ESPN College Football

Spending the weekend in the Big Easy, so don't bother me unless it's really, really important.

Adam from Cabot, Ark., writes: Adam,First off, nice name. Secondly I'd like to ask about Ohio States secondary. I'm a life long Buckeye fan, but I see holes throughout the secondary. Who begins to fill those holes and who gives Ohio State the biggest challenge for the BigTen Championship (minus the championship game)? Thanks!!

Adam Rittenberg: Likewise, Adam. If there's a big hole in Ohio State's two-deep, safety would have to be it. The Buckeyes lose two players with significant starting experience in Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, and Coleman earned first-team All-Big Ten honors last fall. Jermale Hines certainly will take on a greater role, but Ohio State needs to identify that No. 2 and No. 3 safety. Keep an eye on Orhian Johnson, a guy I heard a lot of good things about last spring. If Johnson can't nail down a starting job, look for guys like C.J. Barnett, Aaron Gant and Nate Oliver to be in the mix. Cornerback Chimdi Chekwa is another guy who, like Hines, needs to lift his game to All-Big Ten levels.

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Kelly from Manassas, Va., writes: While what happens on the field this year will certainly play into Rodriguez's future, the decision has very likely already been made. Make no mistake, his conduct off the field and two very bad seasons have already sealed his fate as he needs an completely unrealistic number of wins for UM to even consider extending him beyond this year. In all likelihood, he needs ten wins to keep his job, so in essence, given that no rational person expects this team to sniff .500 much less a winning record, the decision to fire him with cause has already been made.

Adam Rittenberg: Kelly, gotta say I love getting your e-mails every week. Always a good time. When did you start working in Michigan's athletic department? I thought they didn't let Penn State fans in there. While Rich Rodriguez obviously needs to show significant improvement in Year 3, by no means is his fate sealed. I highly doubt he'd be fired if the team wins nine games this fall. Eight games probably keeps him safe, too. Michigan would have to weigh the desire to make a change versus the potential cost of staying irrelevant for even longer, or getting worse. Keep in mind that Rodriguez has now spent a few years recruiting a specific brand of player for his system, and these players might not translate well to a new scheme, especially a dramatically different one. I'm not saying Rodriguez can breathe easy, but we still have a long way to go.

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Brian from Aledo, Ill., writes: I'm sure it's been talked about before but I guess I never heard it. With all this talk about expanding to more teams my biggest question is why not just play all the teams currently in the conference?

Adam Rittenberg: You can't play 10 conference games from a financial standpoint and expect to survive or grow your revenue pool. That's one more guaranteed road game for every Big Ten team, which means one fewer chance to fill up a massive stadium and generate $$$. Teams would be so afraid to leave home for the two nonconference games, and it would create some major headaches with nonleague rivalries, etc. Fans would love it, but it doesn't make any sense financially, given the need to make money.

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Chad from Montpellier, France, writes: Hey Adam,Love the blog still haven't missed a day of reading in the 2 months that I've been over here. Firstly, I noticed that you seemed to allude to the ability to post blogs even when you weren't at a computer during your trip to Purdue I believe. Any chance we could get blogs posted throughout the night so us in Europe don't have to wait until the afternoon to get our B10 fill? Secondly, I was thinking that it might be interesting to take a look back at the decade's best and worst rivalries in the B10. Which rivalries had many exciting balanced games, and which rivalries were pretty much one-sided and didn't live up to their usual hype during the past decade (OSU/MICH comes to mind). Thanks and keep up the good work!

Adam Rittenberg: First off, I'm thrilled to hear the Big Ten blog is being read across the pond. I've even been to Montpellier myself, a long, long time ago. While I'd love to have 25 posts a day so that my global audience is satisfied, it just ain't happening. Unless you can double my salary, of course. And even then, my wife would kill me. As to your second point, I like the idea about rivalries. Things are getting a bit busier now with spring ball, but that sounds like a fun post for May or June.

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Chase from Pittsburgh writes: Adam, Isn't it a little convenient that the only 4 MSU players reinstated in the group that were charged in the Rather Hall incident (Mark Dell, BJ Cunningham, Chris L. Rucker, and J'Michael Deane) were all starters or major contributors? And the other charged players (Ashton Leggett, Jamihr Williams, Myles White, and Oren Wilson) that were not major contributors are all transferring? They all received the same sentence. Dantonio seems to have history of selective justice. When he needed Winston in the Fall, he reinstated him immediately after he stepped out of jail. Now, with Baker and Caper filling the hole at RB, Winston is no longer essential to the team. In the middle of last season, RBs Caulton Ray and Andre Anderson were dismissed from the team after Caper and Baker had established themselves. Dell and Cunningham are the two leading receivers returning to the team with the loss of Blair White. Deane is a projected starter on the OL, and Rucker is the starting corner. Only Wilson was a contributor to last year's team. but highly rated prospect Blake Treadwell has taken his position. Why has no one taken Dantonio to task on this?

Adam Rittenberg: Chase, you make some pretty compelling points here. I wouldn't underrate the loss of Wilson, who almost certainly would have started on a very young defensive line. And to play devil's advocate, I don't know how much Michigan State really needed Glenn Winston last year. Yes, I know he ascended to a key role before his injury, but the Spartans entered preseason camp in 2009 with plenty of running backs who they liked. I remember thinking at the time, why not just arrange a transfer to cover your bases with a player who assaulted another student-athlete? And to be fair to the four players who were reinstated, none had any previous off-field problems. A lot of college players are convicted of misdemeanors, serve no jail time and return to the playing field. It has happened all around the Big Ten. I would have had a bigger gripe had Wilson be allowed back on the team, as his involvement in the resident hall assault wasn't known until after the Alamo Bowl, a game in which he played. But since Wilson is transferring, it's a moot point.

Spring practice is about to get under way at Michigan State, and four players convicted in last year's residence hall assault have been reinstated to the team.

Head coach Mark Dantonio said Tuesday that cornerback Chris L. Rucker, offensive linemen J'Michael Deane and wide receivers Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham, all of whom received probation and community service after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault, are back on the team. Wide receivers Donald Spencer and Chris D. Rucker, suspended for being present at the Nov. 22 incident but never charged, also are back for the spring.

Dantonio confirmed that wide receiver Myles White and nose tackle Oren Wilson will transfer. White was sentenced Monday to probation and community service, and Wilson faces sentencing March 31. The status of wide receiver Fred Smith, sentenced Friday to five days in jail plus probation and community service, will be determined when his legal issues are over. Eleven current or former players pleaded guilty in the incident, and six -- White, Wilson, Ashton Leggett, Jamiihr Williams, Glenn Winston and Roderick Jenrette -- are no longer with the program.

I fully expected reinstatement for Cunningham, Dell, Deane and Chris L. Rucker, who had no prior indiscretions. White and Wilson deserved heavier punishment, potentially dismissal from the team, because their involvement in the assault didn't come to light until January. Wilson even played in the Alamo Bowl, a privilege he didn't deserve. But it's all moot now as both players will be transferring.

I spoke with Dantonio moments ago, and while I'll have a two-part Q&A with the coach this afternoon and Wednesday, a few notes and quotes for now.

• Dantonio, on the off-field problems Michigan State has faced: "You’re going to fall down at times. We have the same problems that society has in a lot of ways, and because we live in a fishbowl a little bit, there's going to be higher consequences, more public scrutiny and things of that nature. But you do always have to believe in your young people. That helps them grow, and that’s what we’ll do."
• During the winter, Dantonio put a greater emphasis on the team's Unity Council and held 90-minute weekly seminars for players that featured guest speakers, including former players and a criminal justice professor. "We talked about the law, talked about our players’ rights, talked about consequences," Dantonio said. "When you make a decision, it’s not a quick fix judiciously. Our players need to understand that. It’s not over and done with when you do make a mistake. We're just trying to educate and be proactive, and I think it draws our team together."
• The big personnel news of the day is Keith Nichol's move from quarterback to wide receiver. Nichol remains an option at quarterback, but with greater depth behind Kirk Cousins this spring, he has a better chance to make big contributions at receiver. Nichol played some wideout during the Alamo Bowl but will spend much more time there this spring. Dantonio said Cousins has earned the starter's tag entering the spring after a solid sophomore season. Nichol is listed as both a first-team wide receiver and a second-string quarterback on the team's spring depth chart. "Keith is an outstanding athlete," Dantonio said. "He's played quarterback for us and he should continue to be thought of in that light somewhat. He would always be able to move back in there. ... But I also think that he can be an outstanding wide receiver, as proven in bowl practice. ... He needs to get on the football field for us."
• Dantonio identified offensive line and kicker as the two most critical areas to develop in spring ball. The Spartans lose three starters on the offensive line, including standout center Joel Nitchman, as well as first-team All-Big Ten kicker Brett Swenson.
• Some wonderful news about Spartans offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr., who has kept his dream of playing football alive after battling bone cancer. Ray is finally off crutches and able to run and do individual drills. "His bone is healing," Dantonio said. "He hopes to play in the near future, within maybe a year. We'll have to petition for that. We would have room for [Ray on the roster]. That's something the doctors have to decide on. Me, personally, and our entire football staff, are thrilled to have Arthur out there every single day. ... I can look at him now and say there is a possibility [of him playing]." There are plenty of folks rooting for Ray, myself included.
• Defensive end David Rolf is transferring to be closer to his family. Defensive tackle Cameron Jude's status is unclear as he works through academic and personal issues.
• Defensive tackle Jerel Worthy doesn't appear on the spring depth chart because he underwent offseason shoulder surgery and will be limited in practice

Five current or former Michigan State players involved in the November residence hall fight learned their fates Friday, and two received jail time.

Former Spartans safety Roderick Jenrette was sentenced to 90 days in jail, while current MSU wide receiver Fred Smith was sentenced to five days behind bars. Smith also received 18 months probation and 150 hours of community service.

Two other current players, cornerback Chris L. Rucker and offensive linemen J'Michael Deane, received 12 months probation and 150 hours of community service. Former Spartans defensive end Jamiihr Williams received 18 months probation and 15o hours of community service. Rucker, Deane and Williams all had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery.

Eight of the eleven players who pleaded guilty in the Nov. 22 assault at Rather Hall now have been sentenced, with Jenrette and Smith the first to receive jail time. Former running back Glenn Winston, dismissed from the team with Jenrette on Nov. 24 and reportedly at the center of the incident, will be sentenced Monday and faces up to a year in jail.

Current MSU receiver Myles White also will be sentenced Monday, and current nose tackle Oren Wilson will be sentenced March 31. Seven players involved in the fight remain with the team but indefinitely suspended.

Michigan State starts spring practice Tuesday, and it will be interesting to see how head coach Mark Dantonio handles the suspended players. Team spokesman John Lewandowski released a statement last week saying Dantonio wouldn't make a final ruling until all the court cases are concluded. Wilson's is the last one to wrap up.

I still expect the majority of the seven suspended players to be back with the team. Wilson and White could face the toughest penalties from the team because of the delay in the coaching staff learning of their involvement.

Here's a rundown of the 11 current or former players involved in the Rather Hall fight:

• WRs B.J. Cunningham and Mark Dell: Still on the team but suspended; pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery; had conspiracy charge dropped; sentenced to 18 months probation and 150 hours of community service last week.
• RB Ashton Leggett: Transferred to Illinois State; pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and battery; had conspiracy charge dropped; sentenced to 18 months probation and 150 hours of community service last week.
• S Roderick Jenrette: Dismissed from the team Nov. 24; pleaded guilty to misdemeanor aggravated assault and misdemeanor assault; sentenced Friday to 90 days in jail; will begin serving sentence in April.
• WR Fred Smith: Remains with the team but indefinitely suspended; pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit assault; had misdemeanor assault charge dropped; sentenced Friday to five days in jail, 18 months probation and 150 hours of community service.
• CB Chris L. Rucker and OL J'Michael Deane: Both remain with the team but indefinitely suspended; pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault; had conspiracy charge dropped; sentenced Friday to 12 months probation and 150 hours of community service.
• DE Jamiihr Williams: Left the team; pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault; had conspiracy charge dropped; sentenced Friday to 18 months probation and 150 hours of community service.
• RB Glenn Winston: Dismissed from team Nov. 24; pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault and violating his probation; will be sentenced Monday.
• WR Myles White: Remains with the team; pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault but had conspiracy charge dropped; will be sentenced Monday.
• NT Oren Wilson: Remains with the team; pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault; had conspiracy charge dropped; will be sentenced March 31.

The problems at Michigan State continue as two more football players have been charged with misdemeanor assault and conspiracy in connection with a Nov. 22 incident at an on-campus residence hall.

Junior defensive tackle Oren Wilson and redshirt freshman wide receiver Myles White both face assault and conspiracy charges. Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio on Tuesday indefinitely suspended both players from all football-related activities. Both Wilson and White must turn themselves in for arraignment.

"As with the previously suspended players, their status with the team will be re-evaluated on a case-by-case basis as their legal issues are resolved," Dantonio said in a statement issued through the school's sports information department.

Eleven players now have been charged in the incident, which took place during a fraternity potluck function held the same night of Michigan State's team banquet. Four other players were suspended from the team for being present at the residence hall, though none faces charges.

Wilson started for Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl on Jan. 2, while White was suspended for the game for an unrelated incident. Dantonio, through a spokesman, said he didn't know Wilson and White were present at the residence hall until being notified of the forthcoming charges late last week. Though the suspensions were announced Tuesday, the punishments went into effect last week.

Dantonio handed down suspensions or dismissals for all the other players identified as being at the residence hall before the Alamo Bowl. Players were given opportunities to come forward about their involvement in the incident, but both Wilson and White declined to do so. MSU police in early December identified 10 suspects in the assault and were hoping to identify five more. Now we know that all 15 suspects were football players.

Still, it's troubling that more than two months have passed before Spartans coaches knew Wilson and White were involved.

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings told the Lansing State Journal: "MSU Police has wonderful investigators and to me, it was never a question of if these two individuals were going to be identified, just a question of when."

Here's the breakdown of what's happening with the 15 players:

• Running back Glenn Winston and safety Roderick Jenrette, who face charges and had previous legal issues, have been dismissed from the team.
• Running back Ashton Leggett pleaded guilty Jan. 14 to two counts of misdemeanor assault as part of a plea agreement in which a more serious conspiracy charge against him was dropped. Leggett since has transferred to Illinois State. Defensive end Jamiihr Williams, who also faces charges, will transfer as well.
• Brynden Trawick and Ishmyl Johnson, who were suspended for being at the residence hall but not charged, are transferring.
• Five players who face charges -- cornerback Chris L. Rucker, offensive lineman J'Michael Deane and wide receivers, Mark Dell, B.J. Cunningham and Fred Smith -- had their pretrial hearings postponed earlier this month. Dantonio allowed them to attend a team meeting several weeks ago, but their ultimate status will be determined after the legal process concludes. Wilson and White both are now in the same boat as these players.
• Donald Spencer and Chris D. Rucker were suspended but not charged and attended a team meeting earlier this month.

Obviously, this remains a messy situation for Dantonio and Michigan State, which could be without a sizable chunk of the roster when spring practice begins.