ESPN College Football

It's better to carry a tune than a grudge.

• Michigan AD Dave Brandon doesn't view a four-team model as a true playoff. The Wolverines could be sporting more alternate unis in the near future.
• Urban Meyer releases Ohio State's depth chart and doesn't hide his concerns about his personnel. Meyer shares his thoughts on the playoff possibilities. Meyer's intensity will fuel the Buckeyes in 2012.
• Iowa's Kinnick Stadium once again will be reseated in 2014.
• The Big Ten can no longer make the weather argument after backing off on campus sites for the playoff.
• Penn State coach Bill O'Brien continues to reach out to fans in the Mid-Atlantic region. Lions fans who know Glenn Carson, the linebacker should check out Glenn Carson, the wrestler.
• Tight end recruit Greg Hart picks Nebraska over Northwestern.
• Big Ten ADs say the kickoff play needs to be closely watched -- and possibly eliminated entirely.
• Athletic directors from Illinois and Northwestern discuss a potential rematch in Chicago.
• Some good notes from Steve Greenberg on the Big Ten spring meetings.
• Illinois coach Tim Beckman continues his caravan through the state.
• There's strong support for an increase of the bowl-eligibility requirement, even from ADs of schools that recently went to bowls at 6-6.
• Big Ten athletic directors advocate for the importance of schedule strength.
• Maize 'n Brew previews Minnesota in 2012.
• Former Michigan recruit Demar Dorsey will continue his football career at Hawaii, Bruce Feldman reports.
• Former Michigan State star Andre Rison will discuss his financial troubles in an ESPN documentary.
• The Daily Northwestern ranks the Big Ten offensive lines.

Happy Independence Resistance Day to all our Moroccan readers:

• An assault investigation preceded Marcus Coker's suspension and eventual departure from Iowa. The "next man in" philosophy will be severely tested with the Hawkeyes' incredibly shrinking backfield.
• New Penn State coach Bill O'Brien could learn a few lessons from Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean. Some Penn State alumni are pushing for changes on the board of trustees. PSU president Rodney Erickson talks about the school's future.
• Bret Bielema says his new offensive coordinator must fit the team's style of play. A Wisconsin all-state defensive end will walk on to the Badgers.
• BCS commissioners, including Jim Delany, say they're more open to the idea of a college football playoff.
• Northwestern is in play for former USC receiver and one-time blue-chip recruit Kyle Prater.
• Indiana picked up a running back from Illinois who had offers from bigger programs (subscription required).
• Michigan is looking forward to its matchup with the defending champs to open next season. Former Wolverines recruit Demar Dorsey faces another obstacle.
• What would have happened if Nick Saban stayed at Michigan State a little longer?
• Many schools in the Big Ten use recruiting services, but how useful are they?
• Former Big Ten commissioner Wayne Duke was hurt in a car crash.
• An Ohio State associate athletic director died of a heart attack in his office.

I sleep clown.

• Police say they have no record of former Penn State assistant Mike McQueary reporting an alleged sexual assault by Jerry Sandusky. McQueary has become one of the main figures in the scandal, Sara Ganim writes.
• A lawyer representing an alleged Sandusky victim says his client will testify about the abuse he endured.
• A posting on an Internet forum helped investigators in the Sandusky case, Jo Becker writes.
• Penn State's trustees won't escape scrutiny in the school's internal review of the sex-abuse scandal .
• Doug Lesmerises examines the complicated return of WR DeVier Posey to Ohio State. Ohio State president Gordon Gee called AD Gene Smith a "role model" in a recent performance evaluation.
• Better communication has helped Michigan's defense make strides this year. Former Wolverines recruit Demar Dorsey tries to capitalize on a second chance.
• Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio isn't rooting for Michigan because he doesn't have to, Jamie Samuelsen writes. Safety Trenton Robinson has evolved into a team leader for the Spartans.
• The Big Ten Network's Dave Revsine goes inside the numbers for Week 12.
• Purdue AD Morgan Burke admits there's no rhyme or reason for the Purdue-Iowa crossover series other than every team needed one.
• Bob Flounders looks back at another strange week for Penn State's football team.
• Rick Morrissey writes that Ron Zook's track record at Illinois indicates it's time for a change. Illinois has been up and down, but does it mean the end for Zook?
• Wisconsin QB Russell Wilson deserves to be back in the Heisman Trophy mix, Tom Mulhern writes. Badgers DE David Gilbert likely will seek a medical hardship waiver, Jeff Potrykus writes.
• Nebraska's banged-up offensive line knows this is no time to complain about pain. Brett Maher's success as the Huskers' do-it-all specialist is no surprise to his mentor.
• Saturday marks a reunion of sorts for Northwestern and Minnesota players from Chicago, Tina Akouris writes.
• Barry Alvarez sees hope for Minnesota. Patrick Reusse wonders which Minnesota football team becomes competitive again first: Vikings or Gophers?
• Rivals.com's David Fox previews Week 12 in the Big Ten.
• Some good news for Iowa on the recruiting trail. RB Mika'il McCall's medical hardship case with the Hawkeyes is a bit complicated.
• Indiana adds a juco cornerback. Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson has some connections on the opposite sideline Saturday.
• The Big Ten will have a bunch of bowl teams, but it doesn't mean the league is strong, Nick Baumgardner writes.

Be mine.

• Nebraska's revamped coaching staff will have Bo Pelini's fingerprints all over it, Steven M. Sipple writes in the Lincoln Journal Star. The new assistant hires could define the Pelini era in Lincoln, Mitch Sherman writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
• Michigan recruiting coordinator Chris Singletary played a big role in keeping prospects on board, Mark Snyder writes in the Detroit Free Press. Remember Demar Dorsey? The former Michigan recruit will play football in the state after all, Mick McCabe writes in the Free Press.
• Purdue's recruiting coordinator leaves the program, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Junior college transfer Dan Heiar will compete for a starting job right away at Iowa, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. Former Hawkeyes receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is on redemption road before the NFL draft.
• Illinois coach Ron Zook has received plenty of interest in his assistant coach vacancy, Bob Asmussen writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette.
• A terrific piece about Michigan State recruit Brandon Clemons and the obstacles he overcame to reach this point, Kevin Gleason writes in the Lansing State Journal. Michigan State adds several preferred walk-ons to the mix, Greg Johnson writes in The Grand Rapids Press.
• Penn State eyes in-state high school standout Eugene Lewis, John Erzar writes in The Times Leader.
• Gerry DiNardo, who coached in both the SEC and the Big Ten, says the Big Ten is at a major disadvantage because of oversigning rules, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.

College football coaching is a fitness test. The coach has to fit the program, or things won't work.

The last three years at the University of Michigan have underscored this fact.

Rich Rodriguez never truly fit with Michigan. His background didn't fit. His personality didn't fit. His style of play didn't fit. His style of players didn't fit. Even his accent didn't fit.

The hope heading into this odd marriage was that Rodriguez's track record of winning would make the fit factor go away. Michigan fans could learn to love an outsider -- not talking about an Ohio State guy, a real outsider -- if he won Big Ten championships and BCS bowl games.

But Rodriguez didn't win. At least not fast enough. He lost a lot of games his first two seasons and lost games by wide margins this fall. Saturday's 52-14 disaster against Mississippi State in the Progressive Gator Bowl -- the worst bowl defeat in Michigan history -- brought more shame to a shaken program.

It was the final straw for Rodriguez and Michigan fired the coach on Wednesday, ending his turbulent three-year tenure at the school.

Athletic director Dave Brandon let the process drag on way too long and put Rodriguez and his players in a bad spot, even in the end. But it seemed pretty clear Michigan would reach this point after Brandon didn't announce Rodriguez was staying immediately after the regular season.

Rodriguez often talked about the drama that seemed to envelop the Michigan program since he became coach in December 2007. His ugly departure from West Virginia didn't help matters. Neither did the lawsuit WVU filed against him. Or the NCAA investigation into Michigan's program that ended with the program being hit with major violations for the first time in its history. Or the Demar Dorsey controversy. Or the Josh Groban "You raise me up" fiasco at the team banquet in December.

The list goes on ...

Anyone else feel like Rodriguez's tenure at Michigan lasted a lot longer than three seasons?

There's the counterargument, of course, that Michigan didn't give Rodriguez enough time to get things on track.

He installed a dramatically different system and recruited different types of players. He also didn't inherit a wealth of talent, especially on defense, after Michigan's so-so recruiting classes in 2006 and 2007. And Rodriguez endured an incredible series of player departures and injuries, particularly this season on defense. He often cited youth and depth as problems, and while he was right on many levels, the excuses got old and drove Michigan fans crazy.

Although the team improved its record in each of the past two seasons, Rodriguez set the bar historically low in 2008 and his squads didn't make critical strides as seasons progressed. Michigan swept its nonconference slate in each of the past two seasons, but Rodriguez went just 6-18 in Big Ten play and 15-22 overall.

It seemed likely that seven wins would keep Rodriguez in Ann Arbor for another season. But when the competition improved in Michigan's final three games -- Wisconsin, Ohio State and Mississippi State -- the Wolverines fell apart, losing all three contests by a combined score of 137-49. Michigan simply didn't get better, especially on defense, leaving the program at a crossroads.

I was really interested to see if a guy who didn't fit the Michigan mold still could win there. Rodriguez enjoyed tremendous success at West Virginia and coached some of the nation's most dynamic and exciting offenses. While his offense caught on this season behind star quarterback Denard Robinson, the defense never got on track under coordinators Scott Shafer and Greg Robinson.

You never got the sense Rodriguez's overall style clicked at Michigan.

One question I often asked myself is whether Rodriguez would ever get enough of his prototypical players into Michigan. He talked a few times about wanting to add junior college players, which was unlikely at U-M. Michigan's academic standards certainly provided a challenge for the coach. Think of Rodriguez's best players from the past and then ask yourself: Could they have been admitted to Michigan? That's not a knock against Rodriguez, but it underscores the fit factor.

Two things for Michigan fans to note going forward:

1. Be prepared for Rich Rodriguez to win again. Rodriguez didn't become a bad coach overnight, and if he's in the right spot -- like Clemson, South Carolina, perhaps even Pitt -- he'll do some major damage.

2. A coaching change isn't a panacea, and Michigan likely will take several steps back before moving forward. Rodriguez recruited to his system for the last few years, and Michigan's wait to make this move could prove disastrous for the 2011 recruiting class. The new coach likely will run a different system, and it's tough to see how the Wolverines won't backslide.

I felt all along that Michigan should only fire Rodriguez if it could land Jim Harbaugh as his replacement. Harbaugh reportedly is unlikely to return to his alma mater, which leaves Michigan in a bit of a bind. We'll get to the search later.

But whomever Michigan hires needs to fit the program and its culture.

Rodriguez never passed the fitness test.

Big Ten teams have faced some major personnel challenges this season.

No team in America has been hit harder at key spots than Purdue, while other Big Ten squads like Wisconsin and Penn State also have lost key players.

But I can't remember a single position being ravaged more by both injuries and player departures than Michigan's cornerback spot.

The latest bit of bad news arrived Wednesday, as Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez confirmed that cornerback J.T. Floyd will miss the rest of the season after suffering a "freak" ankle injury in practice Tuesday. Floyd's ankle isn't broken, but he suffered ligament damage and needs surgery that will keep him sidelined for a while.

The redshirt sophomore has started all eight games for Michigan and ranks third on the team in tackles with 66. Floyd also has an interception, a forced fumble and four pass breakups.

Michigan's struggles in the secondary are no secret, and this certainly doesn't make things easier.

Rodriguez said true freshman Courtney Avery will start Saturday against Illinois opposite senior James Rogers, the Wolverines' only non-freshman cornerback still available.

"We're pretty young in the secondary," Rodriguez told reporters on a conference call. "We're getting younger."

Yikes.

Remember these names?

• Troy Woolfolk: Multiyear starter in the secondary suffered season-ending ankle/foot injury in camp.
• Justin Turner: Decorated recruit was granted his release from the team in August.
• Vlad Emilien: Young defensive back left the team in September.
• Demar Dorsey: The Big Ten's top-rated recruit signed with Michigan in February but was denied admission in June.
• Boubacar Cissoko: Blue chip recruit started the first four games in 2009, missed two games because of a suspension, returned for a game and then was dismissed for violating team rules. Cissoko is now in jail serving time for his role in multiple robberies.
• Donovan Warren: First-team All-Big Ten selection in 2009 declared for the NFL as a junior but wasn't drafted in April.
• Adrian Witty: Signed with Michigan in 2009 but never made it to Ann Arbor because of academic issues.

Michigan's defense has more issues than just one position, but the Wolverines certainly would be better with some of these guys on the field right now.

Rodriguez also said Wednesday that receiver Martavious Odoms (foot) and safety Mike Williams (concussions) likely won't return this season. Running back Fitzgerald Toussaint (shoulder) will miss Saturday's game.

Not good for a team that desperately needs a win.

Michigan will have all the intangibles on its side Saturday afternoon against Connecticut.

The rededication ceremony will be held for Michigan Stadium, as the school celebrates an extensive renovation that makes the Big House into the Bigger House. Brock Mealer, the brother of Michigan offensive lineman Elliott Mealer, who was given almost no chance to walk again following a car accident that killed his father and Elliott's girlfriend, will led the Wolverines out of the tunnel.

And as always, Michigan players will wear winged helmets and touch the "Go Blue" banner at midfield as "The Victors" blares in the background.

The place will be rocking. But will it matter?

The Michigan mystique used to be a very real thing. Opposing coaches have admitted that the winged helmets and the Big House equaled 14 points on the scoreboard for the Maize and Blue.

Things are different at Stadium and Main. Appalachian State happened. Then 8-16 happened.

"Everybody’s like, 'Oh, they've got the winged helmet and they've got the Big House, but nobody's worried about the Big House,'" Michigan wide receiver Roy Roundtree told ESPN.com.

"But come September 4th, it's a different Michigan team."

For Rich Rodriguez's sake, it had better be. Arguably no coach in the country needs a strong opening performance from his team more than Rodriguez.

A turbulent offseason once again directed the spotlight away from the field, as Rodriguez and other Michigan officials dealt with an NCAA investigation into alleged rule violations. Michigan in May admitted to committing major violations for the first time in program history, and the school is awaiting final penalties from the NCAA's Committee on Infractions following an August hearing. The offseason also featured a saga surrounding heralded recruit Demar Dorsey, several player departures and questions about quarterback Tate Forcier's commitment to the program.

That's the beauty of Saturday's opener against Connecticut (ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 p.m. ET). It's all about what happens between the lines.

"There’s been a lot of side stuff, and a lot of it has been nothing to do with football," defensive tackle Mike Martin said. "We just want to play for the program and get out here and play hard for coach Rod and all the fans, and show all the work we’ve been putting in."

Connecticut won't be intimidated by the spectacle on Saturday. The Huskies won at Notre Dame last year and fell just short at Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and West Virginia, falling by a combined nine points.

Head coach Randy Edsall consistently sends players to the NFL and returns a team that three ESPN experts pick to win the Big East.

"They are an older group of guys that have kind of been there, done that," Rodriguez said. "So it's not a team that is probably going to make mistakes. If we want to win the game, we have to go win it."

Martin says Michigan is hungrier than it's been in a long time. Roundtree says players are "finally all in."

After the last two years, Michigan players know they're entitled to nothing. In fact, quite a few folks -- ahem, Brian Bennett -- pick the Wolverines to lose to UConn on Saturday.

"That's their pick," Roundtree said. "Everybody has their own opinions. It's Michigan against the world, and if that's how it's got to be, then hey, we know who's in our circle, and we know who we're playing for every weekend.

"We're tired of losing, and it's time for a change. It's time to come here and win."

If you asked me Tuesday morning to form a short list of players Michigan must have on the field this fall, Troy Woolfolk's name would be right at the top.

Woolfolk isn't Michigan's best player, nor is he the team's most talented. By most measures, he was an average Big Ten cornerback for the half season he spent there in 2009.

But Woolfolk brought leadership and experience to a secondary that severely lacks both. Plus, he eased some concern (not all) at a position that has gone through a major talent drain in the last 10 months.

That's why the news that Woolfolk reportedly suffered a dislocated ankle and a broken bone in his leg at Tuesday's practice is so painful for Michigan to endure. Head coach Rich Rodriguez hasn't said much about the situation, only that it was a lower body injury and that Woolfolk went to the hospital from practice.

But Woolfolk's high school coach, Jim Creech, told colleague Joe Schad that "it looks like [Woolfolk will] miss the season." Woolfolk was treated and released from University Hospital on Tuesday night, and his father told multiple media outlets that a decision on surgery will be made later.

Woolfolk posted on his Twitter page late Tuesday night: "Even though T-Woolf will be absent, Troy will be on sidelines coaching&cheering for Michigan till all air has vacated my lungs." T-Woolf, for those who don't know, is Woolfolk's alter ego.

Fortunately, Woolfolk has a redshirt season and could return in 2011, but his injury leaves Michigan young and thin at cornerback. Considering how well Michigan has recruited the cornerback spot in recent years, it's amazing to think that the program could get to this point.

Remember these guys?

• Donovan Warren: First-team All-Big Ten selection in 2009 declared for the NFL as a junior but wasn't drafted in April.
• Boubacar Cissoko: Blue chip recruit started the first four games in 2009, missed two games because of a suspension, returned for a game and then was dismissed for violating team rules. In a truly sad story, Cissoko is now in jail serving time for his role in multiple robberies.
• Demar Dorsey: The Big Ten's top-rated recruit signed with Michigan in February but was denied admission in June, a decision that didn't sit well with the coaching staff. Dorsey is still waiting to see whether he gets admitted to Louisville.
• Adrian Witty: Signed with Michigan in 2009 but never made it to Ann Arbor because of academic issues. He eventually landed at Cincinnati, where he has been impressive in training camp.
• J.T. Turner: Decorated recruit was granted his release from the team last week and intends to transfer.

It's quite a list, and Michigan certainly could use the help this fall.

I wonder if Pacman Jones has any eligibility left. Or Charles Woodson.

Michigan feels good about J.T. Floyd at one corner spot, but the other spot is a mystery and the overall depth is very shaky. The Wolverines have been fighting a numbers game on defense since Rodriguez's arrival, and the situation at cornerback has exacerbated the problem.

One thing is clear: youth will be served in 2010, and freshmen like Cullen Christian and Courtney Avery had better grow up fast.

In all likelihood, J.T. Turner wasn't going to start for Michigan in its Sept. 4 opener.

From everything I've been told, J.T. Floyd will join veteran Troy Woolfolk as the Wolverines' starting cornerbacks against Connecticut. But Turner's decision to transfer combined with Michigan's decision not to admit prized recruit Demar Dorsey raises the anxiety level about a secondary that already sparks a ton of concern after the past two seasons.

Michigan has had little trouble luring heralded cornerbacks, namely Turner, Dorsey and Boubacar Cissoko. But for various reasons -- I'm not directly blaming anyone here -- none of them will be suiting up for the Maize and Blue this fall.

The Wolverines' depth at cornerback isn't what we thought it would be a few months ago.

Woolfolk and Floyd not only need to be good, but they need to stay healthy. And you can bet incoming freshmen Cullen Christian, Courtney Avery and Terry Talbott will have chances to see the field early.

It's that time again. Let's take a look at the power rankings as camps are under way throughout the Big Ten.

1. Ohio State: There isn't a glaring weakness on this team. History shows the defense will be extremely stingy, and if quarterback Terrelle Pryor continues to develop, the offense should be more than capable of putting up points. A bona fide national title contender.

2. Iowa: The core from the Orange Bowl championship team returns, led by defensive end Adrian Clayborn and quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Iowa must reload at offensive line but has a strong tradition there. A Week 3 test at Arizona could be tricky, but Iowa will be a BCS bowl contender if it defends its home turf.

3. Wisconsin: No Big Ten team returns more individual stars than the Badgers. A balanced offense led by one of the nation's best lines could be unstoppable if John Clay, Scott Tolzien and others can stay healthy. The defense is young in spots but talented, and safety Jay Valai promises me they'll lay the wood. Can head coach Bret Bielema take this program from very good to great?

4. Penn State: I had the Lions tied with Michigan State coming out of the spring, but Penn State's historic success on defense and its superior line play provides an ever-so-slight edge right now. Given the inexperience at quarterback, Penn State will need to rely on its run game and its defense. Joe Paterno has won that way a few times before.

5. Michigan State: The Spartans boast more depth at the offensive skill positions than any Big Ten team. Linebacker Greg Jones returns to lead the defense. My only hesitation here is the line play on both sides of the ball. I'm tempted to buy into Michigan State, but I'm going to take a wait-and-see approach for now.

6. Northwestern: Quarterback Dan Persa has done everything right in the offseason. Now he needs to prove himself when it really counts. The secondary and the rushing game concern me, but running back Arby Fields is poised for a big year. This isn't a championship-level team but one that should make a school-record third straight bowl.

7. Purdue: Like Persa, Robert Marve has established himself as a leader before starting his first game at quarterback for the Boilers. If Purdue fills a few gaps on the offensive line, its offense could be very good. The defensive front seven should be better against the run, but Purdue must replace its entire starting secondary, which is never easy.

8. Michigan: Regardless of who wins the starting quarterback job, Rich Rodriguez's offense will put up points. But if the defense doesn't make a major jump in 2010, nothing else will matter. Demar Dorsey's departure from the secondary could hurt, and while I'm interested to see what Cam Gordon and others can do on the field, it's hard to buy into this unit right now.

T-9. Minnesota: There has been too much change in personnel and on Tim Brewster's staff the last two years for me to give the Gophers a stamp of approval at this stage. Quarterback Adam Weber certainly is talented enough to turn things around, especially with some help from the run game and the offensive line. I'm not counting out Minnesota by any means, but a very challenging schedule combined with a lot of new faces creates some concern.

T-9. Indiana: I'm buying into Ben Chappell and the Hoosiers offense. If the unit stays healthy, Indiana will put up points and improve in critical situations (third down, red zone). Not surprisingly, the major concerns come on defense, where Indiana hopes a switch to the 3-4 alignment pays off. A very favorable schedule gives IU a chance to make it back to a bowl game.

11. Illinois: The Grand Experiment begins Sept. 4 against Missouri in St. Louis. Great recruiting classes haven't translated into on-field success for the Illini. Perhaps an upgrade in coaching will make the difference. Linebacker Martez Wilson's return provides a boost, but Illinois needs to help young quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase as much as possible.

Moving right along ...

• Experts weigh in on Penn State's slow start to 2011 recruiting, including whether Joe Paterno's absence is hurting the team's chances, Ron Musselman writes in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Penn State might lack experience at quarterback, but not athleticism, Mark Wogenrich writes in The (Allentown) Morning Call.
• Ohio State's assistants have received some nice pay raises in recent years, but the $$$ isn't the only reason they stay in Columbus, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• The Cleveland Sports Commission is keen on having the Big Ten title game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Doug Lesmerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi might be in line for a two-year contract extension, Sid Hartman writes in the Star Tribune.
• Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn projects extremely well to the next level, colleague Ben Fawkes writes (ESPN Insider). According to Twitter, the Hawkeyes have added commit No. 11 for the 2011 class, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• A defensive player for the Heisman? Iowa's Clayborn and Michigan State's Greg Jones are two stars to watch, CBSSports.com's J. Darin Darst writes.
• After going 4-8 against ranked opponents under Bret Bielema, Wisconsin tries to make the move from good to great in 2010, Andy Baggot writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Michigan picks up a 2011 commitment from tackle Jake Fisher. Former Wolverines signee Demar Dorsey still doesn't have a team for 2010.
• Speaking of verbals, Purdue picks up No. 6 from, you guessed it, the state of Florida, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Michigan's recent decline is another reason the Big Ten should split divisions geographically, Loren Tate writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette.

Way back on Feb. 3, Michigan signed the Big Ten's largest recruiting class -- and also one of its best.

ESPN Recruiting listed the Wolverines' 27-man class as the nation's 14th best overall and the Big Ten's second best class behind Penn State (No. 11 overall). Michigan moved up the rankings largely because of a Signing Day surprise, the pledge of cornerback Demar Dorsey, the nation's 12th best prospect and the highest-rated prospect in the Big Ten, according to ESPN Recruiting.

Despite a second consecutive losing season, Rich Rodriguez and his staff did what they needed to on the recruiting trail entering a pivotal 2010 campaign.

Michigan's recruiting class still could turn out to be very good, but it looks a little thinner now. Dorsey was denied admission to Michigan earlier this month and has since landed at Louisville, taking away a likely starter in the Wolverines' secondary.

Two more Michigan recruits, linebacker Antonio Kinard and athlete Conelius Jones, are possibly heading to prep school and might not enroll for the 2010 academic year. Neither Kinard nor Jones are as decorated as Dorsey coming out of high school, but both are three-star prospects who could have been factors for a team that needs a jolt from its freshmen this fall.

The 27-member class has been trimmed to 24, and Rodriguez's critics have a little more ammunition. They'll not only question his ability to win in Ann Arbor, but the types of players he and his staff are recruiting. Although Michigan players have performed well academically during Rodriguez's tenure, the coaching staff lost some battles with the admissions office in recent weeks.

Without Dorsey, Michigan's class likely falls out of the top 20 of most national rankings. I still think there are enough players to help the team this season, but whether the Wolverines get the major boost they need from the incoming recruits remains to be seen.

Rough Monday for Ohio State.

• Wide receiver Duron Carter and defensive end Keith Wells won't be with the Buckeyes this year, while heralded running back recruit Rod Smith hasn't enrolled for the summer session, Ken Gordon and Tim May write in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Nebraska needs a top rival in the Big Ten, and Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin are the top candidates, Brian Cristopherson writes in the Lincoln Journal Star. The Big Ten's academic standards shouldn't alter Nebraska's recruiting efforts, Jon Nyatawa writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
• The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Marc Morehouse takes you inside the infamous pink locker room at Kinnick Stadium.
• Indiana picks yet another commitment for 2011, this time from heralded cornerback prospect Raymon Taylor, Dustin Dopirak writes in The (Bloomington) Herald-Times (subscription required).
• Former Michigan recruit Demar Dorsey should be a good fit at Louisville with Charlie Strong, colleague Brian Bennett writes.
• Former Penn State linebacker Trey Bauer recalls his days in Happy Valley, Steve Adamek writes in The (Bergen) Record.
• Purdue fans can thank former star Duane Purvis for the peanut butter burger in West Lafayette, Page 2's Matt Lindner writes. Former Boilermakers quarterback Najee Tyler lands at Youngstown State, Joe Scalzo writes in The (Youngstown) Vindicator.

One week closer to the season.

• Good news regarding Ohio State recruit Jamel Turner, who has been upgraded to stable condition after being shot multiple times early Saturday, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Former Michigan signee Demar Dorsey is heading to Louisville, while the Wolverines lose another recruit because of academics, annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes. Rich Rodriguez needs a better season to keep his job, but it's hard to pinpoint just how many wins he needs, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News.
• Penn State president Graham Spanier defends the school's more expensive ticket plan for football, Cory Giger writes in The Altoona Mirror.
• Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi talks about the most patriotic and famous quote in the history of college football. The status of recently arrested Iowa players Jewel Hampton and Jordan Bernstine hasn't changed, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• It takes a lot more than geography to determine divisions in the Big Ten, Sean Keeler writes in the Des Moines Register.
• Speaking of tickets, Wisconsin students didn't wait long to secure their seats for the 2010 season.
• After an ugly 2009 on and off the field, Michigan State and head coach Mark Dantonio seek redemption this fall, Eric Lacy writes in The Detroit News.
• Nebraska's values fit well in the Big Ten, so says Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman in this op-ed piece.
• Purdue is called the "Cradle of Quarterbacks," even though no one knows where the phrase originated, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Big Ten recruiting is picking up a bit, as Purdue lands two defensive linemen, Indiana adds a versatile lineman and Northwestern continues its recent run of commitments with defensive end Max Chapman.
• After breaking his leg this spring, Minnesota safety Kim Royston is making "amazing progress" in his recovery, coach Tim Brewster tells the Star Tribune's Sid Hartman.

Your brain is full of lollipops, rainbows, and cheese.

• Lou Holtz has changed his mind: Notre Dame should join the Big Ten, Sid Hartman writes in the Star Tribune.
• Big Ten athletic directors don't see divisions splitting along geographical lines, Rich Kaipust writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
• Sorting out the Big Ten divisions isn't easy, Brian Cook writes in The Sporting Blog.
• Ohio State safety Tyler Moeller talks about being cleared for full contact and his pursuit of a sixth year of eligibility, Tim May and Ken Gordon write in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez talks about Nebraska, the Demar Dorsey situation and other topics, annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes. Former Michigan star Braylon Edwards says Rodriguez needs to "make it work" in 2010, Vincent Goodwill writes in The Detroit News.
• Who will replace the great Norm Parker when he chooses to step down as Iowa's D-coordinator? The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Marc Morehouse examines the candidates.
• Purdue's president likes the addition of Nebraska in the Big Ten, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Indiana adds two more defenders to its 2011 recruiting class.
• Michigan State's coaching staff has a sizable presence at the Sound Mind, Sound Body camp this week, Matt Dorsey writes in the Detroit Free Press.