ESPN College Football

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.

On the field, Illinois and Northwestern compete directly for tangible prizes: the Land of Lincoln trophy, bragging rights for the next year and, in the big picture, the Big Ten championship.

Off the field, the schools compete indirectly for a potentially more important but harder-to-define prize.

Chicago.

The Big Ten's two Illinois-based programs want a bigger piece of the league's biggest market. Although they'll employ different strategies, their goal is the same: a larger presence in the Windy City.

"This isn’t about Northwestern vs. Illinois," Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips told ESPN.com. "It's about institutions and programs trying to carve out a piece of the Chicagoland area."

Northwestern made the first move in the summer of 2010, launching its first-ever major marketing campaign, spurred by the tag line "Chicago's Big Ten team." The school targeted the Chicago market, putting up billboards, increasing advertising with media outlets and getting its football program in the spotlight.

The early returns have "extremely successful," Phillips said. Northwestern had the nation's second-highest increase in average football attendance from 2009 to 2010 (average increase of 12,259 fans). The school's corporate sponsorships have tripled in the past 18 months, according to Phillips.

"The benchmarks are all headed in positive direction," Phillips said, "but it's about long-term sustainability."

At his introductory news conference as Illinois' athletic director last month, Mike Thomas declared, "We want to be the king of Chicago." Thomas is putting together a plan on how to approach the Chicago market in new ways.

"Even prior to my taking the job, it was clear from my homework that there was more work to do up there," Thomas told ESPN.com. "We need to do a better job of marketing our brand and having a presence. You can define presence in a lot of different ways. Is it all the different media pieces? Is it billboards? Is it playing more contests up there?

"It can be a lot of different things, but how do we cater to those people, knowing that they're very important to the growth of all of our programs."

Not surprisingly, Illinois will target the large number of its alumni in Chicago, as well as those who grew up rooting for the Illini as the state's flagship college team.

"You would think we would have a leg up on people like that," Thomas said. "The percentages would tell you the opportunity for success is greater with them than those that didn't go to school here."

Northwestern has taken a different approach to marketing, largely out of necessity. With the second-smallest alumni base of any Big Ten school in Chicago, Northwestern has reached out to general sports fans and even those who root for other Big Ten teams.

"I don't think you have the spike or the ascension of numbers and attendance figures without garnering some of those individuals who don't have specific allegiances to teams," Phillips said.

Northwestern has relied on opposing fans to help fill Ryan Field, a trend that will continue to some degree. Illinois, meanwhile, will focus primarily on those with some ties to the school or its teams.

"It's going to be awfully difficult to get alumni of other Big Ten schools or people that have been die-hard, passionate fans of other Big Ten institutions for years to flip their allegiances and become Fighting Illini fans overnight or at all," Thomas said. "The focus should be those people who are already engaged in us, and then those who may be out there in the gray area, who hopefully we can get to gravitate toward our fan base."

Northwestern has the advantage of being located just north of Chicago's city limits. Illinois, meanwhile, is 130 miles away.

Thomas wants to play more Illini home games in the city. Illinois' basketball team has played at the United Center for years, but the football team could soon play contests at venues like Soldier Field or even Wrigley Field, where Illinois and Northwestern played last November in a Northwestern home game.

"There is a formula that probably works up in Chicago," Thomas said. "Does it mean more games? I think it does. What does that look like at the end of the day? I probably couldn't tell you right now. But hopefully we'll get it figured out sooner rather than later."

Both Thomas and Phillips understand the difficulty of boosting a brand in a pro-sports city saturated with teams. Thomas faced a similar challenge at his previous stop, the University of Cincinnati, as well as in his hometown of Denver, where he served as an assistant AD at the University of Denver. Phillips is a Chicago native and an Illinois alum who made stops at Notre Dame and Northern Illinois before coming to Northwestern.

The two ADs are friends and praised one another for ramping up efforts in Chicago. They both agreed that the biggest step toward increased attention is winning on the field.

Phillips downplayed the direct competition off of it.

"What works for us may not work for them and vice-versa," he said. "Truthfully, I don’t think we're competing for the same people."

The competition on the field, which resumes Saturday in Champaign, is more clear cut.

The Illinois-Northwestern rivalry seems to be spicing up. After Illinois thrashed Northwestern last year at Wrigley Field, Illini linebacker Martez Wilson, a Chicago native, said, "Our game plan showed who was Chicago's Big Ten team." At Big Ten preseason media days this summer, Illinois coach Ron Zook took a shot at Northwestern's nonconference schedule.

Illini coaches and players have been salty leading up to this week's game.

"We heard them say some things, like 'We recruit different kind of guys. They don’t recruit our kind of guys,'" Illini linebacker Ian Thomas said. "We want to show them our kind of guys are better football players and a better team."

Zook said Tuesday that the schools don't recruit against each other much, adding, "we take some kids that they wouldn't take and they probably take some kids that we wouldn't take." But both staffs spend much of their time recruiting the Chicago area.

The Chicago element adds to what's at stake between the lines.

"The game's important to both of us for a lot of reasons," Zook said. "It's important because it is a Big Ten game. It's important because it's a rivalry and it's important because it's Chicago."

Last Sunday, Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning and his staff brainstormed a unique game plan for a dangerous opponent.

They mixed up fronts, disguised blitzes, constantly moved players around and let creativity trump conservatism in mapping out ways to pressure Arizona State quarterback Brock Osweiler. With the blueprint finalized, the coaches prepared to head home.

"We kind of looked at each other and said, 'This is crazy,'" Koenning said.

The plan placed a burden on Illinois' defensive front seven, a group many outsiders questioned heading into the season, and for good reason.

Illinois had to replace three players selected in April's NFL draft: defensive tackle Corey Liuget, a first-round pick; linebacker Martez Wilson, a third-round pick; and linebacker Nate Bussey, a seventh-round pick. Both Liuget and Wilson opted to forgo their final year of eligibility, seemingly leaving the Illini in a bit of a pinch.

But what the Illini defense lost in star power, it gained in a group with greater knowledge of the system. And, in the process, new stars are being born.

"They were great players, they brought a lot to the team," senior linebacker Ian Thomas said of Liuget, Wilson and Bussey, "but this year, we feel like we're a little more comfortable with the defense. We've got the defense down a little more, so it makes up for those guys that we lost."

The Illini made Koenning's crazy plan look genius Saturday night in a 17-14 win against Arizona State, which came to Champaign averaging 42.5 points and 504.5 offensive yards.

Illinois recorded six sacks, all by the front seven, and 12 tackles for loss.

Sophomore linebacker Jonathan Brown had a breakout performance with an interception, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. Others stood out like end Whitney Mercilus (5 tackles, 2 sacks, forced fumble), bandit Michael Buchanan (1.5 sacks) and tackle Glenn Foster (interception, 1 tackle for loss).

Although Illinois starts only two seniors in the front seven -- Thomas and Trulon Henry, who moved from safety to linebacker to address depth there -- the group is displaying greater maturity in Year 2 under Koenning.

"We're a lot further along than we were last year," defensive line coach Keith Gilmore said, "just knowing the little nuances of the defense. Heck, I was still learning as well. I think I'm a better coach and a better teacher at this point in knowing the scheme, and know the kids are better players because of it."

Gilmore admits the coaches were "a little uptight" when first implementing the Arizona State game plan. But by the middle of the practice week, it began to click with the players.

Could Illinois have executed the same type of plan last year?

"We were still learning a lot of the base stuff," Gilmore said. "We came up with some different plans as well last year, but being a year into it, it's easier to make sideline adjustments and game adjustments as you go along because the kids have a better feel for the defense."

Brown was all over the field Saturday night, factoring into two of Illinois' three takeaways. He hit Osweiler on a blitz, forcing a throw that caromed off of an Arizona State lineman to Foster for an interception.

In the third quarter, he recorded a pick of his own following a deflected pass.

"We showed what we've been thinking all summer," Brown said, "that we can play with anybody in the country, and that we have the best defense in the country. Coming into the season, they had us ranked dead last as a linebacker corps. One of our goals was to go out and prove people wrong."

Although Illinois lost two linebackers to the NFL, its biggest concern was replacing Liuget, the Big Ten's most dominant interior lineman in 2011. The defensive line's performance against Arizona State bodes well for Big Ten play.

"We talk about 'next man in' all the time, whether it be to an injury or graduation or an NFL departure," Gilmore said. "They all have talent. It's a matter of who gets an opportunity to showcase that talent."

Thomas, the graybeard of the defense, is seeing his teammates grasp the opportunities presented to them.

"I'm real confident in those guys," he said. "I know I can depend on them to be where they need to be."

Here's a buy-or-sell proposition for you.

Team X won its bowl game convincingly in December, capping a season that surprised many so-called experts. Team X boasts an exciting young dual-threat quarterback who has complemented his athleticism with better passing. Team X typically ranks among the nation's top-20 teams in rushing, returns a veteran line and a nice backfield mix. Despite losing three defenders to the NFL draft, Team X has several seasoned defensive backs and linebackers. Team X has won its first two games by a combined score of 89-18. Team X plays eight home games, including each of the first five and six of the first seven.

So, are you buying or selling?

Oh, you want to know the team's name? The head coach's name, too?

OK, understood. Let me know if you change your mind.

This is the perception the Illinois Fighting Illini and their coach Ron Zook are up against as they try to regain a place on the national college football radar. For every reason to buy into Illinois, there are other reasons to stay away from the Orange and Blue.

Illinois has been the ultimate tease in the Big Ten, twice reaching BCS bowls in the past decade, only to backslide. Zook has teased us with talent, bringing elite recruits to Champaign but not getting consistent results (30-45 in six-plus seasons).

While Illinois has the look of a team to watch in the Big Ten, there's a hesitancy from the outside to buy in, and players know it.

Check out receiver A.J. Jenkins' response to a seemingly neutral question: How big of an opportunity is Saturday night's game with No. 22 Arizona State?

"It's a really big opportunity for us," Jenkins said. "Both undefeated teams, playing a night game in prime time. It's going to be a good thing because we'll finally have the respect we deserve.

"We believe we can be a ranked, Top-25 team. This is the time for us to show the world that doesn't believe, that we're capable."

The Arizona State game comes at a perfect time for Illinois.

The Sun Devils come in ranked in both major polls (No. 22 AP; No. 18 coaches). They put themselves on the national radar with a dramatic overtime victory last Friday against Missouri. They boast one of the nation's most recognizable defenders in linebacker Vontaze Burfict and one of the nation's most recognizable quarterbacks in the 6-foot-8 Brock Osweiler.

Arizona State will be the main attraction nationally Saturday night, but if Illinois wins, attention will come its way. Maybe even respect.

"Our guys understand if we're going to be involved in the Big Ten [race], have something to do with that, this is a game where we're going to have to show up and play the way we're capable of playing," Zook said. "I don't think there's any question these guys are fired up about it."

The game pits an explosive Illinois offense against an Arizona State defense that ranked 16th nationally against the run in 2010. Illinois set a team scoring record last fall (423 points) and leads the Big Ten in scoring, total yards and rushing yards through the first two weeks.

Sophomore quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is off to a quick start, but Burfict, whose reputation for administering ferocious hits and drawing personal fouls is well known, will be gunning for No. 2.

"The emotional part is the thing that really stands out with Vontaze," Zook said. "He's going to make sure you know he's around."

Osweiler also is tough to miss, and not just because of his unusual size. The junior was brilliant against Missouri, completing 24 of 32 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Illinois needs its veteran linebackers and defensive backs like Ian Thomas, Trulon Henry, Tavon Wilson and Terry Hawthorne to step up.

"You can't get in his line of sight," Illini defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said of Osweiler. "They run the big split stuff where they get him throwing lanes. He's a big ol' quarterback and he's not unathletic. We're just going to do the best we can.

"This will be a fantastic challenge for us."

Illinois hasn't beaten a ranked opponent since stunning then-No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus in 2007. The victory spurred the Illini to the Rose Bowl.

Although beating Arizona State wouldn't make the same impact, it could springboard the Illini to bigger things when Big Ten play begins.

"For people who don't believe we can beat teams that are ranked, it's time to come out and see what we can do," Jenkins said. "This game might spark our season.

"I wouldn't say it's a must-win, but if we want the respect that we deserve, this is a win we need."

The fresh faces series resumes with the Illinois Fighting Illini. Here's a look at three true freshmen, redshirt freshmen, transfers or returning players likely to step into bigger roles this season.

OFFENSE: Donovonn Young, RB, freshman, 6-0, 215

Young and classmate Josh Ferguson have generated plenty of buzz during preseason practice. Not only have they pushed No. 1 back Jason Ford, but they've put themselves in position to rack up carries this fall. Young could be the total package of size, speed and power. Coach Ron Zook joked that it's too early to start the Heisman campaign, but Young impressed everyone who watched the recent workouts in Rantoul, Ill. The Illini will use multiple backs and he'll spell Ford at times this fall. Need another reason to like Young? His jersey number -- 5. The last two Illini players to wear it: star running backs Rashard Mendenhall and Mikel Leshoure.

DEFENSE: Ralph Cooper, LB, freshman, 6-1, 230

There's an opportunity for young linebackers like Cooper, as Illinois must replace two players -- Martez Wilson and Nate Bussey -- selected in April's NFL draft. Ian Thomas will be the starter at middle linebacker, but Cooper has looked good during camp and will be part of the rotation in the defensive midsection. He boasts good size and speed and should help Illinois stuff the run. The Illini had the Big Ten's No. 4 rushing defense in 2010, but must replace three NFL draft picks.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Justin Duvernois, P, freshman, 6-1, 190

Illinois loses first-team All-Big Ten selection Anthony Santella and will turn to Duvernois, who has a big leg and hails from one of the nation's top high school programs (St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida). Duvernois became the top option after Matt Eller left the team. Consistency will be a focal point for Duvernois, but he has the ability to be successful at this level.

More Fresh Faces

• Michigan State
• Northwestern
• Iowa
• Purdue
• Wisconsin
• Penn State
• Nebraska
• Indiana
• Michigan

The Big Ten chat returned today, and it was an entertaining one.

In case you missed out on the fun, here's a full wrap-up.

Some highlights:

rob (iowa): Adam whith the difficulty of Nebraskas schedule and the break Iowa gets by not playing OSU or Wisconsin and getting Michigan, MSU and NW all at home am I crazy to think Iowa has a shot at winning their division this year even with all the losses they need to replace?

Adam Rittenberg (12:03 PM): You're not crazy Rob, but keep in mind Nebraska also gets Michigan State, Northwestern and Iowa on its home turf. Nebraska's division schedule actually is very beneficial in my view, despite the tough crossover games. But you're right: if Iowa can take care of business at Kinnick Stadium and steal some wins on the road, it'll be in the mix for a division title.

Adam Rittenberg (12:09 PM): GOL!!!

Craig (Virginia): With Rob Bolden coming back, who do you think will start at QB for Penn State this fall?

Adam Rittenberg (12:23 PM): Craig, I think it will be Bolden. He was the team's top option when healthy and should have been used in the Outback Bowl, a decision both Joe Paterno and Jay Paterno regret. While I don't fully trust that he'll remain at Penn State if McGloin is named the starter, I think Bolden gets the nod for the opener.

Lucas (NYC): You say an undefeated B1G champion would go to the NC game, but Ted Miller says an undefeated Oregon would be a lock. We all know what C Low would say. Which one of them is wrong?

Adam Rittenberg (12:30 PM): There's definitely a belief that the SEC champion, whether undefeated or with 1 loss, will make the title game no matter what. I guess when you win five consecutive championships, you've earned that right. If we somehow get undefeated teams from the SEC, Pac-12 and Big Ten, someone gets left out, and it could be the Big Ten squad if Oregon or Stanford runs the table. But the chances of this happening seem pretty slim to me.

Illini Mike (Chicago IL): Hey Adam, I truely believe Illinois will fill those gaps on defense. Last year it seemed VK did a great job nuturing and developing talent. I think he'll continue that production into this year. Mark my words, towards the end of the year you'll be call Illinois the most underratted defense in the league.

Adam Rittenberg (12:42 PM): Mike, I agree Vic did a great job in his first season as coordinator. Although the defense seemed to let down in November against Michigan, Minnesota and Fresno State, the unit's overall strides shouldn't be dismissed. I think the secondary will be fine and even better than last year's unit, especially if Hawthorne and Sanni stay healthy. The front seven concerns me, especially after losing Liuget, but if Ian Thomas, Akeem Spence and others step up, Illinois should be in decent shape.

Brandon (Las Vegas, NV): Who's replacing Boom for the Bucks? My guess is a tandem of Berry and Smith with Hall mixed in every now and then. Although, I have heard rumblings of Carlos Hyde showing promise.

Adam Rittenberg (12:47 PM): Brandon, I tend to think it'll be a mix of backs as well. The NFL has showed us that you typically need two running backs, and Ohio State has several good options as well as some nice variety. Smith can be your bruiser, and both Hall and Berry can provide a change-up with their speed. I'm really excited to see who emerges among that group.

Thanks again for the questions, and my apologies to those whose questions weren't answered. Let's do it again next week!

Brian Bennett continues his series with a look at Illinois linebacker Ian Thomas.

Earlier, we took a look at the Big Ten linebackers by position groups. Now it's time to rank the individual players at that spot.

The first and second team All-Big Ten linebackers from both the coaches and media selections last season are all gone. The league isn't flush with established stars at the position, and it's time for a crop of new standouts to emerge. In fact, the top player on our board didn't even play in the Big Ten last season.

Here are how we see them right now:

1. Lavonte David, Nebraska, Sr.: The league might be light on returning Big Ten award-winners, but David racked up the recognition in the Big 12 in 2010. And with good reason. A junior-college transfer, he had to take on a large role with Will Compton and Sean Fisher injured, sometimes playing as the only linebacker on the field. He responded with a school record 152 tackles. David has gotten stronger in the offseason and will hope his added muscle plus his speed and instincts help him against the more run-oriented Big Ten offenses.

2. Michael Mauti, Penn State, Sr: If Mauti can just stay healthy, he should challenge for All-Big Ten and perhaps All-America honors. But he missed all of 2009 with a torn ACL and was only able to finish nine games last season because of ankle and shoulder problems. He has been highly productive when not hampered by injuries and should be the leader of a deep and talented bunch for the Nittany Lions.

3. Chris Borland, Wisconsin, Soph.: Much like Mauti, Borland just needs to stay on the field. He was the 2009 Big Ten freshman of the year after recording 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks as a rookie. But he missed most of last season and this spring with shoulder problems. The Badgers need him at full strength to live up to their considerable promise this season.

4. James Morris, Iowa, Soph.: As a true freshman in 2010, Morris had 70 tackles and started six games at middle linebacker. He starred in the Insight Bowl victory against Missouri with seven tackles. Morris looks like a rising star in this league.

5. Gary Tinsley, Minnesota, Sr.: Tinsley led the Gophers and finished ninth in the Big Ten with 90 stops a year ago in his first season as a starter. He's experienced and productive and should be a leader for a Minnesota defense that's looking to become tougher.

6. Andrew Sweat, Ohio State, Sr.: Overshadowed by Brian Rolle and Ross Homan, Sweat is now the veteran in the Buckeyes' linebacker corps. He had 41 tackles a year ago, and that number should only rise this season as he takes on more of a leadership role.

7. Ian Thomas, Illinois, Sr: With Martez Wilson and Nate Bussey moving on to the pro ranks, Thomas needs to hold down the fort. He's got the tools to do so. A starter for the past 25 games, he led the Illini with 95 tackles in 2009 before dipping down to 67 a year ago. He'll have plenty of opportunities to make stops this season.

8. Gerald Hodges, Penn State, Jr.: We're at the point in this list where it's time to make some projections. Hodges, a converted safety, has shown glimpses of serious potential in limited time. He had a good spring and could be primed to really take off this season. Also watch out for Khairi Fortt among the Nittany Lions linebackers.

9. Jeff Thomas, Indiana, Sr: Thomas was second on the Hoosiers with 82 tackles a year ago and will be counted on to lead the defense this season. A 100-tackle season is well within reach.

10. Mike Taylor, Wisconsin, Jr.: Like Borland, Taylor emerged as a star his freshman year in 2009. He has started all 19 games he has played in his career and finished second on the team last season with eight tackles for loss and two interceptions. Getting him and Borland healthy and on the field together would be big for the Badgers.

Just missed: Iowa's Tyler Nielsen, Michigan State's Chris Norman and Max Bullough, Nebraska's Sean Fisher, Michigan's Kenny Demens, Minnesota's Mike Rallis and Ohio State's Etienne Sabino.

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.

Adam Rittenberg’s Summer School series takes a look at Illinois RB Jason Ford and LB Ian Thomas.

The Hope and Concern series marches on with the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Biggest reason for hope: QB Nathan Scheelhaase

Scheelhaase turned in a very impressive freshman season and ended it on a high note against Baylor in the Texas Bowl. By all accounts, he has continued to make strides during the winter and spring, particularly as a passer. Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino has seen Scheelhaase making quicker decisions and getting the ball out faster to his receivers. Scheelhaase's ability as a runner is obvious, and Illniois likely will lean on him more after losing Mikel Leshoure to the NFL. There are some question marks at both running back and receiver, but the offensive line looks very solid. If Scheelhaase has time, he should be able to hurt defenses with both his arm and his legs.

Biggest reason for concern: Big holes in defensive front seven

Illinois loses a first-round draft pick in defensive tackle Corey Liuget and a third-round pick in linebacker Martez Wilson, not to mention valuable players like linebacker Nate Bussey and defensive end Clay Nurse. There are a lot of holes to fill, and Illinois needs players like Ian Thomas, Akeem Spence and Jonathan Brown to take their games to the next level. The secondary should be a strength, but defenses need to be led by the front seven and coordinator Vic Koenning spent much of spring practice looking for leadership. Illinois likely won't have a player as disruptive as Liuget on the interior, so it will take more of a collective effort from a defense that made strides last season but also had some inconsistent play.

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Illinois wraps up its spring session Saturday with the annual Orange and Blue spring game. The Illini will pit the offense against the defense rather than split the squad. Check out the scoring system for the game.

Here's a quick snapshot of the game:

The vitals: 1 p.m. CT (2 p.m. ET) Saturday at Memorial Stadium; admission and parking are free, seating is available in the East stands.

More details: Illinois will hold a merchandise sale beginning at 9 a.m. CT at Memorial Stadium. Information on the sale and other events can be found here and here.

Three things to watch

1. The defensive front seven: Illinois loses a likely first-round draft pick in defensive tackle Corey Liuget and a likely second-round pick in linebacker Martez Wilson. Key contributors like linebacker Nate Bussey and defensive end Clay Nurse also depart. Who will fill the gaps in the front seven? Tackle Akeem Spence and "bandit" Michael Buchanan could lead the way on the line, and tackle Craig Wilson, a converted offensive lineman, is an intriguing prospect. Coordinator Vic Koenning wants to see more leadership from the linebacker position. Veteran Ian Thomas looks to finish the spring on a good note, and younger 'backers like Houston Bates and Jonathan Brown are worth watching.

2. Nathan Scheelhaase's passing: Scheelhaase seemed to make major strides as a passer between the end of the regular season and the Texas Bowl, where he completed his first 13 attempts and finished 18-for-23. Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino has seen continued growth this spring, saying that Scheelhaase has improved his accuracy and his release on passes. The receiving corps is thin as both A.J. Jenkins and Darius Millines are out with injuries, so it will be interesting to see if Scheelhaase can get younger wideouts like sophomore Ryan Lankford involved Saturday.

3. The offensive line: Injuries have hit Illinois hard at the running back position this spring, so Saturday should provide a good test for the offensive line. Can the big men up front create rushing lanes for the likes of Ean Days, Bud Golden and fullback Jay Prosch, who has shown promise with increased carries in practice? The line should be a strength for Illinois, and an impressive performance Saturday will prove it. Projected top back Jason Ford will miss the game with a knee injury and Troy Pollard, who has had a very good spring, suffered a concussion in last Saturday's scrimmage.

After a recent practice, Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning asked the team's linebackers to identify the breed of dog that best represents their position group.

The players didn't hesitate. Four immediately shouted out, "Pitbull!"

It's an answer that warms a coach's heart, but saying the right thing and doing the right thing are different things. Koenning let the players know what he has been seeing this spring.

"Well," he told the linebackers, "we're little cocker spaniels right now."

Illinois is trying to reload on defense after losing a likely first-round draft pick in defensive tackle Corey Liuget and a likely second-round pick in linebacker Martez Wilson. Although Liuget leaves a major void in the middle of the line, the linebackers lose the most overall production as Wilson and Nate Bussey combined for 195 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 2010.

Koenning, who now oversees the linebackers after coaching defensive backs in his first season with Illinois, says the 'backers have the longest way to go "by a long shot." To be fair, the Illini are mostly young and unproven at linebacker and are turning to players like sophomores Jonathan Brown and Brandon Denmark and redshirt freshman Houston Bates. Brown stood out as a true freshman in 2010, recording 31 tackles, but he no longer has Wilson or Bussey on the field to help.

Part of Koenning's challenge is to get the linebackers on the same page from a fundamentals and techniques standpoint.

"That's a major, major, major focus for me right now, for them to all have the same stances, the same basic footwork and techniques," Koenning said.

He's also trying to teach toughness.

"We've got to get back to pursuit drills and stuff we haven't made time to do," Koenning said. "Like Mickey told Rocky, 'The worst thing that can happen to a fighter is to get civilized. You've got to get back to old school.' In my opinion, we've got to get back to a little bit of old school. That's what we’ve got the rest of spring practice to do.'"

Koenning's top priority is to identify leadership. Although Illinois' most experienced defensive unit is the secondary, he notes that few defenses can survive without a leader in the front seven. Wilson answered the call to lead last spring and later was joined by Liuget, who became Illinois' bell cow with his dominating play on the interior line.

Koenning has spotted some potential leaders up front. Rush end Michael Buchanan and tackle Akeem Spence both have playing experience and show signs of wanting to take the reins.

"Mike's matured a lot, and Mike may be our leader," Koenning said. "He may be the guy."

The easiest solution to the leadership issue, though, would come from the linebacker group. Rising senior Ian Thomas seems like an obvious choice. He has started the past two seasons, recording 162 tackles.

But Thomas is adjusting to the middle linebacker spot and still must make strides in the final two weeks of spring ball.

"He's got a lot on his plate," Koenning said. "He wants to [lead] badly and he's a good person and he's conscientious. It's all weighing on him a little bit. He just needs to relax and play. He's sometimes trying too hard. He'll get it. I'm extremely, extremely hard on him."

Thomas' top priority is improving his footwork to remain in the right position to make plays. He's not alone in that respect.

"It’s like one of those country dances," Koenning said. "You take one step forward and two steps back or two steps forward and one step back, however that goes. I haven’t been able to crack the code with some of these guys to get them to absorb it. We’ve got a lot of questions to answer in the linebacker corps."

The good news: Illinois still has plenty of time to find the answers.

Illinois hit the practice field early Tuesday morning for the first of 15 spring practices.

Here's a snapshot of what coach Ron Zook and the Illini can expect this spring:

The big story: Replacing three key pieces and taking the next step. The Big Ten lost only seven non-seniors to the NFL draft, but three of them came from Illinois. This spring, the Illini begin the process of replacing defensive tackle Corey Liuget, running back Mikel Leshoure and linebacker Martez Wilson. All three players were extremely productive, and while Illinois boasts decent depth at running back, both defenders leave major voids. After an encouraging end to the 2010 season, Illinois looks to take another step toward stability this spring. The Illini haven't reached back-to-back bowl games since the 1991-92 seasons.

Position in the spotlight: Linebacker. Illinois loses its top two tacklers in Wilson (112) and Nate Bussey (83), who combined for 20 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and two interceptions in 2010. Veteran Ian Thomas returns and will lead the group much like he did in 2009, but the Illini must find others to emerge. Expectations are high for Jonathan Brown, who recorded 31 tackles as a true freshman last fall. Safety Trulon Henry could move to linebacker this spring.

Coaching changes: Linebackers coach Dan Disch left the program in February to become defensive coordinator at Southern Miss. Zook filled the staff vacancy with Mike Gillhamer, who has coached at eight college programs before serving as secondary coach for the Carolina Panthers from 2004-10. Gillhamer, who nearly joined Ron Turner's staff at Illinois in 1997, will coach Illinois' defensive backs. Coordinator Vic Koenning now will oversee the linebackers.

Keep an eye on: Tight end Evan Wilson. Illinois needs to complement top receiver A.J. Jenkins in the passing game, and Wilson should take on a bigger role this fall. The 6-foot-6, 237-pound Wilson recorded 10 receptions for 135 yards and two touchdowns as a true freshman in 2010. He boasts the size and talent to do big things this fall for Illinois.

Spring game: April 23

Every Big Ten team will enter spring practice needing to replace valuable seniors who have exhausted their eligibility.

The Illinois Fighting Illini face a similar challenge -- with a twist.

Illinois' biggest personnel hits come from losing three standout juniors -- running back Mikel Leshoure, defensive tackle Corey Liuget and linebacker Martez Wilson -- who opted to enter the NFL draft a year early. All three players earned All-Big Ten honors, and strong cases can be made for all three being the league's top players at their respective positions.

• Leshoure led Big Ten running backs with 1,697 rush yards, ranked fifth nationally in rushing average (130.5 ypg) and led the league in touchdowns (20)
• Liuget dominated on the interior line, racking up 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries
• Wilson tied for fourth in the league in tackles (112), led Big Ten linebackers in tackles for loss (11.5) and had three forced fumbles, an interception, five passes defended and a blocked kick

All three players will be missed, but Ron Zook isn't sounding alarm bells in Champaign. The coach is optimistic Illinois has the pieces to fill each void.

Running back

Leshoure was one of the nation's most productive offensive players in the past season and a half, but Zook has often thought Jason Ford would carry the load for the Illini.

"If you'd asked me a year ago, I'd have said Jason would be the main guy," Zook said. "He's a pretty good running back."

Ford has rushed for 1,362 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career, but he has been nagged by injuries, which Zook attributes in part to Ford's weight.

"The one thing we said he had to do is get his weight down, which he's done, he's worked hard on it," Zook said. "We'd like to see him around 232, 234 maybe. He's a bit bigger than that, but he's on his way down."

Defensive tackle

Illinois will be hard-pressed to find another Liuget, but Zook really likes what he's seen from Akeem Spence during the offseason. Spence recorded 45 tackles, including four for loss and a sack, as a redshirt freshman last season.

Austin Tietsma and Jake Howe are two other young linemen who should be in the mix, Zook said, and Craig Wilson has moved from offensive line to the defensive front.

"I'm excited about a big body in the middle," Zook said of the 6-5, 320-pound Wilson. "He'll have a chance to be special for us."

Linebacker

Martez Wilson's unique skill set will be missed at middle linebacker, but Illinois has a player who knows the position. Ian Thomas played middle linebacker in 2009 after Wilson went down with a season-ending neck injury. Thomas led Illinois with 95 tackles.

Illinois also is excited about Jonathan Brown, who had a strong freshman season at linebacker. Brandon Denmark, who moved to linebacker during bowl practice, has some similarities to Wilson as a player.