ESPN College Football

It's time to pass out season grades for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

OFFENSE: B

Iowa leaned heavily on its offense for much of the season and received tremendous production at home until the final Kinnick Stadium contest against Michigan State. The Hawkeyes' big three of running back Marcus Coker, wide receiver Marvin McNutt and quarterback James Vandenberg all were among the most productive Big Ten players at their respective positions. Iowa averaged 36.7 points at home through its first six contests. The unit's problems occurred away from Iowa City as the Hawkeyes scored just three points at Penn State and seven at Nebraska, while failing to capitalize on Coker's huge performance in a second consecutive loss to Minnesota. McNutt capped a record-setting career with an exceptional senior season, but the unit's inconsistent performances mirrored those of the team.

DEFENSE: D+

After losing three linemen to the NFL draft plus two multiyear starters at safety, Iowa's defense appeared to be very much in rebuilding mode this season. The Hawkeyes finished in the lower half of the Big Ten in points allowed, yards allowed and rush yards allowed, and last in pass defense. Linemen Broderick Binns and Mike Daniels had their moments and several defensive backs made big plays, but Iowa had nowhere near the depth and consistency it needed to make strides on defense this season. A new coordinator will step in following the Insight Bowl as Norm Parker retires, and players in all three levels of the defense will need to make strides.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C-

Iowa has had better years in the kicking game, although there were some bright spots like the punting unit, which finished second in the league in net average (38.2 yards). Kicker Mike Meyer connected on 14 of 20 field-goal attempts, and Iowa finished in the lower half of the Big Ten in kickoff coverage, kickoff returns and punt returns. Jordan Bernstine averaged 24.4 yards on kick returns.

OVERALL: C-

Iowa's inconsistent season reflected a team trying to rebuild after losing a talented core of players from the 2010 squad. Despite the personnel losses, the Hawkeyes had a favorable schedule and were pegged by many to win eight or nine games. The team's struggles away from home resulted in a second consecutive 7-5 campaign, although this season wasn't nearly as disappointing as 2010. Iowa tries to finish with its fourth consecutive bowl win as it faces Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl.

If you let me keep that hang glider, those geese would have followed me to the wetlands.

• Ohio State and Indiana have played the most freshmen in the Big Ten, so the future in now, Doug Lesmerises writes. Buckeyes reserve running back Carlos Hyde could be back in the mix soon because of recent developments.
• No surprise as Wisconsin makes changes to its punt protection team. Wisconsin isn't the only Big Ten title contender struggling on the road.
• Nebraska greats chime in on the Legend of Rex, Steven M. Sipple writes. Huskers quarterback Taylor Martinez is getting "a little bit smarter" with his play.
• Michigan State's linebackers are getting healthy. The Spartans are putting the finishing touches on their 2012 recruiting class. Sad news about the cause of death for former MSU great Bubba Smith.
• Michigan wide receiver Jeremy Gallon plays bigger than his size. The Wolverines' seniors finally have something to play for in November.
• A good breakdown from Phil Miller on Minnesota's perfectly executed onside kick against Iowa. Not everyone cooperated in Minnesota's celebration Saturday.
• Iowa's defensive line has to make do with what it has. Hawkeyes defensive back Jordan Bernstine proves his doubters wrong.
• The Big Ten Network's Dave Revsine goes inside the numbers throughout the league.
• Beating Nebraska could turn around Northwestern's disappointing season.
• Quarterback Matthew McGloin takes control of Penn State's offense. Penn State's STEP program for tickets has contributed to a decline in attendance.
• Purdue's ball security has been a hallmark this season.
• Dismissed Indiana wideout Damarlo Belcher paid the price for breaking a rule he and his classmates helped write, Dustin Dopirak writes (subscription required). Indiana should get two probable starters back at Ohio State.
• The face of the Big Ten quarterback is changing, Loren Tate writes.
• There's a Big Ten presence in this week's Bottom 10.

I think I need to see that Steve Bartman play one more time ...

• Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez has grown comfortable playing on the road. Jared Crick is motivated to perform after sitting out last week.
• Sports Illustrated profiles the Wisconsin offensive line. This could be merely Round 1 of Huskers-Badgers. Wisconsin's biggest threat is the Nebraska running game. Madison is bracing for the Sea of Red.
• Michigan State still seeks an elusive win over Ohio State. Kirk Cousins hopes to find his rhythm earlier in games.
• The rugged October schedule will make or break Ohio State. Jordan Hall went from being suspended to being named a team captain in just a couple of weeks.
• Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison still sees a lot of areas that need fixing. One area where the Wolverines are perfect: the red zone.
• Minnesota is doing its best to keep things normal in an otherwise difficult situation. MarQueis Gray and Denard Robinson share some similar traits.
• Fans seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach toward Illinois. Vic Koenning is preparing for both Dan Persa and Kain Colter.
• Colter won't stay on Northwestern's bench, regardless of Persa's role this week.
• Forget the quarterbacks. Penn State needs to get its running game going. ACL injuries run in Michael Mauti's family.
• Indiana running back Darius Willis' career is pretty much over because of injuries.
• Purdue's defensive focus this week will be on stopping Notre Dame star receiver Michael Floyd.
• Iowa is looking for a quarterback on the recruiting trail. It's better late than never for Hawkeyes safety Jordan Bernstine.

Greetings from cloudy Ann Arbor. This place could use some lights.

• Loren Tate wonders if Illinois has become a "small-market operation."

• The Virginia game means a family reunion for Indiana's Paul Phillips (subscription required).

• Jordan Bernstine is making his move after four injury-riddled years at Iowa. Marc Morehouse breaks down the Iowa State matchup. An inside look at the Cy-Hawk Trophy discussions.

• Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs has kept the edge that helped him crack the lineup as a walk-on. Desmond Howard is keeping quiet about details of his ceremony Saturday night.

• Michigan State has a chance to land the state's top prospect for the third straight year. Freshman Nick Hill will take over as the Spartans' primary kick returner.

• Jerry Kill is looking for a party -- specifically at Minnesota home games.

• Nebraska receiver Jamal Turner is ready to offer more after showing an exciting glimpse of his potential. Why are the Huskers so young and inexperienced on the offensive line? Blame Bill Callahan, Dirk Chatelain writes.

• Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter was once ticketed for Stanford but feels at home in purple.

• Career backup Nate Oliver doesn't regret his choice to come to Ohio State. The Buckeyes should have a full complement of four tailbacks versus Toledo. The three players suspended for last week's game received $200 at a charity event.

• Penn State defensive end Jack Crawford is on solid footing now. Gerald Hodges is ready for a bigger role against Alabama this year. Area flooding is making travel to the game difficult for some fans.

• Purdue is readying for some Texas heat this weekend as it looks to start 2-0 for the first time since 2007.

• Wisconsin is confident that linebacker Chris Borland will regain his old form. The Badgers' nonconference schedules haven't been intimidating, and they say that's mostly because of poor timing.

It has been a fairly quiet training camp at Iowa despite some position competition on both sides of the ball.

The Hawkeyes on Friday released their depth chart for the season opener against Tennessee Tech. Not too many surprises here.

A few notes:

• Only three spots list co-starters: Matt Tobin and Brandon Scherff at left guard, Matt Meyers and Jonathan Gimm at fullback, and Thomas Nardo and Dominic Alvis at defensive tackle. Alvis also is listed as a backup at defensive end behind Lebron Daniel. Fullback Brad Rogers, sidelined before the Insight Bowl with a heart issue, isn't listed on the two-deep.
• Redshirt freshman quarterback A.J. Derby seems to be stepping up his game, as he's listed as a co-backup with junior John Wienke.
• After starting last season at cornerback, Micah Hyde is listed as Iowa's starting free safety, ahead of Tanner Miller. Hyde also is a backup cornerback behind Greg Castillo. Junior Collin Sleeper is listed as the starting strong safety, while Jordan Bernstine is a backup at both strong safety and cornerback. There's not a ton of depth in the Iowa secondary, which could be a problem.
• Junior Jason White is listed as the backup running back behind Marcus Coker.
• Sophomore Christian Kirksey is listed as the starting weak-side linebacker ahead of classmate Anthony Hitchens.
• Iowa's return men for both kickoffs and punts are to be determined.

It's great to be linking to stories from training camps.

• Here are some keys for Illinois as the team prepares to open up training camp. Paul Petrino might be sitting on a good hand with the Illini offense. Petrino has challenged running back Jason Ford, knowing he has some talented freshman pushing the veteran running back.

• Kevin Wilson is taking a no-nonsense approach for Indiana (subscription required). The Hoosiers will be looking for defensive improvement this fall.

• Jordan Bernstine has one more year to live up to his recruiting hype at Iowa. The road has gotten tougher for the Hawkeyes.

• Five storylines to follow as Michigan opens camp. Wolverines fans might need to curb their enthusiasm.

• Michigan State will look for some flexibility as it rebuilds the offensive line. Edwin Baker has high aspirations for 2011. Spartans defensive tackle Jerel Worthy got a tattoo that tweaks the Wolverines. Mark Dantonio liked what he saw from MSU's first practice.

• What to watch for from Minnesota fall practice.

• Linebacker Sean Fisher's return from a broken leg comes at a good time for Nebraska. Huskers tackle Jeremiah Sirles is a veteran despite being young, and he needs to lead while fending off challengers to his job.

• Ohio State is hoping for a breakout year from massive defensive lineman Jonathan Hankins. Some burning questions facing the Buckeyes this fall.

• The Sporting News previews Penn State. Receiver Derek Moye is eyeing some milestones this season.

• Purdue quarterback Rob Henry is wearing a protective glove on his passing hand to protect the finger he injured last season.

• Russell Wilson is fitting in with his Wisconsin teammates. The Badgers are keeping watch on the grass at Soldier Field.

• Athlon presents its Top 40 Big Ten players.

The Big Ten preseason position rankings have reached the home stretch as we take a look at the defensive secondaries. Although individual positions like center and defensive tackle could boast more star power, the Big Ten's overall strength in the secondary jumps out.

There's a lot to like about the Big Ten cornerbacks as nearly every team boasts experience and/or exciting young players. The Big Ten loses All-Conference safeties Tyler Sash and Jermale Hines but brings back quite a few solid contributors.

There's definite separation after the top four groups, while Nos. 5-9 are extremely close.

Here's the rundown (coming soon: cornerbacks and safeties rankings) ...

1. Penn State: The Lions' linebackers seem to be generating more preseason buzz, but I really like what Penn State brings back in the defensive backfield. There's plenty of experience with safeties Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay, and cornerbacks D'Anton Lynn and Stephon Morris. Penn State needs Sukay to regain the form he showed in the first half of 2010 before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. Lynn is a bona fide All-Big Ten candidate. If Malcolm Willis, Chaz Powell and others solidify depth here, Penn State should have an elite secondary.

2. Ohio State: This is a group the Buckeyes rarely have to worry about, even after losing three starters. The good news is several key players return from injuries, including safeties Tyler Moeller, C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant. Moeller should provide a major boost at the "star" position. The cornerback spots should be fun to watch as Travis Howard and Dominic Clarke fend off some challengers for the starting jobs.

3. Nebraska: Like Ohio State, Nebraska can rely on having an elite pass defense under the Pelini brothers, even after losing several standout players. All-American corner Prince Amukamara will be missed, but Alfonzo Dennard is ready for a starring role. Nebraska needs Ciante Evans to follow what Dennard did in 2010. The Huskers likely will use more linebackers this year, but they'll need to fill holes at safety as Austin Cassidy, Courtney Osborne and others are in the mix.

4. Wisconsin: The Badgers' secondary took a major step forward in Chris Ash's first season on the staff. The key is continued progress, continued playmaking and becoming a truly elite group like Ohio State and Nebraska. Wisconsin seems to have the pieces in place with veteran Aaron Henry at safety, as well as All-Big Ten selection Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith at cornerback. The Badgers must fill the other safety spot, and speedster Shelton Johnson could fill in there.

5. Michigan State: The secondary triggered Michigan State's 2010 turnaround, improving from 112th nationally in pass defense in 2009 to 60th last season. After recording 17 interceptions last year, the Spartans must stick to their MAP motto -- Make A Play -- as they aim for a repeat championship this fall. Safety Trenton Robinson is among the league's most experienced defensive backs, and hopes are high for cornerback Johnny Adams, who had an excellent spring. The unit could hinge on young players like Darqueze Dennard, Isaiah Lewis and Tony Lippett.

6. Iowa: The bad news is Iowa loses veteran safeties Sash and Brett Greenwood from a defense that slipped to 84th nationally against the pass in 2010. The good news is All-Big Ten cornerback Shaun Prater returns along with playmaking junior Micah Hyde. Prater could be a shut-down corner this fall, and Hyde, whose pick-six won the Insight Bowl, could play either corner or safety. Iowa must build depth around them with Jordan Bernstine, Greg Castillo, Tanner Miller and others.

7. Purdue: One of the Boilers' big question marks entering 2010 turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and the secondary could be a big strength this fall. Here's a group that could make a move up these rankings by November. Cornerback Ricardo Allen is a budding superstar who recorded two pick-sixes last year. Safety Logan Link is always around the football, and Josh Johnson could take a significant step as he complements Allen.

8. Illinois: I'm tempted to rank Illinois a few notches higher, and if the Illini address several questions in the secondary, I'll gladly do so after the season. If safety Supo Sanni returns to form and both he and cornerback Terry Hawthorne stay healthy, this could be an excellent group. Tavon Wilson returns to his preferred position of cornerback and could have a big year, while Trulon Henry brings experience to the safety spot.

9. Northwestern: Given the question marks in the front seven, Northwestern needs its veteran secondary to step up. Players like cornerback Jordan Mabin and safety Brian Peters should answer the bell this fall. Both multiyear starters can make plays on the football and change games. There's good competition between David Arnold and Ibraheim Campbell at the other safety spot, while Jeravin Matthews emerged this spring to win the starting corner job opposite Mabin.

10. Michigan: I'll probably take some heat from Wolverines fans, who will point to the return of cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd, the emergence of young players like Carvin Johnson and a defensive makeover under Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison. All of that could lead to better results, but Michigan still has fewer certainties in the secondary than do most teams on this list. This unit has been a disaster the past few years, and it'll take a lot of things to go right to get things back on track.

11. Minnesota: Linebacker looks like a strength for the Gophers' defense, but there are questions both up front and in the secondary. The secondary will need more help from a line that generated no pass rush in 2010, but the defensive backs must help themselves, too. Cornerback Troy Stoudermire had a good spring and adds a big hitter to the group. Minnesota really needs big things from safety Kim Royston, who wants to lead the way after receiving a sixth year of eligibility. Building depth around Stoudermire and Royston will be vital in preseason camp.

12. Indiana: Fixing this group is arguably the biggest challenge for new coach Kevin Wilson and co-defensive coordinators Mike Ekeler and Doug Mallory. Indiana simply hasn't had enough Big Ten-caliber defensive backs in recent years, and the results have been ugly. The Hoosiers surrendered a league-worst 27 touchdown passes in 2010 and finished 114th nationally in pass defense efficiency. Sophomore safety Greg Heban is a nice piece, but Indiana will need a boost from Lawrence Barnett, Lenyatta Kiles and others.

2010 overall record: 8-5

2010 conference record: 4-4 (T-4th)

Returning starters

Offense: 4; defense: 5; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners

DT Mike Daniels, LB Tyler Nielsen, LB James Morris, DB Micah Hyde, CB Shaun Prater, WR Marvin McNutt, LT Riley Reiff, C James Ferentz, RB Marcus Coker

Key losses

DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Karl Klug, DL Christian Ballard, LB Jeremiah Hunter, S Tyler Sash, S Brett Greenwood, QB Ricky Stanzi, WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, TE Allen Reisner, G Julian Vandervelde, RB Adam Robinson

2010 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Adam Robinson (941 yards)

Passing: Ricky Stanzi (3,004 yards)

Receiving: Marvin McNutt* (861 yards)

Tackles: Jeremiha Hunter (90)

Sacks: Karl Klug (5.5)

Interceptions: Brett Greenwood (5)

Spring answers

1. King James: Most of us haven't seen James Vandenberg since he nearly led Iowa to a Big Ten title-winning victory against Ohio State in 2009, but the junior quarterback has made strides on the practice field. Vandenberg impressed the coaches in bowl practice and continued his progression during the winter and into spring ball, where he locked up the starting quarterback spot. Coach Kirk Ferentz had high praise for Vandenberg this spring and seems comfortable with No. 16 as his guy.

2. Davis emerges: Iowa needed a No. 2 wide receiver to emerge this spring, and junior Keenan Davis answered the call. Davis stood out in the spring scrimmage with several nice catches and drew good reviews for his play throughout the 15 practice sessions. After taking a little longer than expected to impact games, Davis seems ready for a bigger role.

3. O-line ready to shine: The team's biggest question mark last spring should be its strongest unit in 2011. Iowa returns three starters, including NFL prospect Riley Reiff at left tackle and center James Ferentz, an All-Big Ten candidate. Guard Adam Gettis drew good reviews this spring after an injury-plagued 2010 season. The overall depth looks good and the line should be able to protect Vandenberg and give Coker rushing lanes this fall.

Fall questions

1. Micah Hyde's position: Hyde, best known for his Insight Bowl pick-six, played safety for much of the spring after starting all 13 games at cornerback last season. Iowa must replace two multiyear starters at safety (Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood), and Hyde certainly could be an answer there. If he makes the move, who starts at cornerback opposite Shaun Prater? Where do guys like Jordan Bernstine fit in? We should learn more about the secondary in preseason camp.

2. Filling out the front seven: Although Iowa lost three starting defensive linemen to the NFL draft and two contributors at linebacker, it has a decent idea of who will step in. The starting line should feature Mike Daniels, Broderick Binns and Lebron Daniel. But who occupies the other defensive tackle spot next to Daniels? Tyler Nielsen and James Morris will occupy two starting linebacker spots, but several players remain in the mix for the third position.

3. Running back depth: Coker built on his record-setting Insight Bowl performance and has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates as Iowa's top running back. But depth at running back has been an issue the past few seasons and it could crop up again this fall. Jason White and De'Andre Johnson got a lot of reps this spring, but several incoming freshmen should be in the mix as well as Iowa must find insurance for Coker. There's also a possibility Adam Robinson, the team's leading rusher in 2010, could be reinstated.

Since many of you have asked, I won't be attending any spring games this weekend (or next, for that matter). It's a little tough to explain to non-media folks, but I get a lot more out of visiting campuses midweek than for spring games, when things are chaotic. The good news: I'll recap every spring game Monday.

Now it's time to preview the six Big Ten spring games on tap Saturday (in reverse alphabetical order) ...

PENN STATE

The vitals: Blue-White Game presented by AAA kicks off at 2 p.m. ET Saturday at Beaver Stadium; admission and parking are free

More details: Penn State has a pregame autograph session and a ton of events planned for the weekend. All the information can be found here.

Three things to watch

1. The quarterbacks: The race for the starting job has been the top story at Penn State this spring, and all four candidates will be on the field Saturday. Most eyes will be on sophomore Rob Bolden and junior Matt McGloin, who split the starts in 2010 and have paced one another throughout the spring. Both players have impressed the coaches, who likely won't name a starter until the summer. Saturday marks the final chance for Bolden and McGloin to showcase their abilities for the coaches and fans before spring ball concludes.

2. Line play: Penn State has to upgrade both lines if it wants to contend in the Leaders division this season. The Lions have very little depth at defensive end because of injuries, but fans should keep an eye on defensive tackles Devon Still, Jordan Hill and Brandon Ware, all of whom have drawn praise from the coaches this spring. Penn State needs a big year from its interior linemen. The offensive line boasts four seniors and should be solid at the tackle spots, but it'll be interesting to see how the guards and centers perform as Penn State must replace standout Stefen Wisniewski.

3. Running backs: Injuries will keep several Penn State playmakers on the sideline Saturday, but fans should get a clear read on the running backs. There's a lot of hype for Silas Redd after a solid freshman season, but he's being pushed by Stephfon Green and Brandon Beachum, who has stood out this spring after missing all of last season with a torn ACL. Green and Redd both have breakaway ability, while Beachum could be the power back Penn State has missed in recent years.

NORTHWESTERN

The vitals: The spring football "exhibition," which will be more of a situational scrimmage, kicks off at noon CT (1 p.m. ET) at Ryan Field; admission and parking are free but fans are encouraged to bring nonperishable canned-food items for a food drive.

More details: Northwestern is holding a youth football clinic and several other events. All the info can be found here.

Three things to watch

1. The race for backup QB: All-Big Ten selection Dan Persa is on track to return by late May or early June, but he won't be taking any snaps Saturday. Northwestern will divide the reps evenly between three signal-callers -- sophomore Kain Colter, junior Evan Watkins and redshirt freshman Trevor Siemian -- vying to play behind Persa this season. Colter is the most intriguing candidate after a breakout performance against Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl, but all three players have endured some ups and downs this spring.

2. New faces on defense: The coaches feel they've upgraded the athleticism on defense with recent recruiting, especially at spots like linebacker and defensive back. Northwestern's defense looked slow and overmatched at times last season, and quite a few jobs are open this spring. Keep an eye on players such as linebackers David Nwabuisi and Damian Proby and redshirt freshman safety Ibraheim Campbell, a player coach Pat Fitzgerald has praised multiple times this spring.

3. The running backs: Persa carried the run game in 2010 but admits he took too many shots and will try to limit the damage this fall. He could use more help from a run game that has suffered since Tyrell Sutton graduated. Mike Trumpy provided a spark late last year and has had a good spring, and Adonis Smith has a year under his belt. Keep an eye on Tyris Jones, a physical runner who has stepped up this spring as a running back/H-back.

(Read full post)

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Greetings from the press box at Kinnick Stadium. Am I early for kickoff?

Unfortunately, football season is about five months away, but Iowa is gearing up for the 2011 campaign in spring practice. I had a chance to visit with head coach Kirk Ferentz and several players earlier today. Most of my Iowa coverage will appear early next week, but there were several interesting nuggets from today.

QUARTERBACK SITUATION


No surprise here, but James Vandenberg has established himself as Iowa's No. 1 option. The junior's experience filling in for Ricky Stanzi in 2009 certainly helps, but he has continued to make progress this spring after a strong pre-bowl session.

"James has separated himself from the other two guys," Ferentz said. "And after that, it's a pretty good competition between John [Wienke] and A.J. [Derby]."

Vandenberg's teammates expressed complete confidence in him at the start of the spring, and nothing has changed. Barring a significant change between now and Sept. 3, Vandenberg will start the season for the Hawkeyes.

"James is one of those guys, he's not not going to leave the door open too much," Ferentz said. "He really gives himself a chance to be a good player."

LATEST ON RHABDO FALLOUT

Ferentz confirmed that defensive back Willie Lowe, one of 13 Iowa players hospitalized with rhabdomyolysis in January, is not with the team. Lowe and Ferentz last spoke in March before Iowa's spring break, and Lowe's situation with the team is "clearly unresolved," Ferentz said.

Although the school has granted Lowe his release, Ferentz echoed AD Gary Barta in saying he hopes Lowe remains with the team.

The other 12 players remain with the team. There have been non-rhabdo-related injuries within the group that have limited players, but the expectation is all will remain on the squad.

"Everybody's out working, and nobody else has asked for a release," Ferentz said.

Ferentz reiterated his support for head strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle and Iowa's strength program, which drew criticism after the rhabdo situation.

"Chris Doyle is the top guy I've been around in that realm, and he's widely recognized," Ferentz said. "Chris' name is very highly regarded in the NFL circles, he's had a lot of opportunities to go that route. Fortunately, he's stayed here and I'm very appreciative of that. ... There's no question in my mind he's a huge part of any success we've experienced."

INJURIES

Ferentz mentioned Iowa has 6-8 players who would normally be in the two-deep who aren't practicing this spring because of injuries. Defensive lineman Steve Bigach is out following offseason surgery, and defensive lineman Tom Nardo has been out with a foot injury.

"Those are two older guys we'll have back in the fall," Ferentz said.

Wide receiver Marvin McNutt, linebacker Shane DiBona and safety Tanner Miller all are missing the spring with injuries. McNutt looked good walking around the complex Friday and should be fine for preseason camp.

PERSONNEL NUGGETS

• It will take some time for Iowa to figure out the secondary for 2011. Micah Hyde, who has played the past two seasons at cornerback, is seeing time at safety this spring, and Jordan Bernstine is being used at both safety and cornerback. Shaun Prater has the left cornerback spot essentially locked down. "If he gets beat out, there's something wrong," Ferentz said. "He's practicing well and performing well." Up to eight players are in the mix for the other three spots.
• Ferentz has been pleased with sophomore running back Marcus Coker, who is building off of his superb performance in the Insight Bowl. You never know how success affects young players, but Coker seems to be approaching it the right way. Ferentz noted that if Coker hadn't fractured his collarbone in preseason camp, he could have played a much bigger role in the run game last season. "He showed us a lot about his mental makeup, just how he caught up," Ferentz said. "He did remarkably well from a mental standpoint for all the time that he missed. He's got the potential to be a lot better football player as he moves along."
• Ferentz also seems pleased with the spring progress of older defenders like linemen Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns, linebacker Tyler Nielsen and Prater. The offensive line returns three starters and Ferentz noted that Adam Gettis, who would have been a starter if not for injuries last season, has had a good spring.
• A final thought from Ferentz on the team: "We're a young team, but we have a good core of seniors that are good players, good leaders and good team guys. We've been pretty enthusiastic about the last couple groups of recruits we've brought on campus. Some of those guys have played and other guys have not played but we feel good about [them]. But I like what I see about the way guys are working. We're not a real good team right now, but I like what I see with the potential they have."

The position rankings march on as I take a look at the top five secondary units in the Big Ten this fall.

1. Iowa: Playmaker extraordinaire Tyler Sash leads a group that boasts good experience but must fill a major void following the departure of All-Big Ten cornerback Amari Spievey. Sash has recorded 11 interceptions in his first two seasons and already holds the team record with 350 interception return yards. His heroics overshadow the very solid play of fellow safety Brett Greenwood, who has started for two and a half seasons and owns seven interceptions and 18 pass breakups in his career. Shaun Prater is a returning starter at corner, and Iowa also has Jordan Bernstine, Micah Hyde, William Lowe and others.

2. Penn State: The Lions are always solid in the front seven, but the secondary might lead the unit in 2010. Starting safeties Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay both return, and cornerback D'Anton Lynn takes on an enhanced leadership role after recording five pass breakups last fall. Penn State also has high hopes for cornerback Stephon Morris, who recorded 30 tackles and an interception as a freshman in 2009. Converted receiver Chaz Powell should add depth at the corner spot. Opponents completed just 54.1 percent of their passes against Penn State last fall.

3. Ohio State: There are some question marks here after the departures of All-Big Ten standout Kurt Coleman and veteran safety Anderson Russell, but Ohio State almost always finds a way to survive in the back four. The return of Tyler Moeller definitely helps, and safety Jermale Hines could have a big year after recording two interceptions in 2009. Is Chimdi Chekwa ready to be a shut-down corner in the Big Ten? We'll find out. Also keep an eye on athletic corner Devon Torrence and safety Orhian Johnson.

4. Wisconsin: This isn't a shut-down secondary -- evidence: 55th in pass defense in 2009 (217.5 ypg) -- but there are playmakers and hard-hitters, specifically veteran safety Jay Valai, among the group. There's good depth at cornerback with returning starter Devin Smith, Niles Brinkley, Antonio Fenelus and Marcus Cromartie, who has stood out in camp so far. Chris Maragos is a significant loss at safety, and it remains to be seen whether Aaron Henry can regain his pre-injury form as he moves from cornerback to safety.

5. Minnesota: I'm taking a little leap of faith here again, but if safeties Kim Royston and Kyle Theret are on the field together, good things will happen. The two combined for 159 tackles, four interceptions and 14 pass breakups in 2009, and finished with an outstanding performance in the Insight Bowl. I also like talented young cornerback Michael Carter, while Ryan Collado brings experience to the other corner spot. Minnesota expects juco transfer Christyn Lewis and redshirt freshman Kenny Watkins to add depth at safety.

Up next: Offensive line

More rankings ...

• Defensive line
• Linebacker

Schedule: Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes hit the field for their first practice at 11:30 a.m. ET today.

What's new: The offensive line certainly has a new look after the departures of Bryan Bulaga, Kyle Calloway, Dace Richardson and Rafael Eubanks. Iowa will be breaking in a new right tackle, most likely Markus Zusevics, and the center spot is up for grabs between Josh Koeppel and James Ferentz. The only other spot that gets a major overhaul is linebacker, as standouts Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds both depart. Iowa is one of only 11 FBS programs to return its coaching staff fully intact for 2010.

Sidelined: Iowa enters camp relatively healthy, although linebacker Ross Petersen won't participate in full-contact drills for at least a week because of a torn pectoral muscle.

Key battle: The competition at center between Koeppel and Ferentz should be good, but Iowa really needs to identify a second starting cornerback opposite Shaun Prater. Amari Spievey leaves a huge void, and the Hawkeyes will be looking to players like Micah Hyde and Jordan Bernstine to step up. Bernstine missed all of last season with an ankle injury, but he played as a reserve in his first two seasons. The situation at running back also should be very interesting to watch during camp.

New on the scene: Iowa doesn't typically play many true freshmen, but heralded tight end recruit C.J. Fiedorowicz should see the field following the departure of standout Tony Moeaki. Homegrown product A.J. Derby is a very interesting young prospect, but indications suggest he'll redshirt this fall.

Back in the fold: Jewel Hampton entered last summer as the projected successor to All-American Shonn Greene at running back, but a series of knee problems ended his season before it began. Hampton is back in the fold but must beat out Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher for the starting job. He'll miss the season opener because of a suspension, but we should finally see Hampton's return in Week 2 against Iowa State.

Breaking out: Iowa opened up its passing attack last season and saw Marvin McNutt and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos emerge as legitimate deep threats in the Big Ten. Johnson-Koulianos likely will finish as Iowa's all-time leading receiver, and McNutt averaged 19.8 yards per reception with eight touchdowns. Both players could have even bigger years in 2010. Along the defensive line, everyone knows about Adrian Clayborn, but watch out for Broderick Binns, Karl Klug and Christian Ballard, who should see increased opportunities to make plays this fall.

Quotable: "We tend to be a developmental team. We were 9-0 at one point last year, and we were a good team, we had played some great football, but we weren't a great team at that point. In January, we were a pretty good team. We really grew. So it's a race against time. I don't know where we stack up in that race right now." -- Head coach Kirk Ferentz

My look at three newcomers to watch for each Big Ten team in 2010 continues with Iowa.

OFFENSE: C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Fr., 6-7, 250

Kirk Ferentz rarely plays true freshmen, but Fiedorowicz has a lot working in his favor to see the field this fall. Iowa loses standout tight end Tony Moeaki and needs a second option alongside Allen Reisner. Fiedorowicz is the team's top-rated incoming recruit and boasts the size and athleticism to make a difference right away. He might not be the fastest player, but he uses his size extremely well and can gash defenses down the middle of the field.

DEFENSE: Micah Hyde, CB, So., 6-1, 185

Iowa has a major hole at cornerback following Amari Spievey's NFL departure, and Hyde is one of several players vying to fill it. Hyde appeared in all 13 games last season, mostly on special teams and in Iowa's dime package, and recorded eight tackles. His playing time will go way up this fall as he competes with Jordan Bernstine for a starting spot opposite Shaun Prater. He boasts good size at 6-1 and certainly looks like Iowa's No. 2 or No. 3 option at corner entering camp.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Keenan Davis, WR, So., 6-3, 215

Davis should be a major factor on kickoff returns and he'll likely line up alongside senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. He came out of spring ball listed as a co-starter on kickoff returns even though he had only two returns (one kickoff, one punt) in 2009. Davis' potential is obvious as he boasts good speed. Teams likely will kick away from Johnson-Koulianos, who ranked second in the league in kickoff returns in 2009 (31.5 ypr), so Davis should have plenty of chances to shine.

So, did you miss me?

From the looks of your e-mails, the answer is yes. How did some of you function before our little blog network kicked off? Anyway, I'm back from Mexico, revived and refreshed as we're less than a month away from the start of preseason camps in the Big Ten.

The league didn't follow my advice and expand again during my vacation, but there was some news during the last 10 days or so. Here's a quick recap:

• Heralded offensive line recruit Seantrel Henderson was released from his letter of intent from USC, but ended up signing with Miami instead of Ohio State, Minnesota or another school. It seems like these days, every drama king shirks the state of Ohio and ends up in Miami. Buckeyes fans certainly wanted Henderson, despite his father's less-than flattering comments about head coach Jim Tressel, and there are some disappointed folks out there. But remember that Ohio State has had its share of five-star offensive line recruits who didn't pan out. The 2011 recruiting class looks stellar, and the offensive line likely will return three starters next year. My take on Henderson heading to the U? No big deal.
• Iowa starting defensive end Broderick Binns faces some type of a suspension after his arrest early Friday on suspicion of drunken driving. Binns' arrest comes about a month after running back Jewel Hampton and cornerback Jordan Bernstine were charged with public intoxication. These incidents are common around college campuses, but Iowa should have a heightened sense of awareness and concern after enduring a swell of player arrests in 2007 and 2008. Iowa had minimal issues between the spring of 2009 and early this summer, but it can't afford another string of conduct problems. These things tend to happen in waves.
• Joe Paterno seems to be out of the woods after health issues sidelined the 83-year-old for much of May and June. Although Paterno's recent illness never posed a major threat to him coaching the team this fall, any health problems can't be taken lightly at his age. There also were some updates on Penn State's quarterback competition from the Lift for Life charity event, which raised more than $98,000 for the Kidney Cancer Association (congrats to Scott Shirley and his staff for another great event).
• Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick thinks the realignment issue isn't going anywhere, and while nothing is imminent, he'll continue to monitor what happens around the golden dome. Swarbrick told the South Bend Tribune: "I had a lot of people shouting across the street to me to stay independent and it was interesting, but correspondences ran both ways. I think there's an assumption that there's a universal view among our fans and alumni on this, and there isn't. It's always great to hear what people think, but there are so many of the pieces of information they didn't know, they couldn't know, that there's limited value to that input in this case." I like this perspective from Swarbrick. He recognizes the pressure to stay independent, but he also doesn't put too much stock in the opinions of the less informed. My take: Notre Dame won't make a move unless Texas does.
• A few coaching nuggets, as tight ends coach Greg Nord left Illinois for Kentucky before spending a single game on the Illini sideline. Also, Purdue head coach Danny Hope named a full-time recruiting coordinator in Don Coller, while promoting Casey Nuss to supervisor of football operations.

One week closer to the season.

• Good news regarding Ohio State recruit Jamel Turner, who has been upgraded to stable condition after being shot multiple times early Saturday, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Former Michigan signee Demar Dorsey is heading to Louisville, while the Wolverines lose another recruit because of academics, annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes. Rich Rodriguez needs a better season to keep his job, but it's hard to pinpoint just how many wins he needs, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News.
• Penn State president Graham Spanier defends the school's more expensive ticket plan for football, Cory Giger writes in The Altoona Mirror.
• Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi talks about the most patriotic and famous quote in the history of college football. The status of recently arrested Iowa players Jewel Hampton and Jordan Bernstine hasn't changed, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• It takes a lot more than geography to determine divisions in the Big Ten, Sean Keeler writes in the Des Moines Register.
• Speaking of tickets, Wisconsin students didn't wait long to secure their seats for the 2010 season.
• After an ugly 2009 on and off the field, Michigan State and head coach Mark Dantonio seek redemption this fall, Eric Lacy writes in The Detroit News.
• Nebraska's values fit well in the Big Ten, so says Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman in this op-ed piece.
• Purdue is called the "Cradle of Quarterbacks," even though no one knows where the phrase originated, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Big Ten recruiting is picking up a bit, as Purdue lands two defensive linemen, Indiana adds a versatile lineman and Northwestern continues its recent run of commitments with defensive end Max Chapman.
• After breaking his leg this spring, Minnesota safety Kim Royston is making "amazing progress" in his recovery, coach Tim Brewster tells the Star Tribune's Sid Hartman.