ESPN College Football

2011 overall record: 11-2
2011 conference record: 6-2 (2nd, Legends Division)
Returning starters: Offense: 6; defense: 8; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners
QB Denard Robinson; RB Fitzgerald Toussaint; WR Roy Roundtree; WR Jeremy Gallon; LT Taylor Lewan; RT Michael Schofield; DE Craig Roh; LB Jake Ryan; LB Kenny Demens; LB Desmond Morgan; CB J.T. Floyd; CB Blake Countess; S Thomas Gordon; S Jordan Kovacs.

Key losses
WR Junior Hemingway; WR Darryl Stonum; WR/KR Martavious Odoms; TE Kevin Koger; C David Molk; RT Mark Huyge; DT Mike Martin; DE/DT Ryan Van Bergen; DT Will Heininger.

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Denard Robinson* (1,176 yards)
Passing: Denard Robinson* (2,173 yards)
Receiving: Junior Hemingway (699 yards)
Tackles: Kenny Demens* (94)
Sacks: Ryan Van Bergen (5.5)
Interceptions: Courtney Avery* and J.T. Floyd* (2)

Spring answers

1. Quarterback accuracy: Denard Robinson played one series in the public spring scrimmage, but coaches raved about his improved leadership, decision-making and accuracy throughout the spring. The latter two were major issues for Michigan last season. While it is unknown whether Robinson will truly be more accurate until Sept. 1 against Alabama -- Michigan closed all of its practices to the media this spring -- offensive coordinator Al Borges was very confident in Robinson’s potential for his senior season.

2. Cornerback has depth: Two seasons ago, cornerback was the biggest question on Michigan’s team because of youth, inexperience and a lack of talent. That is no longer an issue. The Wolverines have as many as six players they could feel comfortable with come the fall, and that doesn’t include incoming freshman Terry Richardson (Detroit/Cass Tech), the highest-ranked player in Michigan’s incoming signing class. Sophomore Blake Countess could turn into a star, and fifth-year senior J.T. Floyd is the most consistent corner the Wolverines have. They’ll be the likely starters.

3. A featured back is set: Borges made no hesitation: Redshirt junior Fitzgerald Toussaint is going into the fall as his top tailback -- a marked change from what the Wolverines endured last spring and through the first half of last season. Toussaint rushed for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns last season, giving Michigan a dynamic dual running game with Robinson. With major questions at wide receiver and tight end, expect a lot of running from Toussaint and Robinson, especially early in the season.

Fall questions

1. Who is catching the ball: Michigan’s coaches spoke highly of Jeremy Gallon, Jerald Robinson and Roy Roundtree during the spring as their top three receivers, but Robinson has never caught a pass, Gallon has had one season of consistent productivity, and Roundtree saw his numbers plummet last season to 19 catches for 355 yards. Tight end isn’t much better, as the position group has two career catches. Denard Robinson’s two best safety valves -- Junior Hemingway and Kevin Koger -- graduated, so even if Denard Robinson is improved, he might need to hunt to find a reliable receiving option. Incoming freshman Devin Funchess (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) could be an option at tight end.

2. Who is pressuring the quarterback: Michigan took its biggest hits on the defensive line, which saw three starters graduate -- Mike Martin was a third-round draft pick, Ryan Van Bergen signed as a free agent, and Will Heininger graduated -- and its fourth starter, Craig Roh, switch positions. Michigan insists it’ll be OK there. Will Campbell and converted end Jibreel Black will likely start inside, and either sophomore Brennen Beyer or sophomore Frank Clark will start at rush end. The success of Michigan’s defense last season relied on pressure the front four created. With an almost completely new group there, how they fare against opponents will be interesting to see.

3. Punting problems: Somewhere along the way last season, Will Hagerup lost his mojo, much like kicker Brendan Gibbons the year before. A strong-legged punter, Hagerup wasn’t connecting with the ball well and eventually lost his job to freshman Matt Wile. Now entering his junior year, Michigan hopes either Hagerup regains his form or Wile becomes more consistent. The Wolverines’ offense should be fairly prolific, but with a defense searching for pressure early on, it needs to be able to control field position with the punter.

Time to jump back into our series looking at the most indispensable players on each Big Ten team. Once again, this is not necessarily a listing of the best players on each team, but ones whose absence would be toughest to absorb because of their particular value or a lack of depth behind them.

We're selecting two players from each Big Ten squad, usually one on offense and one on defense, but not always. Today we turn our attention to the Michigan Wolverines:

OT Taylor Lewan, Jr.

That's right -- gasp, we're not picking Denard Robinson here. While it's true that Robinson is a special talent, one who can win games that seem lost, we think Michigan's offense could still operate at a decently high level without him, whether that means plugging in Devin Gardner or going with backup Russell Bellomy. Yes, maybe both lack the je nais se quoi of Shoelace, but the Wolverines would still have Fitz Toussaint to carry the ball. Replacing left tackle Lewan, however, is another story entirely. Not only is he potentially one of the best offensive linemen in the country, but Michigan doesn't have much depth on the offensive line. Losing their blind-side protector would not only hurt at that spot but also cause some discomfort from shifting others into unfamiliar positions. That's why we judge him the most indispensable player on Al Borges' offense this season.

Jordan Kovacs, S, Sr.

Here's another instance where maybe some other players on his side of the ball are bigger stars -- guys like Craig Roh, for instance, or possibly Blake Countess and J.T. Floyd in the same secondary. But Kovacs is the quarterback of the defense and a guy who has a knack for making big plays last year. He's the team's second-leading returning tackler, with 75 stops last season. And maybe most importantly, he brings senior leadership to a group looking to replace some very valuable leaders off last year's team. Add it all up, and that makes Kovacs indispensable.

Is it really May already? Can't believe it. Anyway, our first May chat is in the books. In case you missed out on the fun, here's the full transcript.

Some highlights:

lites from New Jersey: Lots of talk about Wisconsin and Iowa having to improve recruiting to maintain position at the top of the B1G, yet both (lately mostly the UW) have just fine, thanks, by following a method of development of 3* guys rather than fighting the true bigs for 5* guys. As Alvarez's experience several years back, isn't aiming too high a potential risk as much as a reward?

Adam Rittenberg: Lites, while I see what you're saying about high-level recruits, just because Wisconsin and Iowa are strong developmental programs doesn't mean they couldn't help top-level recruits become even better. Sure, you'll probably encounter more prima donnas -- or "hat dance" guys, as Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald calls them -- among the five-star recruits, but there are also guys who back up the hype. Wisconsin and Iowa have positioned themselves to at least aim for the best of the best. Their main selling point: recent NFL draft success. Both teams will continue to develop under-the-radar guys, but they shouldn't hold back from the best prospects, either.

Adam from B10 Country: What's the chance that Hoke has a crash landing this year, seems like last years schedule was as favorable as you could ever get and a lot of balls bounced the teams way, is 6-6 out of the question?

Adam Rittenberg: Adam, I think 6-6 is out of the question, but Michigan could end up being a better team than in 2011 with a worse record. The schedule is that taxing, and a 2-2 split with Alabama, Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State would be impressive in my book. The Wolverines still have to play MSU at home. I'd put Michigan in the 8- to 11-win range this fall.

Joe from Columbus: Do you think Tressel will get into the college football HOF?

Adam Rittenberg: Joe, this is a fascinating question, one I might have to address in a lengthier blog post. My inclination is yes because time tends to heal some wounds and Tressel's accomplishments as a coach, both at Youngstown State and at Ohio State, would make him a shoo-in for the HOF. It depends on how his violations are viewed when it's time for the selections. But if I had to make a prediction, I'd say yes.

Michael from DC: Adam, there's been a lot of talk about the Michigan and MSU squads, but I feel like this has been done in a vacuum; nobody is talking about the matchups on the field. While Michigan's defense may not be quite as stout, I think it is relatively more stout compared to MSU's offense. UM (finally!) has depth in the back seven and MSU has a lot of questions at receiver, even if Arnett plays. I also think its DL will perform better than people think. On the other side, Michigan (for the first time since Henne) has a returning starter at QB running the same offense and a talented OL that I think will be able to run the ball against MSU, as its strength on DL is its pass rush. How do you see these matchups playing out?

Adam Rittenberg: Michael, I applaud you for making the discussion about the matchups rather than the typical meatball stuff I hear from both fan bases. I'm particularly interested in seeing Michigan's offense vs. Michigan State's defense. Both units could be among the league's best -- Michigan State's D might be the league's best overall unit. Michigan will need to make the Spartans defend the entire field and keep Gholston out of the backfield. The Lewan-Gholston matchup should be fascinating, and not just because of the stuff that happened last year. If Michigan's defensive line can take away Le'Veon Bell and the run game, MSU will have a tough time scoring points. Michigan boasts two strong corners in Countess and Floyd, and Michigan State's receivers have a long way to go. The Spartans have to be a run-first team in 2011, and Michigan will try to take away that element. Should be a lot of fun at the Big House.

Mystery Coach from B10 Country: I develop talent better than anyone in the conference, who am I?

Adam Rittenberg: You are Kirk Ferentz. But sometimes you are Bret Bielema. Depends on the year.

Thanks again for all the questions and comments, and my apologies to those who didn't make the rundown. Let's do it again soon.

The postseason position rankings are hitting the home stretch, and today we take a look at the Big Ten secondaries. It's a little tricky to evaluate secondary play from 2011. While seven Big Ten teams ranked in the top 18 nationally in pass defense, only two squads ranked in the top 29 in pass efficiency defense.

Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was the lone Big Ten defensive back to appear on both the coaches' and media's first-team all-conference squad, so there was some disagreement.

The top seven units are solid, while the bottom three are among the worst in the FBS.

Michigan State once again tops a defensive chart, but the top four or five squads here were all strong in the secondary. Be sure and check out our preseason secondary rankings.

Let's get to the rundown:

1. Michigan State: The Spartans had three of four starting defensive backs — safety Trenton Robinson, cornerback Johnny Adams and safety Isaiah Lewis — selected first-team or second-team All-Big Ten, illustrating the depth coach Mark Dantonio has built in recent years. Michigan State's secondary also continued to be a playmaking unit, recording a league-best 18 interceptions, returning four for touchdowns. The Spartans had five defensive backs record two or more interceptions. Adams will enter the 2012 season pegged as the league's top cornerback.

2. Penn State: Like the other defensive units, Penn State's secondary shouldered a heavy burden because the team's offense struggled for so much of the season. The Lions had veteran leadership with D'Anton Lynn, Nick Sukay and Drew Astorino, and they led the Big Ten and ranked sixth nationally in pass efficiency defense (107.2 rating). Penn State finished third in the league in interceptions (14) and tied with Michigan for the fewest passing touchdowns allowed (12). Sukay earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.

3. Illinois: Although Illinois' strength on defense could be found in the front seven, the secondary held its own as well. The Illini ranked third nationally in pass defense (162.3 ypg), and opposing teams completed just 54.9 percent of their passes against the Orange and Blue. Illinois finished 30th nationally in pass efficiency defense. Although the safety play looked spotty at times, Illinois boasted a strong cornerback tandem in Terry Hawthorne and Tavon Wilson.

4. Michigan: Arguably no single position group in the Big Ten made more dramatic strides than Michigan's secondary, a lightning rod for criticism the previous three seasons. The Wolverines finished 16th nationally in pass defense and 36th in pass efficiency defense. Although they didn't record many interceptions, they tied for the league low in passing touchdowns allowed (12). Safety Jordan Kovacs emerged as an effective blitzer and playmaker and cornerback J.T. Floyd blossomed with two interceptions, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble. Corner Blake Countess is an exciting young talent.

5. Nebraska: The Huskers had the Big Ten's best defensive back in Dennard, who shut down arguably the league's top two receivers (Marvin McNutt, B.J. Cunningham) in Nebraska victories. But the group's overall performance was a bit underwhelming, as opposing teams attacked the deep middle and caused some personnel shuffling. Opposing teams completed just 53.2 percent of their passes against Nebraska, the lowest number in the Big Ten. Hard-hitting safety Daimion Stafford emerged for a group that loses Dennard and veteran safety Austin Cassidy.

6. Wisconsin: For the second straight season Wisconsin displayed good playmaking ability in the secondary, finishing second in the Big Ten with 16 interceptions. Safety Aaron Henry (coaches) and cornerback Antonio Fenelus (media) both received first-team All-Big Ten recognition. The Badgers also played most of the season without one of their starting cornerbacks, Devin Smith. But the unit also had some high-profile lapses at the end of games. Speed also became an issue in the Big Ten title game against Michigan State and in the Rose Bowl against Oregon.

7. Ohio State: The numbers aren't bad -- Ohio State ranked 14th in pass defense and 53rd in pass efficiency defense -- but the Buckeyes seemed to be missing something in the secondary, and throughout their entire defense, for that matter. There were some bright spots, like freshman cornerback Bradley Roby, and some hard hits delivered by safety C.J. Barnett and others. But Ohio State finished just eighth in the league (53rd nationally) in pass efficiency defense, as opposing teams completed more than 60 percent of their pass attempts against the Scarlet and Gray.

8. Purdue: We had high hopes for a group that returned all four starters, headlined by All-Big Ten candidate Ricardo Allen at cornerback. At times, Purdue's secondary looked solid, but the unit's overall performance fell in line with the team's average theme for 2011. Allen struggled to contain some elite wideouts but still finished the season with 81 tackles (62 solo), three interceptions, four pass breakups, a blocked kick and a forced fumble. He and Josh Johnson form an exciting cornerback tandem entering the 2012 campaign.

9. Iowa: Much like Ohio State, Iowa didn't have a typical season on defense, and the secondary had its share of struggles. Iowa had average numbers (58th in pass yards allowed, 72nd in efficiency), and allowed opposing teams to complete 62 percent of their passes. The Hawkeyes saw a big drop-off in playmaking, as they recorded only 10 interceptions and allowed 21 touchdown passes. Safety Micah Hyde earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, while cornerback Shaun Prater didn't have the huge senior season some expected.

10. Northwestern: The Wildcats would finish last in some leagues, but they're the best of a bad bunch at the bottom of the rankings. Despite an All-Big Ten safety (Brian Peters) and a four-year starter at cornerback (Jordan Mabin), Northwestern suffered breakdowns in both scheme and execution. The Wildcats endured a particularly bad stretch to begin Big Ten play, as they couldn't stop Illinois receiver A.J. Jenkins, admittedly got confused against Iowa and let Penn State quarterback Matthew McGloin go off. The secondary has to be a huge priority for Pat Fitzgerald and his staff during the offseason.

11. Minnesota: It's a close call for the last spot, but Minnesota avoids the basement, thanks in large part to safety Kim Royston, who made the most of his sixth season with a team-high 123 tackles. But Royston was the lone bright spot for Minnesota's secondary, which stung from the loss of cornerback Troy Stoudermire to a broken arm. The Gophers recorded the fewest interceptions in the Big Ten (4), and allowed opponents to complete 67.7 percent of their passes, the highest total in the league. Minnesota finished 107th nationally in pass efficiency defense.

12. Indiana: The Hoosiers' historic struggles in the secondary continued in 2011, as they surrendered a league-high 26 passing touchdowns and finished 116th out of 120 FBS teams in pass efficiency defense. Opponents averaged 8.5 yards per completion against an Indiana team that played more freshmen than any squad in the FBS. There's some hope with players like safety-linebacker Mark Murphy and cornerback Greg Heban, and Indiana brings in two junior college defensive backs for 2012.

The Jan. 15 deadline to for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft has come and gone, and five Big Ten players opted to make the jump.

Here's a quick recap:

WHO'S GONE?


Michigan State RB Edwin Baker: Baker's departure was the biggest surprise in the group, as his production dropped off in 2011. Then again, he plays a position that has a short NFL shelf-life, and with Le'Veon Bell back in the fold for 2012, his opportunities at Michigan State could have been limited. It would have been interesting to see Baker and Bell compete for carries in what likely will be a more run-based offense. Baker will have to impress a lot of folks in pre-draft events to move up the boards.

Wisconsin C Peter Konz: After receiving a strong draft evaluation, Konz opted to leave Madison. He had an excellent season at center and has the ability to play multiple positions at the next level. Konz should hear his name called on the second day of the draft, if not sooner. Although it wouldn't have shocked me if Konz decided to return to a place he loves, it's hard to fault him for leaving.

Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus: An All-America season in 2011 made Mercilus' decision rather easy. The fact that Illinois made a coaching change and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning departed for North Carolina further cemented Mercilus' choice. His draft stock skyrocketed after he led the nation in sacks (16) and ranked second in tackles for loss (22.5). It'll be interesting to see if Mercilus is selected in the first round, as some are projecting.

Iowa LT Riley Reiff: Although we didn't hear much about Reiff during the season, his stock seemed to remain very high. He's widely projected as a top-10 or top-15 draft choice, making his decision to leave Iowa rather easy. He's big, strong and smart and should be one of the top two or three tackles on the board come April.

Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy: Another unsurprising choice, as Worthy entered the season projected as a first-round pick and didn't do much to hurt his stock. While there have been some concerns about him taking off a play or two, his explosiveness and ability to dominate for stretches make him a very appealing prospect. A strong pre-draft season should cement Worthy as a first-round pick.

WHO'S BACK

Wisconsin RB Montee Ball: This came as a shock to many, as Ball had a breakthrough season, earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors and a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He also plays a position that sees plenty of draft declarations. But a third-round grade from the NFL draft advisory committee kept Ball in Madison. He plans to add a bit of weight and try to improve his stock as a senior. Ball understands he's taking a risk by returning, but his drive to better himself as a college player is admirable.

Purdue DT Kawann Short: A team spokesman confirmed to ESPN.com that Short will be back at Purdue in 2012. He'll enter the season as one of the league's top defensive linemen.

Penn State DT Jordan Hill: Hill sought a draft evaluation after a nice season alongside Big Ten defensive player of the year Devon Still. He opted to return to Penn State, where he'll once again work with line coach Larry Johnson and attempt to follow Still's footsteps in 2012.

Michigan State CB Johnny Adams: Adams also received an assessment from the advisory board before announcing on Twitter last week that he'll be back in East Lansing. This seems like the right move, as Adams can improve his stock on a defense filled with playmakers.

Michigan QB Denard Robinson: Few thought Robinson would make the jump, and after getting his draft evaluation, "Shoelace" wisely opted to remain at Michigan.

Michigan CB J.T. Floyd: Coach Brady Hoke said before the Sugar Bowl that he fully expected Floyd to return. Despite a nice junior season, Floyd also made the right call and will be back with Michigan for 2012.

Ohio State DL John Simon: Despite NFL potential, Simon will be back for his senior season at Ohio State. Simon projects as one of the Big Ten's top defensive linemen in 2012. He can play both line positions and exhibits tremendous strength.

Penn State LB Gerald Hodges: Hodges said before the TicketCity Bowl that he'll be back at Penn State for the 2012 campaign, although he sought input from the advisory board. He'll be part of what could be the Big Ten's top linebacking corps as Michael Mauti returns from injury.

Ensuring that this Friday the 13th won't be too scary for Michigan fans, quarterback Denard Robinson and cornerback J.T. Floyd announced today that they will definitely return to school for their senior seasons.

Both players had asked for evaluations from the NFL draft advisory board, but both were widely expected to play for the Wolverines in 2012. But you never know what a player might decide once he starts thinking about the pros. (After all, who thought Michigan State running back Edwin Baker would skip out early?)

Robinson had said during the Allstate Sugar Bowl buildup that he fully planned on being back for his senior season, when he should be a leading Heisman Trophy candidate to start the year. He had this to say in Michigan's official release on Friday:

"It's been a dream to play in the NFL, and hopefully after next year that becomes a reality," he said. "But I wouldn't pass up being here with my teammates and coaches for anything. It's my second family. I love my teammates, I love Michigan.

"Seeing how the seniors led our team this year, I want to be that type of leader for Team 133. We made steps and had a good season, but we didn't accomplish our No. 1 goal. We're still hungry."

Floyd was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection whose senior leadership should prove valuable on next year's defense.

"Being around all of the great people here, I just couldn't see myself not being here for my senior year," he said. "Our team still has work to do and places to go, and I want to be a part of it."

NEW ORLEANS -- A paddleboat ride, curfew and for Michigan's players and its head coach, Brady Hoke, a night so close to New Orleans' party center on New Year's Eve, Bourbon Street, was something none could see.

"They always have curfew," Hoke said. "(I) didn't go out on Bourbon Street. They went out on a paddleboat ride, did that."

Senior tight end Kevin Koger said the team had a 9:30 p.m. curfew on New Year's Eve, and keeping his team out of trouble was just one of the many things Hoke hit on during his first news conference of 2012.

(Read full post)

WolverineNation has more on the Michigan football program:

Michael Rothstein writes : New coordinator Greg Mattison worked nothing short of a miracle to turn one of the nation’s worst defenses into one of its best.

Rothstein writes: DBs J.T. Floyd and Troy Woolfolk bonded last year while missing much of the season with injuries, including the bowl game. That won’t be the case for the Sugar Bowl, as both are likely to start.

Tom VanHaaren: Recruiting chat wrap

MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Record: 10-2 (6-2 Big Ten)

It's hard to imagine the Brady Hoke era getting off to any better start than it did.

Mired in mediocrity -- at best -- during Rich Rodriguez's three years, the Wolverines made one of the biggest leaps in the country this year, getting to double-digit wins and back to a BCS game for the first time since the 2006 season. And it wasn't just that Michigan won more games or made it to the Allstate Sugar Bowl, because you could argue the home-friendly schedule helped and the at-large BCS bid should have gone elsewhere. It was how Hoke did it.

Along with defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, Hoke taught these Wolverines to actually play some defense. Michigan ranked 110th in total defense and 108th in points allowed in 2010. Using mostly the same players, the defense ranks 18th and seventh, respectively, in those categories this season.

That stunning defensive improvement came without reeling in the explosive offense Rodriguez had built. Though Denard Robinson had his ups and downs while adjusting to new offensive coordinator Al Borges' style, he finished the year strong and still had more than 1,100 yards rushing. Borges eased the burden on Robinson by finding another weapon in running back Fitz Toussaint, who went over 1,000 yards rushing himself.

Eight of Michigan's victories came by double digits, and the other two were instant classics against Notre Dame and Ohio State. Hoke fulfilled a promise by beating the team he calls "Ohio," snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Wolverines' most bitter rival. That was the icing on a near-perfect regular season, and a helping of Sugar awaits in the new year.

Offensive MVP: Denard Robinson. "Shoelace" struggled mightily with his passing at times this year, and he split reps at quarterback in many games with Devin Gardner. Fans were calling for Gardner to take over full time until the end of the season, when Robinson bounced back with terrific performances in the final two games. No one in the country had a better pair of games than he turned in against Notre Dame (446 total yards, five touchdowns) and Ohio State (337 and five). But the real story of the season was that Robinson didn't have to do it all alone.

Defensive MVP: Defensive tackle Mike Martin. In a fortunate convergence, Hoke and Mattison -- two defensive line coaches at heart -- inherited a defense that was strongest up front. The Wolverines proved tough to run against, especially in short-yardage situations, and Martin was a main reason for that. His numbers (54 tackles, 5.5 for loss) don't tell the full story of how much he meant to the defense, on and off the field. Defensive end Ryan Van Bergen and cornerback J.T. Floyd were among many others who flourished under the new staff's tutelage.

Turning point: Following a 24-16 loss at Iowa on Nov. 5 in which Michigan came up empty on four cracks near the goal line at the end, the Wolverines could have gone into another November tailspin. Instead, they finished with a bang, beating Illinois by 17 on the road, blowing the doors off Nebraska in a 45-17 win at home and then finally getting past Ohio State in a 40-34 shootout. That put the team in position for an at-large BCS bid.

What's next: The Big Easy could turn into Big House South as Michigan heads to the French Quarter to take on Virginia Tech in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Despite ranking behind the Hokes, the Wolverines likely will be favored against a team that played a very soft schedule. Hoke must find replacements for Martin, Van Bergen and Rimington Trophy finalist David Molk, but he's got Robinson for another year and some blue-chip talent on the way in recruiting.

For what it’s worth, I think you would make an incredible brunette. Ron Swanson.

• "Victim Four" tells the story of his alleged abuse by Jerry Sandusky. Penn State squandered its best chance to handle the crisis. Tom Bradley says he isn't shopping for NFL jobs. The Lions will need Matt McGloin and Silas Redd to be at their best in Columbus.
• Ohio State fans need to win the game off the field this weekend, Bob Hunter writes. Freshman Ryan Shazier has given the Buckeyes a spark and will make his first start at linebacker this week in place of the injured Andrew Sweat. Christian Bryant is involved in a lot of big plays, both positive and negative.
• Nebraska star linebacker Lavonte David is a different breed of player, one who requires a lot of good adjectives to describe him. Defensive lineman Terrence Moore played last week through the pain of his father's death.
• Michigan's J.T. Floyd doesn't have the short memory that cornerbacks are supposed to need, but he's got all the other skills. Denard Robinson's numbers are down, but Al Borges says the quarterback is improving.
• Wisconsin's defense has rediscovered its rhythm. Russell Wilson and Montee Ball are at least making noise in the Heisman race.
• Illinois has the pieces to be a lot better in 2012, Lauren Tate writes.
• Purdue has been a much better team at home. The Boilers' defense is gaining confidence against the run.
• Markus Zusevics has given Iowa an anchor at right tackle. A cool look at how some Hawkeyes ended up with their jersey numbers.
• Michigan State's Andrew Maxwell is waiting patiently to take over for Kirk Cousins. The Spartans' running game is a true group effort.
• Indiana receiver Jamonne Chester was ready when an opportunity to play arrived.
• Northwestern's Jeremy Ebert is a low-maintenance guy who just catches everything thrown his way.
• Minnesota faces another senior quarterback this week, and Dan Persa provides a major test for the defense.

Most expected Michigan's defense to improve this season, but few believed the unit would carry the team.

That's exactly what has happened as Michigan trudges through the second half of its season. Greg Mattison's defense continues to make significant strides, cover up the offense's mistakes and give the offense enough time to get things on track.

Michigan thumped hapless Illinois 31-14 on Saturday, and the margin should have been much bigger. The Wolverines outgained Illinois 249-30 in the opening half but led by only 14 points because of repeated mistakes by the offense. Denard Robinson fumbled twice in the half and Michigan couldn't fully take advantage of 134 first-half rush yards from Fitz Toussaint.

But all the Wolverines' errors didn't matter because their defense stifled Illinois, which has something seriously wrong on offense. The Illini failed to score in the first half for the FOURTH consecutive game, a recipe for disaster against a Michigan team that improves as games go on. Michigan held Illinois to 37 rush yards on 33 carries.

Wolverines senior defensive tackle Mike Martin continued to wreak havoc, helping to stuff Illinois' rushing attack. Michigan also received a huge interception from J.T. Floyd early in the fourth quarter.

The concern for Michigan going forward is the offense and specifically the quarterback position. Robinson looks a bit lost right now and completed just 6 of 10 passes before leaving the game in the fourth quarter. He appeared to get banged up late in the game. Devin Gardner led Michigan's final two scoring drives and fired a 27-yard touchdown pass to Martavious Odoms.

Offensive coordinator Al Borges has some decisions to make before next week's game against Nebraska, both with personnel and with his scheme. Although Toussaint was fabulous with 192 rush yards and a touchdown, the Wolverines can't expect to keep making so many mistakes and win.

Illinois has much bigger problems to worry about. Ron Zook's squad dropped its fourth consecutive game and seemed to backslide on both sides of the ball. The run game simply isn't there and Jason Ford, one of few offensive bright spots the past three contests, had just 26 rush yards and a lost fumble. I really expected more from Illinois' offensive line, and quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase has backslid after a blistering start.

The Illini defense is doing what it can, but the unit clearly needs more help. Illinois also suffered yet another mishap on a punt return.

After recording its best start since 1951 (6-0), Illinois finds itself in serious trouble entering the final two weeks. The calls for Zook's job likely will intensify, particularly if the Illini lose out to finish a once-unfathomable 6-6.

Turning point: Michigan cornerback J.T. Floyd read a Nathan Scheelhaase pass perfectly, jumping to pick off the play and return it 65 yards into Illinois territory with 10:50 left in the game. The Wolverines then scored on the following drive with a Devin Gardner 27-yard touchdown pass to Martavious Odoms for a 24-7 Michigan lead.

Player of the game: Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin. The senior nose tackle was in the Illinois backfield all day, making a team-high nine tackles and having a half-sack. The nine tackles are one off his career high of 10, set against Wisconsin in 2009. He disrupted everything Illinois tried to do on offense in the first half.

Unsung hero of the game: Michigan running back Fitzgerald Toussaint. The Michigan running back started the game hot, gaining 134 of his career-high 192 yards in the first half, but his play led to two early Wolverines touchdowns and forced Illinois to shift its defensive plan and focus on the running back.

What Michigan learned, What Illinois learned: Michigan -- The Wolverines learned two things Saturday. First, that it can win with defense. Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison called the best game of his first season in his second stint with the Wolverines against Illinois. Michigan held Illinois to negative-12 yards rushing in the first half and pressured Scheelhaase all game long. It also learned it might have a good quarterback in backup Gardner. As he received more snaps, he looked more comfortable and his touchdown pass to Odoms was one of the better throws of the season. Illinois -- That the offensive line needs some work. Illinois couldn't block much of what Michigan ran at the Illini on Saturday, barely being able to run the ball and not giving Scheelhaase time to stay in the pocket. It seemed to throw Illinois' entire offense out of rhythm.

What it means: For Michigan, it gives the Wolverines the most wins they've had since 2007, when Michigan went 9-4 in the final season for former coach Lloyd Carr. It also showed Michigan it could win on the road in a hostile atmosphere. For Illinois, it is four straight losses and what looked like a special season in Champaign, Ill. is now in freefall as the Illini have to face Wisconsin next Saturday.

Record performance: It may not seem like a big record, but Odoms had a season-high two catches for 46 yards, including his first touchdown catch of the season. The 46 yards, though, pushed Odoms over 1,000 yards receiving for his career.

Scanning the web so you don't have to ...

• A history of the Blackshirts tradition at Nebraska, and how Bo Pelini has put his own stamp on that tradition. Lance Thorell continues the tradition of former eight-man football players who have earned the Blackshirts.

• Faith has guided Kirk Cousins' life, and the Michigan State quarterback idolizes Tim Tebow. The Spartans are wary of the mobility shown by Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray.

• The Wisconsin offensive line is facing some rare criticism after the Ohio State performance. Badgers defensive backs take the blame for the two plays that got them beat the past two weeks.

• The blitz bothered James Vandenberg last week, and the Iowa quarterback has to be more ready for it this week. The Hawkeyes's defense had better get better.

• Michigan needs J.T. Floyd to help stabilize a secondary in flux. The Wolverines will have to deal with a hostile road environment in Iowa City.

• Duane Bennett makes a lot of subtle contributions to Minnesota.

• Kofi Hughes has become Indiana's No. 1 receiver, almost by default (subscription required). Stephen Houston took a winding road to Bloomington but is happy with the Hoosiers.

• Ohio State fullback Zach Boren would love to try his hand at linebacker. Dan Herron's emotional return has given the Buckeyes a spark.

• Purdue will take on the underdog role on the road to Wisconsin.

• Northwestern hopes this weekend ends better than the last time it played Nebraska.

• Things aren't as bad as they seem for Illinois, Lauren Tate writes.

• Penn State fullback Joe Suhey might not be available for the team's final three regular-season games.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan's defense came up with timely turnovers last week against Western Michigan, turning two into defensive scores.

While the Wolverines haven't been great on defense tonight against Notre Dame, they are once again creating takeaways -- and getting a little help from the Irish.

Jordan Kovacs picked off a Tommy Rees pass early in the second quarter, setting up a 43-yard touchdown pass by Denard Robinson two plays later to make it 14-7. The Wolverines showed an aggressive defensive look before that interception, with their deepest player no more than 5 yards from the line of scrimmage. It seemed to confuse Rees.

Rees also made a mistake later in the red zone, forcing a ball into traffic that J.T. Floyd picked off. Notre Dame now has four turnovers in the red zone in its first six quarters of the season.

The Irish are still dominating statistically, but because Michigan has come up with a pair of turnovers, the game is still just 14-7. The Wolverines may need more, because right now they don't have a lot of answers for Michael Floyd, who's over 100 yards receiving already.

While several Big Ten quarterback competitions have spilled into game week, Michigan is still waiting to determine its starting running back.

Mike Shaw and Fitzgerald Toussaint are listed as co-starters on Michigan's Week 1 depth chart for Saturday's season opener against Western Michigan. Shaw emerged in preseason camp and appears to have the inside track to start against the Broncos, although coach Brady Hoke said Monday that Toussaint still could win the top job.

Shaw has been a fairly solid back at Michigan, averaging 5.04 yards a carry with 11 touchdowns in his career. Toussaint came to Michigan as a heralded recruit but redshirted in 2009 and missed much of last season with various injuries.

Vincent Smith is clearly Michigan's third-down back, but it will be interesting to see how the carries are dispensed between Shaw and Toussaint on Saturday.

A few other depth chart notes:

• Will Heininger is listed as a starting defensive end opposite Craig Roh, even though walk-on sophomore Nathan Brink drew praise from the coaching staff throughout camp.
• I'm a little surprised to see Brendan Gibbons handling field goals ahead of freshman Matt Wile. Gibbons made only 1 of 5 attempts last season as the kicking game really hurt the Wolverines. Wile came in with some strong prep accolades but will handle kickoffs, punts and possibly longer field-goal attempts for the time being.
• J.T. Floyd and Courtney Avery are listed as co-starters at cornerback opposite Troy Woolfolk. Floyd likely will get the starting nod against Western Michigan.
• Kelvin Grady will join top kickoff returner Jeremy Gallon, while four players are listed as potential starters at punt returner: Junior Hemingway, Drew Dileo, Gallon and Martavious Odoms.
• Sophomores Mike Jones and Cam Gordon, along with junior Kenny Demens, are listed as the starting linebackers ahead of older players such as J.B. Fitzgerald and Brandon Herron.
• Aside from Wile, the depth chart includes only two freshmen in backup roles: cornerback Blake Countess and strongside linebacker Jake Ryan. Freshmen running backs Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes aren't listed on the chart.