ESPN College Football

The final three Big Ten squads hit the practice field this week. Got spring fever yet?

• Bill O'Brien finally gets a chance to coach as Penn State opens spring practice today. A look at O'Brien's spring to-do list and his biggest concern. Penn State fans are warming up to their new coach.
• Brian Christopherson has a good primer on spring football around the Big Ten.
• Despite starting every game last season, Purdue quarterback Caleb TerBush knows there are no guarantees. Boilers coach Danny Hope has high expectations for a young cornerback.
• Matt Canada might be new to Wisconsin, but the offensive coordinator has a lot of familiarity with one of his assistants. Badgers quarterback Curt Phillips slowly works his way back from injury.
• Nebraska will face three new but proven coaches during non-league play in 2012.
• New assistant Kerry Coombs will help Ohio State strengthen its ties to Cincinnati. A good look at 10 changes for Ohio State as spring ball begins. Charlie Weis must have forgotten about the 2006 Fiesta Bowl.
• Michigan's Brandon Moore has emerged as the leader to take the top tight end spot. Roy Roundtree is excited about moving to the flanker position.
• A psychologist who examined a 1998 allegation against Jerry Sandusky reported that the former Penn State assistant fit the profile of a pedophile.
• Minnesota likes having mobile run-stoppers along its defensive line.
• Pat Harty looks at 14 mostly unproven players who could play big roles for Iowa this fall. Not surprisingly, the Kansas City Chiefs are once again eying several draft prospects from Iowa.
• USC transfer WR Kyle Prater went through his first practice at Northwestern earlier today. Wildcats quarterback Dan Persa tries to prove he's NFL-worthy.
• Illinois is scouting several recruits from a high school in Wisconsin, including DE Chikwe Obasih. Illinois trustee Lawrence Oliver is satisfied the school is keeping diversity in mind with its coaching searches.
• Indiana TE Ted Bolser talks about his expectations for 2012. The Hoosiers' revamped defense looks different in the team's first spring scrimmage (subscription required).
• Los Angeles police are looking into a sexual assault allegation against former Wisconsin administrator John Chadima.

Penn State's wait for a head coach finally ended Saturday as the school introduced Bill O'Brien as its new leader. O'Brien came across well at his news conference, and while I waited for him to get on the phone Sunday, I could hear fans wishing him well at Penn State's basketball game in the background. But there are challenges ahead, namely juggling his new job with his current one (New England Patriots offensive coordinator). He also has to try and salvage a recruiting class and form a staff that will include current Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who will lead the team's recruiting efforts for the time being, as well as Charles London from the Tennessee Titans.

Here's what O'Brien had to say during our conversation.

What has been the reception so far for you at Penn State?

Bill O'Brien: It's been unbelievable. To arrive at this place and to drive onto campus from the airport, you realize what a special place it is. It's been a great experience so far, had a great reception at the women's basketball game [Saturday] and another great one today at the men's game versus Indiana. They've welcomed my family and I with open arms.

How much will you be reaching out to different sectors of the Penn State fan base in the next couple of days? Is there any damage control to be done?

O'Brien: Any time you had a transition where there's been a coach [Joe Paterno] here for 60 years and now you're transitioning into a new coach, there's obviously going to be people who are going to be a little bit skeptical. I'm not naive to that. I've been coaching for 20 years so I understand that. I'm going to do the best I can to reach out to the Penn State community and the Penn State lettermen. I've already started that process with my press conference [Saturday] and different phone calls I've received and players I've spoken to already. Again, I'll reiterate what I said [Saturday]: I want everybody in the Penn State community to just give us a chance to allow us to earn their trust and respect. I promise you that we're going to work very hard to do that every day.

What are the biggest challenges you face at Penn State?

O'Brien: Again, any time you're a new coach and there's a transition, it's getting the staff in place. It's securing the guys that are committed right now and getting guys on the road. We're fortunate that there's a little bit of a dead period here in recruiting, so we've got a couple days to get the staff in place, get them kind of settled in here in State College, and then hit the ground running when recruiting opens back up toward the end of the week. That's probably the biggest immediate challenge, and then from there we've got to evaluate everything that's here, and make decisions as we go along.

Where do things stand with your staff and how much will you lean on them the next few weeks as you have other responsibilities?

O'Brien: I'm going to lean on them a lot. Right now, I really don't want to get into specific things, but we're still in the process of putting the staff in place. You'll see soon enough. By the middle of the week, you'll have a good understanding of who the staff is. It's a very, very strong staff, a mixture of college and NFL experience, a mixture of great recruiting experience, national championships won. It'll be a very, very strong staff.

How would you describe the offensive philosophy you want to bring to Penn State?

O'Brien: It's a game-plan offense. The first thing we've got to do is evaluate our own personnel, see who we have, and then we've got to make sure we're putting our players in the best position to attack the defenses we see. We're not this offense, we're not that offense. We're a diverse offense, and we require our players to learn a lot of different things about defense and offense. We're going to have to have some smart, instinctive players here as we go forward, and I hear that we have some. I'm not going to get into specifics. You'll see what it is when the season starts next year.

You're meeting with the players later today. What are some of the most important things you want to get across to them about you and the direction of the program?

O'Brien: I think the expectations I have for them, especially in the immediate future while I'm not around. I'm going back to the Patriots, so I'm not going to be right here on campus. Those expectations that I have, both off the field and on the field. That's the first thing I want to get across to them. And then there are some different things I really believe in. Anything other than that is going to be kept between myself and my team. They'll know that, too. That's going to be a very private conversation.

And as far as the coaches they'll be reporting to during the next few weeks, is it just Coach Johnson or whoever else you name?

O'Brien: By Wednesday, there will be at the very least seven full-time coaches. You're allowed nine on staff, and seven of those guys will be in place by Wednesday in the building, in addition to a couple guys that are coming on board for different roles. So they'll know who their coaches are very soon here.

You've been a guy who said he has followed Penn State for a long time. What was your reaction to everything that happened back in November?

O'Brien: I'm here now. I'm the head football coach now, and it's my job to put the best football team out on the field and off the field. That's my job. There are very many people here, special people that are in charge of that situation. I wasn't here, I'm here now, so just moving forward, that's all I'm going to say about publicly because again, I wasn't here. I'm just here to lead the football program, from my start date that was [Saturday] moving forward.

How much patience do you have?

O'Brien: Oh, you know, it depends [laughs]. Some people would say I don't have a lot of patience. I don't have a lot of patience with mistakes that are made over and over again. I have patience with the first mistake, but once we learn from that mistake, you can't make the same mistake twice.

Are there guys you're planning to reach out to who were in similar situations, taking over a program? Coach [Charlie] Weis is one that comes to mind. Have you already done that or do you plan to in the future?

O'Brien: There's no question. I don't know Coach Weis, so that specifically would be no because I don't know him, but there's a number of coaches, starting with Coach [Bill] Belichick, who's been very, very good to me during this whole process. There's a lot of guys -- George O'Leary, Ralph Friedgen -- guys who have already reached out to me, and I'm definitely going to be reaching back out to them when I get a chance to and talk to them about different advice that they would have for me going forward.

Hope you have a great weekend. Lord knows I need one.

Joe from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: Adam, regarding your big ten bowl column what do you think about Delaney twisting the arm of a few conference sponsors to create a bowl game in Indianapolis and/or Chicago and dumping more money into the Detroit bowlto attract higher profile opponents? Then get a tie in with the Pinstripe Bowl. Drop the Gator and TicketCity Bowls. Thoughts?

Adam Rittenberg: Joe, it wouldn't surprise me to see another bowl game or two take place in the Midwest besides the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit. It's almost a guarantee the Big Ten's next bowl lineup, beginning in 2014, will feature more tie-ins with the Pac-12 besides the Rose. Kraft Fight Hunger in San Francisco makes a lot of sense for the Big Ten. Pinstripe also could be a possibility. They'll have to evaluate whether Gator and TicketCity are worth continuing or not.

Steiny from Dow City, Iowa, writes: Adam, youve posted many of my topics, so they must be good enough to post, hers a new one....what are the chances iowa goes after tom bradley, and second would he come to iowa? scale of 1-100 . I give it an 80 that kirk will try to obtain bradley and maybe one other penn state guy for the d-line whatcha think?

Adam Rittenberg: I think Bradley would be a great choice for Iowa, but the tricky part is determining how long he'd want to stay there. He has head-coaching aspirations and was a candidate for the Pitt vacancy last year. Kirk Ferentz likes staff continuity and would prefer not to have a guy bolt after one year. But I think Bradley, Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden all would be good fits for defensive coordinator posts in the Big Ten or elsewhere.

Dan from O'Fallon, Ill., writes: Adam...I'm a PSU alum who would've liked to see Tom Bradley become head coach at PSU, but I don't understand a few things: 1. why does the media that follows PSU think they are owed information about what the hiring committee is doing...their shock at a new coach being hired without someone giving them the scoop first is bombastic and tiring. 2. I've been a PSU football fan for over 30 years, and I get that past players have a strong connection to the program, but it isn't their job to hire/fire the coach. Lavar Arrington and others need to get over themselves. I appreciate his loyalty, but his emotions are misplaced. Am I missing something?

Adam Rittenberg: Dan, your first point is valid, and while we in the media would like more information, it's not unusual for schools to be tight-lipped. Think the issue is the delay in confirming anything. The whole process has taken a lot longer than normal, even the process to confirm Bill O'Brien's hiring after ESPN reported it Thursday night. And there seems to be a lack of transparency not just with the media but with the current coaches and players. Tom Bradley deserved to be informed earlier than he was. Agree with your second point to an extent, but I also see why players want to be involved. They feel like Penn State is totally divorcing itself from the Joe Paterno era, and that stirs up emotions. Would there have been any harm done by just listening to them and what they had to say?

Martin from Michigan writes: After all the flack you gave MSU and Chris Rucker last year over him being allowed to play after one mistake, you let Stonum and UofM off the hook essentially after his 5th mistake. Show some journalistic integrity why don't you. Stonum should be gone. Bad enough he got off with just red-shirting a year.

Adam Rittenberg: Martin, I will weigh in more after Brady Hoke makes a decision on Stonum. I believe Stonum should be dismissed from the team. He has had several chances and has blown them. Now he's going back to jail for the second time. There should be consequences. If Hoke doesn't dismiss Stonum, I'll weigh in, just like I weighed in last year after Dantonio allowed Rucker to play. I love these fans who demand equal outrage on these situations, as if it somehow wipes away a poor decision made by their coach. It's silly.

Tim from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Hey Adam,Why is Ohio State ineligible for the B1G title game? As Alabama proved, bowls have NOTHING to do with winning your conference. Without expansion, OSU could win it (when standings determine the champ), why ban them with a conference championship game?

Adam Rittenberg: Not sure I understand your last point, but the Big Ten doesn't want its signature event to feature a team banned from a bowl for violating NCAA rules. Think the Rose Bowl committee wants to invite the team that loses to Ohio State in the Big Ten title game? That would be more than a little awkward. Makes perfect sense not to allow Ohio State in the Big Ten title game. Alabama is the exception rather than the rule. Imagine if this year's Big Ten title game featured a team banned from the bowls? Would be a little less on the line.

Stephen from Harrisonburg, Va., writes: Hey Adam the reports that I have seen have said that O'brien will continue to coach the Patriots for the rest of the season. How will he be able to recruit during these next three weeks if he is busy preparing for playoff games that could last through early February?

Adam Rittenberg: It poses quite the challenge, Stephen. He'd have to do most if not all of his recruiting over the phone, much like Charlie Weis did in 2005 when he took the Notre Dame job while continuing to coach with the Patriots through their Super Bowl run. He would need to get his assistants on board ASAP and have them out on the road as much as possible between now and signing day.

Vivek from Cambridge, Mass., writes: Adam, you and Brian both disappointed me in your discussion of Big Ten bowl performance. Brian especially wrote something to the effect that Big Ten teams should simply be better so that they aren't underdogs. I believe that the issue is more structural and hence not even a problem. Big Ten schools have huge alumni bases and fans willing to travel south (especially) in the winter, so they are attractive to bowl organizers; they are fundamentally more attractive to bowls than the quality of their teams. This will make them typically overmatched. But the fans enjoy the trips. Why is this something to be solved?

Adam Rittenberg: Maybe it shouldn't be solved, Vivek. But in that case, Big Ten fans should accept the losing bowl records and the national criticism that comes with it. What I'm saying is that to expect broadcasters to spend four hours talking about the Big Ten's tough bowl lineup and how the matchups aren't favorable and how Big Ten fans travel so well and how we should cut the Big Ten slack isn't realistic. I think there are lineups that maintain some high-profile games but don't make it so difficult overall. Right now, it's extremely tough for the Big Ten to post a winning record in the bowls. Maybe that doesn't matter, but it does shape perception like it or not. The Big Ten shouldn't get rid of the Rose Bowl or the Capital One or the Outback. But beyond that point, there could be some tweaks to make things a bit easier.

Ryan from San Francisco writes: Any chance we will get the end of the year power rankings for the big ten?

Adam Rittenberg: Absolutely, Ryan. Check the blog Tuesday late morning.

After visiting both Wisconsin and Kansas late last week, former Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist took several extra days to finalize his transfer destination.

It's pretty clear why Crist waited.

He wanted to know whether Paul Chryst would remain Wisconsin's offensive coordinator in 2012. He learned Thursday it wouldn't be the case, as Chryst has officially been named head coach at Pittsburgh.

Not surprisingly, Crist announced via his Twitter page that he would transfer to Kansas to play his final season. Crist will be reunited at KU with new Jayhawks coach Charlie Weis, who recruited the quarterback to Notre Dame before being fired after the 2009 season.

As one of our Twitter followers pointed out, Wisconsin has had a tough "Crist/Chryst-mas" season already. Yet while Badgers fans hoped Chryst would stay and Crist would transfer, they can't be too shocked with either decision. It was only a matter of time before Chryst became a head coach. While Crist would give Wisconsin another option at the shaky quarterback position, he likely wouldn't replicate what Russell Wilson has done this season after transferring from NC State.

Wisconsin now must move forward at both the offensive coordinator and quarterback positions. Will Bret Bielema replace Chryst with an internal candidate, most likely offensive line coach/run-game coordinator Bob Bostad, or look to the outside?

Bielema said Wisconsin has received a lot of interest from transfer candidates following Wilson's success, so you still could see a quarterback enter the mix. But more than likely the Badgers will be looking at returning players Joel Stave, Joe Brennan, Jon Budmayr and Curt Phillips, as well as decorated incoming freshman Bart Houston. Phillips has had multiple knee injuries and Budmayr missed the 2011 season with an injury to his throwing elbow that flared up in August.

The quarterback position is a major mystery for Wisconsin entering 2012, but the offense still will return some quality pieces.

Russell Wilson's success at Wisconsin this season after transferring from NC State has caught the eye of other players looking for new destinations.

"Because of the success of Russell Wilson," Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said last week in Indianapolis, "I've been contacted by almost 10 players who want to talk about the opportunity to transfer in to the University of Wisconsin."

One of those players is quarterback Dayne Crist, who recently asked for an received his release from Notre Dame. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported earlier this week that sources say Crist is very interested in Wisconsin as a transfer destination. He has one year of eligibility remaining, and because he's set to graduate this month, he could play in 2012. It was the same situation with Wilson, who completed his undergraduate requirements at NC State and could play immediately for Wisconsin.

Crist started the past two season openers for Notre Dame but had his struggles and some bad luck in South Bend. He tore the ACL in his right knee during his sophomore season in 2009 and ruptured the patella tendon in his left knee in late October of last season. Crist won the starting job entering this fall but was benched at halftime of the season opener against South Florida. Tommy Rees has been the Irish starting quarterback ever since.

ESPN.com has learned Crist had Wisconsin on his radar screen soon after the benching against South Florida.

Crist came to Notre Dame as a decorated recruit set to play in Charlie Weis' pro-style offense. He had to adjust to Brian Kelly's scheme after Weis was fired.

Wisconsin makes sense for Crist, who could be a good fit in the Badgers' pro-style system.

The bigger question: Should Wisconsin add a one-year transfer quarterback for the second consecutive season?

Given the uncertainty at the QB position, the answer is yes. Wisconsin doesn't want to get in the habit of doing this every year, but there are major question marks with the Badgers signal callers after Wilson departs. Jon Budmayr, the projected starter coming out of spring practice, hasn't played all season because of nerve problems in his throwing elbow. It's a tricky injury, particularly for a quarterback. Curt Phillips, meanwhile, hasn't played since 2009 because of a series of serious knee injuries.

Reserves Joel Stave and Joe Brennan are in the mix, and highly touted recruit Bart Houston arrives next season. But none of the Badgers' quarterbacks has as much experience as Crist.

While it's unrealistic to expect another transfer quarterback to duplicate Wilson's success this season, Wisconsin can't close the door to any options. The team should have a more stable quarterback situation in 2013 than 2012, so another one-year QB might be a smart choice.

What do you think?

Mail time.

Isaac from Parts Unknown writes: I read your rankings and I understand that you are ranking them according to their current merits. However there is not a ton of difference in teams ranked 3-9. I know you're trying to rank the teams based on their accomplishments to this point. But how about some rankings based on what we'll see from teams later this season. Who do you see stepping up? stepping back? I'd expect Nebraska, Ohio State, and Penn State to possibly step up. While I could really see Michigan State, and Illinois fall back. Michigan State seems to be playing at it's potential while OSU is loaded with young talent that will improve game by game and Nebraska's D has nearly 3 weeks until their next competitive game, also should mention Nebraska will only face 1 more real running threat at qb.

Adam Rittenberg: Isaac, Brian and I will look at the second half more in depth on Wednesday, but this is a good topic. Michigan State's schedule doesn't get any easier, but the Spartans are a confident bunch that can get a big boost by knocking off archrival Michigan on Saturday. Illinois, meanwhile, will face some tougher foes as well, but its schedule remains pretty cushy compared with the rest of the league. Nebraska has a great opportunity to come off of the bye week recharged. The defense, however, has to make significant strides after looking bad against an Ohio State offense that hadn't challenged anyone all season. Penn State's defense will keep it in every game, while Ohio State can make some strides if Braxton Miller stays on the field. Teams like Iowa, Purdue and Northwestern also have chances to improve.

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Gio from Omaha writes: Having been the Big Ten guy at ESPN, you've been to all other venues in the Big Ten. Now that you were in town to watch the Huskers against the Buckeyes, how would you compare Memorial Stadium to other venues as far as how loud it can get and how intimating it can be to play there? I'll guess the first half was mostly quiet, but I'd like to know how it compares when it was at it's loudest?

Adam Rittenberg: Gio, I had a wonderful experience at Memorial Stadium. It will quickly become one of my favorite Big Ten venues. Much like Iowa's Kinnick Stadium, Memorial Stadium is a big stadium that doesn't feel like one. The fans are right on top the field and very engaged with the action. It gets very loud when the Huskers are rolling, and Big Ten teams will have a tough time winning there. All the amenities are first-class. I'm really looking forward to my next trip to Lincoln.

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Peter from Columbus, Ohio, writes: What do the Ohio State coaches know about Ken Guiton and Taylor Graham that the fans don't? I understand they combine for two career passing attempts, but Bauserman gives away more souvenir game balls than a baseball team. 12/40 in four games is unacceptable at any level, and the fans know it (I was in the student section for the Michigan State game and heard chants of "Kenny G" every time Bauserman took the field; along with chants of "Urban Meyer" almost all game). Will we ever see Guiton or Graham get a shot?

Adam Rittenberg: We'll see, Peter. While Bauserman was put into a tough situation Saturday night, he has to perform better under pressure. It certainly seems reasonable to give Guiton a chance, but the coaches feel Bauserman gives Ohio State a better chance and don't want the senior to lose his confidence. Braxton Miller showed Saturday night that he's Ohio State's top option, but the coaches need to take a hard look at what to do if Miller isn't in the game.

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Michael from St. Louis writes: Don't know if you've been following, but Pelini's rough treatment of the media (Dirk Chatelain, in particular) has turned into a big story in Nebraska. (Side note: "Bo Buzzkill" has really caught on.) I believe you were there for that press conference, so I'm interested to hear your opinion of what happened. A few specific questions... If a reporter writes a harsh article, is it right for the head coach to publicly punish the writer, as Pelini did? And do you agree with Lee Barfknecht's claim that Pelini's behavior will negatively affect the polls, bowls, and post-season awards? Personally, it seems like an overstatement to me. I think Nebraska's traveling fan-base trumps its terse coach. And if this does hurt us in the polls/awards voting, isn't that ultimately the media's fault for letting personal bias get in the way of team and player evaluations? To me, Pelini is thin-skinned, which is annoying, as a fan, but I'm not really sure he owes the media a polite interview any more than Dirk Chatelain owes him a polite article (to be clear: he doesn't). Show me the light, Rittenberg!

Adam Rittenberg: I'll try, Michael! I was actually standing close to Dirk when the exchange with Pelini took place. Here's my take: a give-and-take between coaches and media members is fine. Media have the right to criticize coaches and coaches have the right to question reporters. There are different ways to engage in these exchanges, even in public, but it's part of the deal. What surprised me was the timing and the setting of this particular exchange. Nebraska had recorded the biggest comeback in team history to record one of the biggest wins of the Pelini era -- in the Big Ten home opener, no less. All eyes are on Pelini after the game -- not just in Nebraska but around the Big Ten and around the country. It's a great chance for a coach to rave about his players and his program. Instead, the image people received was Mt. Pelini erupting. Some saw it as Pelini defending his player (Taylor Martinez), and he was, but the timing seemed very odd to me.

In the big picture, programs get national attention by winning on the field. Coaches can help their program's image by being positive in the media spotlight -- Wisconsin's Bret Bielema, for example, has taken full advantage of this in recent weeks -- but ultimately, it comes down to what happens between the lines. I don't think Nebraska will be punished in the polls or awards by what some national media think of Pelini. A lot of successful college coaches have had frosty relationships with reporters -- see Saban, Nick -- and it doesn't hurt them. Other coaches who start to struggle don't get much help from media who they've battled (see Weis, Charlie). Bo can't be someone he's not. Would it help him to avoid these types of exchanges, especially if he starts losing? Probably. But in the end, it comes down to on-field performance. That's how coaches are ultimately judged by fans, media and their bosses.

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Rudy H. from Cambridge, Mass., writes: Adam, I wrote to you before the season started praising Devon Still as one of, if not THE, best defensive tackles in the Big Ten. You were kind enough to reply and stated your case, which put several others ahead of Still including Jared Crick of Nebraska. The season is far from over and I don't want to say "I told you so", but with the way that Still has been blowing up opponents backfields, I am interested in who you would rate as the top DT's in the Big Ten now that we are 6 weeks deep. Keep up the good work!

Adam Rittenberg: Rudy, great call by you and other Penn State fans. Still has been fabulous in the first half for the Nittany Lions, and he and Jordan Hill have anchored one of the nation's top defensive units. While Still was on my radar, I wanted to see if he could build off of the Outback Bowl performance. Well, he has and then some. While watching Nebraska on Saturday night, a fellow scribe mentioned how Crick's season is a lot like Adrian Clayborn's in 2010. Both players entered the fall with lofty expectations, both were ranked No. 1 in the preseason player rankings and both haven't been as dominant as many hoped. There's still a lot of time left, though.

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Tony from Nebraska writes: Which state is going to have a better year for their sports? Wisconsin with the Badgers, Packers, and Brewers, or Michigan with Tigers, Lions, Wolverines and Spartans. Whats your take?

Adam Rittenberg: Hmmm, good question, Tony. While the Lions have impressed me, the Packers are a juggernaut, and so are the Badgers. I've got to give the edge to America's Dairyland, although things could change in the coming weeks as Wisconsin visits Michigan State and Green Bay visits Detroit in late November. While Bennett (Cardinals fan) strongly disagrees, I'd LOVE to see Brewers-Tigers in the World Series. Would be a fun matchup.

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Ken from Lorain, Ohio, writes: "Big Ten closing gap on SEC, Big 12"THIS HAS GOT TO BE THE STUPIDEST COMMENT SO FAR THIS SEASON!The Big Ten is a joke this year!Adam - are you actually watching the games??

Adam Rittenberg: Ah, Ken, clearly you didn't bother to actually read the post, which was about the Big Ten gaining on the SEC and Big 12 in the ESPN Stats & Info Power Rankings. Yes, I realize the Big Ten has struggled, and I pointed it out in the midseason review. And yes, I actually watch the games, but thanks for asking.

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Erin from Austin, Texas, writes: I don't quite understand why people aren't talking more about the facemask that wasn't called against Dan Persa in the fourth quarter. His helmet was at least 20 feet away from him! That seems like blatant oversight by the officials on an extremely crucial play. It was a fourth down, and because his helmet was off, the play was called dead. If the penalty was called, Northwestern gets 15 yards (to put them within the 20) and a first down. But because of horrible officiating on that play, Michigan got the ball on downs, which led to a touchdown. At the time, NU was down by 11 with seven minutes left to go. A win was not totally out of the realm of possibility (although unlikely with Northwestern's inconsistent play). I was at the game and was completely disgusted by the non-call. Not only did it murder any momentum Northwestern might have been building, it also was a danger to Dan Persa's safety. If the helmet was 20 feet away, how hard did that defender pull on the facemask? I'd love to hear some media feeback from you and Brian about this.

Adam Rittenberg: Erin, while it certainly looked like a penalty to many folks, including Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, who went ballistic and drew a penalty of his own, replays showed it wasn't totally obvious. It wasn't as if the Michigan defender (Jordan Kovacs) tugged the facemask so hard that it came off of Persa's head. You have to blow the play dead there to protect the player's safety, so that part of it is unfortunate for Northwestern. Most of the time the call is made simply because the helmet flies off, but those with the closest vantage point didn't see an obvious penalty there.

The Big Ten decided in June that it could expand without Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish came out of realignment roulette with their coveted football independence still intact.

Will Notre Dame ever become a member of the Big Ten? It's anyone's guess, but Notre Dame's schedule always will have a Big Ten flavor to it. The Brian Kelly era begins this fall with three consecutive games against Big Ten opponents, as Notre Dame hosts Purdue (Sept. 4) and Michigan (Sept. 11) before heading to Michigan State (Sept. 18).

To help preview the Notre Dame-Big Ten matchups, I sought the wisdom of colleague Brian Bennett, who blogs about Notre Dame for ESPN.com.

Brian Bennett: Hello, Adam. These aren't exactly colossal tilts, since none of these four teams finished with a winning record in 2009. But interest always perks up when Notre Dame is involved. Out of the troika of Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State, which of those teams do you think will be the best -- and therefore the toughest game for the Irish to win?

Adam Rittenberg: Wassup, BB. How'd South Beach treat you? You're right about Notre Dame always moving the needle. The Irish could play Savannah State and still dominate "SportsCenter." The road game at Michigan State jumps out to me as Notre Dame's toughest test. Despite Charlie Weis' promises about never losing to the Spartans again after the 2005 game, Michigan State has won two of the teams' past three meetings and had a great chance to win last year. Quarterback Kirk Cousins won't make the same mistakes again -- Kyle McCarthy is finally gone, isn't he? -- and the Spartans have the weapons to test the Notre Dame defense. Michigan State's defense also should be much improved as All-American linebacker Greg Jones returns to the fold. But the more I look at things, all three games could be really competitive.

Before getting to Michigan, let's talk about the Purdue game. I'm really intrigued by this opener for both teams, as the Brian Kelly era kicks off and Robert Marve makes his debut at quarterback for the Boilers. What's your take on the Purdue-Notre Dame matchup?

BB: Well, I know that Kelly had better not lose that game in his home opener unless he wants to start seeing his face on some unflattering billboards in South Bend. Both teams should be able to score some points, and there will be two quarterbacks in new systems, which could be interesting. But I think if you give Kelly all summer to prepare for a game, you're asking for trouble, and the Irish usually have Purdue's number at home. What's your take on that game?

AR: Really excited for that one. Purdue should be pretty dynamic on offense with Marve, Keith Smith and others, but this just feels like the type of game Notre Dame wins. The Notre Dame mystique might be fading, but only one Notre Dame coach (Dr. Lou in 1986) has lost his first game with the Irish since Elmer Layden back in 1934. I even think back to openers like 2003 against Washington State, where Notre Dame rallied from a 19-3 halftime deficit to win in overtime. I agree with your shootout theory, as neither defense really impresses me. Expect big numbers from both Marve and Dayne Crist. While the game certainly could go either way, I'm leaning toward the Irish.

Let's move on to Week 2. We all thought last year's thriller in Ann Arbor meant big things ahead for both teams. Instead, it just showed that neither Michigan nor Notre Dame could play a lick of defense. In case you haven't heard, Rich Rodriguez needs this one. Badly.

What's your take on that matchup?

BB: As a Big East guy, I'm excited to see Kelly vs. Rodriguez, the two best Big East coaches of the past decade. I was at the game in Ann Arbor last year, and it was one of those who-gets-the-ball-last contest. It could be more of the same this year, since neither defense looks to be all that much improved. I see this as a huge swing game for both teams; if Notre Dame wins, there's a real chance the Irish get off on a roll to start the year. But Michigan -- and Rodriguez -- probably need it more given the pressure the Wolverines are under to win this year.

I hope the old-school Irish fans are ready to see two new-age spread offenses give Touchdown Jesus a workout. I think it will all come down to whether Bob Diaco's defense can hold the fort against Tate Forcier or Denard Robinson or whoever is lining up under center for Michigan. Manti Te'o might have to make 30 tackles. I give the Wolverines a slight edge in this game given their experience in their system, but this is almost too close to call. What do you think?

AR: Totally agree on the swing game here, and that it means more for Rodriguez and Michigan than Kelly and Notre Dame. It'll be a lot easier to examine this matchup after Week 1. Michigan goes up against a very good Connecticut team and will need to show improvement on defense and more discipline on offense to win. As stated earlier, Notre Dame's defense needs to show up against Purdue or pay a heavy price. But even if both defenses are better, we're going to see a very unconventional type of Michigan-Notre Dame game with these two head coaches. There's nothing old-school about this game, and it might come down to which defenses forces a few stops or creates takeaways. Michigan doesn't know its starting quarterback, but I really think Rodriguez's offense will do damage whether Forcier or Robinson is calling signals. While Kelly has proven himself as an offensive genius at every level, I like Michigan's offense more in this game. On the flip side, until seeing the Wolverines play, there's not much to like about their defense. Another close contest here, but like you, I'm leaning toward the Maize and Blue.

OK, Week 3, Notre Dame at Michigan State. Both teams underachieved in 2009, and both have higher hopes for this fall. What's your take?

BB: Ah, yes, the Cincinnati Bowl. Mark Dantonio vs. the man who succeeded him with the Bearcats. Well, this will be the first real test to see if Kelly's team can line up and play a true, smash-mouth Big Ten style. This is the type of game Notre Dame will have to win if it wants to get back to the elite level it so desperately seeks.

The Spartans have a good core returning, including an experienced quarterback in Cousins and the best defensive player on the field in Jones. It's also a road game for the Irish, and this series is almost always close. I just get the feeling that Notre Dame will have a little too much offensive firepower against a more plodding style. Tell me if I'm wrong about this.

AR: I was going to call it the Brian Bennett Classic, but the Cincinnati Bowl works, too. And what's this you're saying about plodding? Let me remind you, sir, that Michigan State led the Big Ten in passing touchdowns and ranked second in the league in pass offense (269.4 ypg). Although Dantonio is a Jim Tressel disciple and will try to run the ball more this fall, arguably Michigan State's biggest strength is its depth at wide receiver/tight end. Cousins will throw the ball and try to attack a Notre Dame secondary that has been suspect in recent years. You promise me McCarthy's gone, right?

I'm really interested to see if Michigan State's defense improves, especially in the secondary. The Spartans had only six interceptions last season and got burned far too often. If they can hold Crist and my man-crush Michael Floyd in check, they might really make some noise this year. But Floyd is the type of play that could drive Michigan State nuts. This is another game that could go either way, but I like Michigan State.

OK, final predictions: Notre Dame vs. the Big Ten in 2010?

BB: I like the Irish to go 2-1, beating Purdue and splitting against the Michigan schools. All as a buildup to an appearance in the 2011 Big Ten title game against Nebraska. Just kidding. Your final record for the Big Ten?

AR: I'm going to match your pick, but with the Big Ten going 2-1 against Notre Dame. As much as I like Purdue this season, Notre Dame wins the opener before falling to the Michigan schools. All three games will be decided by 10 points or fewer. Should be great. Can't wait.

The Charlie Weis era is over at Notre Dame, and the Big Ten might be sad to see him go.

Though Weis and his assistants did well on the recruiting trail, they didn't convert a wealth of talent into victories. Like most Notre Dame head coaches, Weis faced the Big Ten more than any other league and finished with a 9-9 mark. Remove his 4-1 record against Purdue, and Weis ended up just 5-8 against the league.

Here's the final breakdown of Weis vs. the Big Ten:

vs. Michigan: 2-3
vs. Michigan State: 2-3
vs. Purdue: 4-1
vs. Penn State: 1-1
vs. Ohio State: 0-1*

*-loss came in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl

Weis' predecessor at Notre Dame, Tyrone Willingham, went 5-4 against the Big Ten in three seasons, while Bob Davie went 4-8 in five years at the helm of the Irish.

With Weis out, a lot of names are being mentioned as possible successors at Notre Dame. Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald has denied any interest in the job, and while Iowa's Kirk Ferentz keeps being brought up, I highly doubt Ferentz would leave his post right now.

	US PRESSWIRE
	Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez are facing similar problems within their programs.

Posted by ESPN.com's Brian Bennett and Adam Rittenberg

Notre Dame and Michigan treated us to one of the season's most entertaining games back on Sept. 12 at the Big House. Both teams seemed destined for solid seasons back then, but the Fighting Irish and Wolverines have since fallen on hard times. Michigan hasn't beaten an FBS team since Sept. 26 and needs to upset No. 20 Wisconsin or No. 11 Ohio State to avoid missing a bowl for the second straight season. Notre Dame likely fell out of the BCS bowl mix by losing to Navy for the second consecutive time in South Bend. Not surprisingly, head coaches Rich Rodriguez and Charlie Weis are in the crosshairs.

Which coach's problems are worse? How did these two programs get here? Brian Bennett and Adam Rittenberg take a closer look.

Adam Rittenberg: Let's talk about Charlie Weis and the Irish. They lose to Navy at home again. Nose tackle Ian Williams says they're getting outschemed. What's going on with Weis and the Domers?

Brian Bennett: There's very little excuse for Notre Dame to be only 6-3 at this point. The Irish have legitimate stars in quarterback Jimmy Clausen and receivers Golden Tate and Michael Floyd, an experienced offensive line and seasoned upperclassmen all over the roster. But this program continues to lose to every ranked team it plays and throws in at least one head-scratcher each year (this time, Navy. Again.).

Something just isn't working here, and you have to blame Weis. He remains a brilliant offensive mind, but I think sometimes he outthinks himself in an effort to prove his intelligence. He doesn't appear to be able to properly motivate his teams, likely because of his NFL coordinator background. And years of suspect recruiting or talent evaluation on the defensive side has again led to a team that can't stop anybody.

Notre Dame, simply put, should be better than this in Year 5 under Weis. It's only Year 2 under Rodriguez in Ann Arbor, but people expected a lot more than this. What's wrong with the Maize and Blue?

	Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
	There were high expectations for both Michigan and Notre Dame this season.

Rittenberg: Those expectations certainly increased after Michigan's 4-0 start, highlighted by the win over the Fighting Irish. I remember thinking then that Notre Dame was the better team in that matchup, but Michigan found a way to win and had the potential to make major progress. Instead, the mistakes Michigan overcame in its first four victories began to cost the Wolverines in October.

Quarterback Tate Forcier has battled injuries and some inconsistent play. He still creates a lot of plays with his feet, but he's still too much of a freelancer and struggles with his throws in the pocket. Brandon Minor might be the Big Ten's most dominant running back, but he just can't stay healthy. But for the most part, the offense hasn't been the problem. Like Notre Dame, Michigan's major issues are on the defensive side. There's a lot of youth and not much depth there, as evidenced by several walk-ons in the two-deep, but the number of major breakdowns is shocking. It's one thing to allow big plays to Notre Dame on Sept. 12. But to give up the same plays to Iowa, Illinois and Purdue later in the season is unacceptable.

Rodriguez isn't to blame for all the problems, but like Weis, I think he fights himself a lot. He has won a certain way for years, and he can be stubborn. Rich has talked a lot about the need to have patience but admits he doesn't have much himself. And he still talks too much about the program he inherited from Lloyd Carr. Last I checked, he coaches Michigan, not Eastern Michigan, and while there were problems in 2007, a program like Michigan should never miss bowls in consecutive years (a strong possibility), especially in an average Big Ten.

Both of these coaches are known for offense, and yet both have major problems on defense. Has Weis put enough focus on the other side of the ball?

Bennett: Well, as you know, Weis is the offensive coordinator again this year and fully admits that he leaves most of the responsibility for the defense in the hands of veteran coordinator Jon Tenuta. The blitzing schemes favored by Tenuta haven't really worked, but that's mostly because of the personnel. Though Weis has brought in some highly rated recruiting classes, there still aren't enough big-time playmakers on defense, especially up front. When you look at, say USC, or even this week's opponent, Pittsburgh, the Irish simply don't stack up athlete for athlete on the defensive line.

What I don't understand is how Michigan can have talent problems, even in the coaching transition. Shouldn't the Wolverines have enough blue-chippers to field a good defense even as they adjust to a new offensive system?

Rittenberg: You would think, Brian, but Michigan has had an abnormal amount of attrition on that side of the ball, coupled with some bad recruiting classes for defense toward the end of Carr's tenure. The Wolverines also have had veteran players regress this season, and there aren't enough young guys ready to fill the gaps. Rodriguez needs his defensive recruits to blossom immediately, especially since Michigan will be losing its best defensive player (DE Brandon Graham) and possibly its No. 2 defender (junior CB Donovan Warren). It will be interesting to see what happens with first-year coordinator Greg Robinson, who hasn't had the desired effect on this unit.

OK, you're on the spot. What's your prediction for the rest of Notre Dame's season? Can Weis turn things around? Will next year's Fighting Irish head coach be Weis or your man-crush, Brian Kelly?

Bennett: The rest of the season brings a trip to No. 12 Pitt this week, followed by a visit from dangerous UConn next week and the season finale at Stanford. I have a hard time seeing Notre Dame winning more than two of those, so 8-4 or 7-5 looks like the final tally.

Jack Swarbrick isn't going to call me for advice, but I wouldn't think that record would be enough to keep Weis, especially since the Irish could once again lack any real quality wins. They don't hang banners for Gator Bowls in South Bend.

If there is a change, I would imagine Notre Dame would first try and land a big-time name, such as Urban Meyer or Jon Gruden. Once those guys say no -- and I don't think either would take the job -- the Irish would be crazy not to go after Kelly. He's Catholic, a great program salesman, he's built strong recruiting ties in the Midwest and he just wins big everywhere he goes.

He'd be a perfect fit at Notre Dame -- unless Michigan came calling first. Any chance Rodriguez doesn't survive, especially if the NCAA finds something in that whole practice time investigation?

Rittenberg: The NCAA investigation is the wild card, especially if major violations are found for the first time in Michigan football history. But this isn't boosters paying players or academic fraud, so I can't see the penalties being too terrible. Michigan AD Bill Martin said earlier this week that Rodriguez is safe, and though Martin will be retiring soon, they're not going to make a change in football after only two years, especially during an athletic director transition.

A 5-7 season combined with NCAA violations would really sting, but Rodriguez should be back in 2010. He'll definitely be on the hot seat entering next fall, needing at least eight or nine wins to keep his job at a tradition-rich program.

Sound familiar?

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

On the surface, it seems like little has changed for the Big Ten at halftime of the 2009 season.

Once again, the league is struggling for national respect after a poor nonconference performance in which members went 5-8 against BCS conference teams and Notre Dame. The Big Ten struggled in its premier intersectional matchups, falling to USC, Cal, Missouri and Oregon and dropping two of three against Notre Dame.

	Scott Boehm/Getty Images
	Greg Jones has five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss to go with 85 tackles, which is tops in the Big Ten.

Once again, the league has been defined by superb defense and subpar quarterback play, dominant pass-rushers and questionable offenses. And once again, the Big Ten will need to wait to prove itself in postseason play.

This is a carbon copy of 2008, right? Not exactly. Several interesting new developments have taken place through the first seven weeks.

The league's balance of power has shifted, as Iowa sits alone atop the standings. The Hawkeyes have overcome adversity to put together their best start (7-0) since 1985. Ohio State's conference hegemony is very much in doubt after last week's loss to Purdue, as Terrelle Pryor and the offense continue to sputter.

Michigan has clearly turned a page on the worst season in team history, and Rich Rodriguez's offense leads the league in scoring (37.3 ppg). The Wolverines are still searching for more signature wins but appear destined for a decent bowl. Wisconsin also has been a pleasant surprise, winning its first five games before falling on hard times, and Indiana already has eclipsed its wins total from 2008.

Michigan State is proving that its days of total meltdowns are over, rallying from a 1-3 start to win three straight.

Illinois, meanwhile, is proving that top-level recruiting classes don't translate to victories or even competitive play, as the Illini sit at 1-5.

And let's not forget the league's crackdown on player conduct, as three one-game suspensions were handed out in as many weeks.

As the second half beckons, there are several key questions: Will Iowa run the table? Will Michigan win some more big games? Will Big Ten quarterbacks pick up their play? How good is Penn State? Can Ron Zook keep his job?

The biggest unknown is whether the Big Ten can reverse its postseason fortunes. If not, it will be more of the same for an embattled league.

Offensive MVP: Minnesota WR Eric Decker

It's scary to think where Minnesota's offense would be without Decker, who leads the league in receiving yards (104.4 ypg) and ranks fourth in receptions (47) despite slowing down a bit recently. There isn't a tougher wide receiver in America than Decker, who still struggles for national respect but has the admiration of every coach in this league. There honestly aren't many strong candidates here, but honorable mentions go to Wisconsin running back John Clay, Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark, Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier and Purdue wideout Keith Smith.

Defensive MVP: Michigan State LB Greg Jones

A lot of good choices here, but the Big Ten's preseason Defensive Player of the Year gets the nod for backing up the hype. After leading Michigan State in tackles in each of his first two seasons, Jones leads the Big Ten with 85 stops, eight more than any other player. His tackles total also leads the nation and Jones has recorded five sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Honorable mentions go to Wisconsin defensive end O'Brien Schofield, Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman, Iowa safety Tyler Sash, Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren and Indiana defensive end Jammie Kirlew.

Biggest surprise: Iowa

The Hawkeyes brought back a good team from 2008, but they also lost the nation's best running back (Shonn Greene) and two of their top defenders (tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul). A brutal road schedule and a season-ending knee injury to running back Jewel Hampton before the season further tempered expectations. But it seems like the more adversity Iowa faces, the better it responds. The nation's most resilient team has come from behind six times in its seven victories and finds itself in the driver's seat for the Big Ten title.

Biggest disappointment: Illinois

For the second straight year, the talented Illini teased us, only to fall flat. But unlike last year's team, which showed flashes of its potential, Illinois has been a disaster pretty much from the opening kickoff against Missouri. Senior quarterback Juice Williams already has lost and then regained his starting job, wideout Arrelious Benn still doesn't have a touchdown catch and the defense has struggled without middle linebacker Martez Wilson. Zook is facing his fourth losing season in five years, a stretch that could end his tenure in Champaign.

Best game: Notre Dame at Michigan, Sept. 12

Two of college football's most tradition-rich programs produced a dandy at Michigan Stadium. The game featured several plot twists, tremendous offensive play on both sides, a questionable coaching decision from Charlie Weis and a gutsy game-winning drive led by Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier. Other memorable contests include Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Iowa, USC-Ohio State, Purdue-Oregon, Michigan State-Notre Dame, Indiana-Michigan and Notre Dame-Purdue.

Best coach: Iowa's Kirk Ferentz

Ferentz built his reputation on maximizing talent, and after a three-year lull from 2005-07, he's doing it again. Iowa has picked up where it left off after a strong finish to last season and extended the nation's-second longest win streak to 11 games. Ferentz and his staff have filled in the gaps along the defensive line, put their faith in quarterback Ricky Stanzi and received decent play from young running backs Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher. It hasn't been easy for Iowa, but Ferentz is finding ways to win.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

This week's AP Poll threw a little more fuel on a burning debate in the state of Ohio.

Cincinnati leapfrogged Ohio State into the No. 8 spot, while the Buckeyes held steady at No. 9 despite their third consecutive blowout victory. It marked the first time since 1951 that Cincinnati has been ranked ahead of Ohio State in the poll.

Let me say that no head coach in the country has impressed me more than Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, an offensive genius who actually gets the most out of his teams (Jeff Tedford and Charlie Weis should take notice). And few teams have impressed me as much as Cincinnati, which stands at 5-0 despite losing 10 defensive starters from a Big East title-winning team.

Still, I'm wondering how a Bearcats team that beats up on winless Miami (Ohio) leapfrogs an Ohio State team that pounded 3-1 Indiana. The Hoosiers don't qualify as a great win, but they've been a lot more impressive than Miami, which didn't score a touchdown until Week 3. Let's just say the national bias against the Buckeyes is starting to become less and less subtle. What do they have to do, exactly, to move up the rankings?

But back to the point. The fact that we're even debating whether the Buckeyes are the state's top team is a good thing. It's nice to see a state so rich in football tradition have two programs to brag about. There's a ton of college football played within the state, but outside of Columbus, it has been mostly bad football.

Ohio State is still Ohio State, but Cincinnati has become a legitimate program. It's good for Ohio and good for football in the North/Midwest, which has taken a beating in recent years.

Who would win between the Bearcats and the Buckeyes? We won't know this year, but I like Kelly's take on the matter.

"From my standpoint, you settle that on the field, just as Ohio State has settled it on the field," he said Monday. "These are all just hypotheticals now, so who knows?"

Ohio State and Cincinnati don't meet again until 2012. The Buckeyes are 13-2 all-time against the Bearcats, who haven't beaten the Scarlet and Gray since 1897.

"By [2012], hopefully we've continued to accelerate our program so Ohio State has something to gain by playing us," Kelly said. "In years past, it's been such that Ohio State has everything to lose, because they're supposed to beat Cincinnati. If we continue to win and play at a high level, I think that makes it an exciting matchup. Before, this wasn't much of a matchup."

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

September is in the books, and we're already one-fourth of the way through the Big Ten regular season.

It's time to pass out awards for the month.

Team of the Month -- Iowa

Until last Saturday, Michigan would have been the pick, but the Hawkeyes put themselves right in the Big Ten title mix with a 21-10 victory against Penn State. After a shaky start against Northern Iowa, the Hawkeyes made steady progress in wins against Iowa State, Arizona and Penn State. Their ferocious defense allowed just 46 points all month.

Offensive MVP -- Michigan QB Tate Forcier

Without Forcier, the Wolverines would be 2-2 instead of 4-0. It's just that simple. The true freshman quarterback set the tone for an offensive resurgence against Western Michigan and saved the team by leading clutch touchdown drives against both Notre Dame and Indiana. He still needs to win on the road, but Forcier has passed every test so far. Minnesota wide receiver Eric Decker also deserves some love.

Defensive MVP -- Ohio State S Kurt Coleman

Several good candidates here, but Coleman has been huge for a Buckeyes defense that posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1996. The senior co-captain leads the league with three forced fumbles and has recorded 10 more solo tackles than any Ohio State player. He also has an interception. Iowa's Tyler Sash and Pat Angerer, Wisconsin's O'Brien Schofield and Indiana's Jammie Kirlew also merit mentions.

Surprise players -- Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien and Purdue RB Ralph Bolden


Tolzien's selection as the Badgers' starting quarterback raised some eyebrows at first, but he's made his coaches look like geniuses so far. The junior leads the Big Ten and ranks 13th nationally in pass efficiency (164.3 rating), as he has completed two-thirds of his pass attempts for eight touchdowns and only two interceptions. Bolden, an unheralded sophomore, led the nation in rushing through the first two weeks and still ranks seventh nationally at 122 yards per game.

Surprise team -- Michigan

Sure, the schedule set up well and a few calls went Michigan's way, but few expected a 4-0 start from a Wolverines team filled with youth and uncertainty. Throw in all the turmoil leading up to the season, and Michigan's start has been one of the biggest stories in college football. A lot of questions remain with this team, but Rich Rodriguez clearly has Michigan heading in the right direction again. Indiana also deserves some love here.

Biggest disappointment -- Illinois

For the second straight year, the Illini teased us with their talent and their highly rated recruits, only to fall flat against Missouri and Ohio State. There's still time to turn things around, but Illinois has been outscored 67-9 against FBS opponents and the heat is rising on head coach Ron Zook. Michigan State would be the pick here, but at least the Spartans have been competitive.

Hard-luck team -- Purdue

The Boilermakers would be at least 3-1 if not 4-0 had they limited mistakes in key areas. They outplayed a Jekyll-and-Hyde Oregon team at Autzen Stadium and had Notre Dame on the ropes last week before allowing a late touchdown. Purdue might be the best 1-3 team in the country, but that doesn't mean a whole lot.

Hard-luck player -- Northwestern QB Mike Kafka

Kafka leads the Big Ten and ranks 19th nationally in passing (262.3 ypg) and has completed a blistering 72.2 percent of his attempts this season. But two fourth-quarter turnovers have cost him two victories. Kafka needs to be better in the clutch, but he's played well enough to win. He needs some help from a veteran-laden defense that has failed to show up this season.

Best game -- Notre Dame at Michigan

Even if you hate these two programs -- and a lot of people do -- you had to admit their Sept. 12 clash in Ann Arbor was a ton of fun to watch. The game had several key momentum swings, controversy and plenty of drama at the end as Forcier led the winning drive, thanks in part to pass-happy Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. Defense aficionados surely enjoyed Ohio State-USC and Iowa-Penn State as well.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

What do we make of Purdue four games into the Danny Hope era?

The Boilers have been a complete and utter mystery to this point. Here's a quick recap: Purdue beat a Toledo team that crushed Colorado; had a now-surging Oregon team beat at Autzen Stadium before giving the game away; stumbled against a Northern Illinois team that lost at home to Idaho on Saturday; and had Notre Dame on the ropes before falling 24-21 on Saturday night.

Purdue might be the best 1-3 team in America. Then again, it's hard to sugarcoat 1-3.

Give the Boilers a lot of credit for rallying in the fourth quarter for two touchdowns, but the defense couldn't stop Jimmy Clausen and Kyle Rudolph on fourth down in the final minute. For the second straight week, a Big Ten team let Notre Dame off the hook. Charlie Weis should take Jim Delany to dinner this winter.

Quarterback Joey Elliott came up big in the second half for Purdue and got help from wideout Keith Smith (11 receptions, 138 yards, TD), but the defense couldn't keep Notre Dame out of the end zone. Loved the all-black unis, though.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It was an OK, but not great week for the Big Ten, and the same for my picks. I went 8-3, wasn't close on several scores and came close on a few others.

Here's hoping for better results all around on Saturday.

Michigan 34, Eastern Michigan 14 -- A bit a hangover for Michigan after the Notre Dame win, but the run game eventually gets going behind Brandon Minor. Tate Forcier does his thing, and Rich Rodriguez gets Denard Robinson some more reps as Michigan matches its wins total from 2008 only three games into the season.

California 35, Minnesota 23 -- I could see Cal starting slow, but the Bears shouldn't be nearly as flat as they were last year against Maryland. Minnesota has done some nice things on defense, but Cal's offense seems just too powerful. The Gophers haven't found offensive playmakers aside from wide receiver Eric Decker and aren't able to keep up with Cal on the scoreboard.

Penn State 48, Temple 6 -- After a ho-hum win against Syracuse, Penn State shows a greater sense of urgency with Big Ten play looming and thumps Temple. The run game finally gets going as Evan Royster eclipses 100 rushing yards and Stephfon Green adds 75. The Lions defense holds Temple to two field goals as defensive end Jack Crawford has a big day.

Wisconsin 44, Wofford 7 -- The Badgers are healthier and Wofford is not, as leading rusher Eric Breitenstein will be out a month with a knee injury. John Clay puts up 150 rush yards in his first career start and Dave Doeren's defense gets some of its swagger back against the FCS Terriers.

Purdue 35, Northern Illinois 27 -- Something tells me this one won't be easy for Purdue, but the Boilers prevail behind Ralph Bolden and quarterback Joey Elliott, who bounces back from last week's loss with an encouraging performance. Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish tests a banged-up Boilermakers secondary, but Purdue tightens up its play and prevails.

Ohio State 41, Toledo 17 -- This is a good matchup for a struggling Buckeyes offense, which should put up points against a Toledo team that allowed 90 in the first two games. Terrelle Pryor has a big day with his arm and his feet, and the Buckeyes roll. Aaron Opelt could give Ohio State some problems, but the defense I saw last week in Columbus is too solid up front to allow many points.

Notre Dame 28, Michigan State 27 -- By far the toughest game to pick this week, but I'm going with the team that needs it more. Home field really doesn't matter for Notre Dame, which has dropped six straight to Michigan State. But the Irish know a loss here likely torpedoes their season and head coach Charlie Weis. The Spartans secondary struggled mightily last week, and Notre Dame's Golden Tate and Michael Floyd are better than Central Michigan's Antonio Brown and Bryan Anderson. Kirk Cousins plays well, but the Spartans come up just short.

Akron 24, Indiana 20 -- My lack of faith in the Hoosiers hurt me last week, and we'll see what happens this time around. Indiana's defense has performed admirably so far, but the team has made too many mistakes for my liking. Akron quarterback Chris Jacquemain is pretty good, and he attacks the IU secondary with Deryn Bowser. The Hoosiers can't survive mistakes on the road and drop this one.

Iowa 21, Arizona 17 -- It will be a defensive struggle at Kinnick Stadium, as both units are solid. Arizona running back Nic Grigsby makes some plays, but Iowa forces several turnovers, including a key interception in the fourth quarter that proves to be the difference. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi limits mistakes and throws a pair of touchdown passes

Northwestern 26, Syracuse 21 -- The win won't come easily for Northwestern, but you have to think the coaches will expand the playbook on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Mike Kafka finally showcases his mobility against an aggressive Orange defense, and he has another big day in a dome. The Wildcats defense gets a big boost from the return of cornerback Sherrick McManis, who keeps Orange star wideout Mike Williams relatively in check.

Bye -- Illinois

Season record -- 18-4 (.818)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Week 3 doesn't match its predecessor in terms of national prestige, but it still means a lot to the Big Ten. Wins over teams like Cal, Arizona and even Notre Dame would help the league's national reputation.

Here are 10 things you don't want to miss.

Spartans go for lucky seven -- The House that Rockne Built has turned into Spartan Stadium South, as Michigan State has claimed six consecutive games in South Bend. A seventh straight is crucial, especially after the Spartans lost their focus last week against Central Michigan. Notre Dame also comes in wounded and desperate for a victory, which could take some pressure off head coach Charlie Weis. Michigan State's secondary needs a much better effort against Notre Dame deep threats Golden Tate, Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph. Kirk Cousins could cement himself as the Spartans' starting quarterback with a big day.

Minnesota linebackers take on Cal's Best -- Led by reigning National Defensive Player of the Week Nate Triplett, the Gophers' linebacking corps has led an improved defense in two victories. But things get much harder this weekend as Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best visits TCF Bank Stadium with eighth-ranked California. Minnesota gets a chance to show off its new stadium to the country against a top 10 team, but Best and backup Shane Vereen could make it a long day.

Iowa homecoming for Stoops -- Arizona head coach Mike Stoops returns to his alma mater with a pretty decent Wildcats team. The Iowa faithful undoubtedly will welcome the former All-Big Ten safety, but Stoops hopes to ruin their afternoon. Wildcats running back Nic Grigsby, the nation's second leading rusher, will match up against a Hawkeyes defense coming off a very impressive performance against Iowa State.

Buckeyes, Rockets clash in Cleveland -- What looked like a total mismatch before the season has spawned some more intriguing plotlines. Ohio State comes off a crushing loss to USC and needs to spark Terrelle Pryor and the offense against a Toledo team that has allowed 90 points in two games. If the Buckeyes can't score against this team, start to get concerned. Toledo, meanwhile, is riding high after thumping Colorado and boasts a dangerous quarterback in Aaron Opelt. Plus, head coaches Jim Tressel and Tim Beckman grew up together. And the game will be played at Cleveland Browns Stadium. I'm actually excited for this one.

Penn State ready to run -- The run game has been grounded so far in Happy Valley, and Penn State needs to get things corrected against Temple. Penn State boasts the Big Ten's best all-around back in Evan Royster, but the new faces on the offensive line have struggled a bit. The Lions can't afford to be one-dimensional when Iowa comes to town Sept. 26, so they need to spark Royster, Stephfon Green and the ground game right away.

Wildcats aim for Syracuse sweep -- The Big Ten is 2-0 against Syracuse this season, though the Orange have been a tougher opponent than many had expected. Northwestern barely squeaked by Eastern Michigan last week and needs a better performance from its defense against Greg Paulus and the Cuse. It's a critical game for the Wildcats, who need quarterback Mike Kafka to be a playmaker and defensive end Corey Wootton to return to the form he showed in 2008.

Wolverines reunite with English -- Michigan's veteran defenders face their former coordinator Ron English, who brings his Eastern Michigan team to the Big House. Players like safety Troy Woolfolk haven't forgotten English's intense style, and they'll look to impress him on Saturday. Michigan must guard against a letdown after an impressive start. Eastern Michigan showed last week that it doesn't quit, and the Wolverines need to maintain their focus to match their wins total from 2008.

Purdue's Bolden rolls along -- If you haven't watched Purdue running back Ralph Bolden yet, tune in to Saturday's game against Northern Illinois. The nation's leading rusher has been spectacular so far, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Purdue has been a surprise team so far in the Big Ten, and the Boilers aim for a 2-1 start against a pretty decent Huskies team that gave Wisconsin all it could handle two weeks ago.

Indiana's defense hits the road -- Make no mistake. Indiana's trip to Akron is huge for Bill Lynch and the Hoosiers. IU hasn't been dominating so far, but it has found ways to win thanks to a veteran-laden defense. The Hoosiers need defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton to apply pressure on Akron quarterback Chris Jacquemain, who has already thrown four touchdown passes to Deryn Bowser this year. If Indiana wants to make any sort of run in 2009, Akron is a must win.

Clay in the starting blocks -- Wisconsin's matchup against Wofford doesn't exactly get the blood flowing, but it's worth watching sophomore running back John Clay make his first career start for the Badgers. Clay has the tools to become a superstar, but he didn't claim the starting job in preseason camp and has struggled with his weight in the past. He comes off a very impressive performance against Fresno State and might establish himself as Wisconsin's top back with a strong showing against Wofford.