ESPN College Football

The NFL draft is a little more than 24 hours away, and our analysts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have come out with their final mock drafts.

(Let's pause here for a moment of silence for the 2012 mock draft process. May it rest in peace. But never fear, the 2013 mocks are just around the corner!).

There's not a ton of change in Kiper's final first-round mock . Iowa's Riley Reiff is still the top Big Ten player off the board, now at No. 18 to San Diego. Kiper has Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus one spot behind Reiff, to the Bears. The only other Big Ten player he has going in the first round is Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler, at No. 30 to San Francisco.

McShay, along with Steve Muench and Kevin Weidl from Scouts Inc. have undertaken the massive enterprise of mocking the entire seven rounds of the draft . Whew. Here's where they have Big Ten products heading:

Round 1

No. 13: Reiff
No. 25: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
No. 28: Mercilus
No. 30: Zeitler

Round 2

No. 34: Jeff Allen, OT, Illinois
No. 35: Devon Still, DT, Penn State
No. 43: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
No. 44: Peter Konz, C, Wisconsin
No. 47: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
No. 51: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
No. 63: A.J. Jenkins, WR, Illinois

Round 3

No. 89: Mike Martin, DT, Michigan

Round 4

No. 96: Mike Daniels DT, Iowa
No. 97: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
No. 99: Adam Gettis, G, Iowa
No. 106: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin
No. 118: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
No. 120: Keshawn Martin, WR, Michigan State
No. 121: Markus Zusevics, OT, Iowa
No. 123: Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
No. 126: Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
No. 132: Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska

Round 5

No. 137: David Molk, C, Michigan
No. 150: Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
No. 161: Trent Robinson, S, Michigan State
No. 163: Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State
No. 165: DeVier Posey, WR, Ohio State

Round 6

No. 207: Jack Crawford, DE, Penn State

Round 7

No. 211: B.J. Cunningham, WR, Michigan State
No. 216: Aaron Henry, S, Wisconsin
No. 219: Dan Herron, RB, Ohio State
No. 221: Derek Dimke, K, Illinois
No. 223: Tyler Nielsen, LB, Iowa
No. 231: Marcel Jones, OT, Nebraska
No. 244: Junior Hemingway, WR, Michigan
No. 247: Bradie Ewing, FB, Wisconsin
No. 248: Kevin Koger, TE, Michigan

A few notables not listed on this seven-round mock: Northwestern WR Jeremy Ebert, TE Drake Dunsmore, and QB Dan Persa; Penn State WR Derek Moye; Minnesota WR Da'Jon McKnight, Michigan DE Ryan Van Bergen, Wisconsin OT Josh Oglesby.

How accurate are these mock drafts? It is almost time to find out. Let's do this for real.

When Minnesota offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover learned receiver Marcus Jones had torn his ACL during a practice in late October, he began doing the math.

An ACL injury used to mean up to a year on the sideline. Although improvements in medicine and rehabilitation techniques had shortened the recovery time, Limegrover remained realistic about Jones' prognosis.

"It was like, 'OK, let's have him take this thing slow,'" Limegrover recalled. "'He'll be out through spring ball. Fortunately, he's a smart kid, so he'll be able to pick it back up in July.'

"Next thing you know, he's out here."

When Minnesota kicked off spring practice March 22 -- less than five months after the injury -- Jones was in uniform on the field. His rapid recovery surprised just about everybody, including himself.

The sophomore wide receiver is cleared to participate in everything except full-contact scrimmages. Barring a setback, he'll get full clearance when Minnesota opens preseason camp in August.

"I didn't really think it would be this quick," Jones told ESPN.com, "but my trainers, especially head trainer Ed Lochrie, they told me I would come back, just as long as I did my rehab like I was supposed to. The harder you do your rehab, the quicker recovery you make.

"And I made a very quick recovery."

Jones had never missed a game in his athletic career until he sat out Minnesota's Oct. 29 win against Iowa, which took place just days after he suffered his injury while returning a kick in practice. The Wake Forest, N.C., native played through a sprained MCL in high school and some broken bones as a baseball player, but he'd never suffered a major injury until last fall. Before the ligament tear, Jones had shown big-play ability as a true freshman, averaging 15.8 yards per reception and 28.5 yards per kick return, including a 92-yard touchdown against Purdue.

He had some initial concerns with the injury, but team doctor J. Patrick Smith, who performed Jones' surgery, told him the recovery isn't as long as it used to be. When Jones began his rehab, he didn't put a timetable on anything.

"I just knew I didn't want to lose any speed or any strength," Jones said.

He hasn't lost a step this spring, at least according to his friends who play defense for the Gophers.

"They tell me I'm ready to get hit, that I need to stop faking it," Jones said. "I guess everybody's ready for me to get back, and I'm definitely ready to get back."

Looking at his recovery, it's hard to believe he was ever hurt in the first place.

Jones' presence this spring has felt like the bonus to Limegrover, who likens Jones to a playmaking recruit who enrolled early but also already has knowledge of the offense. Limegrover understands why Jones can't engage in contact until preseason practice, but the coach admits to getting greedy at times.

"He gets out there and starts doing seven-on-seven, running routes and moving around," Limegrover said. "As an offensive coordinator, we can use every playmaker we've got to complement [quarterback MarQueis Gray]. And I'm thinking to myself, 'Does he really need to not have contact? Can we get him in there in scrimmage situations?'

"That's how good he looked."

Minnesota needs more weapons to surround Gray, who will enter his second year as the starting quarterback and his second year in Limegrover's offense. The Gophers lose top wideout Da'Jon McKnight, who last season accounted for 51 of the team's 134 receptions (38.1 percent) and 760 of the team's 1,804 receiving yards (42.1 percent). McKnight had 35 more receptions and 640 more receiving yards than any other Minnesota player in 2011.

Jones, who played the first five games last season before celebrating his 18th birthday on Oct. 3, could help fill the production void. He's only 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds and is "not as fast as people want to believe," Limegrover said, but the young wideout has good knowledge of his responsibilities in the offense.

"He knows what routes to run and he knows what to do once he catches the football," Limegrover said. "Those are two things that right now are at a bit of a premium here. And the third part is Marcus is kind of like MarQueis' little brother. Those guys, they have a real connection."

Jones continues to work as a kick returner and also has practiced as a punt returner this spring, rotating with Troy Stoudermire at both spots. Jones, who will play wherever he's needed, enjoys competing with Stoudermire, the Big Ten-record holder in career kick return yards (3,102).

"I keep telling him I'm going to beat his record," Jones said. "I say it jokingly, but I hope I can really do it."

After what he has done in the past six months, don't bet against him.

Brandon Green has been MarQueis Gray's roommate for the past two years, and the two Minnesota teammates share many of the same classes. So Green has a close friendship with his quarterback. But even strangers could tell that Gray needs a little more support on the field in 2012.

Gray got much better as the season went along in 2011 and has the potential to develop into a star this year for the Gophers. He carried a heavy workload last year, though, as he led the team in both rushing (966 yards) and carries (199) as well as throwing the ball. In the last two games of the season, he rushed 27 times each.

"We want to cut that down some so he can throw some more," Green said. "I feel like with the running backs and receivers we've got back, we can make plays for him and reduce the load down on him."

That confidence is based more on potential than past evidence this spring. Minnesota's top receiver the past couple of seasons, Da'Jon McKnight, was a senior last year. The leading returning pass catcher is Green, who had just 15 receptions in 2011. The Gophers also lost last year's leading rusher at tailback, departed senior Duane Bennett, and Donnell Kirkwood is injured this spring.

Still, Minnesota -- which lacked a lot of big plays on offense in head coach Jerry Kill's first season -- is hopeful that more options and more comfort at the skill positions will translate into a more diversified attack.

"If we have nothing else, all the way around we have competition," offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said.

The Gophers need someone to emerge at running back, both to take the pressure off Gray to carry the ball and to turn their rushing game into a two-pronged danger. It's an unproven group this spring, which is a big reason why Minnesota brought in junior college transfer James Gillum, who ran for 1,042 yards at Mississippi Gulf Coast last year.

"The thing about I like about him was that he was down in Mississippi playing against SEC linebackers and defensive ends," Limegrover said. "And no offense to his offensive linemen, but sometimes those are in-state guys. So a lot of times he was making something out of just nothing, and he was still grinding out 130, 140 yards per game.

"I feel like he brings kind of a grit as a guy who can say, 'OK, hand me the ball and I'll do my thing.'"

Kill also pointed to David Cobb, who played sparingly as a true freshman, as a 220-pound standout athlete who could contribute at tailback.

The receiver position has more bodies than this time a year ago but no true leader. But Green, who's now a senior, wants to change that.

"Now that Da'Jon is gone, I've got the most experience," he said. "I feel like it's my time to step up and lead the receivers and do what I need to do to help us win."

Other possibilities in the passing game are Devin Crawford-Tufts, who played as a true freshman in 2011; Marcus Jones, who's coming off an ACL injury; Malcolm Moulton, who played some as a junior-college import last year; and new juco transfer Isaac Fruechte.

"There's a lot of depth, and different receivers can do different things," Green said. "I feel like we've got a lot of weapons where MarQueis can go out and pass the ball around."

If so, his roommate might have less of a burden to carry in 2012.

To get you ready for spring practice, which kicks off this month, we're taking a look at how each team might fill the roles of two key contributors who are no longer on campus.

Up next, Minnesota.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Kim Royston, S

Why: Royston was one of few bright spots for a Minnesota defense that struggled mightily for much of the season but finished well. He recorded 123 tackles, the fourth-highest total in the Big Ten and the most on the Gophers by 36 stops. He recorded one of the team's four interceptions on the season and had 3.5 tackles for loss, including a sack, and two pass breakups. Royston's 71 solo tackles were 18 more than any other Gophers player in 2011. He provided leadership for a secondary that lacked it and earned the Carl Eller Award as Minnesota's top defensive player.

Replacement candidates: James Manuel (6-2, 214, Jr.); Derrick Wells (6-foot, 191, Jr.); Jeremy Baltazar (6-foot, 190, Jr.); Michael Carter (5-11, 185, Sr.); Steven Montgomery (5-10, 195, Fr.)

The skinny: The return of cornerback Troy Stoudermire should help Minnesota replace Royston's production, but the team remains extremely unproven at safety. Will this be Manuel's time to shine? Minnesota certainly could use a big season from the junior, who had only 11 tackles in 10 games this past season. Wells had similar numbers (8 tackles, 11 games) in a reserve role but could challenge for a starting spot. Baltazar and Carter both are more natural cornerbacks but could help at nickelback. Montgomery, who isn't afraid to hit people, could be a factor here. The concern is Minnesota lacks many natural safeties and likely needs to have a by-committee approach to the position.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Da'Jon McKnight, WR

Why: Like Royston, McKnight was by far Minnesota's most productive player at his position in 2011. He recorded 51 catches, 35 more than any other Gophers player. He had twice as many touchdown catches (4) and 570 more receiving yards than anyone else on the roster. He led Minnesota in receiving in each of his final two seasons and was one of the more underrated wideouts in the Big Ten. McKnight made 30 starts in his career and was always MarQueis Gray's first option in the passing game.

Replacement candidates: Brandon Green (6-foot, 186, Sr.); Malcolm Moulton (5-11, 186, Jr.); Marcus Jones (5-8, 170, So.); Devin Crawford-Tufts (6-2, 191, So.); Andre McDonald (6-2, 200, Fr.); Jamel Harbison (5-11, 195, Fr.)

The skinny: Wide receiver will be one of the more intriguing positions to watch both in spring practice and in preseason camp when heralded recruits McDonald and Harbison arrive. Green has started 18 games in his career but needs to take his game to the next level. Most of Minnesota's returning players are smaller wideouts, so a bigger player like McDonald could fill in well for McKnight, whose size made him a threat on the outside. There's good speed in the group with players like Jones, who averaged 15.8 yards a catch as a freshman and led the team with 370 kick returns yards and a touchdown.

The 2012 Big Ten season doesn't kick off for six-and-a-half months, but spring football is just around the corner. All 12 Big Ten squads will hit the field next month for the first of 15 spring practices. There are plenty of new faces, as the winter months brought an unprecedented number of coaching changes to the Big Ten. Should be a fun and exciting spring around the conference.

Let's take a quick look at the Leaders Division:

IOWA

Spring practice start date: March 24
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• New coaching flavor: For the first time in the Kirk Ferentz era, Iowa will welcome new coordinators on both sides of the ball. Phil Parker isn't exactly new, having served as Iowa's defensive backs coach throughout Ferentz's tenure, but he now takes charge of the defense for the first time. Will he continue running Norm Parker's scheme or shake things up? Iowa also will have a new offensive coordinator (yet to be named) and several new position coaches, including Reese Morgan, who moves from offensive line to defensive line.
• Running back auditions: Iowa once again needs to identify a featured back after Marcus Coker transferred to Stony Brook in January. Coker basically was the team's rushing attack in 2011, accounting for 77.3 percent of the rushing yards and 61.9 percent of the carries. Jordan Canzeri and Jason White will compete with several other unproven players this spring. The good news is Iowa has had little trouble developing backs. Keeping them is another story.
• Reloading the defensive line: The running backs might get more attention, but defensive line is Iowa's most pressing need entering the spring. The Hawkeyes lose three starters from last season's squad, including NFL prospect Mike Daniels at defensive tackle. While D-line historically has been a strength for Iowa, the Hawkeyes haven't had so much uncertainty in quite some time. Morgan, who hasn't coached on the defensive side, has his work cut out this spring.

MICHIGAN

Spring practice start date: March 17
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Defensive line rotation: It's a good thing coach Brady Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison focus so much on the defensive line. The unit needs some extra attention this spring after losing standouts Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen. The defensive tackle spot will be particularly interesting. A lot of eyes will be on Will Campbell to see if the big man can finally blossom. Quinton Washington and others are in the mix.
• Receiving orders: Michigan needs to develop more options in the passing game this spring. The team loses top wideout Junior Hemingway, and Darryl Stonum was dismissed from the squad in January following another legal issue. Roy Roundtree needs a big spring as he looks to re-establish himself as the team's No. 1 wideout after a production drop-off last season. Tight end Kevin Koger also departs, creating an opportunity for others.
• Al Borges' offense, Take 2: The new offense had some highs and lows in Year 1, and Michigan will be looking to establish greater consistency this season. It'll be interesting to see how a full year in the system impacts quarterback Denard Robinson. Robinson must cut down on his interceptions after tossing 15 last season. The Wolverines also are looking for an offensive line anchor following the departure of All-American center David Molk.

MICHIGAN STATE

Spring practice start date: March 27
Spring game: April 28

What to watch:

• Take it to the Max: Andrew Maxwell's time has arrived as he steps in for three-year starter and three-time captain Kirk Cousins at quarterback. It's a tall order, but Maxwell has been groomed for this moment and has shown good potential in practices. He'll be working with a new set of leading receivers, including Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett, who hopes to be cleared to play for the upcoming season. Maxwell must establish himself as a team leader this spring.
• We're not Worthy: All-American Jerel Worthy is gone, and Michigan State needs a replacement for the standout defensive tackle. While Anthony Rashad White returns at the other D-tackle spot, the Spartans don't have much overall depth at the position. It'll be interesting to see what the coaches do with Micajah Reynolds, who has bounced between defensive line and offensive line during his career. It's a big spring for Vanderbilt transfer James Kittredge and a host of players who redshirted last season, including Damon Knox.
• Receiving orders: Arnett seemingly would be Michigan State's No. 1 receiver if he's ruled eligible by the NCAA, but there are no guarantees and the Spartans must identify other options this spring. Bennie Fowler showed promise in 2010 before being slowed by a foot injury last season. He needs a strong spring. Michigan State also is moving Tony Lippett back to receiver from cornerback, where he started several games last season. Lippett is an excellent athlete who can provide a boost on the edge. The Spartans also will be looking for more from tight end Dion Sims.

MINNESOTA

Spring practice start date: March 22
Spring game: April 21

What to watch:

• The search for a pass rush: Minnesota should be improved on offense in Year 2 of the Jerry Kill era, but the team could sink or swim depending on the defense. It starts up front with a defensive line that hasn't generated much pressure for several years. Coordinator Tracy Claeys wants to be aggressive, but can he find difference-makers? The Gophers haven't had an elite pass-rusher since Willie VanDeSteeg in 2008.
• Supporting cast on offense: Although quarterback Marqueis Gray had his ups and downs last season, he accounted for most of Minnesota's offense, leading the team with 966 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Gray needs more help if the Gophers intend to take the next step this season. Minnesota will be looking for a featured running back this spring, as Donnell Kirkwood and others are in the mix. The Gophers also need more options at receiver after losing Da'Jon McKnight.
• Troy Stoudermire: Stoudermire turned heads last spring with some big hits from the cornerback spot. After receiving an additional year of eligibility from the NCAA in January, he'll look to deliver more punishment. Minnesota desperately needs leaders and playmakers to emerge in the secondary, and Stoudermire's return could be huge after he missed most last season with a broken bone in his forearm.

NEBRASKA

Spring practice start date: March 10
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Star search on defense: No Big Ten defense loses more star power than Nebraska, which must replace linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard, the league's top performers at their respective positions. David's departure is especially critical, as Nebraska lacked depth in its defensive midsection last season. Although Nebraska played most of the past season without defensive tackle Jared Crick, it needs some difference-makers to emerge in all three levels of the defense this spring.
• Papuchis takes over: Like Iowa, Nebraska promoted a position coach to defensive coordinator, as John Papuchis takes control of a unit that fell short of expectations last season. Papuchis is young and energetic, and his rapid rise mirrors that of his boss, Huskers head coach Bo Pelini. Although no system overhaul is expected, it will be interesting to see how Papuchis puts his imprint on the defense this spring.
• Taylor Martinez's maturation: Despite two years as the starter and the support of his coaches, Martinez enters a pivotal spring. Although Martinez remained healthy last season and showed improved decision-making at times, he also completed just 56.3 percent of his passes and didn't break off as many long runs. A full year in Tim Beck's offense could pay off for Martinez this spring, but he needs to continue to make strides. It will be interesting to see if the coaches even entertain the possibility of a competition, or if backup Brion Carnes gets more reps.

NORTHWESTERN

Spring practice start date: March 3
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Colter and the QB race: Northwestern will have a quarterback competition this spring as it looks for Dan Persa's replacement, but the hope among many is for Kain Colter to take control. Colter stepped in for Persa last season and emerged as the team's best all-around offensive weapon. But he needs to improve his arm strength and his accuracy and show he can be a more complete quarterback at this level. Although Colter will be on the field no matter what in the fall, he has the opportunity in spring ball to solidify himself as the starting quarterback.
• Young defenders: The defense has been a big problem for the past year and a half, and Northwestern needs to identify more playmakers before September. The good news is the Wildcats played a lot of young players last season, particularly late in the season. Northwestern needs its youth to mature, beginning in the spring. Keep an eye on players such as defensive end Tyler Scott, safety Ibraheim Campbell, linebacker Collin Ellis and cornerback Daniel Jones. Northwestern needs several of them to take the next step.
• Spotlight on the secondary: Few Big Ten units struggled more than Northwestern's secondary did last season. Making matters worse, the Wildcats lose three starters, including All-Big Ten safety Brian Peters and cornerback Jordan Mabin, a four-year starter. If Northwestern ever intends to turn the corner as a program, it needs to build better depth in the secondary, whether it's through recruiting or from moving players from other positions. It'll be interesting to see how the group performs this spring.

The Big Ten had four 1,000-yard receivers in 2011, all of whom are graduating.

In fact, the league loses its top five receivers -- Iowa's Marvin McNutt, Illinois' A.J. Jenkins, Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham, Northwestern's Jeremy Ebert and Wisconsin's Nick Toon -- and returns just two of its top-10 pass catchers (Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis and Iowa's Keenan Davis). But the departures don't necessarily mean the Big Ten will be scrambling for elite wideouts in 2011.

Consider: of the league's top-10 receivers last fall, only four of them -- Ebert, McNutt, Penn State's Derek Moye and Minnesota's Da'Jon McKnight -- ranked in the top 10 the previous season. So there are receivers who take their game to the next level every season. Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis might have been the best example this past fall, as he caught 35 more passes and recorded 644 more receiving yards than he had in 2010.

Who will break out in 2012? Again, we're talking wide receivers here, not tight ends, of which there are several talented ones in the Big Ten.

Colleague KC Joyner thinks the Hawkeyes' Davis will take the next step. Davis, pegged to be Iowa's No. 1 wideout following McNutt's departure, is among the players Joyner lists in a recent piece on breakout receivers.

He writes:

An optimist would note that McNutt really wasn't a dominant wideout (his 9.0 YPA was only slightly higher than Davis'), that [Ken] O'Keefe often called, as ESPN.com Big Ten blogger Brian Bennett noted, a "buttoned-down style of play" and that Iowa has a potential Big Ten first-team quarterback in James Vandenberg.

I recently mentioned Davis as one of the Hawkeyes who needs a big offseason to take the next step this fall.

Who are some other potential breakout receivers in the Big Ten?

• Penn State's Justin Brown: Quarterback is Penn State's top offseason priority, but the Lions also need more from the receiver position. Moye's departure puts Brown in position to be the team's No. 1 target in the passing game. Brown averaged 14.8 yards per catch in 2011 and has the size to beat defensive backs for the ball.
• Michigan's Roy Roundtree: Roundtree might not qualify as a breakout player as he already has turned in a productive season (72 receptions, 935 receiving yards, 7 TDs in 2010). But after a significant production drop-off last year, Roundtree needs to elevate his play for a Michigan offense looking for a No. 1 wide receiver.
• Purdue's Antavian Edison: We've seen flashes from Edison in his first two seasons, both as a rusher and as a receiver. He clearly has the ability to take another step after recording 44 receptions for 584 yards and three touchdowns last fall. While Purdue likes to get a lot of players touches on offense, it needs a No. 1 receiver after Justin Siller's departure and Edison has a great opportunity to be that guy.
• Michigan State's DeAnthony Arnett: Arnett's placement comes with a caveat, as he must attain approval from the NCAA to avoid sitting out a season. But if the Tennessee transfer can play this fall, look out. Michigan State loses its top three receivers and its top tight end from 2011 and needs targets for new quarterback Andrew Maxwell. Arnett had 24 receptions for 242 yards as a freshman at Tennessee and could take a big step forward with the Spartans.
• Nebraska's Kenny Bell: Bell showed a lot of promise as a true freshman, averaging 14.4 yards per reception with three touchdowns. He had three or more receptions in five of the eight Big Ten games and added three catches and a touchdown against South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl. The Huskers need a lot more from their receivers in 2012, and Bell could move into a featured role.
• Indiana's Kofi Hughes: I really liked Hughes after watching him last spring, but like many, I assumed Damarlo Belcher would be the team's No. 1 wide receiver and not wash out midseason. Hughes ended up leading Indiana with 36 receptions for 536 receiving yards. He's still relatively new to the position and could take a big step forward in Year 2 of the Kevin Wilson era, as pass-friendly offensive coordinator Seth Littrell arrives.

Our postseason rankings of each position group from the 2011 Big Ten season took a short hiatus last week as signing day madness placed its grip on all of us.

Never fear, though, as the rankings are back in full force today, moving on to the receivers and tight ends as we round out our offensive skill positions.

We're looking for depth and not solely star power at the top here. This is how the preseason rankings looked. Some of these groups were undoubtedly hurt by inexperienced or underachieving quarterbacks, so we had to figure out how to weigh their performances in that light. Let's see how the list shakes out after the year ended:

1. Michigan State: The Spartans had the best combo at wideout with seniors B.J. Cunningham, a physical deep threat and No. 1 receiver, and Keshawn Martin, a speedster who could do all sorts of different things in the offense. Together, they combined for 2,083 receiving yards and 16 touchdown catches. Keith Nichol provided a solid third option who made the catch of the year in the Big Ten, if not all of college football, against Wisconsin. Tight end Brian Linthicum had 364 yards receiving and played a key role in the Outback Bowl win over Georgia.

2. Wisconsin: Depth? Hardly. But the Badgers got the most out of their front-line players. Starting wideouts Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis combined for 1,859 yards yard and 18 touchdowns. Eight of tight end Jacob Pedersen's 30 catches went for touchdowns. And don't underestimate the importance of the receivers and tight ends in the Wisconsin running game.

3. Northwestern: The Wildcats' wideouts likely would have put up better numbers if Dan Persa had stayed healthy all season. As it stood, Northwestern still got another outstanding year out of Jeremy Ebert (75 catches, 1,060 yards, 11 TDs). Kain Colter, when he wasn't playing quarterback or running the ball, managed 466 receiving yards. Demetrius Fields and Christian Jones were among the other contributors. First-team All-Big Ten tight end Drake Dunsmore was the team's No. 2 pass-catcher with 455 yards and six scores.

4. Iowa: Marvin McNutt was good enough to elevate this entire group. He led the Big Ten in receiving yards, finishing with 82 catches for 1,315 yards and 12 scores. Keenan Davis contributed 50 catches for 713 yards. But Davis and Kevonte Martin-Manley didn't help enough after strong starts to the season. Iowa didn't get a lot of production in the passing game out of its tight ends, either, with C.J. Fiedorowicz leading the way at 16 catches.

5. Michigan: The Wolverines didn't have any receivers finish in the top 10 in the league in the key categories, but what they had was a fairly deep group that knew how to go up and get Denard Robinson's throws. Though Roy Roundtree's numbers went way down from 2010, Junior Hemingway (699 receiving yards) emerged as a big-time playmaker. Jeremy Gallon came up with some key plays in huge spots as well. Tight end Kevin Koger gave Robinson a reliable safety valve and was a key cog in the offense.

6. Illinois: At first glance, A.J. Jenkins' tremendous numbers (90 catches, 1,276 yards, eight TDs) would make you think the Illini deserve to be ranked higher. But Jenkins did most of his work in the first half of the season; like the rest of the Illinois offense, his stats fell off a cliff in the second half. And he didn't have much assistance, as Spencer Harris and Darius Millines combined to record only half his number of catches. Jon Davis was the team's third-leading pass-catcher at tight end.

7. Purdue: It was quantity over star power for the Boilermakers, whose top four pass catchers — Justin Siller, Antavian Edison, O.J. Ross and Gary Bush — all had at least 29 receptions and 300 yards. Edison led the way with 584 yards. Tight ends Crosby Wright and Gabe Holmes combined for 29 catches. Purdue needs more playmaking ability from the tight end spot, something the team tried to address in this recruiting class.

8. Penn State: Evaluating the Nittany Lions receivers is tricky because the quarterback play was so inconsistent. Derek Moye was once again one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league, but a foot injury and an overall inability to get him the ball limited his production to 654 yards and only three scores. Justin Brown, who will likely be the team's go-to guy in 2012, put up good stats, while Devon Smith got a chance to flash his speed and averaged 16.1 yards per catch. The tight ends were rarely used in the passing game; expect that and a whole lot more to change under Bill O'Brien.

9. Nebraska: The Huskers must improve their overall passing game to take the next step as a program, and that includes a receivers group that had an up-and-down season in 2011. The good news is that Kenny Bell emerged as a potential star as a redshirt freshman. But Brandon Kinnie and tight end Kyler Reed failed to build on strong 2010 campaigns and were invisible for large stretches. Nebraska must hope Quincy Enunwa and Jamal Turner develop to go along with Bell.

10. Indiana: No one was more disappointing at this position in 2011 than the Hoosiers, whom we had pegged at No. 4 in our preseason list. DaMarlo Belcher, who led the league in receptions in '10, got himself booted off the team in midseason. Injuries hit the group hard as well. Kofi Hughes paced the group with 536 yards and found the end zone three times. Tight end Ted Bolser made only 14 receptions. We expected more from a Kevin Wilson offense.

11. Minnesota: Jerry Kill made finding playmakers at receiver a top priority in this recruiting class, and it's easy to see why. Da'Jon McKnight had a decent season (51, 760 and 4). After that, though, things dropped off quickly and the Gophers lacked players who could stretch the field. Tight end Eric Lair managed fewer than one-third the amount of catches he had in 2010.

12. Ohio State: Injuries, inexperience and suspensions combined to make this a difficult year for Buckeyes' receivers. No one had more than 14 catches all season, and no one topped 300 receiving yards. Things would have gone better if DeVier Posey hadn't been suspended for all but two regular-season games. Devin Smith showed potential as a true freshman, including his game-winning grab against Wisconsin. Tight end Jake Stoneburner scored seven times, but most of those came early in the year.

In case you missed the Big Ten chat from earlier today, here's a full recap.

Some highlights:

Zac from Ann Arbor: Why are you so confident Ohio will be elite, but less confident Michigan will?

Adam Rittenberg: Because Ohio State was elite from 2005-10, and Ohio State has recruited at a higher level than Michigan for most of that span. I'm not saying Michigan can't get to elite status as well, and Brady Hoke's first season both on the field and on the recruiting trail has been encouraging. But as I'll explain in a later post -- and as I have in previous posts -- Michigan has a lot to prove, and the 2012 schedules is the type that erase all doubts about your program or increase them substantially. I'm very encouraged by what I've seen from Michigan, but the 2011 schedule is a cakewalk compared with what Michigan faces in 2012.

Kris from Colorado: Obviously good receivers make it easier for a QB, but what kind of improvement can Gopher fans expect from Gray if the Gophers land both Harbison and McDonald?

Adam Rittenberg: Kris, I think it's more about Gray than about the receivers. He had Da'Jon McKnight in 2011, and McKnight is a guy with NFL potential. While it's always good to have multiple talented options, I think it's more about how Gray gets more consistent with his mechanics and his decision-making.

John from Kansas City: Adam, I am a devoted Husker fan. Do you think that Taylor Martinez was under utilized as a rusher this year? I understand he needs to be protected some so that he remains healthy throughout the season but I think it would put a lot more pressure on defenses if he ran the ball more. Especially since Rex Burkhead has become a dangerous threat this last year.

Adam Rittenberg: John, I hear you, but you saw in 2010 that Martinez can't be an effective player when he's not at or near 100 percent. Burkhead showed he's more than capable of carrying the load at RB, and Nebraska has some young RBs who should help in that regard. While Martinez has breakaway ability, you need to strike a delicate balance with how much he runs the ball.

Lou from Rockville, Md.: Regarding the PAC-12/B1G alliance, are there "safeguards" in place to prevent a Rose Bowl rematch? I think that would really undermine that arrangement at least in terms of football.

Adam Rittenberg: Lou, I think a lot depends on what happens with the BCS, whether there's a plus-one and whether the Rose Bowl is involved with any plus-one system. If the eventual Pac 12 and Big Ten champ play during the regular season and then win the leagues outright and don't reach the national championship or the national semifinals, you'll see them in the Rose Bowl. If there's a year where one champion advances to a semifinal game that isn't the Rose and the Rose can choose from a list of available teams, you could see the Rose take the rematch factor into account. So while you likely will see some Rose rematches some years, it will be the exception rather than the rule.

Thanks to those who sent questions, and my apologies to those whose questions weren't answered. Let's chat again next Wednesday at noon ET.

Michigan State receiver B.J. Cunningham and Penn State safety Nick Sukay were among the stars at Saturday's East-West Shrine Game, a showcase for potential NFL draft prospects.

Sukay won defensive MVP honors after grabbing an interception in the end zone with 5:51 to keep the score tied, though his East team lost 24-17 to the West squad. Cunningham, who had a strong week of practices leading up to the game, had a 17-yard touchdown catch and another nine-yard reception.

Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa was 1-of-3 passing for 10 yards, while Illinois receiver A.J. Jenkins was held without a catch. Jenkins rushed one time for no gain. But the Sporting News said Jenkins and Iowa cornerback Shaun Prater were among the players who helped their draft stock the most during the week in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Here are some more notes on Big Ten players from the game by our ESPN Scouts Inc. staff:

• Penn State's Nick Sukay did a good job of tracking the ball and making the play on an interception, though Northern Illinois QB Chandler Harnish put too much air on the ball and made it a much easier play. Sukay is a former strong safety now playing outside linebacker, and at only 211 pounds he needs to add 15-20 pounds. Still, he showed coverage range and ball skills on the pick.
• Wisconsin DS Aaron Henry laid out Massachusetts H-back Emil Igwenagu and got flagged for unnecessary roughness, but at least he led with his shoulder and not his helmet.
• Northwestern QB Dan Persa's lack of size is coming into play, but he's moving around well and creating passing windows. He overthrew South Dakota State WR Dale Moss on a fade down the left side, and Alabama WR Darius Hanks down the right side two plays later. He later rolled to his right and took a sack when he couldn't find anyone, but Persa has to throw the ball out of bounds to avoid unnecessary contact in addition to not losing yards in that situation
• Iowa DC Shaun Prater got to Mayo a split second early and was flagged for pass interference near the goal line, nullifying SS Duke Ihenacho's interception. Prater also got away with holding Mayo on another play.

The East-West Shrine Game wasn't the only all-star showcase on Saturday. The inaugural NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was held in Carson, Calif., and some Big Ten players stood out there, too.

Minnesota's Da'Jon McKnight led all receivers with four catches for 49 yards. Michigan State Hail Mary hero Keith Nicol had one catch for 37 yards. Illinois' Jason Ford, who was suspended for the team's Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl win, paced the American team with five rushes for 27 yards. Indiana's DaMarlo Belcher, who was dismissed from the team mideason, had two catches for 27 yards.

» Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

Another wild Saturday of Big Ten football has produced yet another No. 1 team in the power rankings. Whether this league is mediocre or balanced, it has been fun to watch.

Penn State takes over the top spot despite not playing a game Saturday. Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern make moves, while Nebraska and Michigan both take a tumble.

As a reminder, we're trying to keep the Big Ten power rankings consistent with how we rank teams in the ESPN.com power rankings. Teams are ranked according to body of work as well as recent performance.

1. Penn State (8-1, 5-0): The open week came at a great time for Joe Paterno's crew, which had additional time to gear up for its defining stretch of the season. Penn State finishes with Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin, and needs two wins to clinch the Leaders division. Given the league-wide struggles to win big games on the road, Penn State's home finale this week against Nebraska is critical for the Lions. The defense has been superb, as has workhorse running back Silas Redd, but Penn State likely will need big things from quarterback Matthew McGloin down the stretch.

2. Michigan State (7-2, 4-1): It was ugly at times, but Michigan State made enough plays down the stretch to escape Saturday's scare from Minnesota with a 31-24 victory. Kirk Cousins rebounded from the Nebraska debacle with 296 pass yards and two touchdowns, and Le'Veon Bell sparked an inconsistent run game (96 yards, 2 TDs). Michigan State looked a bit sluggish for the second consecutive game and will need greater intensity and a more polished performance this week at Iowa, which embarrassed the Spartans 37-6 last year at Kinnick Stadium.

3. Wisconsin (7-2, 3-2): There was no heartbreak this week, at least on the Wisconsin sideline. The Badgers got their groove back against Purdue, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Running back Montee Ball continued his assault on the record book with 223 rush yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Quarterback Russell Wilson was brilliant and Wisconsin had its way with an overmatched Purdue defense. Despite another special-teams breakdown, the Badgers received big plays from their defense and cruised to another easy home win. They now must toughen up on the road, where they play their next two games.

4. Nebraska (7-2, 3-2): Big Red will now need help to win the Legends division after falling to Northwestern on its home field. Nebraska lost to an unranked foe at home for the fifth consecutive year. After a breakthrough performance against Michigan State, the Huskers' defense backslid against Northwestern, which attacked the middle of the field and controlled the line of scrimmage. Although quarterback Taylor Martinez passed the ball extremely well, Nebraska made too many mistakes on both sides of the ball. The Huskers must now rebound on the road the next two weeks against Penn State and Michigan.

5. Michigan (7-2, 3-2): The Wolverines' slow starts and inconsistent passing attack finally caught up with them Saturday at Iowa. Although Michigan rallied valiantly behind Robinson, it fell short on its second consecutive road game. The Wolverines now need a lot of help to get back in the Legends division race, and the schedule doesn't get any easier with games at Illinois and against Nebraska and Ohio State. Michigan's defense struggled with Coker but, as usual, improved as the game went on. The offense simply showed up too late.

6. Ohio State (6-3, 3-2): The Buckeyes have won three straight to become bowl eligible and remain alive in the Leaders division after an 0-2 start to Big Ten play. They were far from dominant Saturday against Indiana, particularly on defense, but a commitment to the run game in the second half and a big interception by cornerback Travis Howard sealed the win. Senior running back Dan Herron has made a huge difference since his return from suspension, and running back Carlos Hyde emerged from the dog house with a big performance. A tricky game at Purdue awaits Ohio State this week before the showdown against Penn State.

7. Iowa (6-3, 3-2): Don't count out Iowa in the Legends division race. The Hawkeyes rebounded from a crushing loss at Minnesota and took care of Michigan on their home field, where they improved to 6-0. Iowa remains home this week to face Michigan State in another must-win matchup within the division. Sophomore running back Marcus Coker is starting to hit his stride, racking up 124 rush yards or more in each of his last four seasons. If the defense can build upon its performance Saturday, Iowa will be an extremely dangerous team down the stretch.

8. Northwestern (4-5, 2-4): The Wildcats do it every season -- record one big upset and one shocking defeat. They pulled off quite the stunner Saturday against then-No. 10 Nebraska, surviving an injury to starting quarterback Dan Persa and outlasting the surging Huskers at Memorial Stadium. Backup quarterback Kain Colter played a brilliant game behind a ferocious offensive line, and Northwestern's defense delivered by far its best performance of the season. The Wildcats can't avoid a hangover this week against Rice as they need at least two more wins to get bowl eligible. They play their final three games at home.

9. Illinois (6-3, 2-3): The open week gave the Fighting Illini a chance to regroup following their three-game slide. Illinois has amazingly had more yards and more first downs than any of its last three opponents -- Ohio State, Purdue and Penn State -- but dropped all three contests. Whitney Mercilus and his fellow defenders continue to play at a high level, but Illinois needs its offense to reappear to resurrect its season. Things don't get much easier the next two weeks as the Illini host Michigan and Wisconsin.

10. Purdue (4-5, 2-3): It has been a real struggle for Purdue since the Illinois win, as the Boilers have dropped consecutive road games by a combined score of 98-31. Purdue's defense had no answer for Ball, Wilson and the Wisconsin attack, which racked up 605 yards, including 364 on the ground. Boilers quarterback Caleb TerBush had a rough day with two interceptions, and the run game didn't show up for the second consecutive game. Purdue must now regroup this week against Ohio State, as it needs two more wins to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2007.

11. Minnesota (2-7, 1-4): The Gophers have looked like a completely different team since their open week. They gave Michigan State's decorated defense all it could handle Saturday at Spartan Stadium, as quarterback MarQueis Gray and wide receiver Da'Jon McKnight connected for three touchdown strikes. Gray has really emerged in last two games, recording 488 pass yards and 133 rush yards. Although Minnesota's defense remains too leaky, Jerry Kill's team is slowly taking steps in the second half of the season. Another rivalry game is on tap this week as Wisconsin visits TCF Bank Stadium.

12. Indiana (1-9, 0-6): A young Hoosiers squad admirably kept pace in Columbus for three and a half quarters before falling to Ohio State. Freshman quarterback Tre Roberson continues to impress and led a high-tempo Hoosiers attack that racked up 19 first downs and converted 10 of 17 third-down chances. The defense performed a bit better after a horrendous effort last week but still allowed too many big plays, and Indiana continued to fall victim to untimely penalties (6 for 62 yards). The Hoosiers get a much-needed bye before the final two games.

All three Big Ten halftime scores are surprising. This one may be the biggest head-scratcher.

Yes, Minnesota beat Iowa last week, but most people figured the Gophers got up emotionally in the rivalry game and would fall back down in a tough road spot. But Jerry Kill's team has thus far brought its momentum into East Lansing.

Michigan State leads thanks to an excellent touchdown drive engineered by Kirk Cousins after Minnesota kicked a field goal with 1:03 left. Cousins was fired up on the sideline after throwing a short touchdown pass, trying to get his teammates pumped up. And for much of the first half, the Spartans looked like they needed a spark.

The team went through an emotional October and is coming off a tough loss at Nebraska, so you could understand why the players might be a little flat against Minnesota. Edwin Baker lost a fumble, B.J. Cunningham couldn't haul in a touchdown pass, and the Gophers scored on a long touchdown pass in one of the worst displays of tackling you'll ever see by a Mark Dantonio team.

But Minnesota is playing well. Quarterback MarQueis Gray's improvement the past couple of weeks is startling. He's 9-for-13 for 163 yards with two touchdown passes to Da'Jon McKnight. He has also run for 34 yards.

The Gophers are gaining confidence and may hang around this one for a while. Michigan State needs to play with the urgency it showed in the final minute of the half, or its Big Ten title hopes could go up in smoke.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Record: 1-5 (0-2 Big Ten)

About the best thing Minnesota can say for the 2011 season right now is that at least it's halfway over. Not much was expected out of the Gophers this year, but hardly anybody thought they would be quite this bad. After playing USC tough on the road to open the year, just about everything went wrong. First-year head coach Jerry Kill suffered a seizure on the sidelines near the end of a loss to New Mexico State in the home opener, and Kill has had to be hospitalized twice to deal with the issue. Marqueis Gray has experienced some rocky moments while making the transition from wide receiver to quarterback, and the team has needed true freshman Max Shortell to take over under center during key stretches. The defense still lacks a legitimate pass rush and is one of the worst in the country against the pass. Minnesota's only victory came against Miami of Ohio, which was quickly erased a week later by a loss to FCS opponent North Dakota State. The Gophers were outscored 103-17 in their first six quarters of Big Ten play and look a long way from competing in the league. Kill will need to use the second half of the season to coach up his young players and identify leaders for next year. The 2011 season is already mostly lost.

Offensive MVP: Wide receiver Da'Jon McKnight. There's not much to highlight from the Big Ten's lowest scoring offense. Gray is a special athlete but has suffered his share of growing pains at quarterback. The running game has been below average. McKnight (25 catches, 316 yards, one touchdown) remains one of the better receivers in the league. Minnesota just needs to find more ways to get him the ball.

Defensive MVP: Safety Kim Royston. Much like on the offensive side, the Gophers don't have many all-star candidates on defense. Royston, who was granted an unexpected sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, leads the team in tackles with 51 and is among the tops in stops in the Big Ten. Of course, it's often a bad sign for your defense when the safety leads the team in tackles.

Thank goodness for Denard Robinson.

I say this not as a Michigan fan but as someone who has Robinson on my Big Ten fantasy team. Robinson's huge fourth quarter helped my squad, Non-Gingervitis, improve to 2-0 over Adam's Trombone Shorties. I eked out a 142-129 victory with the Wolverines quarterback posting a 45-point night against Notre Dame.

Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez also came through again with a 40-pointer against Fresno State. That more than made up for off days from my receivers and defense.

Adam thought he was in good shape earlier in the day, with strong showings from Nathan Scheelhaase (25 points), Russell Wilson (20), Marcus Coker (26) and Da'Jon McKnight (20). But the Shorties just don't have the star power of the Non-Gingers right now.

It's time to make our roster adjustments for Week 3. As always, the losing team from the previous week gets the first waiver priority, so Adam has that (dis)honor once again. Here are our moves for the week:

Adam drops Wisconsin RB James White for Penn State RB Silas Redd




Rationale: I could regret this as Northern Illinois can't stop the run, but Redd will have a big day against Temple as Penn State relies on its ground game.

Brian drops Illinois WR A.J. Jenkins for Michigan State WR B.J. Cunningham

Rationale: Jenkins might have a big day in what looks like a potential shootout against Arizona State. But after watching Notre Dame's corners struggle to contain Michigan's wideouts, I'm thinking the Spartans' all-time leading receiver could find the end zone a couple of times.

Adam drops Minnesota WR Da'Jon McKnight for Michigan WR Junior Hemingway

Rationale: Minnesota's offense worries me, while Hemingway has shown that when healthy, he's a big-play receiver.

Our complete rosters for Week 3:

THE TROMBONE SHORTIES

QB: Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois
QB: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
RB: Marcus Coker, Iowa
RB: Silas Redd, Penn State
WR: Marvin McNutt, Iowa
WR: Junior Hemingway, Michigan
Defense: Ohio State
Kickers: Michigan State

NON-GINGERVITIS

QB: Denard Robinson, Michigan
QB: Taylor Martinez, Nebraska
RB: Montee Ball, Wisconsin
RB: Edwin Baker, Michigan State
WR: B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State
WR: Damarlo Belcher, Indiana
Defense: Nebraska
Kickers: Wisconsin

I thought as the new guy here, I would have a sharp learning curve in all showdowns with Rittenberg.

But I'm already ahead in our game predictions record after one week, and my Big Ten fantasy team rolled to an easy victory over Ad-Rock in the opening weekend.

It's a long season, though, and I'm trying not to get cocky.

My team, Non-Gingervitis, scored 133 points to Adam's 110 in Week 1. Leading the way for me were Wisconsin running back Montee Ball (36 fantasy points vs. UNLV) and Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez (35 vs. Chattanooga). I also got a nice contribution from my sleeper pick, Indiana receiver Damarlo Belcher (16), which made up for an off week, fantasy-wise, for Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson.

Adam's team, the Trombone Shorties, didn't have any players score 30 points or more. But he did get big weeks from Iowa receiver Marvin McNutt (26) and the Ohio State defense (22). He had to be disappointed with Iowa's Marcus Coker and Penn State receiver Derek Moye scoring only five points each.

Like in any fantasy league, half the battle is in free-agent pickups. We can add and drop players as much as we want in this league. The loser from the previous week gets first pick off the waiver wire, so here are our moves for Week 2.

Adam drops Penn State WR Derek Moye for Minnesota WR Da'Jon McKnight

Rationale: I love me some Moye, but Alabama's secondary is scary good. I like for McKnight to make his way into the end zone a few times against a lousy New Mexico State team.



Brian drops Northwestern WR Jeremy Ebert for Illinois WR A.J. Jenkins

Rationale: Ebert is still a top-flight receiver, but as we saw last week against Boston College, his production dips without Dan Persa. Jenkins had a monster game against Arkansas State and should cause South Dakota State fits this week.

Adam drops Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins for Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson

Rationale: I'll go back to Cousins at some point, but for fantasy points purposes, Wilson does more because of his mobility. He's playing with a ton of confidence and is facing an Oregon State team that has very little.

Our complete rosters for Week 2:

THE TROMBONE SHORTIES

QB: Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois
QB: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
RB: Marcus Coker, Iowa
RB: James White, Wisconsin
WR: Marvin McNutt, Iowa
WR: Da'Jon McKnight, Minnesota
Defense: Ohio State
Kickers: Michigan State

NON-GINGERVITIS

QB: Denard Robinson, Michigan
QB: Taylor Martinez, Nebraska
RB: Montee Ball, Wisconsin
RB: Edwin Baker, Michigan State
WR: A.J. Jenkins, Illinois
WR: Damarlo Belcher, Indiana
Defense: Nebraska
Kickers: Wisconsin

Minnesota briefly interrupted the Matt Barkley-Robert Woods show and has put itself right back into the game.

The Gophers turned a USC special-teams gaffe into a touchdown as Duane Bennett scooted into the end zone from nine yards out, cutting the deficit to 19-10. Minnesota's defense still looks leaky against Barkley, who has been extremely sharp at the start of his third season, but the unit recorded a big fourth-down stop. The Gophers have been very good against the run today, but they need to start pressuring Barkley.

Minnesota's offense hasn't done much so far, and it's critical for quarterback MarQueis Gray to attack downfield more in the second half. Top wideout Da'Jon McKnight must get more involved after making only one catch so far.