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Bored at work? Need a break? Let's talk Big Ten football in late May. After all, we're less than 100 days until the 2012 college football season kicks off.

Join me for today's Big Ten chat, which starts at noon ET. See you there.

If you missed my Monday Big Ten chat this week, you missed a lot of good questions and a couple of good answers. But never fear. I'm here to catch you up with the full transcript and some choice highlights:

Zach (Lincoln, NE): Do you see 2013 as being the big breakout year for B1G football. All I keep hearing is that Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State are returning a lot of key players to an easier schedule, which is the same way that I look at my Huskers.
Brian Bennett: That's quite possible, Zach. I think you'll see Ohio State and Michigan loaded for bear. Michigan State should still be really good, with an advantageous schedule. No reason to think Nebraska won't be good, and Penn State will be in Year 2 of O'Brien. And Bielema has said '13 might be his best team. So it could be a banner year, though a lot can happen between now and then.

Jerry Jerry (Minnesota): How many games do you think Jerry Kill can win in year 2 at Minny?
Brian Bennett: I think the Gophers have a chance to sweep the nonconference schedule, where the toughest game is Syracuse at home. If that happens, all they have to do is match last year's two Big Ten wins to get to a bowl. I'm being conservative now and saying five, but six or even seven wins is not out of the question.

Carl (Chicago): With the new schedule, Michigan State and Wisconsin won't play very much. Do you think that hurts this budding rivalry or do you see them meeting in the B1G Championship once or twice in coming years?
Brian Bennett: It definitely hurts the budding rivalry. An awful lot has to go right for both schools to make the Big Ten title game in the same year. While I'm picking that rematch in '12 (for now), I'd be surprised if we saw it happen again in the next few years simply because of parity. It's a shame the two won't play for an extended period because those games have been really fun.

Garner (Billings): I know conversation has shifted to bidding off sites for the playoffs, but why does this preclude an outdoor game north of the Mason Dixon line? Aren't places like Soldier, Lambeau, and Heinz field still viable options? It would allow some games to be played in B1G territory as well as keep the cold weather advantage.
Brian Bennett: They would be options, but I would bet that indoor sites like Lucas Oil and Ford Field would get preference. Remember, the Big Ten didn't even want its own championship outdoors, so why would it push for an outdoor site now? The geography would still be beneficial for Big Ten fans and teams with a Midwest site.

Kirk Ferentz (Iowa City): I see we get Ohio State and Wisconsin back on our schedules for the '15 '16 seasons. Do you hate as much as I do having to wait every other couple years for Barry and My teams to compete for the Heartland Trophy? Is there anyway the B1G can figure out a way to make trophy games within the B1G yearly? Like i already don't know the answer. Drop some knowledge on these other Kids. On Iowa!
Brian Bennett: It is a shame those teams aren't playing more frequently, because it's a good rivalry. This is the drawback of having a 12-team league. I would love to see the Big Ten adopt a nine-game schedule, but with the Pac-12 agreement that's extremely difficult.

Michael (Indy): What type of offense should I be expecting to see from my boilermakers. Who are some new faces I might see a lot more of?
Brian Bennett: Probably not wildly different from last year except maybe some more downfield passing with the health of Marve and TerBush's development. And with Rob Henry, you could see different packages for the different QBs. The Boilers are hoping to get Raheem Mostert involved as a slot/screen guy, maybe in the Keshawn Martin role. They really need to generate more big plays than a year ago.

The weather outside is starting to feel like summer. But we still can't help but dream of fall.

So come on by my Big Ten Monday chat today and get your football fix. We can talk about the 2012 season, the release of the 2015-16 schedules and whatever else is on your mind.

Here is the link. Hope to see you all there.

Some Big Ten chats are better than others, and today's was one of the better ones we've had in a while. Kudos to you for participating and asking good questions. Midseason form. Good to see.

For those who missed out on the fun, I've got you covered. Here's the full chat transcript.

Some highlights:

Mr. T. from Columbus: Don't you think the B1G gave up too easily in pushing for home games in the semifinals of the playoffs? The biggest thing people complain about in bowl games is that the Southern teams never have to travel. Well this was the opportunity for our conference to keep pushing to change that but instead they would rather keep their allegiance to the Rose Bowl.

Adam Rittenberg: Mr. T, I'm surprised the Big Ten didn't push a little harder. But the sentiment among Jim Delany an the ADs, one I believe to be correct, is that the national opposition would have been too strong to overcome. Is it worth fighting a losing battle? Perhaps it would have been, but the Big Ten also would have been viewed as a nuisance/obstructionist, etc. It sounds weird, but it's a lot less controversial nationally for the Big Ten to stump for the Rose Bowl than for campus sites. Won't be too much opposition from other leagues to having bowl sites.

Jason from Cali: Adam, do you think some of Delany's comment on changing bowl affiliation and requirement, moving from 6-6 to 7-5 for eligibility, statements are based on the fact that many of the B1G bowl games are agaisnt the SEC and he wants to change that?

Adam Rittenberg: No. Although a 6-6 Ohio State team played Florida last year, most of the Big Ten-SEC bowl matchups feature teams with 8 or more victories. So the increase in wins for bowl eligibility would impact the Big Ten's agreements with the Meineke Car Care Bowl (Big 12), the TicketCity Bowl (Big 12/Conference USA) and the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (MAC) more than any of the Big Ten-SEC bowls. That said, Jason, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Big Ten reduce its SEC bowl matchups from three to two in the next cycle. Don't really see a need for the Big Ten to play three Florida bowls on the same day against the same league. A bit silly.

Adam from Toledo: Adam - tried to submit this a second ago but don't think it worked, so sorry if this is a repeat. I know not a lot of people are giving Michigan much of a chance to win their opener in Dallas against Alabama and Nick Saban. What I want to know is what exactly Michigan needs to do in order to have a chance at winning. Obviously Denard needs to make better decisions (and better throws) with the ball, but given Blue's lack of top-flight receivers, I don't think that alone will carry the Wolverines. What else can Michigan do to win?

Adam Rittenberg: Adam, it's imperative for Michigan to keep the score down. Alabama might have lost a bunch of stud players, but the Tide have other stars ready to step in. And they should be able to pass the ball pretty well this year. Michigan needs a big game from its corners -- the guys we were discussing earlier -- and it has to capitalize on scoring opportunities in Alabama's half of the field. I don't think Michigan can win this game with more than one turnover, and that's all on Denard. It's all about limiting mistakes and efficiency against a team like Bama. Also big for Michigan's new-look defensive line to handle Barrett Jones and the Alabama offensive front.

Steve from Philly: Would Penn State consider going to the ACC ever? I know it sounds crazy but PSU has ties to Pitt and Syracuse and could fit in nicely there.

Adam Rittenberg: That idea is out there, but I'd be surprised if Penn State made the jump. The Big Ten is a stronger overall athletic conference. It has an incredibly successful television network (BTN), and Penn State has seen the benefits for many of its programs. Penn State is not a basketball school, and the ACC always will be a hoops-first league. My take: If Penn State wants to play with Pitt and Syracuse so badly, it's an admission of where PSU fits into the national picture. If PSU wants to be big time, stay in the Big Ten and win more Big Ten football titles against Michigan, Ohio State, etc.

Brian from Detroit: Awhile back you said you thought Michigan State was a basketball school. Do you still think that? Or has Dantonio changed your mind?

Adam Rittenberg: It's interesting, Brian. When I posed that question to the blog last year, I got tons of emails from MSU fans saying it's a football school, end of story. I think there's a lot of truth to that, and Mark Dantonio's recent success has brought the football passion out of a fan base that had been knocked down too many times in the early part of the last decade. Does MSU basketball get more media coverage than MSU football? Without a doubt. Is Tom Izzo a bigger deal than Dantonio? Without a doubt. But I think Michigan State is one of those rare schools that has great passion for both major revenue sports.

Bren from Berkeley, Calif.: Adam, just say the facts. The SEC loses sleep at night at simple thought of playing in snow. You heard the stats in the NFL about southern team's records after Dec 7th. when playing in the north. You think Mike Slive for one second wants the fragile perception of his conference burst...?

Adam Rittenberg: I don't know if the SEC loses much sleep at night these days, Bren. But you're right -- of course the SEC doesn't want its teams to play in the north. The difference is, the SEC has support from other leagues in this aim (ACC, Pac-12, etc.). The fact is the most significant college games never have been played in the Big Ten footprint. Why the other leagues would want that to change makes no sense.

Thanks again for the questions, and my apologies to those whose questions weren't answered. Let's do it again soon.

Just a quick reminder that we'll be chatting about all things Big Ten football today at noon ET. Let's discuss the news coming out of the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago, how the Big Ten fits into college football's future playoff and anything else that's on your mind.

See you at noon ET.

I'll be covering the final day of the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago, so my regular chat is moving from Wednesday to noon ET Thursday.

Please join me then to recap the spring meetings, discuss the latest playoff developments and any other Big Ten issues that crop up.

Again, noon ET Thursday. See you then.

We had a lot of fun as usual on our Big Ten Monday chat, and we even got a little list-happy.

If you missed it, never fear. Here's the complete transcript, along with some highlights to brighten your Monday:

Levi (East Lansing): Brian, with all the talk of how the rose bowl is the league's ceiling, is there a team in the BIG who if goes 10-1 can still be considered for the NC game?
Brian Bennett: I think you mean 12-1, which would be the record for team that won the Big Ten championship with one loss. And sure. It depends on what other teams have done and who the one was against, of course. The SEC seems to have a stranglehold on getting at least one spot in the title game, so the competition for the other would be fierce. Michigan beating Alabama but losing one close conference game on the road might be the league's best shot for that scenario.

Matt (DC): Now that spring practice is over are there any true freshman in the conference that could make an immediate impact? I know that may be a way too early to know question because a lot are not even on campus but just curious if any stood out.
Brian Bennett: Sure. Joe Bolden at Michigan will play in some capacity. Great instincts. Obviously, Michael Thomas at Ohio State can be a factor after his big spring game. There are probably others I'm forgetting, but those two stand out.

Phil (Lincoln): How close is the Legends division? Everyone seems to be picking MSU, but I think both NU and MU has a shot to win the division. Would you say its more competitive than the leaders?
Brian Bennett: I think it's more top heavy. I have a hard time envisioning any scenarios where Northwestern, Iowa or Minnesota win the division, but I could see all three of the teams you mentioned in the Rose Bowl. Can only really say that about two in the Leaders.

Mr. T (Columbus): If you had to rank the Defenses in the B1G for this year what would be your top 5?
Brian Bennett: Hmmm... always tough to do off top of my head, but I'd probably go: 1. Michigan State. 2. Penn State. 3. Ohio State. 4. Michigan. 5. Nebraska.

AAWolv (Ann Arbor): Ok, now how about the top 5 offenses?
Brian Bennett: This one is tougher. How about: 1. Nebraska. 2. Wisconsin. 3. Michigan. 4. Northwestern. 5. Michigan State

Barry (Lincoln): Top 3 QB's this year... ready? Go!
Brian Bennett: We are heavy on the lists today, aren't we? Well, OK. In no particular order: Denard Robinson, James Vandenberg and -- surprise! -- MarQueis Gray.

Tony (Castle Rock, CO): Making a requirement for conference champions gets rid of more subjectivity of college football, by lessening how much polls and popular opinion means in determining who is the 'best'(highly opinionated) teams and allows you to play for it, not lobby like a politician.
Brian Bennett: It's always going to be subjective unless teams play the same schedules or conferences decide their champion the same way. The ACC is not as strong as the Big Ten or SEC, so why should its champion have a better shot of playing for the title than the second-best team from those leagues?

Kevin (Chicago): Feel like NU season depends on Colter's ability to pass. Your thoughts?
Brian Bennett: That will play a big role. I really like the receivers, and we know Colter can run. If he can throw it anything like Persa, he'll be a major force. Of course, Northwestern is usually good on offense. The defense has to get much better than what it showed last year.

May and June aren't exactly the busiest months of the college football season. But there's still plenty to talk about, from wrapping up the spring to previewing the fall to discussing playoff possibilities with Big Ten presidents and athletic directors meeting this week.

So let's get together and talk about all of it on my weekly Monday Big Ten chat. I'll be in my usual time slot of 3 p.m. ET, and you should be there, too.

Here is the link. Hope to see you there.

It's that time again, folks. Join me today at noon ET to discuss all things Big Ten football. Have an issue with my defensive player of the year post? Tell me about it. Want to talk postseason proposals? This is your place. Interested in discussing the upcoming Big Ten spring meetings? Let's do it. And if you want to break down the sad state of Chicago sports, I'm your man.

Big Ten chat. Today at noon ET. Be there.

If you didn't bet on I'll Have Another this weekend, I can't help you out. But if you missed my Monday Big Ten chat wrap, you are in luck.

Here's the full transcript. And some rose-worthy highlights:

Kyle (Hamptons): With almost everyone in the B1G having a down year, can Neb capitolize and win the league? Their offense remains almost 100% intact and the D has some young kids stepping up. Most other teams have an exception, MSU has not qb for the time being, MU has to replace alot on their lines, UW will be down in all aspects, and OSU with their ban...Huskers year?

Brian Bennett: It's too pessimistic to say everyone will be down. Yes, some teams have to replace players at key spots, but that's the nature of college sports. I still think Michigan, MSU and Wisconsin will be strong. That said, Nebraska has a chance, especially with Michigan and Wisconsin coming to Lincoln. The question remains for me whether the Huskers can improve on last year's defensive effort.

Justin (Chicago): I read the post on OPOY, do you see anyone other than those 4 challenging Ball for that spot?

Brian Bennett: Sure. I think Braxton Miller could break out. James Vandenberg, Fitz Toussaint. Plus, there are surprises every year.

K (Philly): Why is everyone saying that McGloin easily looked like the best QB on the field during the Blue White Game.... did they not see Paul Jones look Cam Newton'eske out there....? Plus with 3 years of eligibility left... how could Jones NOT be considered the favorite?

Brian Bennett: Easy there, TK. Jones has a lot of potential, but he hasn't played a down of college football yet. He's very inexperienced and has trouble staying eligible. McGloin is clearly the safer choice right now, though Jones is the most intriguing.

Erik (Ann Arbor): There are a lot of question marks about the Wolverine's D-Line, but how strong will their back seven be? Countess was impressive last year and Floyd will be solid on the other side at cornerback. The linebackers appeared to play well during the spring game. Do you think the back seven will be the strength of their defense?

Brian Bennett: I think the back seven will be improved, and perhaps the defense will be a bit more balanced because of it. Better pass coverage helps a pass rush. Still, there's no question that Hoke and Mattison will emphasize strong line play, and the D-line will have to play well. The linebackers are good but I wouldn't rate them among the elite of the league right now.

Craig (Braintree, MA): I think with Jerry Kill in charge, Minnesota fans are getting hopeful for a return to a quality program. Is good coaching enough to win a B1G conference championship?

Brian Bennett: It's enough to make you competitive. To win a championship, I think you have to have great players. That will be Kill's greatest challenge: to get top-notch talent to the Twin Cities.

Nick (Big Ten Country): Brady Hoke clearly made some noise winning 11 games, ending a 7 year drought over Ohio (yes, I?m a Michigan fan) and clinching a BCS bowl victory in his first season in the Big Ten. To top it all off he starts off with the most aggressive recruiting effort in the nation, including commits from 11 of ESPN?s top 150. On the other hand, Urban Meyer is a recruiting guru (not that Ohio ever needs help in that dept.) and an offensive mastermind, demonstrated by his success everywhere he?s coached and sporting two national championships. So, my question is who will be the first coach to win a big ten and national championship, Hoke or Meyer?

Brian Bennett: That's a fascinating question and arguably the main storyline to follow in the Big Ten over the next several years. If I had to pick one to win a national championship, I'd take Meyer simply because he's done it (twice) before. But Hoke is definitely capable. Hoke could easily get a Big Ten title this year while the Buckeyes are on probation.

Chris (Santa Monica, CA): Do you think the MSU OL will be a strength in the fall? This group returns 4 starters and MSU averaged 170 rush yards a game its last 4 B1G games vs the likes of Iowa and Wisconsin.

Brian Bennett: It should be. Terrific experience and depth. And the Spartans are going to lean a little more heavily on the run game while Maxwell and those young WRs learn on the fly.

Happy Monday. Let's make it a little happier by talking about Big Ten football for an hour this afternoon.

My weekly chat is in its normal time slot this week: 3 p.m. ET today. Some on by and let's talk about what happened in spring practice, what's to come this summer and whatever else is on your mind.

Here is the link. Hope to see you there.

Here's your weekly reminder for the Big Ten chat, which takes place today at noon ET. It might not feel like it, but we're less than four months away from the start of the college football season.

Spring ball has completely wrapped up in the Big Ten, so let's discuss how your team looked. If you're a big-picture person, we can talk about the playoff proposals and where the Big Ten fits in. Just don't bring up Derrick Rose and we'll be cool.

See you at noon.

What better way to kick off Derby Week than with a Big Ten Monday chat?

If you missed it, hold all tickets. Here's a complete transcript, along with winning highlights:

Sean (East Lansing, MI): Who do you think has a better chance of winning the big ten after seeing all of the spring games, Michigan or Michigan state? Everywhere I am reading (besides this blog) that Michigan is the "clear" favorite. How can that be? I feel like Denard Robinson is vastly over rated because he tends to completely dominate weaker competition and then fizzle out during games where the other team plays defense, I mean the rest of the team is getting better but I don't think they are ready to compete with MSU this year.


Brian Bennett: I certainly don't base any of my opinion on spring games. But after seeing the teams up close this spring, I still think Michigan and Michigan State are the two best right now. I give an edge to the Spartans because of their defense, lines and depth, but the game is in Ann Arbor. The Legends race should be a lot of fun.

Jeff (Whitewater WI): The way that I look at the Badgers schedule, I feel that the biggest games that the Badgers have are not the obvious two (Michigan State and Ohio State), but the three biggest road games (Penn State, Purdue and Nebraska). All three of those teams got severly beat down in Madison a season ago and looking for revenge. Ohio State and Michigan State, yes they are big games, but they are both at home and Wisco is nearly unbeatable in Madison. And with Purdue and Penn State being in the Leaders Division race, I only see that has more motivation for those two to beat Wisco. As a Badger fan, these three concern me the most. Whats your take on it, BB?


Brian Bennett: I agree with you, Jeff. Wisconsin has been dominant at home but not nearly as good on the road in recent years. The Badgers likely will have to win at least one of those three road games to win the Leaders, and the Penn State game could be especially big.

Justin (Chicago): Who was your most surprising BIG pick in the draft either where they were picked, or that they weren't picked?


Brian Bennett: I was surprised that the three Illinois players -- Jenkins, Allen, Wilson -- went so high after not generating much buzz. Also thought DeVier Posey went higher than I expected. Was surprised that Mike Brewster didn't get drafted at all, that Konz fell so late and that McNutt was a sixth-rounder.

Mochila (Grand Rapids, MI): What Legends contender would be hurt the most by losing their starting QB: Michigan (Robinson), Michigan State (Maxwell), or Nebraska (Martinez)? Bonus: who would be hurt the least (depth)?

Brian Bennett: Good question. I'd have to say Michigan, just because Denard Robinson is so capable of taking a game over. Yes, he has his faults, but I wasn't real impressed with Devin Gardner as a passer this spring. Michigan State would miss Maxwell, but it's not like he had a ton of experience. And though Martinez is very valuable, Nebraska isn't a high-powered passing team anyway.

Mike (NY): I keep hearing how O'Brien will open up PSU's passing game. How specifically can he attain this with a marginal QB and depleted offensive line? Even the returning TEs are suspect


Brian Bennett: I think he can do it through better coaching of the quarterbacks, a more intricate passing game and using the tight ends and backs as weapons. It's not going to be the most high-powered passing game in the world, but it should look more competent.

Lucas (NYC): Are you surprised at Urban Meyer's recruiting hauls consisting mostly of defenders and offensive linemen for all the talk about lacking perimeter playmakers?


Brian Bennett: Not at all. Meyer knows that's how you build a program. Stockpile the lines and defense, and then fill in with skill position players, who are easier to find and often can step in and play more quickly.

Spring practice is officially over, as Wisconsin and Michigan State wrapped up the last of the Big Ten spring games over the weekend.

There's plenty to discuss from the spring, and we have a lot to look forward to this fall. Why don't we all get together around, say, 3 p.m. ET today to discuss it?

That's when my Monday Big Ten chat will be held, in its usual time slot. So come by and join the fun. Here's the link. Hope to see you there.

It's that time again. Big Ten chat time.

Join me today at noon ET to discuss all things Big Ten. Let's discuss the latest college football playoff news, the Big Ten prime-time schedule, Minnesota's new athletic director, this past weekend's spring games or whatever is on your mind. Spring ball is almost done in the Big Ten, so let's start putting a bow on what has happened around the league.

See you at noon ET. Should be a blast. For those who can't make it, check the blog this afternoon for a transcript complete with chat highlights.