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So when is national singing day?

• Ohio State and other Big Ten schools are offering recruits four-year scholarships instead of one-year, renewable ones. Signing day can be the career highlight for some players.
• The recruiting battle between Ohio State and Michigan State is becoming more heated, as the Spartans say Urban Meyer no longer honors a gentleman's agreement between the schools. Despite all their winning, the Spartans still trail Michigan in recruiting, analysts say.
• Michigan got a late recruiting surprise when an all-purpose back decommitted from Cincinnati and came on board for Brady Hoke. Some experts try to predict who the top players in the Wolverines' class will be.
• Bill O'Brien says his thoughts are only on the Patriots until this week is over. The Nittany Lions' signing class took a lot of hits. Former Penn State quarterback Kevin Newsome looks like he's headed to Temple.
• Ifeadi Odenigbo's name may be hard to spell and pronounce, but he could develop into the defensive playmaker Northwestern needs.
• Illinois coach Tim Beckman's first class includes four seniors on the current team. The new Illini staff is eager to turn the program around.
• A Texas offensive lineman became the 25th member of Indiana's class (subscription required).
• Iowa is dipping its toe in the junior college pool this year. The Hawkeyes went all the way to West Virginia to find their next punter.
• Jerry Kill specializes in making an impression in the home visit, even if he might put on a few extra pounds in the process.
• Nebraska was bracing for lots of drama on signing day.
• Former basketball player Greg Latta took a long road to Purdue as a defensive end recruit.
• Wisconsin will bring in the smallest recruiting class of Bret Bielema's tenure.

Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden are saying all the right things about their two-man duel for the starting quarterback job at Penn State. But after a full offseason of competition and uncertainty and several days of fall camp under their belts, they're both just about ready for a decision already.

"The sooner, the better," Bolden said. "Just like last year, I hope it's not like the day before the game. We'd definitely like to know sometime soon."

It's a fascinating choice on a couple of different levels. Bolden was the hyped recruit who was thrown into the fire as a freshman to start 2010, struggled a bit and then appeared to figure things out just before he suffered an injury. Then the former walk-on McGloin took over, giving the offense a little spark but throwing the ball to the wrong team repeatedly in the bowl game.

Add to the situation that Bolden openly talked about transferring both after the bowl and after spring practice, and it makes for more drama. Kevin Newsome transferred and Paul Jones won't play because of academics, leaving just Bolden and McGloin as experienced quarterbacks for the Nittany Lions. Would Bolden bolt if he doesn't win the job this month?

"I plan on winning it, so that's not even in my head," he said.

Bolden said he showed his commitment by coming back for summer workouts and bonding with his teammates. But he also admitted he was a little concerned about how they would react to his talk about possibly leaving, which is not usually something you want to hear from the leader of your huddle.

"But I know they have my best interests at heart, whether I stay or if I leave," he said. "They know it's not just a childish thing -- I have to look at my future as well. Whatever decision I make, I'm sure they will be 100 percent with me, so I feel good about it."

McGloin calls his relationship with Bolden "very healthy" and both guys say they've worked to make sure it doesn't become a distraction for the team. McGloin said it's good to have two experienced quarterbacks around now, which wasn't the case last summer.

"I've really been focusing on my leadership role," he said. "We didn't have that last year, and I think the guys have really responded to that this year with Rob and me."

McGloin's last impression is one he'd like to forget, as he threw five interceptions in an Outback Bowl loss to Florida. That motivated him all offseason.

"I needed to get better with my decision-making," he said. "The number one thing I'm focusing on right now is making the right reads, checking down and taking what the defense gives you. I think that's really shown so far this camp."

Bolden had the opposite experience, as he was 11-of-13 for 130 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota in his final start before getting a concussion in the second quarter.

"It was frustrating," he said. "I felt like I could have had four or five touchdowns that game."

McGloin said he gets annoyed sometimes by all the questions about the competition but called it "very exciting to be part of a quarterback controversy. Whatever happens, I'll accept my role." Bolden diplomatically said that whoever starts will know he has an excellent backup.

Who will start remains the big question hovering over Penn State's season right now. The sooner the Nittany Lions resolve it, the better.

A lot of good responses on the Big Ten's move to nine league games. Let's start there.

Remember, I always welcome your questions, comments and, yes, criticisms.

Brad from Buffalo, N.Y., writes: I'm not so sure the negative argument holds with the 9 game conference schedule. Yes, there are 6 guaranteed losses but it is likely that there will be only a couple of extra losses overall. The game replaced by the 9th conference game will likely be a tougher non-conference game where the B1G would project to be 7-5 or 8-4 at best. Instead, now we will be 6-6. In some years, we might even benefit from the guranteed 6 wins (see Minnesota v. North Dakota). The PAC-12 is hurt by parity, not a scheduling problem. Outside Oregon and USC, there is not another consistent program (Stanford=Luck-y).

Adam Rittenberg: Brad, some interesting points. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany told me the ninth league game replaces a week of games where Big Ten teams typically win at least nine of the 12 contests. So you're looking at three more guaranteed losses with the switch. As for the parity argument, you can make the same case about the Big Ten. Other than Ohio State, which Big Ten team has been consistently dominant in the the past decade? If the Big Ten had a ninth league game last season, teams like Michigan, Illinois, Northwestern and Penn State could have had a tough time making bowl games.

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John from Gilbert, Ariz., writes: Adam, does the nine game conference schedule re-open the door to the B1G expanding to sixteen teams prior to 2017? After all, with sixteen teams and a nine game conference slate each team could play the seven other teams in their division with two cross over games, one being a protected rivalry. Your thoughts?

Adam Rittenberg: John, I'll have more on this next week, but the possibility of further expansion definitely was a popular topic after the Big Ten announced the move to nine league games. Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips told me that while it's a valid question, as the college football landscape could be very different in 2017, expansion didn't come up when the ADs discussed moving to nine games. Phillips said they can't worry about what might or might not happen in expansion when making a decision like this. My sense is that the Big Ten would maintain a nine-game league slate even if it goes to 16 teams. The general belief is the more league games, the better.

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Eric from Chicago writes: While I'm not surprised by Delany's positive spin on the 9 game schedule lets make one thing clear. This will not reduce the number of games vs. FCS teams or serve as a replacement for the 12th best game on a team's schedule. It will replace the teams best non-conference game every year. So those interesting early season intersectional games vs. national powers - OSU/Miami, Purdue/Oregon, Iowa/Arizona, PSU/Bama - will be a thing of the past. I think that's a shame.

Adam Rittenberg: Eric, while I understand your concern, I think each team will approach things differently. Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue want to keep playing Notre Dame. Iowa wants to keep playing Iowa State. Things can be arranged so you can still see Big Ten teams play one premier nonconference opponent per season. The thing you won't see is two marquee non-league games per year, which is unfortunate but understandable with nine league games. Let's see how things go, but I still think you'll see teams like Ohio State testing itself out of conference once a year.

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Brian from Atlanta writes: Adam, As a response to Ted Miller's explanation of the downsides of adding a ninth game, I'd like to point out a couple of things. First, having 9 games plus a CCG could help the winner get into the NCG with 1 loss. That would balance a few weak teams missing out on bowls. Second, he ignored the financial benefits for the schools that struggle with attendance. Third, the B10's extra game coincides with starting a new TV deal and could lead to a big bump in cash. Fourth, the quality of the inventory for the TV partner should improve, leading to a cash increase. Fifth, it will allow WI/IA to play more often. If the B10 is smart, they will lock that rivalry, too. WI and IA would still play the other teams 50% of the time which is better than the next few years. I think a blog post highlighting some of these and other advantages would be nice.

Adam Rittenberg: Brian, a few things. Keep in mind schedule strength doesn't really matter in college football, so I'm not sure a 1-loss Big Ten team gets into the championship game ahead of undefeated teams from other conferences or a 1-loss SEC champion. Every year is different so we'll have to see, but I wouldn't bet on it. Ted did point out the benefits for both athletic directors and fans. His general point is that nine games hurts a league's perception because people often judge leagues on bowl-eligible teams even though many of those teams are mediocre with inflated records. Now you're correct about nine games coinciding with the Big Ten's new TV deal. More league games definitely pleases TV and will bring in more money. The Big Ten also likely will move more league games to early and mid-September, which will please the TV folks. While a second protected crossover rivalry is unlikely, you will see games like Iowa-Wisconsin more often.

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Michael from Los Angeles writes: I think the one aspect being overlooked here is the effect this has on conference perception. With the Pac-Ten, Big 12, and Big 10 all going to a 9 game conference slate, and with the SEC still largely unwilling to play anybody with a pulse OOC, it is going to be much easier for the Big media entities (looking at you ESPN) to influence conference perception. I fear this means the conferences with the strongest financial ties to ESPN will be pumped up to an even greater extent in comparison to our beloved, and perpetually underrated Big 10. Without quality OOC games against other BCS teams it will be much more difficult to prove our strength relative to the rest of the CFB world.

Adam Rittenberg: Michael, while I agree some SEC teams should start challenging themselves more in the offseason, the Big Ten's issue isn't so much winning quality nonconference games as it is winning more BCS bowl games and specifically the national championship game. No one will care about the Big Ten's regular-season nonconference record if it wins the national title. No one will care about the Big Ten's overall bowl record if it wins the national title. The SEC gets credit because it wins the only game that leagues are truly judged upon. While playing nine league games certainly could hurt the Big Ten's perception, as colleague Ted Miller explains, it still comes down to winning national titles.

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Eli from New York writes: Please explain to me how Newsome's departure actually has any tangible effect on our QB situation. The way I see it, he's a guy that was not going to see the field unless Bolden, McGloin, AND Jones (yes, Jones) got injured. You're also forgetting that we just added another QB to the class of 2012.

Adam Rittenberg: Kevin Newsome was a nice insurance policy, Eli. Paul Jones is academically ineligible, so his health status doesn't matter right now. Unless Jones' academic situation changes, he's out of the mix for 2011. You also have a player in Rob Bolden who, despite pledging his commitment to Penn State last month, has expressed interest in leaving the program before. What if Matt McGloin wins the starting job and Bolden becomes dissatisfied again? What if one of the top two players gets hurt? I agree with you that Penn State's QB situation should look a lot better in 2012, but depth has to be a concern right now.

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Jojo from Johnstown, Pa., writes: Adam, Sorry for the loaded question, but here goes: What kind of message does it send to the NCAA and society, in general, when OSU players are openly paying homage to Jim Tressel with wristbands? Don't you think that it's almost a condonation of the wrongdoing that went on in Columbus?... Almost like OSU is trying to make Tressel into a martyr? I understand those kids are loyal to Tressel, but isn't that kind of open support somewhat of a middle-finger to the NCAA? OSU got away with pretty much a slap on the wrist and now players are wearing wristbands? What's your opinion of that kind of open support, given the circumstances?

Adam Rittenberg: Jojo, while I find it interesting that the wristbands reportedly came from the coaching staff, I don't have a major problem with the players wearing them. Yes, Jim Tressel left Ohio State in disgrace, but his overall accomplishments and what he meant to these players shouldn't be totally dismissed. It's not for you or I to decide whether he had a positive influence on the players. They know whether he did or did not, and they're deciding to pay tribute in this way. I am interested to see how Luke Fickell distances himself from Tressel, whether he can truly be himself after learning from The Vest for the past nine years. How many Tressel traditions will Fickell keep?

Lunch links are served:

• News and notes from Illinois' first practice.

• Indiana cornerback Andre Kates will transfer out of the program (subscription required).

• Marvin McNutt almost left Iowa a couple of times, but now he's going to leave with a degree and quite possibly some school records.

• Kirk Herbstreit had nice things to say about Brady Hoke.

• The Big Ten Network has been a boon to Michigan State and everybody else; the Spartans have balanced their budgets three straight years after some tough times.

• Jerry Kill is taking on the Minnesota rebuilding job head-on and cautions that there will be no quick fixes for the Gophers. MarQueis Gray has come a long way at quarterback.

• The nine-game Big Ten schedule will change the way Nebraska arranges its nonconference slate. A pair of junior college teammates have made it to the Cornhuskers after a circuitous route.

• Dan Persa's Heisman campaign got help from a company in Columbus.

• Ohio State still has a Tressel in a key coaching role. The Buckeyes freshmen had to give back their JT bracelets in support of Jim Tressel.

• Kevin Newsome's transfer from Penn State is a non-factor, Matthew Boyles writes. Mike Hull is moving into the mix at outside linebacker for the Lions.

• Purdue says its new uniforms give it a new identity.

• Wisconsin's new special teams coach will be looking for a few impact players in the return game. The Badgers hit the practice field Friday; here's a preview of fall camp.

Penn State's quarterback competition between Robert Bolden and Matthew McGloin resumes around 3:30 p.m. ET Thursday as the team holds its first preseason practice.

But the focus has momentarily shifted from the quarterback race to a potentially major problem: quarterback depth.

Penn State suddenly has very little.

Junior Kevin Newsome reportedly has left the program and likely will seek a transfer. Newsome's departure comes days after Penn State coach Joe Paterno confirmed that redshirt freshman quarterback Paul Jones is academically ineligible.

Although Newsome's departure won't surprise many folks and Jones' academic issues had been out there for some time, the reality of having only two legit options at quarterback poses a challenge for the Lions. Both Newsome and Jones would have provided insurance behind Bolden and McGloin. The Lions now need junior Shane McGregor, a former walk-on, to step up his game in camp.

You can't blame Newsome for taking off. After falling behind both Bolden and McGloin on the depth chart, he nearly bolted after the 2010 regular season before returning for spring ball. Paterno has said the starting job almost certainly will go to Bolden and McGloin, who split starts in 2010. Newsome would have been third string, and the amount of youth Penn State has at quarterback reduced his chances to ever see significant playing time.

His departure makes it critical for Penn State to have both Bolden and McGloin available. Bolden, who sought his release after the Outback Bowl and was denied, said last month that he's committed to staying at Penn State. But what happens if McGloin wins the starting job? Would Bolden stick around? He had better, for Penn State's sake.

The potential for Bolden to depart -- however slim it may be -- likely has Nittany Nation a little nervous. The same holds true for an injury to Bolden or McGloin.

The good news is both men have starting experience in the Big Ten, and by most accounts, both men improved during the offseason.

While we'll be tracking Bolden versus McGloin in the coming days, Penn State needs both men to be on board when September rolls around.

Big Ten bloggers Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett will occasionally give their takes on a burning question facing the league. We'll both have strong opinions, but not necessarily the same view. We'll let you decide which blogger is right.

Today's Take Two topic is this: Which preseason quarterback battle is the most intriguing?

Take 1: Brian Bennett

Fall practice, mercifully, opens this week in the Big Ten. Several teams, including Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State and Penn State, have open quarterback battles heading into camp. You can even throw Wisconsin in there if you believe Bret Bielema's assertion that Russell Wilson has to compete for the starting job. We'll be carefully following them all. But the skirmish in Columbus intrigues me the most. There are technically four candidates, but most people believe the competition will come down to Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller. The contrast between the two could hardly be more striking, as Bauserman is steady but unspectacular 25-year-old former minor league baseball player who has experience as a backup, while Miller is a true freshman with exciting and unpredictable athleticism.

Despite all their off-the-field problems, the Buckeyes are still very much a legitimate threat to win the league title this season, but they'll need someone to take over for Terrelle Pryor and lead that offense down the field. Will Luke Fickell go with the known quantity in Bauserman, who's unlikely to hurt the team with big mistakes? Or will he be tempted to roll the dice with the youngster Miller, who showed in the spring game that he can make plays when nothing is there? Can't wait to find out.

Take 2: Adam Rittenberg

Ah, August. A great month for quarterback connoisseurs. Ohio State's competition undoubtedly will get the most attention, and rightfully so. All four candidates are unproven in college games, and the prospect of Miller potentially succeeding Terrelle Pryor as the starter is truly fascinating. While I'll have an eye on Columbus, I'm particularly interested in what takes place in Happy Valley.

Penn State's quarterback competition has some unique elements. You've got two players with starting experience in Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin, both of whom made promising strides this spring. Bolden wanted his release from the program in January and, despite reaffirming his commitment to Penn State in July, could reopen the door if things don't go his way in practice. Most of the fans want Bolden to win the job, especially after McGloin's struggles in the Outback Bowl. But McGloin isn't the type to back down from a challenge. You also have Kevin Newsome, who remains a quarterback despite buzz that he'll switch positions. Penn State needs Newsome as an option -- and Bolden to remain with the team -- as Paul Jones is academically ineligible. While I don't expect the race to drag on as long as last season's competition, it will be interesting to see who emerges as Penn State's No. 1 -- and how the other player deals with the disappointment.

A few PM items for you on a toasty Tuesday in Chicago:

• Penn State added a big piece for its 2012 recruiting class as four-star quarterback prospect Skyler Mornhinweg committed to the Nittany Lions on Tuesday afternoon. If you're wondering about the last name, Skyler is the son of Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. He originally committed to Stanford but withdrew his pledge after coach Jim Harbaugh left for the 49ers job. Mornhinweg, ranked as the nation's No. 16 quarterback by ESPN Recruiting, also received interest from Alabama, Tennessee and Illinois. Penn State has several young quarterbacks in Robert Bolden, Paul Jones and Kevin Newsome, but the team's QB picture could look different by the time Mornhinweg is ready to see the field.
• Iowa announced its three "color games" for the 2011 season. Fans attending the Sept. 17 home game against Pitt will be asked to "Be Bold, Wear Gold." The Oct. 15 prime-time game against recent nemesis Northwestern will allow fans to stripe Kinnick Stadium in black and gold. Fans in even numbered sections are asked to wear gold and fans in odd numbered sections are asked to wear black. This is my favorite display by far, as last year's game against Penn State looked amazing. Iowa's home finale Nov. 12 against Michigan State has been designated the annual "Blackout" game at Kinnick. Here's a look at the "Blackout" against Michigan in 2009.
• Allstate and the AFCA on Tuesday announced their nominees for 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, and seven Big Ten players made the list. The team recognizes players at all levels of college football who excel in community service work. The Big Ten nominees are: Northwestern OT Al Netter, Minnesota DE D.L. Wilhite, Iowa P Eric Guthrie, Nebraska DT Jared Crick, Indiana LB Leon Beckum, Michigan G Patrick Omameh and Purdue QB Rob Henry. The 11-player FBS Good Works Team will be announced in late September.

Spring practice at Penn State wrapped up 48 days ago.

Final exams at Penn State concluded May 6.

And quarterback Rob Bolden still doesn't know whether he'll continue his playing career for the Nittany Lions.

"No, I still haven't [decided anything]," he told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Bolden declined to elaborate.

Let the angst continue.

It's a bit surprising that Bolden hasn't reached a decision by now. We're definitely in the middle of transfer season, but most players make decisions like these shortly after the academic year concludes.

Bolden went through spring practice and had no public complaints about his treatment and the quarterback competition, which he called fair. He finished school with no issues and, according to his Twitter page, has been spending the past few weeks hanging out at home in Michigan.

Penn State's coaches didn't name a starting quarterback after spring practice, but the race is down to Bolden and Matt McGloin. My belief: if Bolden builds on his spring with a strong performance in fall camp -- remember, he blew away the competition last August -- he'll be the starter.

But he has to first decide if he'll be in State College when camp kicks off.

What does Bolden need to hear or see to cement his decision?

His indecision leaves Penn State in a tough spot. If Bolden leaves, what does that mean for Kevin Newsome, another potential candidate to transfer? What does it mean for Paul Jones?

Not to put too much on one player, but Penn State's outlook will be shaped largely by what Bolden decides.

We're waiting ...

Kids, don't drink tequila.

• Tom Osborne expects Nebraska-Iowa to turn into a full-fledged rivalry, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• Wisconsin adds a big recruit to its 2012 class in QB Bart Houston. Badgers backfield mates John Clay and Scott Tolzien find themselves in the same post-draft quandary, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Michigan is stockpiling linebacker recruits for Greg Mattison's defense, Josh Helmholdt writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald is named the inaugural 1WORLD Sports Coach of the Year, Teddy Greenstein writes in the Chicago Tribune.
• The waiting game continues for snubbed Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, Matt Markey writes in The Toledo Blade.
• Speaking of draft snubs, several Big Ten players appear on Yahoo! Sports' Matt Hinton's list.
• Michigan State's 2012 recruiting recently has heated up, Denny Schwarze writes in the Lansing State Journal. Some Michigan State students had Mark Dantonio serve them lunch Monday.
• Some Big Ten recruiting flavor for you at the Under Armour Combine in Baltimore, colleague Craig Haubert writes.
• A comprehensive look at why the AAU dumped Nebraska, Jeffrey J. Selingo and Jack Stripling write in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• PennLive.com debates Kevin Newsome's future at Penn State.
• Purdue coach Danny Hope will head to the Lone Star State later this month.

The weather didn't exactly cooperate, but Penn State got in one half of football Saturday in the Blue-White Game before heading to the locker room. The Blue team prevailed 10-0 behind a Matt McGloin touchdown pass to Brandon Moseby-Felder.

Here's a quick snapshot of the game:

Game coverage: Here and here and here and here.

Quotable: "That's a press game, politics, that's not my game. We'll play the guy that we think is the best guy." -- coach Joe Paterno, on his quarterback situation.

Highlights

• The most interesting tidbits regarding Penn State's quarterback situation came before or after the game, not during it. Paterno said before the game that he's "99 percent sure" the starter will be Rob Bolden or Matt McGloin, both of whom have elevated their play this spring. Bolden didn't show his cards when asked about his future plans, saying, "I love it here. The students are great. The campus is great. I love it all. But obviously, there's some things I feel should be different." He added that he received "a fair shot" in the competition this spring. Paterno said he'll meet with Bolden this week. As for the game, McGloin completed 5 of 10 passes for 109 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Bolden went 0-for-5 with an interception. Kevin Newsome completed 3 of 7 passes for 22 yards, and Paul Jones failed to connect on his only attempt.
• Defensive standouts included sophomore linebacker Khairi Fortt, who led the White team with five tackles and forced a Stephfon Green fumble. Redshirt freshman linebacker Mike Hull had four tackles and a forced fumble, sophomore cornerback Mike Wallace had an interception and freshman defensive end Kyle Baublitz had two "sacks" and four total tackles.
• It wasn't a great performance for the running backs, as Green and Brandon Beachum both lost fumbles and Silas Redd gained only 24 yards on nine carries. Beachum, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, had a strong spring overall and should be a factor in the run game this season. "I feel like I'm back to my old self," Beachum told The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News.

As promised, the regular Tuesday mailblog is here. Send in those questions for Friday.

Alexandra from Athens (Greece, not Georgia) writes: Hey Adam! As a Nebraska fan i am new to the blog. Anyway, im a Taylor Martinez fan. I think he did a lot of great things for Nebraska. That said, what do you think his chances are for the head QB job and how do you think he will go about the season (just guesses of course!)? And what do you think has changed about him since last season?

Adam Rittenberg: Alexandra, great to hear from a Husker fan living so far away! Bo Pelini has repeatedly praised Martinez for his play this spring. The coach even did so Tuesday on the Big Ten teleconference. Although he quickly pointed out that all the quarterbacks are making progress, I'd be surprised if Martinez doesn't start the opener. Nebraska has to see what it has with Martinez at 100 percent. Martinez seems more mature this spring as he has been better about dealing with the media after dodging the cameras and tape recorders for the second half of last season. His teammates seem to be in his corner, which is a good sign. Injuries often have a psychological effect on players, especially young ones like Martinez. Nebraska has to see what he can do at full strength.

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Steve from Jeffers, Mich., writes: Jim Tressel said to you, "Braxton Miller is lost." Is that a direct quote? Please answer. Because Tim May's insiders are painting a much different picture of Miller's progress.

Adam Rittenberg: Yes, that is a direct quote from Tressel given to me last week. He went on to praise one of Miller's runs during that day's practice. Tressel sees the potential with Miller, but also the youth. The Buckeyes players I talked with see Joe Bauserman and Kenny Guiton ahead of the group, although there's certainly time for Miller to close the gap.

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T.J. from Mount Pleasant, Mich., writes: What is the status of Troy Woolfolk? He will be the difference if healthy.

Adam Rittenberg: Well, T.J., Woolfolk tweeted today: "My second spring ball that i didn't participate in is almost over." So he hasn't done much this spring as he continues to recover from ankle/leg surgery. But T-Wolf should be on track to return for fall camp and the season, and his presence should be huge for the Michigan secondary. I'm hoping to catch up with Woolfolk this week in Ann Arbor, so check back for more.

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Chris from Pittsburgh writes: Hey Adam! First off, i really enjoy the blog. It really helps to numb the pain of the offseason. But I have a question about the QB situation at PSU. No, its not the typical 'whose it gonna be?!" and nothing to do with 'the Bolden situation'. I can't stop wondering... WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN MORE BUZZ AROUND PAUL JONES?! If the roster is accurate, the kids a physical monster of a QB, and i refuse to believe he wouldn't be a better option than McGloin going forward (with all the trash talking about the line, a strong, physical QB could be a godsend). Aaaand then there's the alleged academic issues, so I'm not wondering why Paterno isn't talking him up... im wondering why nobody else seems to be (other than the occasional, brief mention) A part of me wants to see Bolden step up and prove he is all he was hyped up to be... but then again watching Clark play really rekindled my passion for PSU football, and the idea of QB thats even bigger just makes me smile. PJ is definitely my darkhorse candidate, and just maybe the number 13 suits him

Adam Rittenberg: Chris, just because a guy has certain physical measurables and performs well against the third-string defense in the spring game doesn't make him a viable candidate to start. I know folks got excited about Jones after the spring game last year, but my impression after being in State College is he must leapfrog at least two players (Matt McGloin, Rob Bolden) and possibly a third (Kevin Newsome) on the depth chart. He's got to get it done on a daily basis in practice. Several coaches noted the strong spring Newsome is having, but this looks to be a two-man race. Jones could end up closing the gap, but I'd be surprised if he moves past both Bolden and McGloin at this stage.

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Kyle from Saginaw, Texas, writes: Adam,Love the Blog man! Hey on Monday you had a question about the possible 9th Conference game and it possibly being a permanent cross-over again. I think this would be a bad move! Especially if two of those games are Nebraska-Ohio State and Penn St.-Michigan. That just seems like Conference Suicide. Since those 4 schools are considered the "Big Ones" in the conference, having them play every year would destroy the potential matchups in the Big Ten Championship Game, and the possible National Championships each of these teams could win because they would be feasting on each other. Not to mention would it be fair that those 4 schools' two permanent cross-over games would be against tough oppenents while some schools would get two weak opponents? What are your thoughts?

Adam Rittenberg: Some interesting points here, Kyle. It depends on how you look at it. If you're the league, you want to maximize your brand and schedule as many showcase games as possible. Every conference wants my colleagues Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit broadcasting one of their games on a Saturday night in the fall. Ohio State-Nebraska and Penn State-Michigan are two more games that pop, two more games that have true national appeal. Could you hurt your league's national title hopes in the process? Perhaps. But from a fan/TV standpoint, these crossovers would enhance the Big Ten brand.

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Chris from Wayne, Mich., writes: dam, I feel like MSU is getting the short end of the stick on protected crossover games. We got stuck with our weakest of rivals (Indiana, sorry Hoosiers) as our protected crossover and in your most recent mailbag it shows us having Purdue if we go to 9 games. Is there any chance at all we could get Penn State back? It has been our marquee final game of the year for over a decade and would do wonders for our strength of schedule. Dantonio and crew have been working to make our schedule stronger in the coming years by scheduling teams like Boise State, Alabama, West Virginia, etc in our non-conference games. Will it all be wasted if the Big Ten schedules us the weakest conference schedule? Thanks Adam!

Adam Rittenberg: Chris, I understand your frustration, but keep in mind that Michigan State will face some formidable foes in the Legends division each year. The Spartans are guaranteed to play both Nebraska and Iowa in addition to in-state rival Michigan. I don't know if there's strong sentiment to keep the Land Grant Trophy series going every year, especially when the Big Ten can schedule Michigan-Penn State instead. The bottom line is while the crossover games might not sound too exciting, Michigan State will still be tested most seasons. And I LOVE how the Spartans are beefing up their nonconference schedule. Great moves by AD Mark Hollis.

Joe Paterno addressed the media Friday for the first time since after Penn State's Outback Bowl loss to Florida. The Nittany Lions coach touched on several topics in his news conference.

Let's take a look:

• Paterno said quarterbacks Rob Bolden and Matt McGloin both have looked strong this spring. Although the competition is open, Bolden and McGloin are ahead of Paul Jones and Kevin Newsome to this point.
• Wide receiver Curtis Drake will miss the 2011 season after breaking his left leg for the second time early in spring ball, Paterno said. It's a tough blow for Drake, who was in line for a starting job last summer before breaking his leg the first time. Penn State's overall depth at receiver isn't bad, especially if Derek Moye builds on a strong 2010 season.
• Paterno declined to comment on the situation involving former longtime assistant Jerry Sandusky. The coach reportedly testified before a grand jury investigating allegations against Sandusky.
• Bolden, who wanted to leave the program following the bowl game, still could bolt after spring ball, but Paterno hopes the rising sophomore stays. "I think Bolden will be here," JoePa said. "That's obviously something he'll work out.Will he stay? I'll try to convince him to give himself a shot in spring practice and see what happens. And it's eight days [into spring practice] now, so he's doing well. He's a good leader out there. He's got some enthusiasm. Looks like he's having some fun. So I've got my fingers crossed."
• Paterno hasn't talked with Bolden about the quarterback's near departure in January -- Paterno denied Bolden his release from the program -- but the coach expects to sit down with Bolden at some point. "He could be a real asset," Paterno said. "And I think we're a good program for him." The coach acknowledged that Newsome could transfer after the spring but Newsome "has been a whole different situation."
• Paterno isn't sure whether he can decide on a starting quarterback by the end of spring ball (April 16). "I don't think it has to be a clear No. 1 going into summer," he said. "I think we have to have a couple of kids that feel like as if they have shot at being No. 1."
• Paterno downplayed questions about entering the final year of the contract he received after the 2008 season. "If you don't win some games, you don't have a future," he said.
• JoePa said there's potential on the offensive line, but "they're not there yet."
• Injuries continue to mount at defensive end. Pete Massaro is out for the season with a knee injury, and Eric Latimore also is banged up. Penn State moved DaQuan Jones to defensive end to help with depth, but Paterno doesn't think the move is permanent. Defensive tackle Brandon Ware has slimmed down to 320 pounds, but academics remains an issue for him. "We've had to tie him down a little bit to go to class, and he's really trying," Paterno said. "He's trying for his own good as well."
• Paterno on the team: "I think we've got a chance to be decent. I think, you know, it depends on a couple of kids getting into school first, and whether we can get some of those kids back [from injury]. ... We've got some kids out there that are working hard; they've got some enthusiasm. They seem to be having more fun. There are some older kids in there now. They're not all young kids who need to be told what to do."

Brackets busted?

• As Iowa's pro day beckons, Hawkeyes star Adrian Clayborn reflects on the pre-draft process and the oddities of team interviews, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. Iowa ironman George "Red" Frye passes away at 91.
• In case you missed it from earlier, former Ohio State coaches weigh in on Jim Tressel's upcoming absence, Tim May writes in The Columbus Dispatch. Buckeye Nation remains in Tressel's corner, Ken Gordon writes in The Dispatch.
• Rivals.com's Tom Dienhart previews spring practice at Michigan State. The Saginaw News' writers debate which recent rise lasts longer: Michigan State football or Michigan hoops?
• Brady Hoke reflects on Michigan's first spring workout, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News.
• Victims of paralysis by analysis in 2010, Nebraska's quarterbacks are excited about a new chapter, Jon Nyatawa writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
• Always candid AD Joel Maturi has some interesting thoughts on Minnesota's program in an interview with the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press' Bob Sansevere.
• Penn State's Kevin Newsome has taken the right public approach about his uncertain situation, while Rob Bolden could learn a thing or two, statecollege.com's Mike Poorman writes.
• Wisconsin kicks off spring practice Tuesday.

Spring practice is creeping closer, and Purdue will hit the field in less than two weeks (March 1 to be exact) for the first of its 15 workouts.

Here's a snapshot of what to expect in the Leaders Division this spring.

ILLINOIS

Spring practice starts: March 29
Spring game: April 23

What to watch:

• New look at linebacker: Illinois loses first-team All-Big Ten selection Martez Wilson as well as playmaker Nate Bussey. They combined for 195 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries. The Illini need a middle linebacker and could turn to productive senior Ian Thomas or promising sophomore Jonathan Brown. Illinois also is replacing linebackers coach Dan Disch.
• Ford tough: All-American running back Mikel Leshoure departs, turning the spotlight to Jason Ford. At 235 pounds, Ford is a true power back who will give the Illinois offense a slightly different look in 2011. The Illini also want to build depth at running back with players like Troy Pollard.
• Replacing Liuget: Illinois begins the difficult task of replacing the Big Ten's most disruptive interior defensive lineman in Corey Liuget, a likely first-round draft pick in April. Akeem Spence had a very solid redshirt freshman season and will take on a larger role, but Illinois must build around him with Glenn Foster and others. This is a major priority for defensive coordinator Vic Koenning and line coach Keith Gilmore this spring.

INDIANA

Start of spring practice: March 8
Spring game: April 16
End of spring practice: April 19

What to watch:

• Culture change: Kevin Wilson has talked extensively about changing the culture around the Indiana program, and the process begins in full force this spring. Players will have to adjust to the demands of Wilson and his staff, which still isn't in place but soon will be. There will be plenty of teaching and learning, as players must absorb Wilson's offense and a 4-3 defensive scheme (IU operated out of the 3-4 for part of last season).
• Quarterback competition: Three-year starter Ben Chappell departs, and there's no clear-cut successor entering spring practice. Both Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker played sparingly in five games last season, and they bring different skills to the table. It'll be interesting to see who emerges under center this spring before acclaimed recruit Tre Roberson arrives for fall camp.
• Identify defensive contributors: Indiana can't expect to get over the hump until it upgrades the defense, and co-coordinators Mike Ekeler and Doug Mallory begin a crucial evaluation process this spring. The Hoosiers need to build depth and identify Big Ten-ready players throughout the defense, particularly in the back seven after losing standout linebacker Tyler Replogle and others.

OHIO STATE

Start of spring practice: March 31
Spring game: April 23

• Suspension preparation: Ohio State knows it will be without four offensive starters and a key defensive reserve for the first chunk of the 2011 season. This spring, the Buckeyes start the process of evaluating who will step in, especially at the quarterback spot for Terrelle Pryor. Joe Bauserman holds an edge in experience (though little has come in games), and he'll compete with Kenny Guiton and heralded incoming freshman Braxton Miller.
• Receiving orders for Drayton: Stan Drayton left Florida for Ohio State primarily to expand his coaching repertoire and oversee a new position group. The career running backs coach will work with a mostly unproven group of Ohio State wide receivers this spring. Ohio State must replace All-Big Ten standout Dane Sanzenbacher, and DeVier Posey is among those suspended for the first part of the season. Says Drayton of his receivers, "Personnel wise, they're in competition with the whole offensive unit."
• Up-the-middle defensive replacements: Excuse the baseball reference, but Ohio State loses several standout players in the core of its defense: linemen Cameron Heyward and Dexter Larimore, linebackers Brian Rolle and Ross Homan, and safety Jermale Hines. Although the Buckeyes always find ways to reload on defense, it will be interesting to see who emerges this spring, especially at linebacker.

PENN STATE

Start of spring practice: March 18
Spring game: April 16

What to watch:

• The quarterbacks, especially Rob Bolden: Penn State's quarterback competition should be wide open this spring, and it might be the most fascinating race in the Big Ten. You've got sophomore Rob Bolden, who asked for his release after the Gator Bowl but didn't get it from Joe Paterno, and has returned to compete for a job he thought he never should have lost. Junior Matt McGloin tries to redeem himself after the bowl disaster, and Paul Jones and Kevin Newsome also are in the mix.
• Line play on both sides: The Lions boast enough at the skill positions on both sides of the ball to be a much improved team in 2011. But they have to get better and more consistent on both lines. The offensive line must replace standout Stefen Wisniewski and find the form it displayed in 2008. The defensive line tries to regain its swagger after backsliding in 2010, and identify a pass-rushing threat or two.
• Kicking it: Collin Wagner was Penn State's top offensive weapon for much of the 2010 season, but the standout kicker departs the program, leaving a void. Punter Anthony Fera likely will handle the bulk of the kicking duties this spring until incoming freshman Sam Ficken arrives.

PURDUE

Start of spring practice: March 2
Spring game: April 9

What to watch:

• Replacing Superman: Purdue returns nine defensive starters, but the Boilers lose Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kerrigan. The Boilers were the league's top pass-rushing team in 2010, but Kerrigan's production and presence played huge roles in the overall sacks and tackles for loss totals. The entire defensive line took a step forward last fall, and will need to do so again without No. 94.
• The quarterbacks: Robert Marve is still recovering from his second ACL tear, so Rob Henry, Caleb TerBush and Sean Robinson will be in the spotlight this spring. Henry showed promise when healthy in 2010, and TerBush had a strong spring a year ago before being ruled academically ineligible for the season. The quarterback race won't be decided until the summer, but all the candidates can help themselves in spring ball.
• The offensive identity: A wave of injuries forced Purdue to overhaul its plan on offense in 2010. Although several key players will be out or limited this spring, the Boilers can start to reshape their plan on offense. Coach Danny Hope is optimistic Marve and the others return at full strength, but he doesn't want to take anything for granted. This is a huge spring for players a notch or two down the depth chart to get noticed.

WISCONSIN

Start of spring practice: March 22
Spring game: April 23

What to watch:

• Finding Tolzien's successor: After a one-year respite, Wisconsin's annual spring quarterback competition resumes. Sort of. Jon Budmayr will have every opportunity to establish himself as the Badgers' top option before Curt Phillips (knee) returns to full strength. Budmayr turned heads with his performance two springs ago, but played sparingly last season behind Scott Tolzien.
• New leadership on defense: Charlie Partridge and Chris Ash are familiar faces who step into new roles this spring. Partridge and Ash were promoted to co-defensive coordinators following Dave Doeren's departure, and they'll get their first opportunity to shape the defensive vision this spring.
• Reloading on the lines: Wisconsin loses three All-American linemen from 2010: Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt on the offensive side, and J.J. Watt at defensive end. Although the Badgers must replace more bodies on the offensive front, they boast excellent depth there and should be able to fill the gaps. Watt leaves a bigger void, and Wisconsin needs strong springs from players like Louis Nzegwu and David Gilbert.

This should get us caught up on the mail for a while. Be sure to send in questions as the normal mailblog cycle (Tuesday-Friday) returns next week.

Dan from Dallas writes: Adam, you're usually right on target, but regarding the division names, you are wrong. You are consistently one of the first to point out that in college football "image is everything." And divisions names are a large part of defining the image of the Big Ten into the future. By plastering "Legends" and "Leaders" everywhere, the Big Ten is cementing itself as pompous and self-aggrandizing in the eyes of college football fans everywhere. That harms the conference's image; and image has a pretty long reach.

Adam Rittenberg: Dan, I was pretty critical of the division names when they came out, and I totally agree with you that the Big Ten's biggest mistake -- more than the actual names -- was making the division name announcement such a big deal. The league made this something that people now care about, seemingly more than the things that really matter (teams, players, coaches). You're spot-on about the image thing. I just wish we could move on to more relevant topics like who is actually in the divisions.

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Alex from Atlanta writes: Hey Adam I saw your video on the Big Ten needing more depth if it wants to compete with the SEC. I am guessing then that you don't realize the Big10 is 12-13 vs the SEC over the past decade. Based on the facts that seems like two pretty evenly matched conferences. So next time lets look at the facts before making yourself look ignorant.

Adam Rittenberg: That's a good fact, Alex, but my argument was based on a fact that a lot more people care about: the SEC has won the past five national championships. Big Ten fans can keep throwing out the bowl record versus the SEC if it makes them feel better, but no one cares when you win the Capital One Bowl or the Outback Bowl. Ohio State's win against Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl? That one matters. But the only game that really matters for a conference is the national championship game. And the fact the Big Ten hasn't won one since the 2002 season is what stings the most for this league.

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Wayne from Minneapolis writes: Adam, as a Michigan State fan all I want to know about this Michigan hire is how it will affect MSU and I'm not getting what I want anywhere. Can you enlighten me? I'll be completely honest in saying the RichRod hire helped MSU, especially from a local recruiting perspective. It seems like Hoke will concentrate more locally than the previous staff did which to me makes it all the more important that MSU fill out it's staff openings with great recruiters. In what ways do you see this hire affecting Michigan State in particular?

Adam Rittenberg: The strongest impact will be in local/regional recruiting, Wayne. Michigan will focus more of its efforts on getting the top players from the state and the surrounding states. So Michigan State likely will have a little more competition than it had the past few years. The good news is that Michigan State has really established itself nicely in Detroit and the surrounding area, and those relationships will continue to pay off, especially if those players go on to have success in East Lansing and the team keeps winning. The bottom line in all of this is winning games on the field. If the Spartans stay on the current course and continue to beat Michigan, they'll be just fine.

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Tom from NYC writes: Hey Adam, why not put together highlight packages of Northern Illinois and San Diego State as blog posts? Even just links to the game recaps would be great. I'm an Iowa fan, but if I were a Minnesota or Michigan supporter I think I'd appreciate a chance to see what I'm getting without having to try to do my own online search for video of two smaller schools.And while I'm making requests, I'd also be interested in something on Iowa's recent east coast recruiting success, including what looks like it could be a very symbiotic pipeline with DeMatha!

Adam Rittenberg: Tom, good suggestions. Below you can find some links with video of what Brady Hoke did at San Diego State and what Jerry Kill did at Northern Illinois. As for Iowa's recruiting, I've been very impressed with this class. Here's a look at Iowa's success at DeMatha Catholic, a sports powerhouse in the Washington D.C. area.

• Recap and video of San Diego State's win in the Poinsettia Bowl
• Recap and video of Northern Illinois' win against Toledo in November
• Recap and video of Northern Illinois' win against Central Michigan in October

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Billy G. from Philadelphia writes: How much of Brandon's decisionmaking do you think is fiscally driven? The man's been the CEO of a major company and I'm sure he keeps a close watch on the bottom line and has shown a large amount of fiscal discipline in this process. He's saved $1.5 mill by waiting until Jan 1 and resisted the urge to spend like a drunken SEC sailor on Harbaugh or Miles when neither is a slamdunk Saban like commodity. All of this excess can be used for the wole athletic department. I applaud his restraint, especially if he thought Hoke was the right guy all along and vote him as my CFO of the year. And as a Buckeye fan, that is the silver lining that I hope Michigan fans cling to as we continue to pound an overwhelmed coach for the next 5 years.

Adam Rittenberg: Billy, I'm all for fiscal responsibility, especially in these economic times, but I really hope Dave Brandon didn't want until January simply to save on Rich Rodriguez's buyout. I hope he really wanted to be thorough and deliberate with the entire process. Because we both know he could have had Brady Hoke on Dec. 1 and allowed Hoke enough time to try and salvage the 2011 recruiting class. If he knew he wanted to hire Hoke, waiting so long just to save on Rodriguez's buyout is unquestionably the wrong move. If he wasn't sure about the direction, that's a different story. I think Hoke can do some great things in Ann Arbor, but sometimes you get what you pay for and we'll never know what Harbaugh could have done as Michigan's coach.

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Steve from State College, Pa., writes: Adam, what do you think of Penn States "situation" at QB? Who will get the job? McGloin threw 5 picks in the Outback bowl which began the Bolden to transfer rumors. With him not transferring, how does Penn State handle that? What about Paul Jones? I've heard he could easily be the starter, they say he is the best of the 4. And then there's Kevin Newsome, what is he going to do? And finally, will Silas Redd get any Heisman love in his future?

Adam Rittenberg: It's going to be very interesting this spring, Steve. Matt McGloin didn't help himself with the bowl disaster, but he also did some good things with the offense late in the season. What will Rob Bolden's mind-set be like after Penn State denied him his release? He could be ultra-motivated to show the coaches they screwed up, or he could get upset if things aren't going his way. Jones is an interesting prospect. Looked good in the spring game last year, and he's impressed folks in practices but has no game experience. I'd be really surprised if Newsome wins the job, but you never know. Redd has the potential to be a superstar for Penn State. He'll need a good offseason to keep evolving.