Big Ten: Michael Mauti
Your questions, my answers.
Jack from Arlington, Va., writes: Adam, you rightfully have Gerald Hodges as a top contender for B1G DPOY in 2012 after a standout performance in 2011, and Jordan Hill as an "other player to watch" after a solid, under the radar year in 2011. Sound analysis on both counts. However, I think Mauti deserves the "other player to watch" tag. He was a monster early in 2011 before his ACL tear, and should be 100% in the fall. Just look at Posluszny in 2006 and Sean Lee in 2009. Both came back strong from ACL tears, and both deserved consideration for DPOY in 2006 and 2009, respectively.
Adam Rittenberg: Jack, while I considered Mauti for that second category, I need to see how he responds from his latest injury setback. He looked great early last season, but this is his second ACL tear at Penn State. He has worked extremely hard during his rehab, but whether he'll ever perform like he could have without the injuries remains very much in question. I definitely wish Michael the best because he's one of the best people I deal with in the league. And if he has a breakout senior season, like Paul Posluszny in 2006, I wouldn't be shocked. But right now, he doesn't quite belong in that second tier of DPOY candidates.
Patrick Ward from Chicago writes: Please get Jonathan Brown off of your DPOY list. Did you see me mauling him all game? He couldn't take it anymore so he resulted in a low blox. He's a cheap shot artist and a punk.Please talk to Denard about Gholston, as well... Please start taking into consideration how a player plays the game as well as the stats.
Adam Rittenberg: First of all, this isn't really Northwestern tackle Patrick Ward. Second of all, this award goes to the best defensive player in the Big Ten, not the defensive player who never makes a mistake or draws a personal foul. Third of all, neither Jonathan Brown nor William Gholston should be judged solely based on a few mistakes made last season. Both are exceptional athletes who have the ability to win this award, and that's why they're on this list. Did both deserve their suspensions? Absolutely. But it doesn't mean they're bad guys. And besides, these awards aren't solely based on sportsmanship. It's about performance.
Shareef from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: Hey Adam, in your post on Tuesday about DPOY candidates, you left Michigan's Craig Roh off the list of potential, or even dark horse, candidates. Any specific reason why? He's a player with a lot of talent and he'll get some top-notch coaching for the second-straight season. He's filling in for Ryan van Bergen's role, and apparently had a great spring there.
Adam Rittenberg: Shareef, I simply need to see more from Roh. There's no doubt about his talent, but he hasn't really built on a strong freshman year in 2009. Part of that has been Michigan's scheme changes and where he fits in (or doesn't fit in). Roh has moved around a bit in his career and faces another position shift in 2012 as he bulks up to play strongside defensive end. He was slowed early last season by a bout of mono, but he came on strong late and could be poised for a nice senior year this fall. I could include dozens of players in the "dark horse" category, but that's not really the idea. Roh isn't far away from that group and certainly could make a push this year, but I'm looking for more from him.
Beau from Davenport, Iowa, writes: Hello darkness my old friend... You seem to be sleeping on my Hawks. Iowa's whole season comes down to two things. DL play and RB. I think we have good RBs now plus Hill ( hello a bigger better Adam Robinson) and Garmon ( hello Sedrick Shaw starter kit). so it comes down to DL. We have a Easy start to the Season (NIU and ISU is no give me. but Minny and UNI will be). Question is Can Kirk be mister November again like in his hay day?
Adam Rittenberg: I'd add James Vandenberg's play on the road and secondary play to your list of key elements, but yes, the running backs and defensive linemen will be huge this fall for Iowa. Given the recent track record, it's fair to be optimistic that Iowa will identify a capable running back or two. Both incoming recruits look promising, especially Greg Garmon. The defensive line scares me, and Iowa will need its linebackers to really step up, especially early in the season. But the key question for Iowa, as always, is how the team fares in close games. The Hawkeyes were terrific from late 2008 through most of 2009, but they've struggled since. If they can recapture their crunch-time mojo, they'll make some noise.
Bret from Las Vegas writes: I'm confused with the reason given to why home stadiums can't be used for semi-final games in a playoff system. The reason given was that some stadiums are too small and some towns aren't big enough to handle fans. Obviously everything works for home games which is what this would be. The only thing I can think of is that the game isn't supposed to be a "home" game - in other words, the visiting team would be given a much larger share of seats than they typically get with an away game. Is this right? Otherwise, this feels like a lame excuse to push the conversation in a different direction.
Adam Rittenberg: Bret, there's more to it than just accommodating visiting fans. This would be more of a national event than a home game for the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. The TV production would be different, and some of the venues don't provide the same amenities you see at the bowl sites or in places like Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, which is why the marquee national events are held at those venues. You also have to accommodate the corporate sponsors, a larger media contingent and events that would surround the game. Despite all this, such events could go off without a hitch at most Big Ten venues, most SEC venues, most Big 12 venues, most Pac-12 venues and most ACC venues. Yes, having a game at a stadium like TCU's could provide some challenges, but how often realistically will that happen? Most of these games, in my view, will be played at places like Alabama, LSU, USC, Oklahoma and Ohio State.
Sparty from East Lansing writes: Adam, I am shocked that there has been no mention of the rollover accident on May 3rd involving William Gholston and Lawrence Thomas. While they only suffered minor injuries, it could have been a lot worse.
Adam Rittenberg: Mentioned it last week. And you're right. Both Gholston and Thomas are very lucky to walk away from it.
Jeff from Phoenix writes: Adam, I enjoy your articles but had to respond after reading this..."How Waugh had such close access to players and recruits raises some questions. Then again, it's difficult for schools to account for everyone in a very public setting like the spring game."Am I wrong to assume that recruits sit in the stands with every other ticket holder there? This was a man that obviously was on a mission. I am a huge Buckeye fan and follow recruiting, but I wouldnt know if I was sitting next to one of them. The statement you made seems to indicate that OSU was at fault in some way. Unless a recruit is sitting in club seats and not allowed to interact with the public, how can ANY university be to blame. Its not like he was friends with the head coach, was a former coach and was given access to the Universitys facilities!
Adam Rittenberg: Jeff, I think a lot of folks misunderstood that statement, and for that I apologize. My point is that Ohio State, as a massive program with a massive fan following in a major city, has, in my view, more challenges in protecting its players from shady individuals than do other Big Ten programs. We saw last year with the NCAA violations situation that there were individuals around the Ohio State program (Bobby DiGeronimo, Dennis Talbott) who caused problems because of their ties to players. This case seems unique, and I don't think Ohio State could have done anything to prevent Waugh from contacting players and recruits other than sending out the warning after the fact. As Alex Anzalone's father told colleague Mitch Sherman, he doesn't blame Ohio State or the coaching staff for the situation. Still, it's important for Ohio State to monitor who is interacting with players and recruits as best it can.
Jack from Arlington, Va., writes: Adam, you rightfully have Gerald Hodges as a top contender for B1G DPOY in 2012 after a standout performance in 2011, and Jordan Hill as an "other player to watch" after a solid, under the radar year in 2011. Sound analysis on both counts. However, I think Mauti deserves the "other player to watch" tag. He was a monster early in 2011 before his ACL tear, and should be 100% in the fall. Just look at Posluszny in 2006 and Sean Lee in 2009. Both came back strong from ACL tears, and both deserved consideration for DPOY in 2006 and 2009, respectively.
Adam Rittenberg: Jack, while I considered Mauti for that second category, I need to see how he responds from his latest injury setback. He looked great early last season, but this is his second ACL tear at Penn State. He has worked extremely hard during his rehab, but whether he'll ever perform like he could have without the injuries remains very much in question. I definitely wish Michael the best because he's one of the best people I deal with in the league. And if he has a breakout senior season, like Paul Posluszny in 2006, I wouldn't be shocked. But right now, he doesn't quite belong in that second tier of DPOY candidates.
Patrick Ward from Chicago writes: Please get Jonathan Brown off of your DPOY list. Did you see me mauling him all game? He couldn't take it anymore so he resulted in a low blox. He's a cheap shot artist and a punk.Please talk to Denard about Gholston, as well... Please start taking into consideration how a player plays the game as well as the stats.
Adam Rittenberg: First of all, this isn't really Northwestern tackle Patrick Ward. Second of all, this award goes to the best defensive player in the Big Ten, not the defensive player who never makes a mistake or draws a personal foul. Third of all, neither Jonathan Brown nor William Gholston should be judged solely based on a few mistakes made last season. Both are exceptional athletes who have the ability to win this award, and that's why they're on this list. Did both deserve their suspensions? Absolutely. But it doesn't mean they're bad guys. And besides, these awards aren't solely based on sportsmanship. It's about performance.
Shareef from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: Hey Adam, in your post on Tuesday about DPOY candidates, you left Michigan's Craig Roh off the list of potential, or even dark horse, candidates. Any specific reason why? He's a player with a lot of talent and he'll get some top-notch coaching for the second-straight season. He's filling in for Ryan van Bergen's role, and apparently had a great spring there.
Adam Rittenberg: Shareef, I simply need to see more from Roh. There's no doubt about his talent, but he hasn't really built on a strong freshman year in 2009. Part of that has been Michigan's scheme changes and where he fits in (or doesn't fit in). Roh has moved around a bit in his career and faces another position shift in 2012 as he bulks up to play strongside defensive end. He was slowed early last season by a bout of mono, but he came on strong late and could be poised for a nice senior year this fall. I could include dozens of players in the "dark horse" category, but that's not really the idea. Roh isn't far away from that group and certainly could make a push this year, but I'm looking for more from him.
Beau from Davenport, Iowa, writes: Hello darkness my old friend... You seem to be sleeping on my Hawks. Iowa's whole season comes down to two things. DL play and RB. I think we have good RBs now plus Hill ( hello a bigger better Adam Robinson) and Garmon ( hello Sedrick Shaw starter kit). so it comes down to DL. We have a Easy start to the Season (NIU and ISU is no give me. but Minny and UNI will be). Question is Can Kirk be mister November again like in his hay day?
Adam Rittenberg: I'd add James Vandenberg's play on the road and secondary play to your list of key elements, but yes, the running backs and defensive linemen will be huge this fall for Iowa. Given the recent track record, it's fair to be optimistic that Iowa will identify a capable running back or two. Both incoming recruits look promising, especially Greg Garmon. The defensive line scares me, and Iowa will need its linebackers to really step up, especially early in the season. But the key question for Iowa, as always, is how the team fares in close games. The Hawkeyes were terrific from late 2008 through most of 2009, but they've struggled since. If they can recapture their crunch-time mojo, they'll make some noise.
Bret from Las Vegas writes: I'm confused with the reason given to why home stadiums can't be used for semi-final games in a playoff system. The reason given was that some stadiums are too small and some towns aren't big enough to handle fans. Obviously everything works for home games which is what this would be. The only thing I can think of is that the game isn't supposed to be a "home" game - in other words, the visiting team would be given a much larger share of seats than they typically get with an away game. Is this right? Otherwise, this feels like a lame excuse to push the conversation in a different direction.
Adam Rittenberg: Bret, there's more to it than just accommodating visiting fans. This would be more of a national event than a home game for the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. The TV production would be different, and some of the venues don't provide the same amenities you see at the bowl sites or in places like Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, which is why the marquee national events are held at those venues. You also have to accommodate the corporate sponsors, a larger media contingent and events that would surround the game. Despite all this, such events could go off without a hitch at most Big Ten venues, most SEC venues, most Big 12 venues, most Pac-12 venues and most ACC venues. Yes, having a game at a stadium like TCU's could provide some challenges, but how often realistically will that happen? Most of these games, in my view, will be played at places like Alabama, LSU, USC, Oklahoma and Ohio State.
Sparty from East Lansing writes: Adam, I am shocked that there has been no mention of the rollover accident on May 3rd involving William Gholston and Lawrence Thomas. While they only suffered minor injuries, it could have been a lot worse.
Adam Rittenberg: Mentioned it last week. And you're right. Both Gholston and Thomas are very lucky to walk away from it.
Jeff from Phoenix writes: Adam, I enjoy your articles but had to respond after reading this..."How Waugh had such close access to players and recruits raises some questions. Then again, it's difficult for schools to account for everyone in a very public setting like the spring game."Am I wrong to assume that recruits sit in the stands with every other ticket holder there? This was a man that obviously was on a mission. I am a huge Buckeye fan and follow recruiting, but I wouldnt know if I was sitting next to one of them. The statement you made seems to indicate that OSU was at fault in some way. Unless a recruit is sitting in club seats and not allowed to interact with the public, how can ANY university be to blame. Its not like he was friends with the head coach, was a former coach and was given access to the Universitys facilities!
Adam Rittenberg: Jeff, I think a lot of folks misunderstood that statement, and for that I apologize. My point is that Ohio State, as a massive program with a massive fan following in a major city, has, in my view, more challenges in protecting its players from shady individuals than do other Big Ten programs. We saw last year with the NCAA violations situation that there were individuals around the Ohio State program (Bobby DiGeronimo, Dennis Talbott) who caused problems because of their ties to players. This case seems unique, and I don't think Ohio State could have done anything to prevent Waugh from contacting players and recruits other than sending out the warning after the fact. As Alex Anzalone's father told colleague Mitch Sherman, he doesn't blame Ohio State or the coaching staff for the situation. Still, it's important for Ohio State to monitor who is interacting with players and recruits as best it can.
We asked you Monday to weigh in on the Big Ten offensive player of the year race: specifically, which player had the best chance to challenge the 2011 winner, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball. As of noon ET today, it's a close race between Michigan QB Denard Robinson and Nebraska RB Rex Burkhead, with more than 6,300 votes cast.
It'll be interesting to see how the OPOY race unfolds, but I'm more interested in the candidate pool on the defensive side of the ball. The Big Ten always will be a defense-driven conference -- the league boasted six top-20 defenses in 2011 -- and the 2012 season presents an interesting group of standouts. There's not only a large pool of what I would describe as top contenders, but a nice group of secondary candidates as well. And as we've seen lately, a surprise player could emerge to win the award. Few pegged Penn State DT Devon Still to be the recipient entering the 2011 season.
Let's take a look at the top contenders:
William Gholston, DE, Michigan State, Jr., 6-7, 275
2011 statistics: 70 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass breakups
2011 awards: Second-team All-Big Ten (media and coaches)
Making a case: The freakishly athletic Gholston might be the Big Ten's most gifted player, and he appears ready for a huge junior season. Remember how Penn State's Still dominated the bowl game before his breakout 2011 season, which resulted in Big Ten defensive player of the year honors? Gholston delivered a similar performance in Michigan State's Outback Bowl win against Georgia, tying a team bowl record with five tackles for loss and recording two sacks and a fumble recovery. Don't be surprised if Gholston mirrors Still's route this coming fall. He boasts a unique combination of size and speed, and while he'll surely command more attention this year, he plays on a defense featuring several players who opponents must respect.
John Simon, DE, Ohio State, Sr., 6-2, 260
2011 statistics: 53 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches), second-team All-Big Ten (media), third-team AP All-America
Making a case: The term most often associated with Ryan Kerrigan, the 2010 Big Ten defensive player of the year, is motor. Kerrigan never took plays off and consistently outworked his opponents. The same holds true for Simon, who had new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer calling him "Tebowish" after just a handful of spring practices. Simon's motor never stops, and he makes up for a lack of ideal size with his work ethic and knowledge of the game. Like Gholston, Simon should benefit from the players around him. Pegged as a future superstar by older teammates when he played as a true freshman, Simon is primed to live up to those expectations this fall.
Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 233
2011 statistics: 106 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media)
Making a case: Hodges showed last season that when healthy, he's one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten. This spring, he looked like the best player on the field during Penn State's practices. He's moving to the strong side, a position where some of Penn State's best linebackers have played during their senior seasons. With Michael Mauti returning from injury, Glenn Carson back and several others in the fold, Penn State could have the league's top linebacking corps in 2012. Expect Hodges to take his game to the next gear, and he could have a season much like Navorro Bowman in 2009.
Kawann Short, DT, Purdue, Sr., 6-3, 310
2011 statistics: 54 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 blocked kicks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (media), second-team All-Big Ten (coaches)
Making a case: The Big Ten recently has been a league of dominant defensive tackles, and two of them from Penn State, Jared Odrick and Still, have won defensive player of the year honors in the past three seasons. Purdue's Short looks like the next in line after a superb junior season that seemed to fly under the radar both regionally and nationally. He's consistently disruptive and also makes consistent plays in the backfield. Short has racked up 12.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in the past two seasons, so he has been good for a long time. After turning down a chance to turn pro -- he received a third-round grade from the NFL draft advisory board -- Short could have a huge senior season.
Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin, Jr., 5-11, 250
2011 statistics: 143 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media)
Making a case: Like Short, Borland has been a consistent playmaker for multiple years with Wisconsin. The 2009 Big Ten freshman of the year returned from shoulder problems to turn in an incredibly productive 2011 season. Borland moved to middle linebacker last fall but still found ways to get in the backfield. His tackles for loss total marked the most for a middle linebacker in the FBS. Borland always has been strong against the pass and should help Wisconsin in that phase this fall. Along with Mike Taylor, Borland will lead the Wisconsin defense and look to add more numbers to a tremendously productive career.
Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois, Jr., 6-1, 235
2011 statistics: 108 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 2 fumbles recovered, 4 pass breakups
2011 awards: Second-team All-Big Ten (media)
Making a case: I put Brown in the same category with Gholston: an elite talent who could become a national superstar this coming season. Like Borland did in 2011, Brown will have to prove he can impact games at middle linebacker the way he did on the outside last season. Like Borland, Brown is an excellent blitzer who can get in a quarterback's face and wreak havoc in the backfield. He'll anchor the linebacking corps for an Illinois defense that should once again be strong in the front seven.
Others to watch
While I can't include everyone at this early stage, there's a large and interesting group in the mix for this award. Should be a great race to watch.
It'll be interesting to see how the OPOY race unfolds, but I'm more interested in the candidate pool on the defensive side of the ball. The Big Ten always will be a defense-driven conference -- the league boasted six top-20 defenses in 2011 -- and the 2012 season presents an interesting group of standouts. There's not only a large pool of what I would describe as top contenders, but a nice group of secondary candidates as well. And as we've seen lately, a surprise player could emerge to win the award. Few pegged Penn State DT Devon Still to be the recipient entering the 2011 season.
Let's take a look at the top contenders:
William Gholston, DE, Michigan State, Jr., 6-7, 275
2011 statistics: 70 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass breakups
2011 awards: Second-team All-Big Ten (media and coaches)
Making a case: The freakishly athletic Gholston might be the Big Ten's most gifted player, and he appears ready for a huge junior season. Remember how Penn State's Still dominated the bowl game before his breakout 2011 season, which resulted in Big Ten defensive player of the year honors? Gholston delivered a similar performance in Michigan State's Outback Bowl win against Georgia, tying a team bowl record with five tackles for loss and recording two sacks and a fumble recovery. Don't be surprised if Gholston mirrors Still's route this coming fall. He boasts a unique combination of size and speed, and while he'll surely command more attention this year, he plays on a defense featuring several players who opponents must respect.
John Simon, DE, Ohio State, Sr., 6-2, 260
2011 statistics: 53 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches), second-team All-Big Ten (media), third-team AP All-America
Making a case: The term most often associated with Ryan Kerrigan, the 2010 Big Ten defensive player of the year, is motor. Kerrigan never took plays off and consistently outworked his opponents. The same holds true for Simon, who had new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer calling him "Tebowish" after just a handful of spring practices. Simon's motor never stops, and he makes up for a lack of ideal size with his work ethic and knowledge of the game. Like Gholston, Simon should benefit from the players around him. Pegged as a future superstar by older teammates when he played as a true freshman, Simon is primed to live up to those expectations this fall.
Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 233
2011 statistics: 106 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media)
Making a case: Hodges showed last season that when healthy, he's one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten. This spring, he looked like the best player on the field during Penn State's practices. He's moving to the strong side, a position where some of Penn State's best linebackers have played during their senior seasons. With Michael Mauti returning from injury, Glenn Carson back and several others in the fold, Penn State could have the league's top linebacking corps in 2012. Expect Hodges to take his game to the next gear, and he could have a season much like Navorro Bowman in 2009.
Kawann Short, DT, Purdue, Sr., 6-3, 310
2011 statistics: 54 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 blocked kicks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (media), second-team All-Big Ten (coaches)
Making a case: The Big Ten recently has been a league of dominant defensive tackles, and two of them from Penn State, Jared Odrick and Still, have won defensive player of the year honors in the past three seasons. Purdue's Short looks like the next in line after a superb junior season that seemed to fly under the radar both regionally and nationally. He's consistently disruptive and also makes consistent plays in the backfield. Short has racked up 12.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in the past two seasons, so he has been good for a long time. After turning down a chance to turn pro -- he received a third-round grade from the NFL draft advisory board -- Short could have a huge senior season.
Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin, Jr., 5-11, 250
2011 statistics: 143 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media)
Making a case: Like Short, Borland has been a consistent playmaker for multiple years with Wisconsin. The 2009 Big Ten freshman of the year returned from shoulder problems to turn in an incredibly productive 2011 season. Borland moved to middle linebacker last fall but still found ways to get in the backfield. His tackles for loss total marked the most for a middle linebacker in the FBS. Borland always has been strong against the pass and should help Wisconsin in that phase this fall. Along with Mike Taylor, Borland will lead the Wisconsin defense and look to add more numbers to a tremendously productive career.
Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois, Jr., 6-1, 235
2011 statistics: 108 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 2 fumbles recovered, 4 pass breakups
2011 awards: Second-team All-Big Ten (media)
Making a case: I put Brown in the same category with Gholston: an elite talent who could become a national superstar this coming season. Like Borland did in 2011, Brown will have to prove he can impact games at middle linebacker the way he did on the outside last season. Like Borland, Brown is an excellent blitzer who can get in a quarterback's face and wreak havoc in the backfield. He'll anchor the linebacking corps for an Illinois defense that should once again be strong in the front seven.
Others to watch
- Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin, Sr., 6-2, 222
- Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State, 6-1, 298
- Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State, Sr., 5-11, 175
- Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois, Sr., 6-6, 240
- Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State, Jr., 6-3, 252
- Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State, Jr., 6-4, 317
- Jordan Kovacs, S, Michigan, Sr., 6-0, 197
- Denicos Allen, LB, Michigan State, Jr. 5-11, 232
- Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue, Jr., 5-9, 176
- Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa, Sr, 6-1, 190
- Daimion Stafford, S, Nebraska, Sr., 6-1, 205
- Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 239
- Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois, Jr., 6-1, 305
While I can't include everyone at this early stage, there's a large and interesting group in the mix for this award. Should be a great race to watch.
Nine Big Ten defenders have been named to the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The award goes to the nation's impact defender of the year, who reflects the following qualities: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.
The watch list features 42 players, and the Big Ten boasts the most candidates, followed by the Pac-12 (8) and the ACC and Big 12 (both with 7)
Here's the Big Ten contingent:
A strong group indeed. Several other Big Ten defenders certainly could be included as well, including Michigan State defensive end William Gholston, Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti and Illinois defensive end Michael Buchanan.
Quarterfinalists for the award will be named in late October, and semifinalists will be named in early November. The winner will be announced Dec. 9 in Newport Beach, Calif.
Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt is the last Big Ten player to win the Lott IMPACT Trophy (2010).
The watch list features 42 players, and the Big Ten boasts the most candidates, followed by the Pac-12 (8) and the ACC and Big 12 (both with 7)
Here's the Big Ten contingent:
- Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin, Sr.
- Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois, Jr.
- Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State, Jr.
- Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State, Sr.
- Jordan Kovacs, S, Michigan, Sr.
- John Simon, DE, Ohio State, Sr.
- Kawann Short, DT, Purdue, Sr.
- Baker Steinkuhler, DT, Nebraska, Sr.
- Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin, Sr.
A strong group indeed. Several other Big Ten defenders certainly could be included as well, including Michigan State defensive end William Gholston, Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti and Illinois defensive end Michael Buchanan.
Quarterfinalists for the award will be named in late October, and semifinalists will be named in early November. The winner will be announced Dec. 9 in Newport Beach, Calif.
Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt is the last Big Ten player to win the Lott IMPACT Trophy (2010).
Hoping you have a great weekend.
Ryan from Maryville, Mo., writes: I keep hearing various media pundits claiming that home sites for a college playoff wouldn't work. Shouldn't these people, conference presidents, commisioners, and media members be focusing more on the benefits associated with home sites? The stadium size argument is moot, the need for guaranteed ticket sales would be eliminated, travel costs for fans and teams would be less, almost every stadium now has luxury boxes, tv revenue is a non factor, and the atmosphere would be amazing. I don't get it, why not? Sure there's bound to be some minor logistical hurdles but nothing impossible.
Adam Rittenberg: You're preaching to the choir, Ryan. And you're absolutely right that the drumbeat should be louder for some of these games to take place on campus. Yes, there are some facilities that would provide challenges, including TV production (not as much space for as many cameras). That's quite significant, given the dollars TV puts up to broadcasts these events. But from the fan perspective, on-campus sites are infinitely better. And in most cases, there's plenty of room to hold the supplementary events. The media contingent would make do. We have done that for years, and finding enough room for us shouldn't be a significant factor at all. Yes, a playoff game at TCU might be a bit tough. But how often is that going to happen? Maybe once every six years? In most cases, the host venues would be more than capable of hosting these events. I was a bit surprised to hear Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman say a playoff will be "kind of a corporate event, rather than a school event," and then not advocate more for on-campus games.
The Roaming Badger from South Bend writes: Hi Adam, I've been thinking about your blog post about leveraging draft success into recruiting success. I know every team wants more superstars, but I feel the Badgers problem isn't necessarily a lack of stars, but a lack of depth. Do you think the Badgers would be better off bringing up the top of the class by spending their energy to add a couple of 5 star recruits every year or focusing on bringing up the bottom of the class and signing more 3/4 star recruits than 2 star guys?
Adam Rittenberg: This is a really good point, Badger. You can say Wisconsin's three losses stemmed from a lack of depth in areas like special teams and the secondary. Wisconsin would really be helped by adding more top-line defensive backs in the coming years, but you always want to build greater depth so there's not such a drop-off in the kicking game. The lack of depth undoubtedly shows up in the all-important third phase for UW. So my answer is both: aim for more elite prospects, but also make sure the overall depth is improving. Not sure it's a question of prioritizing one over the other. You can do both.
Steven from Colorado Springs, Colo., writes: With Urban Meyer and Ohio State running a more spread/speed oriented offense. Do you think this will change how other Big Ten teams recruit? For instance more hybrid linebackers like Nebraska recruited before this year.
Adam Rittenberg: I don't think so, Steven. There's a belief that the spread is now just coming to the Big Ten. Teams like Purdue and Northwestern have used it for more than a decade. And the majority of teams now run some version of the spread. But you still have power teams like Wisconsin, Michigan State and Iowa, and Penn State will be a pro-style offense under Bill O'Brien. Nebraska's coaches have been open about the need to recruit more linebackers in the coming years. If they felt they could keep their previous defensive structure in the Big Ten, they would. But they know they need to change it up. Big Ten defenses need speed, but they'll always need size, too. So, I don't think you'll see a fundamental shift in how teams recruit.
Greg from Norristown, Pa., writes: Hey Adam, you keep saying that MSU will most likely be the best defense in the league this year. But in your recent post about Mauti and Massaro you say PSU's front seven might be the best in the league this year. Is PSU's secondary the only thing holding it back from stealing that "best defense" title from MSU? The starters in the secondary actually look fairly good, but I totally get the lack of depth back there, especially at safety, causing people to have a lack of confidence in PSU's overall defensive potential.
Adam Rittenberg: Yes, Greg, Michigan State's strength in the secondary is the difference between those teams. The Spartans have the most dynamic lineman of the two squads in end William Gholston, but Penn State has an edge at linebacker with Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti leading the way. Michigan State's secondary, led by cornerback Johnny Adams, gives it an edge. Michigan State has recruited and developed defensive backs extremely well under head coach Mark Dantonio. Players like safety Isaiah Lewis and corner Darqueze Dennard could have big years this fall. Penn State has some nice pieces in Malcolm Willis and Stephon Morris, but the overall depth is a concern.
Fake Harry Husker writes: Adam, I challenge the vast and far reaching tentacles of the mothership at ESPN to find just ONE former or current player from Nebraska that feels that they were mistreated in any fashion by Ron Brown due to his religious views. Have any of the kids that he has coached thru the years actually been impacted in a negative manner by Ron Brown? Does Ron Brown actually discriminate on the basis of a players sexual orientation? I challenge Wojo or any pundit at ESPN to sit down and interview former or current players to find out if Ron Brown is actually a "bigot" that forced his beliefs down their throats. As with any story, there are two sides that need to be told. It is unfair and frankly untolerable that ESPN continues to only tell one side of the Ron Brown story. Take the challenge, Adam, and interview those former and current players and provide the quotes that detail the terrible bigoted ogre that is Ron Brown.
Adam Rittenberg: Harry, I don't think the issue is whether Brown discriminates against his players. From what I know, his players love him and regard him as an excellent figure in their lives. It's not about them. The question is whether Brown, as an employee of a state institution and a member of a high-profile football program, should be using his position to trumpet his views on a controversial topic as much as he does. No one cares if Brown is in the private sector and wants to voice his views. But the reason he gets all these opportunities to voice his opinion is because he's a longtime Nebraska football assistant coach, plain and simple. There's definitely a question about whether he's abusing that position.
Wes from Indianapolis writes: Do you agree with my thinking that Indiana can be a much improved team and still not win a B1G game again this season? It would appear that their "talent equal" opponents are all road games this season (NW, Illy, and Purdont, with the possible exception of Iowa) and all the "only talent equal would be those carrying the water bucket" opponents are all home games (Sparty, Bucky, and Wisky) Do you concur or have I suffered through too many bad seasons? Thank you for all your good work.
Adam Rittenberg: Wes, while another winless Big Ten campaign is possible, I think the Hoosiers break through this year. It's never easy to win on the road, but Evanston, Champaign and West Lafayette aren't the most hostile venues in the Big Ten. Indiana will put up points this year. The question, as always, is whether the Hoosiers can stop anyone on defense. If the defense takes just a few steps toward respectability, Indiana should be able to get over the hump in one or more of those games. That said, the home schedule looks challenging, especially if Iowa improves on its performance from 2011. Remember that Indiana came very close to beating Iowa in 2010 in Bloomington, and Wisconsin wasn't overly dominant in its last trip to Memorial Stadium.
Steve from Washington D.C. writes: Hey Adam, I have a proposal for the playoff system that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet. Why can't the two semifinals be played the week after the conference championships, and before the bowls are selected? That way the losers of the semifinals could still be selected for BCS bowls, and the winners would play in a real national championship game. I just think this would preserve the tradition of having every top team in a bowl, while having a true national champion selected by a playoff system. It would also preserve the B1G/Pac-12 Rose bowl if neither has a team in the national championship. What do you think?
Adam Rittenberg: Steve, while this would be great, I think the push back would be conflicts with final exams. I know some schools on the quarter system have finals the second week of December, and there's no way the presidents would approve a plan that would have football teams practicing during finals week. It wouldn't be as big an issue for schools on the semester system, but because you have finals taking place anywhere between, say, Dec. 7 and Dec. 23, depending on the school, it really takes that time frame out of consideration. We can roll our eyes and say the academics excuse is merely convenient for the presidents to protect their beloved bowls, but the reality is they will never go for something where teams are practicing during finals week.
Ryan from Maryville, Mo., writes: I keep hearing various media pundits claiming that home sites for a college playoff wouldn't work. Shouldn't these people, conference presidents, commisioners, and media members be focusing more on the benefits associated with home sites? The stadium size argument is moot, the need for guaranteed ticket sales would be eliminated, travel costs for fans and teams would be less, almost every stadium now has luxury boxes, tv revenue is a non factor, and the atmosphere would be amazing. I don't get it, why not? Sure there's bound to be some minor logistical hurdles but nothing impossible.
Adam Rittenberg: You're preaching to the choir, Ryan. And you're absolutely right that the drumbeat should be louder for some of these games to take place on campus. Yes, there are some facilities that would provide challenges, including TV production (not as much space for as many cameras). That's quite significant, given the dollars TV puts up to broadcasts these events. But from the fan perspective, on-campus sites are infinitely better. And in most cases, there's plenty of room to hold the supplementary events. The media contingent would make do. We have done that for years, and finding enough room for us shouldn't be a significant factor at all. Yes, a playoff game at TCU might be a bit tough. But how often is that going to happen? Maybe once every six years? In most cases, the host venues would be more than capable of hosting these events. I was a bit surprised to hear Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman say a playoff will be "kind of a corporate event, rather than a school event," and then not advocate more for on-campus games.
The Roaming Badger from South Bend writes: Hi Adam, I've been thinking about your blog post about leveraging draft success into recruiting success. I know every team wants more superstars, but I feel the Badgers problem isn't necessarily a lack of stars, but a lack of depth. Do you think the Badgers would be better off bringing up the top of the class by spending their energy to add a couple of 5 star recruits every year or focusing on bringing up the bottom of the class and signing more 3/4 star recruits than 2 star guys?
Adam Rittenberg: This is a really good point, Badger. You can say Wisconsin's three losses stemmed from a lack of depth in areas like special teams and the secondary. Wisconsin would really be helped by adding more top-line defensive backs in the coming years, but you always want to build greater depth so there's not such a drop-off in the kicking game. The lack of depth undoubtedly shows up in the all-important third phase for UW. So my answer is both: aim for more elite prospects, but also make sure the overall depth is improving. Not sure it's a question of prioritizing one over the other. You can do both.
Steven from Colorado Springs, Colo., writes: With Urban Meyer and Ohio State running a more spread/speed oriented offense. Do you think this will change how other Big Ten teams recruit? For instance more hybrid linebackers like Nebraska recruited before this year.
Adam Rittenberg: I don't think so, Steven. There's a belief that the spread is now just coming to the Big Ten. Teams like Purdue and Northwestern have used it for more than a decade. And the majority of teams now run some version of the spread. But you still have power teams like Wisconsin, Michigan State and Iowa, and Penn State will be a pro-style offense under Bill O'Brien. Nebraska's coaches have been open about the need to recruit more linebackers in the coming years. If they felt they could keep their previous defensive structure in the Big Ten, they would. But they know they need to change it up. Big Ten defenses need speed, but they'll always need size, too. So, I don't think you'll see a fundamental shift in how teams recruit.
Greg from Norristown, Pa., writes: Hey Adam, you keep saying that MSU will most likely be the best defense in the league this year. But in your recent post about Mauti and Massaro you say PSU's front seven might be the best in the league this year. Is PSU's secondary the only thing holding it back from stealing that "best defense" title from MSU? The starters in the secondary actually look fairly good, but I totally get the lack of depth back there, especially at safety, causing people to have a lack of confidence in PSU's overall defensive potential.
Adam Rittenberg: Yes, Greg, Michigan State's strength in the secondary is the difference between those teams. The Spartans have the most dynamic lineman of the two squads in end William Gholston, but Penn State has an edge at linebacker with Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti leading the way. Michigan State's secondary, led by cornerback Johnny Adams, gives it an edge. Michigan State has recruited and developed defensive backs extremely well under head coach Mark Dantonio. Players like safety Isaiah Lewis and corner Darqueze Dennard could have big years this fall. Penn State has some nice pieces in Malcolm Willis and Stephon Morris, but the overall depth is a concern.
Fake Harry Husker writes: Adam, I challenge the vast and far reaching tentacles of the mothership at ESPN to find just ONE former or current player from Nebraska that feels that they were mistreated in any fashion by Ron Brown due to his religious views. Have any of the kids that he has coached thru the years actually been impacted in a negative manner by Ron Brown? Does Ron Brown actually discriminate on the basis of a players sexual orientation? I challenge Wojo or any pundit at ESPN to sit down and interview former or current players to find out if Ron Brown is actually a "bigot" that forced his beliefs down their throats. As with any story, there are two sides that need to be told. It is unfair and frankly untolerable that ESPN continues to only tell one side of the Ron Brown story. Take the challenge, Adam, and interview those former and current players and provide the quotes that detail the terrible bigoted ogre that is Ron Brown.
Adam Rittenberg: Harry, I don't think the issue is whether Brown discriminates against his players. From what I know, his players love him and regard him as an excellent figure in their lives. It's not about them. The question is whether Brown, as an employee of a state institution and a member of a high-profile football program, should be using his position to trumpet his views on a controversial topic as much as he does. No one cares if Brown is in the private sector and wants to voice his views. But the reason he gets all these opportunities to voice his opinion is because he's a longtime Nebraska football assistant coach, plain and simple. There's definitely a question about whether he's abusing that position.
Wes from Indianapolis writes: Do you agree with my thinking that Indiana can be a much improved team and still not win a B1G game again this season? It would appear that their "talent equal" opponents are all road games this season (NW, Illy, and Purdont, with the possible exception of Iowa) and all the "only talent equal would be those carrying the water bucket" opponents are all home games (Sparty, Bucky, and Wisky) Do you concur or have I suffered through too many bad seasons? Thank you for all your good work.
Adam Rittenberg: Wes, while another winless Big Ten campaign is possible, I think the Hoosiers break through this year. It's never easy to win on the road, but Evanston, Champaign and West Lafayette aren't the most hostile venues in the Big Ten. Indiana will put up points this year. The question, as always, is whether the Hoosiers can stop anyone on defense. If the defense takes just a few steps toward respectability, Indiana should be able to get over the hump in one or more of those games. That said, the home schedule looks challenging, especially if Iowa improves on its performance from 2011. Remember that Indiana came very close to beating Iowa in 2010 in Bloomington, and Wisconsin wasn't overly dominant in its last trip to Memorial Stadium.
Steve from Washington D.C. writes: Hey Adam, I have a proposal for the playoff system that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet. Why can't the two semifinals be played the week after the conference championships, and before the bowls are selected? That way the losers of the semifinals could still be selected for BCS bowls, and the winners would play in a real national championship game. I just think this would preserve the tradition of having every top team in a bowl, while having a true national champion selected by a playoff system. It would also preserve the B1G/Pac-12 Rose bowl if neither has a team in the national championship. What do you think?
Adam Rittenberg: Steve, while this would be great, I think the push back would be conflicts with final exams. I know some schools on the quarter system have finals the second week of December, and there's no way the presidents would approve a plan that would have football teams practicing during finals week. It wouldn't be as big an issue for schools on the semester system, but because you have finals taking place anywhere between, say, Dec. 7 and Dec. 23, depending on the school, it really takes that time frame out of consideration. We can roll our eyes and say the academics excuse is merely convenient for the presidents to protect their beloved bowls, but the reality is they will never go for something where teams are practicing during finals week.
PSU's Massaro, Mauti share recovery road
May, 3, 2012
May 3
10:45
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Maybe it's a blessing that Mauti follows Massaro in the alphabet.
Much like seating assignments in a class, football lockers are often distributed according to surnames. As a result, Penn State senior defenders Pete Massaro and Michael Mauti share adjoining lockers in the Lasch Building.
The arrangement has worked out well, especially in recent months as both men work their way back from the same major knee injury. The two players share a shockingly similar injury history. Massaro, a defensive end, tore his right ACL in the 2009 spring game, and then his left ACL in the spring of 2011. Mauti, an outside linebacker, tore his right ACL in preseason practice in 2009 and missed the season. After a strong start to last season, he tore his left ACL in Week 4 against Eastern Michigan.
The two men share four torn ACLs suffered in the same sequence (right, then left), and more months of combined rehab than games played for Penn State.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Gene J. PuskarMichael Mauti missed most of last season after going down in Week 4 against Eastern Michigan.
AP Photo/Gene J. PuskarMichael Mauti missed most of last season after going down in Week 4 against Eastern Michigan.Both players participated in some drills this spring, though neither engaged in all the contact drills. Massaro said in mid April that his knee is "80-85 percent" recovered, and Mauti said if Penn State kicked off preseason drills in mid May, he'd be cleared to do everything.
But the rehab process remains challenging, even for two men who are all too familiar with it.
"It's such a slow recovery," Massaro said. "That's the hardest part about it. That's what eats at you the most. Talking to Mauti, when you tear your second ACL, that's something everyone thinks about. It's my second one. It's another nine, 12 months of my life that I'm not going to be who I am on the football field. Even now, I look at my tape from last spring and where I was playing at the end of the season a few years ago, and you can tell you don't have that athleticism back, and that you're not as strong in the knee and the leg as you were."
Communication was critical for Massaro this spring, as he made sure to keep team doctors, coaches and trainers, particularly new head athletic trainer Tim Bream, in the loop about how his knee felt. If he felt uncomfortable doing certain movements during practice, he told defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
The fact Massaro had suffered both of his ACL tears during the spring made it even more important to proceed with caution.
"There's times I want to be going full speed, times where the offensive line will challenge the defensive line, and I want to get in there and show what I can do," he said. "But I really have to take it slow because if I get too ahead of myself mentally, that's when problems start to happen and other injuries start to arise."
When healthy, Mauti and Massaro are two of Penn State's better defenders. Mauti was well on his way to All-Big Ten honors last season, recording 21 tackles, including three for loss, plus an interception and three pass breakups, in the first three plus games. He worked through some injuries to record 67 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and two sacks, as a starter in 2010.
Massaro has played only one season (2010), but racked up eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He was having a superb spring last year before the ACL tear.
Although the rehab process isn't over, both Massaro and Mauti are on track to return and enhance a defensive front seven that could be the Big Ten's best in 2012.
"That'll be the way it should be," Mauti said. "I'm just excited to play with him. It's about time."
Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti talks about his rehab and all the changes in State College this year.
Earlier today, I had a Q&A with new Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien where he talked about spring practice. O'Brien met with the media this afternoon and gave out some new information on the Nittany Lions spring, including the news that wide receiver Curtis Drake is moving to cornerback.
Drake played a big role in the win over Ohio State late in the season as a Wildcat quarterback, but he did not make the trip to the team's bowl after getting into a locker-room altercation with quarterback Matt McGloin. O'Brien said Drake had a "clean slate" as far as discipline and that he was needed to bolster the numbers in a secondary where all four starters graduated.
"What I saw with Curtis on the football field was good size, good feet, good hips, instinctiveness, and I think that he's a guy that can contribute over there," O'Brien said. "He's got to keep up his end of the bargain by doing well in school and keeping his nose clean, and then we'll give him a shot to play over there this spring."
Some other notes from O'Brien:
Drake played a big role in the win over Ohio State late in the season as a Wildcat quarterback, but he did not make the trip to the team's bowl after getting into a locker-room altercation with quarterback Matt McGloin. O'Brien said Drake had a "clean slate" as far as discipline and that he was needed to bolster the numbers in a secondary where all four starters graduated.
"What I saw with Curtis on the football field was good size, good feet, good hips, instinctiveness, and I think that he's a guy that can contribute over there," O'Brien said. "He's got to keep up his end of the bargain by doing well in school and keeping his nose clean, and then we'll give him a shot to play over there this spring."
Some other notes from O'Brien:
- He reiterated again that there is no starter at the quarterback spot right now and that he might not name a starter until the night before the season opener against Ohio.
- Linebacker Michael Mauti (ACL) won't participate in contact drills this spring, but O'Brien said Mauti "has had a heck of a winter just in the things that he has been able to do. He's definitely obviously one of the core players on this football team, just both from his leadership and from his work ethic, his family."
- Running back Curtis Dukes will sit out the spring to concentrate on academics. That will leave Derek Day as the backup to Silas Redd. Incoming freshman Akeel Lynch will be given a long look this summer at tailback as well.
- O'Brien said he didn't watch much film of Penn State last season and when he did, he mostly watched the defense. He said he wanted all the players to have a clean slate and preferred to focus his time on academics, recruiting and conditioning aspects of the program. He'll get his hands-on work done this spring. "The spring is about, in many ways, just like mini-camps in the National Football League," he said. "The spring is about experimentation, maybe practicing a guy at one spot for about five practices and then moving him to another spot and seeing how he does in different areas and trying to get your best players on the field."
Who missed the cut in our player rankings?
March, 8, 2012
Mar 8
4:00
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
By now, it's pretty obvious who the last men standing are in our countdown of the Big Ten's top 25 players of 2011.
It's always a difficult exercise because there are many deserving players, and limiting ourselves to only 25 nominees means some excellent candidates got left out. So let's take a look at some of the toughest omissions.
First, here are the players who were on our preseason list who didn't survive the cut for the postseason honors and the reasons why:
Preseason No. 25: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin: One of the hardest players to leave off the list, as Borland had an excellent season with 143 tackles and was one of the top linebackers in the league. We chose to go with his position mate, Mike Taylor, though Borland was probably No. 26 on our list.
Preseason No. 24: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State: Mauti was well on his way to a strong season before he suffered another knee injury that forced him to miss most of the year.
Preseason No. 22: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa: Prater's tackle and interception numbers dipped from his junior year, and Iowa's pass defense as a whole was disappointing.
Preseason No. 21: Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois: Scheelhaase got off to a good start in 2011, but he and the rest of the Illini offense were MIA for the second half of the season.
Preseason No. 19: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue: Allen had a good season, with 79 tackles and three interceptions, and just missed our list.
Preseason No. 16: Derek Moye, WR, Penn State: Moye dealt with an injury midseason, but what really hurt him was poor quarterback play.
Preseason No. 9: Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State: Baker didn't build off his breakout 2010 campaign and became the second option behind Le'Veon Bell late in the season.
Preseason No. 3: Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern: Persa was still really good when he was in the lineup; he just wasn't in the lineup enough because of injury issues.
Preseason No. 1: Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska: Crick was a little quiet early in the season, and then he suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle in October.
Here are a few other guys who just missed the cut:
Michigan State CB Johnny Adams: I really liked the year Adams had, and he was on my initial top 25 list. Very difficult to leave him off.
Michigan State G Joel Foreman and Wisconsin OT Josh Oglesby: Two of the best offensive linemen in the league, but we already had a bunch of linemen on the list in a strong year for the big uglies in the Big Ten.
Nebraska P/K Brett Maher: Unfortunately, kickers and punters don't get a lot of love on lists like these.
Wisconsin S Aaron Henry: If we could have considered interview skills as part of the criteria, Henry would have been in the top 10.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Many of the underclassmen who finished just outside the top 25 will likely appear on our 2012 preseason list this summer. If you have players you feel strongly about who we didn't include in our top 25 -- and I'm betting you do -- drop me a line and tell me who and why. We'll discuss it in a future post.
It's always a difficult exercise because there are many deserving players, and limiting ourselves to only 25 nominees means some excellent candidates got left out. So let's take a look at some of the toughest omissions.
First, here are the players who were on our preseason list who didn't survive the cut for the postseason honors and the reasons why:
Preseason No. 25: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin: One of the hardest players to leave off the list, as Borland had an excellent season with 143 tackles and was one of the top linebackers in the league. We chose to go with his position mate, Mike Taylor, though Borland was probably No. 26 on our list.
Preseason No. 24: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State: Mauti was well on his way to a strong season before he suffered another knee injury that forced him to miss most of the year.
Preseason No. 22: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa: Prater's tackle and interception numbers dipped from his junior year, and Iowa's pass defense as a whole was disappointing.
Preseason No. 21: Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois: Scheelhaase got off to a good start in 2011, but he and the rest of the Illini offense were MIA for the second half of the season.
Preseason No. 19: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue: Allen had a good season, with 79 tackles and three interceptions, and just missed our list.
Preseason No. 16: Derek Moye, WR, Penn State: Moye dealt with an injury midseason, but what really hurt him was poor quarterback play.
Preseason No. 9: Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State: Baker didn't build off his breakout 2010 campaign and became the second option behind Le'Veon Bell late in the season.
Preseason No. 3: Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern: Persa was still really good when he was in the lineup; he just wasn't in the lineup enough because of injury issues.
Preseason No. 1: Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska: Crick was a little quiet early in the season, and then he suffered a season-ending torn pectoral muscle in October.
Here are a few other guys who just missed the cut:
Michigan State CB Johnny Adams: I really liked the year Adams had, and he was on my initial top 25 list. Very difficult to leave him off.
Michigan State G Joel Foreman and Wisconsin OT Josh Oglesby: Two of the best offensive linemen in the league, but we already had a bunch of linemen on the list in a strong year for the big uglies in the Big Ten.
Nebraska P/K Brett Maher: Unfortunately, kickers and punters don't get a lot of love on lists like these.
Wisconsin S Aaron Henry: If we could have considered interview skills as part of the criteria, Henry would have been in the top 10.
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Many of the underclassmen who finished just outside the top 25 will likely appear on our 2012 preseason list this summer. If you have players you feel strongly about who we didn't include in our top 25 -- and I'm betting you do -- drop me a line and tell me who and why. We'll discuss it in a future post.
Big Ten postseason position rankings: LB
February, 23, 2012
Feb 23
3:30
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
We continue our postseason position rankings today as we move on to the linebackers.
Not surprisingly, Linebacker U takes the top spot, though it was a very close call. Depth helped the top two teams on this list, while star power marked spots Nos. 3 through 5. After that, it's a bit of a dropoff.
Away we go ...
1. Penn State: We thought this group could be the deepest linebacking corps in the league this past season, and that depth proved both true and invaluable when starter Michael Mauti went out in the fourth game of the season. Even without him, the Nittany Lions' linebackers played great, led by first team All-Big Ten performer Gerald Hodges, who had a breakout campaign. Nate Stupar filled in nicely for Mauti, and Glenn Carson was solid in his first year as a starter in the middle.
2. Michigan State: We wondered in the preseason how the Spartans would replace stars Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. The answer: very nicely, thank you. Sophomores Denicos Allen and Max Bullough emerged as fierce playmakers, especially on the blitz, and Chris Norman provided steady play on the weak side. All three return in 2012 to give Penn State a run for its money as the best group in the league.
3. Wisconsin: Mike Taylor and Chris Borland were finally healthy in the same season, and what a difference that made. They were a terrific pair, combining for 293 tackles and becoming the only Big Ten duo to average more than 10 tackles per game each. Taylor in particular made great strides. Kevin Claxton was overshadowed a bit as the third Badgers linebacker, but that's understandable given the amount of plays Borland and Taylor made.
4. Illinois: The emergence of Jonathan Brown (108 tackles, 19.5 for loss) as fire-breathing pass-rusher made this unit better than we projected in the preseason. Ian Thomas also had a good season at the position with 85 tackles, and Trulon Henry rounded out a strong crew before he missed time late following a shooting incident. The Illini defense stayed consistent throughout the team's struggles.
5. Nebraska: Depth was not a strong suit for the Huskers by any means, but there was no better linebacker in the league and few better in the nation than All-American Lavonte David. He had 133 tackles and countless big plays. Will Compton came on as the season wore along to provide a good complement to David. Finding consistent play elsewhere at the position was a challenge for Nebraska.
6. Ohio State: We pegged the Buckeyes at No. 3 in our preseason linebacker rankings, but it wasn't a vintage year for a group that struggled down the stretch drive. Andrew Sweat led the way with 72 tackles despite missing two games because of injury, and Etienne Sabino had a decent season (62 tackles, 6.5 for loss) if not the breakout season many had predicted. Freshman Ryan Shazier announced himself late in the year as a potential star in the making.
7. Michigan: The Wolverines' defense surprised everyone in 2011, though the defensive line was clearly the vanguard on that side of the ball. Kenny Demens led the team with 94 tackles, while freshmen Desmond Morgan and Jake Ryan made an immediate impact as starters. This wasn't an overwhelming group, but it was one that mostly did its job.
8. Iowa: The Hawkeyes had a hard time keeping everybody healthy and consistent, but this spot might have been the best part of their defense. James Morris and Christian Kirksey tied for the team lead with 110 tackles each, while Tyler Nielsen added 73 stops while battling some nagging injuries. The Iowa defense overall was disappointing, however.
9. Purdue: Danny Hope usually knew what to expect from week to week out of his linebackers: solid, consistent play. Joe Holland, Dwayne Beckford and Will Lucas each had between 82 and 94 stops as the top three tacklers on the team. Lucas and Holland also recorded double-digit tackles for loss. The chief complaint here is that the Boilermakers gave up some big point totals during the season.
10. Minnesota: The Gophers struggled up front and in the secondary, but linebacker was their most experienced and reliable defensive position, as expected. Veterans Gary Tinsley, Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper played in every game, and were among the most consistent players on the team. Tinsley led the way with four sacks. Florida transfer Brendan Beal was expected to make an impact, but missed the season with a knee injury.
11. Northwestern: It wasn't a very good year overall for the Wildcats' defense, and linebacker was no exception. David Nwabuisi ranked third on the team with 84 tackles, while Bryce McNaul was right behind with 76. But Northwestern's starting trio combined for just 2.5 sacks and didn't come up with enough difference-making plays throughout the season.
12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers was that Jeff Thomas was the best player on defense in 2011, finishing with 80 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. The bad news is that he was a senior. Besides Thomas, Indiana was forced to go young at the position, playing freshmen Chase Hoobler, Mike Replogle and Mark Murphy, a safety/linebacker hybrid, at times during the season. Kevin Wilson hopes the experience makes them better in '12, but this is yet another position that needs vast improvement going forward.
Not surprisingly, Linebacker U takes the top spot, though it was a very close call. Depth helped the top two teams on this list, while star power marked spots Nos. 3 through 5. After that, it's a bit of a dropoff.
Away we go ...
[+] Enlarge
Rob Christy/US PresswireGerald Hodges led a deep group of Penn State linebackers this past season.
Rob Christy/US PresswireGerald Hodges led a deep group of Penn State linebackers this past season.2. Michigan State: We wondered in the preseason how the Spartans would replace stars Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. The answer: very nicely, thank you. Sophomores Denicos Allen and Max Bullough emerged as fierce playmakers, especially on the blitz, and Chris Norman provided steady play on the weak side. All three return in 2012 to give Penn State a run for its money as the best group in the league.
3. Wisconsin: Mike Taylor and Chris Borland were finally healthy in the same season, and what a difference that made. They were a terrific pair, combining for 293 tackles and becoming the only Big Ten duo to average more than 10 tackles per game each. Taylor in particular made great strides. Kevin Claxton was overshadowed a bit as the third Badgers linebacker, but that's understandable given the amount of plays Borland and Taylor made.
4. Illinois: The emergence of Jonathan Brown (108 tackles, 19.5 for loss) as fire-breathing pass-rusher made this unit better than we projected in the preseason. Ian Thomas also had a good season at the position with 85 tackles, and Trulon Henry rounded out a strong crew before he missed time late following a shooting incident. The Illini defense stayed consistent throughout the team's struggles.
5. Nebraska: Depth was not a strong suit for the Huskers by any means, but there was no better linebacker in the league and few better in the nation than All-American Lavonte David. He had 133 tackles and countless big plays. Will Compton came on as the season wore along to provide a good complement to David. Finding consistent play elsewhere at the position was a challenge for Nebraska.
6. Ohio State: We pegged the Buckeyes at No. 3 in our preseason linebacker rankings, but it wasn't a vintage year for a group that struggled down the stretch drive. Andrew Sweat led the way with 72 tackles despite missing two games because of injury, and Etienne Sabino had a decent season (62 tackles, 6.5 for loss) if not the breakout season many had predicted. Freshman Ryan Shazier announced himself late in the year as a potential star in the making.
7. Michigan: The Wolverines' defense surprised everyone in 2011, though the defensive line was clearly the vanguard on that side of the ball. Kenny Demens led the team with 94 tackles, while freshmen Desmond Morgan and Jake Ryan made an immediate impact as starters. This wasn't an overwhelming group, but it was one that mostly did its job.
8. Iowa: The Hawkeyes had a hard time keeping everybody healthy and consistent, but this spot might have been the best part of their defense. James Morris and Christian Kirksey tied for the team lead with 110 tackles each, while Tyler Nielsen added 73 stops while battling some nagging injuries. The Iowa defense overall was disappointing, however.
9. Purdue: Danny Hope usually knew what to expect from week to week out of his linebackers: solid, consistent play. Joe Holland, Dwayne Beckford and Will Lucas each had between 82 and 94 stops as the top three tacklers on the team. Lucas and Holland also recorded double-digit tackles for loss. The chief complaint here is that the Boilermakers gave up some big point totals during the season.
10. Minnesota: The Gophers struggled up front and in the secondary, but linebacker was their most experienced and reliable defensive position, as expected. Veterans Gary Tinsley, Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper played in every game, and were among the most consistent players on the team. Tinsley led the way with four sacks. Florida transfer Brendan Beal was expected to make an impact, but missed the season with a knee injury.
11. Northwestern: It wasn't a very good year overall for the Wildcats' defense, and linebacker was no exception. David Nwabuisi ranked third on the team with 84 tackles, while Bryce McNaul was right behind with 76. But Northwestern's starting trio combined for just 2.5 sacks and didn't come up with enough difference-making plays throughout the season.
12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers was that Jeff Thomas was the best player on defense in 2011, finishing with 80 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. The bad news is that he was a senior. Besides Thomas, Indiana was forced to go young at the position, playing freshmen Chase Hoobler, Mike Replogle and Mark Murphy, a safety/linebacker hybrid, at times during the season. Kevin Wilson hopes the experience makes them better in '12, but this is yet another position that needs vast improvement going forward.
Michael Mauti mounts another comeback
February, 21, 2012
Feb 21
10:30
AM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Michael Mauti felt no pain when his left knee buckled last Sept. 24 during the Eastern Michigan game. At least, no physical pain.
The Penn State linebacker instinctively knew that he had torn his ACL, though he didn't want to believe it. As he sat on the trainer's table with a towel on his head, he thought about another season lost to injury, another long road to recovery looming ahead.
"It was a tough time for me," Mauti told ESPN.com. "It was frustrating, because it was more unexpected than anything."
Mauti missed the 2009 season when he tore his right ACL in preseason practice, and injuries slowed him down in 2010. He came into 2011 finally feeling fully healthy and looking forward to a big season. Instead, his left knee, one that had never given him any trouble before, betrayed him.
"When the doctor got in there for the surgery, he said there was just a weakness there," Mauti said. "He told me I'd be better off by having it fixed."
That was small solace to a player whose promising career keeps getting stalled by injuries. But Mauti has never been one to believe in self pity, and his coaches made sure he didn't wallow after the latest setback.
Soon after his surgery, Mauti took on a new role. Then-defensive coordinator Tom Bradley put him in charge of signaling in calls from the sideline during practice.
"I was out there standing right next to him every day at practice doing those signals," Mauti said. "That definitely kept me plugged in. I had no choice but to get out there and do whatever I could to help my team win."
Mauti also delivered a moving speech on behalf of the current Penn State players at Joe Paterno's memorial. He hopes to have a more active role with this year's team.
Mauti says his knee feels great right now, and he's planning to start cutting and doing agility exercises in the next week or so. But his previous rehab taught him that he needs to take things slow and build the muscles in his leg before trying to do too much. So he'll be very limited still for Penn State's spring practices.
"There's no rush, really," he said. "I'm thinking when we get into May and June, there will be pretty much no restrictions on anything."
Mauti has shown what he can do when healthy. In 2010, he finished fifth on the team with 67 tackles despite some nagging injuries. He was off to a strong start last season, recording 13 tackles against Alabama and grabbing a key interception at Temple the week before his torn ACL.
With him back in the fold, the Nittany Lions could have one of the strongest linebacking corps in the Big Ten and the country in 2012. Gerald Hodges had a breakout campaign in 2011, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors, and Glenn Carson also returns at middle linebacker after his first full season of starting.
"I really think the sky's the limit for us," Mauti said.
They will have to learn a new defensive system for the first time in their careers, and new coordinator Ted Roof will have all new terminology. But Mauti is confident that he and his teammates can pick it up quickly, because he says the style is not too different and that the defensive veterans "have pretty good football IQs and know what they're doing."
Mauti will mostly be watching and observing this spring. But by the fall, he expects to be back on the field making an impact. And maybe he'll finally catch a break with his health and end his career with a bang.
"This is my last go-round here, so I'm taking every day and making the most out of it," he said. "I only get one more shot at this thing. I'm really excited about where Penn State is going, and I'm happy to be a part of the transition. I just want to help us win some games."
The Penn State linebacker instinctively knew that he had torn his ACL, though he didn't want to believe it. As he sat on the trainer's table with a towel on his head, he thought about another season lost to injury, another long road to recovery looming ahead.
"It was a tough time for me," Mauti told ESPN.com. "It was frustrating, because it was more unexpected than anything."
[+] Enlarge
Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesMichael Mauti won't see much action this spring as he continues to rehab his knee, but he expects to be 100 percent this fall.
Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesMichael Mauti won't see much action this spring as he continues to rehab his knee, but he expects to be 100 percent this fall."When the doctor got in there for the surgery, he said there was just a weakness there," Mauti said. "He told me I'd be better off by having it fixed."
That was small solace to a player whose promising career keeps getting stalled by injuries. But Mauti has never been one to believe in self pity, and his coaches made sure he didn't wallow after the latest setback.
Soon after his surgery, Mauti took on a new role. Then-defensive coordinator Tom Bradley put him in charge of signaling in calls from the sideline during practice.
"I was out there standing right next to him every day at practice doing those signals," Mauti said. "That definitely kept me plugged in. I had no choice but to get out there and do whatever I could to help my team win."
Mauti also delivered a moving speech on behalf of the current Penn State players at Joe Paterno's memorial. He hopes to have a more active role with this year's team.
Mauti says his knee feels great right now, and he's planning to start cutting and doing agility exercises in the next week or so. But his previous rehab taught him that he needs to take things slow and build the muscles in his leg before trying to do too much. So he'll be very limited still for Penn State's spring practices.
"There's no rush, really," he said. "I'm thinking when we get into May and June, there will be pretty much no restrictions on anything."
Mauti has shown what he can do when healthy. In 2010, he finished fifth on the team with 67 tackles despite some nagging injuries. He was off to a strong start last season, recording 13 tackles against Alabama and grabbing a key interception at Temple the week before his torn ACL.
With him back in the fold, the Nittany Lions could have one of the strongest linebacking corps in the Big Ten and the country in 2012. Gerald Hodges had a breakout campaign in 2011, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors, and Glenn Carson also returns at middle linebacker after his first full season of starting.
"I really think the sky's the limit for us," Mauti said.
They will have to learn a new defensive system for the first time in their careers, and new coordinator Ted Roof will have all new terminology. But Mauti is confident that he and his teammates can pick it up quickly, because he says the style is not too different and that the defensive veterans "have pretty good football IQs and know what they're doing."
Mauti will mostly be watching and observing this spring. But by the fall, he expects to be back on the field making an impact. And maybe he'll finally catch a break with his health and end his career with a bang.
"This is my last go-round here, so I'm taking every day and making the most out of it," he said. "I only get one more shot at this thing. I'm really excited about where Penn State is going, and I'm happy to be a part of the transition. I just want to help us win some games."
'Whole new world' springs upon Big Ten
February, 17, 2012
Feb 17
11:00
AM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Jamie Sabau/Getty ImagesUrban Meyer is one of six new head coaches hired by Big Ten schools in the past two seasons.Fitzgerald was struck by the notion that at age 37, heading into his seventh year as the Wildcats' head man, he is now the second-longest-tenured coach in the league. That shows how much change the conference has experienced the past two years -- and illustrates why this spring looms as an important time for many of its teams.
Three schools -- Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois -- hired new permanent head coaches this offseason, following the three that did so last year (Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota). Add in Nebraska, and seven of the 12 Big Ten teams have coaches either in their first or second year of competing in the conference.
"That's unprecedented," said Big Ten associate commissioner Mark Rudner, who has worked for the league since 1979 and currently serves as the football coaches' liaison to the conference. "It's a whole new world."
The Big Ten used to be known as a collection of icons, the league of Woody and Bo and larger-than-life coaches. No school is less familiar with change than Penn State, which will begin a season without Joe Paterno as head coach for the first time since 1966.
All the new personalities lead some to wonder if the Big Ten will maintain its identity and culture. Already, new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has made waves with some aggressive recruiting tactics, leading Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema to criticize Meyer and caution that the Big Ten does not want to become a northern version of the SEC.
Meyer and Bielema met to hash out their differences in that coaches' meeting earlier this month. Rudner took it as a positive sign that 11 of the 12 coaches attended what was a voluntary gathering just two days after signing day. The only coach who didn't attend, Penn State's Bill O'Brien, was preparing to coach in the Super Bowl.
"Everybody seems willing to throw in with everybody else, so hopefully that will make for a lot smoother transition," Rudner said.
[+] Enlarge
AP Photo/Nam Y. HuhAt just 37, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald is the second-longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten.
AP Photo/Nam Y. HuhAt just 37, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald is the second-longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten. Meyer will install the offensive system that helped the Florida Gators win two national titles as the Buckeyes begin their quest to regain Big Ten supremacy -- after the 2012 bowl ban expires, of course. Illinois is switching to a full-fledged spread attack under new coach Tim Beckman, himself a former Meyer assistant.
Jerry Kill at Minnesota and Kevin Wilson at Indiana will seek better things after disappointing first seasons, and each has brought in some junior college players to try to fill holes on the roster. Michigan won the Sugar Bowl in Brady Hoke's first year but still wants to move toward more of a pro-style offense, as long as it doesn't restrict the talents of QB Denard Robinson. Nebraska had its share of successes and setbacks in its first season of Big Ten play and now has a better idea of what it takes to compete in the league. The Huskers need to get stronger on defense but will have to do so without departed stars Lavonte David, Alfonzo Dennard and Jared Crick.
Even some of the most stable programs weren't immune to change. Wisconsin, which has gone to back-to-back Rose Bowls, lost most of its offensive staff when coordinator Paul Chryst went to Pitt and took several assistants with him. Purdue coach Danny Hope wasn't satisfied with making the program's first bowl since 2007 and reorganized his defensive staff. And as Big Ten dean Ferentz enters his 14th season at Iowa, he'll do so for the first time without defensive coordinator Norm Parker (who retired) or offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe (who left for the Miami Dolphins).
"We probably cheated time here a little bit," Ferentz said.
Some veteran staffs stayed intact, such as Northwestern and Michigan State. The Spartans figure to make another run at a Legends Division title if they can adequately replace QB Kirk Cousins, All-American defensive tackle Jerel Worthy and their top three receivers.
"Players just want to have consistency in vision and consistency in expectations," Fitzgerald said. "When you've had a position coach for four straight years, you know what to expect, and there's something to be said for that.
"At the same time, when there's change, there's a newfound sense of urgency. Our big challenge is making sure our guys don't feel like we're Charlie Brown's teacher going, 'Wah-wah-wah-wah,' and start getting bored."
There's nothing boring about the transition at Penn State. Paterno's reign came crashing down in shocking, controversial fashion before he passed away in January. For the first time in decades, the Nittany Lions will have several new assistant coaches, not to mention a new style of offense and leadership under O'Brien. Players can already see the differences in winter conditioning.
"There's a lot of excitement around here right now," linebacker Michael Mauti said. "It's just a whole new way of doing things."
They'll be saying that on a lot of Big Ten campuses this spring.
Big Ten national signing day primer
February, 1, 2012
Feb 1
6:00
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Happy national signing day to all!
ESPNU will start its Signing Day Special at 9 a.m. ET, as several of the nation's top recruits announce their college choices. Coverage will continue until 7 p.m. ET and will feature analysis from colleagues Tom Luginbill, Craig Haubert, Mark Schlabach and others. Be sure to check out ESPN's recruiting page throughout the day.
Here's a signing day preview, and our analysts weighed in on the Big Ten recruiting scene here and here.
The Big Ten blog will be covering all the big commits and the news conferences from around the league.
Here's a team-by-team schedule of what's coming your way today:
ILLINOIS
ESPNU will start its Signing Day Special at 9 a.m. ET, as several of the nation's top recruits announce their college choices. Coverage will continue until 7 p.m. ET and will feature analysis from colleagues Tom Luginbill, Craig Haubert, Mark Schlabach and others. Be sure to check out ESPN's recruiting page throughout the day.
Here's a signing day preview, and our analysts weighed in on the Big Ten recruiting scene here and here.
The Big Ten blog will be covering all the big commits and the news conferences from around the league.
Here's a team-by-team schedule of what's coming your way today:
ILLINOIS
- Illinois will have a signing day blog beginning at 8 a.m. ET. New head coach Tim Beckman will be chatting with fans at 11 a.m. ET, and exclusive videos will be posted at fightingillini.com and coachbeckman.com throughout the day.
- News conference: Beckman's news conference begins at 4:30 p.m. ET and can be seen here.
- Indiana has a Signing Day Central page and will Webcast a signing day show beginning at 8 a.m. ET. Head coach Kevin Wilson and his assistants will announce, review highlights and provide commentary on Indiana's 2012 signing class. Updates also will be provided on Twitter and Facebook.
- News conference: Wilson's news conference begins at 2 p.m. ET and can be seen here.
- Recruit names and bios will be posted at hawkeyesports.com and on Twitter.
- News conference: Coach Kirk Ferentz's news conference begins at 5 p.m. ET and can be seen here.
- Recruit bios and other information can be found on Michigan's official Web site.
- News conference: Coach Brady Hoke will address reporters at 2 p.m. ET.
- Recruiting class and bios will be posted to msuspartans.com.
- News conference: Coach Mark Dantonio will address reporters at 3 p.m. ET.
- Signing day central features a live blog beginning shortly after 6:45 a.m. ET, bios and video with coaches commentary on each recruit and an interactive map. Minnesota is hosting a national signing day social at TCF Bank Stadium.
- News conference: Coach Jerry Kill will address reporters at 4 p.m. ET.
- Recruits' bios, videos, coaches' commentary and other information will be posted at huskers.com.
- News conference: Coach Bo Pelini will address reporters at 3:30 p.m. ET.
- A signing day blog will provide updates as national letters of intent roll in and any other news. Updates also will be posted on Twitter. There will be a signing day reception in Chicago.
- News conference: Coach Pat Fitzgerald will address reporters at 12:30 p.m. ET. The news conference can be seen here.
- The Signing Day Central page will provide recruits' names, video highlights, bios and more throughout the day.
- News conference: Coach Urban Meyer will meet with reporters at 4 p.m. ET. His news conference can be seen here.
- Recruits' names and brief bios can be found here and here as the letters of intent come in.
- News conference: Penn State assistant coaches and two players (Silas Redd and Michael Mauti) will meet with reporters between 3-4 ET. Head coach Bill O'Brien will have a conference call with reporters from the Super Bowl in Indianapolis at 5:05 p.m. ET. A transcript of O'Brien's call will be posted here.
- Check out Signing Day Central for recruit bios, video and a recruiting chat during the day.
- News conference: Coach Danny Hope will meet with reporters at 4 p.m. ET. The news conference can be seen here.
- A signing day blog live from coach Bret Bielema's office will begin providing updates at 8 a.m. ET as letters of intent roll in. Updates also will be provided on Twitter. Wisconsin also will broadcast a signing day Web show from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET featuring interviews with Bielema, six assistants and linebacker Chris Borland.
- News conference: Bielema will meet with reporters at 4 p.m. ET. The news conference can be seen here.
Mixed results for B1G's top 2008 recruits
January, 18, 2012
Jan 18
10:15
AM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
The folks at ESPN Recruiting stepped into the rewind machine Wednesday and looked back at the ESPNU 150 from 2008 
to see which heralded recruits panned out and which did not.
From a Big Ten slant, this exercise is essentially a referendum on Ohio State's class, which ranked sixth nationally that year and featured eight ESPNU 150 prospects, headlined by quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Several other Big Ten squads had prospects in the 150 as well.
Overall, the results are mixed. Some players matched their hype, like Ohio State center Mike Brewster and, when healthy, Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti. Others did not or have not, once again proving that recruiting rankings should be viewed with caution.
Here's a look.
Prospects ranked from 1-25
No. 4: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State -- Helped Buckeyes win three Big Ten championships and two BCS bowls before departing in June because of multiple NCAA rules violations.
No. 18: Etienne Sabino, LB, Ohio State: -- Started the 2011 season after redshirting in 2010. Hasn't been a difference-maker for Buckeyes, but ended with a strong performance in the Gator Bowl and could be a key player in 2012.
Prospects ranked from 26-50
No. 42: Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State -- Four-year starter undoubtedly paid off for Ohio State. Brewster earned All-Big Ten honors and was an All-America candidate his final two seasons.
No. 48: Andrew Sweat, LB, Ohio State -- Sweat had a solid but unspectacular career for Ohio State. He was the team's top linebacker in 2011, and Ohio State missed him late in the season.
Prospects ranked between 51-75
No. 56: J.B. Shugarts, T, Ohio State -- Started the final three seasons at right tackle but never earned All-Big Ten honors.
No. 58: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State -- Plagued by knee problems, but very effective when healthy. He turned in a strong 2010 season and entered 2011 as an All-America candidate before tearing his ACL in September. He'll be back in 2012.
No. 69: Dann O'Neill, T, Michigan -- Redshirted as a freshman before transferring to Western Michigan, saying Michigan wasn't the right fit. He earned third-team All-MAC honors in 2011.
No. 71: Darryl Stonum, WR, Michigan -- Turned in a nice year in 2010, but found himself in off-field troubles throughout his Michigan career. Wolverines coach Brady Hoke on Tuesday dismissed Stonum after his latest infraction that resulted in jail time.
Prospects ranked 76-100
No. 88: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State -- One of the Big Ten's top offensive linemen during his final two seasons, earning first-team all-conference honors in 2010 and second-team honors in 2011 despite playing in only seven games. He had some off-field issues with the Buckeyes and was part of the Tat-5 with Pryor.
Prospects ranked 101-125
No. 107: Jake Stoneburner, TE, Ohio State -- An excellent weapon when used in the Ohio State offense. He recorded a team-high seven touchdown receptions in 2011, but had only 14 overall receptions. He returns in 2012 and should have a bigger role in a more wide-open offense.
No. 115: Brandon Moore, TE, Michigan -- Moore has two receptions in three years as a reserve tight end for the Wolverines. He could see a bigger role in 2012 as Kevin Koger departs.
No. 119 Baker Steinkuhler, DT, Nebraska -- Started the past two seasons on the Huskers' defensive line and recorded 40 tackles, including five for loss and two sacks, during the 2011 season. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and will be called upon to take a leading role for Big Red in 2012.
Prospects ranked 126-150
No. 128: Patrick Nixon-Youman, CB, Illinois -- Hip surgery a few years ago slowed Nixon-Youman's progression, but he appeared in 11 games in each of the past two seasons in a reserve role. He could play a bigger role in 2012.
No. 130: Keanon Cooper, LB, Minnesota -- Started in 2011 for Minnesota and recorded 77 tackles, including six for loss, as well as two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He enters his third season as a starter in 2012 and will need to be a big contributor for the Gophers' defense.
No. 135: Travis Howard, CB, Ohio State -- Took on a bigger role in 2011 and recorded 44 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups for the Buckeyes. He'll enter the 2012 season as a projected starter and could end his career with a flourish.
No. 141: J.B. Fitzgerald, LB, Michigan -- Started only three games in his career, but appeared in 50 contests and was a valuable reserve and special teams performer for Michigan in 2011.
No. 148: Tyler Westphal, DE, Wisconsin -- Had a serious shoulder injury following his redshirt year in Madison and eventually transferred to North Dakota State.
Minnesota linebacker Brendan Beal, who has yet to play for the Gophers after transferring from Florida, is No. 133 in the rankings.
to see which heralded recruits panned out and which did not.
From a Big Ten slant, this exercise is essentially a referendum on Ohio State's class, which ranked sixth nationally that year and featured eight ESPNU 150 prospects, headlined by quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Several other Big Ten squads had prospects in the 150 as well.
Overall, the results are mixed. Some players matched their hype, like Ohio State center Mike Brewster and, when healthy, Penn State linebacker Michael Mauti. Others did not or have not, once again proving that recruiting rankings should be viewed with caution.
Here's a look.
Prospects ranked from 1-25
No. 4: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State -- Helped Buckeyes win three Big Ten championships and two BCS bowls before departing in June because of multiple NCAA rules violations.
No. 18: Etienne Sabino, LB, Ohio State: -- Started the 2011 season after redshirting in 2010. Hasn't been a difference-maker for Buckeyes, but ended with a strong performance in the Gator Bowl and could be a key player in 2012.
Prospects ranked from 26-50
No. 42: Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State -- Four-year starter undoubtedly paid off for Ohio State. Brewster earned All-Big Ten honors and was an All-America candidate his final two seasons.
No. 48: Andrew Sweat, LB, Ohio State -- Sweat had a solid but unspectacular career for Ohio State. He was the team's top linebacker in 2011, and Ohio State missed him late in the season.
Prospects ranked between 51-75
No. 56: J.B. Shugarts, T, Ohio State -- Started the final three seasons at right tackle but never earned All-Big Ten honors.
No. 58: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State -- Plagued by knee problems, but very effective when healthy. He turned in a strong 2010 season and entered 2011 as an All-America candidate before tearing his ACL in September. He'll be back in 2012.
No. 69: Dann O'Neill, T, Michigan -- Redshirted as a freshman before transferring to Western Michigan, saying Michigan wasn't the right fit. He earned third-team All-MAC honors in 2011.
No. 71: Darryl Stonum, WR, Michigan -- Turned in a nice year in 2010, but found himself in off-field troubles throughout his Michigan career. Wolverines coach Brady Hoke on Tuesday dismissed Stonum after his latest infraction that resulted in jail time.
Prospects ranked 76-100
No. 88: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State -- One of the Big Ten's top offensive linemen during his final two seasons, earning first-team all-conference honors in 2010 and second-team honors in 2011 despite playing in only seven games. He had some off-field issues with the Buckeyes and was part of the Tat-5 with Pryor.
Prospects ranked 101-125
No. 107: Jake Stoneburner, TE, Ohio State -- An excellent weapon when used in the Ohio State offense. He recorded a team-high seven touchdown receptions in 2011, but had only 14 overall receptions. He returns in 2012 and should have a bigger role in a more wide-open offense.
No. 115: Brandon Moore, TE, Michigan -- Moore has two receptions in three years as a reserve tight end for the Wolverines. He could see a bigger role in 2012 as Kevin Koger departs.
No. 119 Baker Steinkuhler, DT, Nebraska -- Started the past two seasons on the Huskers' defensive line and recorded 40 tackles, including five for loss and two sacks, during the 2011 season. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors and will be called upon to take a leading role for Big Red in 2012.
Prospects ranked 126-150
No. 128: Patrick Nixon-Youman, CB, Illinois -- Hip surgery a few years ago slowed Nixon-Youman's progression, but he appeared in 11 games in each of the past two seasons in a reserve role. He could play a bigger role in 2012.
No. 130: Keanon Cooper, LB, Minnesota -- Started in 2011 for Minnesota and recorded 77 tackles, including six for loss, as well as two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He enters his third season as a starter in 2012 and will need to be a big contributor for the Gophers' defense.
No. 135: Travis Howard, CB, Ohio State -- Took on a bigger role in 2011 and recorded 44 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five pass breakups for the Buckeyes. He'll enter the 2012 season as a projected starter and could end his career with a flourish.
No. 141: J.B. Fitzgerald, LB, Michigan -- Started only three games in his career, but appeared in 50 contests and was a valuable reserve and special teams performer for Michigan in 2011.
No. 148: Tyler Westphal, DE, Wisconsin -- Had a serious shoulder injury following his redshirt year in Madison and eventually transferred to North Dakota State.
Minnesota linebacker Brendan Beal, who has yet to play for the Gophers after transferring from Florida, is No. 133 in the rankings.
Early 2012 Big Ten power rankings
January, 10, 2012
Jan 10
3:00
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett and
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
The college football season is officially over. So it's time to break out the crystal ball and offer our projections for the preposterously-too-early 2012 Big Ten power rankings.
1. Michigan State: The Spartans must replace a lot of leadership, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, receivers B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin and All-American defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. But nine starters return off the Big Ten's top overall defense, featuring Will Gholston, Denicos Allen and Isaiah Lewis as potential breakout stars. Le'Veon Bell could have a big year as the No. 1 tailback, and if Andrew Maxwell can adequately fill in for Cousins, the offense should be fine, especially if Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett gets his waiver to become immediately eligible at receiver. Plus, the road schedule (at Central Michigan, at Indiana, at Michigan, at Wisconsin, at Minnesota) is far more manageable than what the team navigated in 2011.
2. Michigan: A lot of things went right for the Wolverines in 2011, including a favorable schedule. That slate gets harder in 2012, beginning with Alabama at Cowboys Stadium and including road trips to Nebraska and Ohio State. Still, Denard Robinson and Fitz Toussaint form one of the most dangerous offensive duos in the league, and the second year under Brady Hoke and his staff should mean more familiarity and comfort. Coming off a BCS win, Michigan could start the season in the Top 10.
3. Wisconsin: The Badgers will have to overcome many challenges to reach their third straight Rose Bowl. The biggest concern is at quarterback, where there's no experience to replace Russell Wilson and his record-breaking efficiency level. Bret Bielema will have to remake almost his entire offensive coaching staff after Paul Chryst took several assistants with him to Pittsburgh. Still, Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball returns to keep the Wisconsin running game among the best in the country. And the two Big Ten teams who beat the Badgers in 2011 -- Michigan State and Ohio State -- must come to Madison in '12.
4. Ohio State: The Buckeyes aren't eligible to make the Big Ten title game, but don't be surprised if they put up the best record in the Leaders Division. A transition period can be expected as Urban Meyer takes over as head coach and installs an entirely new offensive system. But Ohio State had a small senior class in 2011 and brings back many talented players, such as defensive lineman John Simon, quarterback Braxton Miller and running back Carlos Hyde. A schedule that features eight home games should equal much improvement over this year's 6-7 record.
5. Nebraska: Few teams will be as experienced on offense as Nebraska, which returns seven starters and just about every key skill player on that side of the ball. Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead should be even better with another year in offensive coordinator Tim Beck's system. The questions are on defense, where the Huskers struggled at times in 2011 before losing their top two players in linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. Nebraska must get tougher up front defensively to handle the Big Ten grind and has difficult road assignments looming at Ohio State and Michigan State.
6. Penn State: For the first time since 1965, we'll see what a Penn State team looks like that is not coached by Joe Paterno to start the season. New coach Bill O'Brien made a wise decision to retain defensive assistants Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden, and even without All-American lineman Devon Still, that side of the ball should stay stout with standouts like Gerald Hodges, Jordan Hill and hopefully a healthy Michael Mauti. O'Brien's biggest impact should come on offense. The former New England Patriots offensive coordinator will try to bring the Nittany Lions attack into the 21st century with a competent passing game. Tailback Silas Redd provides a nice crutch while that transition occurs.
7. Iowa: After two straight 7-5 regular-season finishes, the Hawkeyes will look to get back into Big Ten contention. But they'll have to overcome the losses of star receiver Marvin McNutt, offensive tackle Riley Reiff, defensive linemen Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns and cornerback Shaun Prater. When he's on, James Vandenberg is as good a dropback passer as there is in the Big Ten, but making up for McNutt's production won't be easy. Assuming Marcus Coker returns from suspension, the running game should be very good. The defense simply has to improve after giving up too many big plays in 2011, and Kirk Ferentz hasn't yet named a successor to veteran defensive coordinator Norm Parker, who retired.
8. Purdue: The Boilermakers have a chance to make a move in a Leaders Division that is marked by coaching changes. They return most of the major pieces of their Little Caesars Bowl-winning team, and the return of Rob Henry from his season-ending knee surgery opens up some interesting possibilities at quarterback. Kawann Short should be one of the top defensive linemen in the league if he decides to return for his senior year. We'd still like to see more consistency from Danny Hope's program before we rank Purdue too high, however.
9. Northwestern: Dan Persa and his record-breaking accuracy are gone, along with top receiver Jeremy Ebert. Yet we're not too concerned about the offense and like the multi-dimensional options that Kain Colter provides with his all-around athleticism. Northwestern's issue is whether it can fix a defense that had trouble stopping anybody. The fact that the Wildcats lose their top three defensive backs from a secondary that was routinely torched does not inspire confidence.
10. Illinois: New coach Tim Beckman has his work cut out for him in Year One. He has to completely revamp an offense that couldn't shoot straight in the back half of 2011 while implementing a new spread style. He has to try to maintain the defense without coordinator Vic Koenning or All-American defensive end Whitney Mercilus. And he faces a schedule that sees the Illini going to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan, all three of which won in Champaign this past season. There's still talent on defense, led by promising linebacker Jonathan Brown. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase needs to build on his second-half showing in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
11. Minnesota: After a horrible start, the Gophers showed a lot more fight down the stretch in 2011, beating Iowa and Illinois at home. Jerry Kill knows how to build a program, and the team can't help but be better in 2012, especially if MarQueis Gray continues to develop at quarterback. But Minnesota still has some holes on its roster that can only be fixed through recruiting, and while the Gophers could make a run at bowl eligibility this year, they'll be hard-pressed to make too much noise in a stacked Legends Division.
12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers is that they played a ton of freshmen in 2011, and the growing pains should start to pay off for guys such as Tre Roberson and Mark Murphy in 2012. The second year under Kevin Wilson should also bring progress. Still, this is a team that went 1-11 in 2011 with no wins over FBS teams, so it remains an uphill climb.
1. Michigan State: The Spartans must replace a lot of leadership, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, receivers B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin and All-American defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. But nine starters return off the Big Ten's top overall defense, featuring Will Gholston, Denicos Allen and Isaiah Lewis as potential breakout stars. Le'Veon Bell could have a big year as the No. 1 tailback, and if Andrew Maxwell can adequately fill in for Cousins, the offense should be fine, especially if Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett gets his waiver to become immediately eligible at receiver. Plus, the road schedule (at Central Michigan, at Indiana, at Michigan, at Wisconsin, at Minnesota) is far more manageable than what the team navigated in 2011.
2. Michigan: A lot of things went right for the Wolverines in 2011, including a favorable schedule. That slate gets harder in 2012, beginning with Alabama at Cowboys Stadium and including road trips to Nebraska and Ohio State. Still, Denard Robinson and Fitz Toussaint form one of the most dangerous offensive duos in the league, and the second year under Brady Hoke and his staff should mean more familiarity and comfort. Coming off a BCS win, Michigan could start the season in the Top 10.
3. Wisconsin: The Badgers will have to overcome many challenges to reach their third straight Rose Bowl. The biggest concern is at quarterback, where there's no experience to replace Russell Wilson and his record-breaking efficiency level. Bret Bielema will have to remake almost his entire offensive coaching staff after Paul Chryst took several assistants with him to Pittsburgh. Still, Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball returns to keep the Wisconsin running game among the best in the country. And the two Big Ten teams who beat the Badgers in 2011 -- Michigan State and Ohio State -- must come to Madison in '12.
4. Ohio State: The Buckeyes aren't eligible to make the Big Ten title game, but don't be surprised if they put up the best record in the Leaders Division. A transition period can be expected as Urban Meyer takes over as head coach and installs an entirely new offensive system. But Ohio State had a small senior class in 2011 and brings back many talented players, such as defensive lineman John Simon, quarterback Braxton Miller and running back Carlos Hyde. A schedule that features eight home games should equal much improvement over this year's 6-7 record.
5. Nebraska: Few teams will be as experienced on offense as Nebraska, which returns seven starters and just about every key skill player on that side of the ball. Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead should be even better with another year in offensive coordinator Tim Beck's system. The questions are on defense, where the Huskers struggled at times in 2011 before losing their top two players in linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. Nebraska must get tougher up front defensively to handle the Big Ten grind and has difficult road assignments looming at Ohio State and Michigan State.
6. Penn State: For the first time since 1965, we'll see what a Penn State team looks like that is not coached by Joe Paterno to start the season. New coach Bill O'Brien made a wise decision to retain defensive assistants Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden, and even without All-American lineman Devon Still, that side of the ball should stay stout with standouts like Gerald Hodges, Jordan Hill and hopefully a healthy Michael Mauti. O'Brien's biggest impact should come on offense. The former New England Patriots offensive coordinator will try to bring the Nittany Lions attack into the 21st century with a competent passing game. Tailback Silas Redd provides a nice crutch while that transition occurs.
7. Iowa: After two straight 7-5 regular-season finishes, the Hawkeyes will look to get back into Big Ten contention. But they'll have to overcome the losses of star receiver Marvin McNutt, offensive tackle Riley Reiff, defensive linemen Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns and cornerback Shaun Prater. When he's on, James Vandenberg is as good a dropback passer as there is in the Big Ten, but making up for McNutt's production won't be easy. Assuming Marcus Coker returns from suspension, the running game should be very good. The defense simply has to improve after giving up too many big plays in 2011, and Kirk Ferentz hasn't yet named a successor to veteran defensive coordinator Norm Parker, who retired.
8. Purdue: The Boilermakers have a chance to make a move in a Leaders Division that is marked by coaching changes. They return most of the major pieces of their Little Caesars Bowl-winning team, and the return of Rob Henry from his season-ending knee surgery opens up some interesting possibilities at quarterback. Kawann Short should be one of the top defensive linemen in the league if he decides to return for his senior year. We'd still like to see more consistency from Danny Hope's program before we rank Purdue too high, however.
9. Northwestern: Dan Persa and his record-breaking accuracy are gone, along with top receiver Jeremy Ebert. Yet we're not too concerned about the offense and like the multi-dimensional options that Kain Colter provides with his all-around athleticism. Northwestern's issue is whether it can fix a defense that had trouble stopping anybody. The fact that the Wildcats lose their top three defensive backs from a secondary that was routinely torched does not inspire confidence.
10. Illinois: New coach Tim Beckman has his work cut out for him in Year One. He has to completely revamp an offense that couldn't shoot straight in the back half of 2011 while implementing a new spread style. He has to try to maintain the defense without coordinator Vic Koenning or All-American defensive end Whitney Mercilus. And he faces a schedule that sees the Illini going to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan, all three of which won in Champaign this past season. There's still talent on defense, led by promising linebacker Jonathan Brown. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase needs to build on his second-half showing in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
11. Minnesota: After a horrible start, the Gophers showed a lot more fight down the stretch in 2011, beating Iowa and Illinois at home. Jerry Kill knows how to build a program, and the team can't help but be better in 2012, especially if MarQueis Gray continues to develop at quarterback. But Minnesota still has some holes on its roster that can only be fixed through recruiting, and while the Gophers could make a run at bowl eligibility this year, they'll be hard-pressed to make too much noise in a stacked Legends Division.
12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers is that they played a ton of freshmen in 2011, and the growing pains should start to pay off for guys such as Tre Roberson and Mark Murphy in 2012. The second year under Kevin Wilson should also bring progress. Still, this is a team that went 1-11 in 2011 with no wins over FBS teams, so it remains an uphill climb.
Answering some of your burning questions (including many from our Twitter feed) while I make my way to Pasadena ...
John T. (@jdt105) writes: What will the B1G bowl record be?
Brian Bennett: Adam and I did our picks for the Big Ten non-BCS bowls on Monday (and I'm already leading 1-0). You'll have to wait for our BCS game picks. But I had the Big Ten going 4-4 in its non-BCS games, and I'll pick a 1-1 split in the Rose/Sugar matchups. Anything better than a 5-5 record would be a very good accomplishment for the league this year, given its daunting slate.
Brett B. (@MountaindewPSU) writes: With all the turmoil and coaching changes in the B1G. Who has the most solid staff for next season?
Brian Bennett: Interesting question, Brett, and I assume by "solid" you mean both stability and ability. If that is our measurement, I'd have to say Michigan State. Mark Dantonio has really built a solid staff there, and though I thought defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi would get a head coaching job this offseason, for the moment he's still with the Spartans (that could change, obviously). Add in Dan Roushar's progression this year as offensive coordinator, and that looks like the most consistent staff right now. That doesn't mean other schools can't succeed with first-year coordinators or even head coaches; both Big Ten championship game participants had one new coordinator this year, after all.
Jason. M from San Diego writes: Does Penn State still have any potential to win in the seasons to come? If so, what will it take?
Brian Bennett: Let's just examine the 2012 Nittany Lions in a vacuum for the moment. Penn State loses an awful lot off this year's team, including All-American Devon Still, the entire starting secondary, four starting offensive linemen and top receiver Derek Moye. Silas Redd will be back at tailback, and the linebacker position is still in good shape with Gerald Hodges and hopefully a healthy Michael Mauti. Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden return, but obviously the quarterback play has to get better. Penn State has had highly-regard recruiting classes recently, so the talent should be there. Of course, there is going to be a major coaching transition, and it's quite possible that the Lions have no holdovers from the current staff. Going forward, recruiting now and in the near future is bound to dip with all the off-the-field controversy.
So what's it going to take? Penn State has to hire the right coach, and he is going to have to stabilize the program quickly. There is opportunity in the Leaders Division next year with Ohio State ineligible for the postseason and Wisconsin losing a lot as well.
Stephen Z. (@SZarate15) writes: Who do you think is the future starting QB for U of I? IlliniNation needs to know.
Brian Bennett: Nathan Scheelhaase's star sure seemed on the rise before the second half-collapse by Illinois. His confidence looked rattled, and freshman Reilly O'Toole got a lot of snaps. I think the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is big for Scheelhaase to re-establish himself with a good performance. New coach Tim Beckman will need a strong trigger man to run his spread offense. I believe Scheelhaase has the skills to flourish in a system like that.
Jim from Grand Junction, Colo., writes: Nebraska and Iowa are "... programs of similiar stature ...?" You actually said that? True, both are on the Planet Earth and run by human beings, but beyond that, Nebraska is only 5 NC , 3 Heisman, 200 or so wins ahead of Iowa. Iowa is a good program but of similar stature to Nebraska? Don't be ridiculous.
Brian Bennett: I knew that was coming from Nebraska fans, and I can understand why many took umbrage. However, when discussing Rick Kaczenski's lateral move from Iowa defensive line coach to the same position with the Huskers, I was not talking about historical prestige. Kaczenski surely wasn't weighing what Nebraska did in the 1980s or 1990s vs. Iowa. Truth is, while Nebraska has more tradition and resources, the two programs are not that far apart as new Big Ten division rivals right now. In fact, since the 2002 season, the Hawkeyes have been to two BCS games, while Nebraska hasn't been to any. So this is not like a move from, say, Indiana to Ohio State. (Boy, I'm teeing off a lot of fan bases today ... better just move along).
Nate from Council Bluffs, Iowa, writes: Do you think Mike Caputo should be allowed to play in the Capital One bowl after being arrested? I know kids are going to make mistakes, but if you break the law, in my opinion, you should not be allowed to play. Also, does this show a complete lack of integrity at the University of Nebraska both coaches and athletic department?
Brian Bennett: Nate, I think Nebraska and Bo Pelini handled this correctly. He waited for the legal system to run its course, and in the end Caputo was only charged with reckless driving. It's such a minor offense that all he had to do was pay a $100 fine and attend a seminar. Considering Caputo is a senior who by all accounts had a very good track record, I have no problem with allowing him to play in the final game of his career.
Greg from SE Iowa writes: Are those of Tom & Jerry figurines on the shelf behind you in your videos?
Brian Bennett: Crucial question here. No, that's Itchy and Scratchy. "They fight! And bite!"
@Somewhitepunk writes: What offense do you expect to see from the Bucks on Monday? High-octane like the UM game, or conservative if they get a lead?
Brian Bennett: That might be the first time anyone has used the words "high octane" to describe Ohio State's offense. I understand why Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Jim Bollman called a conservative game plan this year with a true freshman quarterback. But Braxton Miller showed in the Michigan game that he could handle a bigger package of plays, and he's had another couple of weeks of bowl practice. These postseason games are a good time to let your freak flag fly (see Danny Hope's onsides kicks versus Western Michigan). Since Ohio State won't play in a bowl next year, and since Bollman isn't coming back, why in the world wouldn't the Buckeyes cut loose and try to have some fun offensively against Florida?
John T. (@jdt105) writes: What will the B1G bowl record be?
Brian Bennett: Adam and I did our picks for the Big Ten non-BCS bowls on Monday (and I'm already leading 1-0). You'll have to wait for our BCS game picks. But I had the Big Ten going 4-4 in its non-BCS games, and I'll pick a 1-1 split in the Rose/Sugar matchups. Anything better than a 5-5 record would be a very good accomplishment for the league this year, given its daunting slate.
Brett B. (@MountaindewPSU) writes: With all the turmoil and coaching changes in the B1G. Who has the most solid staff for next season?
Brian Bennett: Interesting question, Brett, and I assume by "solid" you mean both stability and ability. If that is our measurement, I'd have to say Michigan State. Mark Dantonio has really built a solid staff there, and though I thought defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi would get a head coaching job this offseason, for the moment he's still with the Spartans (that could change, obviously). Add in Dan Roushar's progression this year as offensive coordinator, and that looks like the most consistent staff right now. That doesn't mean other schools can't succeed with first-year coordinators or even head coaches; both Big Ten championship game participants had one new coordinator this year, after all.
Jason. M from San Diego writes: Does Penn State still have any potential to win in the seasons to come? If so, what will it take?
Brian Bennett: Let's just examine the 2012 Nittany Lions in a vacuum for the moment. Penn State loses an awful lot off this year's team, including All-American Devon Still, the entire starting secondary, four starting offensive linemen and top receiver Derek Moye. Silas Redd will be back at tailback, and the linebacker position is still in good shape with Gerald Hodges and hopefully a healthy Michael Mauti. Matt McGloin and Rob Bolden return, but obviously the quarterback play has to get better. Penn State has had highly-regard recruiting classes recently, so the talent should be there. Of course, there is going to be a major coaching transition, and it's quite possible that the Lions have no holdovers from the current staff. Going forward, recruiting now and in the near future is bound to dip with all the off-the-field controversy.
So what's it going to take? Penn State has to hire the right coach, and he is going to have to stabilize the program quickly. There is opportunity in the Leaders Division next year with Ohio State ineligible for the postseason and Wisconsin losing a lot as well.
Stephen Z. (@SZarate15) writes: Who do you think is the future starting QB for U of I? IlliniNation needs to know.
Brian Bennett: Nathan Scheelhaase's star sure seemed on the rise before the second half-collapse by Illinois. His confidence looked rattled, and freshman Reilly O'Toole got a lot of snaps. I think the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is big for Scheelhaase to re-establish himself with a good performance. New coach Tim Beckman will need a strong trigger man to run his spread offense. I believe Scheelhaase has the skills to flourish in a system like that.
Jim from Grand Junction, Colo., writes: Nebraska and Iowa are "... programs of similiar stature ...?" You actually said that? True, both are on the Planet Earth and run by human beings, but beyond that, Nebraska is only 5 NC , 3 Heisman, 200 or so wins ahead of Iowa. Iowa is a good program but of similar stature to Nebraska? Don't be ridiculous.
Brian Bennett: I knew that was coming from Nebraska fans, and I can understand why many took umbrage. However, when discussing Rick Kaczenski's lateral move from Iowa defensive line coach to the same position with the Huskers, I was not talking about historical prestige. Kaczenski surely wasn't weighing what Nebraska did in the 1980s or 1990s vs. Iowa. Truth is, while Nebraska has more tradition and resources, the two programs are not that far apart as new Big Ten division rivals right now. In fact, since the 2002 season, the Hawkeyes have been to two BCS games, while Nebraska hasn't been to any. So this is not like a move from, say, Indiana to Ohio State. (Boy, I'm teeing off a lot of fan bases today ... better just move along).
Nate from Council Bluffs, Iowa, writes: Do you think Mike Caputo should be allowed to play in the Capital One bowl after being arrested? I know kids are going to make mistakes, but if you break the law, in my opinion, you should not be allowed to play. Also, does this show a complete lack of integrity at the University of Nebraska both coaches and athletic department?
Brian Bennett: Nate, I think Nebraska and Bo Pelini handled this correctly. He waited for the legal system to run its course, and in the end Caputo was only charged with reckless driving. It's such a minor offense that all he had to do was pay a $100 fine and attend a seminar. Considering Caputo is a senior who by all accounts had a very good track record, I have no problem with allowing him to play in the final game of his career.
Greg from SE Iowa writes: Are those of Tom & Jerry figurines on the shelf behind you in your videos?
Brian Bennett: Crucial question here. No, that's Itchy and Scratchy. "They fight! And bite!"
@Somewhitepunk writes: What offense do you expect to see from the Bucks on Monday? High-octane like the UM game, or conservative if they get a lead?
Brian Bennett: That might be the first time anyone has used the words "high octane" to describe Ohio State's offense. I understand why Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Jim Bollman called a conservative game plan this year with a true freshman quarterback. But Braxton Miller showed in the Michigan game that he could handle a bigger package of plays, and he's had another couple of weeks of bowl practice. These postseason games are a good time to let your freak flag fly (see Danny Hope's onsides kicks versus Western Michigan). Since Ohio State won't play in a bowl next year, and since Bollman isn't coming back, why in the world wouldn't the Buckeyes cut loose and try to have some fun offensively against Florida?
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
BIG TEN TEAM COVERAGE
RECRUITING NATION
Michigan: WolverineNation
Follow everything Michigan at WolverineNation: Michigan Wolverines football, basketball, news, recruiting and more.
