ESPN College Football

Iowa opened spring practice today, and head coach Kirk Ferentz met with reporters to preview the next few weeks.

A few takeaways from Ferentz's news conference and Iowa's spring two-deep:

• Health update: safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood will miss spring ball following shoulder surgeries; running back Adam Robinson also will sit out following shoulder surgery; linemen Steve Bigach (knee) and Kyle Haganman (shoulder) also are out following surgeries. Running back Jewel Hampton (knee) has been cleared to practice this spring and will be involved in some contact drills (won't be tackled). Wide receiver Paul Chaney Jr. (knee) will be very limited in spring ball but should be back to full strength by June. Defensive end Dominic Alvis (groin) will be very limited. Nolan MacMillan could be in the mix at offensive line, but he's still working back from sports hernia surgery.
• Not surprisingly, Ferentz fielded several questions about the offensive line, which loses four players who started part or all of last season. Iowa's spring depth chart shows the starting offense line as Riley Reiff at left tackle, Julian Vandervelde at left guard, Josh Koeppel or James Ferentz at center, Adam Gettis at right guard and Markus Zusevics at right tackle. But don't read into that too much, as Ferentz likened filling out the first string, after Reiff and Vandervelde, to throwing darts or flipping coins. "We probably have eight or nine guys competing for the top spots," Ferentz said. "We have a lot of guys on pretty equal footing as far as the competition goes."
• As expected, Shaun Prater is listed as the starter at right cornerback, while Micah Hyde appears as the starter at left corner ahead of both William Lowe and Jordan Bernstine, who comes back from an ankle injury that sidelined him all of last season. Amari Spievey was a huge loss, and it will be interesting to see who steps in for him.
• Ferentz gave a very Ferentz-like answer when asked about the expectations Iowa will face heading into 2010. "We have some very good players back and that will drive expectations," he said. "Preseason polls are a lot like recruiting rankings. They are all speculative. Recruiting rankings are based on what guys did in high school, which is the only way you can rank them. I think preseason rankings are based on your experience level, your success level and then maybe the name of your school, too. So those three things factor in. ... Outside of maybe the name-brand schools, the preseason polls are usually not real accurate."
• Ferentz called the competition at kicker wide open between Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker. "We can do better at that position," he said.
• Ferentz praised the development of linebackers Jeff Tarpinian, Troy Johnson and Tyler Nielsen, who will compete for the two vacant starting spots alongside Jeremiha Hunter. "Quite frankly I'm almost more worried about a year from now at our linebacker spot," he said. "Sounds kind of funny, our two pretty good seniors graduating, but we are top heavy age-wise."
• Ferentz is optimistic about the competition at running backs and would like to have three healthy options on game days this fall.
• The coach also gave an update on his NCAA tournament bracket, which, like many of ours, is busted. One of his daughters, meanwhile, picked Northern Iowa's upset of Kansas. "She knows nothing about basketball," Ferentz said. "Her other picks were -- she was leading after the first two days. I guess she's still leading. She's beating the president, right now, on her brackets. Whatever. Mine are awful."

I'm man enough to admit mistakes, so here's one: I haven't given special teams nearly enough attention in the blog. As we saw throughout the 2009 regular season and bowl season, the kicking game often makes the difference in the final outcome.

Consider this a fresh start.

Let's take a look at who's back, who's gone and how the special-teams units look for each Big Ten squad in 2010. We'll start with the first six teams (by alphabetical order) and examine the other five later Tuesday.

ILLINOIS

• Kicker: Derek Dimke and Matt Eller both return. Dimke went 5-for-5 on field-goal attempts (all beyond 30 yards) after taking over for Eller, who struggled in his second year, connecting on only 4 of 11 attempts.
• Punter: Senior Anthony Santella returns after ranking sixth in the league in punting average (41.3 ypp).
• Kick return: Troy Pollard is back, but Arrelious Benn and A.J. Jenkins both depart. Illinois finished ninth in the league last fall in this category (19.3 ypr).
• Punt return: Jarred Fayson and Jack Ramsey both come back. Illinois ranked last in the league in punt returns in 2009 (4.2 ypr)
• Quick thoughts: Illinois needs to upgrade its kicking game to have any shot at turning things around in 2010. The return game really struggled (114th nationally in punt returns, 105th in kick returns), and kickoff coverage wasn't good, either (90th). Dimke provided a nice spark late in the season, but Illinois has too much talent not to make a bigger splash in returns.

INDIANA

• Kicker: Sophomore Nick Freeland returns after connecting on 14 of 25 attempts in 2009. Redshirt freshman Mitch Ewald and senior Nick Ford also are in the mix here.
• Punter: Junior Chris Hagerup is back after finishing eighth in the league in punting average (40.5 ypp).
• Kick return: Ray Fisher, who led the Big Ten in kick return average (37.4 ypr), is gone. Wide receiver Tandon Doss, who led IU with 25 runbacks, returns for his junior season.
• Punt return: Indiana loses Fisher but brings back Doss. The Hoosiers finished second in the Big Ten in punt returns last fall (10.3 ypr).
• Quick thoughts: Fisher is a major loss in the return game, but Doss certainly has the ability to fill the void. Indiana must figure things out on field goals, as it ranked last in the Big Ten in percentage last fall (.560). The offense should be pretty dynamic in 2010, so any help the kicking game provides would be huge. Indiana covered punts well but needs to improve on kickoffs after finishing 93rd nationally (23.2 ypr).

IOWA

• Kicker: Daniel Murray handled all of Iowa's field goals in 2009, connecting on 19 of 26 attempts. Junior Trent Mossbrucker also returns.
• Punter: Senior Ryan Donahue will contend for All-Big Ten honors this fall after averaging 40.9 yards per punt in 2009.
• Kick return: Senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is back after finishing second in the league in kick return average (31.5 ypr). Running back Brandon Wegher and wideout Paul Chaney Jr. also are back.
• Punt return: Senior Colin Sandeman is back, and he'll compete with Chaney and possibly others for the top job.
• Quick thoughts: Special teams should be a major strength for the Hawkeyes in 2010. Johnson-Koulianos showed against Ohio State how dangerous he can be on kickoff returns. Donahue and Murray are two of the league's more experienced specialists. Iowa's coverage units fared well in 2009, ranking ninth nationally in kick coverage (18.4 ypr) and 21st in punt coverage (5.7 ypr).

MICHIGAN

• Kicker: The Wolverines must replace Jason Olesnavage, who connected on 11 of 15 attempts in 2009.
• Punter: Michigan suffers a big loss here as Ray Guy Award finalist Zoltan Mesko departs. Mesko led the Big Ten in punting average (44.5 ypp).
• Kick return: Wideout Darryl Stonum is back after averaging 25.7 yards per runback with a touchdown in 2009. Michigan's No. 2 option, Martavious Odoms, also returns for 2010. The Wolverines ranked third in the Big Ten in kick returns last fall (23.8 ypr).
• Punt return: Junior Hemingway is back after leading U-M in punt returns (8.6 ypr). Odoms had six punt returns last fall, though Michigan could look to its younger players here.
• Quick thoughts: Replacing Mesko won't be easy, and Olesnavage quietly turned in a strong season, especially from long range. Incoming punter recruit Will Hagerup will step into the fire right away for the Wolverines. Kick returns should be a strength, and Michigan did a decent job on coverage last year, ranking 20th in punt coverage and third in the Big Ten in net kickoff coverage.

MICHIGAN STATE

• Kicker: The Spartans suffer a big loss here, as first-team All-Big Ten selection Brett Swenson departs. Swenson went 19-for-22 on field goals last fall and led the Big Ten in kick scoring (101 points).
• Punter: Senior Aaron Bates returns after finishing fifth in the league in punting average (41.6 ypp).
• Kick return: Wide receiver Keshawn Martin is back after becoming arguably the Big Ten's most dangerous return man last fall. Michigan State needs a No. 2 option here.
• Punt return: Martin did a nice job on punt returns in 2009, averaging 7.4 yards per runback.
• Quick thoughts: Swenson leaves a major void at kicker, as Dan Conroy and Kevin Muma compete to replace the back-to-back All-Big Ten selection. Martin really blossomed on returns during Big Ten play and could be a huge X-factor for Michigan State this fall. The Spartans' coverage teams were average in 2009. If Conroy and/or Muma can hold their own on field goals, special teams could be a real strength for Mark Dantonio's team.

MINNESOTA

• Kicker: Eric Ellestad is back for his senior year after connecting on 13 of 17 field-goal attempts, with all the makes coming from within 40 yards.
• Punter: Minnesota loses Blake Haudan, who had a very solid 2009 season, ranking third in the league in average (42.6 ypp). Sophomore Dan Orseske will step in this fall.
• Kick return: Wideout Troy Stoudermire is back after once again getting a ton of action on returns, recording 43 runbacks for 1,057 yards (24.6 ypr). Duane Bennett and Hayo Carpenter are possible No. 2 options.
• Punt return: Sophomore wideout Bryant Allen is back after averaging 12.2 yards on six runbacks last fall. Minnesota led the Big Ten in punt return average (14.7 ypr), although the Gophers also had the fewest opportunities (9).
• Quick thoughts: Haudan was a very solid punter in 2009, so Orseske will have some big shoes to fill. Stoudermire and Allen are fine options on returns, and Ellestad did a nice job on the kicks he should make. Minnesota really struggled on kickoff coverage, ranking 102nd nationally (24.1 ypr). If the offense starts slow again this fall, Minnesota will need to be sharp in the kicking game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

MADISON, Wis. -- Greetings from Camp Randall Stadium, site of today's homecoming clash between No. 11 Iowa and Wisconsin.

At 6-0, Iowa is off to its best start since 1985 and carries the nation's second-longest win streak (10 games) into today's contest. The Hawkeyes won last year's game 38-16 in Iowa City to claim the Heartland Trophy.

In a truly amazing statistic, the all-time series is tied at 41-41-2. Wisconsin has a 26-17-1 edge in games played in Madison, though Iowa has won two of its last three games at Camp Randall Stadium.

The weather is perfect, with mostly sunny skies, temperatures in the mid 40s and winds at 8-10 mph.

Injuries: Iowa will be playing its first game without punt and kick returner Paul Chaney Jr., who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last week. Wisconsin running back Zach Brown, who opened the season as the starter, is out with a concussion. Badgers backup right guard Bill Nagy is still fighting a foot injury.

THREE QUICK KEYS FOR IOWA

1. Block O'Brien Schofield -- No one has succeeded this season, and Schofield leads the nation with 16.5 tackles for loss and leads the Big Ten with 6.5 sacks. But Iowa has a good chance to slow down the Badgers' star defensive end with stout offensive tackles Kyle Calloway and Bryan Bulaga.

2. Pick spots to attack -- Wisconsin's defense is extremely opportunistic but will give up big plays from time to time. Iowa's Ricky Stanzi threw the deep ball very well last week and should use tight end Tony Moeaki as much as possible. Stanzi obviously must be careful with his decisions, especially on shorter routes, as interceptions are his bugaboo.

3. Hold the ground against Clay -- Iowa's run defense struggled in the second half last week against Michigan's Brandon Minor and Denard Robinson. Wisconsin's bruising back John Clay often does his best work after halftime, so the Hawkeyes' durability on defense will be tested.

THREE KEYS FOR WISCONSIN

1. Pound away with Clay -- Michigan had success last week with Minor when it went to a conventional I-formation in the third quarter. Wisconsin needs to keep pounding away with Clay and hope to wear down the middle of the Hawkeyes defense. If not, quarterback Scott Tolzien will have to make some tough throws against an Iowa defense filled with playmakers.

2. Make Stanzi win the game -- Stanzi has been very resilient this year, but Iowa is also largely winning games in spite of his mistakes. Wisconsin must take away the run and force Stanzi to win a tough road game. The Badgers have nine interceptions from seven different players, and they can capitalize on mistakes from the opposing quarterback.

3. Don't get killed in special teams -- Special teams are certainly a weakness for Wisconsin and a strength for Iowa, even without Chaney. In a game that likely will be decided by one or two miscues, the Badgers can't afford another breakdown in special teams after allowing a long kick return for a touchdown last week at Ohio State.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Special teams have been strong suit for No. 11 Iowa during its 6-0 start, but the Hawkeyes have suffered a big loss in their return game.

Junior wide receiver Paul Chaney Jr. suffered an ACL injury in Saturday's win against Michigan and will undergo season-ending surgery, head coach Kirk Ferentz announced Tuesday. Chaney is Iowa's top return man on both punts and kickoffs, averaging 20.1 yards on kickoff returns and 5.1 yards on punt returns. He also has seven receptions and five rushes this season.

"He was working hard, really having a good year, doing a lot of good things for us, and it's a tough loss," Ferentz said Tuesday. "Like every injury, we really feel badly for him, and I know he'll get back and come back strong and have a great senior year, but it's very unfortunate."

Injuries have hit Iowa's receiving corps hard this year, but things appear to be getting a bit better despite the loss of Chaney. Tight end Tony Moeaki returned to the field against Michigan after missing three games and had a spectacular performance, while wideout Derrell Johnson-Koulianos looks healthy again.

True freshman Keenan Davis will play a bigger role in the rotation at receiver with Chaney sidelined.

Colin Sandeman, who battled back problems earlier, will replace Chaney on punt returns. Running back Brandon Wegher now becomes Iowa's primary kickoff return man, and he'll be joined by cornerback Amari Spievey, running back Paki O'Meara or Sandeman.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz has defended quarterback Ricky Stanzi multiple times this season, and he'll likely have to do so again.

Stanzi and wide receiver Paul Chaney Jr. appeared to have a miscommunication on a short route, and the result proved disastrous for the Hawkeyes. Michigan got the start it wanted, as star cornerback Donovan Warren picked off a Stanzi pass thrown nowhere near a receiver and raced 40 yards untouched to the end zone.

Stanzi has now thrown pick-sixes in consecutive games. He has as many interceptions as touchdown passes (8) on the season.

As strong as Iowa's defense has been, no team can repeatedly survive major mistakes from its starting quarterback. Just as Wisconsin after today's loss to Ohio State.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

If Iowa's depth chart is any indication, the Hawkeyes' offense could be fighting an uphill battle on Saturday night at No. 5 Penn State (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

Left tackle Bryan Bulaga, tight end Tony Moeaki and wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos are all absent from the two-deep issued Monday. Bulaga has missed the last two games with an undisclosed illness, while the oft-injured Moeaki missed the Arizona game with an ankle problem. Johnson-Koulianos, the team's leading wideout the last two seasons, is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz addresses the media Tuesday, but here's what he had to say about the injury situation after Saturday's game.

Any chance all three of those guys could play next week?

Ferentz: There's a chance; I don't know if it's a good chance. I hope it's a good chance.

Doesn't sound too optimistic.

Redshirt freshman Riley Reiff would get the start at left tackle if Bulaga can't play. Allen Reisner and Brad Herman would handle things at tight end, and Paul Chaney Jr. would play a bigger role in the passing game if Johnson-Koulianos is unavailable.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Is it September yet?

• A ton of good stuff from The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises, who wonders whether the Borens or Homans are Ohio State's toughest brother tandem, whether Buckeyes running back Brandon Saine has finally turned the corner and whether the "Boom" nickname fits Dan Herron.  
• More interesting quotes from quarterback Steven Threet on why he transferred from Michigan, Joe Stapleton writes in The Michigan Daily. 

S: There was one quote that stood out for me from last season. It was after the Michigan State game when Michigan's offensive coordinator Calvin McGee described your play as "inconsistent, as always."

T: I guess I feel like that's a difference of philosophy from the previous staff. Granted, coaches do different things to get the most out of their players. Some people close to me were upset that a coach would call me out in front of the media, but you know, in the end it didn't really matter to me. And to be honest, my play in the Michigan State game was inconsistent. Is it right to say that at the press conference after the game? I mean, we had just lost a big rivalry game, so I would chalk most of that up to emotions after a big game like that.

• Penn State picked up a commitment from offensive lineman Luke Graham.  
• Former Ohio State wide receiver Dan Potokar is winning his battle against cancer, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch. 
• It ain't happening, but the Detroit Free Press makes some suggestions for the Big Ten's 12th member. 
• Minnesota failed to produce an NFL draft pick for the first time since 1999, and head coach Tim Brewster wants to ensure it doesn't happen again on his watch, Marcus Fuller writes in the [St. Paul] Pioneer Press. 
• After generating some buzz with Iowa's track team, Paul Chaney Jr. hopes to reach his potential as a wide receiver this fall, The Gazette's Marc Morehouse writes in his blog.