Big Ten: Kevin Kelly
What makes a great game? Good teams, good players, lots at stake and lots of drama, particularly in the closing minutes.
I put a special emphasis on games that helped to decide Big Ten championships, bowl championships and national championships.
Without further ado ...
1. Ohio State vs. Miami, 2003 Fiesta Bowl: When the national championship game goes to two overtimes and a Big Ten team wins, it'll be at the top of the list. Ohio State nearly won in regulation, nearly lost in the first overtime and then finally prevailed 31-24 against a talent-stocked Miami team that had won 34 consecutive games.
2. Michigan at Ohio State, 2006: This game had it all: No. 1 vs. No. 2, the sport's top rivalry, national championship implications, unparalleled buildup, the drama of Bo Schembechler's death a day before the game. Ohio State and Michigan combined for 81 points before the Buckeyes prevailed to reach the title game.
3. Michigan at Northwestern, 2000: As regular-season games go, this is about the best you can find. The teams combined for 105 points and 1,189 yards of offense in a contest that saw tons of plot twists. Star running backs Damien Anderson and Anthony Thomas both committed an error in the closing minutes -- dropped touchdown for Anderson, lost fumble for Thomas -- before Northwestern emerged with a 54-51 win. Both teams went on to share the Big Ten title with Purdue.
4. Texas vs. Michigan, 2005 Rose Bowl: It didn't go the Big Ten's way in the end, but Michigan and Texas certainly gave us a game to remember. The Wolverines received great play from quarterback Chad Henne and wide receivers Braylon Edwards and Steve Breaston, but Vince Young proved to be too much as Texas won 38-37 on a field goal as time expired.
5. Iowa at Ohio State, 2009: This game essentially decided the Big Ten championship, as the teams met with a Rose Bowl berth at stake. Iowa came in as a major underdog after losing starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi to injury the previous week against Northwestern. Redshirt freshman James Vandenberg displayed incredible poise in his first career start, but Ohio State eventually prevailed in overtime after a 39-yard field goal from backup kicker Devin Barclay, a 26-year-old former Major League Soccer player.
6. Iowa vs. LSU, 2005 Capital One Bowl: You'll never see a more exciting end to a bowl game, and the first 59 plus minutes weren't bad, either. Iowa built a 24-12 fourth-quarter lead behind quarterback Drew Tate, only to watch it disappear down the stretch. It set the stage for Tate's 56-yard touchdown strike to Warren Halloway as time expired as Iowa won 30-25.
7. Michigan State at Michigan, 2004: Michigan State's losing streak at the Big House appeared over as the Spartans led 27-10 with 8:43 left. But Michigan rallied to tie the game as Braylon Edwards hauled in two touchdowns from Chad Henne. Henne and Edwards hooked up again in the third overtime as Michigan won 45-37 and went on to share the Big Ten title with Iowa.
8. Penn State vs. Florida State, 2006 Orange Bowl: Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden generated tons of buildup before kickoff, and the game itself didn't disappoint. It was hardly a masterpiece on either side, but the game generated plenty of excitement as the teams went to three overtimes before Penn State won 26-23 on a Kevin Kelly field goal.
9. Michigan at Minnesota, 2003: Michigan's Big Ten title in 2003 could be directly linked to the greatest comeback in team history against Minnesota at the Metrodome. The Wolverines trailed 28-7 in the third quarter before rallying to win 38-35 on a Garrett Rivas field goal in the final minute. Minnesota was 6-0 before the loss.
10. Penn State at Iowa, 2008: Penn State came to Iowa City with national title aspirations and jumped ahead of Iowa 23-14 late in the third quarter. But Ricky Stanzi stepped up in the fourth quarter and led a dramatic comeback that ended with Daniel Murray's field goal. It marked Penn State's only loss, though the Lions still won a Big Ten title and went to the Rose Bowl.
Big Ten position rankings: Special teams
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Thought the position rankings were over? Think again.
We don't forget the specialists on the Big Ten blog, so after a lengthy lull -- blame training camp -- it's time to examine the kicking game around the league. The rankings are based on kickers and punters, return men and coverage units.
Let's begin.
1. Michigan State -- The Spartans return two second-team All-Big Ten picks in kicker Brett Swenson and punter Aaron Bates, who averaged 42 yards on 71 punts. The return game looks a little suspect but a healthy Mark Dell should help.
2. Michigan -- It helps to have the best punter in the league in senior Zoltan Mesko, a leading candidate for the Ray Guy Award. Michigan should be more dynamic on returns with Martavious Odoms and others. The big question here is at kicker.
3. Penn State -- Punter Jeremy Boone didn't get many chances last fall but executed well when called upon. There are questions at kicker after the loss of first-team All-Big Ten performer Kevin Kelly, and Derrick Williams will be missed on returns. Penn State is always good on coverage teams.
4. Ohio State -- A few more question marks here than normal, but Ohio State's special teams track record under Jim Tressel can't be denied. Aaron Pettrey should be fine at kicker and has a strong leg. Ohio State brings back the league's top punt return man in Ray Small. The Buckeyes need to upgrade their kick return unit after finishing 108th nationally in 2008.
5. Iowa -- Punter Ryan Donahue is a stud and likely will set school records by the time he's done. Daniel Murray showed he could make a clutch kick against Penn State, though he remains in competition with Trent Mossbrucker. Andy Brodell is a big loss at punt returner, and Jewel Hampton might not be available to return kicks.
6. Wisconsin -- I really like Wisconsin's young specialists, kicker Phillip Welch and punter Brad Nortman. But you can't rank last nationally in kickoff returns and expect to be high on this list. Wisconsin needs to jump start its returns with David Gilreath.
7. Indiana -- Chris Hagerup is a terrific young punter after nailing 13 punts for more than 50 yards last fall. Demetrius McCray looks solid on kickoff returns. Indiana must replace former All-Big Ten kicker Austin Starr, but Starr really struggled last fall (10-for-17). Heralded freshman kicker Mitch Ewald joins the mix.
8. Purdue -- Carson Wiggs did a nice job at kicker after taking over for Chris Summers, who will handle the punting duties this fall. Purdue needs to improve its punting after finishing last in the league in 2008, but the return game looks solid with Aaron Valentin and Royce Adams.
9. Minnesota -- The Gophers are starting over after losing both of their top specialists. They'll be relying on junior Eric Ellestad and freshman Dan Orseske to step up. It helps to have the league's most dynamic return man in Troy Stoudermire.
10. Northwestern -- All too often, the kicking game has cost Northwestern, most notably in the Alamo Bowl against Missouri. Stefan Demos is finally healthy and could handle both the kicking and punting duties this fall. The Wildcats could use a boost in the return game from Stephen Simmons or Andrew Brewer.
11. Illinois -- I really like sophomore kicker Matt Eller, who beat Iowa with a field goal last November. But it's no secret the Illini need significant upgrades on their punt teams after finishing 10th in punting and last in returns. Florida transfer Jarred Fayson should boost the return game. The Illini must improve their kickoff and punt coverage.
Three fresh faces for Penn State in 2009
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
The fresh faces series wraps up with three newcomers to watch for Penn State this fall.
OFFENSE -- Justin Brown, WR, Fr.
Penn State has tabbed several older players to step in for Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood, but the fact remains that the team loses three multiyear starters at the same position. There's a need for playmakers, and Brown should get a chance to contribute immediately as the one of the highest-rated recruits in Penn State's 2009 class. He's a big target at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, and his physical style should translate well to the college level.
DEFENSE -- Gerald Hodges, S, Fr.
Along with classmate Darrell Givens, Hodges should see the field immediately this fall as Penn State loses all four starters in the secondary. Hodges will benefit from enrolling early and participating in practice this spring. He's a physical presence at safety who has the versatility to be effective in the Cover 3 and Cover 2 schemes.
SPECIAL TEAMS -- Anthony Fera, K, Fr.
Fera is the team's long-term solution at kicker, and he could step into the starting role this fall. Penn State loses first-team All-Big Ten selection Kevin Kelly, and Fera arrives with a good deal of hype, having been ranked as the nation's No. 2 kicker by ESPN's Scouts Inc. Junior Collin Wagner appeared to end spring ball as the projected starter, but Fera's strong leg should get him on the field soon.
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Thanks to several of you for reminding me about special teams, a subject I had planned to tackle during spring ball but got bogged down with too many other things.
Here's a quick look at where each Big Ten team stands on special teams heading into the summer. A more comprehensive position-by-position ranking will come your way a little closer to the season.
GOOD SHAPE
Michigan State -- The Spartans return Lou Groza Award candidate Brett Swenson along with punter Aaron Bates, who averaged 42 yards per boot last season. Punt return man Otis Wiley is gone, but Mark Dell should step in nicely and the Spartans boast some exciting, young talent in Keshawn Martin, Jairus Jones and others.
Ohio State -- The Buckeyes don't have as many special teams certainties as most years, but history doesn't lie. Ohio State will always be strong on special teams under head coach Jim Tressel. Punter is a question mark, but Aaron Pettrey should be fine on field goals. Ray Small is one of the nation's best punt return men, and the kickoff return unit should be much more dynamic than it was last year.
Illinois -- The Illini return both of their starting specialists, and kicker Matt Eller looks like a keeper after connecting on 8 of 10 field goal attempts from beyond 40 yards last year. Illinois' return game also should be much improved as Florida transfer Jarred Fayson enters a mix that includes Arrelious Benn.
SO-SO
Penn State -- Jeremy Boone is one of the league's best punters, and odds are Penn State will be fine on special teams by the end of the season. But Kevin Kelly is a big loss at kicker, and the Nittany Lions will miss the dynamic Derrick Williams on punt and kickoff returns. Penn State will look to Chaz Powell to provide a spark on returns.
Iowa -- Ryan Donahue has established himself as a solid Big Ten punter, and the Hawkeyes have two options at kicker in Daniel Murray, the hero of the Penn State victory, and Trent Mossbrucker. The big loss comes at punt returner, as Andy Brodell was one of the best around. Iowa also might need a primary kick returner if Jewel Hampton moves into a starting spot at running back.
Minnesota -- The Gophers have the Big Ten's most dangerous return man in Troy Stoudermire, who averaged 25.8 yards on kickoff returns and racked up more than 1,000 return yards last year. Marcus Sherels is a very solid punt return man, but the Gophers must replace both of their starting specialists. Hopes are high for heralded freshman punter Dan Orseske.
Michigan -- Bad seasons usually equal a lot of work for the punter, and Zoltan Mesko came through in a big way for Michigan last fall. The Big Ten's best punter is back, and Michigan also boasts return men Martavious Odoms and Boubacar Cissoko. The situation at kicker looks a bit messy, and Rich Rodriguez will need some of his incoming freshmen to contribute right away.
Wisconsin -- Kicker Phillip Welch comes off a stellar freshman season in which he connected on 17 of 20 field goal attempts. Punter Brad Nortman also comes back, and David Gilreath remains a dangerous man on punt and kickoff returns.
A LITTLE SHAKY
Purdue -- From field goals to punt coverage, Purdue had its adventures on special teams last fall. But if Carson Wiggs continues to perform well on makeable kicks, the Boilers should be fine. Purdue loses Desmond Tardy, who led the Big Ten in kickoff returns (28.8 yards per return), as well as Kory Sheets. Hopes are high for Aaron Valentin on kickoff returns after the wideout averaged 25.7 yards per runback in 2008.
Indiana -- Austin Starr didn't have the senior season he envisioned, but the All-Big Ten kicker most certainly will be missed in Bloomington. Indiana also loses Marcus Thigpen, who made his mark as a kickoff returner. Punter Chris Hagerup looks like a keeper but comes off knee surgery, and the Hoosiers are looking for help on returns.
Northwestern -- The Wildcats need to reach a point where special teams no longer costs them games. It happened again in the Alamo Bowl, a game Northwestern should have won. Punter Stefan Demos did a lot of nice things last season but can't afford critical mistakes like the one he made in the bowl (kicking to Jeremy Maclin). The Wildcats bring in a scholarship kicker in Jeff Budzien, and they need some help on returns.
Recruiting needs: Penn State Nittany Lions
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Much like Ohio State, Penn State says goodbye to a decorated senior class and a difference maker (Aaron Maybin) who will enter the NFL draft early.
And like the Buckeyes, the Nittany Lions will rely on their incoming recruiting class to fill holes and provide depth. Though Penn State won't be nearly as young as Ohio State next fall, it could use a strong recruiting haul to continue the momentum from 2008.
Linebacker U. should live up to its reputation in 2009 with Navorro Bowman and Sean Lee, but Penn State needs help in the secondary and at defensive end.
The Rose Bowl exposed the problems in the secondary, and with all four starters to replace, the Lions need upgrades from their incoming class. A.J. Wallace should fill one cornerback spot and Drew Astorino looks ready at safety, but there will be plenty of competition.
Defensive end suddenly became a need after both Maybin and former first-team All-Big Ten selection Maurice Evans opted to turn pro. Penn State is stacked at defensive tackle but needs an edge rusher or two to offset the lost sacks production.
Wide receiver undoubtedly is the biggest need on offense after the losses of Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood. The three wideouts were extremely productive the last four seasons, and though Penn State has some solid holdovers, it could use a speedster to stretch the field. Penn State also must replace three starters from the Big Ten's best offensive line and will try to build depth with the incoming class.
Quarterback became an unexpected need after backup Pat Devlin transferred in December, but Penn State seems to have found Daryll Clark's successor in commit Kevin Newsome. The Lions also lose kicker Kevin Kelly, a four-year starter, and need a replacement.
What to watch in the final four Big Ten bowls
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
The final 2008 edition of What to Watch examines the four remaining Big Ten bowl games: Outback, Capital One, Rose and Fiesta. The Big Ten is winless so far in the bowl season and is favored in only one bowl (Iowa, Outback).
Here are some subplots to watch as you watch the games (in order of kickoff time).
1. Iowa running back Shonn Greene -- Big Ten fans should be somewhat familiar with Greene, but most of the country will get its first glimpse of the Hawkeyes' superstar on Thursday against South Carolina. The Doak Walker Award winner has eclipsed 100 rushing yards in all 12 regular-season games but faces a stout South Carolina defense. This likely will be Greene's final collegiate game, so get a good look while you can.
2. The Hawkeyes' back seven vs. Stephen Garcia -- Garcia gets the start at quarterback for South Carolina and hopes to provide some stability under center. The redshirt freshman has six touchdown passes and five interceptions on the season, and he'll need to limit mistakes against an Iowa defense that forces plenty of them. Iowa led the Big Ten with 20 interceptions, with five players collecting multiple picks.
3. Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer -- His last bowl appearance was a disaster, as he committed five turnovers (4 INTs, fumble) in a loss to Boston College. Georgia undoubtedly will load up to stop Javon Ringer and make Hoyer win the game for Michigan State. Though Hoyer's numbers this season won't blow anyone away, he has made clutch throws and found ways to win games. If he can stretch the field with Blair White, rushing lanes should open for Ringer.
4. Michigan State's defensive line vs. Georgia's offensive line -- If the Spartans manage to slow down Georgia, it has to start up front. Michigan State's defensive line has more experience and must find ways to exploit Georgia's front five. Rush end Trevor Anderson finished the year with eight sacks and Brandon Long and Justin Kershaw combined for seven more. If Matthew Stafford has time in the pocket, Michigan State will be in big trouble.
5. Joe Paterno's whereabouts -- It doesn't really matter where Paterno watches the Rose Bowl, but his potential return to the sideline after seven consecutive games in the press box might give Penn State an emotional lift. Paterno admits he sees the field better from up top, but the 82-year-old is itching to get back to where he belongs. His location likely will be a game-time decision, and the officiating crew better be on its toes if JoePa returns to the sideline.
6. Quarterback Daryll Clark and Penn State's offensive strategy -- Clark got his swagger back in the regular-season finale against Michigan State and enters the Rose Bowl stocked with confidence. But he goes up against quite possibly the best defense in recent college history. Though Clark has been smart and efficient all season (four interceptions in 285 pass attempts), Penn State likely needs to challenge USC down the field. A passive approach simply won't work in this game, and play-callers Galen Hall and Jay Paterno need to go right at USC's strength.
7. Penn State's special teams -- These two defenses could easily cancel one another out -- Penn State can play some 'D', too -- and the Rose Bowl might come down to special teams. Penn State senior return man Derrick Williams has been outstanding this season and needs another huge performance against USC. If Williams can give Penn State short fields and Kevin Kelly converts his field goal attempts, the Lions could outlast the Trojans. Punter Jeremy Boone also could play a big role in this one, and Penn State must contain the Johnsons (Ronald and Stafon) on USC's returns.
Bowl picks for Outback, Cap One, Rose, Fiesta
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
So far, I'm 1-1 in bowl picks, though I should have had more faith in Northwestern and a lot less in Wisconsin. Despite an 0-2 start to the bowl season, the Big Ten can redeem itself in January. A BCS bowl win or two would go a long way toward repairing the league's national image, though it won't be easy at all.
Here's how I see the last four bowls shaping up.
OUTBACK BOWL -- Iowa 24, South Carolina 14
The Hawkeyes are the better team and ended the season strong, while South Carolina stumbled down the stretch. Both teams are solid on defense, ranking 12th (South Carolina) and 13th (Iowa) nationally. The difference is Iowa found an offensive identity toward the second half of the season, while South Carolina's search continues. Hawkeyes running back Shonn Greene has another big game on a national stage, and he'll get plenty of chances because South Carolina is so strong against the pass. Iowa defensive tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul will stuff the run in their final collegiate game, forcing South Carolina to throw against a defense that generates a ton of turnovers. Unless quarterback Ricky Stanzi regresses, Iowa will get the Big Ten a bowl win.
CAPITAL ONE -- Georgia 37, Michigan State 21
Mark Dantonio and his staff did an amazing job to get everything they could out of their players this season. But looking at how Michigan State struggled against elite offensive teams, there's little to suggest the Spartans can slow down a Georgia offense stocked with future NFL players. If Spartans star running back Javon Ringer controls the clock and Michigan State's defensive line puts pressure on Matthew Stafford, an upset isn't out of the question. Georgia hasn't defended the run well at times this season, and the Bulldogs will get a heavy dose of Ringer. But the Bulldogs have too many weapons, and they'll pull away down the stretch to snap the Big Ten's Capital One Bowl win streak.
ROSE PRESENTED BY CITI -- Penn State 17, USC 14
There's really no reason to pick against USC in a big game, especially one in Pasadena. But there's something special about this Penn State team: the way they overcame offseason turmoil, the way they blitzed through most of the season and the way they made improvement in every facet of the game. So after a lot of thought, I decided not to play it safe in the Rose Bowl Game. USC has to lose one of these games, and Penn State has what it takes to beat the Trojans, especially on defense. There won't be a lot of points, but special teams proves to be the difference for Penn State. Derrick Williams breaks off a big return and specialists Kevin Kelly and Jeremy Boone both step up as the Lions prevail in a defensive struggle.
TOSTITOS FIESTA -- Texas 30, Ohio State 21
Texas was supposed to be a year away, while Ohio State entered the season stocked with seniors and major contributors. But the Longhorns have evolved into the more complete team. Ohio State's identity, particularly on offense, took a long time to develop. The Buckeyes are definitely playing their best football, particularly along the defensive line, and freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor won't flinch in the national spotlight. If Ohio State's defensive front puts pressure on Colt McCoy and heralded linebacker James Laurinaitis makes a huge play, the Buckeyes could pull off the upset. But Ohio State's offense is too reliant on the big play, and an offensive line that struggled for most of the season won't hold down Brian Orakpo and a Texas defense that leads the nation in sacks.
Postseason record: 1-1 (50 percent)
Regular-season record: 71-17 (80.7 percent)
Leaguewide position rankings for the Big Ten
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
After studying the All-Big Ten selections for 2008, it's clear the Big Ten is much stronger at some positions than others. The fact that it was hard to choose a second-team All-Big Ten quarterback tells you something about the league's troubles under center. On the flip side, there are 10-15 defensive linemen worthy of All-Big Ten status.
With the regular season wrapped up, here's a closer look at the Big Ten positions, from strongest to weakest.
Defensive line -- The depth at both line positions is astounding and will be reflected in the next few NFL drafts. Beginning with end, you have Penn State's Aaron Maybin, Minnesota's Willie VanDeSteeg, Michigan's Brandon Graham, Northwestern's Corey Wootton and Indiana's Jammie Kirlew. Guys like Michigan's Tim Jamison, Illinois' Derek Walker, Michigan State's Trevor Anderson, Wisconsin's Mike Newkirk, Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan and Penn State's Josh Gaines would be all-conference in most leagues, but not the Big Ten. The tackle spot might be even more stacked. Iowa's Mitch King leads the way, but he's joined by teammate Matt Kroul, Penn State's Jared Odrick, Michigan's Terrance Taylor, Northwestern's John Gill and Ohio State's Nader Abdallah.
Running back -- If not for the overwhelming depth on the D-line, this group would be No. 1 on the list. The Big Ten boasts three of the nation's top seven rushers in Iowa's Shonn Greene, Michigan State's Javon Ringer and Ohio State's Chris "Beanie" Wells. Penn State's Evan Royster also had a fabulous year. When guys like Purdue's Kory Sheets, Wisconsin's P.J. Hill, Michigan's Brandon Minor and Northwestern's Tyrell Sutton aren't even on the radar for all-conference, you've got a pretty solid group.
Linebacker -- This was another group that caused some tough choices for first-team all-conference. Ohio State's James Laurinaitis was a shoo-in, but Illinois' Brit Miller, Penn State's Navorro Bowman and Michigan State's Greg Jones are all in the mix for the other two spots. Iowa's Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds, Ohio State's Marcus Freeman, Wisconsin's DeAndre Levy and Indiana's Matt Mayberry add depth.
Offensive line (interior) -- Three centers were listed on the media's all-conference team, illustrating the depth there. Penn State center A.Q. Shipley earned Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, and Iowa's Rob Bruggeman and Illinois' Ryan McDonald also were recognized. The guard spot might be even stronger with Iowa's Seth Olsen, Penn State's Rich Ohrnberger and Stefen Wisniewski, Wisconsin's Kraig Urbik and Andy Kemp and Michigan State's Roland Martin.
Punter -- This was another group that stirred some debate about All-Big Ten selections. Michigan's Zoltan Mesko was the obvious choice, but Iowa's Ryan Donahue, Michigan State's Aaron Bates and Penn State's Jeremy Boone also were in the mix. Freshmen Brad Nortman (Wisconsin) and Chris Hagerup (Indiana) had terrific seasons, and I was also very impressed with Ohio State's A.J. Trapasso, Minnesota's Justin Kucek and Northwestern's Stefan Demos.
Cornerback -- I didn't fully grasp how strong the league was at cornerback until reviewing the All-Big Ten lists. Everyone knew about Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins and Illinois' Vontae Davis, but several other players add depth, namely Wisconsin's Allen Langford, Iowa's Amari Spievey and Bradley Fletcher, Minnesota's Traye Simmons, Northwestern's Sherrick McManis and Michigan State's Chris L. Rucker.
Offensive tackle -- There weren't any off-the-charts performances here, but it's a solid group overall. Penn State's Gerald Cadogan moved past Ohio State's Alex Boone as the league's premier tackle. Boone didn't have the dominant year many expected, but he wasn't the main problem on Ohio State's underachieving line. Add in players like Iowa's Bryan Bulaga, Illinois' Xavier Fulton and Wisconsin's Eric Vanden Heuvel, and it's a decent group.
Safety -- Michigan State's Otis Wiley might be the only surefire NFL draft pick from this crop, but several other players turned in strong performances. Ohio State's Kurt Coleman should have been second-team All-Big Ten for both the media and coaches, and Northwestern's Brad Phillips has a major beef for being left off the list. Other standouts include Iowa's Brent Greenwood, Wisconsin's Jay Valai and Minnesota tandem Kyle Theret and Tramaine Brock.
Kicker -- A decent group overall, led by Penn State's Kevin Kelly and Michigan State's Brett Swenson, both of whom should have been Lou Groza Award semifinalists. Wisconsin's Philip Welch quietly had a very solid season (17-for-20), and Northwestern's Amado Villarreal also performed well.
Tight end -- Not the best season for tight ends, though it didn't help that Wisconsin All-American Travis Beckum was hurt for most of the fall. His replacement Garrett Graham had a nice year, as did Iowa's Brandon Myers, Michigan State's Charlie Gantt, Minnesota's Jack Simmons and Illinois' Michael Hoomanawanui, but it wasn't a great group overall.
Wide recever -- Minnesota's Eric Decker and Illinois' Arrelious Benn will be solid NFL players, and Penn State's Derrick Williams also will get to the next level. But quarterbacks and wide receivers are intertwined, and neither position sizzled this season. Penn State's three seniors (Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood) performed well, as did Purdue's Greg Orton and Wisconsin's David Gilreath. But not much depth here.
Quarterback -- This was the worst quarterback crop
in recent memory. Penn State's Daryll Clark was fabulous in his first season as the starter, and both Illinois' Juice Williams and Minnesota's Adam Weber showed growth at times. But it was legitimately difficult to choose a second-team all-league quarterback. Several fifth-year seniors struggled this fall, though there's hope for next year with players like Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor and Iowa's Ricky Stanzi.
Big Ten mailbag: Bowl leftovers, All-Big Ten talk
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Let's see what's on your mind.
Lou from Altoona, Pa., writes: Adam, I think the main reason the Big Ten is perceived as a weak conference (other than Ohio States recent failures on the big stage) is because they're not flashy. The Big Ten doesnt have teams that put up 60 points a game. They play more of a defensive game that might not be as exciting and due to that they dont get the respect they should because they dont have the offensive numbers that other conferences have. Just wanted you thoughts on that theory.
Adam Rittenberg: There's certainly some truth to your theory, Lou. People absolutely love offense and quarterbacks, and besides Penn State's Daryll Clark and Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor, the Big Ten doesn't offer much under center. The defenses in this league certainly are better this season, especially Penn State, Michigan State, Northwestern, Iowa and Minnesota. Those things go largely unnoticed nationally. I'll admit it. Watching Big 12 football is a lot of fun. But I'm hesitant to make final judgment on Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Texas Tech until they face a formidable SEC defense like Alabama or Florida.
Aron from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: Adam, I've been worried that Shonn Greene has been missing out on national media attention for his Heisman campaign due to the lack of a quality nickname. You've got guys like Beanie Wells and Juice Williams (although not Heisman contenders) who are more memorable because of their respective monikers. I've heard of the "Greene Monster" but it seems too stale unoriginal. People around Iowa City have been taking a liking to "The Love-Seat" as a reference to Shonn's 235lb frame and his days moving furniture last year. What do you think? Maybe give it a test run in a column? Ha Thanks.
Adam Rittenberg: I like where you're going with this, Aron. Though I'm lukewarm about the love-seat nickname. It's too open for misinterpretation, and most people don't know about Greene working in the furniture store last year. Maybe Greene Party or Greene Machine, something along those lines. Any suggestions, Big Ten fans?
Dave from Philadelphia writes: Adam, Great job on the blog. I always enjoy it. Just a few comments about the All Big Ten teams. As a Penn State fan, you might be surprised to find that I agree with you on all counts. Paterno did not deserve coach of the year for all of the reasons you stated. Additionally, the loss at Iowa and some of the coaching decisions made in that game detract from everything else that was accomplished this year. Pat Fitzgerald is the clear choice in my book. [Aaron] Maybin was absolutely the defensive player of the year. If anything, you were too generous to Laurinaitas. The guy has been invisible in every single big game I have seen him play. Outside of Maybin, Mitch King was the only other candidate in my book. Laurinaitas seems like a decent guy and he has that media-friendly backstory but he isn't even the best linebacker on his own team. Finally, I have a point to make about Derrick Williams. He certainly is not a better WR than Arrelious Benn but he does deserve first team All Big Ten recognition. An "all purpose" slot like they have for All American teams would probably fit him best. As a guy who lined up at WR, RB, and QB and returned kicks (3 for scores), he certainly was an elite Big Ten football player.
Adam Rittenberg: Thanks, Dave. I wouldn't be so hard on the coaching staff for the Iowa loss. I hate to blame it on Anthony Scirrotto, but that penalty on third-and-15 sticks in my mind. Penn State was a play or two away from winning that game. You bring up a good point about Derrick Williams, and there should be a category for return specialist in the All-Big Ten list. Williams did it all for Penn State down the stretch, and though he's not an All-Big Ten wide receiver in my view, he deserves a spot on the list.
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Michigan State kicker Brett Swenson is not among the 20 semifinalists selected for the Lou Groza Award.
Spartan Nation is irate, and for good reason.
Swenson is not only the best specialist in the Big Ten but one of the best in the country. He's tied with Air Force's Ryan Harrison for the national lead with 19 field goals and connected on a school-record 15 attempts earlier this season. Just last Saturday, he went 4-for-4 in field-goal attempts, drilling the game-winning 44-yarder with seven seconds left to beat Wisconsin.
Unfortunately, Swenson's splendid day came too late.
The marketing director for the commission that sponsors the Groza Award told the Lansing State Journal's Joe Rexrode that the Groza semifinalists were selected last week, following Michigan State's win against Michigan. In that game, Swenson went 0-for-3 in field-goal attempts, missing a 50-yarder, having another one blocked and missing a 24-yarder following a bad snap.
The game left him at 15-for-19 in field-goal attempts this season.
From Rexrode's blog:
"Brett ranked 42nd in the nation at 78.9 percent after that game," Charlie Dunn said. "Unfortunately, he was coming off an absolutely horrible game against Michigan."
Did the committee realize the circumstances of that game? Yes, Dunn claims. But...
"The record shows he went 0-for-3."
And what if the list of semifinalists was determined after last week, in which Swenson hit all four tries, including a 50-yarder and the game-winner with seven seconds left vs. Wisconsin?
"It'd probably be a different story," Dunn said.
This is absurd. The selection committee essentially based their selection on one game, disregarding Swenson's performances in the nine others.
Looking at the list of semifinalists, Alabama's Leigh Tiffin missed two field goals against Kentucky and now sits at 13-for-18 on the season. Missouri's Jeff Wolfert missed two kicks against Oklahoma State and stands at 13-for-17. Florida's Jonathan Phillips has made the most of very limited opportunities this season, connecting on all nine of his attempts.
Swenson made 15 straight. End of discussion.
I'm not trying to tear down these players, who have had excellent seasons, but Swenson deserved to make the list, even more than Penn State's Kevin Kelly, a fine kicker in his own right.
Perhaps the only silver lining is that Swenson has another year of eligibility left. Here's hoping the Lou Groza Award selection committee doesn't make the same mistake twice.
Halftime update: Penn State 3, Ohio State 3
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There are actually points on the board, so this update might be marginally more interesting than the last one.
I know the Big Ten isn't exactly the Big 12, but this feels more like an SEC game at the half. Several ferocious hits have been dished out on both sides of the ball, and besides two blown coverages, the defenses continue to dominate.
Unless one of these teams finds a running game in the second half, this contest likely will be decided by special teams and field position. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has been a master at both throughout this career, but Penn State is moving the ball a bit better than the Buckeyes. Running back Chris "Beanie" Wells entered tonight with an excellent big-game track record, but he hasn't gotten much going so far (10 carries, 11 yards).
Penn State's swarming front seven has clogged rushing lanes and forced Ohio State to run outside. If there's a troubling trend for Penn State, it's third-down defense. Ohio State has converted three third downs of seven yards or longer, as well as a second-and-19 on the final drive of the half.
Terrelle Pryor has gone 9-for-14 passing, but two of his completions went for 53 and 33 yards. Penn State completely blew its coverage on the 53-yarder to Dane Sanzenbacher (4 catches 76 yards), but the Lions' held from there.
I've been very impressed with Ohio State's defensive line so far. Evan Royster is averaging just three yards per carry, nearly five below his season average. Aside from a blown coverage that allowed Daryll Clark to find Graham Zug for a 49-yard gain, the Buckeyes have looked tough.
Laugh all you want, but the first-half game balls go to the four specialists: punters Jeremy Boone and A.J. Trapasso and kickers Kevin Kelly and Aaron Pettrey. Expect more big plays in the second half, but these four could decide the game.
Big Ten Saturday: Kelly on call for Lions
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Some final hot links before the games begin.
- Think James Laurinaitis is scary on a football field? He could have been a monster on ice, Tim May writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
- If tonight's game comes down to a field goal, Penn State senior Kevin Kelly will be ready, Ron Musselman writes in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises thinks Penn State's offensive line, the Spread HD offense and good ol' fashioned karma will make the difference tonight.
- Michigan State has injected emotion into the Michigan game -- and made it a real rivalry again, Drew Sharp writes in the Detroit Free Press. The Wolverines are 2-6, but the Spartans might be the more desperate team today, Joe Rexrode writes in the Lansing State Journal.
- It's been a frustrating season for Wisconsin All-American Travis Beckum, but the senior H-back doesn't regret returning to school, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.
- Cory Liuget and his fellow freshman want to bring a national title to Illinois, and they're off to a good start, Bob Asmussen writes in The News-Gazette.
- Northwestern might have the league's least experienced offensive line, but the group has grown up fast this season, Lindsey Willhite writes in the Daily Herald.
- Wide receiver Eric Decker has been Mr. Reliable for Minnesota this season, Kent Youngblood writes in the Star Tribune.
Big Ten official players of the week
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
Two out of three isn't bad.
Excerpts from the release:
OFFENSE
Iowa RB Shonn Greene
Greene broke loose for a career-high 217 yards on 25 carries (8.7 avg.) and equaled a school record with four touchdowns to lead Iowa past Wisconsin. The junior running back's 217-yard effort is tied for the sixth-best single-game effort in program annals and marks the first 200-yard outing by a Hawkeyes player since 2005, when Albert Young collected 202 yards at Northwestern. He is the first Hawkeye to score four rushing touchdowns in a single game since Tavian Banks accomplished the feat against Iowa State in 1997. Greene also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, becoming the second-fastest Iowa rusher to crack the mark behind Banks, who reached 1,000 yards in six games in 1997.
DEFENSE
Iowa LB Pat Angerer
Angerer established a career high with 16 tackles and added two interceptions to lead an Iowa defense that held Wisconsin without a touchdown until late in the fourth quarter. The junior linebacker amassed 12 tackles in the first half alone, and his 16-tackle effort marks the most defensive stops in a single game by any Big Ten player this season. With the hosts holding a 28-9 lead heading into the fourth quarter, Angerer picked off passes to end back-to-back Badgers' drives to put the game away. He returned his first interception 14 yards to give Iowa the ball at Wisconsin 's 48-yard line, which the offense turned into a touchdown four plays later for a 35-9 advantage. The Iowa native picked off his second pass on the ensuing possession and returned it five yards to the Badgers' 37-yard line, setting up a field goal and a 38-9 lead.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Penn State K Kevin Kelly
Kelly connected on three field goals and all five of his extra points against Michigan to become the Big Ten's career leader in kicking points. The senior kicker's 14-point outing boosted his career total to 376 kicking points to pass Minnesota's Dan Nystrom (1999-2002) and Iowa's Nate Kaeding (2000-03), who shared the top spot with 367 points. Kelly connected on field goals of 42, 32 and 20 yards to give him 70 career field goals, which ranks third in conference annals behind Nystrom (71 field goals) and Ohio State's Mike Nugent (72).
1Q Update: Penn State 3, Wisconsin 0
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
MADISON, Wis. -- Neither team has done much on offense, though Penn State is certainly a lot more fun to watch. The Spread HD is certainly a departure from what the Lions usually run.
Still, the teams have combined for just three first downs. Ugh.
The Lions haven't converted big-play opportunities, but they rotate personnel nicely and get the ball to different weapons. Their approach should pay off later in the game. Still, three possessions into Badgers territory have yielded only a Kevin Kelly 50-yard field goal. Wisconsin has done a nice job on short-yardage situations, which are quickly becoming one of Penn State's few weaknesses.
Wisconsin's offense has been extremely vanilla. The Badgers are rotating running backs P.J. Hill and John Clay, but without a viable passing attack, neither ball-carrier has had much success. Embattled quarterback Allan Evridge attempted only one pass, a sideline fade to Travis Beckum, but could not connect. The Badgers finished with just 36 yards on 14 plays in the quarter.
Ranking the Big Ten Kickers/Punters
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
 | |
| Andy Lyons/Getty Images | |
| Indiana's Austin Starr is the Big Ten's best kicker. |
After getting a release about Indiana's Austin Starr making the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, I realized that my position rankings never made it to the kickers and punters. We wouldn't want to forget them, so here are the 10 best all in one list.
1. Austin Starr, PK, Sr., Indiana -- Second-team AP All-America selection last season kicked a school-record 21 field goals on 23 attempts and didn't miss an extra-point try (48-for-48). He also showed his poise under pressure, kicking the game-winning 49-yard field goal with 30 seconds left to beat Purdue and send Indiana to its first bowl game in 14 years.
2. Jeremy Boone, P, Jr., Penn State -- He led the Big Ten and ranked 19th nationally in punting average last season (43 ypp), the third best total in Penn State history. Boone placed 25 punts inside the 20-yard line, and Penn State ranked third nationally in net punting (41.1 ypp).
3. Justin Kucek, P, Sr., Minnesota -- He finished 22nd nationally in punting average last fall with 13 punts traveling 50 yards or longer and 21 punts inside the 20. Kucek's best trait could be longevity. He's responsible for every Minnesota punt during the last three seasons (155).
4. Chris Summers, Jr., PK, Purdue -- As a sophomore, Summers set a school record by converting all 56 of his extra-point attempts and tied Starr for the Big Ten league in kick scoring (8.5 ppg). He has made 97 straight extra-point attempts and last fall produced the second most accurate field-goal kicking season in team history, converting 18 of 22 attempts (.818).
5. Kevin Kelly, PK, Sr., Penn State -- Kelly already owns Penn State's career scoring record and will graduate as one of the program's premier kickers. He has converted 123 of 125 extra-point attempts in his career and rebounded from a shaky sophomore season to make 20 of 26 field-goal attempts in 2007.
6. Ryan Donahue, P, So. Iowa -- Donahue came up huge for a going-nowhere offense, averaging 41.1 yards a kick last season. The figure ranked sixth in the Big Ten, but consider that Donahue had 86 punts, 16 more than any other Big Ten player. And he did it all as a redshirt freshman. Donahue should turn in an all-conference season this fall if Iowa's offense doesn't wear him out.
7. Ryan Pretorius, PK, Sr., Ohio State -- The 29-year-old South African went 48 of 49 on extra-point attempts and technically missed only one field-goal attempt (four were blocked) last season. A former Rugby player, Pretorius has excellent range and was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist last season.
8. A.J. Trapasso, P, Sr., Ohio State -- A Ray Guy Award semifinalist last season, Trapasso placed 21 of 53 punts inside the 20-yard line. He ranked fourth in the Big Ten in punting average (41.5 ypp) and earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors against Michigan State, when he had a 43.4-yard average with three punts inside the 20 and a long of 58 yards.
9. Zoltan Mesko, P, Sr., Michigan -- He's built like a linebacker (6-5, 234) but should finish his career as one of Michigan's top punters. Mesko ranked fifth in the Big Ten in punting average last year, but he ranked second in attempts. Unless a new-look offense gets on track quickly this fall, he'll have plenty of work coming his way. Plus, he's got a cool name.
10. Brett Swenson, PK, Jr., Michigan State -- His field-goal numbers dipped a bit last season, but Swenson should be in position to rebound as a junior. He has converted 86 of 87 career extra-point attempts and is 30-for-38 on field goals inside 50 yards.
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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