ESPN College Football

Every good conference boasts some coaching villains, and the Big Ten has several men who fill the role. No one will confuse the Big Ten with the SEC, where all 12 coaches have voodoo dolls of one other and dart boards with their opponents' heads as the bull's-eyes. But let's not forget the Big Ten produced Woody and Bo, two men who certainly played the villain when they set foot on opposing soil. The Big Ten may never see Woody versus Bo, Part II, but you get 12 Type A personalities competing for championships in a high-stakes sport, and it's going to get heated.

Last month, we asked you to weigh in on the most disliked Big Ten coach. Not surprisingly, the three highest vote-getters also earned our nod for their villainous traits. Remember, this is all in fun, and it's important to note that it's hard to be a coaching villain if you don't win a lot of games or tick off multiple fan bases.

Let's take a look.

Bret Bielema, Wisconsin (six seasons, 60-19 overall and at Wisconsin)

Any coach who plays college ball, has his team's logo tattooed on his leg, and then ends up coaching a major rival is predisposed to be a villain. Bielema, a former Iowa defensive lineman, still sports the Tigerhawk stamp on his leg, but he's very much a Badger these days. While Bielema might not be a favorite son in Iowa, he has ticked off others around the league a little more.

In 2010, Bielema ignited a flap with Minnesota when he called for a 2-point conversion attempt with Wisconsin ahead by 25 points in the fourth quarter. Minnesota coach Tim Brewster confronted Bielema after the game and later said Bielema made "a poor decision for a head football coach." Bielema claimed he was following the coaches' card of when to go for two or not, but given tension with Brewster and the Wisconsin-Minnesota rivalry, few bought his explanation. The Wisconsin coach didn't help his rep a few weeks later when the Badgers' record-setting offense put up 83 points against Indiana, although the sportsmanship complaints seemed hollow as Indiana totally packed it in that day.

Then came national signing day in February, when Bielema at a news conference referred to "illegal" recruiting tactics by new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. Many incorrectly interpreted Bielema's comments as sour grapes about losing a recruit (Kyle Dodson) to Meyer, but Bielema didn't publicly specify what he meant or why he contacted Meyer to discuss the situation. The allegations didn't sit well with Meyer or Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, although the situation put to rest the ridiculous belief about a "gentleman's agreement" among Big Ten coaches.

Bielema is relatively young, highly successful and never short on confidence. He's very media savvy and knows how to get his message across. He may fill the villain role for several fan bases, but he's the one going to Pasadena every year.

Urban Meyer, Ohio State (first season, 104-23 overall in 10 seasons)

Meyer hasn't coached a single game as Ohio State's head man, but he still received the most votes as the league's most disliked coach. Unlike the others in the Big Ten villain mix, Meyer sparks ire in other parts of the country, particularly in a little place they call Gator Country.

He left Florida after the 2010 season -- after nearly stepping away the previous year -- citing health concerns and a desire to spend more time with his family. Some saw him taking the Ohio State job, undoubtedly another pressure cooker, just a year after leaving Florida, as disingenuous. More Florida fallout arrived this spring in a Sporting News story that showed Meyer as the overseer and enabler of a mess in Gainesville.

Meyer's Big Ten villainy stems mostly from his immediate success on the recruiting trail after being hired in late November. In two months he put together the Big Ten's top-rated recruiting class, which included several players who had flipped from other programs to the Buckeyes. His surge drew comments from Bielema and Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, and the perception that Meyer has rocked the boat in the Big Ten remains very much alive.

Although Meyer and Michigan coach Brady Hoke have been cordial to this point -- they have the same agent, Trace Armstrong -- it's only a matter of time before things get spicy. Ohio State set off a mini blaze by displaying a sign in the football complex comparing its players' academic majors with those of Michigan's.

Buckle up.

Mark Dantonio, Michigan State (five seasons, 44-22 at MSU, 62-39 in eight seasons overall)

The seemingly permanent scowl. The deep, borderline monotone voice. The willingness to stick up for players who make mistakes and fuel rivalries. In many ways, Dantonio looks and sounds more like a villain than any of his Big Ten coaching brethren. Warm and fuzzy he is not, and while he has a unique sense of humor and can be charming, he comes off serious, intense and, some would say, confrontational.

Dantonio has made some notable statements about archrival Michigan in his five seasons in East Lansing. Who can forget his "pride comes before the fall" response to Mike Hart after the 2007 Michigan State-Michigan game? After last season's personal-foul fest against Michigan, a game Michigan State won 28-14, Dantonio drew criticism for not suspending defensive end William Gholston, who had punched a Wolverines player and twisted the helmet of another (the Big Ten later suspended Gholston for a game). In January, he interrupted Michigan assistant Jeff Hecklinski during a presentation to state high school coaches. And this spring, he set off some fireworks by telling Brian Bennett, "We're laying in the weeds. We've beat Michigan the last four years. So where's the threat?"

Some Michigan fans still dismiss Michigan State as not a real rival, but Dantonio has certainly gotten under the skin of Wolverines backers, especially because he keeps beating the Maize and Blue.

Dantonio also was looped into the Meyer/Bielema flap in February, although his general comments about recruiting were misinterpreted by a reporter.

The hyper intense Dantonio has some villain in him. And if he keeps winning at Michigan State, the image will continue to grow.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Fitz Toussaint ran for 1,041 yards last season, becoming the first Michigan running back since Mike Hart in 2007 to surpass the 1,000-yard barrier.

It was an especially impressive feat since Toussaint didn't really take over as the lead, undisputed rusher for the Wolverines until the eighth game of the year. So it's no wonder that people are expecting even bigger things this season. Including Toussaint's head coach.

Brady Hoke told ESPN.com that he pulled Toussaint aside during the Allstate Sugar Bowl and pointed out that Virginia Tech had a 1,600-yard tailback in David Wilson.

"We'd sure like to have one of those," he said.

Say no more. A new Toussaint touchstone has been established for 2012.

"The goal is to try to go beyond that," Toussaint said. "I want 1,600 yards to be the minimum."

Only one Big Ten player, Wisconsin's Montee Ball, put up more than 1,400 yards rushing last season. That Toussaint's goal doesn't sound all that outlandish is a testament to how far he's come in a short time.

Wolverines coaches liked his talent but weren't sure how tough he was early last year. Toussaint sat out the Notre Dame game in Week 2 with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. He had also missed some games as a freshman and was gaining a reputation for being injury-prone.

After the Notre Dame game, running backs coach Fred Jackson pulled Toussaint into his office and talked about past great Michigan backs like Hart, Tyrone Wheatley and Chris Perry. Those guys, he said, played through nagging ankle pains, hamstring injuries and other aches.

"He was saying you've got to be tough to play this game at a different level," Toussaint said. "That talk really motivated me."

Toussaint played pretty well with limited carries the next four games but had just 7 yards on two attempts in the loss at Michigan State. The Wolverines then went into a bye week and decided to change their philosophy in the running attack, which until then had involved using Denard Robinson and spreading the carries out among the tailbacks.

"We just decided we were going to let him carry the ball," offensive coordinator Al Borges said. "We weren't going to take him out."

He responded with a 170-yard, two-touchdown game against Purdue the next game. Toussaint averaged 135 rushing yards over the final five regular-season games, including a 192-yard effort at Illinois. Nobody was happier about this development than Robinson, who finally had a star running back to take some heat off him.

"It was a relief," Robinson said of Toussaint's emergence. "Running the ball that much, it's a hassle. I knew he was a big-time back, and once he got going he would do well."

Michigan limited Toussaint's reps this spring, knowing what they had in the junior and wanting to get a look at youngsters like Thomas Rawls and Justice Hayes. When the season starts, though, they will likely give Toussaint all the work he can handle. And if he could replicate his 135-yard average from last year's stretch drive, that equates to just over 1,600 yards for a full 12-game season.

Those kinds of numbers could potentially get Toussaint into the Heisman Trophy discussion along with Robinson. Might we have a Russell Wilson-Montee Ball situation developing?

"That hasn't really crossed my mind," Toussaint said. "It's going to take a lot for me to get there. I'm still lacking a couple of things."

Becoming better in pass protection is something he's striving toward this offseason. That goal is a lot less visible than 1,600 yards, but it may be just as important to Michigan's success.

You're in Paris, got the best food in the world, and you're eating a chalupa?

• Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi speculates about whether Notre Dame tried to steal signals last year, Joe Rexrode writes in the Lansing State Journal. The Spartans should be insulted by being underdogs against Notre Dame, Jamie Samuelsen writes. Michigan coach Brady Hoke will root for the Spartans on Saturday.
• Illinois plucked LB Houston Bates from Bayou Country, Shannon Ryan writes in the Chicago Tribune. Illini players are ready for prime time.
• Nebraska's defense tries to rebound against Washington and RB Chris Polk. Huskers CB Alfonzo Dennard (leg) still hasn't returned to practice.
• Ohio State's offense will make do despite being shorthanded, Bill Rabinowitz writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Minnesota coach Jerry Kill isn't out of the hospital but still likely will coach Saturday. Former Gophers coach Glen Mason returns to the on-campus stadium he wanted, but as a broadcaster, Marcus Fuller writes in the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press.
• Former Michigan star Mike Hart admits Saturday will be "weird" at the Big House. Michigan LB Kenny Demens is in trouble for not paying rent.
• Iowa LB Christian Kirksey makes a rapid rise, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• More bad news on the injury front for Indiana.
• Northwestern freshman center Brandon Vitabile has answered the challenge, Tina Akouris writes in the Chicago Sun-Times. The Wildcats should have strong fan support at Army, thanks to Sailgate.
• Don't be silly and count out Joe Paterno, Loren Tate writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette. Some love for Penn State DT Devon Still here and here. Penn State is on upset alert against Temple, Steve Heiser writes in The York Dispatch.
• Purdue has problems, but QB Caleb TerBush isn't one of them, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Wisconsin punter Brad Nortman doesn't mind his decreased workload, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.

It will be weird for Michigan fans to see former star running back Mike Hart on the opposite sidelines wearing different colors this week. But Hart says he is prepared. Hart, who is now a quality control coach at Eastern Michigan, told the Detroit News' Angelique S. Chengelis that his heart now firmly resides in Ypsilanti.

"I'm committed to this team," Hart said. "This is who I am. I am Eastern Michigan. I coach at Eastern Michigan. I want Eastern Michigan to win every game. I don't cheer for Michigan ever anymore. I watch the game and I watch as a coach trying to see what they're going to do."

Hart said he doesn't care what the Wolverines do and is only trying to win a MAC championship at Eastern Michigan, which is 2-0 but has played a pair of FCS teams. He's not expecting to be overwhelmed by a flood of memories at Michigan Stadium.

"I think once you get in there, I'm so focused on the task at hand that I probably really won't notice," he said. "When I walk in it might be, 'Whoa, I'm on the other sideline,' but I've got a job to do."

Those are all the right things to say, and when you're a competitor your main goal is always to get your team a victory no matter who you're playing. But my guess is that Hart was watching Saturday night's game against Notre Dame as a little more than a dispassionate observer, and that he would love nothing more to get back to Ann Arbor as a coach some day.

In other Wolverines news, head coach Brady Hoke said Monday that running back Fitz Toussaint, who missed Saturday's game with a shoulder injury, should hopefully be ready for Eastern Michigan. Cornerback Troy Woolfolk is battered and bruised; he wore a hand cast Saturday after dealing with an ankle injury all week, and then he took a shot to the face in the game. But Hoke said Woolfolk would keep on playing. The health status of linebackers Cam Gordon and Brandon Herron will continue to be monitored this week. Junior Brandin Hawthorne is now listed as the starter at weakside linebacker.

As you'd expect, Twitter is buzzing with reaction to the resignation of Jim Tressel as Ohio State's coach earlier Monday.

Ohio State held a team meeting Monday morning to announce the change, but several current and former players have tweeted about Tressel's departure. Most of the reaction is very positive.

Here's a look at some of the comments:

• Center Mike Brewster: Coach Tressel was one of the most honorable men I ever had the chance of being around..he taught me endless life lessons
• Tight end Jake Stoneburner: Tress taught me life lessons and how to become a man. I will forever be grateful that I played for such a great man. He is irreplaceable.
• Left tackle Mike Adams: #coachtress is what young people everywhere should strive to be! What don't break us will make us!
• Linebacker Andrew Sweat: You have done a tremendous amount for us as football players but more importantly developing us as men. Thanks
• Linebacker Etienne Sabino: I have a tremendous amount of respect for. Coach Tressel ..Hate to see this happen
• Running back Jordan Hall: So much love for coach tress. Promise no team wanna play us .#onamission
• Running back Jaamal Berry: Still love you coach Tress were going to win it all for you and #BuckeyeNation
• Wide receiver Chris Fields: This is definitely somethin I did not wanna wake up too!
• Cornerback Travis Howard: This will make us stronger as a team aNd tougher as individuals we gone pull this together and make it happen #beastmode
• Former cornerback Donald Washington: #CoachTress deserves a statue ... I would love to be suiting up for the #bucks with all the bs going on! I gotta feeling the Buckeyes are gon be untamed this fall!
• Former defensive end Cameron Heyward: Sad day to be a buckeye. #coach tressel you will be missed. No one understands what that man has taught me and done for me
• Former tight end Jake Ballard: Jim Tressel is one of the best human beings I have ever met. All he ever did was care and help people. #BuckeyeNation lost a great coach!!
• Former punter Jon Thoma: TRY to find a team who is gonna play harder than the Bucks this year. No mercy. Everybody dies.
• Former running back Chris Wells: say it aint sooo!

There are also these notable tweets:

• Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin: The head of the scarlet and grey Demon has been cut off!
• Michigan cornerback Troy Woolfolk: Tressel resigned, well I guess it got too hot in the kitchen. Lol
• Former Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga: @OfficialAJHawk are you going to help select the new coach at OSU. I am sure they will be askig for your professional opinion.
• Former Michigan running back Mike Hart: Great day for America! Sad day 4 Big 10, Hate OSU but tressel was a great coach! Would rather beat them when he's the coach than some1 else
• Former Ohio State receiver Ray Small: Lol what y'all gone do 2 me that man resigned his self if u don't like me [bleep] u!!

Again, much more to come on Tressel's resignation.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- It's a sea of Maize with a few patches of green here at Michigan Stadium, as one of the Big Ten's best rivalries is about to kick off.

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio was on the field during warm-ups and seemed to be moving around a little gingerly, but not too bad considering his recent health issues. Dantonio will coach from the booth today.

If this year's matchup needed any more spice, former Michigan running back Mike Hart provided it with a note to the team this week and displayed near the Wolverines' locker room.

"Nothing needs to be said to get you guys fired up -- after what you guys have dealt with the last two years and the disrespect throughout the country. You get four chances in your life to play this team. What does each and every player want their legacy to be because it starts tomorrow -- tomorrow we put little brother in his place."

Let's get it on.

How many yards will Denard Robinson, the nation's leading rusher, put up Saturday against No. 17 Michigan State?

What about Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell? Both Spartans backs are capable of gashing a weak Michigan defense.

If Robinson, Baker or Bell have a big day on the ground Saturday, it wouldn't be the first time in the Michigan-Michigan State series. In fact, most of the recent meetings have featured impressive performances by ball carriers.

Thanks to ESPN's Stats & Information for this list ...

2008 -- Javon Ringer (MSU): 37 rush, 194 yards, 2 TD in 35-21 win

2005 -- Mike Hart (MICH): 36 rush, 218 yards, TD in 34-31 (OT) win

2004 -- Mike Hart (MICH): 33 rush, 224 yards, TD in 45-37 (3OT) win

2004 -- DeAndra Cobb (MSU): 22 rush, 205 yards, 2 TD in 45-37 (3OT) loss

2003 -- Chris Perry (MICH): 51 rush, 219 yards, TD in 27-20 win

2001 -- T.J. Duckett (MSU): 27 rush, 211 yards, TD in 26-24 win

To date, the principal image of the 2010 college football season has been a dreadlocked quarterback wearing unlaced cleats and a No. 16 jersey outrunning defenders to the end zone.

If you haven't seen Denard Robinson do his thing, you're not paying attention.

Robinson can't be caught on the field, and he can't be missed on the highlight reel. The Michigan sophomore has 27 runs of 10 yards or more and 11 of 20 yards or more this season, including touchdown dashes of 87 yards against Notre Dame and 72 yards against Indiana.

Robinson has put on a show for the nation to see, but 10 of his teammates have the best seats in the (big) house.

"My view is HD," Michigan receiver Roy Roundtree said with a laugh.

"Most of the time," Wolverines guard Stephen Schilling said, "I'm looking at his back when he's running down the field."

Roundtree and Schilling had seen Robinson break off big runs in practice, but they've gained new appreciation for what he has done in games.

Robinson's instructions for Schilling and Michigan's other offensive linemen are simple: be decisive when blocking. The quarterback doesn't care which direction the linemen direct defenders, as long as he gets a good read and enough room for cutbacks.

He takes care of the rest.

"They’re making some big holes," Robinson said of his linemen. "Any back could run through them."

Schilling typically follows orders, but he slipped up on Michigan's second play from scrimmage against Indiana.

"I was blocking the 3-technique and I thought maybe I missed my block a little bit," he said. "By the time I turned around, hoping that [Robinson] wasn't getting tackled by the guy, he was already 15, 20 yards down the field.

"And then I saw him break away and I knew he was gone."

Roundtree was lined up in the slot when Robinson shot through the line and raced 72 yards.

"I saw him running past the other defenders and I was like 'Man, he is rolling,'" Roundtree said. "I'm like, 'OK, I'll beat him to the end zone because I know nobody's catching him.' Every time he breaks a run, all the offensive guys, we know where to head."

Schilling has been surprised by how quick Robinson shoots through creases. Although Michigan's offensive linemen never want to take a lazy attitude toward holding their blocks, Robinson doesn't make them wait long.

It has been a new experience for Schilling, who began his career blocking for former Michigan star running back Mike Hart.

"He was such a different back," Schilling said, "didn't really have the top-end speed but was quick and shifty and could make guys miss and always gained six or eight yards. Denard is kind of the opposite. He's faster and gets in the open space and then just can't be caught."

Schilling enjoys watching game film of Robinson's runs, especially the end-zone camera angles that show Robinson humbling defenders with his moves.

But Schilling isn't about to trade his view on Saturdays.

"It's nice on the field, especially at home, when the crowd starts going wild when he breaks away," Schilling said. "You can tell when he's gone."

Asked to identify the most heated game on the 2010 Big Ten slate, I was a bit stumped. Don't get me wrong, the Big Ten is loaded with long-standing rivalries as well as several great new ones. Ohio State-Michigan always will get the blood boiling on both sides. So will Wisconsin-Minnesota, Michigan-Michigan State, Purdue-Indiana, Penn State-Ohio State and, in recent years, Iowa-Penn State.

But we're looking for 2010 games that have a little something extra. Think Texas-Nebraska this fall at Memorial Stadium. There's bad blood there, especially after recent events. In Lincoln, they're already getting ready for the Longhorns.

Maybe the Big Ten is too damn civil these days, but the key figures in this league seem to like each other too much. We need a good coaching spat -- the Danny Hope-Rich Rodriguez exchange last season was entertaining, albeit not overly memorable -- or some trash talk between players. Could we get a coach running up the score on a rival, please? The SEC and Big 12 can't have all the fun.

One game this season certain to have some added fuel pairs Michigan and Michigan State on Oct. 9 at the Big(ger) House. The in-state rivalry always has some juice, but this year's matchup brings a little extra. Since Mike Hart's "little brother" comment after Michigan's 2007 win at Spartan Stadium, Michigan State has grown up a bit on the field.

The Spartans have won back-to-back games against Michigan for the first time since winning three straight from 1965-67. They claimed last year's contest in dramatic fashion, prevailing in overtime after squandering a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in all too familiar fashion.

Suddenly, Michigan State is the team that has gone bowling in each of the last three seasons, while Michigan has spent back-to-back winters at home after making 33 consecutive bowl appearances. Spartans seniors like Greg Jones can finish their careers 3-1 against Michigan with a win this fall.

Like any in-state rivalry, Michigan-Michigan State impacts the local recruiting scene. By any measure, Michigan State has upgraded its in-state recruiting efforts under Mark Dantonio, landing prospects like Edwin Baker, Larry Caper, William Gholston and Lawrence Thomas (2011 verbal). There's a perception held by some that the Spartans have surpassed Michigan in local recruiting, although Michigan has focused much of its efforts on other areas while still bringing in elite local prospects like William Campbell, Devin Gardner and Brennen Beyer (2011 verbal).

But to be considered the state's elite program, Michigan can't keep losing to the Spartans. Rodriguez needs to win this fall to keep his job, and this is the type of game that can build some much-needed goodwill from the Michigan brass. He doesn't want to be the first coach to drop consecutive home games to Michigan State since Bump Elliott in 1965 and 1967. Michigan's small senior class doesn't want to finish with a losing record against the Spartans.

Bottom line: there's plenty at stake Oct. 9. Regardless of the temperature, things will be hot inside the Big House. This game doesn't need trash talk or billboards, although I wouldn't be opposed to either.

Paging Mike Hart ...

About a month after Iowa cemented a strong Big Ten bowl performance at Miami's Sun Life Stadium, the Big Ten once again stood out on the same field in a huge game.

Former Big Ten players had major roles for the New Orleans Saints in a 31-17 win against Indianapolis on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIV.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees took home MVP honors after completing 32 of 39 passes for 288 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Brees, a standout at Purdue, became the fourth former Big Ten player in the last nine seasons to earn Super Bowl MVP honors, joining former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady (2002, 2004) and former Ohio State wide receiver Santonio Holmes (2009).

Brees was brilliant Sunday, but the game's biggest play came from former Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter, who intercepted a Peyton Manning pass and raced 74 yards to the end zone with 3:12 left. Porter finished the game with four tackles.

Former Illinois running back Pierre Thomas recorded six receptions for 55 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown that gave the Saints their first lead early in the third quarter. Thomas also had 30 rush yards on nine carries.

Former Iowa tight end Dallas Clark recorded a game-high 86 receiving yards on seven receptions for the Colts.

And who can forget former Wisconsin linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who recovered the onside kick for New Orleans at the start of the second half.

Other Big Ten notables:

• Former Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins recorded five tackles for the Saints, including one for loss, and had a key pass breakup.
• Former Illinois cornerback Kelvin Hayden recorded six tackles (five solo) for the Colts.
• Former Indiana wideout Courtney Roby stood out on special teams for New Orleans with four kick returns for 102 yards and a great tackle on punt coverage. He also downed a punt at the Indianapolis 4-yard line in the first quarter.
• Former Ohio State defensive end Will Smith recorded a tackle for the Saints.
• Former Michigan running back Mike Hart had two carries for four yards for the Colts.

In case you missed it, here's the full list of former Big Ten players and coaches who participated in the game.

I tried to find links that wouldn't be "old news" by post time. Enjoy.

• Penn State could have a good problem at quarterback in 2010, Joe Juliano writes in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Ohio State's trustees will vote on whether to increase ticket prices at football games, The Columbus Dispatch reports. New Buckeyes quarterback Taylor Graham has overcome injuries and stayed positive, ESPNChicago.com's Scott Powers writes.
• Michigan's newest signees weigh in on what happened during the recruiting process, annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes. Mike Hart would like to coach his alma mater some day, Nicholas Cotsonika writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• There's still a lot of mystery about the residence hall assault that put Michigan State players in hot water, Gene Myers and Shannon Shelton write in the Detroit Free Press.
• Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema is building his reputation as a strong closer in recruiting, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Iowa took a faster, more aggressive approach toward recruiting and it paid off this year, Andy Hamilton writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
• Northwestern's recruiting classes rarely earn high marks, but Pat Fitzgerald finds winners, Teddy Greenstein writes in the Chicago Tribune.
• Purdue players have benefited from enrolling early, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.

It's Super Bowl week, and here in Chicago, we're celebrating the hiring of Mike Martz as Bears offensive coordinator after a month-long search. Hope Jay Cutler has a life insurance policy.

OK, moving on to less depressing topics, like the Big Ten and Super Bowl XLIV.

Once again, the Big Ten has plenty of connections to the game, including 20 former players on the two teams, more than any other conference.

All 11 member schools will be represented by a player and/or coach participating in the game. Michigan has the highest number of former players (four), followed by Ohio State (three) and then six teams -- Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Northwestern, Purdue and Wisconsin -- each with two former players. Penn State and Minnesota will have former coaches on the sideline Sunday.

Both head coaches have Big Ten roots, as the Colts' Jim Caldwell played at Iowa and served as an assistant at Iowa, Northwestern and Penn State. The Saints' Sean Payton had a one-year stint as an Illinois assistant in 1996.

Here's the full lineup of Big Ten links to Super Bowl XLIV, courtesy of the league office:

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Players

Kelvin Hayden, DB, Illinois
Dallas Clark, TE, Iowa
Bob Sanders*, DB, Iowa
Mike Hart, RB, Michigan
Marlin Jackson*, DB, Michigan
Ervin Baldwin, DE, Michigan State
John Gill, DL, Northwestern
Anthony Gonzalez*, WR, Ohio State
Curtis Painter, QB, Purdue
Jim Sorgi*, QB, Wisconsin

Coaches

Jim Caldwell, Head Coach (Played at Iowa from 1973-76; Assistant at Iowa in 1977, Northwestern in 1981 and Penn State from 1986-92)
Larry Coyer, Defensive Coordinator (Assistant at Iowa from 1974-77 and Ohio State from 1991-92)
Gene Huey, Running Backs (Assistant at Ohio State from 1988-91)
Tom Moore, Offensive Coordinator (Played at Iowa from 1957-60; Assistant at Iowa from 1961-62 and Minnesota from 1972-73 and 1975-76)
Ray Rychleski, Special Teams (Assistant at Penn State in 1991)
Bill Teerlinck, Defensive Assistant (Assistant at Indiana from 2003-04)
John Teerlinck, Defensive Line (Assistant at Illinois from 1980-82)

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Players

Pierre Thomas, RB, Illinois
Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Courtney Roby, WR, Indiana
Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan
Jonathan Goodwin, C, Michigan
Zach Strief, OT, Northwestern
Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio State
Will Smith, DE, Ohio State
Drew Brees, QB, Purdue
Jonathan Casillas, LB, Wisconsin

Coaches

Sean Payton, Head Coach (Assistant at Illinois in 1996)
Greg McMahon, Special Teams (Assistant at Minnesota from 1983-84 and Illinois from 1992-2004)
Bret Ingalls, Running Backs (Assistant at Northwestern from 2006-08)
Aaron Kromer, Offensive Line/Running Game (Assistant at Northwestern from 1999-2000)
Mike Mallory, Assistant Special Teams (Played at Michigan from 1982-85; Assistant at Indiana from 1986-87 and Illinois from 2001-05)
Terry Malone, Tight Ends (Assistant at Michigan from 1997-2005)

*-Injured reserve

We'll start off with some of your thoughts on Michigan State's new proposed logo, and move on from there.

Adam from Baltimore writes: Hey Adam,Love the blog! As a life-long Spartan fan, just figured I'd respond about the new logo. It looks as though the new logo is trying very hard to replicate the look of the helmets in "300," which was kind of an inspiration during the '07 football season if I remember correctly. Maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I like the old logo better and it just doesn't seem right change a logo essentially for the sake of change. The helmets look cool in the movie, but as a 2D green and white version, it loses its appeal, in my opinion.

Brent from Westland, Mich., writes: Hey Adam,Spartan logo comment - I do not like the new one. For what Nike could do, or what MSU could do if they were that set on a new logo, this is embarrassing. It does not look like a professionally done design to me, just a sketch - it doesn't look finished. hopefully, it's not. I can wait until April, but for MSU to change to the logo that is circling the web is just ridiculous. Of course, I guess this is what happens when you sign on with Nike - you give them power to do what they want! It is shaping up to MSU being the next team they bring their Combat line too... Maybe they will do something cool like they did to TCU's uni's, but we will have to wait and see!! Thanks for all the info you keep posting, Adam!

Dustin from Clive, Iowa, writes: On the subject of the new MSU logo, maybe Nike legally needed a new logo before they could pursue the whole uniform upgrade and what-not. With such minor tweaks to the logo, it seems like it was done for legal reasons (new patent) rather than trying to "upgrade the logo" itself. Unless there is some sort of underlying meaning behind the subtle changes to the logo, this is the only scenario that makes any sense to me.

Ryan from Marion, Iowa, writes: Great Blog- don't know what I'd do at work without it.Obviously, the intent of the new MSU helmet design is to look more realistic. When I compare the two designs, the first thing I noticed was the realism/practicality upgrade in the eye shield. The old helmet has the appearance of being one piece with impact vibrations spreading throughout the apparatus and most likely disabling the Spartan for a considerable amount of fighting time. The eye shield on the new helmet has the look of an "add-on" that would isolate and contain the vibrations to that single piece, thus limiting injury. So this is my question: Is it MSU's real intent to accept and address the problem that they will ALWAYS be getting hit in the face?

Adam Rittenberg: Thanks for the great responses, guys, especially Ryan from Iowa. Very funny stuff. There's obviously much more to Michigan State's presentation (I hope!), and we'll learn a lot more about it in April. As I wrote earlier, I'm a fan of the current Spartans logo, which is one of the better ones in the Big Ten. I'm struck by how much power Nike has in college sports, as teams are bucking tradition (Ohio State) and changing logos in collaboration with The Swoosh. Pretty soon I'll be dressed head-to-toe in Nike apparel for my video posts.

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Steve from Fort Wayne, Ind., writes: What's this nonsense about Tressel retiring this decade???? Say it ain't so....

Adam Rittenberg: It's certainly possible that Jim Tressel will be coaching Ohio State in 2020, but he doesn't strike me as a guy who wants to do this another 10 years. Tressel just turned 58, yet I don't see him coaching that far into his sixties. The guy clearly has other interests and could pursue politics or athletics administration. I could see him doing some of the things Tony Dungy does these days when he's through at Ohio State. Again, it's just a prediction, but I think you'll see someone else on the sideline at The Shoe in 10 years.

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Eric from Newport Beach, Calif., writes: Adam,How do you leave Drew Brees off the All Decade Team. His last season was 2000 and you said players with one outstanding season made the list. He is the best QB the Big Ten has ever seen and with one game to win you would rather have Troy Smith on your team?

Adam Rittenberg: Tough call on Brees, but I'm not going to vote Smith as the No. 1 player in the Big Ten for the decade and then leave him off of the all-decade team. That doesn't make any sense. Brees won the Maxwell Award in 2000, but he had arguably a better season in 1999 and went nuts statistically in 1998. He's still a guy I'd associate more with the 1990s. It's funny how Smith and Michigan's Mike Hart created by far the most negative backlash from you folks. Smith was pretty darn good in 2005 and 2006, and Hart really had tremendous career numbers, despite some struggles in big games. I don't think Hart is a guy you just write off as overrated because you hate Michigan guys.

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Craig from Des Moines, Iowa, writes: I understand that in putting together an all-decade team and things of that sort it is impossible to not leave people out, but with that said:Chad Greenway>>Paul Posluzsny>James Laurinaitis>>>A.J. HawkHawk is clearly being exposed in the NFL while Greenway is standing out.

Adam Rittenberg: Unlike others, I didn't base my All-Big Ten lists on how a guy did at the next level. While Greenway was a great player, those other guys all accomplished a little bit more in college. The Big Ten was absolutely stacked at the linebacker position this decade, so it's very hard to narrow it down to only three guys.

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Brian from Goshen, Ind., writes: I've been enjoying your Top 10 of the decade lists. As you begin looking towards the next decade, which of your bottom six teams (Purdue, NW, Minn, MSU, IL, IU) if any, do you see being in the top tier for the 10's? Which of the Top 5 do you see moving down? Obviously a lot of unknowns but that's why its fun.

Adam Rittenberg: Northwestern and Michigan State are the likeliest candidates to move up, Brian. Northwestern has been on the edge of the top tier in each of the last two seasons, finishing fourth in the Big Ten. Michigan State had a third-place finish in 2008 before slipping a bit this fall. Both of those programs look extremely stable with their coaching staffs as well. Illinois and Indiana are already at the bottom, while Minnesota seems to be slipping a bit. Purdue is also a team I could see making a jump up to the top tier. As for who will move down from the upper tier, Michigan is already declining.

I hope you enjoyed the decade recap series. We had a lot of fun researching and putting it together. Not surprisingly, my top players list generated a ton of feedback -- mostly negative, but that's cool -- from the Big Ten faithful.

Because there were so many deserving players left off the list, I decided to put together an all-decade team to recognize some of the other standouts in the Big Ten from 2000-09. I made the offensive line a bit more general to acknowledge the best players there.

Unlike the top 10, I was a bit more lenient about players who had only one outstanding season during this decade.

Enjoy.

OFFENSE

QB: Troy Smith, Ohio State
RB: Mike Hart, Michigan
RB: Larry Johnson, Penn State
WR: Braylon Edwards, Michigan
WR: Charles Rogers, Michigan State
TE: Dallas Clark, Iowa
C: Greg Eslinger, Minnesota
OL: Joe Thomas, Wisconsin
OL: Robert Gallery, Iowa
OL: Jake Long, Michigan
OL: Eric Steinbach, Iowa

DEFENSE

DE: LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
DT: Wendell Bryant, Wisconsin
DT: Jared Odrick, Penn State
DE: Tamba Hali, Penn State
LB: Paul Posluzsny, Penn State
LB: A.J. Hawk, Ohio Sate
LB: James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
CB: Jamar Fletcher, Wisconsin
CB: Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State
S: Bob Sanders, Iowa
S: Mike Doss, Ohio State

SPECIALISTS

K: Mike Nugent, Ohio State
P: Travis Dorsch, Purdue
Returners: Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State and Steve Breaston, Michigan

Our decade recap continues with a look at the top players in the Big Ten from 2000-09. The league produced just one Heisman Trophy winner, Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith in 2006, but many other national award recipients on both sides of the ball.

We saw outstanding one-year performances from players like Brad Banks (2002), Larry Johnson (2002), James Hardy (2007) and Shonn Greene (2008), and impressive four-year career efforts from Paul Posluszny, James Laurinaitis, Mike Hart, Javon Ringer, Taylor Stubblefield and others.

The league produced solid linemen and linebackers the entire decade, while star quarterbacks and running backs were sprinkled throughout.

Believe me, it wasn't easy to get this list down to 10 players, but here goes.

I put more weight on players who had multiple outstanding seasons. Also, players who had most of their production in the 1990s didn't make the cut.

1. Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State: The league's lone Heisman Trophy winner tops the list. Smith took home the Heisman, the Walter Camp and the Big Ten MVP awards in 2006. He also led Ohio State to a Fiesta Bowl championship following the 2005 season.

2. Braylon Edwards, WR, Michigan: The 2004 Biletnikoff Award winner earned consensus All-America honors that year, completing a terrific four-year run in Ann Arbor. Edwards still holds the Big Ten record for career touchdown receptions with 39, two more than fellow Wolverine Anthony Carter.

3. A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State: Hawk was the face of a ferocious Buckeyes defense during the mid part of the decade. The two-time All-American (unanimous in 2005) won the Rotary Lombardi Award and helped Ohio State to a Fiesta Bowl victory.

4. Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin: The Thomas-Jake Long debate is a good one, but I'm giving the edge to Thomas, the 2006 Outland Trophy winner. Thomas anchored several powerful Wisconsin offensive lines, earned consensus All-America honors in 2006 and twice made the All-Big Ten squad.

5. Paul Posluszny, LB, Penn State: Posluszny is one of only two Big Ten players to win the Bednarik Award two times. He also took home the Butkus Award in 2005 and helped restore Penn State after the program had slipped from 2000-04.

6. James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State: Laurinaitis was quite possibly the most decorated Big Ten player of the decade on either side of the ball. He joined select company at Ohio State in earning All-America honors three times (unanimous in 2007). Laurinaitis won the Butkus and Nagurski awards and twice earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.

7. Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota: Laurence Maroney and Marion Barber III shared the rushing load, but Eslinger was the mainstay who created rushing lanes no matter who had the ball. The 2005 Rimington Trophy winner was Minnesota's only three-time All-Big Ten selection this decade.

8. Bob Sanders, S, Iowa: No player meant more to Iowa's renaissance this decade than Sanders, the team's only three-time All-Big Ten selection in the aughts. Nicknamed "The Hitman," Sanders epitomized a program that got the most from its players for the majority of the decade.

9. Mike Hart, RB, Michigan: We witnessed lot of great one-year performances from Big Ten running backs, but Hart was one of the league's few mainstays this decade. Despite being plagued by injuries as a sophomore, Hart finished fourth on the Big Ten's all-time rushing list (5,040 yards) and had 28 career 100-yard rushing games.

10. Antwaan Randle El, QB, Indiana: Randle El brought a new brand of football to the Big Ten and had a record-setting career despite never reaching a bowl game. The dual-threat star won Big Ten MVP honors in 2001 and ranks fourth on the league's career total offense list with 11,364 yards.

Also considered: Michigan T Jake Long, Michigan State WR Charles Rogers, Michigan State RB Javon Ringer, Iowa QB Brad Banks, Iowa T Robert Gallery, Purdue WR Taylor Stubblefield, Ohio State WR Ted Ginn Jr., Michigan DE LaMarr Woodley, Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall, Penn State QB Michael Robinson, Penn State RB Larry Johnson, Purdue WR Dorien Bryant, Purdue WR John Standeford, Ohio State S Mike Doss, Wisconsin DE Erasmus James, Iowa RB Shonn Greene, Northwestern QB Brett Basanez, Illinois LB J Leman, Penn State LB Dan Connor.