ESPN College Football

It's time to finish off our 2012 spring game recaps with a review of Michigan State's Green and White Game from Saturday.

You can find coverage of the scrimmage here, here, here and here

Stars of the game: Defensive ends Marcus Rush and William Gholston. Rush had 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss, while Gholston had a safety and a pass break-up while spending much of the day in the offensive backfield.

How it went down: There was little doubt going into this game that defense would rule the day, as the Spartans return the bulk of a top 10 defense from last year and their offense, still finding its legs in the passing game, missed some key contributors. And so it was, as the White team -- featuring six returning defensive starters -- beat the Green team 14-2. The Green team's only score was that Gholston safety.

"I think we played pretty well, as you can tell by the score," linebacker Denicos Allen said. "We are still developing into a really great defense, and I think we can be better than last year's unit. We have more experience this year but are still young and have to continue to develop."

Connor Cook had to play quarterback for both teams because projected starter Andrew Maxwell is out with a knee injury. Cook completed 20-of-45 passes for 294 yards and threw a three-yard touchdown pass to Andre Sims Jr. with seven seconds left in the first half.

"He grew enormously, I think, in terms of playing in this type of environment, having to play every play also with the TV type situation," head coach Mark Dantonio said. "I think he was very calm in the huddle and did some good things."

The tailbacks were also limited, as Le'Veon Bell played just one series and Larry Caper came out quickly after suffering a minor injury. Nick Hill came through with 19 carries for 95 yards and a TD, but the running was tough going for the most part. Counting sacks, the Green team produced minus-10 yards rushing for the day, and both teams combined for just 59 yards on 38 carries.

You can thank a dominating defense for that. The Spartans got a scare when Gholston was slow to get up after Hill's touchdown and limped off the field, but he was reported to have only a bruised knee. The defensive line looked really impressive.

"I think we have four or five really good defensive ends," Dantonio said. "Shilique Calhoun was a factor today. Obviously, William Gholston and Marcus Rush are very good. I thought Joel Heath did some good things as well."

One of the offensive highlights was provided by a defensive player, as cornerback Johnny Adams switched sides and caught a 45-yard pass.

"He's got big-play ability," Dantonio said. "He's a guy maybe we can flip around a bit. We'll see how that transpires when we get everyone here."

If Corey Crawford were writing these, they'd be called lunch leaks. Brutal.

• Penn State has fired assistant AD Mark Sherburne, according to the Centre Daily Times.
• MarQueis Gray knows he was horrible at the start of last season, but the Minnesota quarterback has grown up both on and off the field. The Gophers have plenty of questions to address in their spring game.
• Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema talks coaching turnover, expectations and married life in this Q&A with Tom Dienhart. Badgers offensive lineman Ryan Groy helped recruit Danny O'Brien to Mad-city.
• Penn State has started the healing process on the recruiting trail. Stefanie Loh wonders what if Joe Paterno had retired after the 2009 Rose Bowl. Some bad news for the Lions as linebacker Jamie Van Fleet reportedly suffered an ACL tear.
• The offense wins Michigan State's second spring scrimmage, thanks in part to running back Larry Caper. Keith Mumphrey is emerging as a weapon at receiver for Michigan State. BTN's Gerry DiNardo talks about why he thinks MSU is the team to beat.
• The Scarlet team looks like the favorite in Ohio State's spring game. Urban Meyer says the questions about his health are "old news." The NFL Network reports former Buckeyes tackle Mike Adams tested positive for marijuana at the combine.
• Michigan isn't sending its marching band to the opener at Jerry World, citing travel costs. Ricky Barnum has adjusted to playing center this spring, but Michigan's offensive line still must improve as a group. Former Michigan star David Molk says his height is the only thing holding him back in draft evaluations.
• Iowa defensive lineman Dominic Alvis expects to be full speed by June following an ACL injury.
• Illinois coach Tim Beckman tries to spur the Illini-Northwestern rivalry.
• Freshman defensive end Deonte Gibson stood out for Northwestern this spring.

Hello, Wisconsin!

• Injuries are starting to pile up for Ohio State this spring. The Buckeyes may have found their quarterback of the future. Running back is making a debut of sorts in the Horseshoe this weekend.
• Penn State is learning how to play fast under Bill O'Brien. The Paterno family doesn't like a new book on the Sandusky scandal.
• Wisconsin's James White is receptive to playing some wide receiver, though he says he's still a running back first.
• Kirk Ferentz loves watching the NFL draft, but Reilly Reiff won't be at the draft in person.
• Rich Rodriguez had a hard time watching Michigan last year. Denard Robinson made strides in cutting down his turnovers this spring.
• Michigan State has depth and stiff competition at linebacker. Larry Caper wants to seize his last opportunity as a Spartan.
• Reviewing the Nebraska defense's spring performance. Lyell Bremser, the late voice of the Huskers, will be inducted into the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame.
• Len Dawson's decision to go to Purdue is still paying dividends.
• Redshirt freshman Deonte Gibson made an impression at defensive end this spring at Northwestern.
• Minnesota linebacker Ryan Grant's family tree is deeply rooted in football.
• Off Tackle Empire breaks down Illinois.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- A funny thing happened to Michigan State on the way to Indianapolis last year.

The Spartans finished 11th in the Big Ten in rushing yet came within a running-into-the-punter penalty of potentially going to the Rose Bowl. Teams aren't supposed to win big in the Big Ten without a powerful running attack.

But Michigan State did things a different way last season, relying on a seasoned quarterback (Kirk Cousins) and two senior receivers (B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin) to make up for a subpar ground game. Mark Dantonio's team doesn't have the luxury of experience in the passing game in 2012, but the Spartans could lean on a more effective running game this season.

"I definitely feel like that will happen," lead tailback Le'Veon Bell said.

That's more than just the usual spring optimism. The Spartans struggled to produce rushing yards early last season in large part because of an inexperienced offensive line that was plagued by injuries. It was easier to get that group to pass block for a few seconds, which was all the time Cousins needed to unload the ball.

Those early 2011 troubles, though, have led to an advantageous 2012 situation for the offensive line. Six players who started games last year are back and healthy this spring, allowing the unit to concentrate more on run blocking.

"We want to show everyone that we can run the ball and be a great O-line, one of best in the Big Ten," senior guard Chris McDonald said. "So we're trying to focus on that and put it on our shoulders. If we can do that, our running backs can do great things."

Michigan State has runners who are capable of greatness. Even with Edwin Baker unexpectedly leaving early for the NFL, the backfield is in good hands with Bell, senior Larry Caper and sophomore spark plug Nick Hill. Bell's potential in particular gives reason for excitement.

He got off to a strong start as a freshman before fading down the stretch and reversed that curve as a sophomore. Bell took over as the Spartans' primary back late last season, running for at least 86 yards in five of the last eight games, including a 106-yard effort against Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship game. He led the team with 948 yards on the season.

Baker's departure cleared the way for Bell to be the unquestioned starter this spring, but Dantonio raised eyebrows earlier this month with comments about "complacency" when asked about his junior running back. Dantonio told ESPN.com that his remarks were misinterpreted, but they sure made their way to Bell's ears no matter the intent.

"I definitely took that as motivation," Bell said Thursday. "Coach D doesn't really direct his words toward anyone, but he makes sure people know they don't have a starting job locked up. I don't want to be complacent, and I see myself as a leader of the running backs."

By all accounts, Bell has turned up his play in recent days. Teammates were buzzing about his performance in Thursday's practice, in which they said he ripped off several long runs.

"Le'Veon is juking people out of their shoes and jumping over people," tackle Dan France said. "It's pretty impressive to watch."

His moves are especially impressive given his size. Offensive coordinator Dan Roushar said the 6-foot-2 Bell is up to 242 pounds this spring, though Bell said that measurement came "after a big dinner." He plans to play more in the 235-pound range. Still, that is a load to bring down in the open field.

"I don't know how he does it, to be that big and move like that," safety Isaiah Lewis said. "He's just gifted."

Roushar said Michigan State will have the capability of putting both Bell and Caper, a 211-pounder who was one of the team's top rushers in 2009, in the backfield together at the same time. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound Hill can offer a change of pace with his quickness.

"We've got to get our tailbacks touches this season," Dantonio said.

And if so, the Spartans should finish higher than 11th in the league in rushing.

This week's Big Ten chat came a day later than normal, but it was worth the wait. Thanks to those who participated, and my apologies if your question wasn't answered.

In case you missed out on all the fun, here's a full transcript.

Some highlights:

Tim from Ann Arbor: Hey first timer wanted to pick your brain about Spartans. Now I've read a lot about this an that, all I'm hoping isn't media hype leading into a disappointing season this year. Do you see state with the ability to beat the competition and have a true shot at the legends division championship again? Or is it more likely that Michigan will take the legends?

Adam Rittenberg: Tim, think the Legends race will be captivating as MSU, Michigan and Nebraska all are leading contenders to reach Indy. Michigan State will need to be a defense-driven team, and I still love the talent on that side of the ball. Spartans boast a bunch of difference-makers. Michigan State also will need to be more run-driven on offense behind Le'Veon Bell, Larry Caper and a more seasoned offensive line. Michigan likely will be the popular pick to win the Legends, but right now, MSU has a slight edge in my book.

Nate from Jacksonville, N.C.: How do you think James Vandenberg will compare to other QB nationally? He is probably one of the better ones in the big ten agree? And how does the LB and secondary look for Iowa?

Adam Rittenberg: James has the ability to put up big numbers, and he did at times last year. But to become nationally elite, he needs to be a lot better on the road and against elite defenses. He really struggled against Nebraska and OU at the end of the season. But he works very hard and some nice skills. LB should be a strength for Iowa this year. More questions in the secondary, and the Hawkeyes need a big year from CB Micah Hyde.

Josh from Galesburg, Ill.: I think Delany has done an awesome job with the development of the conference title game, Big Ten Network, and his infusion of ideas about a college football playoff. However, the Big Ten needs to adopt a playoff policy which will benefit all conferences (including the Big Ten)!

Adam Rittenberg: Josh, I agree with everything you wrote. Delany has done a lot of great things for the Big Ten and put the programs in position to succeed, despite the dearth of national titles. But his stance on the playoff and his affection for the Rose Bowl have undoubtedly hurt him publicly.

Patrick from Chicago: Adam, how important is a Heisman to a college players legacy? Let's say Montee Ball duplicates 2011, but doesn't win the award. Does that mean he wasn't one of the greatest college players of all time?

Adam Rittenberg: That's a really interesting question. What if another Wisconsin back, Ron Dayne, hadn't captured the Heisman as a senior after putting up big numbers the previous seasons? He's regarded as one of the game's greatest backs, but the Heisman undoubtedly helped his legacy. I don't know if Montee can reach that level because he shared carries in 2010 before breaking out last year. But if he replicates his 2011 production, I'd think he'll have a great chance at hoisting the trophy.

Thanks again for joining me.

Mark Dantonio acknowledges Michigan State has some momentum right now. The Spartans have won 11 games in each of the past two seasons. They come off of a Legends division title and could enter the season as the Big Ten favorite. But they also lose a lot of star power from the 2011 team, namely quarterback Kirk Cousins, a three-year starter and three-time captain, and All-American defensive tackle Jerel Worthy.

Can Michigan State be a better team in 2012, or will the Spartans backslide in their effort to reload?

"There were questions as we left 2010," Dantonio said. "Can we replace Greg Jones and Eric Gordon? Could we replace our punter, Aaron Bates, or [wide receiver] Mark Dell? We were able to do that and progress, so there are great possibilities. Our football team is poised for that, but at the same time we need to guard against being complacent and understand we’re going to be judged game-to-game.

"It's important we bring our energy with us in everything we do, but there's no question we have confidence. There's no question we have continuity. We've built a great foundation to springboard us forward."

The next phase begins Tuesday, as Michigan State kicks off spring practice in East Lansing.

Dantonio discussed the spring and the future with ESPN.com earlier this week.

Some notes:

• Dantonio is "very optimistic" the NCAA will approve wide receiver transfer DeAnthony Arnett to play this coming season. Arnett transferred from Tennessee to Michigan State to be closer to his ailing father in Flint, Mich. He appeared in 12 games for the Vols in 2011 and had 24 receptions for 242 yards and two touchdowns. "It was a hardship because his father is ill," Dantonio said. "DeAnthony had success at Tennessee. He was happy at Tennessee. He felt like he needed to come home to be near his family. Every Friday afternoon he goes home. He's a great young man, and he cares deeply about his family and wants to be close to them and wants them to have the opportunity to see him play as well." The NCAA recently granted a waiver for Amir Carlisle, a USC transfer, to play immediately at Notre Dame. Carlisle transferred to be closer to his father, who took a position in Purdue's athletic department. Arnett is eligible to practice this spring for the Spartans.
• If Arnett receives his waiver, he'll provide a big boost to a position that Dantonio calls the "most critical" to replenish. Michigan State loses its top three receivers -- B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Keith Nichol -- from 2011. The Spartans need to get Bennie Fowler and Juwan Ceasar healthy and have some immediate contributions from their incoming freshmen.
• Michigan State has good depth at defensive end, so Denzel Drone will move to tight end, at least for the start of spring ball. Drone has made six starts at defensive end in his first two seasons and has recorded 28 tackles, five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He played a bit of tight end as a high school senior. "We can at least look at that position move in the first two weeks," Dantonio said. "He's played enough defensive end that he can go back over there and be a co-starter for us, but I think we need to put our best football players on the field, and if he can be one of those top 11 players, 12 players, 13, 14 players on offense, then we'll leave him there. If not, he'll be one of those top 14 players on defense." In another move, defensive back Dana Dixon will practice at wide receiver this spring but could return to the secondary "in a heartbeat," Dantonio said.
• Defensive tackle will be a fascinating position to watch this spring as Michigan State looks to replace Worthy. Tyler Hoover, a starting defensive end in 2010 who missed all of last season with injury, will move inside this spring. Hoover is up to 297 pounds, Dantonio said. The Spartans also will audition a host of redshirt freshman defensive tackles and sophomore James Kittredge, a transfer from Vanderbilt.
• Michigan State redshirted 19 players last season, a few more than normal, and the spring will provide a proving ground for several of them. Dantonio listed defensive end Shilique Calhoun, linebacker Lawrence Thomas, safety RJ Williamson and cornerback Trae Waynes as freshmen who could have played in the latter part of last season.
• The Spartans are one of only four Big Ten teams to return their entire coaching staff from the previous season. It wasn't easy, as other teams made runs at both Michigan State coordinators, Pat Narduzzi and Dan Roushar, but both men stayed, in part because the school made a stronger financial commitment. "It was natural to me to be very concerned we would lose a coach or two," Dantonio said. "But it gives you a feeling that you’re doing things right here and there's a good working environment. Obviously, all of our guys, we’re going to do everything we can do to hold onto them, and some of that is financially-based."
• Dantonio on quarterback Andrew Maxwell: "Very patient young man, as evidenced by him sitting here and waiting for his opportunity. Very poised, extremely strong arm, very athletic, he was a 6-7 high jumper in high school. He's got size. He’s got great intelligence. He's got a great demeanor among his teammates. The one thing he's missing right now is that experience of going out and doing it on game day on a consistent basis. Kirk always stayed the course and was never knocked out of a football game, so Andrew never had to take the reins of our football team in a critical situation. That's coming for him."
• In terms of leadership, Dantonio said Maxwell's teammates already have accepted him in his new role. Dantonio also listed linebacker Max Bullough, cornerback Darqueze Dennard, offensive lineman Chris McDonald and running back Larry Caper as potential team leaders in 2012.

Few Big Ten players have bigger shoes to fill than Michigan State quarterback Andrew Maxwell. Then again, few Big Ten players have been groomed for a bigger role as well as Maxwell has with the Spartans. After redshirting in 2009 and backing up Kirk Cousins in 2010 and 2011, Maxwell is poised to step in as the Spartans' starter this fall. He's pegged to replace Cousins, a three-year starter and three-time captain who guided Michigan State to consecutive 11-win seasons. Cousins' presence and leadership impressed people both at Michigan State and around the Big Ten, but Maxwell sounds ready to take the reins.

ESPN.com recently caught up with Maxwell, and here's what he had to say.

What has it been like going through this offseason, knowing what's at stake for you coming up?


Andrew Maxwell: I definitely think it's a different tone. You interact with people differently, you go about your business differently knowing that next year, hopefully I'm going to be the guy. I definitely have to take some strides in leadership, the way I carry myself and the way I start to lead this team.

How long have you been preparing for this opportunity?

AM: You've got to start preparing for it the day you step on campus, knowing that at some point, hopefully you're going to be the guy. You've got to start building relationships with people, starting to lead, so that when it actually becomes your time, like it is now, I don't have to become this person that I'm not and really go way out of my way and take this totally different approach. I feel like if I've put in the work and started building bridges and started to lead in the past, it makes it for an easy transition now.

And how are you doing that?

AM: In the past, if we're going to do extra stuff like 7-on-7s or one-on-ones, usually Kirk would set that up. But now, obviously, that responsibility falls to me. It makes it my job to talk to guys, see what their schedule is, see what the best time would be to get the most people together to work. So that's a part of it, and the way you interact with people, trying to build relationships with everybody on the team, so when you have to interact with them and lead them, it makes it a little bit easier.

What are some of the things you took away from working under Kirk the past few years?

AM: I think how he was inclusive of everybody, how he built a bridge and built a relationship with everybody on the team so he could relate to everybody in their own special way. That's a quality of a leader -- you've got to be versatile in how you lead. I don't think you can have one stye of leadership and expect that to carry over and affect the whole team. You've got to know what works for some guys and what works for other guys, and appeal to that when you're trying to reach them and affect them.

Did he leave you with any final messages?


AM: There really wasn't a big, 'Alright, here's the keys. It's your time now.' We stay in contact, I've been talking to him. We've built our relationship and our friendship so that if I have questions or just want to talk down the road, I can just pick up the phone and give him a call.

What will people notice about you when you get out there more in games?

AM: I never want to let the situation be too big for me. I always want to be a guy who, no matter what the situation is, I have to control it. I have to be able to handle everything, and when things get tough, when we get in some adverse situations, I can be someone whose looked to. I just want to be a steady presence, a solid presence people can look to and know that I'm not going to waver, and I'm not going to let this team waver. We can make it through any situation together.

How is your comfort level with the offense and what needs to be improved going forward as you take on a bigger role?

AM: As far as knowing the playbook, it's something I've had down for a few years now. I feel like I have a good grasp. Now it's just the reps in live-game action because you can get all the reps you want in practice, but when it's live action, it makes it a little different. Just being on the field and getting more reps and getting more comfortable, things will become second nature and become a little easier.

You return a lot on defense, but how big is your role in keeping the continuity going on offense after you lose some key pieces there?

AM: On paper, you can look at our team and say we might be scrambling to find guys to fill spots. But our young receivers have got all the talent in the world. We've got a bunch of guys who are going to compete for spots, and we're going to have a lot of good players who aren't going to be able to get on the field because we don't have enough spots for them. You look at the competition we're going to have on the O-line. We had some injuries this year from guys who started, and we've got them coming back, so we're going to have a solid offensive line. And then we've got three really good backs who are still here. Obviously, losing Edwin [Baker] hurts, but with Le'Veon [Bell] and Larry [Caper] and Nick [Hill], I think our running game will be OK. That helps take a lot of pressure off me, that we have that talent, we have that continuity.

Personality-wise, are you and Kirk similar? You sound a lot like him.

AM: Yeah, more people would say we're similar than not. We've got some of the same personality characteristics. We're not completely clones, but for the most part, we're pretty similar.

How anxious are you to get there and play games?

AM: I'm definitely excited, definitely anxious. It's the reason why you come to a place like this, to have a chance to be a starting quarterback and lead the team. Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done. We've got a long offseason ahead of us. I've got a lot of work to do to build chemistry with the new wide receivers, to really build chemistry with the whole first unit on offense. But it's definitely exciting. This is what we've been waiting for, and it's finally time.

Earlier today, we took a look at the recruiting needs of every team in the Big Ten Leaders Division. Now it's time to turn our attention to the Legends Division and see what positions each team needs to restock before next week's signing day:

Iowa

Running backs: Iowa's problems with keeping running backs in school has been well documented, and the Hawkeyes lost leading rusher Marcus Coker and backup Mika'il McCall after off-the-field problems last season. The team really needs some more depth in the backfield, and don't be surprised if incoming freshman Greg Garmon pushes for playing time immediately.

Defensive linemen: Iowa had three defensive linemen drafted off the 2010 team and now loses its top two guys up front in departing seniors Broderick Binns and Mike Daniels. That's an awful lot of talent to replace in a couple of years, and the Hawkeyes can't expect to improve their defense without doing so. Finding some more pass rushers off the edge will be key.

Wide receivers: Marvin McNutt had a wonderful senior season, but the passing game often stalled whenever he couldn't wiggle free. Now he's gone, leaving a void at the position. Kevonte Martin-Manley and Keenan Davis have shown promise, but James Vandenberg could use some more weapons. Iowa has secured commitments from three receivers in this class.

Michigan

Wide receiver: The loss of Darryl Stonum, who was dismissed following another run in with the law, created a void at receiver, especially with top pass-catcher Junior Hemingway out of eligibility. The Wolverines will have to hope Roy Roundtree can bounce back with a big season, because all other wideout options are unproven at this point. Three receivers are committed to Brady Hoke in this class.

Defensive line: Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen were key cogs in Michigan's run to the Sugar Bowl title in 2011, and they have both moved on, along with starter Will Heininger. Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison are defensive line coaches at heart and will want to grab as many difference makers as they can at that key position. Ondre Pipkins, a 325-pound tackle, is the highest rated defensive lineman in the Wolverines' class right now.

Offensive line: While the Wolverines should be fine on the O-line in 2012, even without Rimington Trophy winner David Molk and starting right tackle Mark Huyge, they signed only four offensive linemen total in the past two classes. Since linemen are often slow to develop, they need to refill the cupboard now. Michigan has four offensive linemen committed in this class, including standout Kyle Kalis.

Michigan State

Offensive tackles: Thanks in large part to injuries, Michigan State had to move a defensive lineman (Dan France) to tackle last summer and plug in a junior-college transfer (Fou Fonoti) into the other tackle spot. That the Spartans won the Legends Division title despite that is kind of amazing in retrospect. France will be a junior in 2012 and Fonoti will be in his final year of eligibility. They need more depth at the position, and they've got commitments from two offensive tackles so far in this class.

Wide receivers: Two of the most successful receivers in school history are gone as Keshawn Martin and B.J. Cunningham finished off wildly productive careers. Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett is seeking a waiver to play immediately and will help the future even if he has to sit out a year. Michigan State is looking to sign three other receivers in this class to fill out the future two-deep.

Running back: Edwin Baker's early entry to the NFL draft came as a surprise. Michigan State is still in good shape at tailback for 2012 with Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper. But after not signing a running back in last year's class, Mark Dantonio could use at least one more option in the backfield.

Minnesota

Defensive backs: It was no secret that Minnesota's pass defense was brutal at times in 2011, and top tackler Kim Royston leaves a hole at safety with his graduation. Getting Troy Stoudermire back for an extra year helps, but Jerry Kill needs to upgrade the talent in the secondary. That's why he has signed three junior-college defensive backs and secured commitments from four high school safeties so far.

Defensive tackle: One of the reasons the pass defense was so bad was a lack of pass rush applied by the front four. The Gophers had only 19 sacks this season, a year after registering just nine. Making matters worse, both starting tackles were seniors this season. Kill signed a junior-college defensive tackle and has two prep tackles committed. He needs to find guys who can find their way to the quarterback.

Overall talent and depth: Kill has said there are gaps in the Gophers' classes, and depth issues could plague the team during his rebuilding efforts. Including six junior-college players signed to help right away, Minnesota has a class of 28 right now. Minnesota simply needs more bodies everywhere.

Nebraska

Linebacker: Lavonte David leaves some rather large cleats to fill. Not only was he Nebraska's leading tackler the past two seasons, he was the only linebacker who played at a consistently high level. The Huskers' starters at the other two linebacker spots will be seniors this year, and depth is thin behind them. So it's little wonder why Bo Pelini has used four spots so far in what is expected to be a small class to fill that position, led by four-star prospect Michael Rose.

Tight end: Three of the top four options at tight ends will be seniors in 2012, leaving very little behind them. Sam Cotton, son of offensive line coach Barney Cotton and younger brother of current Huskers tight end Ben, is on his way to help.

Quarterback: Taylor Martinez is entrenched as the starter going into his junior year, and Nebraska never had to worry about playing Brion Carnes in a big spot this year after Bubba Starling opted for baseball. Still, it's dangerous to not have depth at quarterback, and so the Huskers need to add at least one signal caller in this class.

Northwestern

Defensive backs: The Wildcats were burned repeatedly in the passing game in 2011, and their best defensive back (safety Brian Peters) won't be around next season. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has commitments from three safeties in this class already.

Defensive playmakers: Northwestern was shockingly short on guys who could blow up another team's offensive play in 2011, so Fitzgerald's main mission had to be finding more guys who played like he did in college. That aim got a big boost when stud defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo committed to play in Evanston. That's a good start.

Wide receivers: Highly productive star receiver Jeremy Ebert is gone, along with starter Charles Brown. Venric Mark and Christian Jones have a lot of potential as the next big passing targets, but Northwestern's spread offense feeds off of speed and depth at the receiver position. Four receivers have given the Wildcats their pledge in this class.

Wisconsin and Michigan State will play for the Big Ten championship this Saturday in Indianapolis. Of course, it is a rematch of their Oct. 22 meeting, won by [spoiler alert!] the Spartans 37-31 in one of the best games of the college football season.

In order to understand all the storylines and key matchups of this week's game, it's crucial to know exactly what happened the first time. So I decided to go back and watch that initial encounter and, with apologies to Bill Simmons, provide my thoughts and observations in a retro diary. You can follow along through the magic of ESPN3.com here. Or you can just read.

This first installment will cover the first half of the game. I'll be back later on today with the second-half diary. Wonder if anything cool will happen late in the game?

Pregame

• Kirk Herbstreit says, "This is what we've all wanted to see for a number of weeks." I think the same line could be used Saturday night.
• Michigan State's Keith Nichol is one of the first Spartans to come out of the tunnel for introductions. I've got a hunch he could play a role in this one somehow.
• I don't know how good the audio quality is on my replay, but it sounds extremely quiet when Wisconsin takes the field. No boos, just silence. Someone who was there will have to tell me if that's how it really went down at Spartan Stadium. If so, I think that's the best way to taunt an opponent; just ignore them. I recommend this for all home fans from here on out.

First quarter

• 15:00: Wisconsin wins the toss and takes the ball first. The first play of the game is a handoff to Montee Ball, who runs 8 yards before plowing into Isaiah Lewis's shoulder. Lewis goes down and has to leave the game. Remember, Lewis gave the Badgers some major bulletin board material the week before after beating Michigan, saying the Spartans defense "was going to hurt" Russell Wilson. You think Ball remembered that as he slammed into Lewis?
• 12:03: Russell Wilson throws his first pass -- complete to Jacob Pedersen -- after four straight Ball runs have softened up the defense. Lewis comes back in.
• 8:48: On third-and-4, Wilson play-fakes to Ball and throws a touchdown pass to a wide-open Pedersen with Anthony Rashad White and Marcus Rush bearing down on the quarterback. That was the second straight completion off play-action for Wilson, as Michigan State's safeties and linebackers are biting hard on the run. It's a textbook, 80-yard Wisconsin style drive with almost perfect balance. The game could not have started off better for the Badgers. 7-0, Wisconsin
• 8:33: Uh-oh for Sparty. Tailback Edwin Baker fumbles on Michigan State's first offensive play, thanks to a hit from linebacker Mike Taylor. The officials review whether or not Wisconsin's Marcus Cromartie touched the ball first while coming from out of bounds on the recovery, but the play stands and the Badgers take over.
• 7:42: Wisconsin needs only three plays to cash in the fumble, as Ball rushes up the middle for a 9-yard touchdown. 14-0, Wisconsin. Wilson completed another pass off play-action immediately before. It was not a good series for Michigan State safety Trenton Robinson, who was fooled on the play-fake and then broke the wrong way before unsuccessfully trying to arm tackle Ball. Hey, the Badgers might win this game in a blowout!
• 3:47: Michigan State picks up a pair of first downs but can't convert a third-and-14 and has to punt. At least its defense got a little bit of a breather, but if Wisconsin goes in for another score this one could get out of hand early.
• 0:33: And we have our first Badgers mistake. After the offense drove to midfield, Wilson throws an interception to -- guess who? -- Robinson. It's only the second interception of the year for Wilson, who threw his other one on a meaningless play late in the Northern Illinois blowout. But I don't put this one entirely on him. Receiver Nick Toon appears to break the wrong way on the route, and he doesn't even start to look for the ball until it's nearly over his head. Remember that Toon missed the previous game with a foot injury he suffered two weeks earlier against Nebraska. He looked a little rusty/anxious, especially as he drew an uncharacteristic false start penalty later in the half. But the play was set up by a loss of 1 yard by James White on first down. The second-and-long prompted offensive coordinator Paul Chryst to put Wilson in the shotgun and not use play-action, allowing the safeties to stick in pass coverage. Even if Wilson and Toon had been on the same page, it was a low-percentage throw into double coverage, and that's not Wisconsin's game.
• 0:26: I love, love, love the fact that Wilson sprints down the field and actually makes the tackle on Robinson, even though his form could use a little work.
• 0:18: Michigan State, which has negative-9 rushing yards to this point, finally gets something going on the ground. The Spartans wide receivers blow up the right side of Wisconsin's defense, and Le'Veon Bell rushes 32 yards behind tackle Fou Fonoti, who's dying to find someone to block. Momentum seems to be changing.

Second quarter

• 14:15: Kirk Cousins and Larry Caper can't quite connect for a screen pass on third-and-6, which was set up perfectly and might have resulted in an easy touchdown. The Spartans have another empty possession. But Bell's big run has flipped field position, leading to ...
• 14:04: Mike Sadler punts the ball out of bounds at the Wisconsin 5. We didn't mention Sadler when we talked about freshmen of the year candidates in the Big Ten, but he has been a valuable weapon for Mark Dantonio all year long.
• 13:58 to 13:10: Disaster strikes for Wisconsin. First, Jerel Worthy finally makes his presence felt, stuffing Ball for a 3-yard loss back to the 2. Then Wilson is called for intentional grounding in the end zone under heavy pressure from Denicos Allen. That's a safety, and it's now 14-2, Wisconsin. Chryst dialed up play-action again and looked to be going for a big throw over the top. But the call actually helped Michigan State, because the linebackers darted up field to stop the run. Ball has had an amazing season, but he whiffed on Allen to let "The Waterboy" get right to Wilson, who had little choice but to throw it away. Unfortunately for Wisconsin, there was no receiver on the side of the field where Wilson could get rid of the ball.
• 11:22: Razzle, meet dazzle. After a beautiful throw from Cousins to tight end Brian Linthicum, Michigan State offensive coordinator Dan Roushar dials up some trickery. The Spartans line up in the I-formation. Cousins fakes a handoff to Bell, then hands it to receiver B.J. Cunningham on a reverse. Cunningham then pitches it to Keshawn Martin coming the other way. Wisconsin blitzed to the side Martin is now running toward, leaving no one left to tackle the Spartans' speedster except safety Aaron Henry. And he's sandwiched by three blockers. Martin scores from 34 yards out to make the score 14-9, Wisconsin. Martin has been on fire the latter part of this season.
• 8:41: Wisconsin's offense mounts a good drive in response, and receiver Jared Abbrederis takes a jet sweep 21 yards. It's no coincidence that Abbrederis runs to the side where suspended defensive end William Gholston would have been. The Badgers have been attacking his replacement, Denzel Drone. Gholston's return is a big factor in this week's game.
• 7:49 to 7:22: A tough sequence here for Ball. First, he misses another block, allowing cornerback Johnny Adams to blow up a play when he tackles Wilson from behind. Then he takes a Robinson shoulder to the head after a 7-yard run. Ball gets up from the tackle and then falls back down in a scary scene. He's escorted off the field and is given concussion tests on the sideline as Wisconsin fans hold their breath. Ball has 68 yards rushing and a touchdown when he goes out.
• 6:42: On third-and-short from the Michigan State 14, White is stopped shy of the first down when Kyler Elsworth sheds a Pedersen block and makes the tackle. Great defensive play. No disrespect to White, but it makes you wonder if Ball would have gotten the extra few feet had he been in the game.
• 5:55: Philip Welch's 30-yard field goal try is blocked by Darqueze Dennard, who ran in free from the left end. I'm not sure if Welch would have made the kick anyway, because Brad Nortman bobbled the snap, which disrupted the timing of the play. Wisconsin converted 62 of 65 trips in the red zone into points this season, second best in the FBS. But it comes up empty in a big spot here.
• 1:40: Michigan State moves the ball down the field, but Baker is tackled for a loss to set up fourth-and-2 from the Wisconsin 35. Dantonio doesn't hesitate to go for it, and Roushar calls a great, if somewhat risky, play. Cousins waits for Cunningham to find a hole behind the linebackers in a long-developing route. But Wisconsin doesn't get any pressure on Cousins, and he hits Cunningham in the middle of three Badgers defenders. Taylor misses a tackle in a difficult matchup for him, and Cunningham is off for a touchdown to make it 16-14, Michigan State. It's the second straight year that Cunningham catches a fourth-down touchdown pass in a key spot. Think Wisconsin will know where he is if a big fourth down comes up again Saturday? The game's final play got all the attention, but this was just as big.
• 0:45: Complete catastrophe for the Badgers. A fired up Spartans defense forces a three and out at Wisconsin 45, and then backup linebacker Ellsworth makes his second huge play of the game. He blocks Nortman's punt, and Bennie Fowler recovers the ball in the end zone to make it 23-14 Michigan State. The Spartans brought four defenders untouched up the middle against Wisconsin's three-man punt protection unit, and Ellsworth flew right by Robert Burge. In Burge's defense, middle protector Ryan Groy was slow to pick up his block, and Burge looked like he couldn't decide whether to chip Ellsworth or help on Kurtis Drummond right up the gut. "It was nothing special we haven't seen on film," Bret Bielema will tell Erin Andrews at halftime. "We've just got to block all four."
• 0:00: The half mercifully ends for Wisconsin as Spartan Stadium is rocking. In a 15-minute span from the end of the first quarter to the final score of the half, the Badgers threw an interception, gave up a safety, had a field goal blocked, had a punt blocked for a touchdown, allowed a touchdown pass on fourth down and surrendered another score on a trick play. In basketball terms, it's a 23-0 spurt. Things can't get any worse for Wisconsin, or better for Michigan State. Can they?

Michigan State rebounded well from last week's blowout loss at Notre Dame, thumping Central Michigan to ruin the return of former assistant and quarterback Dan Enos.

Let's take a look.

Michigan State 45, Central Michigan 7: Last fall, the Spartans' secondary lived by the motto MAP -- Make A Play -- and they've carried it over into this season. Michigan State recorded four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, in a romp against Central Michigan. Defensive backs accounted for three of the four picks, as safeties Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond both recorded their second interceptions of the season, with Lewis racing 37 yards to the end zone. Aside from a few moments, Michigan State's defense has played really well this season and clamped down against the run again today.

The Spartans needed a rebound performance from their offensive line and rushed for 198 yards while holding the ball for 38:12 against the Chippewas. Le'Veon Bell stated his case to be the featured back with three first-half rushing touchdowns, although both Larry Caper and Edwin Baker remain in the mix. Coach Mark Dantonio really wanted to re-establish the run today, and he had to be pleased with what he saw. Michigan State's offense faces a much tougher test next week at Ohio State.

It's only fitting that Michigan State's first road game takes place in the state of Indiana.

Like every Big Ten team, Michigan State wants to reach Indianapolis on Dec. 3 for the inaugural conference championship game. And after claiming a share of the Big Ten title for the first time in 20 years last season, the Spartans possess the pieces to get to Naptown. They have veteran leadership in fifth-year senior quarterback Kirk Cousins, excellent depth at the offensive skill positions and a defense that flexed its muscles Saturday by holding Florida Atlantic to one first down, 48 total yards and zero points.

But the Spartans' route to Lucas Oil Stadium is a potentially treacherous one, beginning this week at Notre Dame Stadium and weaving through Columbus, Lincoln, Iowa City and Evanston. Their road opponents -- Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nebraska, Iowa and Northwestern -- all went to bowl games in 2010 and had a combined record of 45-21.

Among major-conference teams, Michigan State might have the most taxing road schedule in the country.

And while Spartans fans might disagree, that's the beauty of this year's schedule. We'll know exactly where the Michigan State program stands when December rolls around. Tough road games are the best barometer of whether a program can go from good to great.

"A lot of away games in challenging environments," Cousins told ESPN.com in August. "So we're going to find out what we're really made of."

Michigan State won a team-record 11 games last season, including three -- Notre Dame, Northwestern and Purdue -- in dramatic fashion. But the Spartans' two losses, both away from home and by a combined score of 86-13, prevented them from claiming a spot among the nation's elite.

Mark Dantonio has guided Michigan State to postseason appearances in each of his first four seasons as coach. He has provided stability to a chronic underachiever and has elevated the program's profile in several areas.

But there are two items that remain on Dantonio's checklist: bowl victories and signature road wins.

Michigan State is 10-9 in true road games under Dantonio, a very respectable mark. Dantonio has guided the Spartans to historic road wins like last year's triumph at Penn State, Michigan State's first since 1965 -- the year before Joe Paterno took over as Nittany Lions coach.

But Dantonio is just 1-6 at Michigan State against ranked teams in road or neutral-site games. The Spartans likely will face at least two ranked opponents on the road -- Ohio State and Nebraska -- while Iowa and Northwestern could be ranked by the time Michigan State comes to town.

Saturday's road opener at Notre Dame has no direct bearing on whether Michigan State reaches its desired destination of Indianapolis. But the game provides an opportunity for the Spartans to build their mettle away from the comforts of home.

They'll be facing a Notre Dame team desperate for a win after confounding losses to both South Florida and Michigan. The Irish average 510.5 yards of offense per game and, at times, have displayed improvement on the defensive side.

A loss drops Notre Dame to 0-3, ruins any expectations of a breakthrough season and potentially makes Brian Kelly's head explode.

Dantonio has won in South Bend before -- Michigan State crushed a horrendous Irish team 31-14 in 2007 -- but only one of his current players, fifth-year senior nose tackle Antonio Jeremiah, was on the field that day. Two years ago, the Spartans fell 33-30 at Notre Dame Stadium as Cousins overthrew a wide-open Larry Caper in the end zone for the potential game-winning touchdown and then tossed a loss-sealing interception moments later.

Saturday marks a chance for redemption. It also marks a chance to set the tone for tougher road tests ahead.

The Spartans hope their first trip to the Hoosier State won't be their last in 2011.

Depth chart fun continues today on the Big Ten blog as Michigan State released its two-deep for Friday night's season-opener against Youngstown State.

Although the Spartans name a clear starter at both quarterback (Kirk Cousins) and running back (Edwin Baker), they might get the nod for most "ORs" in the league.

Let's take a look:

• There are eight offensive or defensive positions with co-starters, including left tackle (Jared McGaha or Dan France), center (Blake Treadwell or Travis Jackson) and tight end (Brian Linthicum or Garrett Celek). Both defensive end spots and both outside linebacker spots list two potential starters for Youngstown State.
• Among the interesting position battles still to be decided are: sophomore William Gholston and junior Tyler Hoover at defensive end; Denicos Allen competing for both starting outside linebacker spots with Chris Norman and Steve Gardiner; McGaha and France at left tackle; and fifth-year seniors B.J. Cunningham and Keith Nichol at the "X" receiver spot.
• Keshawn Martin, a starting wide receiver, is listed as Michigan State's top option on both punt and kickoff returns. Larry Caper joins Martin on kickoff returns.
• Sophomore Max Bullough is the only clear-cut starting linebacker, as he'll be Michigan State's man in the middle. TyQuan Hammock serves as his backup.
• Dynamic redshirt freshman Tony Lippett is listed as both a backup cornerback to Darqueze Dennard and a fourth-string wide receiver.
• Not a huge surprise, but redshirt freshman Skyler Burkland has claimed the starting right tackle spot ahead of junior Fou Fonoti. Burkland is the only redshirt freshman projected to start, although classmate Marcus Rush is a possible starter at defensive end and Jackson could start at center.
• Caper and Le'Veon Bell are listed as co-backups at running back, while Nick Hill appears as the fourth-stringer.
• I'm a little surprised Dion Sims enters the year as the No. 3 tight end. Wouldn't be surprised if he ends up playing a big role in the passing game.

The 2011 season is rapidly approaching, and with camps entering the home stretch around the Big Ten, several teams took to the field this weekend for scrimmages.

Four teams had media at the scrimmages and/or published statistics.

Here are a few takeaways:

OHIO STATE

Recaps: here and here

Thoughts: Although freshman Braxton Miller flashed his potential Saturday with two touchdown passes, including a 58-yarder to Chris Fields, it seems likely that senior Joe Bauserman will start the season opener at quarterback. Bauserman unofficially completed 7 of 13 passes for 120 yards with a touchdown and an interception. ... Linebacker Andrew Sweat appears ready to take the next step after recording four tackles for loss, including a sack, and a pass breakup. ... Ohio State has plenty of opportunities at receiver, and freshmen Devin Smith and Evan Spencer both made nice catches in the scrimmage. ... Linebacker Etienne Sabino, a projected starter, broke a bone in his hand during the scrimmage but expects to be back for the opener Sept. 3.

MICHIGAN STATE

Recaps: Here and here

Notes: The defense dominated the jersey scrimmage, as interception returns for touchdowns by cornerbacks Johnny Adams and Tony Lippett sparked the unit to a 78-44 win. Both Adams and Lippett stood out during spring practice, so it's a good sign they're continuing to make plays. ... It's not a huge concern, but quarterback Kirk Cousins hasn't been too sharp in scrimmages during the offseason. He had some struggles this spring and on Sunday completed just 11 of 25 passes with an interception. Backup Andrew Maxwell completed just 10 of 23 passes with two interceptions. ... While the quarterbacks had their issues on a windy day, Michigan State's rushing attack continued to look solid. Nick Hill had 85 rushing yards in the scrimmage, while Le'Veon Bell had 68 yards and Larry Caper had 66 yards. ... Linebackers Max Bullough (11 tackles) and TyQuan Hammock (nine tackles, INT) also stood out for the defense.

NORTHWESTERN

Recap: Here and here

Notes: Not surprisingly, the Wildcats held out most of their projected starters for Saturday's scrimmage. Among those watching were quarterback Dan Persa and Jacob Schmidt, who has surprised more than a few folks by moving into the No. 1 running back spot in camp. ... Sophomore Kain Colter has emerged as the No. 2 quarterback and led a scoring drive in the scrimmage in limited work. ... Northwestern is looking for defensive line depth and end Davon Custis might be ready to provide it. Custis, who played sparingly last season, recorded 6.5 tackles in the scrimmage. ... Sophomore receiver Venric Mark should be a playmaker this season, and he recorded a touchdown pass and 60 receiving yards on three catches during the scrimmage.

ILLINOIS

Recaps: Here and here

Notes: Illinois has been able to build much-needed wide receiver depth this month, and more evidence arrived during Saturday's scrimmage. Sophomore Darius Millines continues to draw praise from the coaches and should be a nice complement to A.J. Jenkins. ... Freshman tight end Jon Davis, who bowled over coach Ron Zook during Saturday's scrimmage, should see some field time early this season.

We're in the home stretch of the preseason player rankings, based on past performance and potential impact for the 2011 season. Let's check out the next name on the list ...

No. 9: Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State, Jr., 5-9, 210

2010 numbers: Recorded 207 rushes for 1,201 yards and 13 touchdowns; finished fourth in the Big Ten in rushing average (92.4 ypg) and eighth in scoring (6 ppg); had five 100-yard rushing performances; caught three passes for 22 yards.

Why he's here: Baker emerged as Michigan State's featured back and was one of the more consistent rushers in the Big Ten, eclipsing 85 yards in eight games. A first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, he displayed explosiveness with 10 rushes of 20 yards or longer but also showed power in the red zone. Despite being just 5-foot-9, Baker is extremely sturdy and excels in the weight room. A lot of people have made the Javon Ringer comparisons, and though Baker likely will share carries more than Ringer did, he displays a similar work ethic to the former Spartans All-American. He needs to show he can attack some of the Big Ten's better defensive lines this fall, and he's setting the bar high for himself. Although teammates Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper will challenge for carries, Baker's experience last year gives him an edge.

Previously

• No. 25: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
• No. 24: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
• No. 23: Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
• No. 22: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
• No. 21: Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
• No. 20: John Simon, DL, Ohio State
• No. 19: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue
• No. 18: Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
• No. 17: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
• No. 16: Derek Moye, WR, Penn State
• No. 15: Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern
• No. 14: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
• No. 13: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
• No. 12: David Molk, C, Michigan
• No .11: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
• No. 10: Mike Martin, DT, Michigan

Your post-media days emails. Let's get to 'em.

Patrick Bohn from Ithaca, N.Y., writes: Adam,Great job on the blog. I was wondering, what can we expect from MSU's skill guys this season? I feel like everything written about Michigan State previewing this year has been a variation of "They need to improve on the lines." I get it, it's important, but seriously, it's getting a little old. Are the Spartans planning on doing anything to get Martin regular touches, or is it just a 6-8 per game thing? How will they deal with the loss of Mark Dell? Is Keith Nichol going to take on a bigger role? Edwin Baker clearly distinguished himself as the best RB the Spartans have, but Le'Von Bell is also talented/ Can the Spartans achieve balance?I know the line gets overlooked a lot, but i think we're going in the opposite direction with Michigan State. There's a lot of intriguing skill questions too.

Adam Rittenberg: Patrick, I understand you're getting tired of hearing about the line issues, but it's because Michigan State has much less to worry about at the skill spots on both sides of the ball. The Spartans have built some nice skill-position depth through recruiting. As to your questions, B.J. Cunningham likely will move into the No. 1 receiver role, but he'll need help from both Martin, Nichol and Bennie Fowler, who emerged late last season. Michigan State would be foolish not to feature Martin as much as possible because of his breakaway speed. Nichol, meanwhile, still needs to prove he's a top-end Big Ten receiver. Regarding the running backs, I absolutely think Le'Veon Bell takes on a larger role if he can recapture the form he showed early in 2010. Bell provides a different element in the run game, and while Baker will be the lead guy, both Bell and Larry Caper give defenses new looks.

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Justin from Ft. Mill, S.C., writes: Hey, Adam. I was just wondering what's the situation with Michigan's special teams? Last season they were abysmal, and expected Brady Hoke to really correct that. I haven't really seen any updates on this problem. Have you any information?

Adam Rittenberg: The kicking game clearly is an area Michigan must improve in 2011. The Wolverines should be fine at punter with Will Hagerup, who averaged 43.6 yards per attempt as a freshman. Speaking of freshmen, Matt Wile could be the answer at kicker, which was horrendous last season. Michigan would get a major boost if Wile can provide consistency right away. I'm interested to see if Martavious Odoms can be a bigger factor on returns this season. Odoms could be key, especially if Darryl Stonum doesn't return from his suspension.

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Ryan from St. Paul, Minn., writes: Hello Adam! Great blog. I love reading it everyday. Did you see MN got another in state committment this past weekend? Jonah Pirsig to the Gophers is huge! Jerry Kill is getting the state of MN to rally behind him and understand there is no reason you can't win in the Twin Cities. Excellent school, great cities with many things to explore and do. Also reversing the belief that the weather is somehow different in MN when compared to WI, or IA. I think the Gophers are going to have a bulldozing OL in the next few years with Ed Olson, Tommy Olson, Jimmy Gjere, Josh Campion, and Jonah Pirsig pushing guys around. Thoughts? GO GOLDY!!!

Adam Rittenberg: Ryan, you have every reason to be encouraged. Kill is targeting homegrown talent and positions such as offensive line where the state typically produces FBS talent. There's no reason Minnesota shouldn't once again have offensive lines like the ones Wisconsin and Iowa typically produce, and Kill's local recruiting efforts should help things. I'm pretty excited to see how the Olson brothers, Gjere and other younger linemen perform this season. While Minnesota can't confine its recruiting to the state -- not enough talent -- the staff shouldn't look far for top offensive linemen.

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Tyler from Eden Prairie, Minn., writes: Bo Pelini recently said he hopes for all 3 of Nebraska's incoming freshman RBs to play this year. He could put all 3 on the field with the diamond formation that Oklahoma runs. Everyone knows the Stoops and Pelinis are friends as well.

Adam Rittenberg: Wow, that would be pretty exciting, wouldn't it? While you should expect to see Aaron Green and other backs on the field for the Huskers, Bo is extremely confident in Rex Burkhead as his lead guy. Burkhead seemed to grasp the offense well this spring, and he's helping other guys along. Pelini has full confidence in him, and while teams need two to three backs to maximize their production, Burkhead should have at least 200 rushing attempts.

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Kevin from Boston (by way of Chicago) writes: Looking back at 2010 the Northwestern Wildcats let several leads slip away, including a 21- 0 to Penn Sate L and a 17-0 MSU L, as a result the coaching staff taking their foot off the gas while having the lead. Since 2000 the recipe for NU's success has been a dynamic high scoring offense and an average defense. Do you think Mick McCall and Coach Fitz have learned from past season's letups and what do you anticipate for the Wildcats this season?

Adam Rittenberg: Kevin, playing with the lead seems to be a challenge for Fitzgerald, who tends to get overly conservative. Northwestern always has lacked a killer instinct and seems to be most dangerous when playing from behind, but the blown leads under Fitzgerald (even the historic one in 2006) are a concern. You would think the games against Michigan State and Penn State would help a veteran Wildcats team handle playing with a lead this year. One thing that definitely will help is running the ball more consistently. As for the overall outlook, Northwestern needs a healthy Dan Persa and more speed and athleticism in the defensive front seven. If the Wildcats get those things, they'll be tough to beat.

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Dan from SconnieNation, N.Y., writes: Hi Adam,When looking at your 2011 schedule analysis post from May, I noticed that you listed Wisconsin's trap game as Purdue. While I think that's a solid choice, could there also be an arguement for the road game at Illinois to be the trap game? They bring back a strong QB and it is a week before the season finale against fellow Leader Division member, Penn State.

Adam Rittenberg: Dan, you can make a good case for either game, really. I went with Purdue because it's the only home game in a five-game stretch and falls after the back-to-back road night games against Michigan State and Ohio State, and before the rivalry game against Minnesota. But the Illinois trip could be tough for the Badgers, especially since the Illini likely will have something to play for on Nov. 19. It could be a high-scoring affair featuring two dynamic quarterbacks (Nathan Scheelhaase and Russell Wilson if Wilson wins the No. 1 job).

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Bob from Archbald, Pa., writes: Adam,Will be travelling to Chicago for the Penn State/NW game this year with my family (wife and 3 girls - 12, 9 and 3). 10/20 to 10/24. Any suggestions on where to stay - hotel. Just thought I'd ask someone who knows the Chicago area.

Adam Rittenberg: Bob, I definitely would stay downtown near Michigan Avenue. Your wife and kids will love it -- especially the shopping -- and you can get to the game on the "L." You'll have everything you need right there and can hop on the Red Line/Purple Line on game day with a bunch of other fans.

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Sky from Norfolk, Neb., writes: Adam, I have to say I like Bielema's idea of an early season conference game, and I think to make it even more nationally relevant, you could make it with your cross over rival. Now granted it wouldn't work with some teams (OSU and Michigan) but with Nebraska it works out fairly well I think. Penn St. in the early part of the season, Iowa to finish up the year. You could even establish a new 'trophy' game between NU and PSU too make up for the abominable "Heroes Game" between NU and Iowa. Heck you could even call it the "Legends and Leaders Game" in homage to Dr. Tom and JoePa, both mythical figures at their respective schools. You've got connections Adam, make this happen ok?

Adam Rittenberg: Haha, my connections aren't that strong, Sky. I also think Nebraska-Penn State works better toward the end of the season. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany often talks about "build" with scheduling, as in building momentum toward the end of the season. The Nebraska-Penn State game is a showcase opportunity for the Big Ten, and typically it will mean more in early or mid-November. That said, I love the idea of playing Big Ten games earlier to avoid slates like Week 4 of 2010.