ESPN College Football

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

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

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

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

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

Spring answers

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

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

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

Fall questions

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

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

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

Purdue wide receiver Antavian Edison was arrested early Sunday morning in Fort Myers, Fla., on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon, which is a felony.

According to the Fort Myers News-Press, Edison -- who is from Fort Myers -- was arrested at 1:57 a.m. Sunday. He was later released on $1,500 bond. No other details are available, and the Boilermakers have yet to comment as they continue to gather more information about the incident.

If this arrest leads to a suspension or significant missed time for Edison, it could be a big blow to Purdue's offense. Edison, a senior, is the team's leading returning receiver after catching 44 balls for 584 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also ran 30 times for 124 yards and two scores.

The Boilers' leading pass catcher in 2011, Justin Siller, exhausted his eligibility. Their No. 3 receiver, O.J. Ross, was suspended for the Little Caesars Bowl because of academics. He practiced with the team this spring as a non-scholarship player, and his status for the fall is uncertain. The receiver position also has Gary Bush, who had 29 catches for 310 yards, and Raheem Mostert, who is making the transition to full-time receiver after leading the nation in kick return average as a freshman. Redshirt freshman Shane Mikesky could provide some help.

Depth was a concern at wideout before this Edison news. The Purdue passing game figured to improve this year because of the newfound, healthy depth at quarterback, but this development presents a potential monkey wrench. The team's offense could still be strong thanks to a good running game and several options at tight end. Still, losing your top playmaker at wide receiver would never be good news for any team.

We'll keep you updated as more information about Edison becomes available.

Our postseason rankings of each position group from the 2011 Big Ten season took a short hiatus last week as signing day madness placed its grip on all of us.

Never fear, though, as the rankings are back in full force today, moving on to the receivers and tight ends as we round out our offensive skill positions.

We're looking for depth and not solely star power at the top here. This is how the preseason rankings looked. Some of these groups were undoubtedly hurt by inexperienced or underachieving quarterbacks, so we had to figure out how to weigh their performances in that light. Let's see how the list shakes out after the year ended:

1. Michigan State: The Spartans had the best combo at wideout with seniors B.J. Cunningham, a physical deep threat and No. 1 receiver, and Keshawn Martin, a speedster who could do all sorts of different things in the offense. Together, they combined for 2,083 receiving yards and 16 touchdown catches. Keith Nichol provided a solid third option who made the catch of the year in the Big Ten, if not all of college football, against Wisconsin. Tight end Brian Linthicum had 364 yards receiving and played a key role in the Outback Bowl win over Georgia.

2. Wisconsin: Depth? Hardly. But the Badgers got the most out of their front-line players. Starting wideouts Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis combined for 1,859 yards yard and 18 touchdowns. Eight of tight end Jacob Pedersen's 30 catches went for touchdowns. And don't underestimate the importance of the receivers and tight ends in the Wisconsin running game.

3. Northwestern: The Wildcats' wideouts likely would have put up better numbers if Dan Persa had stayed healthy all season. As it stood, Northwestern still got another outstanding year out of Jeremy Ebert (75 catches, 1,060 yards, 11 TDs). Kain Colter, when he wasn't playing quarterback or running the ball, managed 466 receiving yards. Demetrius Fields and Christian Jones were among the other contributors. First-team All-Big Ten tight end Drake Dunsmore was the team's No. 2 pass-catcher with 455 yards and six scores.

4. Iowa: Marvin McNutt was good enough to elevate this entire group. He led the Big Ten in receiving yards, finishing with 82 catches for 1,315 yards and 12 scores. Keenan Davis contributed 50 catches for 713 yards. But Davis and Kevonte Martin-Manley didn't help enough after strong starts to the season. Iowa didn't get a lot of production in the passing game out of its tight ends, either, with C.J. Fiedorowicz leading the way at 16 catches.

5. Michigan: The Wolverines didn't have any receivers finish in the top 10 in the league in the key categories, but what they had was a fairly deep group that knew how to go up and get Denard Robinson's throws. Though Roy Roundtree's numbers went way down from 2010, Junior Hemingway (699 receiving yards) emerged as a big-time playmaker. Jeremy Gallon came up with some key plays in huge spots as well. Tight end Kevin Koger gave Robinson a reliable safety valve and was a key cog in the offense.

6. Illinois: At first glance, A.J. Jenkins' tremendous numbers (90 catches, 1,276 yards, eight TDs) would make you think the Illini deserve to be ranked higher. But Jenkins did most of his work in the first half of the season; like the rest of the Illinois offense, his stats fell off a cliff in the second half. And he didn't have much assistance, as Spencer Harris and Darius Millines combined to record only half his number of catches. Jon Davis was the team's third-leading pass-catcher at tight end.

7. Purdue: It was quantity over star power for the Boilermakers, whose top four pass catchers — Justin Siller, Antavian Edison, O.J. Ross and Gary Bush — all had at least 29 receptions and 300 yards. Edison led the way with 584 yards. Tight ends Crosby Wright and Gabe Holmes combined for 29 catches. Purdue needs more playmaking ability from the tight end spot, something the team tried to address in this recruiting class.

8. Penn State: Evaluating the Nittany Lions receivers is tricky because the quarterback play was so inconsistent. Derek Moye was once again one of the most dangerous deep threats in the league, but a foot injury and an overall inability to get him the ball limited his production to 654 yards and only three scores. Justin Brown, who will likely be the team's go-to guy in 2012, put up good stats, while Devon Smith got a chance to flash his speed and averaged 16.1 yards per catch. The tight ends were rarely used in the passing game; expect that and a whole lot more to change under Bill O'Brien.

9. Nebraska: The Huskers must improve their overall passing game to take the next step as a program, and that includes a receivers group that had an up-and-down season in 2011. The good news is that Kenny Bell emerged as a potential star as a redshirt freshman. But Brandon Kinnie and tight end Kyler Reed failed to build on strong 2010 campaigns and were invisible for large stretches. Nebraska must hope Quincy Enunwa and Jamal Turner develop to go along with Bell.

10. Indiana: No one was more disappointing at this position in 2011 than the Hoosiers, whom we had pegged at No. 4 in our preseason list. DaMarlo Belcher, who led the league in receptions in '10, got himself booted off the team in midseason. Injuries hit the group hard as well. Kofi Hughes paced the group with 536 yards and found the end zone three times. Tight end Ted Bolser made only 14 receptions. We expected more from a Kevin Wilson offense.

11. Minnesota: Jerry Kill made finding playmakers at receiver a top priority in this recruiting class, and it's easy to see why. Da'Jon McKnight had a decent season (51, 760 and 4). After that, though, things dropped off quickly and the Gophers lacked players who could stretch the field. Tight end Eric Lair managed fewer than one-third the amount of catches he had in 2010.

12. Ohio State: Injuries, inexperience and suspensions combined to make this a difficult year for Buckeyes' receivers. No one had more than 14 catches all season, and no one topped 300 receiving yards. Things would have gone better if DeVier Posey hadn't been suspended for all but two regular-season games. Devin Smith showed potential as a true freshman, including his game-winning grab against Wisconsin. Tight end Jake Stoneburner scored seven times, but most of those came early in the year.

Mail time.

Jason from Dallas writes: Saw your RB and WR video blogs. So are you saying Purdue had no running backs or receivers last year, or have none that will be any good this year? Can't help but notice you mentionied the entire conference, except Purdue.

Adam Rittenberg: Jason, thanks for pointing this out, but I didn't mean to slight Purdue at all. The Boilers lose a very good receiver in Justin Siller and return two strong running backs in Ralph Bolden and Akeem Shavers. Bolden's recurring knee problems are a major concern, but Shavers looked pretty capable of doing damage in the bowl game. Akeem Hunt is another guy who could bolster Purdue's rushing attack. Sometimes it's hard to hit on every team in a short video, but I like what Purdue brings back at the skill positions in 2012.

John from AuGres, Mich., writes: The reports on Andrew Maxwell were pretty positive the past two years at Michigan State. He is a bit more athletic than Kirk Cousins, and it appears he can "sling it" pretty well. With an experienced offensive line and 3 talented running backs (Bell, Caper, Hill), expect "Air Max" to provide the balance the Spartans will need to compliment a strong defense.

Adam Rittenberg: I'm really excited to see Maxwell this spring and then in game action during the fall. He definitely has had time to prepare for this role, and the reviews on his skills are encouraging. The lack of game experience is the big question mark with Maxwell, and I'm sure there will be some bumps along the way, especially against good competition early in the 2012 season. I also agree that Michigan State can really help out Maxwell by regenerating the rushing attack with Le'Veon Bell. Michigan State won't win many more division titles with the type of rushing attack we saw in 2011. I fully expect it to be a stronger area for the Spartans this coming fall.

Jim from Odebolt, Iowa, writes: Adam, I am going insane here. I have searched the entire web and even made a few phone calls to insiders on the Iowa program. Who is the next defensive coordinator at Iowa? By now, I would have to believe that if was someone inside the program Kirk would have already announced, yet there has been no seeing of Tom Bradly or Ron Aiken or any other possible candidates seen coming or going form the Iowa football offices. What kind of effect does this have on our current recruits or possible recruits, especially on the Dline where we have a few promising young men coming in.

Adam Rittenberg: Jim, you're not the only Hawkeye fan getting antsy about the prolonged defensive coordinator search. I really thought Iowa would have Norm Parker's successor in place by now. I don't think the delay has too much of a negative effect on recruiting, as Iowa will almost certainly keep a similar structure on defense. Kirk Ferentz doesn't like to overhaul things, and Iowa has been successful on defense for a long time with the current structure. There will be some tweaks I'm sure, but I think Iowa is selling defensive recruits on its track record.

Ronald from Lake Zurich, Ill., writes: You had Gerald Hodges of Penn St. at the top of your most improved players of 2011 in the B1G Leaders div. Wouldn't Jonathan Brown of Illinois be more deserving? Brown had 108 tackles to 106 for HodgesBrown had 19.5 tackles for loss to 10 for HodgesBrown had 6 sacks to 4.5 for HodgesBrown was a sophomore in 2011 playing little in 2010

Adam Rittenberg: Ronald, I wasn't trying to slight Brown by not including him, and if we expanded the list, he certainly would have made it. Brown put up some exceptional numbers and has a bright future in Tim Banks' aggressive defense. Both players put up some terrific statistics. I felt Hodges impacted games more consistently than Brown did, although Brown had some huge performances like the one against Arizona State in Week 3. With Ian Thomas departing, Brown will move into a bigger leadership role with the linebackers in 2012. He certainly made a huge jump, as did Hodges.

Tim from Naperville, Ill., writes: I noticed on the list of players from the B1G to participate in the combine, Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz were not included. Can you give any incite as to why certain players are not on the list?

Adam Rittenberg: Tim, as I pointed out in the post, it was an initial list, not a final list. The initial list doesn't include underclassmen who have declared for the draft. Peter Konz obviously will be at the combine along with other Big Ten underclassmen like Illinois' Whitney Mercilus. I was a bit surprised not to see Zeitler on the initial list, but I'd be extremely surprised if he's not in Indy next month. I will post the final combine invite list as soon as it becomes available.

Charlie from Chicago writes: Hey Adam,Can you fill us in a little bit on the situation with Kyle Prater? It sounds like he is leaning towards Northwestern, so my question is how excited should Wildcat fans be about him? I'm just curious about the reasons why he's transferring and how much his past injuries are going to be a problem. Basically would Northwestern be getting the same 5-star WR that USC got a couple years ago? Also he would have to be benched for a year after transferring, right? Thanks.

Adam Rittenberg: Charlie, you're correct that Prater is leaning toward Northwestern, as colleague Scott Powers reported Thursday. His injury history at USC is a bit of a concern for whichever team lands him, but it sounds like he really wanted to play closer to home (Chicago area). While the glitz of L.A. and USC is appealing to top recruits, some players ultimately are homesick and want to be closer to their families. Would Northwestern be gaining an elite receiver? Tough to tell without seeing Prater play significant time at the college level. He'd have to re-prove himself to a certain degree. But the potential certainly is there. I understand a lot of Northwestern fans are excited about Prater because Northwestern rarely lands recruits like him. But he also plays a position where Northwestern is already very strong and should be strong going forward. I think the hubbub would be a bit more justified if Prater played defensive back, a position where Northwestern has struggled for more than a decade.

Kasey from California writes: Really Adam? You write about the B1G possibly looking into coaching behavior because of something IOWA's basketball coach did, but turn it around on Pelini by using the A&M game of all examples? Normally I don't mind what you guys write, but come on. This whole topic started because of McCarffey. Why not put a picture of him and focus your article on him instead of turning it around on Pelini? You media types just always have to go fishing for ways to stir the pot.

Adam Rittenberg: Kasey, since this is a Big Ten football blog, I was pointing out an incident involving a Big Ten basketball coach that will have ramifications for the league's football coaches. Our college basketball blog is there to focus on McCaffery, but I was putting the Fran Slam in a Big Ten football context. All the Big Ten football coaches need to know their sideline conduct is being watched. Pelini isn't the only coach who needs to be aware, as Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald and others also have been very animated during games. Husker fan Mike from Lincoln did some extensive research and found demonstrative pictures of every Big Ten coach to show Pelini isn't the only one. Check out Bret Bielema, Kirk Ferentz, Brady Hoke and Mark Dantonio.

Matt from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam, Meyer's spread offense might be a turn off to some elite quarterbacks with their eyes set on the pros. If you remember, Tressel's pro-style offense (unfortunately) led Pryor to choose Ohio State. However, do you think the influx of Tebow-Mania and the surprising rise of Alex Smith in the NFL somewhat debunk the non-spread stereotype for elite QB recruits that OSU might go after?

Adam Rittenberg: Good point, Matt. Alex Smith's emergence certainly shows that an Urban Meyer-coached QB can make in the NFL, although Jim Harbaugh has a lot to do with Smith's rise. Tim Tebow still has a long way to go to be a long-term pro quarterback, but I think we've seen that quarterback who play in spread offenses can transition well to the NFL game. Cam Newton's 2011 season is more proof.

Hope you all had a great Christmas. Now let's get back to football.

• Junior-college transfer Antonio Marshall wants to be a physical cornerback for Indiana (subscription required).
• Iowa linebacker Tyler Nielsen may lead the Big Ten in scars, but he's still playing. Some questions facing the Hawkeyes for the Insight Bowl.
• Brady Hoke plans to scale back Michigan's practices leading up to the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Offensive coordinator Al Borges is familiar with the Virginia Tech defense.
• Mark Dantonio had his best year as Michigan State coach, Greg Johnson writes. Trenton Robinson was a leader on defense for the Spartans.
• After a much-needed break Nebraska workhorse running back Rex Burkhead should be rejuvenated for the Capital One Bowl. Bo Pelini's new staff addition boosts the Huskers' Big Ten knowledge, Sam McKewon writes.
• A bowl ban doesn't necessarily have to ruin Ohio State's 2012 season. Senior Andrew Sweat will move to middle linebacker for the first time in the Buckeyes' bowl game.
• The Little Caesars Bowl will be a happy homecoming for Purdue receiver Justin Siller. Another Boiler has been ruled out of the bowl: punt returner Waynelle Gravesande.
• Wisconsin center Peter Konz is optimistic he'll play in the Rose Bowl, though he's unsure whether he'll turn pro afterward.

That's how Craigslist works. Total strangers sell you things like signed vintage baseball cards that make your father-in-law respect you for an afternoon.

• In case you missed it, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst is headed to Pitt. If Montee Ball hears what he thinks he'll hear from the draft advisory board, he's gone. Badgers running back James White has learned the value of patience this season, Tom Oates writes.
• Kirk Ferentz says running back Mika'il McCall remains suspended for the bowl game but doesn't elaborate on Marcus Coker's situation.
• Rob Oller examines Ohio State's situation in both a what-if and a what-is form. Yahoo! Sports' Pat Forde opines that Ohio State's penalties were justified. Ohio State won't pay financially for its NCAA transgressions.
• Great news for Illinois as linebacker Trulon Henry should return for the bowl game, Shannon Ryan writes. The Illini want to win for former coach Ron Zook.
• The spin moves "just happen" for Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell, Greg Johnson writes. Spartans safety Trenton Robinson gives back to his hometown.
• Penn State players know they're viewed differently since the scandal broke. A Penn State alum is circulating a petition on behalf of JoePa.
• Minnesota loads up on junior college players on the first day of the signing period. One of them will be enrolling early for next semester, Marcus Fuller writes.
• Purdue picks up a pair of linemen for 2012 and beyond. The Little Caesars Bowl is a homecoming for Purdue's Justin Siller.
• Nebraska's offensive line prepares for a fistfight in Orlando, Jon Nyatawa writes. Juco cornerback Mohammed Seisay is headed to Lincoln.
• Michigan pays its assistants more than any other Big Ten team.
• The Daily Northwestern debates whether Kain Colter should be a full-time quarterback or a slash player in 2012.

We're all square in predictions through the first nine weeks. Will anything change in Week 10?

The lineup of games isn't too exciting and features four games with heavy home favorites (Wisconsin, Nebraska, Ohio State and Michigan State). The one truly intriguing matchup, barring a surprise, takes place in Iowa City as No. 15 Michigan visits an Iowa team that hasn't lost at home this season.

Let's get picky ...

MINNESOTA at NO. 17 MICHIGAN STATE

Brian Bennett: It was great to see the Gophers go hog wild and get their moment last week. That moment won't last against a Spartans team that plays at a different level at home. Jerel Worthy and William Gholston make life miserable for MarQueis Gray. ... Michigan State 31, Minnesota 3

Adam Rittenberg: The Spartans get their groove back in East Lansing, and an offense that simply didn't show up in Lincoln takes advantage of Minnesota's secondary. Kirk Cousins and B.J. Cunningham connect for two touchdown passes as Michigan State starts a bit slowly before opening things up in the second and third quarters. ... Michigan State 34, Minnesota 10

INDIANA at OHIO STATE

Adam Rittenberg: This is the perfect opportunity for Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes' offense to build off of a strong finish to the Wisconsin game. Miller and Dan Herron run wild on a young and overmatched Indiana defense. While the Hoosiers are running the ball well, Ohio State's defensive line is playing at another level right now. ... Ohio State 37, Indiana 6

Brian Bennett: Indiana has allowed at least 41 points in its last four Big ten games, and opponents are averaging more than 50 a game in that span. Yikes. The Hoosiers' lone attribute right now is their offense, but John Simon and the Silver Bullets shut that down. ... Ohio State 41, Indiana 10

NO. 15 MICHIGAN at IOWA

Brian Bennett: Big Ten teams have had trouble on the road all season, and the Hawkeyes are a much better team at Kinnick. But I just can't pick a team that just got beat at Minnesota and has way too many defensive issues right now. Iowa's James Vandenberg makes it interesting, but too much Denard Robinson keeps Michigan in the Legends hunt. ... Michigan 35, Iowa 27

Adam Rittenberg: This is a tricky one as Iowa will be motivated to atone for last week's shocking defeat and maintain its unbeaten record at home. Michigan is a bit banged up right now, but the Wolverines have the better defense and an offense that will make enough big plays to overcome its mistakes. Iowa leads at halftime, but Michigan, as it has much of the season, comes on strong in the second half behind the run game. ... Michigan 35, Iowa 31

NORTHWESTERN at NO. 10 NEBRASKA

Adam Rittenberg: Nebraska is on a roll, and the Huskers offense should run all over a Northwestern defense that can't stop anybody. Northwestern will move the ball in this game, as it has all season, but the Huskers will limit points and get plenty of their own from Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez. ... Nebraska 42, Northwestern 20

Brian Bennett: Northwestern is allowing 38 points per game in Big Ten play, and while Nebraska won't exploit its pass defense as much as others have, the Huskers will still score at will. The Blackshirts will have a little tougher time than they did against Michigan State's predictable attack, but Alfonzo Dennard slows down Jeremy Ebert and gets a pick six. ... Nebraska 45, Northwestern 24

PURDUE at NO. 20 WISCONSIN

Brian Bennett: Caleb TerBush hits Justin Siller on a 60-yard pass with one second left as the Boilers ... Nah. Wisconsin might suffer a bit of a hangover from the previous two gut-wrenching losses, but they'll still mash Purdue at home with another three touchdowns from Montee Ball. ... Wisconsin 38, Purdue 17

Adam Rittenberg: I agree Wisconsin might be a little off its game early on, but soon enough the Badgers will look around and realize where they are. Wisconsin's dominance on its home field continues, and Camp Randall Stadium continues to be a house of horrors for the Indiana schools. Russell Wilson records three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush) and James White reaches the end zone once. ... Wisconsin 41, Purdue 14

Bonus pick alert! You might have heard a thing or two about this game ...

NO. 1 LSU at NO. 2 ALABAMA

Adam Rittenberg: Most folks seem to be picking Bama at home, and I get it. The Tide linebackers are out of this world, and Trent Richardson is a beast. But LSU has repeatedly impressed me, not just with its play and its across-the-board talent, but with its ability to overcome adversity time and again. The Tigers once again will be in a tough spot Saturday, but I like The Hat and his crew to come out of T-Town with a win. ... LSU 17, Alabama 14

Brian Bennett: Adam, you won't get served at Dreamland with a prediction like that. I get the feeling LSU is a bit better overall, and you never bet against The Hat. But home field is just enough of an advantage between two extremely good teams. Richardson makes his Heisman statement, and Penn State enjoys the BCS bump as Alabama escapes. Let the rematch debate begin. ... Alabama 21, LSU 17

SEASON RECORDS

Bennett: 55-18 (.753)

Rittenberg: 55-18 (.753)

Earlier this week, Brian Bennett discussed the significance of Illinois-Purdue as a potentially season-turning game for both teams.

If the first half is any indication, Purdue will be a team to watch in the second half of Big Ten play.

The Fighting Illini? Uh oh.

Purdue dominated the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium, surging to a 21-0 lead against No. 23 Illinois at the break. The Boilers are building on a nice effort at Penn State and putting it together in all three phases, while the Illini look shell-shocked coming off of their first loss.

Regardless of how this game ends, Purdue has found its quarterback in Caleb TerBush. The junior has been brilliant against his home-state school, completing 12 of 16 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Credit Purdue offensive coordinator Gary Nord for being creative with his personnel. The Boilers have run a bit of Wildcat with Justin Siller and gotten several backs involved, including Raheem Mostert, who has a 21-yard touchdown run.

Illinois looks very shaky in all three areas, including the kicking game, where it muffed a punt and continued to have adventures on punt returns. The muffed punt turned into a Purdue touchdown, although Illinois didn't help itself with a personal foul penalty after holding the Boilers on third down. Put bluntly, Illinois isn't surviving the mistakes it did earlier in the season, while a mistake-ridden Purdue squad has cleaned up its act.

Illini quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is struggling for the second consecutive week, completing just 5 of 10 passes for 51 yards. Illinois recorded only three first downs with Scheelhaase in the game before going to Reilly O'Toole, who briefly provided a spark before an ill-advised deep throw was picked off by Ricardo Allen. Opposing teams are finding out that when A.J. Jenkins is taken out of the game, Illinois doesn't have much else on offense.

Barring a major turnaround, Illinois could be headed for its second consecutive loss, which would increase chatter about a second-half collapse.

Purdue, meanwhile, is 30 minutes away from making a statement to the rest of the Big Ten.

Don't sleep on the Boilers.

Penn State will be called the worst 6-1 team in America.

People will continue to point to the quarterback confusion, the inability to score touchdowns in the red zone and other obvious flaws with the Nittany Lions. But the record speaks for itself, and the Lions deserve credit for continuing to find ways to win.

Penn State's defense fueled a 23-18 victory against Purdue by forcing four turnovers, and Joe Paterno's team exploited a huge edge on special teams to beat the mistake-ridden Boilers. Among the heroes were linebacker Nate Stupar, who recorded two interceptions, kicker Anthony Fera (3-for-3 on field-goal attempts) and Chaz Powell, who had a 92-yard kick return before drawing a highly questionable penalty for tossing the ball in the air in celebration.

The Lions' quarterback situation didn't get much clearer as Matthew McGloin and Rob Bolden combined to complete just 10 of 23 passes for 185 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. It's hard to imagine that the quarterback situation won't catch up with Penn State at some point, but that point hasn't arrived yet.

One major bright spot was sophomore running back Silas Redd, who had 131 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries.

Purdue has to be kicking itself -- literally -- after another loss filled with major boo-boos. Standout kicker Carson Wiggs had a tough day, missing a 44-yard attempt and clanking a potential game-tying PAT try off of the upright that proved extremely costly. Purdue also allowed Powell's return at a very bad time, right after it closed to within two points with 8:08 to play.

The Boilers are a talented team with some exciting individual players -- Ralph Bolden, Justin Siller, Antavian Edison, Gary Bush -- who showed off their skills against a very good defense today. But mistakes kill you, and Purdue continues to make far too many to win in the Big Ten.

Purdue is searching for a boost, and Robert Marve hopes to provide one.

Marve made his first appearance for the Boilers in nearly a year Sept. 17 against Southeast Missouri State, completing 7 of 8 pass attempts for 91 yards and a touchdown. Although Caleb TerBush remains the Boilers' starting quarterback, Marve is ready to help if called upon.

Little has come easily for Marve at Purdue. He suffered a torn ACL days after he announced he was transferring from Miami. Four games into the 2010 season, he suffered another ACL tear. More knee issues cropped up in preseason camp, keeping him sidelined for Purdue's first two games.

Now he's back and ready to contribute. ESPN.com recently caught up with the signal caller.

How did it feel to finally play again?

Robert Marve: It's good. It was a little frustrating at first. In camp, I thought I was going to be ready. My tendon started flaring up. One day, you feel normal and then you can't practice for two or three days. But I'm happy where I'm at now.

How did you feel when you finally got out there on the field?


RM: It was a good feeling, a feeling that you finally got back and you overcame the injury. I was happy, too, because a lot of my family was in town. They deal with me the most, going through the whole surgery and everything. So I was happy for the whole situation.

Was it hard to see Rob [Henry] go down, especially after you dealt with your own knee injury?

RM: Yeah, it was. Rob and I are close friends, so I know exactly what he's going through. It's frustrating. I'm trying to be there any way I can. He's a great quarterback, and I really was looking forward to playing with him. Hopefully, next year, we can.

Where do you fit in as far as leadership with this offense? Can you be a leader even though you've been out for a while?

RM: I feel better about it actually this year than I did last year, when I started right away. I've been around the team longer. They've gotten to see my work ethic, and I really started understanding the playbook a lot better. Once you understand, you can do more helping and coaching. So it's been good for me, and I think they're responding well to me.

How do you feel about your understanding of the playbook now?

RM: I noticed it a lot last week. You start noticing things without really looking hard, like the coverages and the fronts and where the linebackers stand. I had a couple audibles I felt good about, and I've been doing it in practice. Once you get an understanding of what the coaches want, you can build the plays off of that.

All the injuries really limited you on offense last year. How broad can this offense be this season?

RM: I definitely think we can open it up a little more because, as you said, we have more guys not hurt. So hopefully we can open it up, get the ball downfield, but at the same time, be able to power it down against a couple of opponents. I hope it's going to be high-powered, so we can get this thing rolling.

How important is this game against Notre Dame?

RM: I was very impressed with Notre Dame when I watched them on film. You see a team that's 2-2 on paper, but when I started seeing their front and how their linebackers flow, it's pretty impressive. It's going to be a big opponent for us, but lucky for us, we have it at home and in a night game, so the atmosphere should be in our favor.

How important is it to win a game like this, to get guys believing you can do something special this season?

RM: This game is kind of a program-changer. You go through a big game like this, with a sold-out crowd at home, before Big Ten play, and you can get the program excited about the rest of the season. It could change a lot of things. I definitely see an urgency in practice, guys playing more attention. I was impressed with how many guys came and started watching film on our bye week. Coach gives us off a couple days and I felt like I wasn't going to see a lot of people around, but a lot of guys came through, the receivers, the tight ends, the offensive line, a lot of people came through to watch film and try to pick up little things and see the players they're going to play against.

Coach [Danny] Hope has been very open about wanting to play two quarterbacks. How do you feel about that?

RM: I feel like I'm in a blessed situation. I can't be real choosy. I'm coming off of two ACLs and all that, so whatever I can do to help out. Last week, it felt good and I felt like I played very well. I'm happy the most that I'm comfortable in the offense now. I can audible out of stuff, I can get the flow of the game a lot better, so I just want to manage the game and whenever my number is called, I'll be ready.

You've been through a lot with the injuries. How has that experience changed you?

RM: It's definitely humbling. You definitely view the game as a game. I felt like when I was a little bit younger, coming out of high school, you see football as your world and your everything. Not that I don't still love the sport and I love playing it, but you have to understand there's much more to life than just a football game. And it also brought my family a lot closer. They're always there for me, and there are a lot of dark days before there are bright days. Hopefully, we get a couple wins.

What are your expectations individually and for the team the rest of the year?

RM: The biggest one is just to win and be a leader. I feel like I can bring some different things to the table from the quarterback position and just get the ball out of my hands. We've got a lot of playmakers people need to know about on this team. Hopefully, I can help that process.

Who are some of those guys?

RM: Justin Siller, No. 2, is a big-time receiver, a physical guy on the edge. We've got to get the ball in his hands. Then you've got guys like O.J. [Ross] and Antavian Edison out there at slot [receiver]. It's a great matchup because [Edison] lines up a lot against linebackers, and if you can get him one-on-one with the safety, that ball normally comes out to him.

Is this an opportunity for the Purdue offense to make a statement?

RM: It's a big statement for the team, the program, to see where we're at. You've got to start beating the big dogs, and Notre Dame's obviously that. I have a lot of respect for them, and hopefully, we can go out there, sling it around a little bit and get a win.

You expected a few hiccups from Purdue's offense after it lost starting quarterback Rob Henry to a torn ACL less than two weeks before the season.

The Boilers struggled in the first quarter of their opener against Middle Tennessee, committing two turnovers and failing to convert on any of their first four third-down opportunities. But the defense has limited the damage, and Purdue just mounted a confidence-building 11-play, 98-yard yard touchdown drive to take a 10-7 lead.

Caleb TerBush seems to be getting a little more comfortable at quarterback, and he's getting help from receiver Justin Siller (4 receptions, 57 yards) and running back Ralph Bolden (8 carries, 37 yards). The long drive certainly could be the start of a surge for TerBush, who has hit on 8 of 13 passes with a touchdown and an interception.

Some notes and nuggets from around the Big Ten to make you smarter as you head out to the games this weekend.

• If Michigan QB Denard Robinson earns Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors this fall, he would become just the second player to do so in back-to-back seasons, joining former Indiana tailback Anthony Thompson (1988-89). Including Thompson, just four players have successfully defended their Player of the Year awards. Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis (2007-2008), Northwestern linebacker Pat Fitzgerald (1996-1997 and Illinois linebacker Dana Howard (1993-1994).
• Nebraska enters the season opener with victories in each of its past 25 season openers. The Huskers' streak leads the nation, bettering Florida's 21 straight wins. Nebraska's last loss in a season opener was a 17-13 setback against Florida State at Memorial Stadium in 1985.
• With Caleb TerBush poised to be the starter against Middle Tennessee, the Boilermakers will have a different quarterback under center to begin a season in four consecutive years, and TerBush will be the fifth Boiler QB to garner a start in less than a calendar year (Robert Marve, Rob Henry, Sean Robinson, Justin Siller, TerBush).
• Iowa's defense has ranked among the national leaders in forcing turnovers in recent seasons. Over the last three seasons Iowa has collected 63 interceptions, a total that ranks second in the nation over that span (Florida leads with 68). In addition, in each of the last four seasons, Iowa has had more interceptions than touchdown passes allowed.
• Illinois opens the season at home for the first time since 2006 has have eight home games on the schedule in 2011 for the first time in the Memorial Stadium era and for the first time since 1903, when Illinois played nine home games.
• Penn State has a 64-14 (.821) record in non-conference games overall since starting Big Ten play in 1993. The Nittany Lions have won 18 of their last 21 nonconference games, with the lone losses coming to USC in the 2009 Rose Bowl, at Alabama (2010) and to Florida in the 2011 Outback Bowl.
• Michigan State fifth-year senior receiver B.J. Cunningham needs just 10 more catches to become the team's all-time leader in receptions (record: 148 by Matt Trannon, 2003-06). The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Cunningham already ranks among the school’s career leaders in catches (third at 139), touchdown receptions (tied for 10th with 13) and receiving yards (1,780).
• Minnesota enters the season only carrying 41 upperclassmen on the roster.
  Here's the full breakdown of each class for the Gophers: freshmen -- 53; sophomores -- 25; juniors -- 21; seniors -- 20.
• The last 20 Ohio State coaches are 19-0-1 in their debuts. The last Ohio State coach to lose his debut was Jack Ryder, who suffered a 40-4 loss at Oberlin in 1892. No pressure, Luke Fickell.
• Northwestern boasts 31 offensive and defensive players who have made a combined 378 career starts. That is a significant jump from last season, when 30 players with starting experience combined for 276 starts at the start of the season.
• Indiana allowed just 12 sacks last season, the 11th fewest total in the nation. The offensive line surrendered one sack per 42.8 pass attempts, which led the Big Ten. All five of this season’s projected starters are in at least their fourth year with the program.

We've been ranking each position group in the Big Ten, and so far we've looked at running backs and quarterbacks. Today, let's finish off the offensive skill positions with receivers and tight ends.

The Big Ten is blessed with plenty of standout wide receivers, but remember these rankings heavily account for overall depth at the position, not just isolated star power. We're also including the tight ends in this group while acknowledging that the best ones aren't necessarily big-time pass-catchers.

Here's how we rank them:

1. Michigan State: The Spartans may lack a true superstar, though senior B.J. Cunningham (50 catches for 611 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010) is pretty darn good. What Mark Dantonio can really count on is depth. Cunningham has good size at 6-foot-2, while Keshawn Martin is a speed-burner. Keith Nichol and Bennie Fowler fill out a solid cast of receivers, and when you throw in Brian Linthicum and Dion Sims at tight end, this group deserves the top spot.

2. Michigan: If Darryl Stonum weren't suspended indefinitely, this group might be No. 1. It's still pretty good as things stand now. Roy Roundtree leads the way after catching 72 passes for 935 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and Junior Hemingway is a strong secondary option for Denard Robinson. Tight end Kevin Koger is a third-year starter who can occasionally make big plays in the passing game.

3. Northwestern: Senior Jeremy Ebert (62 catches for 935 yards and eight touchdowns last season) was a first-team All-Big Ten performer as voted by the media. Demetrius Fields had 25 receptions last year, and the Wildcats are counting on big improvements from sophomores Rashad Lawrence, Tony Jones and Venric Mark. Northwestern uses its superback position as a tight end, and Drake Dunsmore had 40 catches from that spot last year.

4. Indiana: The Hoosiers languish at the bottom of many of these rankings, but receiver/tight end is a point of pride. Senior Damarlo Belcher led the Big Ten with 78 catches last year on his way to 832 yards. Even with the loss of Tandon Doss and Terrance Turner, who each had more than 60 catches in '10, new coach Kevin Wilson has a solid corps behind Belcher with Duwyce Wilson and Kofi Hughes, among others. And Ted Bolser is a highly productive tight end who had 27 catches for 407 yards and five scores a year ago.

5. Penn State: Three of the top four receivers from last year return, including No. 1 target Derek Moye (his 16.7 yards per catch average was second in the Big Ten a year ago). Justin Brown and Devon Smith need to continue moving forward. Will the Nittany Lions get anything out of Curtis Drake, who's trying to return from his second broken leg? Penn State hopes to get something out of the tight end position, where Andrew Szczerba and Garry Gilliam dealt with season-ending injuries last year.

6. Wisconsin: Once we reach the middle of these rankings, the units start to become interchangeable and a little indistinguishable. Wisconsin doesn't have to throw it too much because of its stellar running game, but the Badgers have some solid choices when they do go to the air. Senior Nick Toon has the talent to record more than the 36 catches and 459 yards he produced a year ago. Jared Abbrederis should continue to come along after a nice freshman campaign. There's potential but not much experience among the rest of the receivers. Star tight end Lance Kendricks will be tough to replace, but Jake Byrne is an outstanding blocker and Jacob Pedersen caught two touchdowns last year.

7. Nebraska: Brandon Kinnie is the leader here, and the 6-foot-3 senior isn't afraid to make the big catch. Freshmen Jamal Turner and Kenny Bell had nice springs and could add some playmaking skills to a largely unproven crew around Kinnie. Kyler Reed might be the most dangerous pass-catching tight end in the Big Ten, if not the country, after hauling in eight touchdowns and 18 yards per reception a year ago.

8. Iowa: Senior Marvin McNutt is the go-to option after recording 861 yards and eight touchdowns last season. The Hawkeyes will look to junior Keenan Davis to improve and become the No. 2 target. Just about everyone else is green. Tight end is usually a strength for Kirk Ferentz and should be again with senior Brad Herman and a group of talented backups behind him.

9. Ohio State: Seems like we write this a lot, but the Buckeyes would be ranked higher if their star player in this group were available an entire season. But DeVier Posey's five-game suspension means this is an awfully young corps, and that inexperience showed with some inconsistent play this spring. Ohio State will need talented sophomore Corey "Philly" Brown to take a big leap forward and youngsters like Chris Fields, T.Y. Williams and James Louis to contribute in Posey's absence. Tight end Jake Stoneburner might have to become a bigger presence in the passing game.

10. Purdue: The Boilermakers have some decent depth but no proven stars. Antavian Edison is the leading returning receiver with just 314 yards last year, though the junior does have good speed. Justin Siller is talented but has had trouble staying healthy. Purdue lost two solid veterans at tight end in Kyle Adams and Jeff Lindsay and added a couple of potential replacements, including former basketball player Patrick Bade, this summer.

11. Minnesota: Da'Jon McKnight tied for second in the Big Ten last year with 10 receiving touchdowns. But the Gophers' second-leading receiver last season was MarQueis Gray, who's now their starting quarterback. Brandon Green could help after an injury-plagued season. Tight end Eric Lair can grab a few passes, as he did 39 times in 2010.

12. Illinois: The good news: A.J. Jenkins is a reliable weapon who had 746 yards and seven touchdowns last season. The bad news: There's not much experience behind him. Perhaps Ryan Lankford, who starred in the spring while Jenkins was out with an injury, will emerge as a star his sophomore year. Evan Wilson is back at tight end after starting 11 games as a freshman.

Purdue

2010 overall record: 4-8

2010 conference record: 2-6 (T-9th)

Returning starters

Offense: 8; defense: 9; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

QB Rob Henry, RB Ralph Bolden, WR Antavian Edison, WR Justin Siller, LT Dennis Kelly, DT Kawann Short, CB Ricardo Allen, LB Dwayne Beckford, S Logan Link, K Carson Wiggs

Key losses

DE Ryan Kerrigan, LB Jason Werner, TE Kyle Adams, RB Dan Dierking, WR Cortez Smith

2010 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Rob Henry* (547 yards)

Passing: Rob Henry* (996 yards)

Receiving: Cortez Smith (434 yards)

Tackles: Logan Link* (91)

Sacks: Ryan Kerrigan (12.5)

Interceptions: Ricardo Allen* (3)

Spring answers

1. Henry makes strides: Rob Henry began the spring as Purdue's No. 1 quarterback, and he only helped himself throughout the session. Coach Danny Hope called Henry the team's most improved player during the offseason, and the team agreed by voting the sophomore as a co-captain for the 2011 season. The subplot is the impending return of Robert Marve, the Miami transfer who began last season as the starter before a torn ACL. There's a lot invested in Marve, but Henry seems like the team's choice.

2. Edison lights it up: Purdue got a bad break when the NCAA inexplicably denied receiver Keith Smith a sixth year of eligibility. The team needed other wideouts to emerge this spring, and Antavian Edison answered the bell. The junior speedster stood out in several scrimmages, and Purdue would be wise to get the ball in his hands as much as possible this fall. Edison and Justin Siller give Purdue a nice 1-2 punch in the passing game.

3. Shavers steps forward: Ralph Bolden will return from a torn ACL this season, but Purdue should have more options in the backfield. Junior college transfer Akeem Shavers turned in a solid spring, earning the team's top newcomer award on the offensive side. The 5-11, 200-pound Shavers runs with power and should be able to spell Bolden or potentially take on a larger role. Purdue's coaches want to use multiple backs in the offense, and Shavers certainly will be in the mix.

Fall questions

1. Marve, Bolden return from injuries: Torn ACL's wiped out Purdue's projected starting offensive backfield in 2011, but Marve and Bolden both will be back in the mix this summer. Both players have had multiple ACL tears, so it will be interesting to see how they respond on the field. Marve needs a strong preseason to leapfrog Henry at quarterback. Bolden, meanwhile, is viewed as the team's top option at running back and could have practiced full-go this spring but was limited as a precaution.

2. Replacing Superman: Purdue loses only two defensive starters, but when one is Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kerrigan, it's a concern. The team lacks depth at defensive end and really needs veteran Gerald Gooden to get healthy and produce consistently this fall. Robert Maci and Ryan Russell took the first-team reps this spring and had their moments, as Russell earned the defense's top newcomer award. Still, this certainly will be a position to watch going forward.

3. Tight end: Other than defensive end, this is the other spot where Purdue loses a lot because of graduation. Kyle Adams and Jeff Lindsay both depart, and the coaches are looking for others to step in. Gabe Holmes exits the spring as a potential No. 1 option, although junior college transfer Sterling Carter also is in the mix. If Purdue can solidify this spot, it could have a pretty potent offense this fall.

Purdue wrapped up spring practice Saturday with the Black and Gold Game, the first spring game in the Big Ten this year. The Gold team prevailed 14-3 behind touchdown receptions by Justin Siller and Normando Harris.

Let's take a closer look at the game.

Game coverage: Here and here and here.

Quotable: "We're not going to have great talent sitting on the sideline. Rob Henry is a great talent. Robert Marve is a great talent and Caleb TerBush is a great talent. We're going to find a way for all three of those guys to help us win, regardless of how it shakes down on the depth chart." -- coach Danny Hope on his quarterbacks

Highlights

• Top quarterback Rob Henry had a decent day for the Gold squad, completing 8 of 12 passes for 76 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and adding 27 rush yards. Caleb TerBush called signals for both teams and completed 16 of 27 passes for 172 yards with a score and an interception. Receiver Antavian Edison capped a strong spring with five receptions and two rushes for 26 yards.
• Purdue's defense was the more dominant unit for much of the scrimmage. Linebacker Antwon Higgs and safeties Logan Link and Jarrett Dieudonne all recorded interceptions, and the teams combined for seven "sacks," including two apiece by defensive ends Robert Maci and Ryan Russell (Black team).
• It's rare when a kicker steals the show at a spring game, but Carson Wiggs isn't your typical specialist. The bionic-legged Wiggs, who kicked the nation's longest field goal (59 yards) last season, put on a display just before halftime. He kicked five field goals, including a 67-yarder that would have been good from 75. Wiggs also connected from 57, 52, 47 and 42 yards and missed from 62. That's called range, people.
• Purdue on Friday announced six team captains for 2011: Henry, Wiggs, defensive tackle Kawann Short, offensive tackle Dennis Kelly and linebackers Joe Holland and Chris Carlino. The most significant selection is Henry, just a sophomore. Although Purdue's quarterback race isn't over as Robert Marve will rejoin the mix this summer, Henry separated himself this spring and clearly has the support of his teammates. It'll be an interesting decision for Hope, who has a lot invested in Marve but has repeatedly praised Henry's progress.