ESPN College Football

2012 record: 7-6
2012 conference record: 3-5 (fourth in Legends division)
Returning starters: Offense: 8; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners

LB Max Bullough, CB Darqueze Dennard, LB Denicos Allen, S Isaiah Lewis, DE Marcus Rush, QB Andrew Maxwell, LT Fou Fonoti, C Travis Jackson, WR Aaron Burbridge

Key losses

DE William Gholston, DT Anthony Rashad White, CB Johnny Adams, RB Le'Veon Bell, TE Dion Sims, G Chris McDonald, K Dan Conroy

2012 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Le'Veon Bell (1,793 yards)
Passing: Andrew Maxwell* (2,606 yards)
Receiving: Bennie Fowler* (524 yards)
Tackles: Max Bullough* (111)
Sacks: William Gholston (4.5)
Interceptions: Darqueze Dennard* and Johnny Adams (3)

Spring answers

1. Waynes, Calhoun secure spots: The Spartan Dawgs just keep on rolling. Michigan State's defense didn't have too many major questions entering the spring, but it needed an end to replace William Gholston and a cornerback to play opposite Darqueze Dennard. It found both. Shilique Calhoun, who had a mini-breakout game in the bowl against TCU, secured a starting spot at defensive end. Trae Waynes and fellow sophomore Arjen Colquhoun logged most of the snaps at cornerback as Dennard recovered from hernia surgery, and Waynes did enough to land the No. 1 job.

2. Life of Riley: Riley Bullough opened the spring backing up his big brother Max at middle linebacker. He ended the session as a bulldozing running back, a spot where Michigan State is looking for answers after losing national carries leader Le'Veon Bell to the NFL draft. No other running back distinguished himself in practice, so the coaches moved Riley Bullough to the position, and he did some impressive things. Bullough was Michigan State's leading rusher (46 yards) in the spring game. Although he could move back to linebacker, he gives the Spartans another option in the offensive backfield.

3. Burbridge continues to emerge: The Spartans are searching for offensive playmakers and appear to have found one in sophomore wide receiver Aaron Burbridge. He moved into the starting lineup midway through the 2012 season and provided a bright spot for the struggling receiving corps. Burbridge benefited from a full offseason in the program and capped the spring with a five-catch, 113-yard performance in the Green-White Game. He could emerge as Michigan State's No. 1 receiver and/or push veterans Bennie Fowler and Keith Mumphery.

Fall questions

1. Quarterback quandary: Michigan State is still looking for the man to lead its offense in 2013. Senior Andrew Maxwell started all 13 games last season, and although he did some good things in practices, he didn't separate himself and looked a bit shaky in the spring game. Connor Cook answered the coaches' challenge to improvise when plays broke down, and he'll continue to push Maxwell when fall camp begins. Redshirt freshman Tyler O'Connor and incoming recruit Damion Terry also could be in the mix.

2. Third linebacker: The Spartans boast one of the nation's top linebacker tandems in Max Bullough and Denicos Allen, both of whom enter their third season as starters. Who will line up next to them this fall? It could be Taiwan Jones, who capped the spring with 11 tackles in the Green-White Game. But Jairus Jones, who moved from safety to outside linebacker this spring, is very much in the mix and drew praise from the coaching staff and teammates. Jones made a good transition to linebacker and helps an already strong position group.

3. Man on the run: Riley Bullough's emergence adds a new twist to the running back competition, but nothing is settled entering fall camp. Nick Hill and Jeremy Langford took most of the reps with the first-team offense this spring but didn't separate themselves, and Hill underwent sports hernia surgery last week. The coaches also want to see how incoming freshmen Gerald Holmes, R.J. Shelton and Delton Williams perform when they arrive this summer. Although Michigan State typically has one featured back, it could use more of a committee system this season. But there are definitely questions in the offensive backfield.

We're taking a page from our friends at the ACC blog and examining whether certain Big Ten teams will be contenders or pretenders in the 2013 season. The series does not include Ohio State, Michigan or Nebraska -- three teams that, in our view, have earned the "contender" label entering the fall. For each team, we'll make a case for why they're contenders and pretenders and provide our final verdict. We invite you to vote on whether a team is a contender or a pretender or send us your thoughts for mailbags here and here.

Next up: the Michigan State Spartans.

Why they're contenders: Three words: Defense, defense, defense. The Spartans have had the best defense in the Big Ten -- and one of the best in the country -- the past two years, and that figures to continue in 2013. They're still deep and talented on that side of the ball, led by linebacker Max Bullough, cornerback Darqueze Dennard and safety Isaiah Lewis. Pat Narduzzi will add some younger playmakers to the mix like Shilique Calhoun, Lawrence Thomas and Trae Waynes, and there's no reason to suspect that the defense will fall off from its elitel level. Even though Michigan State went just 6-6 in the regular season, it wasn't far away from contending, losing five Big Ten games by a total of 13 points. A few key breaks went against Mark Dantonio's team -- ahem, that pass interference call vs. Nebraska -- and that luck could surely go the other way in 2013. Furthermore, after playing one of the more difficult schedules in the league last year, the Spartans catch a break with this season's slate. They don't play Ohio State, Penn State or Wisconsin from the Leaders Division, instead drawing Illinois, Purdue and Indiana as crossover opponents. All the Spartans really need to contend is some competency from the offense, which has a more experienced offensive line, more seasoned receivers and some actual competition at quarterback.

Why they're pretenders: Three words: offense, offense, offense. Michigan State simply couldn't score or move the ball when it needed to at times last season, and now its best two playmakers -- running back Le'Veon Bell and tight end Dion Sims -- are waiting for their NFL draft calls. Both running back and tight end were shaky positions this spring, so much so at tailback that linebacker Riley Bullough moved there late in spring ball and became the top option. The quarterback situation remains muddled, as Dantonio says Andrew Maxwell will go into fall camp at No. 1, with Connor Cook pushing him. Both guys struggled to complete passes in last week's spring game, and their receivers had problems with dropped balls, suggesting the passing game hasn't made that much progress. So new offensive playcaller Dave Warner will have to design an attack that works with shaky quarterback play, unproven running backs and tight ends and receivers who underperformed a year ago. At least the offensive line is veteran, though it's pretty much the same guys who didn't live up to expectations last year.

Final verdict: Contender. Michigan State might not always be pretty to watch this season because of that offense, but the Spartans will be a team no one wants to play because of that hard-hitting defense. Again, all they have to do is be mediocre offensively, because the defense will keep them in every game. And with that schedule, Michigan State should remain in the thick of the Legends Division race deep into the fall.

In honor of "College Football Playoff," I'm calling this intro line "Lunchtime Links Intro Line."

• Two Iowa defensive backs left the team. Kirk Ferentz says the proposed Big Ten realignment "makes perfect sense." Iowa approved a conflict-of-interest plan regarding Ferentz's future son-in-law.
• Michigan added another blue-chip 2014 recruit in tight end Ian Bunting. Patrick Omameh is hoping his athleticism earns him a spot in the NFL draft. The Wolverines are instituting a general-admission seating policy for students.
• Nebraska players likely will be waiting a while during the NFL draft. Rex Burkhead could be a bargain for some team.
• Recruit Enoch Smith Jr. talks about choosing Michigan State. Shilique Calhoun and Lawrence Thomas look like the next stars on the Spartans' defensive line. A big NFL draft could be a bad sign for Michigan State.
• Previewing the offense for Minnesota's spring game. Former Gopher Eric Decker is getting his own reality TV series.
• Johnathan Hankins' NFL stock might have dropped, but his confidence is still high. Reid Fragel has become an intriguing NFL prospect.
• Penn State picked up highly rated wide receiver Chris Godwin on the recruiting trail. Eugene Lewis looks ready to become a playmaker for the Nittany Lions. Michael Mauti looks to overcome one more obstacle.
• Illinois could shine much more in this week's NFL draft than it did on the field last year.
• Pat Fitzgerald says Northwestern is "ready to take the next step."
• The "real" offseason now begins for Wisconsin. Travis Frederick is excited for the draft.
• Evaluating Purdue after the Boilers wrapped up their spring practice.
• The new division alignment has some positives for Indiana but doesn't do much for competitive balance, Andy Graham writes (subscription required).

We're previewing the three-pack of spring games taking place Saturday afternoon around the Big Ten. You've already seen what Wisconsin and Penn State have on tap.

It's time to check in on the annual Green-White Game at Michigan State.

When: Saturday, 2:35 p.m. ET

Where: Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich.

Admission: Free. Parking is free in n Lots 79, 62W, 63E/W, 67, 56, 39/40, 41; Ramps 2 and 5; Lot 62E has been reserved for disabled parking. Stadium gates (B, C, J and K) open at 1 p.m. ET.

TV: Big Ten Network (live) and BTN2go.com

Weather: Partly cloudy, 42-44 degrees, winds at 13-14 mph

What to watch for: The Spartans are a team with a multitude of questions on offense and very few on defense, so fans will spend most of Saturday studying one side of the ball. Although the quarterbacks won't be live like they have been in other spring scrimmages, Saturday marks the final chance for Andrew Maxwell, Connor Cook and Tyler O'Connor to impress the coaches before fall camp.

Michigan State's seniors drafted teams for the spring game earlier this week. Maxwell will play for the White squad, Cook will quarterback the Green team and O'Connor will take snaps for both sides.

Keep an eye on Riley Bullough, the younger brother of Spartans All-Big Ten linebacker Max Bullough. Riley began the spring as Max's backup at middle linebacker but recently moved to running back, where the Spartans have a pressing need after losing Le'Veon Bell. He appears to have made a strong impression, as Max drafted Riley with the first pick of the spring game draft, saying it had little to do with bloodlines.

"I picked him because he's earned it -- nothing to do with being my brother," Max Bullough said. "He's definitely earned it. He's a guy that, he's picked up the offense very quickly. He's run downhill, he's made plays where other guys haven't, and we want him on our team."

Running backs Nick Hill and Jeremy Langford, who started the spring taking most of the first-team reps, will play for Green and White, respectively.

The Spartans' wide receivers took a lot of criticism last season for dropped passes, and it will be interesting to see who steps up in the scrimmage. Bennie Fowler and Aaron Burbridge will play for the Green squad, while Keith Mumphery, the first wideout drafted, will suit up for the White along with AJ Troup, who was picked ahead of Tony Lippett.

It might be tough to get a good read on the offensive line as the projected starters have been split up (more White than Green).

There's less intrigue with a defense that once again should be among the nation's elite, but fans should watch defensive end Shilique Calhoun and cornerback Trae Waynes, two players who coach Mark Dantonio said secured starting jobs with their play this spring. Lawrence Thomas, the first underclassman defensive tackle selected in the draft, is another interesting player who could take on a bigger role this fall.

The White team appears to have the edge in personnel, but we'll see how things play out Saturday afternoon.

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi didn't want to nag any more.

Narduzzi always had told his defenders exactly what they needed to do to become an elite unit. He shaped the identity of the unit, rather than the players themselves.

"It's like your mother telling you to make your bed before 8 o'clock, 'Don't come down and eat breakfast, do this and do this,' " Narduzzi told ESPN.com. "And you're going, 'C'mon, Mom, can't I eat breakfast first and then make my bed?' Well, me coming in there and telling them all those things is the same."

Several years ago, Narduzzi put the players' identity in their own hands. He no longer would outline the traits that would make them a great unit. The defenders met as a group and brainstormed the core values they wanted to display on the field.

"When people watch you on tape, when people watch you on Saturday afternoons on ESPN, what are they saying about you?" Narduzzi told the players. "Are they saying, 'Look at these guys. They look confused.' Or are they saying, 'They're playing fast.' "

They chose a nickname -- Spartan Dawgs -- and a list of terms that best reflected their goals. The final product is a blueprint for a defense that has come to define the Michigan State program in recent years.

It can be found in meeting rooms, players' binders and in the locker room before games.

"We all come up with some things we can go by, stuff we need to do during the game, which is dominate, which is create turnovers, which is making plays," senior cornerback Darqueze Dennard said. "Stuff like that can motivate us and give us a guideline for how we come into each game.

"We've got a nice poster with the Spartan Dawgs, the goals and a little mean dog. It's kinda cool."

Defensive lineman Tyler Hoover, a studio art major, designed last year's poster, which features a dog wearing a Spartans logo on a chain. The dog's bowl includes a Big Ten championship ring and the words "Everybody eats."

The poster defines Spartan Dawgs as: "An Elite Group United to Wreak Havoc, Instill Fear and Dominate the Country." Below are words like relentless, nasty, swarming, devastating, turnovers and dominating. The poster ends with the words: TURN UP.

The 2011 poster was similar, and included the statement: We will set the standard nationally for the most reckless, disruptive force unleashed on any team. It's not exactly Shakespeare, who in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" wrote about the "hounds of Sparta" -- So flew'd, so sanded, and their heads are hung/With ears that sweep away the morning dew;/Crook-knee'd, and dew-lapp'd like Thessalian bulls -- but it works for the players.

"We run out of synonyms, to be honest," senior linebacker Max Bullough said. "We have a good idea of what we want to do, where we want to be. It's just adding little flakes here and there, having different guys on the team and who's going to step up and say, 'This is what we should have on it.'

"It's pretty similar each year."

So are the results of the Spartans' defense. Michigan State finished fourth nationally in total defense last season (274.4 ypg) after placing sixth in 2011 (277.4 ypg). The unit also has ranked in the top 10 nationally in both points allowed and rushing yards allowed in each of the past two seasons. Last year, Michigan State finished third nationally in pass efficiency defense.

A high standard has been set, but the Spartans expect to reach it again this season. Seven defensive starters return, including two 2012 first-team All-Big Ten selections in Bullough and Dennard, along with honorable-mention selections in safety Isaiah Lewis, linebacker Denicos Allen and end Marcus Rush. The Spartans boast one of the deepest secondaries in the country, a veteran linebacking corps and several potential stars up front like Shilique Calhoun, who locked up a starting end spot opposite rush this spring.

"We have an experienced secondary coming back, an experienced defense coming back," Lewis said. "I'm just expecting what everybody else is expecting, to come out and dominate other teams."

The defense has areas that can be improved, such as generating more sacks (tied for 93rd nationally last season, 1.54 per game) and takeaways (tied for 73rd with 20). But asked what the next phase is for the defense, Narduzzi replied, "Keep doing what we're doing."

The Spartans have evolved into an elite defense under Narduzzi and coach Mark Dantonio, a former defensive assistant at four FBS schools, including Michigan State (defensive backs, 1995-2000) and Ohio State (defensive coordinator, 2001-03). But they weren't always that way.

Michigan State finished 31st, 58th, 73rd and 43rd in defense during Dantonio's first four seasons as coach. The Narduzzi/Dantonio-led defenses at Cincinnati from 2004 to 2006 were decent but not special, finishing no higher than 31st nationally.

Dantonio identifies three factors that have helped the Spartans' defense reach nationally elite status: stronger recruiting/player development, staff continuity, and players who have experienced success and know the standard.

"We've got players who have excelled in the past, and success breeds success," Dantonio said. "When they have the same teacher, and that same base concept stays the same, over a period of time you begin to handle it more efficiently. I think that's happened to our football team. It doesn't mean we don't have breakdowns. We do. But we're able to overcome those, and we’re able to play with a lot of confidence and we're able to play fast.

"Any time you can do those two things ... you can be successful."

The same teacher is Narduzzi, who has served as Dantonio's defensive coordinator throughout his head-coaching career. Despite being courted by Texas A&M after the 2011 season and being mentioned for several head-coaching vacancies, he'll remain with the Spartans for a seventh season this fall.

Assistants Harlon Barnett (secondary) and Mike Tressel (linebackers) also came with Dantonio and Narduzzi from Cincinnati. The defensive staff had its first change this past offseason, when line coach Ron Burton replaced Ted Gill.

"There's something to be said about that," Bullough said. "You can play fast, you know the defense, you don't have to worry about the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

Michigan State's defense wasn't the reason the team backslid from 11 wins in 2011 to seven last season. The unit made strides in most major statistical categories and played arguably at a championship level. But it wasn't perfect, and with Michigan State's offense sputtering -- the Spartans finished 108th in scoring and 95th in total yards -- it cost the team. They dropped five Big Ten games by a total of 13 points.

There's a concern that the gap between the defense and the offense will create splintering, but Dennard says the Spartans "never got divided." Still, the offensive players know they must make up some ground this offseason.

"Each day, going to practice is a challenge for us," offensive tackle Fou Fonoti said. "Seeing them play with the amount of emotion, and you see Coach Narduzzi, it puts that fire for us. We've got to execute better, so we're trying to feed off of that."

This year's Spartan Dawgs blueprint should be finalized soon. One word likely to appear, if Lewis has a say, is nastiness.

Barnett has a picture of The Incredible Hulk on the wall of the defensive backs' meeting room and encourages his players to "bring the other guy out."

"I'm a nice guy off the field, but when you step on that field, you aren't that nice guy any more," Lewis said. "You've got to bring out that other side. ... Just a nasty guy, somebody mean, somebody angry."

Somebody striving to be the best.

"We want to be the No. 1 defense, we want to be the talk of the nation," Dennard said. "We take so much pride in that. None of us forget the blueprint."

The timing couldn't have been much better for Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun to turn a corner -- both literally and figuratively.

Michigan State needed a rally in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against TCU and, as usual, relied on its defense for a lift. The Spartans' most talented defensive lineman, junior end William Gholston, was playing his final college game. Leading 14-13, Michigan State needed a stop in its own territory. Calhoun, already with a tackle for loss to his credit, beat TCU tackle Aviante Collins around the edge and dropped quarterback Trevone Boykin for his first career sack. Although TCU converted a long field-goal try, Michigan State only needed three points to answer and got the game-winning field goal from Dan Conroy moments later.

"Before the sack, I felt like I was underachieving," Calhoun told ESPN.com "I didn't feel like I played to the best of my abilities. But after that performance, it showed me I could go a lot harder and work more. It kind of catapulted me into this year.

"It's given me a lot of pride in my game, a little more than I had before."

The charismatic Calhoun doesn't seem like a guy who lacks confidence, but the bowl game gave him the boost he needed entering a crucial offseason. When Gholston announced a week later that he'd forgo his final season and enter the NFL draft, Calhoun went from a promising young reserve to a likely starter at end opposite Marcus Rush.

"There would be a lot more playing time," he said. "I’d be a little more exhausted. That was the first thought."

To prepare for a bigger role, Calhoun had to add weight in the winter. He's about 255 pounds these days and hopes to be around 260 for the season.

Calhoun knows the added weight can help his game, as long as it doesn't come with a cost.

"The best aspect of my game is my speed, so for me to lose that, it would be a crucial mistake," he said. "With this style of play at Michigan State, it's a great opportunity for me to make plays with my speed.

"As long as I can maintain it, I’ll continue to gain weight."

Calhoun typically lines up on the field side, where he has to cover more green against dual-threat quarterbacks and the like. Michigan State has built its defense around speed, and Calhoun fits the scheme extremely well.

The redshirt sophomore opened the spring listed as a starter on the depth chart, but several others are in the mix at end, including veteran Denzel Drone and young players like Jamal Lyles and Joel Heath.

"I want it to be a dogfight, I want to fight for my position," said Calhoun, a standout on the scout team in 2011 who finished with six tackles, 2.5 for loss, and two pass breakups last fall. "Competition makes me work a lot harder, and I don't want to ever stop working hard. There's guys who are working just as hard as me. I want them to keep pushing me because I want to keep working hard."

Calhoun sees a similar attitude throughout Michigan State's defense, which has ranked sixth and fourth nationally the past two seasons.

"The coaches, my teammates, we're all striving to get better," Calhoun said. "Last year was a good year, yes, but we need to be better ... until we’re No. 1, and even then, we're not going to stop trying to be the best."

If this were an April Fool's post, we'd tell you about how we have an unlimited travel budget and the ability to pick whatever game we want to cover during the season. But it isn't, and we don't.

Instead, we're imagining which 2013 Big Ten games we'd attend each week during the fall in a perfect world. We're each picking one game per week and accounting whenever possible for a mixture of teams and assignments.

Let's take a look at the options for Week 12 (Nov. 16):

Indiana at Wisconsin
Michigan at Northwestern
Michigan State at Nebraska
Ohio State at Illinois
Purdue at Penn State

Bye weeks: Iowa, Minnesota

Brian Bennett's pick: Michigan State at Nebraska

Some interesting options this week, but I'd like to see what should be one of the top defenses in the country taking on potentially one of the best offenses in the land.

Michigan State and Nebraska played a thriller last year in East Lansing, with Taylor Martinez leading a miraculous fourth-quarter comeback in a game full of controversial calls. There's reason to believe this year's game could be just as entertaining, and it should have a major impact on the Legends Division race.

I fully expect the Huskers, who averaged nearly 35 points per game last year and return just about everybody on offense, to score points in bunches. Martinez is a senior now, Ameer Abdullah is a proven 1,00-yard back and the receiving corps is one of the best in the Big Ten. Add all that up, and Tim Beck's crew should hang 40 points or more on several teams this year, especially when they're playing in the friendly confines of Memorial Stadium.

That Nebraska offense will be tough for anyone to handle, but Pat Narduzzi's Michigan State defense might be up to the task. The Spartans have fielded a Top 10 defense in each of the past two seasons, and even with Johnny Adams and William Gholston departing, Narduzzi has plenty of stars to build around, including linebacker Max Bullough and cornerback Darqueze Dennard. Throw in some promising young players like defensive end Shilique Calhoun, and Michigan State should again have a formidable defense.

This game likely will come down to the "other" side of the ball for both teams. Nebraska is breaking in as many as nine new starters on defense, and those young players should be settled in by this point in the season. The Spartans will have a hard time being much worse on offense in 2013 than they were in 2012, but whoever plays quarterback must get something going in the passing game. Bo Pelini's defense thoroughly confused and confounded Kirk Cousins and a veteran Michigan State attack two years ago in Nebraska's win in Lincoln.

At least one of these two teams should be in the thick of the Legends race by the time this game rolls around. That, plus the offense-defense showdown, makes my Week 12 pick an easy one.

Adam Rittenberg's pick: Michigan at Northwestern

By this point in the season, I've seen the teams I need to see at least once. The division races will be heating up in mid-November, and two games certainly jump out on the slate: MSU-Nebraska and Michigan-Northwestern. While I'm tempted to make a trip to Lincoln, one of my favorite spots to see a game, I'll instead make the short drive North to Ryan Field for Wolverines-Wildcats.

Michigan and Northwestern gave us one of the most exciting games of the 2012 season last November in Ann Arbor. The teams combined for 79 points, 48 first downs and 850 yards. There were five lead changes as the momentum swung back and forth. Michigan appeared finished at the end of regulation before delivering arguably the most exciting play of the Big Ten season, a 53-yard pass to Roy Roundtree after a deflection that set up the tying field goal. The Wolverines went on to win 38-31 in overtime. If this year's game is anything like its predecessor, I won't regret my choice.

Both teams should be improved this season, and it will be interesting to see how both offenses look entering the game. Devin Gardner will have a full season under his belt as Michigan's top quarterback, and the Wolverines will use a more traditional offense after several years of the spread. Northwestern struggled with Michigan's vertical passing game last year but didn't have top cornerback Nick VanHoose on the field. VanHoose is back and the Wildcats have upgraded their speed and athleticism on defense, a unit that could take another step in 2013.

Northwestern returns all of its key offensive weapons -- Kain Colter, Trevor Siemian, Venric Mark -- but needs to bolster its line after losing three starters. Michigan's defensive line also is a bit of a mystery, so it will be interesting to see which squad has the edge in the trenches. Michigan struggled to stop Northwestern's option attack of Colter and Mark, and Siemian was very effective throwing the ball against the Wolverines. Will Michigan star linebacker Jake Ryan be back from an ACL tear? He could make a big difference in this one.

Michigan's overall schedule is favorable, but the Wolverines will be tested away from home in league play, traveling to State College, East Lansing, Evanston and Iowa City. Brady Hoke's team hasn't been nearly as dangerous away from Ann Arbor, while Northwestern has a tougher overall slate but gets several critical games at home. Both teams certainly will be watching what happens in Lincoln, but the winner in Evanston should be in the division title mix.

Previous Trippin’

Week 1: Adam at Northwestern-Cal, Brian at Purdue-Cincinnati
Week 2: Brian and Adam at Notre Dame-Michigan
Week 3: Brian at UCLA-Nebraska, Adam at Wisconsin-Arizona State
Week 4: Adam at Michigan State-Notre Dame, Brian at Purdue-Wisconsin
Week 5: Adam at Wisconsin-Ohio State, Brian at Wisconsin-Ohio State
Week 6: Adam at Ohio State-Northwestern, Brian at Penn State-Indiana
Week 7: Adam at Penn State-Michigan, Brian at Northwestern-Wisconsin
Week 8: Brian at Iowa-Ohio State, Adam at Indiana-Michigan
Week 9: Adam at Nebraska-Minnesota, Brian at Penn State-Ohio State
Week 10: Brian at Michigan-Michigan State, Adam at Wisconsin-Iowa
Week 11: Adam at Nebraska-Michigan, Brian at Penn State-Minnesota

Happy Opening Day, especially for these guys.

• Tim Beckman wants a yearly practice in Chicago. Beckman proclaimed Friday's Illinois scrimmage a success.
• Indiana receiver Ricky Jones is back in action after missing most of last year with an ankle injury.
• James Vandenberg has given himself a chance at playing in the NFL. Brandon Scherff has returned to left tackle for Iowa.
• Some Michigan recruiting nuggets.
• Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun is ready to take a step forward. Calhoun gives his take on the Spartans' tailbacks. Mark Dantonio beat out Tennessee for a quarterback recruit.
• Minnesota feels it is far ahead of its pace from this time last spring. Matt Limegrover is looking for a sense of urgency from Ohio State transfer Brian Bobek.
• Former hockey player Cole Pensick is making a power play for the Nebraska starting center job. The Huskers are preparing to face more mobile quarterbacks.
• Greg Pickel examines Northwestern's spring practice. A spring stock report on the Wildcats.
• Ohio State is pushing Braxton Miller to reach his full potential. Urban Meyer is looking for competitive spirit from his Buckeyes.
• Penn State is striving to maintain its Linebacker U tradition. Is there a curse on the players who transferred from the Nittany Lions last summer? Deion Barnes looks bound for greatness.
• Purdue held a special-teams scrimmage on Friday. Some interviews from that scrimmage.
• Wisconsin offensive players say they're more accepting of the coaching changes now than they were when Paul Chryst left. Jeff Lewis is out to prove his worth. Gary Andersen's thoughts on the first two weeks of Badgers practice.

A Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win against TCU took the sting off of a mostly disappointing season for Michigan State. Picked by many (ahem) to win the Big Ten, the Spartans went 7-6, dropping five games by a total of 13 points, including all four Big Ten home contests. Mark Dantonio's squad resumes its primary mission -- to claim a Big Ten title and a Rose Bowl appearance -- when it returns to the practice field Tuesday. Dantonio shuffled his offensive staff after coordinator Dan Roushar left for the NFL's New Orleans Saints, and Michigan State will have competition at quarterback, running back and other positions. The defense once again looks very good but needs to fill some gaps.

ESPN.com caught up with Dantonio this week to talk spring ball.

What are some of your primary objectives for the spring?

Mark Dantonio: The first thing we have to do is address where we're at and look forward. We have a new staff member on each side of the ball, and there's no question that we can improve on both sides of the ball. With that being said, there's a lot of experience coming back. There are areas every football team needs to address. Some of that is concept-based. We're going to try new things and move from there. Our objectives will be to get out of there without getting people hurt and move forward as a program, allow our young players, the guys who redshirted, to make a move on the depth chart and then solidify our No. 1s.

What will be different offensively with Dave [Warner] the lead play-caller and Jim [Bollman] coming in from the outside?

MD: Everybody is unique with their thought process, so you can promote from within or bring from the outside, and there's going to be some difference. With the addition of Jim Bollman, you bring in a guy who has experience at Michigan State (he was a Spartans assistant from 1995-97), not just experience offensively. Dave already knows what we do. But that's going to bring new ideas into what we're doing. Brad Salem, he'll be working with the quarterbacks, so it's a little bit of change. Mark Staten will still be with the offensive line and Terry Samuel will be with the wide receivers. There is change. We have a base of where we're at, and we'll move from there. It's not like we're reinventing the wheel. We have a base, and we need to grow from that base to improve.

What areas need to be improved on that side of the ball?

MD: When you look at where we were at last year, we need to improve in the red zone, obviously. We have to catch the ball, protect the quarterback more consistently. But we've got to score touchdowns in the red zone. We had too many field-goal attempts. We had 32. So it's not that we're not getting down there. We're getting down there and stalling out. We're going to work toward that. And then we've got to do some things conceptually that takes you forward.

We need change. There's no question we need some change in some areas, but there's also a lot of good things we've done. We've won a lot of football games here. When you look at last season, we were so close in so many different areas from having another 10-, 11-win season.

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Spring practice is kicking off around the Big Ten, and we're taking a look at one potential breakout player for each team. We’re spotlighting players who could take a major step during spring ball, so those who have started multiple seasons or earned All-Big Ten recognition in 2012 aren't eligible.

Let's turn now to the Michigan State Spartans, who open practice next Tuesday:

Monty Madaris, WR, redshirt freshman, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds

Just like last year, head coach Mark Dantonio doesn't have a lot of starting jobs to award on his stacked defense. A lot of eyes will be on sophomore Shilique Calhoun to step in for William Gholston at defensive end, and for sophomore Trae Waynes to earn his way into Johnny Adams' old cornerback spot.

But the real opportunities for playing time and impact come on the offensive side of the ball, where few roles are safe after last year's struggles. That's why we're picking Madaris, a guy who didn't even play last year. Aaron Burbridge made significant contributions at receiver as a true freshman last year, and Madaris might have done the same had he not suffered a high ankle injury during preseason camp. That led to a redshirt season, but the Spartans remain high on Madaris, who was a highly-regarded recruit out of Cincinnati powerhouse Moeller High School. The hope is that Madaris and Burbridge can give the offense two true stretch-the-field threats, while sophomore Macgarrett Kings Jr. also develops into a dependable option. That could make Michigan State's receiving corps a strength this year instead of a liability -- assuming, of course, that the team irons out its quarterback situation, too.

Michigan State has hired Air Force assistant Ron Burton as its new defensive line coach. He replaces Ted Gill, whose contract was not renewed.

Burton is a 21-year coaching veteran who has spent the past 10 years tutoring defensive linemen at Air Force. He has also worked at Indiana, coaching linebackers from 1997-2001, Eastern Michigan and Grand Valley State.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge to the position," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said in a statement released by the school. “Ron played four years in the NFL and has been around some of the game’s top coaches at both the professional and collegiate levels. In the pros, he played for Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Gene Stallings, and he started his tenure at Air Force under Fisher DeBerry, one of college football’s great coaches.

“He was simply dynamic during the entire interview process. We had an opportunity to share some ideas last year in a professional development setting, and we believe Ron is a natural fit in terms of defensive terminology and concepts. He also brings great energy and management skills to the coaching staff."

Burton said in the school's release that he gained respect for the Spartans' staff during last year's meeting.

“We sat and talked football, and I was simply amazed at how the staff handled things," Burton said.

The Spartans lose three starters off last season's defensive line, including early draft entrant William Gholston, but Burton should still have a lot to work with. Junior Marcus Rush will be a third-year starter at defensive end, while young players like Joel Heath, Shilique Calhoun and Lawrence Thomas show a lot of promise.

Michigan State fans would understandably disagree, but the Big Ten overall wasn't hit that hard by early departures to the NFL draft this year. Only six Big Ten underclassmen declared for the draft (Note: Purdue linebacker Dwayne Beckford already had been dismissed from the team).

Let's take a quick look back at the winners and losers of the early entries and how the decisions impact several teams going forward.

1. Biggest winner: Michigan. Almost everyone expected Wolverines left tackle Taylor Lewan to enter the draft after earning Big Ten Offensive Linemen of the Year honors and other accolades as a junior. Lewan had been projected by many as a top-15 pick, if not a top-10 pick, and his departure seemed like a foregone conclusion after he held up well against Jadeveon Clowney in the Outback Bowl. But Lewan delivered the biggest draft decision surprise -- and a delightful one for Michigan fans -- when he announced Jan. 9 that he'd return to Ann Arbor for the 2013 season. He provides a huge boost for a Wolverines offensive line that endured an up-and-down season and loses three starters. Lewan sought advice from former Michigan star tackle Jake Long, who opted to remain in school for his senior season and ended up becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft.

2. Biggest loser: Michigan State. The Big Ten had a smaller than normal group of early NFL departures, but Michigan State accounted for 50 percent (3-of-6) as running back Le'Veon Bell, tight end Dion Sims and defensive end William Gholston all made the jump. None of the early exits comes as a major surprise, as Bell led the nation in carries (382) and ranked third in rushing average (137.9), Sims flashed next-level potential and Gholston clearly has the physical skills to succeed in the NFL. But the departures of both Bell and Sims really sting an offense that lacked consistently productive players. Bell accounted for 92.3 percent of Michigan State's rushing yards and 38.4 percent of MSU's total yards, while Sims had 36 receptions for 475 yards and two touchdowns despite missing time with an ankle injury. A Spartans offense that struggled mightily for most of the season enters the offseason with even more question marks.

3. Head-scratchers: Lewan's decision comes as a major surprise, as few saw him slipping below the middle of the first round in the draft. He could end up leading Michigan to a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl berth as a senior, and improve his draft stock in the process, like Long did in 2007 when he earned unanimous All-America honors. But Lewan certainly is gambling a bit, as an injury or a drop in performance could hurt his future earning potential. Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio reportedly was "taken aback" by Bell's decision to leave, and some thought Gholston would have benefited from another season after falling short of preseason expectations. But aside from Lewan, the players who left were mostly expected to leave.

4. The replacements

• Michigan State likely will look to a combination of backs, including Nick Hill and possibly some incoming recruits, to fill the massive production void left by Bell. Three players backed up Sims this fall -- Paul Lang, Andrew Gleichert and Derek Hoebing -- and recruit Dylan Chmura joins the mix. The Spartans are in better shape at defensive end with returning starter Marcus Rush, veteran reserve Denzel Drone and Shilique Calhoun, who performed well in the bowl win against TCU.
• The expected departure of defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins means Ohio State must replace all four starting defensive linemen from 2012. The Buckeyes have recruited well up front and must hope young interior linemen like rising sophomore Tommy Schutt and rising junior Michael Bennett can fill the gaps. Adolphus Washington played some tackle as a true freshman but seems to have a future at defensive end, while Joel Hale could help Schutt and Bennett replace both Hankins and Garrett Goebel.
• Wisconsin loses a standout junior center to the NFL draft for the second straight year as Travis Frederick departs. Redshirt freshman Dan Voltz likely will step in after backing up Frederick, unless Wisconsin decides to move Ryan Groy to center, where he started late in the 2011 season.
• Illinois must fill both defensive tackle spots after junior Akeem Spence declared for the draft. Austin Teitsma is projected to move into a starting role after recording 15 tackles as a reserve last fall. The Illini also need younger tackles like Teko Powell and Vontrell Williams to emerge as they try to build depth along the line, typically a strong point for the team.

Weekend's here! Forgot how much I liked these.

Daniel from Ypsilanti, Mich., writes: Hey Adam, I think Lewans recent decision to continue at Michigan might have implications in Derrick Green's future commitment decision. You guys even stated that it makes a big difference in the Oline for next year. Do you think a five star RB might keep in mind the presence of a lineman like Lewan when deciding where to go? An All American lineman on an offense that would have an opening for early playing time sounds quite enticing for an RB does it not? Add to that Morris , who should be starting in the next couple years barring anything unforeseen, and it seems like the perfect fit for Green. What do you think?

Adam Rittenberg: Daniel, I think the Shane Morris factor would be a lot bigger than the Taylor Lewan factor for a player like Green, and the biggest factor is how well Michigan is recruiting at offensive line for the coming years. You don't make a decision like this based on one lineman who will only be there for your true freshman season. Morris, meanwhile, could be Green's quarterback for multiple years, and Michigan's offensive line recruiting efforts for 2013 are among the best in the nation. Michigan has five offensive line recruits in the ESPN 300 (all among the nation's top 160), including three of the nation's top seven guards. The future of Michigan's offensive line is a greater selling point to a running back like Green than the Lewan-led line in 2013.

Matt from Omaha writes: Adam,I have to say your final rankings for the B1G, while meaningless, struck a chord with me. All season you preached it's not about who you lost to, but who you beat. So how in the world, three teams that we beat are ranked in front of us-with virtually the same record (in Michigan's case worse), makes no sense. True, Nebraska did not acquit themselves well in the B1G title game. However, they played toe to toe with Georgia for 3 and 1/2 quarters before falling short. There is no shame in that for a team that nearly beat Alabama.

Adam Rittenberg: Matt, you correctly acknowledge the power rankings are meaningless because they are -- especially the Jan. 8 version -- despite all the ire they generate. Now refresh my memory: when did I say the power rankings were all about who you beat and not about who you lost to? The line I've reiterated time and again about the rankings is that they're a snapshot of how a team is performing right now. It's the ultimate what-have-you-done-for-me-lately thing. That's why Nebraska sits at No. 5. The Huskers ended the season poorly. I simply can't look past the Big Ten title game flop. To me, it really invalidated a lot of what Nebraska did in the regular season. Harsh? Maybe. But Nebraska lived a fairly charmed life down the stretch in Legends Division play, surviving turnovers and benefiting from calls and injuries. It received a seemingly favorable matchup in Indy (5-loss Wisconsin) and proceeded to lay a giant egg on the big stage. While Michigan also lost its final two games, it competed a lot better against Ohio State than Nebraska did and competed better in its bowl game than Nebraska did. Nebraska's head-to-head win on Oct. 27 might as well have happened decades ago, for power rankings purposes.

Yooper from Minneapolis writes: Hey Adam ... humor me with a way-too-early bold prediction for next year for the league's bowl record. It sure seems like most B1G teams outta see improvement next year, and even without OSU & PSU playing this year it could've easily been 4-3 had the UMs not blown games in the last minute. I'm gonna say 5-3 in bowls, and 3-1 on NYD, including a RB win...all of which sets the league up nicely to place someone in the first playoff the following year...what you got?

Adam Rittenberg: Yooper, you're a braver man than I am, as I can't offer a sensible prediction without knowing the bowl matchups. What if the Big Ten faces a 1-loss Oregon team in the Rose Bowl? Won't be easy to win it. I do think the Big Ten has a stronger chance of sending two teams to BCS bowls next season as Ohio State once again becomes eligible. Will that hurt the league's overall bowl matchups like it has in years past? Perhaps. But if teams like Michigan State, Michigan and Nebraska make strides in 2013, the league will be set up to post a better bowl mark. It's important to remember that that Big Ten's bowl lineup is never easy, and a .500 record is a pretty good performance in most seasons. I think there's a decent chance the Big Ten improves on this year's record. How much? Without seeing the matchups, I can't go there.

Derek from Chicago writes: I think everyone needs to chill out about how down the B1G actually is. As much as everyone likes to point at certain losses and say the B1G just can't compete on a national level, that simply isn't the case. A few consecutive years of some marquee losses is embarrassing, but the B1G isn't as far behind as people like to think in terms of competition. I am not a Wisconsin fan, but let's look at the Badgers here for a little perspective. The teams that went to the 2011 and 2012 Rose Bowls were without a doubt national championship-level teams, loaded with NFL talent, that would have competed with any team from the all-powerful SEC. This year's Rose Bowl team was mediocre at best, and only lost to a top-10 Stanford team by a touchdown. Not bad for a team that had no business being in the Rose Bowl. It's unfortunate that the B1G keeps losing these marquee national matchups, but the reality is that the B1G isn't actually down, it more just a string of bad luck that is easy to criticize. It's silly to say "the B1G just doesn't have the speed on the edges to compete Oregon," when we're just one score away from "Oregon just doesn't have the strength to compete with the B1G". (I use Oregon as an example, but feel free to insert SEC, Big 12, etc).

Adam Rittenberg: Derek, you make some good points here, and you challenge people to put the Big Ten's bowl performance into context. It's true that the Big Ten hasn't been that far away and has been hurt by unfavorable matchups and unfortunate circumstances (Ohio State/Penn State being ineligible this year). Ultimately, a league like the Big Ten needs to win more games -- Rose Bowls, other BCS bowls and the national title game. Wins like those have a way of making criticism go away. Wisconsin should have won the Rose Bowl after the 2010 season. It had a better team than TCU but didn't play better on that day. Wisconsin had no business losing three games with last year's team, led by Russell Wilson. That's not just bad luck or bad circumstances. You don't get credit for competing well year after year if the marquee wins don't start coming. The Big Ten needs to start winning some of these big games again if it wants any credit nationally.

Bill from Michigan writes: Adam - Spartan fan here. You guys do a great job but on your 5 defensive players to watch - trade S. Calhoun for Taiwan Jones. Nothing against Calhoun who does have a lot of potential, but Jones beat out a solid 3 yr starter (C. Norman) this year and just keeps getting better. He is my pick as a breakout performer. Will be interesting to see if either of us is right. Take care.

Adam Rittenberg: Bill, we probably should have explained it better, but those lists are meant to recognize players who aren't starters but will be soon and could make a big impact in 2012. We could have included Jones, and I came away impressed with what he did this season, but he already took a big step in moving into the starting lineup. He definitely could take things to another level next season, but it might be tough because Max Bullough and Denicos Allen both are back, and both are very productive as well. Shilique Calhoun, meanwhile, could take a spot where there's a need after Will Gholston's departure. I think we might both be right about these two, but Jones' accomplishments certainly should be recognized this year.

Sam from Fairfax, Va., writes: Adam, I think you missed the mark with which Michigan linebacker you chose in your "5 Defensive Players to Watch" column. Yes, Bolden should be good next year and play a decent amount of snaps, but there's a good chance that Desmond Morgan slides over from weak to middle linebacker this offseason. The two positions are similar enough in Michigan's defense that he should be able to pick it up fairly quickly, but he's never had good enough athleticism to really stand out at weakside linebacker. James Ross on the other hand does and is a much more natural fit for the position. I think Ross is your next star on the linebacking corps at Michigan, with Bolden needing more time to grow and getting fewer opportunities to shine.

Adam Rittenberg: Sam, thanks for the note. You're not the only Michigan fan I've heard from who is vouching for Ross ahead of Joe Bolden. The Morgan move would make sense for Ross to slide in at weakside linebacker, while Bolden could be used more as a fourth 'backer. Both players are talented and Michigan looks absolutely loaded at linebacker for years to come. It'll be interesting to see whether the Wolverines identify a difference-making defensive lineman to complement their strength at linebacker.

Bob from Crown Point, Ind., writes: Purdues of the world? That's your answer to Gino in Columbus?...c'mon Adam. Purdue is not that far removed from the strong football years under Tiller. Add in the history of Purdue basketball...both men and women's...and I think Purdue's athletic contributions to the Big Ten Conference should have been defended a bit stronger.

Adam Rittenberg: Bob, you have to put the reference in the proper context. I was explaining to Giro that the Big Ten's revenue sharing model allows programs with fewer resources, like Purdue, to have the same cut as programs with many more resources, like Ohio State. It had nothing to do with how many championships won or athletic contributions. From a pure revenue/resource standpoint, Purdue is near the bottom of the Big Ten. Purdue sponsors the fewest number of varsity sports (18) of any Big Ten institution. Not a knock, just a fact. Purdue has tradition in both football and men's basketball, and the Big Ten's revenue sharing model allows programs like Purdue, Minnesota, Northwestern and Indiana to receive the revenue to compete with some of the larger athletic programs in the conference.

Earlier this week, Brian Bennett took a look at five Big Ten offensive players to watch during the 2013 season. Now it's time to spotlight five possible breakout defenders.

As a reminder, these lists try to identify younger players (ideally non-starters) who showed flashes in 2012 and who will be in positions to make a greater impact this coming season. Examples from the 2012 season on the defensive side include Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier, Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan, Penn State defensive end Deion Barnes and Northwestern linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo. Players who earned All-Big Ten honors in 2012 aren't eligible for this list. We're looking for players who haven't come close to their ceilings yet.

Lastly, we realize a list of five excludes many promising players, but we had to cut it off somewhere.

Here we go (in alphabetical order) ...

Michigan LB Joe Bolden: A decorated 2012 recruit, Bolden enrolled early and immediately began impressing the coaching staff. The 6-foot-3, 222-pound Bolden saw the field in all 13 games as a true freshman, recording 31 tackles, including four for loss and a sack, to go along with a fumble recovery. Bolden likely will step into a starting role in 2013 as Michigan loses Kenny Demens to graduation. If Bolden takes a big step like Ryan did as a sophomore, Michigan could challenge Michigan State for which team boasts the Big Ten's top linebacking corps.

Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun: Calhoun definitely is a projection pick, but he clearly made strides before the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl and delivered two tackles for loss, including a sack, and a quarterback hurry against TCU. The departure of William Gholston to the NFL draft frees up a starting spot opposite Marcus Rush that Calhoun could occupy in 2013. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Calhoun saw action in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman this fall and should get bigger and stronger for a potentially big sophomore season.

Penn State LB Mike Hull: Hull is definitely the most familiar name on the list, but after waiting his turn as a reserve, his number will be called much more in 2013. The 6-foot, 228-pound rising junior had starter-like numbers in 2012, recording 58 tackles, including five for loss and four sacks, to go along with an interception, two fumble recoveries, four pass breakups and a blocked kick. He's already one of the Big Ten's best special-teams players and should be among the league's top linebackers this coming season as Penn State must replace standouts Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti.

Nebraska LB David Santos: Bo Pelini and his staff have acknowledged the team's pressing need at linebacker after transitioning from the Big 12 to the Big Ten. Although finding a difference-making defensive lineman might be the Huskers' biggest desire, they still need help in their defensive midsection and should get more out of Santos. The 6-foot, 220-pound Santos appeared in 13 games as a redshirt freshman this season, recording 24 tackles, including two for loss, and a forced fumble. Nebraska needs leadership at linebacker following Will Compton's departure, and Santos looks ready to take on a bigger burden.

Ohio State DE Adolphus Washington: The Buckeyes have to reload along the defensive line after losing Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year John Simon and interior space-eater Johnathan Hankins, among others. Urban Meyer and his staff landed several elite defensive line recruits in their first class, including Washington, who appeared in 10 games as a true freshman and recorded three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. Along with classmate Noah Spence, Washington is expected to take on a bigger role in 2013 and could be a breakout performer.

First, Dion Sims, then Le'Veon Bell and now William Gholston.

Michigan State went 3-for-3 with its juniors considering a jump to the NFL draft. All three men have decided to skip their senior seasons and turn pro.

Gholston, a defensive end, will join Bell and Sims in the 2013 NFL draft. He made things official Saturday with a letter to Michigan State fans which reads in part: "In the days since our Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl victory, I have decided to forgo my senior year at Michigan State and declare for the 2013 NFL Draft. While I know I still have a great deal to accomplish, I am very excited about the challenges that the future holds and I promise to always represent the University with class, dignity, and professionalism. From Coach [Mark] Dantonio, to our entire staff, to my incredible teammates, to each of you unbelievable fans that back us each and every day, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart."

The 6-7, 285-pound Gholston will try to impress NFL talent evaluators with his physical freakishness and next-level potential after a somewhat disappointing 2012 season. Gholston recorded 59 tackles, including 13 for loss and 4.5 sacks, and added 10 pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a safety. A decent season for sure, and Gholston earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, but he didn't match the lofty expectations placed on him after his dominating performance against Georgia in the 2012 Outback Bowl.

He'll need a good predraft performance to help his stock, but he certainly has the physical tools to do so.

His departure shouldn't hurt Michigan State as much as Bell's or Sims', as the Spartans boast much more depth on the defensive side of the ball. MSU has an experienced defensive end in Marcus Rush and other options like Denzel Drone and Shilique Calhoun.