ESPN College Football

The wait is finally over for Big Ten players not selected in April's NFL draft.

Free agent deals are finally taking place during a whirlwind week in the post-lockout NFL.

We'll have additional updates as the day goes on, but here's a look at where Big Ten players are landing.

ILLINOIS

• CB Travon Bellamy, St. Louis Rams
• WR Jarred Fayson: New Orleans Saints
• G Randall Hunt: St. Louis Rams
• DE Clay Nurse: New England Patriots

INDIANA

• QB Ben Chappell: Washington Redskins
• WR Terrance Turner: Philadelphia Eagles

IOWA

• P Ryan Donahue: Detroit Lions
• LB Jeremiah Hunter: New Orleans Saints
• TE Allen Reisner: Minnesota Vikings
• LB Jeff Tarpinian: New England Patriots

MICHIGAN

• T Perry Dorrestein: New York Jets
• CB James Rogers: Denver Broncos
• TE Martell Webb: Philadelphia Eagles

MICHIGAN STATE

• WR Mark Dell: Denver Broncos
• LB Eric Gordon: Jacksonville Jaguars
• T D.J. Young: Arizona Cardinals

MINNESOTA

• T Dom Alford: Cleveland Browns
• FB Jon Hoese: Green Bay Packers
• QB Adam Weber: Denver Broncos

NEBRASKA

• K Adi Kunalic: Carolina Panthers
• TE Mike McNeill: Indianapolis Colts
• DE Pierre Allen: Seattle Seahawks
• G Ricky Henry: Chicago Bears
• T D.J. Jones: Miami Dolphins
• S Rickey Thenarse: Seattle Seahawks

NORTHWESTERN

• DT Corbin Bryant: Chicago Bears
• LB Quentin Davie: Detroit Lions

OHIO STATE

• G Bryant Browning: St. Louis Rams
• G Justin Boren: Baltimore Ravens
• RB Brandon Saine: Green Bay Packers
• WR Dane Sanzenbacher: Chicago Bears
• DT Dexter Larimore: New Orleans Saints
• CB Devon Torrence: Minnesota Vikings

PENN STATE

• WR Brett Brackett: Miami Dolphins
• LB Chris Colasanti: Indianapolis Colts
• LB Bani Gbadyu: Oakland Raiders
• DT Ollie Ogbu: Indianapolis Colts

PURDUE

• TE Kyle Adams: Chicago Bears
• WR Keith Smith: Detroit Lions

WISCONSIN

• CB Niles Brinkley: Pittsburgh Steelers
• RB John Clay: Pittsburgh Steelers
• QB Scott Tolzien: San Diego Chargers

During my Big Ten chat Wednesday, Dan from B1G Country asked about any NFL draft bargains from the conference this year.

With the draft set to begin Thursday night, I thought this would be a good time to look at some Big Ten players who might benefit teams in the middle or later rounds, or even as free-agent pickups.

Here's one potential bargain from each Big Ten squad (heights and weights according to ESPN's Scouts Inc.).

ILLINOIS
Randall Hunt, G, 6-6, 318
The skinny: Hunt anchored a formidable Illinois offensive line that helped Mikel Leshoure and others run wild in 2010. He shut down Baylor's Phil Taylor in the Texas Bowl and brings a sturdy frame to the interior line. Hunt wouldn't be a bad choice in the later rounds.

INDIANA
James Brewer, T, 6-6, 323
The skinny: I'm hesitant to call Brewer a bargain because he could be off the board early in the draft. Indiana had another tackle, Rodger Saffold, taken with the first pick of the second round in 2010. Brewer has the size to be good at the next level, and if he's still available on the third day, he'd be a nice pick.

IOWA
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR, 5-11, 202
The skinny: The character questions are there, but DJK was an extremely productive player at Iowa and could be a nice late-round addition for a team. He's a strong route runner with good speed and good hands, and he can stretch defenses. If a team is willing to take a bit of a risk, it could be rewarded.

MICHIGAN
Stephen Schilling, G, 6-4, 308
The skinny: Schilling played a ton of football at Michigan and helped the Wolverines to a record-setting offensive performance in 2010. His measurables might not blow teams away, but he's a smart, solid lineman who could be a nice addition in the middle to later rounds.

MICHIGAN STATE
Eric Gordon, LB/S, 5-11, 224
The skinny: Overshadowed by fellow linebacker Greg Jones for much of his career, Gordon quietly produced at an extremely high rate for Michigan State. You could argue he was the Spartans' best linebacker during the second half of the 2010 season. Gordon turned in an impressive performance on pro day and would be a nice pickup late in the draft or as a free agent.

MINNESOTA
Adam Weber, QB, 6-3, 221
The skinny: Some Gophers fans might scoff at this, but I always felt Weber got a raw deal during his college career. He played for three different offensive coordinators, never complained about it and still set a bunch of team records. While his junior season was a disappointment, Weber did some good things last fall and drew respect around the Big Ten. Not a bad pick in the later rounds.

NEBRASKA
Eric Hagg, S, 6-1, 209
The skinny: Hagg is a playmaker, as he showed with a team-high five interceptions plus a school-record 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Texas. He also brings versatility to the table, having played a safety-linebacker hybrid role last fall for the Blackshirts. Hagg has played on an elite college defense and would be a good get in the middle to late rounds.

NORTHWESTERN
Quentin Davie, LB, 6-4, 238
The skinny: Davie entered the 2010 season as a solid NFL prospect and started off strong but disappeared at times down the stretch. He made big plays throughout his career and boasts good size as an outside linebacker. Davie could help a team as a late-round or free-agent addition if he gets back to his 2009 form.

OHIO STATE
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, 5-11, 182
The skinny: If I were an NFL general manager, I wouldn't hesitate to draft Sanzenbacher. He lacks ideal measurables but makes up for it with football intelligence and a fearless approach to the game. Sanzenbacher has great hands and became Ohio State's top threat in the red zone this season. He stood out at the Senior Bowl and would be an excellent pick in the middle rounds.

PENN STATE
Evan Royster, RB, 5-11, 212
The skinny: Royster is a patient runner with good vision who could thrive in the right situation at the pro level. His slow start to the 2010 season is a concern, but he picked things up down the stretch and boasts a productive college résumé. If a team needs a running back in the late rounds, Royster would be a nice choice.

PURDUE
Keith Smith, WR, 6-2, 224
The skinny: There's risk here as Smith comes off of tears in two knee ligaments, but a team could get a major steal if the Boilers receiver can stay healthy. He has the size to excel at the pro level and might have been the Big Ten's top receiver had he stayed on the field last season. Smith is a class act who has a chance to be a solid NFL receiver.

WISCONSIN
Scott Tolzien, QB, 6-2, 209
The skinny: He might never be a full-time starter in the NFL, but teams certainly can benefit from having Tolzien on the roster. He's an extremely smart player who makes up for mediocre measurables with superb intangibles. Tolzien is accurate and efficient, and he'll prepare harder than anyone. If a team needs a quarterback in the later rounds, Tolzien would be a great pick.

Given Bryce McNaul's injury history, Northwestern might feel a bit leery about relying too heavily on the linebacker this season. The senior has missed portions of the past three seasons with various ailments.

Then again, the Wildcats have no choice. After losing two starting linebackers (Nate Williams and Quentin Davie) who combined for 167 tackles, Northwestern needs big things from McNaul at an otherwise shaky position.

The team got some good news Monday when it resumed practice following spring break and McNaul was on the field, fully cleared for participation. McNaul had shoulder surgery Feb. 16 -- he had his AC joint removed -- and was supposed to be limited this spring. But he made a rapid recovery.

From NUsports.com's Skip Myslenski:

"It's kind of funny because the last shoulder surgery I had was around the same time after the Alamo Bowl back in '09," McNaul said. "That was an eight-month recovery and it was kind of all doom-and-gloom. So when they told me shoulder surgery, and especially when they said we're taking your AC joint out, I'm like, 'Oh, great. Here we go again.' But I came out of surgery and I kind of had a smile on my face because I felt great. It was a 45-minute operation and, like I said, they just cleaned it up. They didn't have to reconstruct or re-patch the whole thing. So it's all good. I just have a few more holes in the shoulder."

Although McNaul had been on schedule to return this fall either way, his participation in spring ball can only help the Wildcats linebacking corps. He started nine games last fall and will provide leadership for a group that needs some unproven players to emerge.

The spring superlatives series, which examines the strongest and weakest position groups for each Big Ten squad in spring ball, continues with Northwestern.

Strongest position: Wide receiver/tight end (superback)

• Top returnees: Jeremy Ebert (62 receptions, 952 yards, 8 TDs); Drake Dunsmore (40 receptions, 381 yards, 5 TDs); Demetrius Fields (25 receptions, 291 yards, 2 TDs); Charles Brown (16 receptions, 198 yards); Rashad Lawrence (12 receptions, 178 yards)
• Key losses: Sidney Stewart (40 receptions, 454 yards)
• The skinny: New receivers coach Dennis Springer inherits the deepest position group on the roster. Ebert, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, headlines the receivers along with Dunsmore, who can be more productive than he was in 2010. Both players will be featured a lot this fall. The big upside with the group comes from three rising sophomores -- Lawrence, Tony Jones and Venric Mark -- all of whom saw the field as true freshmen last fall. All three players possess big-play potential, which Northwestern needs as it struggles to stretch the field at times.

Weakest position: Linebacker

• Top returnees: Bryce McNaul (62 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble); David Nwabuisi (26 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble); Ben Johnson (21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery)
• Key losses: Nate Williams (96 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble; Quentin Davie (71 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 6 quarterback hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery)
• The skinny: A group pegged to be the strength of the defense struggled to meet expectations in 2010. Northwestern got steamrolled in losses to Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas Tech, and in the second halves of defeats against both Penn State and Michigan State. Two productive starters depart and there are questions about who can fill the gaps. McNaul boasts talent and leadership ability but has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Northwestern needs more from both Nwabuisi and Johnson and a surprising surge from a guy like Roderick Goodlow this fall. The kicker spot also is a concern after the departure of four-year starter Stefan Demos.

It took a little while, but I've managed to find the full statistics from Saturday's NFLPA all-star game, which pitted Team Texas against Team Nation.

The Texas all-stars won 13-7, and nine Big Ten players participated in the game -- six for Team Nation, three for Team Texas (Wisconsin's Jay Valai was a late addition).

Here's how the Big Ten contingent fared:

• Iowa receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos recorded game highs in both receptions (5) and receiving yards (77) for the Nation squad. DJK didn't wear an Iowa helmet in the game and instead sported this headgear.
• Valai recorded six tackles for Team Texas
• Illinois defensive end Clay Nurse recorded four tackles and a sack for Team Nation
• Northwestern linebacker Quentin Davie recorded three tackles for Team Texas, while his college and all-star teammate, defensive tackle Corbin Bryant, had a sack and two tackles
• Ohio State cornerback Devon Torrence recorded a tackle for Team Nation

You can also check out my Big Ten recaps for the Senior Bowl and the East-West Shrine Game.

The Senior Bowl on Saturday doesn't mark the end of the all-star season for Big Ten players.

Eight players from Big Ten squads will head to San Antonio next week to prepare for the NFL Players Association all-star game that pits players from around the country against those from Texas. Colleague Todd McShay thinks the talent level at the NFLPA game is on par with that from the East-West Shrine Game last week.

Here are the Big Ten participants heading to the Alamodome:

NATION TEAM

• Iowa WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos
• Michigan State OT D.J. Young
• Illinois DE Clay Nurse
• Iowa LB Jeremiha Hunter
• Wisconsin CB Niles Brinkley
• Ohio State CB Devon Torrence

TEXAS TEAM

• Northwestern DT Corbin Bryant
• Northwestern LB Quentin Davie

The NFLPA game takes place Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. ET.

Let's put a bow on this year's Big Ten postseason by taking a look at the league's All-Bowl team.

OFFENSE

QB: Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
Pryor won MVP honors in a BCS bowl for the second consecutive season as he led Ohio State to a victory in the Sugar Bowl. The junior maintained his focus after the suspension controversy and recorded 222 pass yards and two touchdowns to go along with 115 rush yards on 15 carries. Illinois' Nathan Scheelhaase merits a mention after a strong effort in the Texas Bowl.

RB: Marcus Coker, Iowa
The true freshman rushed for an Iowa bowl record 219 yards and two touchdowns as the Hawkeyes beat Missouri in the Insight Bowl. Coker was the team's only proven option at running back for the bowl, and he stepped up in a big way, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.

RB: Mikel Leshoure, Illinois
The Big Ten's best running back ended his season -- and, as it turned out, his college career -- in typical fashion, rushing for 184 yards and three touchdowns as Illinois blew out Baylor. Leshoure broke five team records and tied a sixth with his bowl performance, most notably breaking Rashard Mendenhall's single-season Illinois rushing record with 1,697 yards.

WR: Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State
Sanzenbacher caught three passes for 59 yards and a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl, but his biggest contribution came on the game's opening drive. After Pryor fumbled the ball near the goal line, Sanzenbacher swooped in for the recovery and his first career "rushing" touchdown. The Great Dane showed why he was voted Ohio State's team MVP.

WR: Derek Moye, Penn State
His quarterback threw too many passes to Florida defenders, but Moye did his part for Penn State with five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. He nearly had a second touchdown following a 44-yard reception but the ball was placed at the 1-yard line. Penn State scored on the next play to tie the score at 14-14.

TE: Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State
Ohio State featured its tight ends in a 28-point first half at the Sugar Bowl, and Stoneburner benefited with three receptions for 39 yards. Fellow tight end Reid Fragel added a 42-yard reception. Wisconsin's Lance Kendricks, Iowa's Allen Reisner and Michigan's Kevin Koger all merit mentions here.

OL: Josh Koeppel, Iowa
Koeppel and fellow linemen James Ferentz and Markus Zusevics got Coker going early by creating a huge hole for the freshman early in the second quarter. Coker zipped through it for a 62-yard touchdown as Iowa surged out to a 14-3 lead.

OL: Jeff Allen, Illinois
Allen helped the Illini rack up 38 points and 291 offensive yards in the rout of Baylor. He also protected Scheelhaase, who completed his first 13 pass attempts and finished the game 18-for-23 passing.

OL: Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
The Badgers didn't have the dominant offensive performance they envisioned against TCU, but they still rushed for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Carimi, the 2010 Outland Trophy winner, did his part in his final collegiate game.

OL: Randall Hunt, Illinois
Hunt and Allen earned the highest grades from the Illini coaches after the team dominated Baylor in the Texas Bowl. Illinois mounted seven drives of 53 yards or longer, including two fourth-quarter touchdown drives that overpowered the Bears and put away the game.

C: Mike Brewster, Ohio State
Ohio State physically dominated Arkansas up front in the first half, and Brewster led the way from the center position. He helped clear the way for Herron's walk-in 9-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Ohio State racked up 28 points and 338 yards in the first half and finished with 225 rush yards against Arkansas.

DEFENSE

DL: Cameron Heyward, Ohio State
Heyward delivered the best performance of his college career in his final game as a Buckeye. The senior racked up 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup. He also caused a critical holding penalty by Arkansas midway through the fourth quarter.

DL: Corey Liuget, Illlinois
Liuget showed Baylor why he was the Big Ten's most disruptive defensive tackle this season. The junior recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack and caused a ton of trouble in the Bears' backfield.

DL: Dexter Larimore, Ohio State
Heyward drew most of the praise in the Sugar Bowl, but Larimore caused almost as many problems for the Arkansas offensive line. The senior recorded six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble as Ohio State held Arkansas' offense in check for a good portion of the game.

DL: Devon Still, Penn State
Still set a career high with 3.5 tackles for loss in Penn State's Outback Bowl loss to Florida. He tied for second on the team with seven tackles as Penn State prevented Florida from mounting long scoring drives.

LB: James Morris, Iowa
Like Coker, Morris raised hope for the Hawkeyes' future with a strong performance in the Insight Bowl. He recorded seven tackles, including one stop for loss, and showed more aggressiveness than some of his older teammates.

LB: Quentin Davie, Northwestern
The TicketCity Bowl wasn't a banner day for Northwestern's defense, but Davie did his part with 15 tackles, including two tackles for loss. His tackles total marked a career high in his final collegiate game with the Wildcats.

LB: Martez Wilson, Illinois
Wilson was a noticeable presence in what turned out to be his final game in an Illini uniform. Tez recorded seven tackles including one for loss in the win against Baylor.

DB: Micah Hyde, Iowa
Hyde made the biggest play of the Big Ten bowl season, picking off a Blaine Gabbert pass and returning the ball 72 yards for the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Iowa appeared headed toward another second-half collapse before Hyde made Gabbert pay for his only bad decision of the game.

DB: D'Anton Lynn, Penn State
Lynn made a huge impact at the start of the Outback Bowl, recording an interception and recovering a fumble in the Penn State end zone in the first 10 minutes of the game. He finished the season tied with Nick Sukay for the team lead in interceptions with three.

DB: Terry Hawthorne, Illinois
The sophomore cornerback set career highs in both tackles (9) and tackles for loss (1.5) in the win against Baylor. Hawthorne made his first start of the season after battling a foot injury for much of the fall.

DB: Devon Torrence, Ohio State
The Buckeyes' secondary once again needed a boost after losing a standout player to injury, and Torrence provided it. After All-Big Ten corner Chimdi Chekwa went out with a wrist injury, Torrence picked up the slack and recorded eight tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Derek Dimke, Illinois
Dimke showed why he's known as the Big Ten's steadiest kicker in the Texas Bowl, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts from 28, 38 and 43 yards out. He became the first Illinois player to make more than one field goal in a bowl game and connected on multiple kicks for the ninth time in the 2010 season.

P: Aaron Bates, Michigan State
Bates provided the lone bright spot for the Spartans in the Capital One Bowl, averaging 43.4 yards on seven attempts with a long of 55 yards and two punts placed inside the 20-yard line. Honorable mentions go to Illinois' Anthony Santella, Wisconsin's Brad Nortman and Iowa's Ryan Donahue.

KR: Martavious Odoms, Michigan
The fact that Odoms played in the Gator Bowl following a broken foot was pretty incredible, and unfortunately for Michigan, he got plenty of work on returns. Odoms racked up 163 kick return yards on seven attempts with a long runback of 43 yards. Honorable mentions go to Michigan State's Bennie Fowler, Iowa's Paul Chaney Jr. and Northwestern's Venric Mark.

Here are three keys for Northwestern heading into its TicketCity Bowl matchup against Texas Tech.

1. Help out Evan Watkins: I think Northwestern got a little too comfortable letting Dan Persa work his magic on offense. Then when Persa got hurt, the Wildcats didn't have enough options to contribute around backup quarterback Evan Watkins. Northwestern needs a big game from its veteran offensive line and must establish the rushing attack with Adonis Smith, Stephen Simmons or, if cleared to play, Mike Trumpy. Players like wideout Jeremy Ebert and superback Drake Dunsmore also must help out Watkins in the pass game.

2. Tackle in space: The Wildcats' tackling left much to be desired at times this season, especially in blowout losses to Illinois and Wisconsin to end the regular season. The pre-bowl layoff allowed Northwestern to get healthy and refocus on its fundamentals, but Texas Tech's dynamic spread offense will test the Wildcats' tackling ability. NU needs veterans like linebackers Quentin Davie and Nate Williams and safety Brian Peters to prevent explosion plays.

3. Avoid special teams miscues: Northwestern's perfect ending Saturday calls for kicker Stefan Demos to end the team's 62-year bowl drought with a game-winning field goal. Demos missed a game-winning kick in the 2010 Outback Bowl and had a punt returned for a touchdown in the 2008 Alamo Bowl. Special teams have cost Northwestern too often at critical times, and the Wildcats need strong performances from Demos, return man Venric Mark and others on Saturday.

Northwestern Wildcats

Record: 5-1 (1-1 Big Ten)

It says something that Northwestern can go 5-1 in the first half and still feel a little disappointed. After overcoming myriad mistakes to win the first five games, the Wildcats couldn't escape their problems with penalties and special teams in Saturday night's home loss to Purdue. A win against the banged-up Boilers would have given Northwestern its first 6-0 start since 1962. Still, Pat Fitzgerald's crew should feel fortunate to be 5-1 after finding ways to win despite not playing its best football. Junior quarterback Dan Persa has been fabulous so far, ranking fourth nationally in passer rating (173.3) because of a sparkling completion ratio (78 percent) and three 300-yard passing performances. His receivers also have been outstanding, which helps because Northwestern's struggles in the run game have carried over from 2009. Despite several attempts and personnel groupings, the Wildcats rank ninth in the league in rushing average (143.3 yards per game). The defense has been opportunistic so far with 14 takeaways, including three interceptions by linebacker Quentin Davie, although the secondary looks vulnerable after losing three multiyear starters from the 2009 team. Northwestern has capitalized on a weak schedule so far, but to keep winning games, the Wildcats must cut down on penalties (46 for 395 yards) and find more consistency from kicker Stefan Demos and the special-teams units. The good news is Fitzgerald's teams typically play their best in November.

Offensive MVP, QB Dan Persa: An obvious choice here, as Persa has been exceptional in the first six games. He executes Northwestern's short-passing attack extremely well and remains a threat to run with 295 rush yards and three touchdowns. He has completed 138 of 177 passes for 1,663 yards with 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Wide receiver Jeremy Ebert (35 receptions, 560 yards, 5 TDs) merits a mention here.

Defensive MVP, Quentin Davie: The senior has been a little quiet in Big Ten play but very active during the nonconference, recording three interceptions in the first three contests. Davie boasts 28 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 5 passes defended and a forced fumble. Defensive end Vince Browne (8 tackles for loss, 5 sacks) and tackle Jack DiNardo also deserve to be recognized.

Who's rising? Who's falling? How are those awards races shaping up?

No worries, friends. I've got you covered.

STOCK UP

Iowa WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos: Go ahead and list him as a co-starter on your depth chart, Kirk Ferentz. He's still your best receiver. Again. DJK has recorded 11 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns in his last two games. He's getting closer and closer to passing Tim Dwight to become Iowa's all-time leading receiver.

Indiana TEs Ted Bolser and Max Dedmond: The Hoosiers' wide receivers get most of the hype, and deservedly so, but both Bolser and Dedmond provide more options for quarterback Ben Chappell. The two tight ends combined for three touchdown catches and 43 receiving yards in a win against Akron. Bolser ranks among the Big Ten leaders with four touchdown receptions and boasts nine catches for 128 yards on the season.

Northwestern DTs Jack DiNardo and Corbin Bryant: These two are holding it down on the interior line for the Wildcats. DiNardo blocked a field-goal attempt and a PAT attempt against Central Michigan, while Bryant had a fumble recovery. The two tackles have combined for 7.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and two blocked kicks this season.

Don Treadwell: The Michigan State offensive coordinator certainly deserves credit for steering the Spartans' ship through a tough time without head coach Mark Dantonio. But the biggest reason he appears here is the better offensive balance Michigan State has shown the last two weeks. The Spartans' rushing attack is legit, but quarterback Kirk Cousins is making more big plays through the air. A two-pronged attack really will help MSU heading into Big Ten play.

Michigan's supporting cast: It was important for Michigan's offense to produce without superstar quarterback Denard Robinson, even against a shaky defense like Bowling Green's. Reserve quarterbacks Tate Forcier and Devin Gardner both played well, particularly Forcier, and Michigan received boosts from receiver Roy Roundtree and running backs Fitzgerald Toussaint, Vincent Smith and Michael Cox.

STOCK DOWN

Minnesota's lines: You win and lose games at the line of scrimmage, and the Gophers need to get better on both sides of the ball. Minnesota's inability to covert two fourth-and-1 situations in the second half of the Northern Illinois loss was simply inexcusable. A veteran Big Ten offensive line that prides itself on the run game should get a yard against a MAC defense, period. The new-look defensive line didn't fare well, either, as NIU's Chad Spann ran wild (223 yards).

Ohio State's veteran RBs: I've gotten a bit annoyed by the incessant calls for Jaamal Berry from Ohio State fans, but maybe they have a point. Senior running back Brandon Saine had only 11 yards on three carries against Eastern Michigan, while junior Dan Herron had an OK day (12 carries, 55 rush yards, TD). Berry, meanwhile, had a 67-yard touchdown run, while Jordan Hall averaged 6.5 yards a carry and threw a touchdown pass to Terrelle Pryor. Perhaps it's time youth is served.

Purdue's defense: The unluckiest offense in America has lost its top running back (Ralph Bolden), its top receiver (Keith Smith) and now its top quarterback (Robert Marve). But a bigger issue could be the Boilers' defense, which struggled Saturday to stop a Toledo offense that entered the game ranked last nationally in yards. Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan is turning into this year's Brandon Graham: a great player on a very shaky defense. Purdue needs more from its front seven to protect a new-look secondary.

Penn State's red zone offense: Kudos to the Nittany Lions for finally reaching the end zone on an impressive 96-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, but they left too many points on the field. Penn State has scored only six touchdowns in 15 red zone opportunities this season. It needs to change in a hurry.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: OFFENSE

(Player, Week 4 performance)

1. Michigan QB Denard Robinson: five carries, 129 rush yards, 2 TDs; 4-for-4 passing, 60 yards in less than a quarter of work against Bowling Green.

2. Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor: 20-for-26 passing, 244 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INT; seven carries for 104 rush yards, 1 TD; one reception for a 20-yard touchdown against Eastern Michigan.

3. Northwestern QB Dan Persa: 23 for-30 passing, 280 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 17 carries, 43 rush yards in win against Central Michigan.

4. Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi: 19-for-25 passing, 288 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT in win against Ball State.

5. Indiana QB Ben Chappell: 23-for-33 passing, 342 yards, 4 TDs in win against Akron.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: DEFENSE

1. Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan: 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, forced fumble, fumble recovery in loss to Toledo.

2. Michigan State LB Greg Jones: Recorded first two interceptions of his career plus a forced fumble, two quarterback hurries and four tackles in a win against Northern Colorado.

3. Northwestern LB Quentin Davie: Recorded a sack and a forced fumble in win against Central Michigan.

4. Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt: Recorded three tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, in win against Austin Peay.

5. Ohio State S/LB Tyler Moeller: Recorded three tackles and a pass breakup in win against Eastern Michigan.

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR RACE

1. Michigan State RB Le'Veon Bell: 11 carries, 93 rush yards, 3 TDs; 1 reception for 35 yards in win against Northern Colorado.

2. Wisconsin RB James White: 11 carries, 145 rush yards, 4 TDs; 2 kick returns for 45 yards; 1 reception for 12 yards in win against Austin Peay.

3. Penn State QB Rob Bolden: 18-for-28 passing, 223 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs in win against Temple.

4. Indiana TE Ted Bolser: 3 receptions for 35 yards, 2 TDs in win against Akron.

5. Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase: Bye week

Before getting ready for Penn State and Ohio State, some quick thoughts on Purdue's loss to Toledo and Northwestern's win against Central Michigan.

Toledo 31, Purdue 20: I can't name another team in America that has been hit harder by key injuries than Purdue. The Boilers today lost starting quarterback Robert Marve to a knee injury. Marve joins top running back Ralph Bolden and top receiver Keith Smith on the shelf with knee injuries. I'll have an update on Marve when I get it, but coach Danny Hope has to feel totally snake bit right now. Purdue had a mini rally in the second half and forced some turnovers, but Toledo put things away on a touchdown run with 5:24 left. The Boilers defense can't feel too good about this one, as a Toledo offense ranked last nationally in yards racked up 378 yards and 31 points. Quarterback Austin Dantin picked apart a still-vulnerable Purdue secondary.

Northwestern 30, Central Michigan 25: Things got a interesting at the end as Central Michigan closed to within five, forcing Northwestern to recover an onside kick to preserve the win. But the game shouldn't have been nearly as close, as Northwestern completely dominated the third quarter and only let up after an inexcusable fumble by running back Arby Fields early in the fourth. Fields, who is struggling this season, can't make a mistake like that if he wants to stay in the mix at running back. Northwestern ran the ball a bit better with Mike Trumpy, who might be the answer. Quarterback Dan Persa threw his first interception of the year but still looked very good. Linebacker Quentin Davie and defensive tackles Corbin Bryant and Jack DiNardo stepped up nicely for a defense that performed well until the fourth quarter.

Most Big Ten teams are taking care of business today, with one notable exception (Purdue).

Here are some quick thoughts at halftime around the league:

Bowling Green-Michigan: Denard Robinson was off to another brilliant start before suffering an apparent left knee injury near the sideline in the first quarter. Robinson's injury doesn't appear to be too severe, but backups Devin Gardner and Tate Forcier likely will lead the offense the rest of the way. Forcier got his first action of the season late in the first half and led Michigan on an impressive 69-yard touchdown drive, going 6-for-6 on his pass attempts. Gardner also has a touchdown pass, and receiver Roy Roundtree continues to look impressive. The Michigan defense still seems shaky, allowing an explosion play midway through the second quarter.

Toledo-Purdue: You have to feel for Danny Hope. The Purdue coach has lost his best running back (Ralph Bolden), his best receiver (Keith Smith) and now his best quarterback (Robert Marve) to injury. Marve suffered a knee injury in the first quarter and isn't expected to return. Backup Rob Henry is running the ball well, but he still looks shaky as a passer. Toledo is passing the ball extremely well and could be on its way to a shocking blowout victory. This isn't the same Rockets team I saw against Arizona in the season opener, but this isn't the same Purdue team, either.

Austin Peay-Wisconsin: This one's over, Guvna. Wisconsin is just toying with Austin Peay today, as quarterback Scott Tolzien has been nearly perfect (13-for-14 passing, 196 yards, 2 TDs) and freshman running back James White continues to impress with two touchdown runs, including a 66-yarder. As expected, Austin Peay looks totally overmatched against the Badgers' offensive line, and Wisconsin has dominated every offensive category so far. You'll see a lot of the second and third string after halftime.

Ball State-Iowa: Adam Robinson might be Iowa's only healthy proven running back, but he's a pretty good one. The sophomore already has eclipsed 100 rushing yards. I wouldn't expect Iowa to keep feeding Robinson as much in the second half, especially as Ricky Stanzi continues to throw the ball well. Tight end Allen Reisner is having another big day, and the Hawkeyes defense has rebounded nicely from the Arizona loss by shutting down the Ball State offense and forcing two turnovers.

Central Michigan-Northwestern: Very bizarre game so far in Evanston. There have been a ton of flags, two blocked PAT attempts, three turnovers and some decent ball movement by both teams. Northwestern appeared poised to take a two-score lead midway through the second quarter, but quarterback Dan Persa made his first mistake of the season, throwing an interception in the red zone. Persa's pick turned the game and Central Michigan mounted an impressive drive to tie the game. Northwestern linebacker Quentin Davie and defensive tackle Jack DiNardo both are playing well so far, but it's been too sloppy for the Wildcats with all the penalties.

Northern Colorado-Michigan State: The Spartans honored ailing Mark Dantonio by wearing a "D" on their helmets, and so far they're making the coach proud. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is dissecting the Bears defense so far, completing 12 of 15 passes for 235 yards and two passing touchdowns. After three plus years with no interceptions, Michigan State star linebacker Greg Jones already has two in the first half. The run game has been decent so far, but Michigan State really seems to be emphasizing the pass game.

Invest wisely.

STOCK UP

Scott Tolzien: After a bit of shakiness in Wisconsin's first two games, Tolzien looked very sharp against Arizona State despite not having two of his top receivers (Nick Toon and David Gilreath). The senior quarterback completed 19 of 25 passes for 246 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.

Anthony Santella: Special teams play hasn't been a Big Ten strength so far this season, but Santella is a bright spot. The Illinois senior leads the nation in punting with a 48.9-yard average. Santella has improved from 50th nationally in punting in 2009 and 75th in 2008.

Northwestern's defensive line: The loss of third-round draft pick Corey Wootton hasn't fazed the Wildcats, who are receiving excellent play up front from defensive tackles Jack DiNardo and Corbin Bryant and end Vince Browne. The three combined for 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup against Rice.

Penn State's third-down efficiency: The Lions have been excellent on third down on both sides of the ball. They rank 12th nationally in third-down conversions at 53.7 percent, a testament to an offensive line that has yet to allow a sack. Penn State leads the Big Ten and ranks 12th nationally in third-down defense at just 25 percent conversions.

STOCK DOWN

Greg Robinson: His Michigan defense showed some shakiness in the first two games but made up for it by forcing turnovers. There was nothing to sugarcoat the struggles Saturday against Massachusetts, which rolled up 36 points and 439 yards, keeping things very interesting until the end.

Iowa's offensive line: After holding up well the first two weeks, Iowa's inexperience up front showed against Arizona. The Hawkeyes surrendered six sacks, including three on the final four offensive plays. Though senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi needed to get rid of the ball, he didn't have much chance to do so.

Special teams: Major breakdowns are becoming an epidemic around the Big Ten. You saw it Saturday with Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio State. The mistakes need to be fixed ASAP.

Now it's time to check in on the league award races.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: OFFENSE

(Player, Week 3 performance)

1. Michigan QB Denard Robinson: 10-for-14 passing, 241 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 17 rushes, 104 yards, 1 TD.

2. Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor: 22-of-29 passing, 235 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; rushing TD; had school-record 16 consecutive completions in first half.

3. Northwestern QB Dan Persa: 24-for-32 passing, 307 yards, 1 TD; 34 rush yards, 1 TD.

4. Michigan State RB Edwin Baker: 14 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD.

5. Wisconsin RB John Clay: 22 carries, 123 yards, 1 TD.

6. Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure: 24 carries, 180 yards, 1 TD.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: DEFENSE

1. Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan: Recorded five tackles, two for loss and a sack. Leads Big ten with 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 more than any other player.

2. Michigan State LB Greg Jones: Recorded nine tackles, including a sack and had a quarterback hurry. Leads the Big Ten with 29 tackles.

3. Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt: Played through pain against Arizona State to record a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries.

4. Ohio State S Tyler Moeller: Recorded a forced fumble, an interception and 1.5 tackles for loss. Ties for league lead in forced fumbles with two.

5. Northwestern LB Quentin Davie: Recorded a game-high 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Leads the Big Ten in both interceptions (3) and passes defended (5).

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR RACE


1. Michigan State RB Le'Veon Bell: 17 rushes, 114 yards, 1 TD.

2. Wisconsin RB James White: 6 rushes, 40 yards, 4 kick returns for 93 yards.

3. Penn State QB Rob Bolden: 17-of- 27 passing, 217 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 4 carries, 33 rush yards, 1 TD.

4. Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase: 16 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD; 8-of-16 passing, 70 yards.

When Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald started to recruit Quentin Davie, he saw a player who played multiple positions and was "a jack of all, master of none."

Davie played quarterback, tight end and linebacker for Cardinal Ritter College Prep in St. Louis, where he also earned letters in basketball and track. Long and lean at 6-4 and 200 pounds, Davie drew interest from some colleges that wanted him to play wide receiver. He settled on Northwestern, which planned to use him at his desired position: linebacker.

But the shuffling didn't stop in college. Davie's unique size and skill set prompted Northwestern's coaches to play him at both outside linebacker spots.

"When the NFL scouts come by," Fitzgerald said, "I'm not trying to make an excuse for Q, but we've had him play two positions for multiple years.

"I can only imagine how good of a player he could be and will be if he only had to play one position."

Davie's versatility is paying off so far this season. He leads the Big Ten in both interceptions (3) and passes defended (5), and is on pace to lead Northwestern (3-0) in tackles for the second consecutive season.

After recording the first pick-six of his career in Saturday's win at Rice, Davie earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. But he's far from satisfied.

"It's an accomplishment," he said Monday. "Obviously, I want to keep getting better and be consistent throughout the season. It'd be great if I could get [Big Ten] Defensive Player of the Year. That'd be a better honor."

Davie has put himself in the mix with the quick start.

He made plays as an effective blitzer throughout his first three seasons, recording 22.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. But he had only one interception entering his senior year.

Davie spent much of the offseason working on his drops in pass coverage with linebackers coach Randy Bates. His interceptions have been relatively easy, in part because he's consistently in the passing lanes.

"Last year, there were some times [Bates] pointed out to me where I didn't drop at all and they just threw the ball over my head," Davie said. "I knew I was hurting my DBs by not dropping, so to help them out, I worked on that and tried to get deeper drops. It goes with being older and getting more patient to know you're not going to go get the quarterback all the time, so you have to get back."

Davie could have had another interception at Rice but dropped the ball, a fact Fitzgerald doesn't hesitate to point out.

"I make fun of him when he drops one because I only had two and I dropped about 12 in my career," said Fitzgerald, a Hall of Fame linebacker at Northwestern. "I can't forget those drops."

Davie showed flashes as a young player but truly blossomed in 2009 after transforming his body in the prior offseason. He went from 215 pounds in 2007-08 to 225 in 2009 and has since bulked up to 230.

Despite his height, adding the weight was a challenge. He became a Chipotle regular.

"Every offseason, I'd hear smack from coach Fitz, like, 'Go eat a sandwich,'" Davie said. "That was his favorite phrase. It wasn't easy. At first, I thought I had tapeworm or something.

"But we have a great nutritionist and I got up to the weight I needed to be, 230."

Davie's physical development is only one step in his maturation process.

In May, he proposed to his longtime girlfriend Alexandra Richardson underneath the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Davie had planned a Mother's Day dinner for both his family and Richardson's, and gathered everyone by the Arch. He told his brother to take pictures.

When Davie dropped to a knee, everyone was surprised, including his brother.

"He only got one picture," Davie said.

No date has been set for the wedding, as Davie's focus remains primarily on football. He already achieved one of his senior-year goals to be a co-captain. Another goal is to be All-Big Ten.

Davie also finds himself on the NFL radar.

"I'm looking forward to [the NFL] a lot," he said, "but when I get in this football facility, I have to erase all those thoughts and think about this season and how I can help this team reach the goals that we set and that I set for myself."

Let's look back at Week 3 before gearing up for a riveting slate of games Saturday in the Big Ten (sarcasm, people).

Team of the Week: Michigan State. After suffering a series of close losses in the past three years, Michigan State finally turned the tables -- against one of its top rivals, no less. A seesaw game featured some offensive fireworks on both sides, and for certain stretches, Michigan State achieved the type of offensive balance that could make it very dangerous when Big Ten play rolls around. But the Spartans once again seemed to wilt in the clutch as quarterback Kirk Cousins took some costly sacks. Notre Dame regained the momentum late in regulation and in overtime, but Michigan State changed everything with a gutsy fake field goal call that resulted in the game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass. Although coach Mark Dantonio's health setback put the celebration on pause, Michigan State has an opportunity to build off this win.

Best game: Notre Dame at Michigan State. The game featured four lead changes, 938 yards, 65 points and the most memorable play of the young college football season, as punter/holder Aaron Bates found tight end Charlie Gantt for a 29-yard touchdown on the fake field goal try in overtime. Quarterbacks Cousins and Dayne Crist both had their moments, as did receivers Michael Floyd and B.J. Cunningham. Just a very entertaining game between rivals. Honorable mentions go to Wisconsin-Arizona State, which featured several wild special-teams plays, and Iowa-Arizona, which featured a furious Hawkeyes rally from a 27-7 halftime deficit and an Arizona counterpunch in the clutch.

Biggest play: Isn't it obvious by now? No one expected the fake field goal, especially from a typically conservative coach like Dantonio. It was the right call at the right time and Bates, a former high school quarterback, deserves credit for going to his second read after Le'Veon Bell was covered. If Michigan State goes on to have a big season, we'll all point to this play. Wisconsin also received two huge special-teams plays from safeties Shelton Johnson and Jay Valai. Johnson tripped up Arizona State kick returner Kyle Middlebrooks at the 1-yard line as the second quarter clock expired, saving six points and a huge momentum swing going into halftime. The 5-foot-9 Valai showed off his hops by blocking the potential game-tying PAT attempt with 4:09 left as Wisconsin won 20-19.

Specialist spotlight: Bates had a huge night against Notre Dame, and his game-winning pass to Gantt overshadowed his prowess as a punter, as he averaged 45.4 yards on eight punts. Illinois punter Anthony Santella leads the nation in punting average (48.9 ypg) after averaging 48.7 yards per boot on Saturday against Northern Illinois. Northwestern kicker Stefan Demos went 3-for-3 on field goal attempts against Rice, and Wisconsin punter Brad Nortman averaged 43 yards on four punts and had one downed inside the 5-yard line against Arizona State.

Game balls (given to players from winning teams not selected for helmet stickers):

• Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks: Kendricks knew he'd have to step up Saturday as Wisconsin played without two of its top receivers (Nick Toon and David Gilreath). The senior tight end looked like a wide receiver again as he hauled in seven receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown, even though he was interfered with in the end zone. He shares the game ball with quarterback Scott Tolzien (19-25 passing, 246 yards, 1 TD).
• Michigan RB Michael Shaw: Denard Robinson didn't have to do it all against UMass as Shaw racked up career highs in both rushing yards (126) and touchdowns (3) on only 12 carries. He shares the game ball with Robinson, who had another big day, and receiver Darryl Stonum (3 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TDs).
• Ohio State LB Ross Homan: Homan has carried over his stellar play from 2009 and continues to become one of the league's top defensive playmakers. The senior had seven solo tackles, a forced fumble and an interception against Ohio. Kudos also go to fellow Buckeyes defender Tyler Moeller, who recorded his first career interception, a forced fumble and 1.5 tackles for loss.
• Michigan State RB Le'Veon Bell: Bell is the early leader for Big Ten Freshman of the Year after recording his second 100-yard rushing performance in his first three collegiate games. The big man rumbled for 114 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries against Notre Dame. He shares the game ball with receiver B.J. Cunningham (7 receptions, 101 yards, TD) and fellow back Edwin Baker (14 carries, 90 rush yards, TD).
• Northwestern LB Quentin Davie: The senior leads the Big Ten in interceptions after recording his third -- a pick-six, no less -- in Saturday night's blowout win at Rice. Davie recorded a game-high 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a pass breakup. He shares the game ball with defensive linemen Vince Browne, Corbin Bryant and Jack DiNardo, who combined for 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
• Purdue WR Cortez Smith: The Boilers need a No. 1 receiver to emerge after losing Keith Smith, and Cortez Smith looks reads to fill the void. He recorded five receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns against Ball State. He'll share the game ball with defenders Gerald Gooden (5 tackles, forced fumble, pass breakup), Kawann Short (two pass breakups, blocked PAT) and Jason Werner (INT, 1 TFL).

How bizarre: The league-wide special teams struggles as well as a few odd highlights stood out in Week 3. Who can remember the last time the Big Ten had so many meltdowns with punting, kicking, kickoff coverage and punt coverage? Then again, the three biggest plays on Saturday came in the kicking game: Michigan State's game-winning fake field goal, Johnson's touchdown-saving tackle on a kickoff return and Valai's PAT block to preserve a 20-19 lead.

OK, moving on to Week 4. Do we have to? I know it's my job to get your excited for Big Ten football 24-7-365, but this week provides a major challenge, to say the least.

Northern Colorado (2-1) at Michigan State (3-0): Spartans offensive coordinator Don Treadwell takes over the head-coaching duties from Mark Dantonio, who suffered a mild heart attack following the Notre Dame win. The Spartans look for a more complete defensive performance before Wisconsin visits on Oct. 2.

Central Michigan (2-1) at Northwestern (3-0): Northwestern aims for its second perfect nonconference mark in the past three seasons after going 35 years with at least one non-league loss. Central Michigan should test Davie and the Wildcats' defense, which has forced nine turnovers in the first three games.

Bowling Green (1-2) at Michigan (3-0): The Wolverines' sputtering defense likely won't face Falcons starting quarterback Matt Schilz, who isn't expected to play because of a shoulder injury. Michigan's offense will light up the scoreboard, but the D has to get better before Big Ten play.

Austin Peay (2-1) at Wisconsin (3-0): Yawn. If Wisconsin can't dominate the Governors (ello, guvna!), Badgers fans should get worried. This provides a good chance for the Badgers to assess their depth on both sides of the ball.

Ball State (1-2) at Iowa (2-1): Although the Cardinals hung in there at Purdue, Iowa should have no trouble Saturday. The bigger question is whether the Hawkeyes can clean up their play in the kicking game, on the offensive line and in the secondary after the Arizona loss.

Toledo (2-1) at Purdue (2-1): Quarterback Robert Marve's left knee injury doesn't appear to be serious, and the Boilers need to get No. 9 through this game and into the bye week without further setbacks. Arizona shredded Toledo's defense in the season opener, and Purdue should have opportunities to further develop a receiving corps missing star Keith Smith.

Eastern Michigan (0-3) at Ohio State (3-0): The Buckeyes could score 70 in this one. I'm not kidding. Eastern Michigan has surrendered 111 points in its first three games.

Temple (3-0) at Penn State (2-1): This is the most interesting game in the Big Ten. Temple heads to State College with a ton of confidence as coach Al Golden might be auditioning for the Nittany Lions' faithful. Penn State's running back race now is open as slumping senior Evan Royster tries to hold off junior Stephfon Green and dynamic freshman Silas Redd. Should be a good one in Happy Valley.

Akron (0-3) at Indiana (2-0): Ben Chappell and the Hoosiers' offense likely will carve up another bad team Saturday, as Akron has been blown out by Syracuse and Kentucky and lost at home to Gardner-Webb (ouch). The bigger question is whether the Hoosiers' defense can shut down the Zips.

Northern Illinois (1-2) at Minnesota (1-2): It's must-win time for embattled coach Tim Brewster and his Golden Gophers, who performed a lot better Saturday against USC but still couldn't finish off a good team. Northern Illinois will test Minnesota's new-look defense with quarterback Chandler Harnish, and Minnesota needs to reignite the run game despite Duane Bennett's ankle issues.

Bye: Illinois (2-1)