a kick in preseason practice. There's a growing belief that if anything will force the coaching legend to step away, it would be his physical ability to do the job.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Bob Smizik writes about the unique circumstances surrounding what could be JoePa's final season.

The drama of the season was supposed to be all about coach Joe Paterno, 81, and his desire to retire on his own terms and not at the end of this season. It was supposed to be about a contest of wills between Paterno, who maintains massive support from appreciative alumni who know and understand what he has done for the school, and high-ranking university administrators, who had failed to give him a contract extension and, by most accounts, were trying to gather the necessary strength to force him out of the job he has held since 1966.

But midway through the season, much has changed and the drama will play out on two fronts:

• The Lions are not an ordinary team. They're 6-0 and ranked sixth in the nation. The championship of the Big Ten, a conference that looks to be substandard this season, is within reach and with that comes the possibility of playing for the national title.
• Paterno's physical health has declined to the point where it could cause him to do something no one expected: retire of his own accord.

Paterno will decide later this week or even on game day whether he'll spend Saturday night on the field at Camp Randall Stadium or in the press box as Penn State takes on Wisconsin (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). Longtime Wisconsin coach and current athletic director Barry Alvarez had to coach from the press box in 1999 following knee-replacement surgery and tells the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane about the pros and cons of Paterno's predicament.

There are advantages to coaching upstairs, as both Paterno and Alvarez pointed out. Paterno, who has never worn a headset on the sidelines, can now communicate with each one of his assistants.

"If you want to talk to someone, you have no problem getting to them," Alvarez said. "And you have a better vantage point. You see the entire picture."

You don't, however, get to read the kid's faces, the looks in their eye," Alvarez noted.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The conference title race is taking shape, some teams are surging and others are sliding.

It's time to take the pulse of Big Ten fans.

Derek from St. Louis writes: Explain this to me... Illinois has 2 losses, both to top 5 teams, both on the road, neither were embarrassing. They don't break the top 25 in ANY poll after destroying Michigan in Ann Arbor after (still ranked and 0-2 in the Big Ten) Wisconsin loses there a week prior. Auburn (also still ranked) also has 2 losses and a pillow fight 3-2 victory AT HOME to Miss St. WAKE FORREST is still ranked... and they're coming off of a loss to NAVY... AT HOME. How is ANY of this possible. I can't say it's because the Big Ten doesn't get any love because WISCONSIN is included in this mess.

Adam Rittenberg: For the first time this season, the Illini played to their potential in the final three quarters at Michigan and will regain some respect by continuing to win. Illinois soured some people with a poor performance against Louisiana-Lafayette, but pounding Michigan at the Big House still means something, even this year. Wisconsin fell out of the AP Poll, if it makes you happy, and the Badgers need to beat No. 6 Penn State at home to remain in any other rankings. Auburn's continued inclusion has to do with the strength of the SEC, nothing else. Wake Forest moved up in the poll only because a bunch of teams between 20-25 lost last week.

---

J.Z. from Bloomington, Ind., writes: Many IU fans including me had high expectations for the football team this year. Coming off our first bowl game in ages, 8 home games, a super soft OOC schedule. The way I see it we should have ended with at minimum a winning record this year. Ending the year with 4 wins seems like wishful thinking now. There are many fans that never wanted Coach Lynch hired based off his terrible past in the MAC and lack of Big school experience. With the new stadium and facility renovations come higher expectations. Do you think if things continue the way they are that Coach Lynch could get his walking papers this year? With a new AD coming in I could see that happening. I do also realize that IU also needs to step up and be willing to pay a new coach to come in, as there are some coaches in conf USA that make double what our Head Football coach makes. Do you think IU will be willing to finally spend the cash on football that they do on basketball?

Adam Rittenberg: The Ball State loss looks better and better, but I agree with you that Indiana has been a major disappointment this year. Lynch acknowledged today that the team could still be looking for its identity, which should be based around quarterback Kellen Lewis and several promising defenders. But turnovers and penalties kill teams, and Indiana hasn't been able to avoid them so far. The new athletic director will have a decision to make if things don't improve, but I don't see Lynch getting fired less than a year after receiving a contract extension. Next year, maybe, but the program has been through some tragedy and transition, much like Northwestern went through in 2006-07, and Lynch deserves a ton of credit for last year's bowl run. Indiana is making a greater commitment to football with the stadium renovations and even with the eight home games, so expectations are justifiably higher. But I would wait a little bit longer to see how things play out.

---

Andrew from Pittsburgh writes: What are your thoughts on the Spartan defense? We're giving up tons of yards between the 20s the last several weeks, but we keep coming up with stops or turnovers in the red zone. Is that the mark of a better defense, or have we just been lucky?

Adam Rittenberg: They are tough and physical, a perfect reflection of head coach Mark Dantonio. They don't have the most talent in any one area, but stars like safety Otis Wiley and linebacker Greg Jones take on a lot of responsibility and guys like Adam Decker step up and make big plays like the fourth-down stop on Iowa's Shonn Greene to seal last week's win. Honestly, giving up yards between the 20's doesn't matter if you make stops in the red zone, and that's how teams like Michigan State and Northwestern have improved on the defensive side. Michigan State is limiting the big play and forcing other teams to execute near the goal line.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The Big Ten features one of the more intriguing league title races in college football, and some more answers should come after Saturday's games. Two contests stand out, as No. 6 Penn State faces the first of two major road tests this month with a trip to Wisconsin, and surging Michigan State visits undefeated Northwestern.

Here's a look at what's on tap.

Iowa (3-3, 0-2) at Indiana (2-3, 0-2), noon ET

Both of these teams appeared to catch a scheduling break by not having to face Ohio State or Michigan this season. But slow starts to Big Ten play make Saturday's meeting at Memorial Stadium a must win for both sides. Iowa simply has to improve its play in the red zone after ranking last in the league (19 of 26 opportunities converted). Indiana hasn't fared much better near the goal line and must get quarterback/running back/wide receiver Kellen Lewis in space. The Hoosiers' defense stepped up last week but faces a huge challenge with Iowa's Shonn Greene (137 rush yards per game).

Toledo (1-4) at Michigan (2-3), noon ET

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez called out his team for playing soft last week against Illinois. The Wolverines should respond well against Toledo, which ranks 110th nationally in scoring defense (35.8 ppg). Michigan needs to find a way to play a complete game and build some momentum before a trip to Penn State. The Wolverines are 24-0 against MAC teams and has outscored those opponents 831-216.

Minnesota (5-1, 1-1) at Illinois (3-2, 1-1), ESPN, noon ET

The Illini found a groove on both sides of the ball for the first time this year last week at Michigan. Now they face a surprising Minnesota squad that will attack their defense with national receiving leader Eric Decker (696 yards). The Gophers surrendered 655 total yards and 448 rushing yards in last year's loss to Illinois, so Saturday provides them a chance to prove they've turned the corner as a defense. Second-year Minnesota coach Tim Brewster returns to his alma mater, where he served as a captain on Illinois' 1983 Big Ten championship team.

No. 23 Michigan State (5-1, 2-0) at Northwestern (5-0, 1-0), ESPN, 3:30 p.m. ET

One team (Michigan State) has backed up its preseason hype as a sleeper team in the Big Ten. The other (Northwestern) is off to a historic start and could be the league's biggest surprise. The game features two much-improved defenses, two senior quarterbacks (Brian Hoyer and C.J. Bacher) and two formidable running backs (Javon Ringer and Tyrell Sutton). Northwestern has won four of its last six meetings with the Spartans and should have claimed another in 2006 before Michigan State mounted the biggest comeback in NCAA history.

Purdue (2-3, 0-1) at No. 12 Ohio State (5-1, 2-0), ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET

The Boilermakers have lost 16 consecutive games against Top 25 opponents and last won in Columbus in 1988. Ohio State needs to guard against a letdown after an emotional road win against Wisconsin, and the Buckeyes still need to iron out some things on offense before games against Michigan State and Penn State. Purdue will stick with senior quarterback Curtis Painter as its starter and needs to execute a similar game plan it had against Penn State: Control the clock with Kory Sheets and take shots down the field when they become available.

No. 6 Penn State (6-0, 2-0) at Wisconsin (3-2, 0-2), ESPN, 8 p.m. ET

Penn State coach Joe Paterno broke his leg the last time he visited Madison, and the 81-year-old once again could be forced up to the press box because of a leg injury. Fortunately for Paterno, his team doesn't need much help to keep winning. The Nittany Lions face arguably their toughest challenge to date at Camp Randall Stadium, where Wisconsin had its 16-game home win streak snapped last week. Wisconsin could be dangerous after consecutive losses, but quarterback Allan Evridge must improve his accuracy and the Badgers need to take a hint from Penn State and use more than one running back.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Five takeaways from the week that was.

1. Terrelle Pryor can get it done under pressure -- As Ohio State prepared for its first trip to Camp Randall Stadium in five years, questions loomed about freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor and his ability to handle a hostile environment. Pryor found all the answers in the fourth quarter, masterfully leading the Buckeyes on the game-winning 80-yard scoring drive, which he capped off with an 11-yard touchdown run. This isn't your typical freshman, and along with Chris "Beanie" Wells, Pryor has breathed new life into a stale offense.

2. Juice Williams is the Big Ten's best quarterback -- It's been an odd year for Big Ten signal callers, but Williams has clearly moved to the top of the list. His historic performance at Michigan -- he set a Michigan Stadium record with 431 yards of total offense -- reconfirmed his reliability on the road and versatility in the pocket. The Illinois junior ranks eighth nationally in total offense (323.8 ypg), 28th in pass efficiency (146.03 rating) and 55th in rushing (80.8 ypg). Through the first six weeks, he's the clear choice for Big Ten Offensive MVP.

3. Penn State can play four quarters and find different ways to win -- Head coach Joe Paterno was in the press box, the offense was struggling to find the end zone and the starters were on the field the entire game. It wasn't a typical Penn State win, but the Lions found a way to prevail on the road, something they've struggled to do since 2000. Quarterback Daryll Clark continued to limit mistakes and an underrated defense led by embattled linebacker Josh Hull (11 tackles, all solo, 2 for loss) held Purdue to 241 yards and flustered record-setting signal caller Curtis Painter.

4. Michigan was a mirage last week -- The Wolverines' historic comeback against Wisconsin inflated opinions about a team that still has a long way to go. Illinois' explosive offense led by Williams and wide receiver Arrelious Benn exposed a Michigan defense that had done wonders through the first four games but still has some speed issues. Michigan consistently puts together a nice quarter here or there, but its inability to sustain consistency for an entire game shows the growing pains of a transitioning team.

5. Big Ten title picture coming into focus -- Ohio State's road win against struggling Wisconsin puts it firmly in the mix for a third consecutive outright Big Ten title, but the next three weeks will reveal a lot. The winner of next week's Michigan State-Northwestern game has to be in the discussion, and Penn State can confirm itself as the frontrunner by beating Wisconsin in Camp Randall Stadium. If Michigan State beats Northwestern, it hosts Ohio State on Oct. 18 in a showcase contest, though the Oct. 25 matchup between Ohio State and Penn State in Columbus looks to be the game of the year. It should be a lot of fun to watch.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

I'm three-for-three in picks today -- never mind the scores -- so I'm feeling pretty good right now. That's more than we can say for Kirk Ferentz, Curtis Painter and the Indiana offense.

Time for some quick observations from the Big Ten's early games.

PENN STATE-PURDUE

Quarterback Daryll Clark and the sixth-ranked Nittany Lions survived their first road test of the season, which turned out to be tougher than expected. Big Ten road games have been a bugaboo for Penn State, which had been 12-20 since 2000 entering today, so any win is good. The offense showed some weaknesses in the red zone and in short-yardage situations, but the defense stood tall. Keep an eye on defensive end Aaron Maybin, a rising star in this league.

Purdue deserved better after executing its game plan -- to control the clock with the run game and the short pass. The Boilers defense continued to make plays in the red zone, but Curtis Painter just can't get over the hump against a good team. It will be interesting to see what happens with Painter, a multiple record holder who was pulled in the fourth quarter in favor of Joey Elliott, who led the team's only touchdown drive. So much for the Heisman campaign. The kicking game also is a major concern for Joe Tiller.

IOWA-MICHIGAN STATE

Big Ten purists had to love this game. It featured great running backs, powerful line play and strong defense. Michigan State survived thanks to a fourth-and-1 stop by linebacker Adam Decker, who raced unblocked through the Iowa line and dropped Greene for a loss. Greene had a big day (158 rush yards) and usually doesn't go down on the first hit, so kudos to Decker. The Spartans likely will be ranked heading into next week's matchup with undefeated Northwestern. Javon Ringer couldn't do much against Iowa's talented defensive line, but quarterback Brian Hoyer took an important step in the first half.

Iowa is a young team that simply doesn't know how to win. The Hawkeyes missed opportunities for the second straight week, failing to execute in Michigan State territory. With Greene and a tough defense, Iowa isn't a team you want to face later in the season. The key for the embattled Ferentz will be keeping the confidence high after a third straight loss by five points or fewer. I don't fault Ferentz for the fourth-and-1 call, especially with Greene in the backfield, but Iowa can't leave a linebacker unblocked.

INDIANA-MINNESOTA

On this week's Big Ten coaches' teleconference, Indiana coach Bill Lynch was asked if he expected an offensive shootout against Minnesota. "I've gotten to the point where any time you expect something like that, the exact opposite happens," he said. Lynch was right, and today's meeting at the Metrodome turned into a defensive struggle. Neither team could run the ball, and Minnesota's defense did a nice job containing Hoosiers do-it-all quarterback Kellen Lewis (18 rush yards).

Minnesota got over the hump in the Big Ten, and quarterback Adam Weber continued to limit mistakes. Indiana finally got a decent performance from its defense, which was on the field for more than 37 minutes. But when the offense and defense don't play well simultaneously, a team is stuck at 2-3 with a three-game slide.

I'll check back later from Camp Randall Stadium.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It's a beautiful day here in Wisconsin, and Camp Randall Stadium should be cranked up tonight, even without the Wisconsin marching band. Before settling in for an interesting three-pack of early games, here's a quick look around the Big Ten.

• A great piece by the Chicago Sun-Times' Herb Gould on Illinois wide receiver Arrelious Benn and his older brother, who is turning his life around after serving time in prison.
  
• Is Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis overrated? The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises and Bill Livingston debate the Buckeyes star.
• Running backs Javon Ringer and Shonn Greene carry the load for Michigan State and Iowa this season, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• Ohio State's music mix at Thursday practices -- to prepare for Saturday crowd noise -- doesn't include any country tracks, much to the dismay of wideout Brian Hartline, Teddy Greenstein writes in the Chicago Tribune.
• Minnesota's DeLeon Eskridge was born to run, and his mother had a tough time keeping up with him at an early age, Kent Youngblood writes in the Star Tribune.
• Penn State coach Joe Paterno could be in the press box again today with a sore leg, The Altoona Mirror's Cory Giger reports from Ross-Ade Stadium.
• Purdue enters a season-defining stretch and needs its defense to rise to the occasion, Tom Kubat writes in The Journal and Courier.
• Michigan would like quarterback Steven Threet to find his inner juice, as in Juice Williams, Mark Snyder writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman is proud of his heritage (African-American and Korean), but it wasn't always that way, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The closer it gets to Saturday, the more excited I get about this five pack of games. A lot of good stuff going on around the league this weekend.

Here are 10 items to track.

1. Chris Wells vs. P.J. Hill -- Two of the league's biggest and most established ball-carriers meet at Camp Randall Stadium (ABC, 8 p.m. ET). Wells still thinks he has a shot at the Heisman but needs a huge game against Wisconsin to back it up. Hill missed last year's game against Ohio State with injury and got stuffed in the second half last week at Michigan. The 236-pound junior will be pumped for a strong performance at home.

2. Shonn Greene vs. Javon Ringer -- Two of the nation's top six rushers will share the field at Spartan Stadium, as they try to carry their respective teams to a crucial win. Iowa can't afford a third consecutive loss and needs a big game from Greene, who has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in all five games this season. Ringer continues his Heisman push against the best defensive front he has faced this season.

3. Pryor leads road show -- Ohio State freshman Terrelle Pryor has backed up the buzz so far in claiming the starting quarterback job faster than anyone thought he would. Though Pryor displayed good poise in a reserve role Sept. 13 at USC, he makes his first career road start in arguably the Big Ten's roughest environment -- Camp Randall Stadium at night. Communication will be a challenge for Pryor, and his ability to stay calm will determine whether Ohio State ends Wisconsin's 16-game home win streak.

4. Michigan's defensive front seven -- This group has been fabulous so far, keeping opposing offenses in check while the Wolverines' own offense endures tortuous performances in the first half of games. A tougher challenge arrives Saturday in Illinois quarterback Juice Williams, who will test Michigan's speed on the edges (ends Tim Jamison, Brandon Graham). Limiting Illinois' big-play ability will be critical for Michigan to carry over the momentum it generated last week.

5. Daryll Clark hits the road -- Penn State's first-year starting quarterback has exceeded expectations early on, but he has done almost all of his damage within the friendly confines of Beaver Stadium. Purdue's banged-up defense shouldn't provide too much of a test, but the Boilers held Oregon in check nicely and can force turnovers. If Clark and running backs Evan Royster and Stephfon Green attack a shorthanded linebacking corps, Penn State should be fine.

6. Indiana doubles up at QB -- Minnesota had a hard-enough time defending Kellen Lewis last year, as the Indiana quarterback racked up 310 total yards (235 pass, 75 rush) in a 40-20 victory. The Gophers now have to worry about Lewis catching passes as a wide receiver. Indiana likely will continue to use Lewis and fellow quarterback Ben Chappell on the field together in an effort to spark its offense after back-to-back losses.

7. Illinois' beleaguered defense -- Head coach Ron Zook called this group out this week, saying he would make changes and increase the rotation of personnel at several spots. It's easy to see why, as the Illini allow a league-worst 32 points a game and rank next to last in rushing defense (182.5 ypg). Michigan has been very vulnerable in the first half but boasts some talented running backs (Sam McGuffie, Brandon Minor, Michael Shaw) who will challenge Illinois.

8. Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber -- The sophomore called the Indiana game the biggest of Minnesota's season, and he could be right. The Gophers must prove to themselves that they can win in league play, and a home matchup with slumping Indiana provides a great opportunity. Indiana's secondary remains banged up, so Weber and star wideout Eric Decker will have opportunities to stretch the field in what is shaping up to be a shootout.

9. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz -- The 10th-year Hawkeyes coach and his coordinators are under fire after back-to-back losses. He was cleared of any cover-up in the alleged sexual assault case involving two former players, but his ultimate fate will be determined on the field. A win at Michigan State would keep the bloodhounds at bay and boost confidence for a team with a strong running back (Greene), an emerging quarterback (Ricky Stanzi) and a solid defense.

10. Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter -- The senior will move into second place on Purdue's all-time career passing list Saturday, but he's still searching for a signature win. Beating No. 6 Penn State would certainly qualify. If the Nittany Lions have a weakness, it's the back half of their defense, and Painter is building a nice rhythm with wideouts Greg Orton and Desmond Tardy. Purdue needs its captain to step up.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

There might be a few hangovers Sunday morning in Madison, but none for the guys wearing cardinal and white on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium.

After blowing a 19-point halftime lead last week at Michigan, Wisconsin players experienced "extreme disappointment," according to coach Bret Bielema. But they'll have no trouble getting recharged for No. 14 Ohio State (ABC, 8 p.m. ET), and most of the voltage will come from a crowd that provides one of the nation's best home-field advantages.

For a league that plays the majority of its games during daylight hours, night games at Wisconsin are must-see events.

"You get all your families, friends and fans here on time," junior running back P.J. Hill said. "You can just feed off the energy from the crowd. It's always good to play a night game."

Hill first experienced Camp Randall at night in 2005 as a true freshman, as Wisconsin beat Michigan on a John Stocco touchdown run with 24 seconds left. He finally played under the lights last fall against Iowa and found the end zone in the fourth quarter as Wisconsin survived 17-13.

Wisconsin has won its last six night games at home and 16 straight at home overall, the second-longest home win streak in the country. The Badgers have won 20 of their last 21 night games (home and away) and own a 6-0 record at night since Bielema joined the coaching staff in 2004.

"It was just so amazing," Hill said of last year's Iowa game. "It was unexplainable how loud it was. You don't want to lose at home. It's going to be a great environment and we want to perform out there for everybody."

Ohio State won a road game at Penn State last year, but none of the Buckeyes' players has been to Camp Randall. The team last traveled there in 2003 and saw its 19-game winning streak end in a 17-10 loss at night.

"It's going to be a big advantage," said Hill, who missed last year's game at Ohio State with a leg injury. "Their environment was pretty crazy, but this is going to be a night game. Everybody's going to be off the walls, and we're used to playing [in front of] these people."

Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor will make his first road start Saturday night, and there's some concern about how the true freshman will handle himself. But the Buckeyes are used to being the less-popular team on the field, and they look forward to another raucous environment.

"It will be fun for us to 'Jump Around' at the end of the third quarter and get excited," guard Jim Cordle said. "But we've got to learn. In the USC game, in the red zone that first drive, we had a false start that set us back. We can't have that. We've got to be poised in the red zone. We can't let the crowd try to get to us because every possession in this game is going to be crucial with the way they run the ball and control the clock and the way we run the ball and control the clock.

"We can't let the noise affect us."

Good luck with that.

Hill isn't the only Badgers player who gets energized by the home crowd. All-American H-back/tight end Travis Beckum, a nonfactor this season because of a hamstring injury, is expected to be near full strength for Saturday night's game.

"It's been a difficult time for him," Bielema said. "These types of games, we've got Ohio State coming here, a night game in Camp Randall. It will be a great environment and he's the type of guy who just thrives on that type of stage. For him, this is why he's kind of set his eye on it for the last three or four weeks, to get back in time to play Ohio State."