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Purdue linebacker Dwayne Beckford and receiver O.J. Ross -- who were both suspended before the Little Caesars Bowl -- have been put back on scholarship and are expected play in 2012 coach Danny Hope said over the weekend.

Beckford was dismissed from school following a DUI arrest but has been reinstated, while Ross was taken off scholarship following academic problems. Ross practiced with the team this spring.

Beckford was the team's second-leading tackler in 2011, and the Boilermakers do not have much experience at the linebacker position. His trial on the DUI charge is set for June, and he also faces sentencing for violating his probation from a 2011 conviction for leaving the scene of an accident.

Ross was the team's third leading receiver a year ago, catching 33 passes for 356 yards and three touchdowns. Purdue's leading receiver, Antavian Edison, was arrested in Florida earlier this month on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon. But he remains on the team, Hope told the Lafayette Journal and Courier.

“Right now, he’s in school,” Hope said. “Antavian has not been charged with anything. He’s in school, he’s on the team and he has not been dismissed.”

All three players will be key parts of what Purdue hopes is a breakthrough season after last year's 7-6 campaign.

2011 record: 7-6
2011 conference record: 4-4 (third place, Leaders Division) Returning starters: Offense: 9; Defense: 9; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners
DT Kawann Short, CB Ricardo Allen, QB Caleb TerBush, QB Robert Marve, QB Rob Henry, RB Akeem Shavers, RB Ralph Bolden, DE Ryan Russell, WR Antavian Edison, DT Bruce Gaston, OT Trevor Foy

Key losses
LB Joe Holland, S Albert Evans, LT Dennis Kelly, OG Nick Mondek, WR Justin Siller, K Carson Wiggs

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Ralph Bolden* (674 yards)
Passing: Caleb TerBush (1,905 yards)
Receiving: Antavian Edison* (584 yards) Tackles: Joe Holland (94) Sacks: Kawann Short* (6.5) Interceptions: Ricardo Allen* (3)

Spring answers

1. Healthy QBs: After two years of dealing with injuries and inexperienced signalcallers, Danny Hope finally had enviable depth at the position this spring. With Robert Marve healthy, last season's starter Caleb TerBush a year wiser, and Rob Henry on the mend from a torn ACL, Purdue has three former starters at quarterback. Hope said the depth made for much improved offensive execution this spring, which should carry over into the fall. Now he just has to figure out whom to play and when, as it's likely more than one will see the field in the same game.

2. Defensive front and back set: The Boilermakers have a chance to be very good up front defensively, and it all starts with defensive tackle Kawann Short. He passed up the NFL draft, and could work his way into first-round status with a big senior season. Bruce Gaston returns along side him in the middle, and sophomore defensive end Ryan Russell looks like a future star after coming on strong at the end of last season. The secondary is also in great shape, with returning cornerbacks Ricardo Allen and Josh Johnson possibly forming the best tandem in the league, according to Hope. Nickel back Normondo Harris had a big spring game, and Max Charlot returns at safety. Purdue should have the ability to generate a pass-rush and defend the ball in the air.

3. More confidence: There's little doubt that there's more confidence in the air around West Lafayette. That comes from the team making -- and winning -- its first bowl game under Hope last season, and returning 18 offensive and defensive starters. This is Hope's deepest team, and it should be his best. Some are picking Purdue as a potential Big Ten sleeper, and the players believe that talk is justified.

Fall questions

1. Linebacker Who? While the defense looks stout up front and in the secondary, questions remain at linebacker. Joe Holland, the team's leading tackler a year ago, graduated. Dwayne Beckford missed the bowl game after a DUI arrest, and his status for the fall remains in flux. Will Lucas is the only returning starter guaranteed to suit up in September. There's talk of using some 3-4 looks under new defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar, who implemented his system in practices closed to the media this spring. Does Purdue have enough linebackers to make it work?

2. Offensive line chemistry: The Boilers' offensive line didn't get a lot of hype last season, but it produced two NFL draft picks in Dennis Kelly and Nick Mondek. Trevor Foy is moving from right to left tackle, and Kevin Pamphile and Rick Schmeig worked at multiple positions this spring. Purdue will mix in some new faces and some veterans in new places this fall, and how well that unit comes together will have a large say in how the offense flows.

3. X-factors on offense: Some things we simply don't yet know include the following: Can Ralph Bolden successfully return from knee surgery? If not, is Akeem Shavers a capable every-down back? What will happen to leading receiver Antavian Edison after his arrest on weapons charges this week? Will fellow wideout O.J. Ross make it back from academic suspension? Can kick returning dynamo Raheem Mostert make an impact at receiver? Purdue has a lot more options on offense than in the recent past, but there also remains a lot of question marks.

Purdue wide receiver O.J. Ross returned to practice Tuesday, but as a non-scholarship player.

Ross, the Boilers' highest-rated recruit in the 2010 class, was ruled academically ineligible for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in December. Purdue coach Danny Hope dismissed Ross from the team and took away his scholarship.

Ross, who ranked third on the team in both receptions (33) and receiving yards (356) in 2011, is back with the squad this spring but must pay his own way to school.

From The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier:

"We gave him a second chance and told him not to miss class," Hope said. "He worked very hard but he did miss a couple of classes. We dismissed him from the team and took his scholarship away. He wanted to be part of the football team and try to earn a scholarship back and earn his position back."

Most of these situations end with a permanent dismissal, and you have to figure Ross is on a short leash with his academics going forward. Here's hoping he makes the most of the opportunity and possibly regains his scholarship.

Purdue is counting on Ross, Antavian Edison and Gary Bush at receiver in 2012 as it looks to replace top target Justin Siller.

In other personnel notes, Boilers linebacker Dwayne Beckford remains on the team but isn't practicing at the moment. Beckford has had several legal issues in recent months, including a citation for suspicion of OWI in December that resulted in his suspension for the bowl game.

Beckford finished second on the squad in tackles with 91 last season.

Purdue is getting a little bit of a buzz as a sleeper team for 2012 after breaking through with a bowl game (and win) in 2011. The Boilermakers opened spring practice last week and went for a couple of days straight before taking off for spring break. I had a chance to catch up with Purdue head coach Danny Hope to talk about how things are going in his program and the areas of concentration this spring.

Did you sense any different attitude this offseason after getting to that bowl game last year?

Danny Hope: I think we ended the season on a high note and with some momentum, and I think it carried over into the offseason. I think we're really hitting on all cylinders with our new director of sports performance, whom we hired last year about this time. It's the first time since I've been the head coach at Purdue that we're going into spring with a quarterback that's healthy that's played any football. Caleb TerBush wasn't penciled in as the No. 1 [quarterback], but he became No. 1 about a week before the opener. He had to get his feet wet and learn throughout the course of the season, but by the end of the season he was playing pretty good. That momentum carried right over into the bowl preparation and the win carried right into the weight training offseason and that carried into spring practices. And having experienced quarterbacks is important. It's the first time since I've been here we've been able to do something as simple as getting signals in early in spring. It's a little different tempo out there right now as a result. We've got some good players back and we've got some confidence as a football team.

You have quite a few experienced quarterbacks now, in fact. How are you splitting up the reps for them this spring?

DH: Well, Sean Robinson is playing on defense right now. It's hard to get four quarterbacks ready in spring ball, and he wasn't going to get as many reps as he needed to. So we're going to try him some at the linebacker position. That leaves TerBush and Robert Marve, who's finally healthy. I think Robert did some good things last year, but I think he's in position to take some big steps in his development because this is the first time since he's been here that he's been able to get a lot of reps without concern about an injury or an eligibility situation. Then Rob Henry is back. He's a little bit limited right now because he's coming off knee surgery, but I'm really pleased with where his recovery is, and most of the time when he's out there right now you can't tell much of a difference. But you have to limit his reps a little just because you don't want to overdo it and create a swelling issue. So the numbers are kind of taking care of themselves in some ways. We went into the spring with TerBush as No. 1 and all those other guys are competing.

Your leading rusher, Ralph Bolden, tore his ACL again, but you have two pretty good running backs in Akeem Shavers and Akeem Hunt. How do you feel about the depth at running back this spring?

DH: We had a real strong running attack last year. We were fifth in the Big Ten in rushing. The past couple of years, we've been able to establish a strong running game. I like the progress that we've made and having good running backs is a big part of that, and any more, having a couple of running backs you can play is a big part of it. We had a lot of different guys rush for us last year, probably 10 different guys who were utilized as ball carriers. We really like Akeem Shavers. He's a fast, physical back who finishes runs. Akeem Hunt is an excellent sprinter who's a member of our track team and was a state champion track performer in Georgia. So he's a class sprinter in a lot of ways for a football player.

We've also got a kid we redshirted last year in Doug Gentry, and he's a skilled player. We have Gavin Roberts, who has good size but was injured last year. He's a big back we can utilize in the backfield. Then we've got a couple fullbacks in Derek Jackson, who weighs about 240 pounds, and Kurt Freytag. So we've got some guys still in the stable even though Ralph is out. And we've utilized Antavian Edison and Raheem Mostert some as ball carriers out of their slot position, and both those guys are really skilled players. So we've got some athletes who can tote the mail, and we spread the wealth out around here.

Were you upset about the new kickoff rules because you have such a weapon at kick returner in Raheem Mostert?

DH: Well, we all play by the same rules. You'll have to make decisions about bringing some out, so the return man is going to have to be a good decision-maker. From a kickoff standpoint it might change some things. You can kick them all deep and try to force the touchback if you want to, but you're going to be giving the opponent the ball at the 25. Or you can kick the ball high and deep and try to pin them down and do a great job covering. So there's going to be some game planning and schemes involved. I think it will all even out. ... I don't think it's going to shut down all kick returns, but I think there will be about 25 percent less, is my guess.

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We continue our postseason position rankings today as we move on to the linebackers.

Not surprisingly, Linebacker U takes the top spot, though it was a very close call. Depth helped the top two teams on this list, while star power marked spots Nos. 3 through 5. After that, it's a bit of a dropoff.

Away we go ...

1. Penn State: We thought this group could be the deepest linebacking corps in the league this past season, and that depth proved both true and invaluable when starter Michael Mauti went out in the fourth game of the season. Even without him, the Nittany Lions' linebackers played great, led by first team All-Big Ten performer Gerald Hodges, who had a breakout campaign. Nate Stupar filled in nicely for Mauti, and Glenn Carson was solid in his first year as a starter in the middle.

2. Michigan State: We wondered in the preseason how the Spartans would replace stars Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. The answer: very nicely, thank you. Sophomores Denicos Allen and Max Bullough emerged as fierce playmakers, especially on the blitz, and Chris Norman provided steady play on the weak side. All three return in 2012 to give Penn State a run for its money as the best group in the league.

3. Wisconsin: Mike Taylor and Chris Borland were finally healthy in the same season, and what a difference that made. They were a terrific pair, combining for 293 tackles and becoming the only Big Ten duo to average more than 10 tackles per game each. Taylor in particular made great strides. Kevin Claxton was overshadowed a bit as the third Badgers linebacker, but that's understandable given the amount of plays Borland and Taylor made.

4. Illinois: The emergence of Jonathan Brown (108 tackles, 19.5 for loss) as fire-breathing pass-rusher made this unit better than we projected in the preseason. Ian Thomas also had a good season at the position with 85 tackles, and Trulon Henry rounded out a strong crew before he missed time late following a shooting incident. The Illini defense stayed consistent throughout the team's struggles.

5. Nebraska: Depth was not a strong suit for the Huskers by any means, but there was no better linebacker in the league and few better in the nation than All-American Lavonte David. He had 133 tackles and countless big plays. Will Compton came on as the season wore along to provide a good complement to David. Finding consistent play elsewhere at the position was a challenge for Nebraska.

6. Ohio State: We pegged the Buckeyes at No. 3 in our preseason linebacker rankings, but it wasn't a vintage year for a group that struggled down the stretch drive. Andrew Sweat led the way with 72 tackles despite missing two games because of injury, and Etienne Sabino had a decent season (62 tackles, 6.5 for loss) if not the breakout season many had predicted. Freshman Ryan Shazier announced himself late in the year as a potential star in the making.

7. Michigan: The Wolverines' defense surprised everyone in 2011, though the defensive line was clearly the vanguard on that side of the ball. Kenny Demens led the team with 94 tackles, while freshmen Desmond Morgan and Jake Ryan made an immediate impact as starters. This wasn't an overwhelming group, but it was one that mostly did its job.

8. Iowa: The Hawkeyes had a hard time keeping everybody healthy and consistent, but this spot might have been the best part of their defense. James Morris and Christian Kirksey tied for the team lead with 110 tackles each, while Tyler Nielsen added 73 stops while battling some nagging injuries. The Iowa defense overall was disappointing, however.

9. Purdue: Danny Hope usually knew what to expect from week to week out of his linebackers: solid, consistent play. Joe Holland, Dwayne Beckford and Will Lucas each had between 82 and 94 stops as the top three tacklers on the team. Lucas and Holland also recorded double-digit tackles for loss. The chief complaint here is that the Boilermakers gave up some big point totals during the season.

10. Minnesota: The Gophers struggled up front and in the secondary, but linebacker was their most experienced and reliable defensive position, as expected. Veterans Gary Tinsley, Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper played in every game, and were among the most consistent players on the team. Tinsley led the way with four sacks. Florida transfer Brendan Beal was expected to make an impact, but missed the season with a knee injury.

11. Northwestern: It wasn't a very good year overall for the Wildcats' defense, and linebacker was no exception. David Nwabuisi ranked third on the team with 84 tackles, while Bryce McNaul was right behind with 76. But Northwestern's starting trio combined for just 2.5 sacks and didn't come up with enough difference-making plays throughout the season.

12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers was that Jeff Thomas was the best player on defense in 2011, finishing with 80 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. The bad news is that he was a senior. Besides Thomas, Indiana was forced to go young at the position, playing freshmen Chase Hoobler, Mike Replogle and Mark Murphy, a safety/linebacker hybrid, at times during the season. Kevin Wilson hopes the experience makes them better in '12, but this is yet another position that needs vast improvement going forward.

As we count down the days before spring practice, we're taking a look at how each Big Ten team will replace key players on their depth charts. We're picking two departed players who left big shoes to fill and identifying who might be ready to do that filling.

Up next, Purdue.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Dennis Kelly, LT

Why: Purdue returns most of its skill players on offense but must fill gaps along the line, none bigger than at left tackle. Kelly started every game the past three seasons, a streak of 37 consecutive games protecting the quarterback's blind side. He also served as a co-captain last fall. Kelly is a big body at 6-foot-8 and 306 pounds, and his backup in 2011 was Trevor Foy, the team's starting right tackle. Purdue doesn't have many proven players at tackle entering spring practice. Although the Boilers return four quarterbacks with starting experience, they need someone to protect them.

Replacement candidates: Trevor Foy (6-7, 287, Jr.); Justin Kitchens (6-4, 275, Jr.); Jack De Boef (6-7, 284, So.)

The skinny: Kitchens moved from defensive line to offensive tackle last spring and started the first four games before moving behind Foy on the depth chart. Purdue could move Foy to the left side and move Kitchens into a starting role or given Kitchens a shot a succeeding Kelly. De Boef is a big body but lacks experience. It should be a very interesting spring along the offensive line.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Joe Holland, LB

Why: No player has started more games for Purdue in the past four seasons than Holland, who started 48 of 49 games in his career. He led the team in tackles with 94 in 2011 and finished in the top three in tackles all four seasons. A co-captain last season, Holland finished second on the squad in both tackles for loss (10.5) and passes defended (9), recording an interception and 1.5 sacks. Although linebacker hasn't been the strongest position at Purdue, Holland's durability, leadership and production will be missed in 2012.

Replacement candidates: Nnamdi Ezenwa (6-2, 225, Sr.); Joe Gilliam (6-1, 211, So.); Mike Lee (6-2, 220, So.)

The skinny: Purdue should be fine at the other two linebacker spots with Dwayne Beckford and Will Lucas, but Holland leaves a void because he was always on the field. Gilliam appeared in 11 games last season and recorded seven tackles, while Ezenwa, listed as Holland's backup on Purdue's depth chart, had six tackles in five games. The Boilers didn't have a ton of linebackers see the field in 2011, so it'll be important for Lee and other younger 'backers to get up to speed this spring.

Here are some more news and nuggets from Purdue coach Danny Hope's meeting with reporters on Tuesday:

• Starting linebacker Dwayne Beckford and third-leading receiver O.J. Ross were both suspended from the Little Caesars Bowl, but both will be back on the team this fall if they take care of business off the field. Beckford was arrested on a DUI charge and is currently suspended but can work his way back. Hope said Beckford is less than a year away from graduating and he isn't about to give up on him. Ross was suspended for academic reasons but has been working out with teammates so far this offseason.
• Purdue has moved Robert Kugler to center. Kugler came in last year as a freshman tight end weighing 244 pounds. Hope said he has the body type to put on more weight, adding that "you don't have to be massive to play center. Some of the better centers here weren't so massive." Hope also said a couple of other tight ends could cross train at offensive tackle this spring because the Boilermakers are light in numbers on the offensive line.
• The Boilers are finishing up interviews for their vacant defensive line coaching position and hope to announce a hire in the next week or so.
• Hope had glowing words for senior defensive tackle Kawann Short, who passed up a chance to enter the NFL draft this winter. He said Short has made tremendous strides in conditioning and now weighs 330 pounds. "Kawann has an unbelievable ceiling," he said. "He looks better at 330 than he has at any point in time at his career at Purdue. He can get himself in great shape and be one of the elite big men in college football. ... He's potentially one of the great players at his position on a national level."
• Hope shot down the idea of Raheem Mostert, who led the Big Ten in kickoff returns as a freshman, moving to defensive back. Mostert is too valuable of a playmaker, he said. " We have to think of more ways to get the ball in his hands."
• Frankie Williams and Doug Gentry were singled out as players who redshirted last year who could have a big impact this season. Hope said he wishes he had played Williams, a defensive back, in 2011 and that he has a chance to be an important part of the secondary and special teams. Gentry needed to develop his body but should get plenty of reps and opportunity at running back, which is a little thin with Ralph Bolden out because of a torn ACL and Reggie Pegram's transfer.
• While the roster should have more depth this season as Hope brings in his fourth class of recruits, Purdue needs to fix some areas to take the next step as a program. Hope said the Boilers "have to become a much more disciplined football team," especially when it comes to penalties and mistakes, to rise above mediocrity. But he said the experience of going to and winning a bowl game should help. "We gained some confidence," he said. "It made us a hungrier team. I think you'll see even greater things in the near future."

Big Ten bowl season kicks off Tuesday night as Purdue faces Western Michigan in the first of 10 bowl games for the league. Here's a quick preview of the Little Caesars Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit:

WHO TO WATCH: Purdue cornerback Ricardo Allen. The Boilermakers are a little light on star power, but Allen is one of the best cover corners in the Big Ten, with a knack for making the big play. The sophomore will be matched up frequently against Western Michigan star Jordan White, who led the nation with 127 catches and 1,646 receiving yards (along with 16 touchdowns) this season. White is likely to get his yards -- he had at least 98 receiving yards in all but two games this season -- but Allen will need to at least make him work for it and try to keep him out of the end zone. Allen also had three interceptions this season, and turnovers could be big in what looks like a close game.

WHAT TO WATCH: Purdue's running game. Leading rusher Ralph Bolden suffered a torn ACL in the season finale against Indiana, so the team's two Akeems -- Akeem Shavers and freshman Akeem Hunt -- will have to come through. Both have had their moments this season, and Hunt averaged 8.6 yards per carry in limited duty. Starting quarterback Caleb TerBush can also take off and run. The Boilermakers don't own an explosive downfield passing game, but they might not need one against a Western Michigan team that allowed 216 rushing yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry this season. The Broncos faced and lost to two other Big Ten teams this season: Michigan ran for 190 yards (at 7.3 yards per carry) in less than three full quarters of a weather-shortened game, while Illinois produced two 100-yard rushers while rolling up 296 on the ground.

WHY TO WATCH: This is Purdue's first bowl game since 2007. The fan base has been slow to accept third-year coach Danny Hope, but the school showed faith by extending his contract last week. The Boilers failed to win back-to-back games all season and need a good bowl performance to build some momentum in the program. But how focused is the team? Three players have been arrested and another suspended since the end of the season, and receiver O.J. Ross and linebacker Dwayne Beckford won't play in the game. The Big Ten has some difficult matchups this bowl season, and the league could use a victory over a MAC opponent to get things started.

PREDICTION: Purdue 34, Western Michigan 33. The Broncos' dynamic passing game with White and quarterback Alex Carder will cause some problems for Purdue, which needs defensive tackle Kawann Short to disrupt things in the middle. The Boilermakers could have a tough time if they fall behind early. But Western Michigan struggles mightily against the run, something Purdue ought to be able to exploit all game even without Bolden. I see this one going down to the wire, with perhaps a key special-teams play deciding it.

Big Ten bowl season finally arrives this week, and that means it's time for us to make our predictions.

Today, we'll offer our picks in the eight non-BCS games involving Big Ten teams (our Rose Bowl and Allstate Sugar Bowl selections will arrive in the near future).

Brian Bennett holds a slim one-game lead over Adam Rittenberg from the regular-season and Big Ten championship game predictions. But as always, glory is won in the postseason. Who says bowls don't matter?

On to our picks ...

Little Caesars Bowl


WESTERN MICHIGAN vs. PURDUE (Dec. 27)

Adam Rittenberg: Purdue should be geared up for its first bowl appearance since 2007, but I don't like the vibe around the Boilers, who have had several off-field incidents and will be without leading tackler Dwayne Beckford (suspended) and top rusher Ralph Bolden (injured). Western Michigan can put up a ton of points, and I don't think the Boilers will quite keep up. ... Western Michigan 31, Purdue 27.

Brian Bennett: If Purdue follows its win-loss pattern this season, then it must lose this game. But the Boilermakers simply have to be able to beat a MAC team if they want to build any kind of momentum in this program for Danny Hope. Even without Ralph Bolden, Purdue has a huge edge in the running game. The Boilers' season ends the only way it really could: with a blocked kick to seal a victory ... Purdue 34, Western Michigan 33.

Insight Bowl

No. 14 OKLAHOMA vs. IOWA (Dec. 30)

Brian Bennett: I don't know how motivated the injury-ravaged Sooners will be, and the Hawkeyes have been really good in bowl games under Kirk Ferentz. But the loss of Marcus Coker is too much to overcome in an already difficult matchup for Iowa. Oklahoma picks off James Vandenberg twice and holds on. ... Oklahoma 27, Iowa 20.

Adam Rittenberg: Without Coker, Iowa needs to hope Oklahoma has a letdown in Tempe. The Sooners have advantages at too many positions. While the Hawkeyes' defense will fight hard for retiring coordinator Norm Parker, Oklahoma has too much firepower for a unit that hasn't slowed down many teams. Vandenberg will play well at times, but the Sooners prevail. ... Oklahoma 31, Iowa 24.

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

TEXAS A&M vs. NORTHWESTERN (Dec. 31)

Adam Rittenberg: Texas A&M is the better team here, but the Aggies have more than a few distractions following a very disappointing season. Dan Persa will have a huge game in his final performance for the Wildcats. But my lack of faith in Northwestern's defense prevents me from picking the upset. The unit hasn't developed much at all and never comes through in the clutch. A&M has too many weapons and pulls away before a partisan crowd. ... Texas A&M 42, Northwestern 31.

Brian Bennett: Tough call here between an Aggies team that collapsed all season long and a Northwestern program that hasn't won a bowl game since the Truman administration. I agree with Adam that the Wildcats' defense is going to have a tough time, especially without senior cornerback Jordan Mabin. Playing a virtual home game and perhaps motivated to perform after the tragic death of offensive lineman Joseph Villavisencio, A&M guts this one out. ... Texas A&M 35, Northwestern 31.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

UCLA vs. ILLINOIS (Dec. 31)

Brian Bennett: First one to 10 points wins. Or team that doesn't jump over the right-field wall at AT&T Park gets the trophy. There aren't two bowl teams with less momentum than the Bruins and the Illini. But one unit I know will show up is the Illinois defense, which has been strong all season and should be motivated to play for Vic Koenning in his final game as interim head coach. Whitney Mercilus cements his national sack title with two quarterback takedowns, and the Illinois offense figures out how to reach the end zone a couple of times. ... Illinois 17, UCLA 9.

Adam Rittenberg: Both of these teams are in various states of flux, and I'm leery picking Illinois to win for the first time since Oct. 8. But as you point out, the best single unit in this game is Illinois' defense, which has played well all season. Mercilus, Jonathan Brown and the Illini win one for Vic and Nathan Scheelhaase scores a late touchdown as the Illini win an ugly one. ... Illinois 14, UCLA 10.

TicketCity Bowl

No. 19 HOUSTON vs. No. 22 PENN STATE (Jan. 2)

Adam Rittenberg: This should be a fascinating game, if nothing else. I really think if Penn State shows up to play, the Lions will win. But it's more than fair to ask whether Penn State's entire squad will be motivated or not. The Lions' defense is better than what Houston has faced all season, and while Case Keenum will make plays, Devon Still will be in his face. Houston showed no interest in stopping the run in the C-USA title game, and a healthy Silas Redd goes for 200-plus as Penn State ends an odd season with a win. ... Penn State 28, Houston 24.

Brian Bennett: Hardest game on the board to call, because of Penn State's state of mind. And don't forget that Houston has a new coach, too. You've got the nation's No. 1 scoring offense vs. the No. 5 scoring defense. In a bubble, I'd usually choose the dominant defense over the high-scoring offense. But there are too many other factors at play here, and I think once Keenum throws a couple of early touchdowns, the Nittany Lions will deflate. ... Houston 31, Penn State 24.

Outback Bowl

No. 16 GEORGIA vs. No. 17 MICHIGAN STATE (Jan. 2)

Brian Bennett: Assuming both teams have shaken off their conference title-game defeats, this is an outstanding matchup. You've got two of the best defenses in the country and two terrific quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins and Aaron Murray. Michigan State was awful against an SEC team in Florida last year, but I think this year will be a different story. The Spartans have a more varied offense than Georgia, which benefited from a weak SEC East this year. It's a grinder, but a key special teams play from Keshawn Martin makes the difference. ... Michigan State 17, Georgia 14.

Adam Rittenberg: Michigan State's time has come, and while the Spartans must shake off the sting of the Big Ten title-game loss, they have no excuses not to be geared up by Jan. 2. Mark Dantonio's squad ended the season playing really, really good football, and I also envision a strong performance from Pat Narduzzi's defense. Georgia's D is formidable, too, but Michigan State will use the quick-passing game it showcased against Wisconsin as Martin and B.J. Cunningham find room to roam. Kirk Cousins hits Cunningham for the game-winning score in the final minute. ... Michigan State 21, Georgia 20.

Capital One Bowl

No. 9 SOUTH CAROLINA vs. No. 20 NEBRASKA (Jan. 2)

Adam Rittenberg: Another tough game to call. Nebraska's offensive line will face arguably its biggest challenge of the season with South Carolina's defensive ends. If Nebraska's defense performs as it did against Michigan State and Iowa, the Huskers have a great chance. Ultimately, South Carolina makes a few more plays and capitalizes on a second-half turnover to win. ... South Carolina 24, Nebraska 21.

Brian Bennett: Can Nebraska run the ball effectively against the Gamecocks? That's my biggest question here. If it comes down to the Huskers needing Taylor Martinez to pass the ball down the field, that could spell big trouble for Big Red. I think Nebraska will find some success with Rex Burkhead between the tackles, but not as much on the perimeter against a fast SEC defense. South Carolina's offense is nothing special, and Steve Spurrier's team has been pretty dismal in bowls. But the Head Ball Coach's defense is the best unit on the field and will make enough plays for the win. ... South Carolina 20, Nebraska 17.


TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl

FLORIDA vs. OHIO STATE (Jan. 2)


Brian Bennett: It's the World's Largest Outdoor Urban Mixer. It's also Ohio State's last chance to win a bowl game until at least Dec. 2013. So the Buckeyes had better give this one all they have. Some underclassmen might be bummed about the NCAA's bowl ban, but I see this as the perfect us-against-the-world rallying cry for Luke Fickell. Braxton Miller gives fans reason to daydream all offseason with another star turn, and Dan Herron and DeVier Posey try their best to make up for their contributions to the bowl ban by leading the charge to victory. ... Ohio State 24, Florida 23.

Adam Rittenberg: Even though Ohio State made a head-coaching change, the bowl practices should really benefit the players, especially the young guys on defense. Miller looked like a special player against Michigan, and if given the chance, he and Posey can make some big plays in this game. Florida is without offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and the Gators' attack leaves much to be desired. I also agree Ohio State players will be motivated for their final taste of postseason play until 2013. ... Ohio State 21, Florida 17.

SEASON RECORDS

Brian Bennett: 73-25 (.745)

Adam Rittenberg: 72-26 (.735)

Lunch links roasting on an open fire ...

• Luke Fickell is waiting on word from Pitt about its head coaching job. Six reasons to care about Ohio State's game against Florida in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl.
• Penn State might have to start a walk-on quarterback in its bowl game. Colleague Joe Schad reports that Penn State is interested in Baylor assistant Brian Norwood. A former detective recalls the 1998 investigation into Jerry Sandusky and says he thought there was enough at the time to file charges.
• Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst isn't talking about his interview at Pitt. Patrick Butrym delivered a stirring halftime message to his Badger teammates at the Big Ten title game.
• New Illinois coach Tim Beckman is making the rounds at the local high schools.
• Kirk Ferentz says he won't be going to the Chiefs or anywhere else next year. A former Iowa player says Norm Parker saved his life, long after his football career ended.
• Allstate Sugar Bowl officials say they "hit the mother lode" with Virginia Tech and Michigan, even if most of the rest of the world disagrees. Freshmen made an impressive impact on the Wolverines' defense this season.
• Michigan State's offensive line finished the season strong after a shaky start. The Spartans are eager for some bowl redemption under Mark Dantonio.
• Nebraska's defensive ends are trying to live up to the legacy of that position at the program. Andrew Green is still working to become a complete player at cornerback for the Huskers. Mike Caputo's DUI situation demands clarity, Sam McKewon writes.
• Northwestern must find a way to stop Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
• Purdue will likely be missing two starters -- suspended receiver O.J. Ross and recently-arrested linebacker Dwayne Beckford -- for the Little Caesars Bowl.

Apologies for not posting sooner, but Purdue starting linebacker Dwayne Beckford is in hot water after being cited early Friday by university police for suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Police stopped the 20-year-old Beckford at 3:57 a.m. Friday because he was driving left of the center line and had his license plate wrongly displayed. He was arrested and had a blood-alcohol level of .14, above the Indiana state legal limit of .08.

He was booked at the Tippecanoe County Jail and released a short time later.

Purdue says coach Danny Hope is aware of the incident and will address discipline with Beckford after he returns from a recruiting trip later this weekend. Beckford leads the Boilers with 91 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and three sacks. He also has an interception and a forced fumble.

The Boilers next play Dec. 27 against Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Detroit's Ford Field.

Friday's arrest marks Beckford's latest legal issue in recent months.

From The (Lafayette) Journal & Courier:

In June, he was charged with four counts of misdemeanor failure to stop after an accident. That was based on an April 21 hit-and-run.

West Lafayette police, on behalf of the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office, then went to Beckford's apartment at 102 N. Chauncey Ave. to serve an arrest warrant issued in the hit-and-run. Officers smelled marijuana and found drug paraphernalia in Beckford's room, Lt. Gary Sparger previously told the Journal & Courier.

Beckford was booked into the Tippecanoe County Jail on July 18 for the hit-and-run warrant. He was given a citation for the paraphernalia possession, which ordered him to appear for an initial hearing on Sept. 6 in Tippecanoe Superior Court 4.

Beckford did not show up for his initial hearing, and a no-bond warrant was issued Sept. 6. He turned himself in 10 days later.

Beckford pleaded guilty to those two cases and was sentenced to a combined one year and 364 days on unsupervised probation.

His latest arrest for suspicion of impaired driving could lead to his probation getting revoked because both judges ordered that Beckford not consume alcoholic beverages.

The linebacker also was ejected from a Nov. 19 game against Iowa for throwing a punch and didn't start the following week against Indiana. It will be interesting to see what type of discipline Hope hands out in this case.

A few Big Ten personnel notes for you following the league's final coaches' teleconference of the season:

• Dwayne Beckford's punishment for being ejected from last week's Purdue-Iowa game will be handled by Purdue rather than the Big Ten. Beckford, a junior linebacker who leads the team in tackles with 90, allegedly threw a punch in a skirmish late in Purdue's 31-21 loss to Iowa and was ejected. Boilers coach Danny Hope said Tuesday that the team would announce Beckford's punishment before Saturday's regular-season finale against Indiana. Beckford will miss some playing time, Hope said, but it could be a partial game rather than the whole contest. "We're going to be able to handle that in house," Hope said. Now I'll admit I didn't see the alleged punch, but what makes Beckford's situation different from William Gholston's against Michigan? The Big Ten suspended Gholston, a Michigan State sophomore defensive end, for punching Michigan offensive lineman Taylor Lewan. The league cited a specific bylaw that prohibits "striking or attempting to strike or otherwise physically abusing an official, opposing coach, spectator or athlete." Illinois linebacker Jonathan Brown also was suspended one game by the team for throwing a punch. Last I checked, a punch is a punch. Perhaps the Big Ten has been assured Purdue will suspend Beckford for the entire game, but a partial-game suspension handed down by the team could make the league look hypocritical.
• Marcus Coker has been Iowa's ball-carrying bell cow this season, leading the Big Ten with 262 carries. Iowa will once again lean on Coker against Nebraska on Friday as the team's running back depth has taken some hits. Mika'il McCall has been suspended for the Nebraska game for an unspecified violation of team rules, coach Kirk Ferentz said Tuesday. McCall saw his first action since the season opener Saturday against Purdue. The promising freshman had been sidelined with an ankle injury and had been viewed as a medical hardship candidate. But his participation in the Purdue game prevents him from earning a medical hardship. Another reserve running back, Jordan Canzeri, will once again be out with a hamstring injury. So Friday will be The Coker Show once again for Iowa.
• Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said there's an "outside chance" starting center Peter Konz could return for Saturday's showdown against Penn State. Konz suffered a dislocated left ankle Nov. 12 against Minnesota and was ruled out for 2-4 weeks. But the standout junior, who Bielema calls "a genetic freak," is recovering quickly from the injury, as he has with other ailments in the past. If Konz can't go against the Nittany Lions, Travis Frederick or Ryan Groy will handle the duties at center. Groy started last week against Illinois, but struggled and was replaced by Fredrick.

Team of the week: Purdue. By beating Ohio State for the second straight time at home, the Boilermakers put themselves in position to make a bowl game for the first time since 2007 if they can beat either Iowa or Indiana in the final two weeks. Shoutouts to Nebraska for winning in a tough environment and Michigan State for exorcising its road demons as well.

Game of the week: Purdue 26, Ohio State 23. Just by going into overtime, this one would have taken the honors. There was much drama at the end, as the Buckeyes scored with 55 seconds left on a spectacular play by Braxton Miller, who hurdled prone center Mike Brewster while avoiding pressure before finding Jordan Hall across the field for a touchdown. Purdue had a chance to get within field goal range at the end of regulation but threw an ill-advised interception. A big sack by Dwayne Beckford and a tackle just before the sticks by Ricardo Allen put Ohio State at 4th and 1 on the Purdue 16 in the first overtime possession. Luke Fickell played it safe with the field goal instead of relying on his powerful running game to get one yard. That didn't work, and it might cost Fickell his job.

Biggest play: Lavonte David's stop of Silas Redd on 4th and 1 from the Penn State 37 with 1:49 left. The Nittany Lions trailed 17-14 and had all the momentum after scoring two touchdowns to get back in it, and they handed the ball to their best player on the game's biggest play. But Nebraska's star defender was better and made a great, everything-he-had tackle. That play was an illustration of why David is the Big Ten's best linebacker.

Best calls: Michigan State led 31-7 in the third quarter, but Mark Dantonio wouldn't take his foot off the gas. He called for a reverse pass, which Keshawn Martin completed for a 28-yard gain, and later in the drive the Spartans pulled off a fake field goal. You could say the plays didn't mean that much because Michigan State still ended up with just three points on that drive, and Iowa stormed back for two straight touchdowns afterward, perhaps angered by the trick plays. But I loved the fact that Dantonio signaled to his team that they were going for the kill on the road, a place where the Spartans have struggled the past couple of years. They'll need that attitude to finish off the season strong and get to Indianapolis.

Best catch: If you didn't see Iowa receiver Marvin McNutt's one-handed, on-the-run catch against Michigan State, go YouTube it now. Or check out this photo illustration. It's quite likely the catch of the year from the league's top receiver.

Big Man on Campus (Offense): Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson. So this guy has been pretty good, huh? He earned his third Big Ten player of the week award for his nearly-perfect performance against Minnesota, in which he completed 16-of-17 passes for 178 yards and four touchdowns. He was 13-of-13 in the first half, and his 94.1 completion percentage ranks as the fourth highest in a game in Big Ten history.

Big Men on Campus (Defense): Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short and Michigan defensive end Ryan Van Bergen. Half of Short's tackles against Ohio State were sacks, as he had a career-high three of those to help slow down the Buckeyes. It's his second weekly award of the season. Van Bergen had seven tackles, including a career-high 2.5 sacks, as Michigan held Illinois to just 37 yards rushing.

Big Men on Campus (Special teams): Nebraska's Brett Maher and Purdue's Bruce Gaston. Maher averaged 45 yards per punt on eight punts, placed five inside the 20-yard line and had a booming 61-yarder to pin Penn State deep late in the game. He also drilled a 41-yard field goal. Gaston blocked Ohio State's extra point attempt with 55 seconds remaining to force overtime.

Best moment: The midfield prayer between Penn State and Nebraska players after the coin toss. After a horrible week, this was a tremendous gesture by both sides to recognize the seriousness of the situation. I don't mind admitting I had goosebumps watching the scene unfold from the press box as the crowd of more than 107,000 fell to a hushed silence. Nebraska assistant coach Ron Brown, the former director of a statewide Fellowship of Christian Athletes, led the prayer. You can listen to what he said to the players here.

Funniest moment: After beating Minnesota to claim Paul Bunyan's Axe, Wisconsin players -- led by Nick Toon, Montee Ball and Aaron Henry -- grabbed the axe and pretended to chop down one of the Gophers' goal posts. Then they ran to the other side of the stadium and did it to the other goal post. Minnesota didn't like it, but to the victors go the spoils. You can see it at the beginning and end of this video. And take note, Iowa-Iowa State and Michigan State-Penn State: this is why you create cool trophies.

Worst hangover: This category is officially retired for the season. There's no way anything can match what happened at Penn State.

It's time to jump back into our preseason position group rankings. We've made our way through the offenses and the front line of the defenses. Now it's time to take a look at the linebackers.

As always, this is a ranking of the entire position group, so depth matters in addition to individual star players.

Away we go:

1. Nebraska: Lavonte David set the school record with 152 tackles last year, best in the Big 12. He also added 15 tackles for loss and six sacks on his way to second-team All-America honors. David was a one-man wrecking crew last year but should get more help this year. Will Compton returns after an injury-shortened season, and Sean Fisher is back after a broken leg cost him all of 2010. With an excellent defensive front leading the way, the Cornhuskers' linebackers should make plenty of impact plays.

2. Penn State: Is this the return of Linebacker U? The Nittany Lions technically only return one starter at the position but have plenty of talent. The unit got hit by injuries last year, including one that knocked Michael Mauti out of the lineup for several games. He's one of the best in the Big Ten when healthy, which he should be in 2011. Senior Nate Stupar led the team in tackles last year. Sophomores Gerald Hodges and Khairi Fortt are among the skilled youngsters battling for playing time. This could wind up as the deepest linebacking corps in the league.

3. Ohio State: The Buckeyes lost two starters, including leading tackler Brian Rolle. But the Silver Bullets usually reload at linebacker. Senior Andrew Sweat should emerge as the unit's leader, and hopes are high for Etienne Sabino after he took a redshirt year in 2010. Sabino showed promise this spring and locked down a starting job. The battle is on for the third starting position. Incoming freshman Curtis Grant could make a sudden impact.

4. Wisconsin: Much depends on the health of Chris Borland, who missed nearly all of 2010 and sat out the spring with a shoulder injury. The 2009 Big Ten Freshman of the Year will move to middle linebacker and should anchor the unit if he's sound. Mike Taylor finished second on the team in tackles for loss and interceptions last year, and Kevin Claxton is expected to take over at the strongside spot. The Badgers like what they have seen from redshirt freshman Marcus Trotter.

5. Iowa: The Hawkeyes lost a lot of experience from the 2010 team, including leading tackler Jeremiha Hunter. While there's some concern about the leadership void, Iowa has good young building blocks here. James Morris was pressed into service as a true freshman and was terrific; another year of development should only make him better. Tyler Nielsen was missed down the stretch when he suffered a neck injury, and the senior provides a veteran presence. Players like Bruce Davis, Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens need to take on bigger roles.

6. Michigan State: It would be difficult to overstate how much the Spartans will miss two-time All-American Greg Jones and Eric Gordon, who combined to start 95 games in their illustrious careers. But life goes on. The lone returning starter, Chris Norman, is a dependable veteran. The Spartans hope Max Bullough and Denicos Allen build on their potential, and TyQuan Hammock inspired confidence with his play this spring.

7. Minnesota: An experienced linebacker group could be the strength of the Gophers defense this season. All three starters -- leading tackler Gary Tinsley, Keanon Cooper and Mike Rallis -- are back. Rallis needs to stay healthy after only appearing in 12 games the past two years because of injuries. Florida transfer Brendan Beal should provide a boost.

8. Purdue: The Boilermakers are led by senior Joe Holland, who has 35 career starts under his belt. Junior Dwayne Beckford finished second on the team with 85 tackles a year ago. Will Lucas could break out after an excellent true freshman campaign. Senior Chris Carlino adds veteran depth.

9. Michigan: The Wolverines struggled defensively last year, and the linebackers shouldered some of the blame. They lost Jonas Mouton to the NFL. Cam Gordon moves down from safety and adds some playmaking ability. Kenny Demens had 82 tackles last year at middle linebacker. Freshman Jake Ryan should contribute right away. This group still has a lot to prove.

10. Illinois: The Illini have to rebuild after losing a pair of NFL draft picks at the position in Martez Wilson and Nate Bussey. Senior Ian Thomas now becomes the veteran leader. Sophomores Johnathan Brown and Houston Bates -- who had a strong spring -- will be counted on to step forward.

11. Indiana: Fifth-year senior Jeff Thomas could be the centerpiece of the Hoosiers defense. Another fifth-year senior is Leon Beckum, though he lacks top-end speed. Overall, there isn't a lot of depth here.

12. Northwestern: Linebacker play was a sore spot last season, and starters Nate Williams and Quentin Davie are gone. Bryce McNaul needs to recover all the way from shoulder surgery and has to stay healthy. Pat Fitzgerald thinks he has some talented young players at the position; they'll need to grow up fast.

Purdue's coaching staff for 2011 appears set as the team on Tuesday announced the hiring of DeMontie Cross as linebackers coach.

Cross spent the past five seasons with the Buffalo Bills, serving as assistant linebackers coach from 2006-09 and inside linebackers coach in 2010. He replaces Mark Hagen, who left last month to join Indiana's staff.

"He has coached linebackers at the highest levels of football, both professionally and collegiately," Purdue coach Danny Hope said in a prepared statement. "He also has secondary experience and, with pass defense, it's a real shot in the arm to have someone who has worked with both areas. DeMontie is a high-energy coach with a passion for the game. We have some very talented linebackers returning for the 2011 season, and I know they will enjoy getting to know him and working with him going forward."

Donn Landholm, demoted from his defensive coordinator post after the season, will assist Cross with the outside linebackers and take on additional recruiting responsibilities, according to a news release. Gary Emanuel will serve as Purdue's sole defensive coordinator while continuing to work with the defensive line.

Cross, an All-Big 12 safety at Missouri, brings a good deal of experience coaching linebackers to Purdue. He spent five seasons as outside linebackers coach at Iowa State and tutored several Big Ten products with the Bills, including former Penn State star Paul Posluszny and former Purdue defensive end Akin Ayodele.

Cross inherits a group that loses Jason Werner but brings back some experienced options (Joe Holland, Dwayne Beckford, Chris Carlino) as well as promising freshman Will Lucas.