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Wisconsin wraps up its spring practice session Saturday with the annual spring game at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers will put the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense and the second-string offense against the second-string D.

Let's take a quick look at what's happening in Madtown.

The vitals: 1 p.m. CT Saturday (2 p.m. ET) at Camp Randall Stadium; tickets are $5 (first year Wisconsin is charging), parking in Lots 16, 17 and 18 is $10 and free in Lots 51 and 60.

More details: Wisconsin will hold a kids sports fair in the McClain Center from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. CT and other events. Click here for more information.

Three things to watch

1. Jon Budmayr: After backing up Scott Tolzien in 2010, Budmayr has the inside track to land the starting job this fall. He has had some good moments this spring but still must cement himself as the top option or face a potential challenge from Curt Phillips in preseason camp. Wisconsin asks its quarterbacks to be efficient and limit mistakes. Budmayr has a big arm and can do some things Tolzien couldn't, but he must limit turnovers. A strong performance in the spring game should give Budmayr some confidence heading into a big summer.

2. Defensive end: Besides Tolzien, Wisconsin's biggest loss comes at defensive end as All-American J.J. Watt departs. Watt contributed in so many ways and will be impossible to replace with just one player, but Wisconsin needs to identify its primary pass rushers. Louis Nzegwu and David Gilbert both boast experience at the end spot, and Brendan Kelly is healthy and performing well this spring. Wisconsin has shuffled the line at times this spring and used 320-pound Beau Allen on the outside. Pat Muldoon and others also are in the mix. Who will step up Saturday and put pressure on the quarterbacks?

3. Leadership: No Big Ten team lost more stars than Wisconsin, which said goodbye to four All-Americans in addition to team leaders like Tolzien, linebacker Culmer St. Jean and safety Jay Valai. Fans at the spring game should watch for who is taking charge on both sides of the ball. Is Budmayr taking command of the offense? Who has stepped up along the offensive line, which loses Gabe Carimi, John Moffitt and Bill Nagy? Free safety Aaron Henry and defensive tackle Patrick Butrym seem like natural leaders on defense, but who will help them? Saturday's game should provide some clues.

CARSON, Calif. -- Wisconsin ended the regular season as arguably the nation's hottest team.

The Badgers not only won their final seven regular-season games but did so in dominating fashion. They won six of the seven contests by 13 points or more, each of their final four by 20 points or more and exploded for 201 points in their final three games.

A five-week break between the end of the regular season and the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO could be seen as a major buzz kill for a team like Wisconsin. But the Badgers don't view things that way.

"There was a gap?" linebacker Culmer St. Jean asked me during our interview Sunday. "Nah, I really didn't notice the gap."

It helps that the Badgers didn't take their foot off of the gas during the break between games.

Wisconsin had its first-team offense go against its first-team defense for chunks of bowl practices. The Badgers even did a bit of scrimmaging Monday during their workout at the Home Depot Center.

"It's just the way we work," offensive lineman Bill Nagy said. "The way we kept that going was just competing every day in practice. We've got such good talent on both sides of the ball. Going against each other, it's real competitive and that helps us a lot."

Nagy sees similarities between the Badgers' pre-bowl approach and what they did during their bye week in the regular season. Although the open date fell on Oct. 30 and Wisconsin had endured several injuries the previous game against Iowa, the team didn't ease up in practice.

After the bye, Wisconsin outscored its final four opponents by a combined tally of 235-84.

"It's fun," Nagy said of the Badgers' approach. "At first, right after the game, you get a little time off, but then coming back and scrimmaging against each other, it keeps you fresh."

Adam Rittenberg talks to Wisconsin linebacker Culmer St. Jean.

Four up, four down heading into Week 11.

STOCK UP

Penn State's red zone offense: The red zone was an absolute dead zone for Penn State earlier this season, but Evan Royster and the Nittany Lions have turned things around. Penn State scored touchdowns on all four of its red zone chances against Northwestern, none bigger than Brett Brackett's leaping grab in the back of the end zone with three seconds left in the first half. Penn State is 12-for-13 in red zone scoring chances the past three weeks with 11 of those conversions being touchdowns.

Michigan's wide receivers: Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier are getting a lot of help from this group right now. Roy Roundtree recorded a team-record 246 receiving yards and two touchdowns on nine receptions against Illinois, while Junior Hemingway made several of the game's biggest plays and finished with six receptions for 104 yards and two scores. Darryl Stonum also added a touchdown catch in Michigan's historic offensive performance.

Wisconsin's linebackers and defensive backs: The Big Ten knows about star defensive end J.J. Watt, but the Badgers' back seven really distinguished itself in a come-from-behind road win against Purdue. Cornerback Antonio Fenelus earned Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording a pick-six, a 48-yard fumble return and nine tackles against the Boilers. Wisconsin also got big performances from linebackers Mike Taylor and Culmer St. Jean and safety Aaron Henry, among others.

Michigan State RB Edwin Baker: Quiet since the Michigan win, "Rock" ran all over Minnesota for 179 yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. Baker didn't have a run that went for longer than 30 yards but broke off several impressive intermediate gains against the Gophers. On a day when quarterback Kirk Cousins struggled, Baker and the offensive line picked up the slack.

STOCK DOWN

Illinois' defense: The Illini forced five turnovers but did little else to stop Michigan's offense at the Big House. A unit that came in ranked 12th nationally in points allowed and 15th in yards allowed got gashed for 67 points, 676 total yards and 33 first downs. Coordinator Vic Koenning demands more from his defense, and I think he'll get it this week against Minnesota.

Northwestern's ability to close out halves: A good portion of the scoring drives Northwestern has allowed this season, both in wins and losses, have occurred right before halftime or late in the fourth quarter. It reveals a team and a coaching staff that doesn't keep the pedal down enough. Northwestern might not have lost a 21-0 lead against Penn State if it didn't allow the Lions to march 91 yards in 47 seconds right before halftime. That's inexcusable.

Minnesota's kicking game: There are problems on both offense and defense, but Minnesota's kicking game hasn't done it any favors this year. After having a punt blocked and recovered for a touchdown against Ohio State, Minnesota averaged just 32 yards per punt at Michigan State and missed its lone field goal attempt. The Gophers are 10th in the Big Ten in field goals and 11th in punting. "We have no consistency punting the ball," interim coach Jeff Horton said. "We don't have any consistency. Obviously, I don't feel comfortable kicking field goals." Ouch.

Iowa's red zone offense: The Hawkeyes made four trips to the red zone against Indiana but had to settle for three short field goals and a short missed field goal try by Michael Meyer. Fans are blaming Ken O'Keefe's play calling and the absence of running back Adam Robinson, but it comes down to execution, too. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi didn't make great throws and Iowa took back-to-back pre-snap penalties on one series to go from third-and-goal from the 7 to third-and-goal from the 17.

It's time to recognize the best and the brightest from a wild Week 10 in the Big Ten.

Michigan WR Roy Roundtree: Roundtree shattered the team receiving yards record with 246 on nine catches. He scored a 75-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage and added a 33-yard score early in the second quarter. Roundtree's first four catches went for 192 receiving yards. He easily surpassed Jack Clancy's mark of 197 receiving yards set on Sept. 17, 1966.

Penn State QB Matt McGloin: There's something special about McGloin, a confident player who truly draws energy from the crowd. He relieved Rob Bolden against Northwestern and led five consecutive scoring drives as Penn State rallied for an historic win, Joe Paterno's 400th as a head coach. McGloin completed 18 of 29 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. He shares the sticker with running backs Evan Royster and Silas Redd, both of whom eclipsed 130 rush yards.

Michigan State RB Edwin Baker: Baker rejuvenated Michigan State's rushing attack with 179 rush yards and four touchdowns on 27 carries. He set the tone early with 61 rushing yards on Michigan State's first touchdown drive, nearly doubling the team's total (31) last week at Iowa. His carries and touchdown totals are career highs.

Wisconsin CB Antonio Fenelus and LBs Mike Taylor and Culmer St. Jean: The Badgers rebounded against Purdue because of their defense, and Fenelus, Taylor and St. Jean played huge roles. Fenelus recorded a game-high nine tackles (all solo) with an interception and a 48-yard fumble return, and Taylor had an interception and two tackles for loss, including a sack. St. Jean had eight solo tackles and an interception. They share the sticker with reserve running back Montee Ball, who came up big again with 127 rush yards and two touchdowns.

Iowa RB Marcus Coker: The Hawkeyes' depth at running back has been tested the past two years, and they continue to find players to step up. Today it was Coker, a true freshman starting in place of star Adam Robinson (concussion). Coker rushed for 129 yards on 22 carries in Iowa's come-from-behind win at Indiana. He shares the sticker with quarterback Ricky Stanzi and receiver Marvin McNutt.

There's no way to replace a guy like Chris Borland.

As I detailed before the season, Borland is the type of player you rarely find in today's college football. The Wisconsin sophomore linebacker might have fared better in the leather-helmet era, when men played 60 minutes and participated in all three phases of the game, stiff-arming specialization.

Borland did it all for Wisconsin in 2009, recording just about every statistic you can think of, including PAT conversions, en route to winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. His big-play ability really stood out, as he recorded five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.

It's why Tuesday's announcement that Borland will miss the remainder of the season because of recurring shoulder problems is such a blow for the Badgers. You could see this coming after Borland reinjured his surgically repaired left shoulder for the second time in three games Saturday against Arizona State. Coach Bret Bielema mentioned after the game that Borland had a redshirt year available, a telltale sign that the standout linebacker might not be back.

Wisconsin is definitely making the right call to preserve Borland's long-term health -- he should have no trouble earning a medical hardship and will retain three years of eligibility -- but the short-term impact is significant.

“After talking with our training staff and with Chris, we decided that the best thing for Chris was to shut him down for the rest of the year,” Bielema said in a prepared statement. “Obviously, Chris is a tremendous player and a ferocious competitor, but after looking at all the options, everyone agreed this was the only option for him.”

Borland's departure places a greater burden on linebackers Culmer St. Jean, Mike Taylor and Blake Sorensen to not only produce, but to stay healthy. Sorensen had a strong preseason and has carried it over into the first three games, recording 16 tackles and an interception. Wisconsin also needs second-stringers like Kevin Claxton to step up.

The Badgers missed Borland for most of the game against Arizona State, which had success running up the middle. Wisconsin is fairly unproven at defensive tackle, so the linebackers and veteran safeties Jay Valai and Aaron Henry really need to help in run-stopping.

Borland also was a major factor on special teams as a freshman, and Wisconsin will miss his presence on those units.

Wisconsin will be a lot better off when Borland returns in 2011. But for a team with legit Big Ten title hopes this season, this really stings.

MADISON, Wis. -- In a perfect world, Wisconsin would have delivered 60 minutes of dominance.

The Badgers would have bolstered John Clay's Heisman Trophy candidacy, dominated the line of scrimmage, stormed out to a big lead and exacted revenge on Arizona State quarterback Steven Threet for what he did at Michigan nearly two years ago.

But in the imperfect game of football, Wisconsin had to settle for 60 minutes of resolve.

Many things went wrong Saturday against Arizona State, but the 11th-ranked Badgers didn't let the negatives linger in a 20-19 victory at Camp Randall Stadium.

"There's a handful of plays that determine games, that determine seasons," Badgers coach Bret Bielema said. "Football is a game comprised of four quarters, 15 minutes each, 60 minutes of playing time. But really, it's 60 minutes of reaction.

"Who reacts better to what happens?"

Wisconsin reacted better Saturday, especially in two moments when things seemed dire.

The first came at the end of the opening half. Wisconsin's offense finally had translated yards into points, as Scott Tolzien found Herculean tight end Lance Kendricks in the end zone to claim a 13-10 lead.

Only 10 seconds remained in the half, but Philip Welch botched a squib kick. Arizona State already had one kick return for a touchdown against a Badgers team that ranked 119th nationally in kickoff coverage in 2009.

This time, Sun Devils receiver Kyle Middlebrooks broke into the open field.

"Just watching, I'm like, 'Run Shelton, run Shelton, run Shelton,'" safety Jay Valai said. "I thought I had an asthma attack for a second."

Added defensive end J.J. Watt: "If he scores a touchdown there, it changes the entire dynamic of the game."

Badgers safety Shelton Johnson, with help from safety Dezmen Southward, tripped up Middlebrooks just shy of the goal line as time expired. Johnson said he had a good angle on Middlebrooks but likely needed Southward to slow him down before the end zone.

"That's a touchdown," Valai said. "Shelton stopped six or seven points right there. That was the biggest play of the game."

Johnson disagreed, giving the credit to Valai for his own "special" moment.

Wisconsin's defense had kept Arizona State out of the end zone for nearly 56 minutes before Cameron Marshall crossed the goal line with the apparent tying touchdown. Former Lou Groza Award winner Thomas Weber lined up for the extra-point try, but Valai burst through the line, hoisted his 5-foot-9 frame into the air and blocked the kick.

"A lot of guys don't pay attention to every play, but one thing the coaches drill into our heads is, 'This could be the play, this could be the play,'" Valai said. "I saw the hole, went over it, guy lifted me up in the air and I blocked it."

Veteran coach Dennis Erickson was as surprised as anyone to see Valai burst through.

"In all my career, I've never seen something like that," the Sun Devils coach said.

Bielema often watches how a defense, his own or an opponent's, responds after a touchdown is scored.

"It's a huge emphasis for me," Bielema said. "I point it out all the time when we go against a defense that gives no effort on a PAT. That doesn't just happen. That's from 365 days of mental and physical conditioning that our guys pride themselves on."

Valai's effort helped Wisconsin live another day as an undefeated team.

There were other examples of Badger resolve Saturday:

• Down two primary receivers (Nick Toon and David Gilreath) because of injury, Wisconsin leaned on Kendricks, who recorded a career-high 131 receiving yards on seven catches. Tolzien also had his best performance of the young season (19-for-25, 246 pass yards, TD).
• The defense held Arizona State to one offensive touchdown despite losing standout linebacker Chris Borland (shoulder) early and Watt and linebacker Culmer St. Jean for parts of the game.
• Star left tackle Gabe Carimi, who is Jewish, played on Yom Kippur and fasted from noon Friday to 1 p.m. Saturday, when he received an IV before the game.
• Watt twice left the game with a bruised quad but walked it off on the sideline and returned to record three quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.

"We had so many different situations of adversity today," Watt said. "For our team to respond every single time and get out of here with a win, it's huge for us and gives us a lot of confidence going forward."

The Badgers certainly aren't without their issues.

Kick coverage lapses like the ones against Arizona State usually get you beat. Wisconsin continued a disturbing trend of racking up a ton of yards (440) but not translating it into points. Clay had another big day (22 carries, 123 rush yards, 1 TD) but couldn't convert two third-and-short situations in the fourth quarter.

Most unsettling is the potential loss of Borland, the team's best all-around player. The 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year on Saturday aggravated his surgically repaired left shoulder, which kept him out of last week's game.

Bielema didn't know the extent of the injury after the game but said, "We definitely want to do what's best for Chris. You can't just keep going with him not going to be there or going to be there. The fortunate thing is he does have a redshirt year available."

Can the Badgers overcome obstacles and still take a step from being very good to elite? Time will tell, Saturday's win showed they won't shy away from adversity.

"We've got to take everything we can from this game," Bielema said, "the breakdowns, the mistakes, but also the positives and the extra efforts. It's a summation of everything that went on. We did enough good things to win this football game, but we have to correct and move past anything that can prevent us from winning in the future.

"I really just like the resolve of these guys."

MADISON, Wis. -- It's not very much fun to face Wisconsin's offense on third-and-1.

You pretty much know mammoth junior running back John Clay will get the ball. And there's very little you can do to stop him.

Arizona State tried on a third-and-1 just inside the red zone, but Clay got through the first line of defense and was gone. With so many defenders committed to the line of scrimmage, Clay scooted through the right side of the line and had nothing but open field ahead of him.

Wisconsin's 8-play, 88-yard scoring drive might be the turning point of this game. The Badgers did an excellent job of mixing personnel and plays. Quarterback Scott Tolzien continued a very good performance, and Jared Abbrederis and talented freshman running back James White both contributed nicely.

Despite missing two starting linebackers (Chris Borland and Culmer St. Jean), the Badgers defense continues to keep ASU out of the end zone.

Wisconsin's offense tends to get stronger as the game goes on, so we'll see if the Sun Devils can handle Clay and the massive Badgers' O-line in the fourth quarter. Badgers lead 20-13 at the end of three quarters.

Time to jump around!

Welcome to National Depth Chart Day. No day on the college football calendar inspires more curiosity about depth charts than the Monday before the season, when most teams release their Week 1 two-deeps.

(And then there's Purdue, which didn't include a depth chart in its game notes for Notre Dame. Ugh.)

I've had the chance to review depth charts from those programs that released them today -- two-deeps from Illinois, Michigan State and Minnesota are coming soon -- and I checked in on several coaches' news conferences.

Here's what stood out:

INDIANA

• Even though Indiana will shift to a 3-4 defensive alignment this year, the depth chart lists a 4-3 with Darius Johnson and Fred Jones as the starting ends and Chad Sherer and Tyler Replogle flanking junior college transfer Jeff Thomas at linebacker.
• Interesting to see several veteran offensive linemen like Justin Pagan and Cody Faulkner listed as backups rather than starters. Junior Andrew McDonald steps into some big shoes at left tackle as Rodger Saffold departs to the NFL.
• The backup quarterback job remains open, as Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker are both listed as No. 2 behind Ben Chappell.
• Indiana expects big things from redshirt freshman Duwyce Wilson, listed as a starter at wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner.

IOWA

• Sophomores Micah Hyde and Greg Castillo are listed as the starting cornerbacks. Shaun Prater doesn't appear on the depth chart after dealing with a leg injury in camp. Prater hasn't been officially ruled out for the Eastern Illinois game, but I wouldn't expect to see much of him on Saturday.
• James Ferentz is listed as the starting center, a spot where Iowa might be a little thin following Josh Koeppel's motorcycle accident Monday morning.
• Starting defensive end Broderick Binns is suspended for the opener, so Christian Ballard is listed as a possible starter at both end and tackle. Mike Daniels and Lebron Daniel are the next options behind Ballard.

MICHIGAN

• Sophomores Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier and freshman Devin Gardner are listed as co-starters at quarterback. Head coach Rich Rodriguez reiterated Monday that Gardner won't redshirt this fall.
• Vincent Smith and Michael Shaw are listed as co-starters at running back, with Michael Cox behind them.
• True freshman Carvin Johnson is listed as the starter at the spur position (safety/linebacker). Pretty big surprise here, and a testament to Johnson's work in camp.
• Senior James Rogers steps into Troy Woolfolk's starting cornerback spot opposite J.T. Floyd.
• Receivers Martavious Odoms and Kelvin Grady clearly showed enough in camp to be listed as starters or possible starters against Connecticut.

NORTHWESTERN

• Sophomore running back Arby Fields returned to practice Monday and wore a no-contact jersey after being sidelined with a shoulder problem. He's listed as a co-starter at running back with Jacob Schmidt and Stephen Simmons. Northwestern wanted a clear No. 1 running back to emerge in camp, but Fields' injury changed the plan.
• Junior Bryce McNaul is listed as the third top linebacker alongside returning starters Quentin Davie and Nate Williams. McNaul won the job in camp.
• Venric Mark is the only true freshman listed on the depth chart, both as a backup wide receiver and a co-starter at punt returner. I'll go out on a huge limb (sarcasm) and predict Mark will be the man on returns for the Wildcats very shortly.

OHIO STATE

• Junior defensive end Nathan Williams, a projected starter, will miss the Marshall game with a knee injury. He should be back shortly thereafter. Solomon Thomas will start in Williams' spot Thursday night.
• Starting cornerback Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring) is questionable for the Marshall game, but corner Devon Torrence (hamstring) should be fine.
• Sophomore C.J. Barnett's strong performance in camp lifted him ahead of Orhian Johnson on the Week 1 depth chart. Johnson missed a chunk of camp with an injury.
• Start salivating, Buckeyes fans, because running backs Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry likely will handle kickoff returns against Marshall.

PENN STATE

• Sophomores Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin and freshman Robert Bolden are listed as co-starters at quarterback for the Youngstown State game.
• Sophomore Devon Smith's strong camp landed him a starting spot at both receiver and kick returner, and a backup role on punt returns.
• Redshirt freshman Garry Gilliam is listed as the starting tight end, as Andrew Szczerba likely will miss the opener with a back injury. Penn State obviously is thin here after losing Andrew Quarless and Mickey Shuler.
• Veterans Nate Stupar, Chris Colasanti and Bani Gbadyu are listed as the starting linebackers, with promising younger players like Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges right behind them.

WISCONSIN

• After a very impressive camp, freshman running back James White appears at No. 3 on the depth chart behind both John Clay and Montee Ball. White also is the No. 2 punt returner behind David Gilreath. His emergence likely will result in veteran Zach Brown redshirting the season.
• Senior Blake Sorensen likely will start at outside linebacker, as Mike Taylor continues to rehab after undergoing a second procedure on his knee in camp. Culmer St. Jean and Chris Borland are listed as the other starting linebackers.
• The starting cornerback spots remain open, as Niles Brinkley, Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith will compete in practice this week.

It's time to take a look at the top five linebacker units in the Big Ten this fall.

1. Ohio State: The Buckeyes boast two of the Big Ten's top 10 linebackers in Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, and they also have good depth. Homan might have been the league's most underrated defender in 2009 after tying for fourth in the league in interceptions (five) and finishing eighth in tackles (8.3 per game). Rolle makes up for his lack of size with speed and explosiveness. Ohio State's supporting cast includes Etienne Sabino, Andrew Sweat, Dorian Bell and others.

2. Michigan State: Back-to-back Big Ten preseason Defensive Player of the Year Greg Jones enters the season as the frontrunner to win the Butkus Award. But he's not alone on what should be a loaded linebacking corps. All-Big Ten candidate Eric Gordon has played a ton of football alongside Jones, and the coaches were pleased with Chris Norman this spring. Hopes are extremely high for true freshmen William Gholston, the Big Ten's top-rated recruit, and Max Bullough. It's clear to see why the Spartans are moving closer to the 3-4.

3. Wisconsin: Health remains a concern, as Mike Taylor's knee problems will linger and Chris Borland comes off of shoulder surgery, but Wisconsin has plenty of talent here. Borland is a rare, do-everything player who won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2009. Taylor likely would have contended for the same award if not for a torn ACL against Iowa. The Badgers also bring back Culmer St. Jean and Blake Sorensen.

4. Northwestern: As a College Football Hall of Fame linebacker, Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald loves the look of this group. Senior Quentin Davie is a bona fide NFL prospect who has consistently reached the offensive backfield throughout his career. Middle linebacker Nate Williams enters his third year as the starter, and the coaches have solid options in Bryce McNaul, Ben Johnson and David Nwabuisi. Fitzgerald says this is the most linebacker depth Northwestern has had in his tenure.

5 (tie). Iowa and Penn State: These teams combine to lose five All-Big Ten 'backers from 2009, including first-team selections Pat Angerer (Iowa) and Navorro Bowman (Penn State). But both have historically reloaded at linebacker, and this year should be no different. Iowa's Jeremiha Hunter returns for his third year as a starter, and Jeff Tarpinian and Tyler Nielsen are primed for bigger roles. Troy Johnson and Bruce Davis are two other names to watch, and hopes are high for freshman James Morris. Penn State loses all three starters, but Nate Stupar and Bani Gbadyu have played a lot of football. Michael Mauti's return from an ACL injury and Penn State's strong recruiting at linebacker also elevate hope for the group.

Next up: Secondary

More rankings ...

• Defensive line

Wisconsin's defense was the unit that entered the spring with question marks.

The Badgers had to replace All-Big Ten defensive end O'Brien Schofield, middle linebacker Jaevery McFadden, safety leader Chris Maragos and both starting defensive tackles. Plus, they had to build depth at linebacker as Chris Borland, the 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and Mike Taylor sat out with injuries.

But when spring practice ended Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, it was the Badgers offense, a unit that returns nine starters, that seemed to be searching for answers.

The defense stepped up in Saturday's spring game, holding the offense to only two touchdowns and just 101 total rushing yards (for Wisconsin, that translates to about 30). The Big Ten's top red zone offense in 2009 had to settle for three short field goals after stalling near the goal line.

To be fair, the offense played without star running back John Clay and top wide receiver Nick Toon, and the offensive line has seen a lot of shuffling this spring because of injuries. But quarterback Scott Tolzien (12-for-22, 138 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs) and his fellow offensive teammates were disappointed in their performance.

"We need to be better than that come fall," Tolzien said. "It's good for us to have a setback like that as long as we use it to our advantage and just realize there's a sense of urgency here. We've got to have a great offseason."

Defensive end Louis Nzegwu moved closer to locking up a starting spot with three sacks, and linebacker Culmer St. Jean and safety Jay Valai both recorded interceptions. Cornerbacks Niles Brinkley, Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith also came on strong toward the end of the spring.

Other nuggets:

• Jon Budmayr is still settling in as Wisconsin's backup quarterback, and he'll need a strong summer after struggling in several spring scrimmages. Budmayr completed just 9 of 19 passes for 68 yards with two interceptions for the second-team offense on Saturday. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 16 yards with the first-team offense and was sacked three times in the game.
• Lance Kendricks looks ready to become an elite tight end in the Big Ten and recorded six receptions for 63 yards, including a 19-yarder.
• Redshirt freshman linebacker Ethan Armstrong recorded a game-high 14 tackles and a pass breakup, while linebacker Conor O'Neill had 12 stops and a pass breakup.
• Head coach Bret Bielema confirmed that wide receiver Kraig Appleton has left school and won't return to the team. Appleton and two other players, defensive end Shelby Harris and linebacker Nick Hill, were indefinitely suspended in February for unspecified violations. Harris and Hill both could work their way back to the team.

Saturday was scrimmage day around the Big Ten, as teams from State College to Minneapolis engaged in several forms of game-like simulations. Though no Big Ten team has officially held a spring game -- five are on tap Saturday -- these scrimmages are often just as important, if not more so.

Nine of the 11 Big Ten teams provided media access and/or statistics from Saturday's scrimmages. Michigan's official Web site has some video and tidbits from Saturday's 115-play closed scrimmage, and Mgoblog has a few reports as well. Iowa's official site also has some video and interviews from Saturday's scrimmage.

Here are some tidbits from the other nine scrimmages, from reports around the league:

ILLINOIS

Illinois let its quarterbacks get hit Saturday, but the offense delivered most of the damage. Nathan Scheelhaase continued to make a strong case for the starting job with a 40-yard run, a 30-yard touchdown pass to Zach Becker and a 22-yard pass to A.J. Jenkins. Jacob Charest also remains very much alive in the QB race and connected on several long passes, including a 50-yarder to Jenkins. The running game also looked good as Mikel Leshoure had a 65-yard run. Cornerback Tavon Wilson provided a defensive highlight by picking off a Scheelhaase pass. It's encouraging to see this type of progress from Illinois' offense, which lost several key pieces from 2009 and returns virtually no experience at quarterback.

INDIANA

Defense is the primary focus for IU this spring, and the unit stepped up in Saturday's scrimmage, holding the offense to only one touchdown. Defensive tackle Adam Replogle recorded two sacks and three tackles for loss, and linebacker Jeff Thomas, a junior college transfer, forced a fumble. Safety Kyle Dietrick recorded the lone interception of the scrimmage. The Hoosiers continue to see good things from freshman running back Antonio Banks, who had 42 rushing yards and a touchdown Saturday. The backup quarterback competition continued as Dusty Kiel recorded a touchdown pass and a 35-yard completion, while Edward Wright-Baker completed 8 of 10 pass attempts. Nick Zachery, who moved from safety to wide receiver just last week, had four catches for 46 yards.

MICHIGAN STATE

The Spartans' defense rallied to win the jersey scrimmage as a secondary that struggled mightily last fall saw two players, Marcus Hyde and Mitchell White, return interceptions for touchdowns. Hyde picked off starter Kirk Cousins, while White intercepted an Andrew Maxwell pass and raced 40 yards for a touchdown. Cornerback Chris L. Rucker also had a big day with an interception, a pass breakup and a tackle for loss. Michigan State's defense got a big lift from end Denzel Drone, who stuffed Edwin Baker on fourth-and-1 from the 1-yard line to seal the win. Cousins completed 19 of 30 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns, including a 30-yarder to Keith Nichol, and two interceptions. Maxwell, who played some with the first-team offense, threw for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Wide receivers Keshawn Martin (12 catches, 109 yards), Bennie Fowler (nine catches, 84 yards, 48-yard rush) and Nichol (four catches, 70 yards) stood out.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Let's see how many picks the Big Ten and I can agree upon.

OFFENSE -- Minnesota WR Eric Decker

Decker is the entire Golden Gophers offense right now, and he showed why Saturday against Cal. He made an incredible catch in the end zone and held on for the score despite a vicious shot from Bears safety Sean Cattouse. Though he needed stitches in his chin, Decker didn't miss a single play and broke Ron Johnson's team record for career receptions with his second touchdown grab. He accounted for all three Minnesota touchdowns (2 receiving, 1 passing) against Cal and finished with eight receptions for 119 yards.

DEFENSE -- Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn

This award really should go to the entire Iowa defense, which shut down Arizona in Saturday's 27-17 win. But Clayborn gets the nod with an explosive performance up front, forcing a fumble and recording a career-high three quarterback hurries. Clayborn finished with six tackles and a sack in Iowa's win. Honorable mentions go to Wisconsin linebacker Culmer St. Jean (15 tackles, 2 TFLS, fumble recovery) and Indiana safety Austin Thomas (two interceptions).

SPECIAL TEAMS -- Indiana CB Ray Fisher

Fisher set the tone for Indiana's win against Akron by returning the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. His runback marked the first time in team history the Hoosiers have opened a game with a scoring return. Fisher, a converted wide receiver, returned punts last season but moved into the kickoff return role after the graduation of standout Marcus Thigpen.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The final seven Big Ten teams open preseason camp, including defending co-champs Penn State and Ohio State.

Here are three questions for the remaining seven squads during the next four weeks. If you missed Part I, check it out.

MICHIGAN

Camp opens: Monday

1. Will true freshman Tate Forcier create some early separation in the quarterback competition?

Forcier enters camp as the frontrunner after a solid spring, and he could further cement himself as the Wolverines' top quarterback in the coming weeks. He'll face some real competition now as junior Nick Sheridan returns from a broken leg and athletic freshman Denard Robinson joins the mix.

2. Who will step up alongside Brandon Graham on the defensive line?

Michigan brings back a potential All-American in Graham, who has 18.5 sacks the past two seasons. He'll need help up front, though, and the Wolverines need strong camps from Mike Martin, Ryan Van Bergen and William Campbell.

3. How many true freshmen see the field this fall?

The Wolverines will be much more experienced at several positions, but head coach Rich Rodriguez brought in a strong recruiting class, and several freshmen should contribute immediately. Along with Forcier, Robinson and Campbell, running back Vincent Smith impressed this spring and hopes are high for safety Vladimir Emilien. Defensive end Craig Roh also could be one to watch.

MICHIGAN STATE

Camp opens: Monday

1. Will we see any separation at quarterback before Sept. 5?

Head coach Mark Dantonio isn't planning on it and fully intends to play both Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol during non-league play. The two signal-callers paced one another throughout spring ball, but there's a chance one man might be ready to take the job.

2. Can true freshmen Edwin Baker and Larry Caper emerge as the top running backs?

None of Michigan State's older players really took charge in the spring, though Caulton Ray's emergence is intriguing. Many expect Michigan State's heralded recruits to emerge as potential starters by the end of training camp.

3. How will the secondary look by the end of camp?

Dantonio has a very good problem in the secondary -- loads of experience. Eight returning players have starting experience, and that doesn't include safety Trenton Robinson, the story of the spring on defense. The competition in the back four should be fun to watch.

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Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The position rankings march on with the linebackers, another position that looks fairly stacked throughout the Big Ten. Much like the D-lines, I don't see many truly weak groups here, though there's a drop-off after No. 4. 

1. Penn State -- The Lions return the Big Ten's most explosive linebacker from a year ago (Navorro Bowman) and one of the league's most productive 'backers from 2007 (Sean Lee). If Lee returns to form, he and Bowman will form arguably the nation's best linebacker tandem and anchor a Nittany Lions defense that led the Big Ten against the run. Josh Hull adds experience at the third starting spot, while hopes are very high for sophomore Michael Mauti. 

	Joe Robbins/Getty Images
	Greg Jones, the Big 10 preseason Defensive Player of the Year, leads Michigan State's linebacking corps.

2. Iowa -- Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds lead a group that always seems to get it done. Angerer tied for the league lead in interceptions last year and led the team with 106 tackles in a breakout junior season. His production overshadowed the solid play of Edds, who should have a big senior season. Jeremiha Hunter also returns for his second year as the starter. Depth might be a bit of a concern here, but the top three are very good. 

3. Michigan State -- Big Ten preseason Defensive Player of the Year Greg Jones is the headliner, and he has a nice supporting cast around him. Jones has led the Spartans in tackles in each of his first two seasons and consistently finds his way into the offensive backfield. Eric Gordon has developed into a fine outside linebacker, and Brandon Denson takes on a bigger role this fall. The Spartans also can look to their bench for Adam Decker, who made the game-clinching tackle against Iowa's Shonn Greene last year.

4. Ohio State -- The Buckeyes lose one of the more productive linebacker tandems in recent Big Ten history, as James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman move on to the NFL. The good news is Austin Spitler, Tyler Moeller and others have waited their turn and probably would have earned starting jobs on any other team. Spitler and Moeller step into bigger roles along with Brian Rolle, and Ohio State needs bigger things from Ross Homan in his second year as a starter. There are some question marks, but this should be a good group.

5. Michigan -- Linebacker figures to be Michigan's strongest area on defense. Obi Ezeh has proved to be a reliable Big Ten defender, and he'll benefit from having a healthy Jonas Mouton in the fold. The big question is whether Stevie Brown makes a smooth transition from safety and builds on a strong spring. If Brown steps up, the Wolverines should be fine here. Hopes are also high for Brandon Herron and Marell Evans.   

6. Minnesota -- This group could take a major step forward in 2009, but the Gophers must defend better against the run. Lee Campbell quietly had a nice junior season, recording 80 tackles and four sacks, and Simoni Lawrence proved himself as a playmaker with 10.5 tackles for loss (4 sacks), two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and an interception. Minnesota boasts a ton of speed at linebacker, and it'll be interesting to see how Keanon Cooper and Gary Tinsley perform. Sam Maresh could provide an emotional lift after his amazing return from heart surgery. 

7. Indiana -- It's time for Matt Mayberry and his fellow 'backers to lead this defense to better results in 2009. Mayberry has the talent and the experience to turn in a monster senior season, but he needs to show up every week and make big plays. Will Patterson provides leadership at middle linebacker, and Tyler Replogle steps into a bigger role. If Indiana turns things around on defense, the linebackers must lead the way. 

8. Northwestern -- Head coach Pat Fitzgerald identified his top three linebackers in spring, which bodes well for a group that loses Malcolm Arrington and Prince Kwateng. Outside linebacker Quentin Davie has quietly put up some very impressive numbers, and Nate Williams will be more comfortable in a major role. Fitzgerald is excited about speedy sophomore Ben Johnson, and safety Brad Phillips might see more time in a hybrid role. There are some lingering questions here, but this group could make a big jump.

9. Wisconsin -- The jury's out on the Badgers after they lose DeAndre Levy and Jonathan Casillas, who combined for 15.5 tackles for loss last year. I like what Jaevery McFadden brings at middle linebacker, but he'll need some help from Culmer St. Jean, who saw increased time down the stretch in 2008. Aside from McFadden and St. Jean, the group is unproven and needs to show it's not the weak link of the defense.

10. Illinois -- Ron Zook thinks this will be the year Martez Wilson emerges as an elite Big Ten defender, and history is on his side. The move to middle linebacker worked out well for Brit Miller last year, and Wilson showed some promise in the middle this spring. Illinois needs big things from Wilson because it lacks much experience around him. Junior college transfer Aaron Gress might be a key addition, but I'm far from sold on this group.

11. Purdue -- The Boilers lose an extremely productive and underrated linebacker in Anthony Heygood, and a lot of questions remain with this group. As much as Purdue wants to see Jason Werner healthy, the team can't rely on a guy with a history of back problems. Joe Holland and Chris Carlino need big seasons this fall, and Purdue must build some depth around them.