Big Ten: Keith Smith
Hoping you have a great weekend.
Mochila from Grand Rapids, Mich., writes: Adam, I enjoyed your evaluation of the new kick-off rules, but you left out one other change that I thought was surprising. The NCAA also proposed moving the Touchback to the 25-yard line, up from the 20. How might this factor into teams' kick-off strategy? I'm guessing this was done to curb the anger of the Purdues and Nebraskas of the country, but it's a greater boon to teams that are bad in the kick return game. Will we see teams attempt to pooch it to the 1-5 yard line to force a return? Thanks for keeping us Bored-at-Work folks breathing through the off-season.
Adam Rittenberg: Good call, Mochila. I should have included the part about the 25-yard line. I think it all depends on the quality of the return man, the leg strength of the kicker and how much faith a coach has in his coverage team. For the most part, coaches can live with teams starting on the 25-yard line after a touchback. It's certainly better than watching a guy like Raheem Mostert or Ameer Abdullah break into the open field. The rule changes are designed to slow down the actual kickoff play -- coverage teams won't have as long a long run-up to the ball -- so teams that want to kick inside the 5-yard line had better be solid in closing gaps. My sense is if teams have a kicker who can record touchbacks, they'll go that route and then take their chances defending 75 yards of field.
Tim from Parts Unknown writes: Adam,Brian blames you for DRob's low rating. I'm curious to how low you thought he should be. Let me paste a section of the article here. If his rank was a compromise, where did you want the guy who "led the Big Ten -- again -- in total offense, was responsible for 36 touchdowns, ran for more than 1,000 yards as a quarterback and led his team to an 11-2 record and BCS win?"
Paul from Escanaba, Mich., writes: Adam,You wanted Denard Robinson ranked lower than 16? Maybe behind that guard from Wisconsin?Well he might not be the protypical QB and did turn the ball over too much, his value to Michigan is undenialable and by the way they went 11-2. The do not beat Ohio St., Nebraska, ND without him. Not saying he is the best player in the league (Montee Ball this year), but he has to be in the top
J DePoy from Asheville, N.C., writes: Dear Adam,Why do you hate Denard Robinson? Your double-talking hypocrisy is dripping with lunacy; in one sentence you use words like "electrifying" and "Heisman Contender" to describe the most prolific athlete in the conference. But then you don't even rank him in the top 15? And you actually wanted to rank him "much lower"! You have laid your cards on the table, thus revealing your true ignorance. I can forgive your water boy golly shocks northwestern charm, but seriously ~ this nonsense blogging list pure vomit.
Adam Rittenberg: Let me make this clear: I don't hate Denard Robinson at all. He has been great to watch the past few seasons, and he's certainly one of the most exciting players in the country. I ranked him as the league's No. 3 player following the 2010 season. I don't believe he was one of the Big Ten's best in 2011, despite still being one of the league's most exciting. There's a difference. A guy can be "electrifying," but he can also make a lot of mistakes, as Robinson did in 2011. J, there's also a difference between calling Robinson a Heisman contender in September and then evaluating his entire season. I've never called Denard a Heisman contender in November.
Some folks I'm hearing from about this are blinded by the fact that many of Robinson's mistakes didn't lead to losses. It's rare to have a team go 11-2 with a quarterback who leads the league in interceptions (15) and completes only 55 percent of his passes. Michigan's defense repeatedly bailed out Robinson, and in some games, like the Northwestern contest, bought him enough time to rebound with some big plays and great overall production. He also got a lot of help from his receivers, like in the Sugar Bowl. Robinson had some huge performances, like Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State, but he also struggled in the two losses and was fortunate his mistakes didn't lead to additional losses. If he can produce like he has the past few seasons and cut down on his mistakes, he'll be ranked much higher after the 2012 season.
Rand from Orlando writes: REALLY, Adam? Who do the FANS want as OC? I grew up on Iowa football in the 50's, 60's, 70's when the rallying cry was "wait til wrestling season!" Why do you think "In heaven there is no beer" became the student body anthem? Then I attended Iowa 76 - 77 and came back as a Naval Officer recruiter in1981. I'm hanging on tightly to my Ferentz-Hawkeye bandwagon seat. The fair-weather whiners ought to shut up and not love 'em because they win - love 'em because they're IOWA!
Adam Rittenberg: Thanks for the perspective, Rand. Things certainly have been worse at Iowa, but I also understand fans' desire to see a dynamic play-caller come to Iowa City. Did Ken O'Keefe get too much criticism during his tenure? No doubt, but most offensive coordinators do. He did a nice job developing quarterbacks during his tenure. Fans like exciting play calls and guys who take chances. Those types of coordinators don't necessarily fit Kirk Ferentz and the way he runs a program. And that's OK, as Ferentz has had a lot of success. But I think it's more than fair for fans to question a hire or want an exciting play-caller, especially when the program seems to be trending down a bit.
Adam from East Lansing, Mich., writes: Michigan State will win over/under 22.5 games over the next two years. I say over based on schedule, depth chart, momentum, and these green glasses I am wearing.What say you Adam (great name).
Adam Rittenberg: Same to you, sir. That's a lot of wins in a two-year span, and it likely would mean Michigan State records four consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins. Although I like the momentum Mark Dantonio has generated and the way they're recruiting, I think it's likely the Spartans have a mini step back either in 2012 or 2013. Will Michigan State go 5-7? Highly unlikely. But I could see an 8-4 or something like that. So I'm going with the under but wouldn't be shocked if Michigan State goes over.
Josh from Nebraska writes: What do you make of Bo Pelini hiring an outside agency to help improve recruiting? Is this him admitting they are not getting the job done, or simply him trying to get better in every aspect of being a head coach? Fact is Nebraska is geographically challenged when it comes to recruiting and is at a huge disadvantage to many other programs. Do you think this will actually impact the Huskers recruiting success?
Adam Rittenberg: It's an interesting move, Josh. I think it's Bo trying to grow as a leader and take a different approach to a huge part of his job. I remember reading a piece from last March about Bo embracing his role as a CEO of the program, and how he had TD Ameritrade's CEO around the program for two years as an executive adviser. These are all steps he's taking to do his job better. People can view this latest step as an admission that Nebraska's recruiting could be better, but I think it's good to think outside the box, especially because, as you state, Nebraska faces some inherent hurdles in recruiting. The Nebraska brand simply isn't what it was in the mid to late 1990s. That's what happens when you don't win a conference title for a while. But the Nebraska tradition remains a great recruiting tool, along with superb facilities and other areas, but there are some challenges, too, especially in a new league? It'll be interesting to see what type of impact this approach has going forward.
Roger from Eagan, Minn., writes: Adam: Enjoyed the story about Troy, but even though it may seem trivial you should really correct the 6th year theme runing throughout. Troy never red-shirted and will entering his 5th year in the program. His situation is like Royston's only in that they both were granted medical waivers to play an additional year. In Kim's case that was his 6th year.
Adam Rittenberg: Roger, my apologies for the confusion. I did correctly state in the story that Stoudermire "had applied to the Big Ten for a medical hardship waiver for 2011, which would give him one more season of eligibility." I also used some examples of players applying for sixth years of eligibility (Kim Royston, Keith Smith). My point was to illustrate how the applications for both hardship waivers or sixth years are really crap shoots. You never know how they'll turn out. But I get how that might have been confusion, as Stoudermire, unlike Royston, never sat out a season.
Jim from PA writes: I've asked this question two different times to both you and Brian, so now that it's the off-season, maybe the fifth time is the charm. What is the official reason night games aren't played in November in the Big Ten? I'm assuming it's the weather? If that's the case, are the people who agreed to that aware that high school football is played at night in November?
Adam Rittenberg: Jim, I wrote about this back in May 2009, as it's something that has bothered Big Ten fans for some time. It's worth reposting some of the key points about the policy I gleaned from talking with Big Ten senior associate commissioner Mark Rudner at the 2009 spring meetings:
Again, it's not the explanation you or I want to hear, but it's worth reviewing.
Mochila from Grand Rapids, Mich., writes: Adam, I enjoyed your evaluation of the new kick-off rules, but you left out one other change that I thought was surprising. The NCAA also proposed moving the Touchback to the 25-yard line, up from the 20. How might this factor into teams' kick-off strategy? I'm guessing this was done to curb the anger of the Purdues and Nebraskas of the country, but it's a greater boon to teams that are bad in the kick return game. Will we see teams attempt to pooch it to the 1-5 yard line to force a return? Thanks for keeping us Bored-at-Work folks breathing through the off-season.
Adam Rittenberg: Good call, Mochila. I should have included the part about the 25-yard line. I think it all depends on the quality of the return man, the leg strength of the kicker and how much faith a coach has in his coverage team. For the most part, coaches can live with teams starting on the 25-yard line after a touchback. It's certainly better than watching a guy like Raheem Mostert or Ameer Abdullah break into the open field. The rule changes are designed to slow down the actual kickoff play -- coverage teams won't have as long a long run-up to the ball -- so teams that want to kick inside the 5-yard line had better be solid in closing gaps. My sense is if teams have a kicker who can record touchbacks, they'll go that route and then take their chances defending 75 yards of field.
Tim from Parts Unknown writes: Adam,Brian blames you for DRob's low rating. I'm curious to how low you thought he should be. Let me paste a section of the article here. If his rank was a compromise, where did you want the guy who "led the Big Ten -- again -- in total offense, was responsible for 36 touchdowns, ran for more than 1,000 yards as a quarterback and led his team to an 11-2 record and BCS win?"
Paul from Escanaba, Mich., writes: Adam,You wanted Denard Robinson ranked lower than 16? Maybe behind that guard from Wisconsin?Well he might not be the protypical QB and did turn the ball over too much, his value to Michigan is undenialable and by the way they went 11-2. The do not beat Ohio St., Nebraska, ND without him. Not saying he is the best player in the league (Montee Ball this year), but he has to be in the top
J DePoy from Asheville, N.C., writes: Dear Adam,Why do you hate Denard Robinson? Your double-talking hypocrisy is dripping with lunacy; in one sentence you use words like "electrifying" and "Heisman Contender" to describe the most prolific athlete in the conference. But then you don't even rank him in the top 15? And you actually wanted to rank him "much lower"! You have laid your cards on the table, thus revealing your true ignorance. I can forgive your water boy golly shocks northwestern charm, but seriously ~ this nonsense blogging list pure vomit.
Adam Rittenberg: Let me make this clear: I don't hate Denard Robinson at all. He has been great to watch the past few seasons, and he's certainly one of the most exciting players in the country. I ranked him as the league's No. 3 player following the 2010 season. I don't believe he was one of the Big Ten's best in 2011, despite still being one of the league's most exciting. There's a difference. A guy can be "electrifying," but he can also make a lot of mistakes, as Robinson did in 2011. J, there's also a difference between calling Robinson a Heisman contender in September and then evaluating his entire season. I've never called Denard a Heisman contender in November.
Some folks I'm hearing from about this are blinded by the fact that many of Robinson's mistakes didn't lead to losses. It's rare to have a team go 11-2 with a quarterback who leads the league in interceptions (15) and completes only 55 percent of his passes. Michigan's defense repeatedly bailed out Robinson, and in some games, like the Northwestern contest, bought him enough time to rebound with some big plays and great overall production. He also got a lot of help from his receivers, like in the Sugar Bowl. Robinson had some huge performances, like Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State, but he also struggled in the two losses and was fortunate his mistakes didn't lead to additional losses. If he can produce like he has the past few seasons and cut down on his mistakes, he'll be ranked much higher after the 2012 season.
Rand from Orlando writes: REALLY, Adam? Who do the FANS want as OC? I grew up on Iowa football in the 50's, 60's, 70's when the rallying cry was "wait til wrestling season!" Why do you think "In heaven there is no beer" became the student body anthem? Then I attended Iowa 76 - 77 and came back as a Naval Officer recruiter in1981. I'm hanging on tightly to my Ferentz-Hawkeye bandwagon seat. The fair-weather whiners ought to shut up and not love 'em because they win - love 'em because they're IOWA!
Adam Rittenberg: Thanks for the perspective, Rand. Things certainly have been worse at Iowa, but I also understand fans' desire to see a dynamic play-caller come to Iowa City. Did Ken O'Keefe get too much criticism during his tenure? No doubt, but most offensive coordinators do. He did a nice job developing quarterbacks during his tenure. Fans like exciting play calls and guys who take chances. Those types of coordinators don't necessarily fit Kirk Ferentz and the way he runs a program. And that's OK, as Ferentz has had a lot of success. But I think it's more than fair for fans to question a hire or want an exciting play-caller, especially when the program seems to be trending down a bit.
Adam from East Lansing, Mich., writes: Michigan State will win over/under 22.5 games over the next two years. I say over based on schedule, depth chart, momentum, and these green glasses I am wearing.What say you Adam (great name).
Adam Rittenberg: Same to you, sir. That's a lot of wins in a two-year span, and it likely would mean Michigan State records four consecutive seasons of 10 or more wins. Although I like the momentum Mark Dantonio has generated and the way they're recruiting, I think it's likely the Spartans have a mini step back either in 2012 or 2013. Will Michigan State go 5-7? Highly unlikely. But I could see an 8-4 or something like that. So I'm going with the under but wouldn't be shocked if Michigan State goes over.
Josh from Nebraska writes: What do you make of Bo Pelini hiring an outside agency to help improve recruiting? Is this him admitting they are not getting the job done, or simply him trying to get better in every aspect of being a head coach? Fact is Nebraska is geographically challenged when it comes to recruiting and is at a huge disadvantage to many other programs. Do you think this will actually impact the Huskers recruiting success?
Adam Rittenberg: It's an interesting move, Josh. I think it's Bo trying to grow as a leader and take a different approach to a huge part of his job. I remember reading a piece from last March about Bo embracing his role as a CEO of the program, and how he had TD Ameritrade's CEO around the program for two years as an executive adviser. These are all steps he's taking to do his job better. People can view this latest step as an admission that Nebraska's recruiting could be better, but I think it's good to think outside the box, especially because, as you state, Nebraska faces some inherent hurdles in recruiting. The Nebraska brand simply isn't what it was in the mid to late 1990s. That's what happens when you don't win a conference title for a while. But the Nebraska tradition remains a great recruiting tool, along with superb facilities and other areas, but there are some challenges, too, especially in a new league? It'll be interesting to see what type of impact this approach has going forward.
Roger from Eagan, Minn., writes: Adam: Enjoyed the story about Troy, but even though it may seem trivial you should really correct the 6th year theme runing throughout. Troy never red-shirted and will entering his 5th year in the program. His situation is like Royston's only in that they both were granted medical waivers to play an additional year. In Kim's case that was his 6th year.
Adam Rittenberg: Roger, my apologies for the confusion. I did correctly state in the story that Stoudermire "had applied to the Big Ten for a medical hardship waiver for 2011, which would give him one more season of eligibility." I also used some examples of players applying for sixth years of eligibility (Kim Royston, Keith Smith). My point was to illustrate how the applications for both hardship waivers or sixth years are really crap shoots. You never know how they'll turn out. But I get how that might have been confusion, as Stoudermire, unlike Royston, never sat out a season.
Jim from PA writes: I've asked this question two different times to both you and Brian, so now that it's the off-season, maybe the fifth time is the charm. What is the official reason night games aren't played in November in the Big Ten? I'm assuming it's the weather? If that's the case, are the people who agreed to that aware that high school football is played at night in November?
Adam Rittenberg: Jim, I wrote about this back in May 2009, as it's something that has bothered Big Ten fans for some time. It's worth reposting some of the key points about the policy I gleaned from talking with Big Ten senior associate commissioner Mark Rudner at the 2009 spring meetings:
- Weather certainly is a factor, but it's not the only factor. The Big Ten is simply not a conference that traditionally plays games at night, and that tradition still matters. There's no Tiger Stadium At Night in the Big Ten. Rudner noted that the league still plays night games in September and October and sees the value in doing so, but it doesn't lose much exposure because all of its games are nationally televised. He also really values the 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff time, which has become the Big Ten's showcase game in recent years.
- Night games present a logistical nightmare that most fans can't fully comprehend. From getting fans in and out of mammoth stadiums to policing the areas -- all in potentially lousy weather -- these events present some tough obstacles. Though many of the same challenges are present with September and October night games, the November weather compounds things.
- This is not a new policy. It has been in place for quite some time. The Big Ten has no plans to revisit the policy, and any change likely wouldn't be made until the league renews its TV contract in the distant future.
Again, it's not the explanation you or I want to hear, but it's worth reviewing.
Wishing everyone a great weekend and hoping for some exciting games!
Adam M. from Austin, Texas, writes: Adam, I hear all this talk about the vaunted MSU defense vs. my Badger's destructive force on offense, but what about the other side of the battle? If I can read my stat lines correctly, while the Badgers have given up 100 yards more a game (give or take), they're ahead in the only stat that really matters: Points allowed. I know their competition hasn't been the best, but after the Nebraska game, there needs to be some credit given. I know injuries are taking their toll, but they still stepped it up and clamped down vs. Indiana. The only score came on a mistake that went for a long TD run. It's not like MSU is having a blowout year on offense.
Adam Rittenberg: Glad you brought this up, Austin. Wisconsin's defense certainly has made strides after a shaky tackling performance in the opener against UNLV. The Badgers have been described as a no-name defense, which seems pretty accurate, although players like linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland and cornerback Antonio Fenelus are having really nice individual seasons. The big key against Michigan State is the defensive line, especially after the Spartans ran the ball well with Edwin Baker against Michigan. Michigan State's young offensive line is gaining confidence, and the Badgers don't have a J.J. Watt this year. A huge key for Wisconsin is third-down defense, as Michigan State converted 9 of 18 attempts last year.
Tim from St. Paul writes: Adam, had to comment after reading a Glen Mason-related question in your chat today. Why does everyone consider Mason to be a "winner" at Minnesota? He was 32-48 in the big ten. He beat no one of consequence (He won at Ohio State in Cooper's last year, the worst OSU team in 50 years). He played 3 BCS non-conference teams in 10 years. Not beat, PLAYED, and yes, he had major input in scheduling. Explain how destroying terrible non-conference teams and going 3-5 in conference going to low-tier bowls is successful? I get he was light years better than Brewster, but come on, it is illegal for MN fans to expect more?
Adam Rittenberg: Tim, you bring up some great points. I wasn't saying Minnesota shouldn't expect more than what Mason did during his tenure, and you're right that he struggled in Big Ten play and against elite competition. But he did make bowl games and avoid disastrous seasons like 2007, 2010 and this one. I understand Minnesota's desire to take the next step, and maybe things need to get worse before they can get a lot better. It's just tough to see what has happened in Minneapolis since Mason was fired. Fans shouldn't expect mediocrity. I get that. But Minnesota fans are always making the Wisconsin comparisons. Wisconsin has been pretty darn good for almost 20 years. It takes time to build that tradition and truly take the next step. Would Mason have done it? His track record suggested he wouldn't, but he also didn't have a shiny new stadium to show off to recruits.
Mike from Martins Ferry, Ohio, writes: If all of the controversy did not happen with OSU and the players was not suspended, Do you think OSU would still have 3 losses?
Adam Rittenberg: No way, Mike. You put Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Dan Herron and Mike Adams into the Buckeyes' offense from Day 1, and you're looking at a potential national title contender in my mind. There's no way the Buckeyes lose to a mediocre Miami team, and the team likely doesn't fall apart at Nebraska with those seniors on the field. Ohio State's defense showed last week at Illinois that it can still play a little ball, but the absences on the offensive side have been felt from Day 1. You can already see significant differences with Adams and Herron back in the fold. Posey will help, too, although he's out until Nov. 19.
Jeff from K-Zoo, Mich., writes: With Nebraska stuggling and Dennard losing pub in the process. Is Johnny Adams emerging as the top Cornerback in the B1G this year
Adam Rittenberg: Jeff, Adams has been outstanding this season for Michigan State. After a strong spring, he has put himself among the league's top cornerbacks for sure. It's a little hard to judge Dennard because he missed the first three games with a leg injury. He's still a heck of a player, and it will be interesting to see what he does against better receivers like B.J. Cunningham, Jeremy Ebert and Marvin McNutt down the stretch. Purdue's Ricardo Allen also has stood out with two interceptions, including a pick-six. But Adams has really impressed me. It will be interesting to see how he fares against Wisconsin's Nick Toon on Saturday night.
Matt from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: Just read the Big Ten statement regarding the 1-game suspension of Gholston. I am a little confused as to there not being anything mentioned about the obvious attempt to break Denard's neck. It would seem that the Big Ten has just set a precedent of turning their head to aggressive attempts to injure another player. Am I missing something? Also, Michigan State deserved to win that game because their defense is very good. It still would be a good defense without an attempt to break an opposing players neck.
Adam Rittenberg: Matt, I was a little surprised the Big Ten only referenced the punch and not the other personal foul William Gholston received. To me, the combination of the two fouls makes it a unique case meriting a suspension. But the punch corresponds more with the sportsmanlike conduct violation language in the Big Ten Handbook, so the league went with that. Anyway, the league did the right thing in this case. Will Gholston isn't a bad kid at all, and I don't think last week's game reflects him as a player and a person. But the combination of the two incidents merited some type of punishment.
Kyle from West Lafayette, Ind., writes: Hi Adam, I just realized that Case Keenum received a 6th year of eligibility at Houston after only playing in 3 games last season. Keith Smith only played in 2 games last season before tearing his ACL/MCL, but the NCAA denied his request for another year. What is going on at the NCAA? This seems very inconsistent...
Adam Rittenberg: Kyle, I hated the NCAA's decision at the time and still don't understand it myself. The inconsistency with these decisions is stunning. You're happy for guys like Keenum and Minnesota safety Kim Royston, and you feel sick for a guy like Smith, who not only is a terrific receiver but a wonderful representative for Purdue and college athletics. You'd think the NCAA would want a guy like Smith around for one more year. He took a redshirt season in 2007 in part because he left the team to deal with family issues in the spring. And then he hurts his knee early in the 2010 season. I didn't understand the NCAA's decision then, and I don't understand it now.
Matt from Bridgewater, N.J., writes: Adam, your blog keeps me sane at school!-Call me a tad optimistic, but I say Penn St. goes 10-2 with their sole loss coming from Wisconsin. Northwestern seems to be falling apart by the week, and Illinois showed that it has trouble on the big stage. Nebraska has not lived up to the hype (not to mention several key injuries), they come to Happy Valley, and we get Moye back. Finally, the entire team, especially McGloin must be looking for a measure of payback, the way they let the OSU game slip last year. Then we get blown out by Wisky. Your thoughts?
Adam Rittenberg: Matt, I'd say you're being optimistic, but a 10-2 mark isn't unrealistic for Penn State. The Lions defense will keep the team in every game as long as the offense doesn't commit a bunch of turnovers. And if the offense makes strides in the second half like it did last year, anything is possible. The Northwestern game is big because Penn State hasn't been dominant on the road by any stretch and the Wildcats are a desperate team in a must-win situation. Illinois will make it tough for Penn State to score, and the Lions will need to score a bit to beat Nebraska. There really aren't any gimmes the rest of the way, but Penn State has held its own so far in Big Ten play, thanks to the defense.
Tom from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam,Do you think you can get Michigan & Nebraska to play a meaningful trophy game? The only trophy that matters. Bring both 1997 national championship trophies to the game, winner take all
Adam Rittenberg: Tom, that would be a lot of fun. But something tells me both schools won't want to give up their hardware because of a game that took place 14 years later. Maybe I'm wrong.
Adam M. from Austin, Texas, writes: Adam, I hear all this talk about the vaunted MSU defense vs. my Badger's destructive force on offense, but what about the other side of the battle? If I can read my stat lines correctly, while the Badgers have given up 100 yards more a game (give or take), they're ahead in the only stat that really matters: Points allowed. I know their competition hasn't been the best, but after the Nebraska game, there needs to be some credit given. I know injuries are taking their toll, but they still stepped it up and clamped down vs. Indiana. The only score came on a mistake that went for a long TD run. It's not like MSU is having a blowout year on offense.
Adam Rittenberg: Glad you brought this up, Austin. Wisconsin's defense certainly has made strides after a shaky tackling performance in the opener against UNLV. The Badgers have been described as a no-name defense, which seems pretty accurate, although players like linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland and cornerback Antonio Fenelus are having really nice individual seasons. The big key against Michigan State is the defensive line, especially after the Spartans ran the ball well with Edwin Baker against Michigan. Michigan State's young offensive line is gaining confidence, and the Badgers don't have a J.J. Watt this year. A huge key for Wisconsin is third-down defense, as Michigan State converted 9 of 18 attempts last year.
Tim from St. Paul writes: Adam, had to comment after reading a Glen Mason-related question in your chat today. Why does everyone consider Mason to be a "winner" at Minnesota? He was 32-48 in the big ten. He beat no one of consequence (He won at Ohio State in Cooper's last year, the worst OSU team in 50 years). He played 3 BCS non-conference teams in 10 years. Not beat, PLAYED, and yes, he had major input in scheduling. Explain how destroying terrible non-conference teams and going 3-5 in conference going to low-tier bowls is successful? I get he was light years better than Brewster, but come on, it is illegal for MN fans to expect more?
Adam Rittenberg: Tim, you bring up some great points. I wasn't saying Minnesota shouldn't expect more than what Mason did during his tenure, and you're right that he struggled in Big Ten play and against elite competition. But he did make bowl games and avoid disastrous seasons like 2007, 2010 and this one. I understand Minnesota's desire to take the next step, and maybe things need to get worse before they can get a lot better. It's just tough to see what has happened in Minneapolis since Mason was fired. Fans shouldn't expect mediocrity. I get that. But Minnesota fans are always making the Wisconsin comparisons. Wisconsin has been pretty darn good for almost 20 years. It takes time to build that tradition and truly take the next step. Would Mason have done it? His track record suggested he wouldn't, but he also didn't have a shiny new stadium to show off to recruits.
Mike from Martins Ferry, Ohio, writes: If all of the controversy did not happen with OSU and the players was not suspended, Do you think OSU would still have 3 losses?
Adam Rittenberg: No way, Mike. You put Terrelle Pryor, DeVier Posey, Dan Herron and Mike Adams into the Buckeyes' offense from Day 1, and you're looking at a potential national title contender in my mind. There's no way the Buckeyes lose to a mediocre Miami team, and the team likely doesn't fall apart at Nebraska with those seniors on the field. Ohio State's defense showed last week at Illinois that it can still play a little ball, but the absences on the offensive side have been felt from Day 1. You can already see significant differences with Adams and Herron back in the fold. Posey will help, too, although he's out until Nov. 19.
Jeff from K-Zoo, Mich., writes: With Nebraska stuggling and Dennard losing pub in the process. Is Johnny Adams emerging as the top Cornerback in the B1G this year
Adam Rittenberg: Jeff, Adams has been outstanding this season for Michigan State. After a strong spring, he has put himself among the league's top cornerbacks for sure. It's a little hard to judge Dennard because he missed the first three games with a leg injury. He's still a heck of a player, and it will be interesting to see what he does against better receivers like B.J. Cunningham, Jeremy Ebert and Marvin McNutt down the stretch. Purdue's Ricardo Allen also has stood out with two interceptions, including a pick-six. But Adams has really impressed me. It will be interesting to see how he fares against Wisconsin's Nick Toon on Saturday night.
Matt from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: Just read the Big Ten statement regarding the 1-game suspension of Gholston. I am a little confused as to there not being anything mentioned about the obvious attempt to break Denard's neck. It would seem that the Big Ten has just set a precedent of turning their head to aggressive attempts to injure another player. Am I missing something? Also, Michigan State deserved to win that game because their defense is very good. It still would be a good defense without an attempt to break an opposing players neck.
Adam Rittenberg: Matt, I was a little surprised the Big Ten only referenced the punch and not the other personal foul William Gholston received. To me, the combination of the two fouls makes it a unique case meriting a suspension. But the punch corresponds more with the sportsmanlike conduct violation language in the Big Ten Handbook, so the league went with that. Anyway, the league did the right thing in this case. Will Gholston isn't a bad kid at all, and I don't think last week's game reflects him as a player and a person. But the combination of the two incidents merited some type of punishment.
Kyle from West Lafayette, Ind., writes: Hi Adam, I just realized that Case Keenum received a 6th year of eligibility at Houston after only playing in 3 games last season. Keith Smith only played in 2 games last season before tearing his ACL/MCL, but the NCAA denied his request for another year. What is going on at the NCAA? This seems very inconsistent...
Adam Rittenberg: Kyle, I hated the NCAA's decision at the time and still don't understand it myself. The inconsistency with these decisions is stunning. You're happy for guys like Keenum and Minnesota safety Kim Royston, and you feel sick for a guy like Smith, who not only is a terrific receiver but a wonderful representative for Purdue and college athletics. You'd think the NCAA would want a guy like Smith around for one more year. He took a redshirt season in 2007 in part because he left the team to deal with family issues in the spring. And then he hurts his knee early in the 2010 season. I didn't understand the NCAA's decision then, and I don't understand it now.
Matt from Bridgewater, N.J., writes: Adam, your blog keeps me sane at school!-Call me a tad optimistic, but I say Penn St. goes 10-2 with their sole loss coming from Wisconsin. Northwestern seems to be falling apart by the week, and Illinois showed that it has trouble on the big stage. Nebraska has not lived up to the hype (not to mention several key injuries), they come to Happy Valley, and we get Moye back. Finally, the entire team, especially McGloin must be looking for a measure of payback, the way they let the OSU game slip last year. Then we get blown out by Wisky. Your thoughts?
Adam Rittenberg: Matt, I'd say you're being optimistic, but a 10-2 mark isn't unrealistic for Penn State. The Lions defense will keep the team in every game as long as the offense doesn't commit a bunch of turnovers. And if the offense makes strides in the second half like it did last year, anything is possible. The Northwestern game is big because Penn State hasn't been dominant on the road by any stretch and the Wildcats are a desperate team in a must-win situation. Illinois will make it tough for Penn State to score, and the Lions will need to score a bit to beat Nebraska. There really aren't any gimmes the rest of the way, but Penn State has held its own so far in Big Ten play, thanks to the defense.
Tom from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam,Do you think you can get Michigan & Nebraska to play a meaningful trophy game? The only trophy that matters. Bring both 1997 national championship trophies to the game, winner take all
Adam Rittenberg: Tom, that would be a lot of fun. But something tells me both schools won't want to give up their hardware because of a game that took place 14 years later. Maybe I'm wrong.
Early Big Ten-NFL free agent roundup
July, 26, 2011
7/26/11
2:00
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
The wait is finally over for Big Ten players not selected in April's NFL draft.
Free agent deals are finally taking place during a whirlwind week in the post-lockout NFL.
We'll have additional updates as the day goes on, but here's a look at where Big Ten players are landing.
ILLINOIS
Free agent deals are finally taking place during a whirlwind week in the post-lockout NFL.
We'll have additional updates as the day goes on, but here's a look at where Big Ten players are landing.
ILLINOIS
- CB Travon Bellamy, St. Louis Rams
- WR Jarred Fayson: New Orleans Saints
- G Randall Hunt: St. Louis Rams
- DE Clay Nurse: New England Patriots
- QB Ben Chappell: Washington Redskins
- WR Terrance Turner: Philadelphia Eagles
- P Ryan Donahue: Detroit Lions
- LB Jeremiah Hunter: New Orleans Saints
- TE Allen Reisner: Minnesota Vikings
- LB Jeff Tarpinian: New England Patriots
- T Perry Dorrestein: New York Jets
- CB James Rogers: Denver Broncos
- TE Martell Webb: Philadelphia Eagles
- WR Mark Dell: Denver Broncos
- LB Eric Gordon: Jacksonville Jaguars
- T D.J. Young: Arizona Cardinals
- T Dom Alford: Cleveland Browns
- FB Jon Hoese: Green Bay Packers
- QB Adam Weber: Denver Broncos
- K Adi Kunalic: Carolina Panthers
- TE Mike McNeill: Indianapolis Colts
- DE Pierre Allen: Seattle Seahawks
- G Ricky Henry: Chicago Bears
- T D.J. Jones: Miami Dolphins
- S Rickey Thenarse: Seattle Seahawks
- DT Corbin Bryant: Chicago Bears
- LB Quentin Davie: Detroit Lions
- G Bryant Browning: St. Louis Rams
- G Justin Boren: Baltimore Ravens
- RB Brandon Saine: Green Bay Packers
- WR Dane Sanzenbacher: Chicago Bears
- DT Dexter Larimore: New Orleans Saints
- CB Devon Torrence: Minnesota Vikings
- WR Brett Brackett: Miami Dolphins
- LB Chris Colasanti: Indianapolis Colts
- LB Bani Gbadyu: Oakland Raiders
- DT Ollie Ogbu: Indianapolis Colts
- TE Kyle Adams: Chicago Bears
- WR Keith Smith: Detroit Lions
- CB Niles Brinkley: Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB John Clay: Pittsburgh Steelers
- QB Scott Tolzien: San Diego Chargers
Some Purdue fans have seen enough of coach Danny Hope.
They don't believe he'll make the Boilers a consistent bowl team again. They scratch their heads about his recruiting strategy and his in-game decisions. They don't think he can win consistently at this level. They're worried about the momentum Purdue has lost since the first half of the Joe Tiller era.
These are all legitimate concerns. Purdue needs a spark -- soon.
But Hope's boss, athletic director Morgan Burke, is willing to wait a little longer. Two seasons under Hope, including an injury-plagued 2010 campaign, aren't enough to fully assess the coach, who is under contract through 2014.
Burke's comments might frustrate some Purdue fans, but I don't know how else you can view a season that featured so many major injuries at key positions. Would Purdue have made a bowl with Robert Marve, Ralph Bolden, Keith Smith and others healthy for the whole season? We'll never know. But the team's chances would have been much improved.
Hope has made speed a priority in recruiting and scoured the state of Florida for talent. Some Florida products, like cornerback Ricardo Allen, are working out well, while others aren't. He thinks the 2011 team will have substantially more speed and athleticism than his previous versions.
Whether it comes or not, Hope deserves a little more time -- and a fully healthy team -- before a full evaluation can be made.
They don't believe he'll make the Boilers a consistent bowl team again. They scratch their heads about his recruiting strategy and his in-game decisions. They don't think he can win consistently at this level. They're worried about the momentum Purdue has lost since the first half of the Joe Tiller era.
These are all legitimate concerns. Purdue needs a spark -- soon.
But Hope's boss, athletic director Morgan Burke, is willing to wait a little longer. Two seasons under Hope, including an injury-plagued 2010 campaign, aren't enough to fully assess the coach, who is under contract through 2014.
"You've got to take that year [2010] and kind of just wipe it out," Burke told The Associated Press on Monday. "... I really believe last year, had we been relatively healthy, they would have had a much more productive season."
Burke's comments might frustrate some Purdue fans, but I don't know how else you can view a season that featured so many major injuries at key positions. Would Purdue have made a bowl with Robert Marve, Ralph Bolden, Keith Smith and others healthy for the whole season? We'll never know. But the team's chances would have been much improved.
Hope has made speed a priority in recruiting and scoured the state of Florida for talent. Some Florida products, like cornerback Ricardo Allen, are working out well, while others aren't. He thinks the 2011 team will have substantially more speed and athleticism than his previous versions.
"I think the recruiting is much better than people think, but they can't see it yet," Burke said. "I can see it on the practice field. The fans can't see it yet, but it's coming."
Whether it comes or not, Hope deserves a little more time -- and a fully healthy team -- before a full evaluation can be made.
Purdue's Ralph Bolden anxious for return
June, 27, 2011
6/27/11
5:00
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Ralph Bolden has been through this before.
The Purdue running back tore the ACL in his right knee as a high school senior and wasn't fully recovered by the time he arrived in West Lafayette, playing mostly on special teams in 2008. At full strength the following fall, Bolden rushed for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning consensus second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Primed for an even bigger junior season, Bolden suffered an all-too-familiar setback. He tore the same ACL in spring practice and sat out the entire 2010 campaign.
After another lengthy rehab, Bolden is once again on the verge of a return.
"I'm so ready," he said last week. "I have dreams about playing games and everything. It's hard to explain."
Bolden notes some positive developments during his time away from the spotlight.
For starters, his leg is stronger and more explosive, and he can squat more than he used to. He feels more natural in his cuts after doing countless foot drills during the rehab process. The time away also allowed Bolden to spend more time studying film.
Bolden participated in most drills during spring practice but was held out of contact, just to be safe.
"There were a couple times I actually tried to get into practice, but the coaches were holding me out," he said. "They let me run around, skelly, all non-contact stuff, but they didn't want me to do contact stuff. They said, 'No rush.'"
Bolden's most recent ACL recovery differed from the first because he had to rehab both legs. Doctors used graft from his left leg to help reconstruct his right ACL during surgery.
Other than that, the rehab was standard for the 5-foot-9, 194-pound Bolden.
"I knew what to do," he said. "I knew how to do it."
Unfortunately, Bolden wasn't the only standout Purdue athlete going through ACL rehab last year. ACL injuries have become somewhat of an epidemic for the Boilers.
Bolden's teammates Robert Marve and Keith Smith suffered ACL tears last season, and Purdue basketball star Robbie Hummel tore his right ACL twice in an eight-month span.
"During the fall and summer last year, we were working out a lot together," Bolden said. "We pretty much went through the same thing. He'd ask me how my knee feels and he'd give me feedback on how his knee felt.
"When he tore it [again], I actually got scared. I was like, 'Oh man, we had the same surgeon and everything. It's going to happen to me.' But I'm not worried about it."
Bolden is only worried about returning to the field this season. Though he's a likely candidate to reclaim his starting job, nothing is guaranteed with coach Danny Hope, who never writes his depth chart in permanent ink.
Purdue's one-dimensional offense finished fifth in the league in rushing last fall but should have a more balanced attack as players get healthy.
"The best players are going to start," Bolden said. "I look at every year as a new beginning, so I'm going to go all out in camp to show the coaches what I can do."
The Purdue running back tore the ACL in his right knee as a high school senior and wasn't fully recovered by the time he arrived in West Lafayette, playing mostly on special teams in 2008. At full strength the following fall, Bolden rushed for 935 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning consensus second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Primed for an even bigger junior season, Bolden suffered an all-too-familiar setback. He tore the same ACL in spring practice and sat out the entire 2010 campaign.
After another lengthy rehab, Bolden is once again on the verge of a return.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Don RyanRalph Bolden rushed for 935 yards during the 2009 season.
AP Photo/Don RyanRalph Bolden rushed for 935 yards during the 2009 season.Bolden notes some positive developments during his time away from the spotlight.
For starters, his leg is stronger and more explosive, and he can squat more than he used to. He feels more natural in his cuts after doing countless foot drills during the rehab process. The time away also allowed Bolden to spend more time studying film.
Bolden participated in most drills during spring practice but was held out of contact, just to be safe.
"There were a couple times I actually tried to get into practice, but the coaches were holding me out," he said. "They let me run around, skelly, all non-contact stuff, but they didn't want me to do contact stuff. They said, 'No rush.'"
Bolden's most recent ACL recovery differed from the first because he had to rehab both legs. Doctors used graft from his left leg to help reconstruct his right ACL during surgery.
Other than that, the rehab was standard for the 5-foot-9, 194-pound Bolden.
"I knew what to do," he said. "I knew how to do it."
Unfortunately, Bolden wasn't the only standout Purdue athlete going through ACL rehab last year. ACL injuries have become somewhat of an epidemic for the Boilers.
Bolden's teammates Robert Marve and Keith Smith suffered ACL tears last season, and Purdue basketball star Robbie Hummel tore his right ACL twice in an eight-month span.
"During the fall and summer last year, we were working out a lot together," Bolden said. "We pretty much went through the same thing. He'd ask me how my knee feels and he'd give me feedback on how his knee felt.
"When he tore it [again], I actually got scared. I was like, 'Oh man, we had the same surgeon and everything. It's going to happen to me.' But I'm not worried about it."
Bolden is only worried about returning to the field this season. Though he's a likely candidate to reclaim his starting job, nothing is guaranteed with coach Danny Hope, who never writes his depth chart in permanent ink.
Purdue's one-dimensional offense finished fifth in the league in rushing last fall but should have a more balanced attack as players get healthy.
"The best players are going to start," Bolden said. "I look at every year as a new beginning, so I'm going to go all out in camp to show the coaches what I can do."
You are the weakest link -- goodbye!
- Recruit Kyle Kalis still could end up as a Buckeye, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller is among the nation's top impact freshmen, colleague Bruce Feldman writes (Insider).
- Several interesting Northwestern nuggets in this report from the Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein.
- Minnesota adds a commitment to its 2012 class.
- Onward State's Ryan Beckler has an interesting look at the value of Big Ten student football tickets. Wisconsin's single-game tickets are among the cheapest in the league, Andy Baggot writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.
- RichRod dishes on Michigan and his future in a Q&A with Rivals.com's Tom Dienhart. The Wolverines' already impressive 2012 recruiting class could be getting bigger, Jim Russ writes in The Detroit News.
- Iowa video interviews with tackle Markus Zusevics and cornerback Shaun Prater.
- A small number of available scholarships contributed to Nebraska losing an in-state prospect to Iowa, Sam McKewon writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
- Wisconsin's latest recruit has a great name.
- Former Purdue players Keith Smith and Kyle Adams are waiting out the NFL lockout, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier. The Boilers add a kicker to their 2012 class.
- Nebraska assistant Ron Brown emphasizes the Husker running back tradition to his players, Brian Christopherson writes in the Lincoln Journal Star.
Linking while I continue to fume about "The Killing" finale ...
- Iowa picked up a defensive end from Nebraska who plays eight-man football. More talk and some video on Iowa recruiting. Broderick Binns says the Hawkeyes will be prepared to finish games this year. Marvin McNutt declared himself healthy.
- Some top prospects are camping at Michigan this week.
- Nebraska has gone 100 percent Cotton. Athlon looks at the Cornhuskers' move to the Big Ten.
- Ohio State should be helped by Tuesday's report by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles clearing the Buckeyes of wrongdoing.
- Joe Paterno and Coach K taped their ESPN event, and JoePa said he wants freshmen to be ineligible. The Nittany Lions are starting to increase the pressure on interested offensive line recruits with roster spots dwindling. The Wall Street Journal includes Penn State and Northwestern on its list of the "last NCAA innocents."
- Purdue's Kyle Adams and Keith Smith are in NFL limbo. The Boilermakers landed an athlete from Florida. Athletic director Morgan Burke says Danny Hope's job is safe.
- Wisconsin is off to a fast start in 2012 recruiting. A Russell Wilson decision is expected before July 1.
- Indiana picked up its fourth commitment in the last 10 days with an offensive lineman.
During my Big Ten chat Wednesday, Dan from B1G Country asked about any NFL draft bargains from the conference this year.
With the draft set to begin Thursday night, I thought this would be a good time to look at some Big Ten players who might benefit teams in the middle or later rounds, or even as free-agent pickups.
Here's one potential bargain from each Big Ten squad (heights and weights according to ESPN's Scouts Inc.).
ILLINOIS
Randall Hunt, G, 6-6, 318
The skinny: Hunt anchored a formidable Illinois offensive line that helped Mikel Leshoure and others run wild in 2010. He shut down Baylor's Phil Taylor in the Texas Bowl and brings a sturdy frame to the interior line. Hunt wouldn't be a bad choice in the later rounds.
INDIANA
James Brewer, T, 6-6, 323
The skinny: I'm hesitant to call Brewer a bargain because he could be off the board early in the draft. Indiana had another tackle, Rodger Saffold, taken with the first pick of the second round in 2010. Brewer has the size to be good at the next level, and if he's still available on the third day, he'd be a nice pick.
IOWA
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR, 5-11, 202
The skinny: The character questions are there, but DJK was an extremely productive player at Iowa and could be a nice late-round addition for a team. He's a strong route runner with good speed and good hands, and he can stretch defenses. If a team is willing to take a bit of a risk, it could be rewarded.
MICHIGAN
Stephen Schilling, G, 6-4, 308
The skinny: Schilling played a ton of football at Michigan and helped the Wolverines to a record-setting offensive performance in 2010. His measurables might not blow teams away, but he's a smart, solid lineman who could be a nice addition in the middle to later rounds.
MICHIGAN STATE
Eric Gordon, LB/S, 5-11, 224
The skinny: Overshadowed by fellow linebacker Greg Jones for much of his career, Gordon quietly produced at an extremely high rate for Michigan State. You could argue he was the Spartans' best linebacker during the second half of the 2010 season. Gordon turned in an impressive performance on pro day and would be a nice pickup late in the draft or as a free agent.
MINNESOTA
Adam Weber, QB, 6-3, 221
The skinny: Some Gophers fans might scoff at this, but I always felt Weber got a raw deal during his college career. He played for three different offensive coordinators, never complained about it and still set a bunch of team records. While his junior season was a disappointment, Weber did some good things last fall and drew respect around the Big Ten. Not a bad pick in the later rounds.
NEBRASKA
Eric Hagg, S, 6-1, 209
The skinny: Hagg is a playmaker, as he showed with a team-high five interceptions plus a school-record 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Texas. He also brings versatility to the table, having played a safety-linebacker hybrid role last fall for the Blackshirts. Hagg has played on an elite college defense and would be a good get in the middle to late rounds.
NORTHWESTERN
Quentin Davie, LB, 6-4, 238
The skinny: Davie entered the 2010 season as a solid NFL prospect and started off strong but disappeared at times down the stretch. He made big plays throughout his career and boasts good size as an outside linebacker. Davie could help a team as a late-round or free-agent addition if he gets back to his 2009 form.
OHIO STATE
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, 5-11, 182
The skinny: If I were an NFL general manager, I wouldn't hesitate to draft Sanzenbacher. He lacks ideal measurables but makes up for it with football intelligence and a fearless approach to the game. Sanzenbacher has great hands and became Ohio State's top threat in the red zone this season. He stood out at the Senior Bowl and would be an excellent pick in the middle rounds.
PENN STATE
Evan Royster, RB, 5-11, 212
The skinny: Royster is a patient runner with good vision who could thrive in the right situation at the pro level. His slow start to the 2010 season is a concern, but he picked things up down the stretch and boasts a productive college résumé. If a team needs a running back in the late rounds, Royster would be a nice choice.
PURDUE
Keith Smith, WR, 6-2, 224
The skinny: There's risk here as Smith comes off of tears in two knee ligaments, but a team could get a major steal if the Boilers receiver can stay healthy. He has the size to excel at the pro level and might have been the Big Ten's top receiver had he stayed on the field last season. Smith is a class act who has a chance to be a solid NFL receiver.
WISCONSIN
Scott Tolzien, QB, 6-2, 209
The skinny: He might never be a full-time starter in the NFL, but teams certainly can benefit from having Tolzien on the roster. He's an extremely smart player who makes up for mediocre measurables with superb intangibles. Tolzien is accurate and efficient, and he'll prepare harder than anyone. If a team needs a quarterback in the later rounds, Tolzien would be a great pick.
With the draft set to begin Thursday night, I thought this would be a good time to look at some Big Ten players who might benefit teams in the middle or later rounds, or even as free-agent pickups.
Here's one potential bargain from each Big Ten squad (heights and weights according to ESPN's Scouts Inc.).
ILLINOIS
Randall Hunt, G, 6-6, 318
The skinny: Hunt anchored a formidable Illinois offensive line that helped Mikel Leshoure and others run wild in 2010. He shut down Baylor's Phil Taylor in the Texas Bowl and brings a sturdy frame to the interior line. Hunt wouldn't be a bad choice in the later rounds.
INDIANA
James Brewer, T, 6-6, 323
The skinny: I'm hesitant to call Brewer a bargain because he could be off the board early in the draft. Indiana had another tackle, Rodger Saffold, taken with the first pick of the second round in 2010. Brewer has the size to be good at the next level, and if he's still available on the third day, he'd be a nice pick.
IOWA
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR, 5-11, 202
The skinny: The character questions are there, but DJK was an extremely productive player at Iowa and could be a nice late-round addition for a team. He's a strong route runner with good speed and good hands, and he can stretch defenses. If a team is willing to take a bit of a risk, it could be rewarded.
MICHIGAN
Stephen Schilling, G, 6-4, 308
The skinny: Schilling played a ton of football at Michigan and helped the Wolverines to a record-setting offensive performance in 2010. His measurables might not blow teams away, but he's a smart, solid lineman who could be a nice addition in the middle to later rounds.
MICHIGAN STATE
Eric Gordon, LB/S, 5-11, 224
The skinny: Overshadowed by fellow linebacker Greg Jones for much of his career, Gordon quietly produced at an extremely high rate for Michigan State. You could argue he was the Spartans' best linebacker during the second half of the 2010 season. Gordon turned in an impressive performance on pro day and would be a nice pickup late in the draft or as a free agent.
MINNESOTA
Adam Weber, QB, 6-3, 221
The skinny: Some Gophers fans might scoff at this, but I always felt Weber got a raw deal during his college career. He played for three different offensive coordinators, never complained about it and still set a bunch of team records. While his junior season was a disappointment, Weber did some good things last fall and drew respect around the Big Ten. Not a bad pick in the later rounds.
NEBRASKA
Eric Hagg, S, 6-1, 209
The skinny: Hagg is a playmaker, as he showed with a team-high five interceptions plus a school-record 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Texas. He also brings versatility to the table, having played a safety-linebacker hybrid role last fall for the Blackshirts. Hagg has played on an elite college defense and would be a good get in the middle to late rounds.
NORTHWESTERN
Quentin Davie, LB, 6-4, 238
The skinny: Davie entered the 2010 season as a solid NFL prospect and started off strong but disappeared at times down the stretch. He made big plays throughout his career and boasts good size as an outside linebacker. Davie could help a team as a late-round or free-agent addition if he gets back to his 2009 form.
OHIO STATE
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, 5-11, 182
The skinny: If I were an NFL general manager, I wouldn't hesitate to draft Sanzenbacher. He lacks ideal measurables but makes up for it with football intelligence and a fearless approach to the game. Sanzenbacher has great hands and became Ohio State's top threat in the red zone this season. He stood out at the Senior Bowl and would be an excellent pick in the middle rounds.
PENN STATE
Evan Royster, RB, 5-11, 212
The skinny: Royster is a patient runner with good vision who could thrive in the right situation at the pro level. His slow start to the 2010 season is a concern, but he picked things up down the stretch and boasts a productive college résumé. If a team needs a running back in the late rounds, Royster would be a nice choice.
PURDUE
Keith Smith, WR, 6-2, 224
The skinny: There's risk here as Smith comes off of tears in two knee ligaments, but a team could get a major steal if the Boilers receiver can stay healthy. He has the size to excel at the pro level and might have been the Big Ten's top receiver had he stayed on the field last season. Smith is a class act who has a chance to be a solid NFL receiver.
WISCONSIN
Scott Tolzien, QB, 6-2, 209
The skinny: He might never be a full-time starter in the NFL, but teams certainly can benefit from having Tolzien on the roster. He's an extremely smart player who makes up for mediocre measurables with superb intangibles. Tolzien is accurate and efficient, and he'll prepare harder than anyone. If a team needs a quarterback in the later rounds, Tolzien would be a great pick.
Links are a bit abridged today as I'm rushing off to chat with you fine folks!
- Details on Iowa's rhabdo report from the Des Moines Register's Randy Peterson. Iowa faces plenty of question marks as spring ball dawns, Pat Harty writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
- With Jim Tressel suspended, who will get credit for Ohio State's wins this fall? CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel wonders if Ohio State will follow Tennessee's lead and can The Vest.
- Michigan coach Brady Hoke stresses the importance of recruiting in Detroit, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News. The Wolverines welcome a quarterback recruit to campus on Thursday, Josh Helmholdt writes in the Detroit Free Press.
- Penn State's spring roster is out and reveals plenty, Bob Flounders writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News. It's time for Brandon Ware to step up for the Lions.
- A position-by-position breakdown of Wisconsin this spring from the Wisconsin State Journal's Tom Mulhern.
- Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins weighs in on several topics in a Q&A with the Orlando Sentinel.
- Nebraska needs its young guards to grow up fast, Rich Kaipust writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
- Doug Mallory has made an immediate impact on Indiana's secondary, Dustin Dopirak writes in The (Bloomington) Herald-Times (subscription required).
- Purdue receiver Keith Smith is looking ahead to the NFL draft, Adrian Alderete writes in The Exponent.
Marching toward spring ball.
- Five areas to watch for Purdue as the Boilers open spring practice today, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier. Boilers receiver Keith Smith has turned his focus to the NFL, Eric Ingles writes in the Journal Review.
- CBS and Sports Illustrated put together a fascinating piece on crime in college football, which includes sobering stats, but also turnaround stories like Wisconsin's Kevin Claxton.
- Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio discusses the 2010 season, the future outlook and his health with The Grand Rapids Press' Greg Johnson. The Spartans aren't raising ticket prices for 2011, Shawn Windsor writes in the Detroit Free Press.
- Ohio State cornerback Chimdi Chekwa showcased his speed at the combine, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
- Indiana reportedly will complete its coaching staff with Miami (Ohio) assistant Deland McCullough.
- Iowa's Phil Parker, and Wisconsin's Joe Rudolph and Paul Chryst make Rivals.com's dream team of assistant coaches.
- A look at Evan Royster's combine performance from The Times-Tribune's Donnie Collins.
- Iowa football ticket prices are once again on the rise, Scott Dochterman writes. Examining the Hawkeyes' quarterbacks entering spring ball, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. Iowa's rhabdo investigation could wrap up earlier than expected, Tom Witosky writes in the Des Moines Register.
- Colleague KC Joyner has an interesting piece on Nebraska's offense and its potential passing success in the Big Ten. Huskers cornerback Prince Amukamara silenced critics of his speed at the combine, Jon Nyatawa writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
- Minnesota players are helping each other show up for 6 a.m. workouts, Phil Miller writes in the Star Tribune.
- Michigan's draft prospects don't stand out at the combine, Mark Snyder writes in the Detroit Free Press.
- Big Ten draft hopefuls Stefen Wisniewski and Cameron Heyward talk about their NFL bloodlines in this Pro Football Weekly story.
This will be the last mailblog for a little while -- vacation coming -- but keep sending in those questions. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter.
Let's get going.
John from Las Vegas writes: Was Roy Helu's performance at the combine expected? Look at the numbers, he seemed to put together some very solid times. How much weight do the times actually carry?
Adam Rittenberg: John, you never fully know what to expect from prospects at the combine, but Helu certainly helped himself with his performance. His 40-yard dash times (4.43 and 4.42) exceeded some folks' expectations, and he also did very well in the two shuttles and the three-cone drill. It also helps that Helu boasts good size for a pro back. The thing to remember is some teams value combine tests more than others, and Helu has to fit a team's needs and its system. But the Huskers' star opened eyes in Indy, which is a very good thing.
Ryan from West Lafayette, Ind., writes: Adam, explain to me how in the world Keith Smith does not get another year of eligibility? He played in one game this year and got hurt in the second. I've seen countless players over the years who've played two or three full games and got hurt and the NCAA granted them a medical redshirt. The boilers could have really used him this year.
Adam Rittenberg: Ryan, one thing to remember is Smith applied for a sixth year, not a medical hardship waiver, so it's slightly different. The NCAA doesn't provide much of an explanation for its ruling, and Smith as of earlier today hadn't received one. I think the issue with Smith has more to do with the 2007 season than the 2010 campaign. He redshirted in 2007 for more reasons than just injury. He left school in the spring because of a family situation and fell behind academically. He also had an ankle injury that limited him during in-season practices. My guess is that if serious injury had been the sole reason Smith took the redshirt in 2007, he would have received the sixth year. In the cases of Purdue players Jason Werner and Torri Williams, injuries fully wiped out two seasons for both men, and both received sixth years from the NCAA.
Jerry from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam:Great job on the season grades. But somehow I missed a few. Is there a way to find the links to the full list of team grade videos?
Adam Rittenberg: No problem, Jerry. You can find each of the team grade videos below:
Nick from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: My friend and I have been arguing about who made a bigger impact on the kirk ferentz hawkeye football era so far, Ricky Stanzi or Brad Banks? I agree Banks was the better COLLEGE qb, but overall stanzi won three bowls including a bcs and is going off to the NFL, proving that Iowa can produce Nfl caliber qbs. what do you think about these two qbs?
Adam Rittenberg: Good debate, Nick! Banks undoubtedly had the best individual season of the two in 2002, when he won Big Ten Player of the Year honors and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. But in terms of overall impact on the program, I would go with Stanzi as well. The quarterback position looked bleak in 2008 until he emerged as the guy and led the comeback against Penn State. Three bowl wins also can't be overlooked. Banks only had two seasons in Iowa City and played behind Kyle McCann in 2001. But his 2002 season certainly stands out in Iowa history, and it seems like the '02 team is celebrated more than any of Stanzi's squads. You can make good cases on both sides. I like this discussion.
Tony from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: All of this talk about MSU being a football or basketball school has got me wondering, where do other schools see themselves? Is Illinois football or basketball? Wisconsin? Iowa (maybe for wrestling)? With not a whole lot going on in this month before spring practices hit full swing, this might be a fun topic to dive into with each school in the B10.
Adam Rittenberg: Tony, this is always a fun topic to discuss. I explored it in March 2009 in this post, which identified the flagship program (football or men's basketball) for each Big Ten school.
I'd make a few adjustments to this list after a few more years on the job. Michigan State, after our recent debate, could be labeled a football school or at least a push. Minnesota might be labeled a hockey school. The others likely remain the same.
Let's get going.
John from Las Vegas writes: Was Roy Helu's performance at the combine expected? Look at the numbers, he seemed to put together some very solid times. How much weight do the times actually carry?
Adam Rittenberg: John, you never fully know what to expect from prospects at the combine, but Helu certainly helped himself with his performance. His 40-yard dash times (4.43 and 4.42) exceeded some folks' expectations, and he also did very well in the two shuttles and the three-cone drill. It also helps that Helu boasts good size for a pro back. The thing to remember is some teams value combine tests more than others, and Helu has to fit a team's needs and its system. But the Huskers' star opened eyes in Indy, which is a very good thing.
Ryan from West Lafayette, Ind., writes: Adam, explain to me how in the world Keith Smith does not get another year of eligibility? He played in one game this year and got hurt in the second. I've seen countless players over the years who've played two or three full games and got hurt and the NCAA granted them a medical redshirt. The boilers could have really used him this year.
Adam Rittenberg: Ryan, one thing to remember is Smith applied for a sixth year, not a medical hardship waiver, so it's slightly different. The NCAA doesn't provide much of an explanation for its ruling, and Smith as of earlier today hadn't received one. I think the issue with Smith has more to do with the 2007 season than the 2010 campaign. He redshirted in 2007 for more reasons than just injury. He left school in the spring because of a family situation and fell behind academically. He also had an ankle injury that limited him during in-season practices. My guess is that if serious injury had been the sole reason Smith took the redshirt in 2007, he would have received the sixth year. In the cases of Purdue players Jason Werner and Torri Williams, injuries fully wiped out two seasons for both men, and both received sixth years from the NCAA.
Jerry from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam:Great job on the season grades. But somehow I missed a few. Is there a way to find the links to the full list of team grade videos?
Adam Rittenberg: No problem, Jerry. You can find each of the team grade videos below:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Minnesota
- Northwestern
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- Purdue
- Wisconsin
Nick from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: My friend and I have been arguing about who made a bigger impact on the kirk ferentz hawkeye football era so far, Ricky Stanzi or Brad Banks? I agree Banks was the better COLLEGE qb, but overall stanzi won three bowls including a bcs and is going off to the NFL, proving that Iowa can produce Nfl caliber qbs. what do you think about these two qbs?
Adam Rittenberg: Good debate, Nick! Banks undoubtedly had the best individual season of the two in 2002, when he won Big Ten Player of the Year honors and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. But in terms of overall impact on the program, I would go with Stanzi as well. The quarterback position looked bleak in 2008 until he emerged as the guy and led the comeback against Penn State. Three bowl wins also can't be overlooked. Banks only had two seasons in Iowa City and played behind Kyle McCann in 2001. But his 2002 season certainly stands out in Iowa history, and it seems like the '02 team is celebrated more than any of Stanzi's squads. You can make good cases on both sides. I like this discussion.
Tony from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: All of this talk about MSU being a football or basketball school has got me wondering, where do other schools see themselves? Is Illinois football or basketball? Wisconsin? Iowa (maybe for wrestling)? With not a whole lot going on in this month before spring practices hit full swing, this might be a fun topic to dive into with each school in the B10.
Adam Rittenberg: Tony, this is always a fun topic to discuss. I explored it in March 2009 in this post, which identified the flagship program (football or men's basketball) for each Big Ten school.
- Illinois: basketball
- Indiana: basketball
- Iowa: football
- Michigan: football
- Michigan State: basketball
- Minnesota: push
- Northwestern: football
- Ohio State: football
- Penn State: football
- Purdue: basketball
- Wisconsin: push
I'd make a few adjustments to this list after a few more years on the job. Michigan State, after our recent debate, could be labeled a football school or at least a push. Minnesota might be labeled a hockey school. The others likely remain the same.
Purdue's Smith takes NCAA ruling in stride
March, 1, 2011
3/01/11
4:00
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Keith Smith doesn't sound bitter or defeated.
Like he has many times before, the Purdue receiver is taking the high road.
We're still waiting for an explanation as to why the NCAA denied Smith a sixth year of eligibility at Purdue. Another season in college would have allowed Smith to fully recover from knee surgery, improve his game and showcase his skills for NFL talent evaluators during the fall.
Instead, the pro process speeds up for the Boilers' All-Big Ten receiver, but he's taking the news in stride.
"It’s not that it’s disappointing," Smith said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. "It’s just a different path now. It’s now to go further and play in the NFL. I’m sad I can’t go out there on Saturdays and play with my teammates anymore, but now it’s to take my life a step further and play on Sundays."
Smith remained optimistic while awaiting a decision, but the longer he waited, the more he prepared for the NCAA to deny his request. He admitted his situation is unique but felt he had presented a strong argument for a sixth year at Purdue.
Central to Smith's case was him redshirting the 2007 season. He left school that spring because of a family situation at home in Texas and fell behind academically. Although he returned before the fall, an ankle injury prevented him from practicing and required surgery after the season.
Would Smith have been granted a sixth year if his redshirt season was solely because of injury? Tough to tell.
"When it comes down to stuff like this, you don’t really know which way it’s going to go," said Smith, who hasn't been given an explanation for the denial. "You hope for the best but you’re planning for the worst. I’ve been preparing for this decision and now I’m ready to get rolling."
Smith started the process during the weekend as he attended the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Despite his eligibility situation, Smith received an invitation to the event.
Although his knee prevented him from participating in drills, Smith went through medical exams and interviewed with several teams, including the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers.
"The combine helped a lot," he said. "To see the business aspect of the NFL, it’s very straightforward and they let you know that from the first time you step into that building. I'm grateful they invited me."
Smith's rehab is going well and he's running routes at full speed. Although he won't be ready for Purdue's pro day, he plans to work out for NFL teams in mid April, just before the draft. His agent immediately started contacting pro squads after the NCAA's ruling Monday.
Although Smith's return certainly would have helped Purdue, Smith is optimistic about the receiver group, led by Justin Siller.
While Monday's ruling ended Smith's Purdue's career, he's excited about the future -- pro ball and then a career in law enforcement.
"It’s nice to finally get an answer," Smith said, "to know which path my life is going."
Like he has many times before, the Purdue receiver is taking the high road.
We're still waiting for an explanation as to why the NCAA denied Smith a sixth year of eligibility at Purdue. Another season in college would have allowed Smith to fully recover from knee surgery, improve his game and showcase his skills for NFL talent evaluators during the fall.
Instead, the pro process speeds up for the Boilers' All-Big Ten receiver, but he's taking the news in stride.
"It’s not that it’s disappointing," Smith said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. "It’s just a different path now. It’s now to go further and play in the NFL. I’m sad I can’t go out there on Saturdays and play with my teammates anymore, but now it’s to take my life a step further and play on Sundays."
Smith remained optimistic while awaiting a decision, but the longer he waited, the more he prepared for the NCAA to deny his request. He admitted his situation is unique but felt he had presented a strong argument for a sixth year at Purdue.
Central to Smith's case was him redshirting the 2007 season. He left school that spring because of a family situation at home in Texas and fell behind academically. Although he returned before the fall, an ankle injury prevented him from practicing and required surgery after the season.
Would Smith have been granted a sixth year if his redshirt season was solely because of injury? Tough to tell.
"When it comes down to stuff like this, you don’t really know which way it’s going to go," said Smith, who hasn't been given an explanation for the denial. "You hope for the best but you’re planning for the worst. I’ve been preparing for this decision and now I’m ready to get rolling."
Smith started the process during the weekend as he attended the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Despite his eligibility situation, Smith received an invitation to the event.
Although his knee prevented him from participating in drills, Smith went through medical exams and interviewed with several teams, including the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers.
"The combine helped a lot," he said. "To see the business aspect of the NFL, it’s very straightforward and they let you know that from the first time you step into that building. I'm grateful they invited me."
Smith's rehab is going well and he's running routes at full speed. Although he won't be ready for Purdue's pro day, he plans to work out for NFL teams in mid April, just before the draft. His agent immediately started contacting pro squads after the NCAA's ruling Monday.
Although Smith's return certainly would have helped Purdue, Smith is optimistic about the receiver group, led by Justin Siller.
While Monday's ruling ended Smith's Purdue's career, he's excited about the future -- pro ball and then a career in law enforcement.
"It’s nice to finally get an answer," Smith said, "to know which path my life is going."
Unfortunate end for Purdue's Keith Smith
February, 28, 2011
2/28/11
6:00
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
The longer the NCAA waited to render a decision on Keith Smith, the less likely it seemed that the star receiver would see the field again for Purdue.
Smith finally got the news Monday, and it wasn't what he or Purdue fans wanted to hear.
The NCAA denied Smith a sixth year, ending his college career two days before Purdue is to open spring practice. Smith applied for a sixth year in November after two torn ligaments in a Week 2 win against Western Illinois ended his 2010 season.
The NCAA typically makes decisions on sixth-year applicants in early to mid February. Minnesota safety Kim Royston, who missed all of last season with a broken leg, got the good news in late January. The NCAA granted sixth years to Purdue players in each of the past two Februarys: linebacker Jason Werner in 2010 and safety Torri Williams in 2009.
But for some reason, Smith's case wasn't compelling enough for a sixth year. Count me among those disappointed by the decision.
Not only is Smith an outstanding player -- he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2009 after leading the league in both receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,100) -- but he's a classy kid with an infectious personality who deserved a better end to his college career.
Smith showed why type of guy he is in the way he handled the injury setback last season.
I spoke this afternoon with Purdue coach Danny Hope, who hasn't heard why Smith's application was denied (Purdue's compliance department deals with the NCAA, not the coaches). One possible explanation why the decisions differed for Werner, Williams and Smith: both Werner and Williams missed two full seasons because of injury while Smith sat out the 2007 season only partially because of injury.
I'm checking with the NCAA and hope to get a response soon.
"We’re all very disappointed," Hope said. "Disappointed for him and obviously, he's a very valuable team member, so we’re all disappointed. But it’s just reality. Sometimes life can throw you a curveball, you have to adjust your swing."
There's no doubt Smith will make the necessary adjustments.
"I told Keith months ago that either way, I think he’ll make it in the National Football League," Hope said. "Getting a year back would have given him opportunity to improve after the injury and show what he can do. He’s been great. He’s been extremely upbeat throughout the whole process and has had a plan regardless of the scenario."
Smith attended the NFL combine in Indianapolis and went through interviews with teams. He couldn't participate in drills as he continues to rehab from the knee surgery.
Purdue brings back some decent depth at receiver even without Smith. Justin Siller returns from injury, and the Boilers also have Antavian Edison, Gary Bush and O.J. Ross, who impressed before getting hurt.
Hope also is excited about Normando Harris, who moves to receiver from safety, and incoming freshman Raheem Mostert.
"I think we’re going to be OK numbers wise," Hope said. "We're going to have to produce to fill those shoes, but we’ve got some good players coming back."
Smith finally got the news Monday, and it wasn't what he or Purdue fans wanted to hear.
The NCAA denied Smith a sixth year, ending his college career two days before Purdue is to open spring practice. Smith applied for a sixth year in November after two torn ligaments in a Week 2 win against Western Illinois ended his 2010 season.
The NCAA typically makes decisions on sixth-year applicants in early to mid February. Minnesota safety Kim Royston, who missed all of last season with a broken leg, got the good news in late January. The NCAA granted sixth years to Purdue players in each of the past two Februarys: linebacker Jason Werner in 2010 and safety Torri Williams in 2009.
But for some reason, Smith's case wasn't compelling enough for a sixth year. Count me among those disappointed by the decision.
Not only is Smith an outstanding player -- he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2009 after leading the league in both receptions (91) and receiving yards (1,100) -- but he's a classy kid with an infectious personality who deserved a better end to his college career.
Smith showed why type of guy he is in the way he handled the injury setback last season.
I spoke this afternoon with Purdue coach Danny Hope, who hasn't heard why Smith's application was denied (Purdue's compliance department deals with the NCAA, not the coaches). One possible explanation why the decisions differed for Werner, Williams and Smith: both Werner and Williams missed two full seasons because of injury while Smith sat out the 2007 season only partially because of injury.
I'm checking with the NCAA and hope to get a response soon.
"We’re all very disappointed," Hope said. "Disappointed for him and obviously, he's a very valuable team member, so we’re all disappointed. But it’s just reality. Sometimes life can throw you a curveball, you have to adjust your swing."
There's no doubt Smith will make the necessary adjustments.
"I told Keith months ago that either way, I think he’ll make it in the National Football League," Hope said. "Getting a year back would have given him opportunity to improve after the injury and show what he can do. He’s been great. He’s been extremely upbeat throughout the whole process and has had a plan regardless of the scenario."
Smith attended the NFL combine in Indianapolis and went through interviews with teams. He couldn't participate in drills as he continues to rehab from the knee surgery.
Purdue brings back some decent depth at receiver even without Smith. Justin Siller returns from injury, and the Boilers also have Antavian Edison, Gary Bush and O.J. Ross, who impressed before getting hurt.
Hope also is excited about Normando Harris, who moves to receiver from safety, and incoming freshman Raheem Mostert.
"I think we’re going to be OK numbers wise," Hope said. "We're going to have to produce to fill those shoes, but we’ve got some good players coming back."
When I first started working here, an 8-year-old Shirley Temple taught me how to roll a cigarette.
- Things were a little awkward at first when former Michigan teammates Stephen Schilling and Justin Boren reunited at the NFL combine, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
- Penn State's uniforms likely will become even more basic in 2011. Lions running back Evan Royster recognizes the need for speed at the combine, Jeff Rice writes in the Centre Daily Times.
- Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi isn't lacking confidence at the combine, saying he's the best tackle in the draft, Aaron Wilson writes in the National Football Post.
- Michigan AD Dave Brandon says the school "isn't messing around" with Greg Mattison's lucrative contract, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News. Jim Harbaugh was "very interested" in the Michigan job but couldn't pass up the NFL, Dave Birkett writes in the Detroit Free Press.
- Iowa receiver Marvin McNutt reportedly underwent hand and shoulder surgery. Allen Reisner hopes to continue Iowa's tradition of producing NFL tight ends, Chris Nielsen writes in the Des Moines Register. Some interesting quotes from Iowa offensive lineman Julian Vandervelde.
- Big Ten associate commissioner Mark Rudner talks with Off Tackle Empire about expansion, division alignment, scheduling and other topics.
- Six Big Ten venues appear in Dennis Dodd's list of top 25 college football stadiums.
- After my Michigan State sport ID debate, The Daily Gopher wonders what sport best defines Minnesota's program.
- Damarlo Belcher and his Indiana teammates are slimming down before spring ball, Pete DiPrimio writes in The (Fort Wayne) News-Sentinel. Hoosiers players are tired of losing and willing to buy in to Kevin Wilson and the new staff, Dustin Dopirak writes in The (Bloomington) Herald-Times (subscription required).
- USC's hiring of former Nebraska assistant Ted Gilmore is now official.
- Purdue coach Danny Hope discusses Al-Terek McBurse's apparent departure and the waiting game for receiver Keith Smith, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
- Michigan State's Kirk Cousins will be speaking about football and faith tonight.
Purdue's McBurse not expected to return
February, 24, 2011
2/24/11
3:30
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Purdue running back Al-Terek McBurse isn't expected to return to the team for the 2011 season, coach Danny Hope told The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier on Thursday.
A team spokesman confirmed that McBurse hasn't been participating in winter workouts the past few weeks but remains enrolled in school. McBurse entered the 2010 season as Purdue's top running back but missed two games with a toe injury and slipped behind Dan Dierking and others on the depth chart. He finished the year with 189 rush yards and a touchdown on 22 carries and added five receptions for 30 yards.
Purdue planned to move McBurse to wide receiver, but Hope doesn't think the move led to the departure. McBurse, who headlined Purdue's 2009 recruiting class, could be heading closer to his home in Florida.
"He doesn’t have any problems with his coaches, his teammates or his head coach," Hope told the Journal and Courier.
The Boilers hope Ralph Bolden can carry the load at running back as he comes off of ACL surgery. Purdue loses both Dierking and Keith Carlos, but McBurse's move to receiver suggests the staff isn't overly concerned about backfield depth.
Hope isn't closing the door on a McBurse return but tells the Journal and Courier, "He has to make a bunch of workouts up to get caught up. I don’t see it going in that direction."
Meanwhile, there's still no word from the NCAA on whether All-Big Ten receiver Keith Smith will receive a sixth year of eligibility. Last week, NFL.com reported that Smith would get an answer from the NCAA on Monday, but Hope told the Journal and Courier that no decision has been finalized.
It would really be a shame if Smith can't get a sixth year at Purdue. He appeared in only two games last fall before tearing ligaments in his right knee.
A team spokesman confirmed that McBurse hasn't been participating in winter workouts the past few weeks but remains enrolled in school. McBurse entered the 2010 season as Purdue's top running back but missed two games with a toe injury and slipped behind Dan Dierking and others on the depth chart. He finished the year with 189 rush yards and a touchdown on 22 carries and added five receptions for 30 yards.
Purdue planned to move McBurse to wide receiver, but Hope doesn't think the move led to the departure. McBurse, who headlined Purdue's 2009 recruiting class, could be heading closer to his home in Florida.
"He doesn’t have any problems with his coaches, his teammates or his head coach," Hope told the Journal and Courier.
The Boilers hope Ralph Bolden can carry the load at running back as he comes off of ACL surgery. Purdue loses both Dierking and Keith Carlos, but McBurse's move to receiver suggests the staff isn't overly concerned about backfield depth.
Hope isn't closing the door on a McBurse return but tells the Journal and Courier, "He has to make a bunch of workouts up to get caught up. I don’t see it going in that direction."
Meanwhile, there's still no word from the NCAA on whether All-Big Ten receiver Keith Smith will receive a sixth year of eligibility. Last week, NFL.com reported that Smith would get an answer from the NCAA on Monday, but Hope told the Journal and Courier that no decision has been finalized.
It would really be a shame if Smith can't get a sixth year at Purdue. He appeared in only two games last fall before tearing ligaments in his right knee.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
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