ESPN College Football

The season might be over, but the mail never stops.

Let's do this.

Mike from Phoenix writes: As a Badger fan I was waiting to see your final power rankings of the year because I had a feeling that you might make MSU number 1. I just don't get it. It's the same way the coaches poll has MSU and Michigan ahead of Wisconsin. That's a joke.Look at the teams everyone played in the bowl season. MSU barely beat Georgia who is not the 2nd best team in the SEC even though they went to the title game. They are the 4th best team in that league. Michigan looked bad, and played one of the easiest teams in BCS history. Wisconsin would have destroyed both Georgia and Va. Tech, but you are penalizing them for going blow for blow with the most talented offensive team in the country. They were a fumble away from possibly winning.

Adam Rittenberg: Brian and I had a spirited debate about Wisconsin vs. Michigan State for No. 1. You can make good cases for both teams, but you can't base it solely on the bowl competition. Would Wisconsin have rolled Georgia? Maybe, maybe not. Georgia has a much better defense than Oregon and would have moved the ball against a Wisconsin defense that wasn't nearly as good as its stats indicated. Wisconsin also was extremely fortunate to beat Michigan State in the Big Ten title game, which the Spartans dominated for stretches. The two teams are evenly matched, as their two games this season showed. And I believe Michigan State ended the season playing better football than Wisconsin. I also tend to value teams with good to great defenses above those that rely on their offense. Michigan State is certainly superior to Wisconsin on defense.

---

Tim from Iowa writes: While it might get you some back lash, I'd like your opinion on this.....me and several friends have the opinion that if 2 B10 teams(esp in our champ game) played like LSU-Bama, the B10 would once again be ripped for 3 yards/cloud of dust 1950's football. I watched parts ofthe game last night, then the final 8min. what I saw was one great def, 2 bad quaterbacks, a very repeative ineffective O from LSU, and Iowa/B10 style ball control from Bama. then Saban being proclaimed the next "Bear".

Adam Rittenberg: Tim, you're right to a degree, although there was less SEC love about the national title game than there was about the 9-6 contest. The SEC in a sense has earned the right to have ugly games because teams from other leagues simply haven't stacked up against the SEC's best. The common belief is that while Oklahoma State would have scored against Alabama, the Tide still would have rolled the Cowboys by 20-30 points. But I agree the SEC is the only league that can "get away" with games like last night's. Most people would much rather see games like the Rose Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl. Alabama is a great football team with one of the best defenses I've ever seen. But LSU's offense would be mediocre to bad in most leagues, not just the SEC.

---

Ryan from Pittsburgh writes: Adam,What are your thoughts on the new Penn State staff? I have to admit I'm somewhat surprised. For years I thought that PSU would turn the corner if they could only get a younger fresher staff in place to energize recruiting. This new staff that O'Brien has coming in is not young at all, so I doubt they're great recruiters. Plus any Auburn fan will tell you that Roof was fired. Mack Brown fired McWhorter last year. Am I overreacting?

Adam Rittenberg: You bring up a good point, Ryan. A lot of veteran assistants are joining Bill O'Brien in State College. Keeping Larry Johnson is huge and a somewhat obvious move. He's one of the Big Ten's top recruiters, and he'll maintain Penn State's presence in the Maryland/DC area. His age isn't a factor in that regard. Ted Roof is the hire that has some Penn State fans upset. I agree he doesn't have the best track record, but the overall defensive staff with both Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden still looks solid to me. Charles London is a younger guy (mid-30s), but he's definitely the junior member right now. It'll be interesting to see who O'Brien hires to fill out the staff. Some more youth would be nice.

---

Jeff from Omaha, writes: Adam? Why am I so awesome?

Adam Rittenberg: Ask myself the same thing every morning.

---

Sam from Kalamazoo, Mich., writes: Adam, can you please explain your rationale for naming MSU as an early favorite to win the B1G in 2012 over, say, Michigan? The Wolverines return two 1,000 yard rushers in Denard and Fitz Toussaint, 3 starting receivers, and a top-5 recruiting class loaded with 4 and 5 star DLs, LBs, and OLs. Molk, Van Bergen, and Martin will be sorely missed, but I'm not sure it makes sense that MSU is so ramped for success after losing 6 All-Big Ten players and playing in the Big House. Can you even name next year's replacement for mighty Kirk Cousins off the top of your head?

Adam Rittenberg: Sure, Sam. Andrew Maxwell. Michigan State has been grooming him the past two seasons. Will he be as good as Cousins? That's a tall order, but he's not coming out of nowhere. Michigan State is my pick because of its defense. While Jerel Worthy is a big loss, the Spartans return a ton of elite athletes in all three levels, players like Will Gholston, Denicos Allen, Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard. The Spartans have more difference-makers on defense than Michigan will in 2011, at least in my view. I also believe MSU will be a more effective running team than it was this season because of an experienced line and a strong lead back in Le'Veon Bell. I certainly could see Michigan winning the division, but the Wolverines have a much tougher schedule in 2012 and could have a better team with a worse record (much like MSU this season versus 2010).

---

Ben from Fargo, N.D., writes: One of the big stories in 2012 will be a surprising improvement in Minnesota's defensive line play. Ask Jerry Kill about Thieren Cockran. He's coach Kill's secret weapon.

Adam Rittenberg: Will do, Ben. Thanks for the note. Minnesota's defensive line play has struggled since Willie VanDeSteeg departed following the 2008 season. Gophers have ranked and 78th, 120th and 86th nationally in sacks in the past three seasons. It's an area of focus throughout the offseason as Minnesota loses linebacker Gary Tinsley and standout safety Kim Royston. Cockran, a redshirt freshman defensive end from Florida, is among those who needs to step up in 2012.

---

Matt from Burbank, Calif., writes: Hi Adam,Regarding Northwestern next year, do you think Kain Colter gets the starting QB job? I've been of the opinion that he is more dangerous in a utility role as he was used these season, but on the other hand he's proven he can win and be effective as the top guy. Additionally, do you think there's any hope for this defense?Thanks for a great season, can't wait till next year! Bowl win or bust!

Adam Rittenberg: Matt, I think Colter will be the starter for 2012, but he has to make some important strides as a passer during the offseason. Northwestern's offense is predicated on short passing and accuracy. The Wildcats convert a lot of third downs, and Colter has to be able to make the throws Dan Persa, Mike Kafka and C.J. Bacher have made in recent years. He's the best athlete Northwestern ever has had at quarterback, and he's a perfect fit for the spread -- as long as he gets better as a passer. If there's little to no progress, Northwestern will have to use another quarterback, likely Trevor Siemian, to spark the passing game. Offensive coordinator Mick McCall has developed quarterbacks well at Northwestern, and Colter is his next big project.

---

Kevin from New Orleans writes: It's been a tough couple weeks to be a Badger. Lost the Rose Bowl, lost 3 straight in hoops, lost 5 coaches. First let me say, if Bielama has Barry's confidence and support, then he has mine. Have you heard anything? Are the Badgers getting some really good coaches? I doubt we'll get anybody that can match the talent we are losing, but maybe we get an upgrade on the recruiting. 4 of the 5 coaches that left were not good recruiters. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Adam Rittenberg: Kevin, while it's tough right now, I think Wisconsin fans should have faith in Bret Bielema to make some good hires. As you note, Joe Rudolph is the only major loss from a recruiting standpoint. Bielema has made good choices in the past, such as defensive coordinator Dave Doeren (now head coach at Northern Illinois), Dave Huxtable (did a great job with UW linebackers in only year) and Chris Ash (has upgraded secondary, now defensive coordinator). It'll be interesting to see where he turns to replace Paul Chryst and Bob Bostad, but a lot of good coaches will want to come to Madison after seeing what Wisconsin has done the past few years. So I would look at Bielema's hiring track record and feel confident.

---

Lance from Arlington writes: "While Penn State has produced some solid college quarterbacks -- most recently Daryll Clark, the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year"While your opinion is correct in general, saying Daryll Clark was solid does him an injustice. DC (along with Drew Brees) was the best QB the Big Ten has had since Kerry Collins and Michael Robinson is right there. Simply put, Penn State has produced three of the top five QB's to have competed in the Big Ten since their arrival. You will no doubt disagree since you hate Penn State but you are wrong.

Adam Rittenberg: Lance, I don't hate Penn State. I hate every school according to you folks. Let's get that cleared up. I was a big Daryll Clark fan during his career, but your argument doesn't hold up. Troy Smith won a Heisman Trophy in 2006. He played between Brees and Clark. Iowa's Brad Banks won the Davey O'Brien award in 2002. He played between Brees and Clark. While Clark led the Big Ten in pass efficiency in conference games in 2009 (136.6), it's the lowest rating for a Big Ten leader since at least 1980. His season rating that year (142.6) didn't lead the league (Terrelle Pryor did) and ranks behind all of the league leaders since 1980. Again, not hating on Daryll, who has a really nice career in State College, as did Michael Robinson. But there have been better Big Ten quarterbacks since Kerry Collins, including Wisconsin's Russell Wilson this year.

If Penn State fans are disappointed with the list of candidates for the school's head-coaching vacancy, they should check out another list: the school's recent quarterbacks.

This exercise isn't meant to further depress Nittany Lions supporters. It actually should get them excited about the team's future under new coach Bill O'Brien.

Bear with me here.

One of the biggest knocks on Penn State during the Joe Paterno era was the team's inability to produce viable NFL quarterbacks. Unless Kerry Collins returns to an NFL team in 2012, Penn State will have no former quarterbacks playing quarterback at the next level (Michael Robinson is a running back for the Seattle Seahawks). The San Francisco 49ers in 2006 drafted Robinson as a running back, meaning that Penn State hasn't had a quarterback selected in the NFL draft since 1997, when the Baltimore Ravens selected Wally Richardson in the seventh round.

That's a stunning drought for a program considered a traditional power. In the Big Ten, only Minnesota and Nebraska have gone longer without having a quarterback selected.

Penn State has had only two other quarterbacks drafted -- Collins, a first-round pick in 1995, and Tony Sacca, a second-round pick in 1992 -- since Todd Blackledge in 1983. Sacca played only two games in his pro career. Blackledge played six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, throwing 29 touchdowns and 38 interceptions in his career.

While Penn State has produced some solid college quarterbacks -- most recently Daryll Clark, the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year -- the program has been lacking at the position.

O'Brien could provide a boost at quarterback and for an offense that ranked 93rd nationally this season and that has finished in the top 30 nationally just twice (2002, 2008) since the 2000 season. One of the common complaints I've heard from Penn State fans, particularly the past two seasons, is that the team's offense is stuck in the past.

O'Brien has worked with one of the best quarterbacks to ever play -- Tom Brady -- the past few years with the New England Patriots. While his track record as an offensive coordinator in college isn't overly impressive, he was part of a Maryland staff that produced the nation's No. 28 offense in 2003. Georgia Tech finished 15th nationally in total offense in 2000, while O'Brien served as the team's running backs coach and recruiting coordinator.

If nothing else, O'Brien has seen what good offense and good quarterback play looks like. The Patriots rank second in the NFL in both total offense (428 ypg) and pass offense (317.8), and third in scoring (32.1 ppg).

That doesn't mean O'Brien's arrival automatically makes Penn State one of the Big Ten's top offenses in 2012. But if he hires the right staff and can develop players effectively, things will be looking up for the Lions attack. Penn State needs much more out of the quarterback position than it received this year, as Matthew McGloin and Rob Bolden shared time and neither had much success.

Maybe O'Brien gets the most out of McGloin. Maybe O'Brien fosters the development not seen from Bolden. Maybe another quarterback emerges this fall under O'Brien's tutelage.

O'Brien clearly has more important things on his plate as he transitions into a job he's never held before.

But his presence in State College could be just what Penn State needs to upgrade the most important position on the field.

Happy St. Patrick's Day (and start of NCAA tournament day)! It's great to be back at work.

• Ohio State coach Jim Tressel apologizes to a group of fans.
• Wisconsin begins its 2012 recruiting with a big-splash commitment. Tom Oates ponders whether tight end Lance Kendricks could join two Wisconsin teammates as first-round picks in April.
• As Nebraska takes a break in spring ball, Bo Pelini tells his players to stay ready, Jon Nyatawa writes in the Omaha World-Herald. Nebraska has "changed everything" on offense, according to assistant Barney Cotton.
• Michigan's new strength coach doesn't talk much but gets results, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News. A few Wolverines nuggets from annarbor.com's Pete Bigelow.
• Iowa's best linebackers are sophomores, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. If you want tickets to Iowa-Nebraska this fall, it's gonna cost you, Randy Peterson writes in the Des Moines Register.
• A recap of Penn State's pro day from The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News' Jared Shanker. Former Lions QB Daryll Clark is a bit miffed after being prohibited from participating in pro day, Ron Musselman writes in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
• Eric Gordon upstaged fellow Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones at the team's pro day, Dave Birkett writes in the Detroit Free Press. If you're going to Spartan Stadium this fall, leave your bags at home.
• Rivals.com's Tom Dienhart previews spring ball at both Michigan and Penn State.
• A look back at the legendary career of Minnesota coach Murray Warmath, who died Wednesday at 98.
• The Chicago Bears had a noticeable presence at Illinois' pro day, Brad Biggs writes in the Chicago Tribune.

Rob Bolden confirmed Sunday in an interview with FightOnState.com that he is, in fact, happy at Penn State.

He just might not stay there after spring ball.

The quarterback continues to enjoy his freshman year, his teammates and fun campus events. After participating in THON last weekend, Bolden attended an Uplifting Athletes event Sunday. He has been breaking down game tape with former Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark, who moved back to State College after a season in the CFL.

All seems well in Bolden's world.

But asked about his long-term future with Penn State, Bolden left the door open.

“There is no definite answer on if I'm gonna stay or if I'm gonna leave,” Bolden said. “We're just gonna wait it out, see what happens in the spring and go from there.”

Bolden requested his release from the team after the Outback Bowl, but coach Joe Paterno didn't grant it and Bolden returned to Penn State for the start of the spring term. The quarterback is focused on his game, telling FightOnState.com, "I need to work on everything. My whole game needs to be bumped up."

The big question with Bolden is how he responds if things don't go his way in the spring. If he feels he's not being given a fair shot to win the starting job -- a sentiment he felt during the second half of the 2010 season -- it would be hard to see him sticking around in State College. But what if he struggles or another quarterback (Matt McGloin, Paul Jones) simply plays better? How will Bolden react? Will he only want to stay if he's tabbed the starter after spring ball?

Give this kid credit. A lot of players in his situation would pout and remove themselves from the normal offseason team routine. Bolden continues to be a big part of the squad and remains focused on his future. Although he's not committing to Penn State beyond the spring, he seems like he wants things to work out.

Should be an interesting spring for Bolden and the Lions.

As always, you can contact me here and follow me on Twitter.

Lance from Bedford, Pa., writes: Hi Adam, I may be beating a tired drum here but how much of Penn State's lack of success can really be attributed to youth (and how much to leadership and intangibles)? We see college freshmen perform solidly on the field all of the time (Matt Barkley, Chad Henne, T. Pryor to name only a few) without the luxury of a running back who is about to shatter the school's rushing record and a defense that has held its own despite injuries and turnover after turnover. I think this team as a whole looks beaten when they come out of the tunnel and at times, particularly against Illinois, completely disinterested. Throw in the recent finger pointing and this is surely a symptom of a messy locker room and not lack of talent or youth. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Adam Rittenberg: Lance, totally agree with what you say here. It's never easy to start a true freshman at quarterback like Penn State is doing with Rob Bolden, but team leadership seems to be a bigger issue. A large part of it is guys like Daryll Clark and Sean Lee don't come along every year. Throw in Joe Paterno's absence for a large chunk of the offseason and I think Penn State isn't sure who to turn to this year. Running back Evan Royster clearly is frustrated, and while I love how honest he was about the rushing record before the season, you have to wonder if he's taking the right mind-set to the playing field. The other thing with Penn State has been injuries to key players. Can't overlook those. But leadership is a problem, and it's up to captains Brett Brackett and Ollie Ogbu to get it corrected.

---

Ben from Austin, Texas, writes: Adam, what do you think the Big Ten's chances are of sending two teams to BCS bowls this year? Do we have a better chance if our squads don't get selected for the BCS Championship, given the selection rules the Rose Bowl is following this year?

Adam Rittenberg: Until the streak of two BCS bids per year ends for the Big Ten, I'll always list the chances at very high. And I don't think it matters too much if the Big Ten sends a team to the BCS title game and loses its Rose Bowl spot to Boise State or TCU. The Fiesta Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Orange Bowl will jump at the chance to select Big Ten teams with large traveling fan bases, certainly ahead of some Pac-10 teams being considered and maybe ahead of those from the SEC and Big 12, too.

---

Watson from Marshalltown, Iowa, writes: Hey Adam, great job on the blog. I really like your rewind/preview posts every week. Here's an idea: in the rewind, how about rehashing your picks from the previous week? It would probably make for some interesting comparison, as to whether some of them were spot-on or others were way off.

Adam Rittenberg: Watson, I'm going to put this question out there for everyone who reads this blog. I've added to my already full plate of posts this year with Big Ten stock report, so something had to go and it was the picks rewind. I can bring back the picks rewind but the stock report would have to go. Sorry, just not enough time to do it all with everything else asked of us. Which would you like to see more: stock report or picks review? Majority rules.

---

Daniel from Battle Creek, Mich., writes: Adam, I was wondering after just one game how can you write off the Wolverines as an explosive offense. I understand the turnovers were bad and sloppy play on offense, (we know that their defense is always sloppy) but we are one of the best offenses in the conference.

Adam Rittenberg: Don't be so sensitive, Daniel. The video post was about offensive evolution around the league. I didn't mean to slight Michigan, but Rich Rodriguez's scheme has been proven over time and once again is thriving with Denard Robinson calling the signals. I was looking at teams that have tweaked the scheme this year like Michigan State, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Purdue (last week with Rob Henry). Michigan's offense remains potent, as it has throughout Rodriguez's coaching career other than 2008.

---

Greg from Carbondale, Ill., writes: Are you serious with your midseason selection for best coach? Not to knock what MSU has done, but Vic Koenning clearly deserves consideration. He's taken one of the worst defenses in DI last year and made it a top 20 defense -- through games against #1 OSU and noncon opponents with more offensive firepower than any other Big10 team has played. WITH injuries to two key starters that have kept them out the entire season so far, and brand new starters at safety and corner. That's fantastic coaching.

Adam Rittenberg: Greg, the "best coach" category applies for head coaches or, in Michigan State's case, a coach handling the head-coaching duties like Don Treadwell did in Mark Dantonio's absence. I've given Vic Koenning a ton of credit on the blog -- more than any other national media member -- and I'd venture to say he has been the most effective first-year coordinator through the first half of the college season. He has some talent to work with, but unlike others, he's getting the talent to play together so far. It's great to see. Still, what Treadwell and Dantonio have done at Michigan State is phenomenal.

---

Jeremy from Minneapolis writes: Adam, you said this about the Wisconsin 2-point conversion: "Bielema claimed he was following the coaches' guide on when to go for two, but Minnesota coach Tim Brewster and many others saw it as an attempt to run up the score. Brewster might not get a chance for revenge in the rivalry..."That last sentence baffles me. Everyone here in Minnesota expects Brew to be fired as head coach of the Gophers. And if he isn't, you can mark it down, that pretty new stadium we have will be full of other Big Ten team's fans. My question for you is, is there REALLY any chance of Brew keeping his job (as your post almost seems to point to)? I guess it's kind of fitting, Brews first and last year as the head coach, Minnesota went 1-11.

Adam Rittenberg: Jeremy, I know Minnesota fans see this as a done deal, and I had major concerns about Brewster's future even before the season began. But we still have six games to play, and Minnesota has some winnable games the next two weeks against Purdue and Penn State before Ohio State comes to town. Brewster clearly needs to show some major progress ASAP, and he might not be able to save himself, but most people thought Ron Zook was finished at this time last year and look where Illinois' program is now. Anything can happen, but it doesn't look good for him or the Gophers.

---

Matt D. from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam,I'm really struggling as a Spartan fan this year. When I watch MSU games this year I no longer have that feeling of excitement mixed with dread and fear. When it's the forth quarter I'm not standing 18 inches away from my TV hoping the next play doesn't spell the end for the Spartans. Is everything OK? Is this how it feels to cheer for an elite program? It's all so new and I'm scared!!!

Adam Rittenberg: Haha, Matt, great e-mail. And I'm sure you're not the only Spartans fan to feel this way. Enjoy the ride! I'm sure it beats waiting for that second-half collapse. Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if you're a bit nervous on Saturday against Illinois. This is a classic trap game.

---

Christopher from Chicago writes: Simple question: does Northwestern need a running game? I'm only asking because it seems like they've moved the ball/controlled the clock fine against everyone through the air....yet continually fail with the running game as they try to achieve 50-50 run-pass balance. And it finally cost them this past week vs. Purdue....

Adam Rittenberg: It's something Northwestern has to evaluate closely during the bye week. Conventional football wisdom says you can't win, especially in the Big Ten, without a consistent rushing attack. But Northwestern won eight games last year with a woeful run game, and Dan Persa has been so efficient as a passer that he doesn't need much help from the ground game. Now throwing the ball 45-55 times has its risks -- sacks, interceptions -- but I'd like to see Persa throwing it more than he has. Jeremy Ebert and Drake Dunsmore are major weapons, and running the ball just for the sake of it rather than throwing to them doesn't make much sense. Northwestern didn't lose to Purdue solely because of the run game, but the Wildcats didn't attack the Boilers' secondary nearly as much as I thought they would.

---

Jordan A. from Washington writes: Adam, reflecting on Michigan's loss vs MSU on Saturday, does it feel like a perpetual problem with Rodriguez to get his teams up for big rivalry games? Before the game, it seemed like Michigan wasn't "up" at all, and the emotion pre-game seemed to be with the MSU players. For me, it felt a lot like the WVU-Pitt game in 2007, where a rival was just far and away more psyched for the game than Rodriguez's players were. It feels like this is two things happening: first, Rich Rod's out of state recruitment (and his own background, for that matter) makes MSU a minor rival--the Florida kids like Robinson and Coach Rod himself didn't grow up with this rivalry; and second, just Rich's personality, not to make big games a focal point on the calendar. This is, of course, in sharp contrast to Michigan's rivals in East Lansing and Columbus, who make beating Michigan a priority both privately and publicly. Do you think there is something to be said for this? And if so, do you think that, even if Michigan can win 7 or 8 games this year, beating MSU and OSU in 2011 is a must for Rich to keep his job?

Adam Rittenberg: Thanks, Jordan. You're not the only Michigan fan making the argument that Rodriguez and his players aren't connected enough to these rivalry games and perhaps lack the emotional fuel to win them. Quite frankly, I don't buy this at all. Rodriguez hasn't beaten Michigan State or Ohio State because he doesn't have a better team than the Spartans or the Buckeyes. Emotion can help you for half a quarter or so, but it doesn't typically lift you to a victory against a superior opponent. I thought Michigan came out with great energy Saturday and moved the ball downfield on its opening drive before Robinson threw the interception. Michigan will beat Michigan State and Ohio State when it has the better team, not when Rodriguez plays up the rivalry enough to satisfy Michigan fans (who might never be satisfied). A Michigan alum could coach a bunch of homegrown players and if his team wasn't better, he'd probably lose, too.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Record: 3-3 (0-2 Big Ten)

Penn State entered the season with somewhat tempered expectations after losing more individual standouts -- seven All-Big Ten performers from 2009, including three first-team selections -- than any team in the league. But no one in Happy Valley expected this. The Nittany Lions reach the midpoint of the season at 3-3, but totally unsure of who they are after getting pounded at home by Illinois. They rank last in the Big Ten in both scoring (18.2 ppg) and total offense (335.2 ypg), struggles you can attribute partly to starting a true freshman quarterback in Rob Bolden. But Bolden doesn't deserve blame for a unit that boasts a senior running back in Evan Royster and enough experience along the offensive line. Penn State twice has been held out of the end zone and hasn't eclipsed 24 points against an FBS opponent. The defense held up nicely for a while, but injuries both before and during last Saturday's game against Illinois leave the unit depleted. If Tom Bradley can't fill gaps after the bye week, it could be a very long second half. Penn State clearly has enough talent to turn things around, but the preseason questions about leadership, from Joe Paterno on down, are very real. It's very hard to replace replace leaders like Daryll Clark and Sean Lee, and Paterno's involvement after a rough spring/summer of health-related issues is up for debate.

Offensive MVP, WR Derek Moye: There aren't many candidates for a struggling unit, but Moye turned in a nice first half. The junior leads Penn State in both receptions (22) and receiving yards (17.1 ypg), and he has showcased his big-play ability on more than one occasion, hauling in an 80-yard touchdown from Bolden against Illinois. Fellow wideouts Brett Brackett and Devon Smith also have done some good things.

Defensive MVP, LB Chris Colasanti: Safety Nick Sukay (3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble) has made more impact plays, but Colasanti's overall production can't be overlooked for a defense that held its own before the injury bug struck. Colasanti leads the Big Ten with 59 tackles, including 18 against Illinois, the highest single-game total at Penn State since Dan Connor in 2007. Colasanti boasts four tackles for loss and a pass breakup.

In the past, offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski never had to bring a compass to Penn State practice.

Veteran leaders like Daryll Clark, Sean Lee, A.Q. Shipley and Josh Gaines drove the bus, and everyone knew the direction in which the Nittany Lions were headed. Wisniewski merely had to hop on board.

It's not that simple in Happy Valley this season.

Penn State knows where it wants to go and what it wants to be, but there are fewer certainties. Starting quarterback Rob Bolden has been a college player for less than two months. The offensive line is still settling in after an offseason shuffle. Several of the key contributors on defense are new.

Where is Penn State headed this fall? It's still to be determined.

"It's a little different," Wisniewski said. "It takes a little bit a longer to see what you got when you have some younger guys. We know they're very talented, but it takes getting into a season to see how well they're going to develop."

A Week 2 trip to No. 1 Alabama showed Penn State how far it needs to go. The Lions responded last week against Kent State, blanking the Golden Flashes 24-0, though the win left some lingering doubts about the offense.

Penn State faces another huge test Oct. 2 at No. 18 Iowa in the Big Ten opener, but first it takes on an undefeated Temple team brimming with confidence and seeking a historic upset Saturday at Beaver Stadium (Big Ten Network, 3:30 p.m. ET).

Despite a mid-game offensive lull against Kent State, Wisniewski and his linemates gained confidence from the way they started and finished. The offensive line had been a question mark entering the season, but Penn State is the only FBS team yet to allow a quarterback sack through the first three games.

The Lions also received a second-half boost from backup running back Stephfon Green, who rushed for 59 yards on only 11 carries.

"Offensively, we saw signs that we can have a very balanced attack, and that can create problems for people," Wisniewski said. "We’re starting to do well picking up some of the more complex blitzes and things defenses are throwing at us. You can see it in that we haven't given up a sack here in three games, which is excellent, given how many different [position] changes we had."

Penn State's biggest question mark on offense remains one of the unit's few guarantees entering the season -- senior running back Evan Royster. The first-team All-Big Ten selection from 2009 has yet to eclipse 40 rushing yards in the first three games.

Royster reached the end zone for the first time against Kent State but also fumbled in the third quarter and saw his duties limited. The senior returned to Penn State in part to be a featured back this fall, but he has had to share carries with Green, a veteran reserve, and emerging freshman Silas Redd. Left tackle Quinn Barham told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that "we're worried" about Royster's struggles.

"I’m sure he'd like to get the ball a little bit more, but he’s handling it well," Wisniewski said. "He knows that the heart of our season is still to come."

Wisniewski shot down the notion that Royster might be pushed for his starting spot.

"He doesn't need to earn the job," Wisniewski said. "It’s his job. He's got 3,000 yards rushing. That's not something he needs to worry about."

Coach Joe Paterno doesn't sound as concerned as he did leading up to the season. There are the typical JoePa lines -- "I couldn't tell you there's one area where I'm completely satisfied," he said Tuesday -- but aside from being more competitive at Alabama, the team has developed on schedule.

Paterno identified consistency in the run game and forcing more turnovers as two things Penn State must achieve in the coming weeks.

"I've been optimistic that one of these days, we're going to be a pretty good football team," Paterno said. "We’re not there yet. We're a little better now than we were to start with. ... Hopefully, we'll have a good week and play a little better against Temple than we've played so far this year, and I think we'll have to, to win it.

"We've done about as well as I could expect."

Daryll Clark is still making great reads for Penn State.

Before training camp kicked off in State College, Clark was talking to Nittany Lions receiver Graham Zug about incoming freshman quarterback Rob Bolden. Clark, the record-setting signal caller at Penn State from 2006-09, had spent some time with Bolden at the Elite 11 quarterback camp last summer in California.

"[Bolden is] going to come in and he's going to be able to make his reads. He's a good quarterback, and he's further ahead than [I've] seen in a lot of high school quarterbacks," Clark told Zug.

"After that," Zug said, "I kind of knew this guy's for real."

More evidence arrived in camp, as Bolden immediately put himself in the mix to replace Clark as Penn State's starter. Although Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin were sophomores and freshman Paul Jones had gone through spring ball, Bolden, the last man to enter the race, quickly joined the lead pack.

When the dust settled last Thursday, coach Joe Paterno and his staff made a historic decision and named Bolden as the team's starter. Two days later, Bolden became the first freshman quarterback to start a season opener for Penn State in 100 years.

He more than held his own against Youngstown State, completing 20 of 29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns with an interception that wasn't all his fault (receiver Derek Moye tripped). The 6-4, 208-pound Bolden looked like a freshman for a quarter and a half before settling into a nice rhythm.

"He wasn't nervous at all, didn't have those jitters or anything," Zug said. "He was comfortable, cool and calm."

Paterno adhered to his long-standing policy with true freshmen and didn't make Bolden available to reporters after the game or this week. But other than the media blackout, Paterno isn't treating Bolden like a newbie.

The 83-year-old typically puts true freshmen one rung above the water boys, but Bolden is different.

"He's very poised, he's all business, he's a very likable kid, he's coachable, he's a hard worker," Paterno said. "He's everything you're looking for."

Bolden's rapid rise has been one of the Big Ten's surprise story lines so far in 2010. Now the freshman has the chance to shock the college football world.

He makes his first career road start Saturday against No. 1 Alabama, the defending national champion (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET). Few freshmen in college football history have had tougher assignments in their first away games than Bolden will have at a sold-out Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"We kind of had to put the Rosetta Stone program together to help him learn the language," Penn State quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno told reporters after the Youngstown State game. "He learned Spanish. Next week he's got to know Mandarin Chinese -- on the road, be fluent in it, under pressure. So we'll see."

Bolden's teammates have realistic expectations for Saturday night.

"There's probably going to be some bumps along the way," said receiver Brett Brackett, who caught two touchdown passes from Bolden against Youngstown. "How he reacts to those bumps will tell how he does as a whole. ... He hasn’t played in that type of environment. There aren't many like it. But I'd like to think the way he handles himself and the way he handles the huddle will help him down there."

Penn State's offensive players already are noticing changes in Bolden this week. His voice is stronger in the huddle -- not quite up to Clark's timbre, but getting there. He's also grasping the importance of leading with a swagger.

"He’s taking control, making sure everybody knows it’s his huddle," Zug said. "I expected him to be nervous in the last game, but he wasn't nervous at all. I think he'll be the same way this game."

The odds are against Bolden to beat 'Bama.

But as he has proven in the last month, the odds don't mean much to him.

Joe Paterno expects to make a decision on Penn State's starting quarterback later today or Wednesday.

"We've got to make up our minds here," Paterno said on the Big Ten coaches' teleconference.

But regardless of who walks out there first for Penn State on Saturday -- Matt McGloin, Kevin Newsome or Robert Bolden -- the Nittany Lions likely will play more than one quarterback in their opener against Youngstown State. That's the way it goes when a team has virtually no experience returning at the most important position on the field.

True freshman Paul Jones is out of the race for 2010, as academic issues have prompted him to redshirt. Sophomores McGloin and Newsome and true freshman Bolden have paced each other throughout camp.

"We'll play more than one quarterback," Paterno said. "We'll play two or maybe three until we're settled, until one is the leader. ... None of them have played. One of the kids [Newsome] has played about 30 plays, so it's difficult for me to tell you just how good some of them are going to be."

Newsome entered camp with a slight edge after backing up Daryll Clark last year, but McGloin has played well and gained confidence. Bolden only arrived at Penn State this summer but has generated a lot of buzz with his performance in camp.

Paterno's stance on playing freshmen is well known: he hates it, much less at the quarterback position. But the 6-foot-4, 208-pound Bolden might be too good to leave on the sideline.

"We've got to use a younger player and we've got to do the best we can to get him ready to be effective," Paterno said. "We're fortunate that we have more than one kid who has the physical ability, but it's just a question right now of who's going to be the guy in the huddle who says, 'Let's get this thing going.'

"We've got a play a young one. I don't like it, but we've got to play him."

One more Penn State nugget:

• Despite being listed as a starting cornerback on the Week 1 depth chart, Chaz Powell has been moved back to offense, Paterno said. Penn State is hurting a bit on offense with receiver Curtis Drake and tight end Andrew Szczerba both out and No. 2 running back Stephfon Green battling a neck injury. "We moved [Powell] because we got some people bumped up," Paterno said. "Green's hurt. Kid from Philly, Drake, he's banged-up. We needed somebody over there to do some of the things those guys could do, not only be running backs, good receivers, guys that could maybe make something happen." Powell ranked fourth on the team with 28 receptions last year before moving to corner. The good news is cornerback Stephon Morris appears to be healthy now.

The mail didn't come on Friday because I didn't have time to deliver it. My bad. Here's my attempt at making it up to you.

Mike from New Haven, Conn., writes: Adam,Is it possible PSU is keeping the qb situation a mystery in order to keep Alabama in the dark? Any chance the true starter doesn't start vs YSU to have bama prepare for the wrong type of offense? or do they play all 3 equally and force bama to prepare for 3 different looks?

Adam Rittenberg: I like the conspiracy theory there, Mike. But I really think if one player had separated himself, Penn State would announce the starter for the opener. The staff did so in 2008 with Daryll Clark, although I recognize this is a different situation with three relative unknowns. I think it's more likely we see multiple quarterbacks against Youngstown than Penn State deciding to conceal the starter's true identity until Week 2. Whomever starts in Tuscaloosa really needs some game experience before heading down there.

---

Bob from New Orleans writes: Adam, if the Buckeyes win the NC, and they will, where do you think JT goes?? I don't see him moving on to the NFL, and there's no way he's moving to another college, so retirement?

Adam Rittenberg: Bob, retirement from coaching would be the likeliest option for Jim Tressel. While I'm not saying there's a strong chance he moves on after 2010, I wouldn't be totally shocked to see him retire if Ohio State wins the national title. Take a look at this picture of Tressel after the 2002 national title and how he looks now. The job has taken a toll, which is totally understandable. Plus, his wife had some health issues this summer. And he has always said he doesn't want to coach into his seventies. Unlike some coaches, Tressel has other interests and could be very successful in other arenas (athletic administration, politics). I couldn't see him coaching in the NFL and certainly not at another college.

---

Scott from Kansas City, Mo., writes: Looks like NU (104) fell out of the USNWR Top 100, and MU (94) back in. So much for all Big Ten schools being in the Top 100. But then again, why add the 18th largest state to your footprint when you can add the 40th? And why add a school that has been relevant in recent years, when you can add another school that hasn't?Cheers

Adam Rittenberg: Husker fans, you want me to handle this or do you have it covered? Scott, while Mizzou has had some nice seasons lately, Nebraska clearly is a better addition to the Big Ten. The size of the state and the U.S. News ranking matters a little bit, but Nebraska brings national championships, legendary coaches and a program recognized around the country. Go up to a casual fan in L.A. or New York and ask them to name 10 college football teams. They'll probably include Nebraska. Missouri? Not so much. The Big Ten can put Nebraska in games against Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan or even Iowa and Wisconsin and draw national attention. Missouri doesn't move the needle nearly as much. Again, Missouri brings a lot to the table, but the Big Ten clearly made the right call with Nebraska.

---

Chris from Philly writes: How annoyed is the Michigan faithful when they see what a stud Ryan Mallet has become at Arkansas and know that RichRod ran him out of town with his spread offense? Is that one of the main factors that will bite him when he does get fired that he did not utilize the talent already there and possibly could have won 8-10 gameshis first two years then slowly implement his style?

Adam Rittenberg: Chris, there are a lot of reasons why Michigan fans can knock Rich Rodriguez, but the Ryan Mallett thing isn't one of them. Before Michigan, Rodriguez had been incredibly successful winning games in his style, with the spread. You can't expect people in leadership roles, especially college football coaches, to completely scrap what had made them successful. I recognize the transition to the spread hasn't gone smoothly in Ann Arbor, but you have to stick to what you know and who you are. Rodriguez couldn't run a pro-style offense just for Mallett, who clearly has benefited from one at Arkansas.

---

Stephen from Ankeny, Iowa, writes: Do you think that Dantonio has really raised the bar at Michigan State the last three years. I would argue that he has been the benficiary of a couple of wins each year that could have gone either way (also because of a down Michigan). Do you think that his three years there has really shown improvement over the John L. Smith years or are they merely treading water? In a larger context, are there programs in the Big Ten that are kind of in the same boat with no real chance to move up in the pecking order (e.g.: Minnesota)? It's pretty apparent that the moves by both Minnesota and Michigan State to fire their coaches (Glen Mason and John L. Smith) have not resulted in better results on the field and in Minnesota's case worse results. Thoughts?

Adam Rittenberg: Stephen, I respectfully disagree with your take on Mark Dantonio. He has lost a ton of close games, several of which could have taken the 2007 and 2009 seasons from average to very good. Although 2010 is very big for Dantonio and the Spartans, who have a great opportunity with a very favorable schedule, the program has stabilized since John L. was sent packing. Just look at the recruiting. Michigan State has really upgraded in that area, especially locally, and brought in players like Larry Caper and William Gholston. The Spartans certainly have benefited a bit from Michigan's struggles, but Dantonio definitely has things headed in the right direction. The one thing he can't afford is another bad off-field incident. ... It's a different case with Minnesota, where the jury is still out on this coaching regime. Tim Brewster and his assistants have recruited well and played tougher schedules, but the big wins haven't come, especially late in the season. Brewster needs some quality wins this fall to show he can take the program further than Mason did.

---

Keith from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, writes: Adam there is a possibility that the big ten could end in a three way tie between Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio State (asmunig they all win out). I know its alot of work but could you break down the scenario? Who do you think will be ranked high enough to get the BCS bid is national title still open to a one loss big ten team which team goes? it would be a hudge mess! a three way conference championship! thanks adam

Adam Rittenberg: Keith, here's how the BCS/Rose Bowl tiebreaking procedures work in the Big Ten (in order). I'm guessing Option 4 would be the most likely scenario with an Ohio State/Iowa/Wisconsin tie. Option 1: If one of those three teams beat the other two, it wins the tiebreaker. Option 2: If two of the teams beat the other squad, the other squad is eliminated. Then it would be head-to-head for who wins the tiebreaker (this is unlikely unless all three teams finish 6-2 in league play). Option 3: Overall record. The tiebreaker winner would have a better overall record than the other two teams. Option 4: If Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin all finish at 11-1, with all three losses taking place within the group, the highest-ranked team in the final BCS standings would go to the Rose Bowl or BCS title game.

The repetitions are evenly divided, and all four candidates are seeing some practice time with the first-team offense.

A week into camp, Penn State's quarterback competition is still wide open. But it can't stay that way too much longer.

Sophomores Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin have a slight edge in experience, but true freshmen Paul Jones and Robert Bolden have "opened some eyes," safety Nick Sukay said.

"Whoever reaches out and grabs it is going to get this job," the 6-1, 209-pound McGloin told me Thursday afternoon. "It's crucial to make the most out of your reps. If you don't, you're going to fall back and put yourself out of this race."

How does McGloin rate his performance?

"I think I've done a great jobs with the reps I've gotten so far," he said. "Going through my progressions, taking my time and not trying to force too many things to the wideouts. That's something the coaches are really happy about."

Newsome called it "a nice, tough camp" and a "big-time learning experience." He declined to rate his own performance to this point, leaving those duties to quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno and others, but is working to emulate his close friend and mentor Daryll Clark, who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors last season.

Head coach Joe Paterno didn't shed much light on the quarterback race Thursday, saying the staff is still evaluating a very inexperienced group. Although the 6-2, 225-pound Newsome backed up Clark in 2009 and appeared in 10 games, Paterno still considers him a freshman.

"Any quarterback wants to play right away," said Newsome, who speaks and sounds remarkably like Clark on the phone. "We all are anxious, we all are working hard to be the best quarterbacks we can be. Coach Joe is going to make sure of that."

I asked both McGloin and Newsome to identify the one aspect of their game that could set them apart from the other candidates.

McGloin: "My leadership. It has grown as a quarterback. I'm trying to be very vocal and very confident toward the other players, and encouraging as well. My confidence is something that rubs off on the other players. In the huddle, I'm able to see that they feel exactly as calm and confident as I do, and we're able to just relax and play the game and play to our fullest potential."

Newsome: "I don't know. One thing I do know is I want to win. I want to be the best player and put this team in the best position to win games. Just like Robert and Matt and Paul, they're doing the same things. At the end of the day, the starting quarterback job is in coach Joe's hands, and whoever he wants to make that guy, he will."

Clark ran the Spread HD system extremely well for two years, but his departure and virtually no experience behind him has many thinking Penn State will run an ultra-conservative system this fall.

Don't be so sure.

"You really can't replace a guy like Daryll, he's a great leader for us," McGloin said, "but to be honest, I don't really see the offense changing too much. Evan Royster's going to be Evan Royster, and I think our strong point this year is going to be our wideouts. We have great depth at wideout, and I don't think anybody in the Big Ten is going to match it."

McGloin said Jay Paterno mentioned the possibility of reducing the candidate pool to three by the weekend, but a final decision on a starter isn't imminent.

"The best man's going to win," Newsome said.

Schedule: First practice takes place today in State College. Practices will be scheduled around the end to Penn State's second summer academic session, which has final exams beginning Aug. 13.

What's new: Quite a lot. Penn State loses six first-team All-Big Ten performers from 2009, including quarterback Daryll Clark and defensive tackle Jared Odrick, the league's co-Defensive Player of the Year. All eyes will be on the quarterback spot as last year's backup, Kevin Newsome, competes alongside Matt McGloin and two true freshmen, Paul Jones and Robert Bolden. The Lions also will have a new-look lineup at linebacker, although Nate Stupar and Bani Gbadyu are familiar names.

Key battle: Everyone knows about the quarterback race, which likely won't be decided until late in camp. But there are other battles, too. The offensive line has to be better this year after struggling against elite defensive fronts like Iowa and Ohio State in 2009. Penn State is set with standout Stefen Wisniewski at right guard, but the left guard spot will feature plenty of competition between DeOn’tae Pannell and Johnnie Troutman. Both players have experience but one needs to emerge.

New on the scene: Penn State brings in the Big Ten's top recruiting class and should see some immediate contributions from its freshmen. You know about the quarterbacks, but keep an eye on defenders like Khairi Fortt, Dakota Royer, C.J. Olaniyan and Mike Hull. Penn State must replace five starters on defense and build depth there as well.

Switching it up: Chaz Powell ranked fourth on the team in receiving last season, but he practiced at cornerback this spring and could be a big contributor there. Sophomore Stephon Morris did some good things as a true freshman in 2009, but Powell should push him.

Breaking out: You just know Penn State will have a new group of stars on defense after losing Odrick, Navorro Bowman, Sean Lee and others. Devon Still is poised for a big season at defensive tackle if he can stay healthy, and Jack Crawford could take the next step and become one of the league's premier pass-rushers. The linebacker group should be very interesting, as Michael Mauti, a fan favorite, gets his opportunity to shine. If Penn State finds a capable quarterback, wide receiver Derek Moye might have a breakout season.

Back in the fold: Mauti tore his ACL in camp last summer and missed the entire 2009 season. He'll definitely be in the mix for a starting spot, most likely at outside linebacker.

Quoting: "We've got a tough schedule and we've got a good young squad that's got a long way to go to be good. We've got a bunch of kids that'll work at it and get better each week. Before it's all over, we'll be a pretty good football team. How many games we'll win? I don't know." -- Head coach Joe Paterno

Stephfon Green knew what his role would be in the 2010 season before anyone else did.

When fellow Penn State running back Evan Royster decided in January to return for his senior season, Green got the news directly from the source.

“He told me first, before he told anybody,” Green said, “so I wasn’t surprised.”

Royster’s message meant that Green, in all likelihood, would be handling backup duties for Penn State for the third consecutive season.

Royster has been Penn State’s featured back since 2008, rushing for 2,405 yards and 18 touchdowns during the span. The first-team All-Big Ten selection from last season is on pace to break Curt Warner’s team rushing record this fall.

Bottom line: barring injury, Royster will carry the rock for Penn State in 2010, and Green will spend more time waiting his turn.

“I can’t control what happens,” Green said. “I just try to prepare myself so if anything was to happen [to Royster], I could step in and play that starting role. I don’t have any animosity toward it, I’m not mad or anything like that.

“We just have a real good running back sitting in the backfield this year. It’s good for our team.”

Here’s why Green shouldn’t be too upset about another year as the second-stringer.

Penn State will turn to a young, unproven quarterback this season following the graduation of standout Daryll Clark. To ease the pressure, Joe Paterno and his offensive staff will turn to the running backs.

While Royster boasts an impressive career yards-per-carry average (6.1), he has only averaged 15.2 carries per game in his two seasons as the starter. He has received 20 or more carries just three times in his career. Green, meanwhile, has recorded 176 carries in the past two seasons and should continue to receive a decent number this fall.

“We’re young at quarterback, and we’re probably going to have to rely on the running game a lot this year,” Green said. “I’m happy with the touches I get.”

The 5-foot-10, 197-pound Green generated buzz during spring practice in 2008 after recording several breakaway runs in scrimmages. His A-plus speed and mesmerizing moves made him a coveted recruit coming out of Kennedy High School in Bronx, N.Y.

Green said his style often draws comparisons to that of a certain NFL back.

"Everybody keeps telling me Thomas Jones," he said. "I try to go for LaDainian Tomlinson, but I haven't quite got there yet."

Some expected Green to challenge for the starting job as a freshman, but Royster established himself as Penn State's No. 1 ball carrier and has never looked back. Green still rushed for 578 yards and four touchdowns on 105 carries (5.5 ypc average), logging 269 plays.

A dislocated ankle in the Rose Bowl against USC slowed Green, who missed spring ball following surgery. He seemed to be hitting his stride last season with strong performances against Illinois and Eastern Illinois before reinjuring the ankle and missing two games. Green didn't feel 100 percent again until the Capital One Bowl, a 19-17 Penn State win against LSU.

The junior spent this spring working on his blocking, specifically picking up blitzes from different angles.

"I'm trying to be a smarter player, be a student of the game," he said. "Seeing things, talking to the linebackers, asking them what their keys are when they're blitzing, things like that. The overall aspect of blocking, I improved on."

Although he's not a big back, Green added a few pounds to his frame and hopes to be more durable. Just in case he moves up a spot on the depth chart.

"Hopefully, my ankle holds up and I can be more durable," he said. "If you really look at it, I haven't had any other problems but my ankle. If that holds up, I can be more of an asset to this team."

Who are the most irreplaceable players in the Big Ten? These aren't necessarily the best players, but the guys who teams really can't afford to lose.

Let's take a team-by-team look at who they are:

Illinois: Offensive tackle Jeff Allen. Illinois already has lost one starting offensive tackle to injury in Corey Lewis (ACL), placing a major burden on Allen to protect a young starting quarterback. Allen has started two seasons and should contend for All-Big Ten honors this fall. He drew praise from the coaches this spring for absorbing Paul Petrino's new offense, and he'll anchor the line at weak-side tackle. If he goes down, Illinois likely will turn to Craig Wilson, who has played mostly special teams in his career.

Indiana: Quarterback Ben Chappell. History shows that for Indiana to have a chance at a bowl game, it needs to put up a lot of points. The running game has been inconsistent the past few years, but Chappell is poised to have a big senior season through the air. The Big Ten's third-leading passer in 2009 will have a bunch of weapons at his disposal, led by first-team, all-conference wide receiver Tandon Doss. Indiana has virtually no experience behind Chappell and would turn things over to a redshirt freshman (Dusty Kiel or Edward Wright-Baker).

Iowa: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi. This isn't a knock against backup James Vandenberg, who certainly proved himself last fall at Ohio State. But Iowa is simply a different team with Stanzi on the field, drawing confidence from him through his ups and downs. You could see how much Stanzi meant to his teammates on offense after he went down against Northwestern last November. Although offensive tackle Riley Reiff, defensive end Adrian Clayborn or safety Tyler Sash certainly can make their case to be in this spot, Stanzi is the player who shapes Iowa's success more than any other player. He's got the 'it' factor.

Michigan: Cornerback Troy Woolfolk. Woolfolk provides leadership and some experience in a Wolverines secondary that looks pretty shaky even with him on the field. The thought of Woolfolk being out would certainly raise the anxiety level among Michigan fans. Woolfolk had some good moments last fall and has a chance to be a very solid Big Ten cornerback this year. He also can play safety in an emergency. Given Michigan's lack of depth in the defensive backfield, Woolfolk's presence is crucial.

Michigan State: Linebacker Greg Jones. This one is pretty obvious. Not only has Jones led Michigan State in tackles in each of his three seasons on campus, but he's the undisputed leader on defense. Without Jones' tackling and play-making ability in the offensive backfield, an average Michigan State defense would be a lousy one. Although the Spartans boast some depth at linebacker with Chris Norman, Eric Gordon and incoming freshmen William Gholston and Max Bullough, Jones is the one guy the coaches are counting on for a ton of production.

Minnesota: Safety Kyle Theret. There's not an obvious choice for the Gophers, but the team's defense lost some major experience after safety Kim Royston broke his leg this spring. Theret, who was suspended during spring ball but should return, has started 32 games at safety. He ended the 2009 season on a strong note with two interceptions and a tackle for loss in the Insight Bowl. If Royston can't return or is limited, Theret will have to lead a young Gophers' secondary.

Northwestern: Quarterback Dan Persa. Persa hasn't even started a game for Northwestern, so how can he be labeled as irreplaceable? First off, no other Wildcats quarterback has game experience, while Persa appeared in 10 contests last fall. Backup Evan Watkins remains a bit raw, and Northwestern will have a true freshman, most likely Trevor Siemian, as its third-stringer this season. Persa already has established himself as a team leader, and he would create problems if he went down.

Ohio State: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Another easy choice, as Pryor has started 22 of Ohio State's past 23 games at quarterback. Although the Buckeyes have won games without major contributions from Pryor, the offense will be shaped around him more this fall. He'll need to build off of what he showed on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl against Oregon. Backups Joe Bauserman and Kenny Guiton lack game experience, and Ohio State would need everyone else to step up around the quarterbacks to survive without Pryor.

Penn State: Running back Evan Royster. An experienced running back can be a young quarterback's best friend, and Royster certainly qualifies as a veteran. He has started the past two seasons for the Nittany Lions, racking up 2,405 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. Penn State needs big things from Royster this fall as an inexperienced signal caller takes over for Daryll Clark. Backup running back Stephfon Green has shown flashes, but he lacks Royster's consistency.

Purdue: Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. We'll find out if running back Ralph Bolden is replaceable this season, but Purdue doesn't want to see anything happen to Kerrigan. The senior is one of the nation's top pass rushers, and he's the most experienced member of a defensive line that loses standout tackle Mike Neal. Kerrigan led the Big Ten with 13 sacks last fall and will make life easier for those around him. Aside from Gerald Gooden, Purdue looks a little thin at D-end.

Wisconsin: Quarterback Scott Tolzien. If Tolzien's value wasn't known after the 2009 season, it became even clearer during spring ball after backup Curt Phillips tore his ACL. Tolzien led the Big Ten and ranked 22nd nationally in pass efficiency (143) last season, completing 64.3 percent of his passes. He limits major mistakes and spreads the ball around well to his receivers. Redshirt freshman Jon Budmayr has talent but lacks game experience and looked shaky this spring. Wisconsin would much rather let Budmayr have more time to prepare.

For the last three seasons, the Big Ten has paid the price in the preseason conference rankings because of poor bowl performances the previous years.

Has it been a little unfair? Perhaps. Bowl performances don't mean everything, and it's important to examine the personnel lost and the personnel returning for each team.

But if bowl performance is nation's No. 1 factor for evaluating conference, why not use it in the Big Ten's favor? That's exactly what I'm doing by ranking the Big Ten as the nation's second best conference behind the SEC.

The Big Ten went 4-3 in last year's bowls, beating four teams ranked in the top 15 and winning two BCS games (Rose and Orange). Of the four bowl champions, you can make a strong case that three of them -- Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin -- will have even stronger teams in 2010. Ohio State is a bona fide national championship contender, Iowa brings tremendous skill and mental toughness and Wisconsin returns the most starters in the league, including Heisman Trophy candidate John Clay.

All three squads will appear in many preseason top 10 rankings.

Penn State loses six All-Big Ten performers, including quarterback Daryll Clark and Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Year Jared Odrick, but the Nittany Lions have been consistently strong since 2005. They'll enter the season in the Top 25 and should have little trouble getting back to a bowl game, where they do their best work (27-13-2 all-time record).

The middle of the Big Ten could be stronger as well. Michigan State gets star linebacker Greg Jones back in the fold, and the Spartans are stocked with skill players and have a very favorable schedule. Purdue held its own during Big Ten play last year and should be very explosive on offense. Northwestern has shown for the first time in its history that it can reload, winning 17 games the last two seasons and six or more games in six of the last seven seasons.

If Michigan can get back on track during a pivotal season for head coach Rich Rodriguez, the Big Ten's profile will be further enhanced.

How can the Big Ten become the top conference? Simple. Beat the SEC in the BCS title game. The SEC has won the last four of them, and nothing shapes national perception of conferences more than performance in the BCS championship.

The Big Ten also must hold off challengers for the No. 2 spot, namely the Big 12 and Pac-10. The Big Ten has dropped its last five bowl matchups against the Big 12, a trend that really needs to change this year. The Pac-10 should be very solid top to bottom, but Oregon's messy offseason and some lingering questions around USC keep the league a little behind.

My conference pecking order

1. SEC
2. Big Ten
3. Big 12
4. Pac-10
5. ACC
6. Mountain West
7. Big East
8. WAC
9. The rest ...