ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Indiana has issued its official injury report for Saturday's home game against No. 21 Wisconsin (Big Ten Network, noon ET).

OUT

• DE Darius Johnson, shoulder
• CB Chris Adkins, elbow
• DT Jarrod Smith, back
• CB Ray Fisher, knee
• S Jarrell Drane, thigh
• OL Cody Faulkner, shoulder
• DE Terrance Thomas, shoulder

QUESTIONABLE

• S Jerimy Finch, hamstring

PROBABLE

• RB Zach Davis-Walker, foot
• S Nick Polk, ankle
• RB Darius Willis, ankle
• DE Fred Jones, foot

Fisher is a big loss for Indiana. He's the team's top cover corner and a very dangerous kick return man, leading the Big Ten and ranking fourth nationally in return average (37.4 yards per return). Wide receiver Tandon Doss and running back Demetrius McCray will handle return duties Saturday. The Hoosiers are thin at cornerback with Adkins out and Donnell Jones also battling an elbow injury. Adrian Burks will get the start in Fisher's spot, with Richard Council serving as his backup. The news is more promising on both Polk and Willis, two starters whom the Hoosiers will need to upset the Badgers. Polk sat out last week's game against Iowa and Indiana endured several critical breakdowns in the secondary down the stretch.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Indiana has issued its official injury report for Saturday's game against Illinois (Big Ten Network, 7 p.m. ET).

OUT

• DE Darius Johnson, shoulder
• DE Fred Jones, foot
• LB Leon Beckum, ankle
• DT Jarrod Smith, back
• CB Chris Adkins, elbow
• RB Zach Davis-Walker, foot

QUESTIONABLE

• RB Darius Willis, ankle
• OL Pete Saxon, ankle

The defense is a bit more banged up than last week, as both Adkins and Smith will miss the Illinois game. Adkins has appeared in all six games and recorded 14 tackles and an interception. His absence thins the Hoosiers' depth at cornerback. Willis missed last week's game and has dealt with ankle injuries since the preseason. It will also be interesting to see how the defense responds after several key contributors had the flu last week. Saxon, the team's starting right guard, didn't practice Monday. Junior Cody Faulkner would step in for Saxon at right guard. Willis is listed as the starter on this week's depth chart and would be replaced by Demetrius McCray and Trea Burgess.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Indiana has issued its official injury report for Saturday's game at Virginia (ESPN360.com, 3:30 p.m. ET).

OUT

• DE Darius Johnson, shoulder
• DE Fred Jones, foot
• LB Leon Beckum, ankle

QUESTIONABLE

• RB Darius Willis, ankle

PROBABLE

• OL Justin Pagan, ankle
• OL James Brewer, ankle

Willis is the big name on the report. He struggled with ankle problems during camp and the early part of the season, but exploded for 152 yards and two touchdowns on Sept. 26 at Michigan. Ohio State held the redshirt freshman in check last week, as Willis rushed for only 23 yards on 11 carries. The ankle appears to be a lingering injury, though Hoosiers head coach Bill Lynch said Tuesday that he expects Willis to play Saturday. Willis leads Indiana with 244 rush yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries this fall. If he can't go, Trea Burgess and Demetrius McCray likely will share the carries load against Virginia.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Thumbs up, Michigan State's defense -- All three areas of the defense contributed in a potential season-saving win against Michigan. The front seven held the Big Ten's top rushing attack to just 28 yards, while defensive backs Danny Fortener and Chris L. Rucker teamed up for an interception in overtime.

Thumbs down, Mike Schultz -- The first-year Illinois offensive coordinator is off to a very rough start. An offense that led the Big Ten passing and ranked third in scoring last season has put up just 26 points against three FBS defenses. Illinois' vertical passing attack is virtually nonexistent despite a deep group of wide receivers led by Arrelious Benn. The unit's struggles have cost quarterback Juice Williams his job.

Thumbs up, Anderson Russell -- After losing his starting job to Jermale Hines earlier this season, Russell stepped up big for the suspended Kurt Coleman against Indiana. The senior safety tied for the team lead in tackles with six and recorded an interception and a fumble recovery in the victory.

Thumbs down, Minnesota's team discipline -- The Gophers can only blame themselves for Saturday's loss to Wisconsin after being flagged nine times for 75 yards. Minnesota's offense consistently hurt itself with holding and false start penalties in the first half, preventing more scoring opportunities.

Thumbs up, Brad Phillips -- His missed tackle led to a 67-yard Aaron Valentin touchdown in the first quarter, but Phillips rebounded to have his best game of the season. The Northwestern senior safety recorded two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as an opportunistic defense helped the Wildcats rally to a road win.

Thumbs down, Indiana's running backs -- Ohio State poses a challenge for any offense, but this group has been too inconsistent this season. Darius Willis, Trea Burgess, Bryan Payton and Demetrius McCray combined for only 40 rush yards on 18 carries.

Thumbs up, Marvin McNutt -- The converted quarterback is looking more and more like Iowa's top big-play threat at wide receiver. McNutt recorded his first two career touchdown catches against Arkansas State, making grabs of 41 and 43 yards. He finished with 121 receiving yards on four receptions.

Thumbs down, Purdue's ball-carriers -- It's no mystery why the Boilers can't win close games. They can't hold onto the football. Purdue committed six turnovers on its home field and squandered a ton of early momentum to fall against Northwestern.

Thumbs up, Daryll Clark -- The Penn State senior quarterback bounced back nicely from a rough night against Iowa, racking up 175 pass yards to go along with 83 rush yards and two touchdowns against Illinois. His 51-yard run on third-and-7 set up Penn State's first touchdown of the second half.

Thumbs down, Wisconsin's inability to finish -- The Badgers are one of the Big Ten's surprise teams this year, but they continue to struggle to close out games. Wisconsin has seen big fourth-quarter leads shrink against Northern Illinois, Michigan State and Minnesota. Before long, the trend could cost Bret Bielema's team a win.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Welcome to a new feature on the Big Ten blog, to appear every Monday afternoon the rest of the season. I'll hand out thumbs ups and thumbs downs to players, coaches, teams, position groups and anything else Big Ten-related from the previous week of games.

Let's hope Roger Ebert doesn't sue me for copyright infringement.

Thumbs up, Ohio State's defensive line -- The Buckeyes won the matchup of strength vs. strength with USC's offensive line for most of Saturday's game. Tackle Cameron Heyward was a dominant force in the middle, and the Buckeyes put constant pressure on Matt Barkley. If the D-line had received just a bit of help from the offense, Ohio State would have won.

Thumbs down, Northwestern's defensive line -- What figured to be one of the team's strongest units has underperformed so far. Is star end Corey Wootton still limited by his surgically repaired knee? Northwestern clearly misses John Gill in the middle and needs to step things up against Syracuse.

Thumbs up, O'Brien Schofield -- The Wisconsin defensive end recorded four tackles for loss, including a sack, and led the team with 11 total tackles against Fresno State. Schofield is stepping up both on and off the field for Wisconsin.

Thumbs down, Wisconsin's third-down defense -- The Badgers were miserable on third down against Fresno State, which converted 11 of 18 attempts. Wisconsin won't win many more games if that percentage doesn't change.

Thumbs up, Minnesota's linebackers -- Led by Nate Triplett, the National Defensive Player of the Week, the Gophers had all three starting linebackers record double digits in tackles against run-happy Air Force. Triplett led the way with 17 stops, plus a 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown, followed by Lee Campbell (11 tackles, 1.5 for loss) and Simoni Lawrence (10 tackles).

Thumbs down, Minnesota's skill players not named Eric Decker -- Take away Decker's 10 catches for 113 yards, and Minnesota's offensive numbers against Air Force look pretty gruesome (214 total yards). Whether it's DeLeon Eskridge, Duane Bennett, Troy Stoudermire or someone else, the Gophers need to find more offensive weapons.

Thumbs up, Kirk Cousins -- Cousins looks and acts the part of Michigan State's offensive leader, and he played pretty darn well against Central Michigan, completing 13 of 18 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. The sophomore has earned the right to play more snaps ahead of Keith Nichol.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

After a Saturday showcase in which the nation's two most significant games involved Big Ten teams, the Week 3 slate is a bit of a letdown. Still, there are several interesting matchups and games that can help the league improve its national reputation.

Here's a quick snapshot.

Eastern Michigan (0-2) at Michigan (2-0), Big Ten Network, noon ET

Back in the national rankings and the national spotlight, Michigan tries to keep the momentum going against Eastern Michigan. Several veteran Wolverines defenders will be reunited with former coordinator Ron English, who's in his first year at the helm of the Eagles. Eastern Michigan gave Northwestern all it could handle and looks improved on offense behind quarterback Andy Schmitt. The Wolverines' defense aims for a better showing after struggling to contain Notre Dame's receiving threats.

Temple (0-1) at Penn State (2-0), Big Ten Network, noon ET

The Lions will have no trouble winning this game, but they want to be nearing their peak before Iowa visits Happy Valley on Sept. 26. That means better play from the offensive line and more consistent production from Evan Royster and the running backs. Penn State's defense should shut down a Temple team that lost to Villanova in Week 1, but the Lions' offense needs to diversify before Big Ten play kicks off. Linebacker Navorro Bowman (groin) could miss his second straight game.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Michigan has made things a lot more interesting in the Big Ten, while the league's midsection remains as muddled as ever.

Just as a reminder, these rankings are fluid. Wins are rewarded. Losses carry a price.

1. Penn State (2-0) -- It's safe to say the Nittany Lions are the league's best team right now, but the mood isn't totally comfortable in Happy Valley. Penn State wants to see more from its run game and offensive line to take some pressure off of senior quarterback Daryll Clark.

2. Michigan (2-0) -- Too high a placement for Rich Rodriguez's crew? Name another Big Ten team that has looked impressive in back-to-back weeks. Michigan still has some concerns (youth, depth), but it looks completely different on offense and continues to get big performances from young players like quarterback Tate Forcier.

3. Ohio State (1-1) -- The Buckeyes would have been No. 1 had they held off USC, but another close loss raises questions about Jim Tressel, Terrelle Pryor and the offense. Cameron Heyward and the defense played masterfully, but does Tressel-ball still work in this era of college football, or does Ohio State need to evolve?

4. Iowa (2-0) -- Iowa State isn't very good, but a 32-point road win in a rivalry game speaks for itself. Tyler Sash led an opportunistic Iowa defense with three interceptions, and the Hawkeyes established a run game with freshmen Brandon Wegher and Adam Robinson. After some tough luck on the health front, Iowa is back on track heading into a big stretch against Arizona and Penn State.

5. Minnesota (2-0) -- The Gophers have a road win against an improved Syracuse team and a hard-fought home victory against always-tough Air Force. Their lack of explosiveness on offense is still a concern, but the defense has taken a step forward under Kevin Cosgrove and Ron Lee. A huge opportunity arrives Saturday as Cal visits TCF Bank Stadium.

T-6 Northwestern (2-0) -- The Wildcats drop two spots after letting their guard down in the second half against Eastern Michigan and nearly falling to the Eagles. Star defensive end Corey Wootton hasn't shown up so far, and Northwestern's overall defensive line play has been uninspiring. Things get tougher next week against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome.

T-6 Wisconsin (2-0) -- It's hard to know what to make of the Badgers at this point, but they're finding a way to win despite some flaws. Scott Tolzien clearly was the right choice at quarterback, and running back John Clay came up big against Fresno State. The defense is a major concern, especially on third downs, but Wisconsin has done a nice job of surviving against decent teams.

8. Michigan State (1-1) -- Mark Dantonio often brings up Michigan State's struggles under high expectations, and Saturday's loss to Central Michigan certainly looked a lot like other Spartans' collapses. A lack of discipline showed up often, especially on special teams, but perhaps more damaging were the struggles of a deep and experienced secondary. Next week's game at Notre Dame will be huge.

9. Illinois (1-1) -- The Illini took care of business against Illinois State, pulling away to an easy win despite losing quarterback Juice Williams (bruised quadriceps) early. It wasn't a spotless performance, but running back Jason Ford made a difference in his return. Illinois can climb the rankings in the coming weeks with games against Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State -- or it can tumble to the bottom.

10. Purdue (1-1) -- Danny Hope's team would have made a big jump had it won at Oregon, but giveaways and other mistakes doomed the Boilers in Eugene. This team is better than many of us expected, and Ralph Bolden looks like a star at running back, but it can't win games with so many miscues. Purdue must bounce back against Northern Illinois before Notre Dame visits Ross-Ade Stadium.

11. Indiana (2-0) -- Improved defense has paid off early on for the Hoosiers, and the team sparked its rushing attack against Western Michigan behind Demetrius McCray. I'm not totally sold on IU, but there are certainly some encouraging signs for Bill Lynch's crew. This week's trip to Akron is huge before opening Big Ten play with Michigan and Ohio State.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Time to put a bow on Week 2 in the Big Ten with five lessons learned.

1. Michigan is back -- The Wolverines are young and not very deep at several spots, but they're extremely resilient and clearly on the right track under second-year head coach Rich Rodriguez. True freshman Tate Forcier delivered a performance to remember against a good Notre Dame team, completing 6 of 7 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown on the game's decisive drive. Rodriguez's offense has returned to form behind Forcier, running back Brandon Minor and a much improved line. Michigan has closed the book on last season's 3-9 disaster and could make a serious push for the Big Ten title.

2. Ohio State's offense needs a spark -- When you start four possessions inside the opponent's territory, even if the opponent is USC, you need to get more than two field goals. Buckeyes running back Brandon Saine said after Saturday's game that "we always talk about ending each drive with a kick." But too often since 2007, those kicks have been field goal attempts, not extra point attempts. Whether it's Jim Tressel's play-calling or Terrelle Pryor's inconsistency or an unproven supporting cast around Pryor, something just isn't clicking for the Buckeyes on offense and it cost them a huge win against the Trojans.

3. The Big Ten isn't that bad -- After being ripped all week and most of Saturday afternoon, the Big Ten held its own in the key games. Michigan upset Notre Dame and Ohio State dominated USC for most of the way. Purdue paced Oregon at Autzen Stadium, Iowa rebounded strong at Iowa State and both Minnesota and Wisconsin notched nice wins against Air Force and Fresno State. The Big Ten might not be at the SEC's level, but it hasn't suffered multiple embarrassments like the ACC or the Big 12. Though the USC loss stings, having Michigan back on the national scene really helps the league's overall perception.

4. A new group of running backs emerges -- The Big Ten no longer has Shonn Greene, Javon Ringer or Chris "Beanie" Wells, but the league is once again reloading at the running back spot. Purdue's Ralph Bolden looks like a star in two games, while Wisconsin's John Clay delivered a bounce-back performance and Indiana's Demetrius McCray sparked a dormant rushing attack. Michigan's Minor and Illinois' Jason Ford were superb in their returns from injuries. Iowa turned to a true freshman (Brandon Wegher) and a redshirt freshman (Adam Robinson) to ease its rushing woes. Junior Stephen Simmons has emerged as Northwestern's top back after a very nice performance Saturday.

5. League race could be a lot more interesting -- The Big Ten has been pegged as a two-team league, but several other squads could work their way into a wide-open race. Michigan has looked more impressive than any Big Ten team so far, and Iowa made a strong statement in Ames after an extremely shaky start against Northern Iowa. Ohio State clearly has some issues on offense, and Penn State's run game struggled against Syracuse at home. Everything still could come down to Penn State-Ohio State on Nov. 7 in Happy Valley, but a few more matchups will shape the league race.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It's time to recognize the best and the brightest from a very intriguing Week 2 in the Big Ten.

Michigan QB Tate Forcier -- The Wolverines are on their way back, and Forcier helped them take a major step against No. 18 Notre Dame. The true freshman played way beyond his years, leading the game-winning scoring drive and finding Greg Mathews for a 5-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left. Forcier threw for 240 yards, rushed for 70 yards and accounted for three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush).

Iowa S Tyler Sash -- There might not be a defender in the country who had a more productive day than Sash. The Big Ten's interceptions leader in 2008 tied a school record with three picks against Iowa State. He also had a forced fumble, two tackles for loss and a team-high 10 total tackles.

Minnesota LB Nate Triplett -- Triplett made opening night at TCF Bank Stadium a memorable one, as he recorded a team-high 17 tackles and put Minnesota ahead for good with a 52-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Air Force. He's gone from a special-teams all-star to a major contributor.

Wisconsin RB John Clay -- After losing his starting job in camp, Clay showed he's back in a big way against Fresno State. He broke off a career-best 72-yard run and finished with 143 rush yards in the double-overtime win.

Indiana RB Demetrius McCray -- McCray sparked a dormant Indiana rushing attack with a career-high 134 rush yards and a touchdown on only 17 carries. He also had a 5-yard reception as the Hoosiers held off Western Michigan.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It has been a very shaky start to a defining day for the Big Ten, except in Ames and State College, where both Iowa and Penn State handled their business. Iowa really made a nice statement with its win against Iowa State, but the Big Ten hasn't changed its perception one bit. Michigan State took a huge hit with the loss to Central Michigan.

Before I head to The Shoe here's a quick look at what has happened around the league:

Penn State 28, Syracuse 7 -- It wasn't the blowout many had expected from the Nittany Lions, and Syracuse clearly isn't the doormat it has been under Greg Robinson. For the second straight week, Penn State seemed to lose some steam after a strong start from quarterback Daryll Clark and running back Evan Royster. Clark had a pretty nice day with three touchdown passes and an interception, but Penn State has to be a bit concerned about its offensive line after generating only 79 rush yards against the Orange. The defensive front continues to look pretty solid, though Greg Paulus completed 14 of 20 passes in the loss.

Northwestern 27, Eastern Michigan 24 -- The Wildcats are still too prone to letdowns, and they nearly had a disastrous one against an Eastern Michigan team coming off of a 13-point home loss to Army. Northwestern appeared to be in the clear up 21-0, but very shaky tackling on defense and the inability to make big plays on offense let Eastern Michigan claw back into this one. Ironically, special teams saved Northwestern after leading to a costly turnover earlier, as Stefan Demos drilled a 49-yard field goal for the victory. Pat Fitzgerald's defense needs to get a lot tougher in a hurry.

Central Michigan 29, Michigan State 27 -- Mark Dantonio's defense really let him down in the fourth quarter, as decorated Chippewas quarterback Dan LeFevour finally led his team to a victory against a BCS team (he sat out last year's win against Indiana). This is a major blow for Michigan State, which appeared to be the Big Ten's third best team until today. Most troubling for the Spartans is the fact that their secondary, the deepest unit on the team, really struggled against LeFevour (328 pass yards, 3 TDs). It was also surprising to see Michigan State's miscues on special teams, particularly the offside penalty that allowed Central Michigan a second chance at the game-winning field goal. On the plus side, Kirk Cousins might have established himsef as the team's No. 1 quarterback.

Iowa 35, Iowa State 3 -- Sure, Iowa State is the inferior team, but Iowa usually struggles in Ames and came off a shaky performance against Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes made a major statement today, especially on defense. They picked off Austen Arnaud four times and sparked Ricky Stanzi, who rebounded from two early interceptions to throw for four touchdowns. Most important, Iowa might have discovered its running back in freshman Brandon Wegher (101 rush yards, TD). Iowa State didn't help itself with six turnovers, but Iowa is back on track heading into a crucial stretch against Arizona and Penn State.

Wisconsin 34, Fresno State 31 (2OT) -- This game will be lumped in with the other Big Ten close calls, but you've got to give Wisconsin a lot of credit for rallying. The Badgers' overall defense was shaky. Their third-down defense was horrendous. But they found a way to come back against a very good non-BCS team in Fresno State. Wisconsin has found its quarterback in Scott Tolzien, and John Clay resurfaced as the team's top running back with a 143-yard performance. Team MVP? The kicker, Phillip Welch, who hit a crucial 57-yard field goal as well as the game-winner in double overtime.

Indiana 23, Western Michigan 19 -- I've been saying it all summer. The Hoosiers need to win with defense, and they stepped up today to bottle up Western Michigan's ground attack (22 yards). Perhaps more important, Indiana discovered its run game in the pistol formation and got a huge lift from Demetrius McCray (134 rush yards, TD). Indiana was in control for most of the way and came up with some big plays near its own goal line at the end to hold off the Broncos. A big win for Bill Lynch, who needs them.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Indiana released its injury report for Saturday's home game against Western Michigan.

OUT

• Tackle Alex Perry (ACL)
• Defensive end Kyle Kozak (shoulder)
• Defensive end Fred Jones (foot)
• Running back Zach Davis-Walker (shoulder)
• Running back Darius Willis (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE

• Cornerback Aaron Burks (ankle)
• Kicker Nick Ford (hamstring)
• Cornerback Donnell Jones (hamstring)

PROBABLE

• Guard Justin Pagan (ankle)

The big news here is Willis' injury, which adds more uncertainty to a Hoosiers' rushing attack that produced only 73 yards against Eastern Kentucky. Willis struggled in his collegiate debut, fumbling on his first carry and gaining just three yards on three rushes. Still, Indiana maintains high hopes for the redshirt freshman but will now turn to starter Demetrius McCray and reserves Bryan Payton and Trea Burgess to carry the rushing attack.

Getting Pagan on the field again certainly helps the offensive line, and freshman kicker Mitch Ewald is also off the injury report after missing much of preseason camp with an oblique injury.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The games are back, and so are the picks. Hold your applause. Every Thursday this fall, I'll forecast what will happen in the Big Ten.

Last year, I went 71-17 (80.7 percent) during the regular season. That's all you need to know.


THURSDAY


Indiana 27, Eastern Kentucky 17: The pistol offense gets off to a slow start, but Indiana's defense contains Eastern Kentucky and buys time for Ben Chappell and Co. to get going. Running backs Demetrius McCray and Darius Willis have a big night and the Hoosiers rack up five sacks as they open new-and-improved Memorial Stadium with a win.


SATURDAY


Ohio State 38, Navy 10: The Mids receive the greeting they deserve from Buckeye Nation, but the reception on the field will be different. Ohio State's defensive line is disciplined enough to stop the triple option, and Navy doesn't appear to be as strong as it has been in past years. Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor has a nice debut in the win, and Dan Herron has a big day on the ground.


Penn State 45, Akron 17: Joe Paterno returns to the sideline and enjoys the view as running back Evan Royster opens with a 150-yard effort in the opener. Akron quarterback Chris Jacquemain and his veteran wide receivers make some plays against an iffy Nittany Lions secondary, but Penn State pulls away in the second quarter and never looks back.


Northwestern 34, Towson 6: Those expecting a drop-off from Northwestern forget that defense carried this team in 2008 and will do the same this fall. Towson's offense has major question marks and manages just two field goals against the Wildcats, who start slow on offense but pick things up in the second half behind quarterback Mike Kafka and freshman running back Arby Fields. Towson allowed more than 230 rush yards a game last fall.


Michigan State 31, Montana State 13: The Bobcats from Bozeman aren't pushovers, having upset Colorado in 2006 and keeping things close for a while against Minnesota last year. Standout defensive end Dane Fletcher makes some plays early, but Kirk Cousins eventually gets on track and uses his many weapons at wide receiver and tight end. Spartans backup quarterback Keith Nichol also logs time and performs well, keeping the competition tight heading into Week 2.


Minnesota 31, Syracuse 21: One of the more intriguing Week 1 matchups goes to the Gophers, who struggle a bit early amid the hoopla over Doug Marrone's Syracuse debut and Greg Paulus' return to football. Paulus makes a play or two against the Minnesota defense, but Adam Weber and a dynamic group of Gophers wideouts steal the show. Eric Decker and Hayo Carpenter each catch two touchdowns as Minnesota pulls away in the third quarter.


Purdue 31, Toledo 24: Some tense moments in head coach Danny Hope's debut at Purdue, but the Boilermakers prevail thanks to a solid rushing attack led by Ralph Bolden and Jaycen Taylor. Toledo's offense returns plenty of veterans and moves the ball against an iffy Purdue front seven. Bolden turns the tide early in the fourth quarter with a long touchdown run.


Iowa 28, Northern Iowa 9: Iowa needs its defense to step up from the get-go, and the unit comes through against Northern Iowa, a formidable FCS opponent. Hawkeyes junior quarterback Ricky Stanzi displays obvious improvement and finds the rejuvenated Tony Moeaki for two touchdowns. The run game is so-so for Iowa, but it doesn't need much from Paki O'Meara and Adam Robinson in the win.


Michigan 28, Western Michigan 24: Popular opinion is going against the Wolverines after everything that happened this week in Ann Arbor, but Rich Rodriguez's crew finds a way to start 1-0. Tim Hiller and the Broncos have their way with Michigan's secondary in the first half, but Wolverines defensive end Brandon Graham turns the game with a sack and a forced fumble early in the third quarter. Quarterbacks Tate Forcier, Nick Sheridan and Denard Robinson make enough plays against a vulnerable WMU defense.


Illinois 44, Missouri 38: The Illinois-Missouri matchup usually oozes offense, and this year will be no exception. But Juice Williams gets the final say against Sean Weatherspoon and the Tigers, as he finds four different receivers for touchdowns. Sophomore running backs Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure both show improvement as a dynamic Illini offense secures a big win in the Edward Jones Dome.


Wisconsin 30, Northern Illinois 23: The Huskies are on the rise under second-year coach Jerry Kill and boast a dangerous quarterback in sophomore Chandler Harnish. Wisconsin worries me a bit on both sides of the ball, but running backs Zach Brown and John Clay should have a big day against an NIU defense that lost star Larry English. It'll be tight for a while, but I can't see the Badgers losing a night game at home.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Let the games begin. Here are 10 things to watch as Big Ten football kicks off in 2009.


1. Michigan's response -- Head coach Rich Rodriguez and the program have been in the cross-hairs all week, but Michigan can ease some of the pressure by beating Western Michigan and showing tangible improvement. Team chemistry is a question mark after current players spoke publicly about possible NCAA rule violations involving time limits, but the Wolverines need a united effort Saturday. Michigan simply isn't good enough to win if the team is splintered.


2. Juice vs. Weatherspoon -- Missouri star linebacker Sean Weatherspoon targeted Illinois quarterback Juice Williams in some Twitter trash talk last month. Williams gets a chance to answer in the Edward Jones Dome, where he set a total offense record (461 yards) last year against Mizzou. This is a pivotal game for Williams and the Illini, who have the more experienced team and need to get over the hump against the Tigers.


3. Defending Paulus -- Minnesota co-defensive coordinators Kevin Cosgrove and Ron Lee face an unusual scouting challenge against Syracuse, as they prepare their players for a quarterback who spent the last four years shooting baskets on Tobacco Road. Greg Paulus plays a meaningful football game for the first time in four years, and it's up to cornerback Traye Simmons and the Gophers to make sure he doesn't find a rhythm.


4. New Hope at Purdue -- The Danny Hope era begins as Purdue opens the season against Toledo. Outside expectations are low for the Boilermakers, but Hope has brought plenty of energy and a faster pace to just about everything in the program. The Big Ten's mystery team will use plenty of freshmen and other newcomers right away, while heady quarterback Joey Elliott finally gets a chance to be the starter.


5. Paterno back where he belongs -- You can probably switch off the Penn State-Akron game shortly after the opening kickoff, but it's worth tuning in to see Joe Paterno run on the field for his 44th season as Nittany Lions head coach. Paterno hasn't coached from the sidelines since Sept. 27, but he'll be back as Penn State begins its Big Ten title defense at Beaver Stadium.


6. Captain Kirk at the controls -- Michigan State's quarterback competition isn't over, but sophomore Kirk Cousins gets the first shot in the opener against Montana State. Named just the second sophomore captain in team history last week, Cousins has the intangibles and the polished passing skills to be a star in this league. But he needs a strong debut Saturday since Keith Nichol isn't far behind.


7. A surprise backfield in Madison -- Few would have pegged quarterback Scott Tolzien and running back Zach Brown to be Wisconsin's opening-day starters when preseason camp began, but both players earned the top jobs over more heralded competitors. Tolzien must continue his steady play at a position where Wisconsin simply can't afford mistakes, and Brown looks to build on an excellent preseason as he'll likely share carries with John Clay.


8. Terrelle, Take 2 -- Ohio State should have little trouble with Navy, but it needs to see tangible signs of progress from quarterback Terrelle Pryor. The gifted sophomore spent the offseason improving his footwork and passing mechanics to become a more complete quarterback. This is Pryor's team now, and he needs a strong opening statement before facing USC in Week 2.


9. Locked and loaded in Bloomington -- Indiana's pistol formation makes its debut Thursday night against Eastern Kentucky, as the Hoosiers try to jumpstart a downhill rushing attack. Without Kellen Lewis on the field, the Hoosiers need a reliable run game and will look to an improved offensive line and a deep group of running backs led by Demetrius McCray and Darius Willis.


10. New backs on the block -- Iowa and Northwestern are among several Big Ten teams starting unproven running backs. The Hawkeyes likely won't find another Shonn Greene this fall, but they need decent production from former walk-on Paki O'Meara and redshirt freshman Adam Robinson to ease concerns after Jewel Hampton's season-ending injury. Northwestern will start junior Stephen Simmons at running back, but true freshman Arby Fields generated plenty of buzz in camp and should get plenty of work against Towson.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The depth charts continue to roll in, as Indiana unveils its two-deep. One caveat: Head coach Bill Lynch still plans to release another depth chart before Thursday's season opener against Eastern Kentucky, so this is hardly set in stone.

A few notes:

• Fifth-year senior Demetrius McCray is listed as the starter at running back, ahead of talented redshirt freshman Darius Willis. Junior Trea Burgess is third, and senior Bryan Payton surprisingly comes in fourth. Lynch expects all four backs to play against Eastern Kentucky, but he acknowledged that McCray turned in a solid camp. I think Willis will be the starter before long, though McCray can be effective if he stays healthy.
• Lynch is weighing whether or not to redshirt quarterback Edward Wright-Baker, who has performed well in camp. Redshirt freshman Adam Follett is listed as Ben Chappell's backup at quarterback, but Wright-Baker might end up filling that role.
  

"If Ed is going to jump to being No. 2, which we've run him at two quite a bit the past couple of days, then you've got to decide at which point you're going to play him," Lynch said today. "Over the course of the last two or three practices, we've run Edward at No. 2 more than Adam. We listed Adam at number two now because I know Adam can go in a game. We've got to decide if that is what we're willing to do."

• Sophomore Justin Pagan is listed as the starter at left guard, though he's questionable for the game with an ankle injury. Redshirt freshman Marc Damisch would step in if Pagan can't play. Cornerback Donnell Jones is also questionable with a hamstring injury, opening the door for Adrian Burks or Richard Council.
  
• Defensive tackle Adam Replogle is one of several true freshmen who should see the field this fall. Lynch also said wideout Duwyce Wilson, linebacker Damon Sims and offensive lineman Aaron Price could play. "We know right now that Adam is going to be running out onto the field early," he said.
  
• Indiana will select captains for each game this year. The team's official captains for 2009 will be voted on at the end of the season.
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It's a critical year for Indiana football and head coach Bill Lynch. As the program moves into its sparkling new end-zone facility at Memorial Stadium, the team must rebuild after sliding to 3-9 in 2008. Two years removed from a breakthrough bowl season under Lynch, the Hoosiers can ill afford another step back.

	Sandra Dukes/Icon SMI
	Indiana coach Bill Lynch knows his team must improve on last season.

Despite losing former All-Big Ten quarterback Kellen Lewis after spring ball, Lynch is excited about his team, which he says has more depth and experience than ever before. Perhaps most important, the Hoosiers are relatively healthy after being ravaged by injuries in 2008. Several standout defenders return -- ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton, linebacker Matt Mayberry -- and junior quarterback Ben Chappell enters camp as the clear-cut starter.

Here are some of Lynch's thoughts on the upcoming season as we chatted last week.

You've mentioned a couple times that you feel this is a different team. Is there anything you can put your finger on as far as why things are different?

Bill Lynch: It really goes all the way back to when we got going in January with our offseason program. Every team's different. As guys get older and become seniors and juniors, this group's really taken ownership. It's the leadership we've seen and the way they've really held each other accountable to the work it takes to be a good football team. When you're in this business long enough, you see that and you feel it. That's where we are, throughout the program. This group is very committed.

I know you're excited about the pistol offense this year. Has that system fully sunk in, or is it still a process?

BL: They've got a good handle on it. It's not drastically different. The biggest thing is we want to run the football better and run it in a little different style. The spread is primarily a zone-blocking scheme where you're trying to spread the defense and create some creases, versus the pistol is more of a traditional offense where you can be a little more downhill. As a result, we can use some different blocking schemes, run some power and some gap and man schemes. We just felt like we needed to get more multiple in our offense. Our guys really picked that up in the spring. We're still going from the no-huddle attack, and that hasn't changed. The terminology is very similar, so it's not like we totally changed the offense.

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