ESPN College Football

As part of “College Football Live’s” 100 Days Till Kickoff countdown, we're taking a look at the top 10 players in the Big Ten for 2012. Please note that this list could look different when we do our Big Ten Top 25 players list later this summer.

But here's how they're ranked for the "College Football Live" event:

1. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin: After scoring 39 touchdowns and earning an invitation to New York for the 2011 Heisman Trophy ceremony, Ball returned to school for his senior year and very much earned the No. 1 spot on this list. His numbers could go down a bit this year as they would be nearly impossible to top. Yet Ball, who has focused on pass blocking and improving his strength this offseason, could be a better all-around back in 2012.

2. Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska: Still a bit underrated nationally, Burkhead gets plenty of respect in the Big Ten. He ran for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns last season without much of a passing attack to keep defenses honest. The senior approaches every carry like his scholarship check depends on it, which is why Nebraska fans embrace him.

3. John Simon, DE, Ohio State: New Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer gushed over Simon this spring for his all-out commitment on and off the field. Simon had seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss on a banged-up defensive front last year and should contend for Big Ten defensive player of the year honors in 2012.

4. William Gholston, DE, Michigan State: We mean this in the best possible way: Gholston is a freak. How else to describe a 6-foot-7, 275-pounder with the speed of an outside linebacker? Gholston can be downright unblockable when he's focused and using proper technique, something he showed in an impressive Outback Bowl performance against Georgia in January. If that's a sign of things to come, he could be an All-American.

5. Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State: Hodges has become the latest member of Linebacker U. to seize stardom. He broke out last season with 106 tackles, including 4.5 sacks, as he anchored the middle of one of the best defenses in the country. Fast, strong and instinctive, he's got everything you want from the linebacker position.

6. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan: There might not be a more exciting player in the country than "Shoelace," who's put together more heroics than a comic-book character the past two seasons. But his passing remains suspect, as evidenced by his Big Ten-worst 15 interceptions last season. The word out of spring practice was that Robinson had improved his fundamentals and looked sharp as a passer. If he can add accuracy to his other many talents, the sky is the limit for him and the Wolverines this season.

7. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue: Short thought about skipping his senior year and entering the NFL but decided to make a push for first-round status this season. He certainly has the ability to do so as a potentially dominant run stuffer in the middle of Purdue's defensive line. Short had 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 tackles in 2011 and will be the focus of every opposing offensive game plan this season.

8. Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin: Bret Bielema says Borland might be the best middle linebacker he's ever coached. Which is saying something, since Borland didn't move to the middle linebacker spot until last season. Though a bit undersized, he makes up for it with natural instincts and underrated athleticism. Borland made 143 tackles last year and formed one of the best defensive duos in the country with fellow Badgers linebacker Mike Taylor.

9. Silas Redd, RB, Penn State: Redd carried Penn State's offense during the middle of last season and was as productive as any back during the month of October. He eventually wore down a bit under a heavy workload and because of some injuries, but he could be primed for an even bigger year in new coach Bill O'Brien's offense. Redd ran for 1,241 yards last season and figures to find the end zone more than the seven trips he made there a year ago.

10. Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois: Brown burst onto the scene as a sophomore, posting 108 tackles and 19.5 for loss as a quarterback-seeking missile. He was a bit inconsistent, however, and he lost his cool when he kneed a Northwestern player in the groin, earning a one-game suspension. Now a year older and wiser, Brown should be one of the top defensive playmakers in the conference, if not the country.

The book is closed on spring football in the Big Ten, but what did the chapters reveal? Although no games are played during the spring, which fuels optimism for all 12 teams, the 15 practices provide clues for the upcoming season. The Big Ten saw few major injuries to key players, some good news (the NCAA declaring Michigan State WR DeAnthony Arnett eligible for 2012) and some potentially troubling signs.

It's time to revive the power rankings coming out of the spring. We see separation with the top two teams, while Nos. 3-5 are closely matched. The same holds true for Nos. 7-10.

Here they are ...

1. Michigan State: The Spartans' defense looks like the single best unit in the Big Ten entering the season. Spring practice only enhanced our opinion of Pat Narduzzi's group, which has no shortage of stars. While the passing game needs work, Arnett's presence should help, and the Spartans will rely more on their run game with Le'Veon Bell and an improved offensive line.

2. Michigan: Quarterback Denard Robinson and Fitzgerald Toussaint, who affirmed himself as Michigan's top tailback this spring, form arguably the Big Ten's most dangerous backfield tandem. If Michigan can fill some key pieces on both lines, where there was some shuffling this spring, it will be back in the BCS bowl mix and among the favorites to win the Big Ten crown.

3. Wisconsin: It seems hard to fathom, but Montee Ball appeared to take his game to an even higher gear this spring. The Badgers' star running back will fuel the offense again, although quarterback remains a question mark as Maryland transfer Danny O'Brien arrives this summer. Wisconsin still needs more playmakers to emerge on the defensive line and in the secondary.

4. Nebraska: Tough call on this spot, but the Huskers return their core pieces on offense from a 9-4 team. Footwork-conscious quarterback Taylor Martinez received good reviews this spring, and he should be more comfortable in Year 2 at the helm of Tim Beck's offense. Coach Bo Pelini thinks the defense will be improved and potentially deeper, although the Huskers lose a lot of star power on that side of the ball.

5. Ohio State: There were few dull moments in Ohio State's first spring under Urban Meyer, who began installing an offense unlike any seen in Columbus. After resembling a "clown show" early on, the offense made strides and quarterback Braxton Miller looks like a strong fit for the system. An improved defense, led by linemen John Simon and Johnathan Hankins, should buy the offense some time to get acclimated.

6. Penn State: New coach Bill O'Brien ushered in a historic spring in Happy Valley, and Penn State players for the most part embraced the many changes taking place. The Lions still don't have a quarterback, but they have an excellent running back in Silas Redd and an improved offense line that pleasantly surprised O'Brien this spring. Penn State's defensive front seven, led by linebacker Gerald Hodges and tackle Jordan Hill, might need to carry the team at times.

7. Purdue: Fourth-year coach Danny Hope thinks this is clearly his best team in West Lafayette, and with 18 starters back, it's easy to see why. The Boilermakers are one of the Big Ten's deepest teams at positions like quarterback, defensive tackle, running back and cornerback. Purdue must continue to absorb the new defense installed by Tim Tibesar and fill some key gaps along the offensive line.

8. Iowa: Although Iowa's changes this spring didn't make national headlines like the ones at Penn State and Ohio State, they were very significant. New offensive coordinator Greg Davis began installing a more up-tempo and multifaceted offense that seems to be clicking with senior quarterback James Vandenberg. Jordan Canzeri's ACL injury once again clouds the picture at running back entering the summer, and Iowa needs its young defensive line to grow up in a hurry.

9. Northwestern: The Wildcats showcased one of the league's top wide-receiving corps this spring, and if Kain Colter can improve his passing, the offense should surge. Defense has been Northwestern's bugaboo in recent years, and young players like end Deonte Gibson and cornerback Nick VanHoose stepped forward this spring. It's crucial for the defense to keep making progress if Northwestern wants to maintain its bowl streak.

10. Illinois: There's little doubt Illinois will be a defense-driven team, and the Illini look loaded in the front seven with players like end Michael Buchanan, who turned in a very strong spring, as well as tackle Akeem Spence and linebacker Jonathan Brown. An offense that flatlined late last season began learning a new system this spring and still lacks playmakers at running back and wide receiver. Running back Josh Ferguson's spring-game performance is encouraging.

11. Minnesota: The second spring of the Jerry Kill era brought greater comfort for both players and coaches alike. Quarterback MarQueis Gray made strides in his second spring session as the starter, although the Gophers are still looking for more weapons to surround No. 5. The defensive line should be an improved group after several lifeless seasons. Minnesota still needs to develop depth in the secondary and at wide receiver.

12. Indiana: After playing an insane number of freshmen in 2011, Indiana began to reap the benefits this spring. An influx of junior-college defenders, including linebackers David Cooper and Jacarri Alexander, also should boost a unit that needs all the help it can get. The Hoosiers have some nice building blocks on offense at both quarterback (Tre Roberson) and running back (Stephen Houston, Isaiah Roundtree), but they still have a lot of work to do before the season.

Spring practice is a time when coaches install new schemes or just instill the fundamentals. The most exciting part of spring practice is potential new stars emerge, with newcomers or former reserves turning heads with their performances.

Some of these guys will fade back into the shadows come fall. But others will be making major contributions on a field near you. Here's a list of some players who had breakout springs:

Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois: Redshirted last year after a hamstring injury, Ferguson blew up for 130 yards and caught six passes in the Illini spring game. He flashed his speed and versatility for an offense that desperately needs playmakers in its new spread attack. Ferguson should be in line to get a lot of touches in 2012.

Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State: A true freshman who enrolled in January after spending a year in prep school, Thomas suddenly became Braxton Miller's favorite target in the spring game, hauling in 12 catches for 131 yards. Like Ferguson, he gave a glimmer of hope to a position that was sorely in need of a boost for the Buckeyes, and he'll get a shot at plenty of playing time right away.

Darien Harris, LB, Michigan State: Few people were talking about Harris at the start of spring, especially since the Spartans return all three starting linebackers. But with Chris Norman out this spring with an injury, Harris got a bunch of reps and ran with it. Mark Dantonio called the redshirt freshman "one of the exciting surprises of the spring." He'll play this fall, but the question is how much?

Joey Burzinski, OL, Michigan: Even most Wolverines fans had probably not heard of Buzinski, a walk-on freshman, before this spring. But a strong work ethic and a lack of depth on the Michigan O-line helped him make a move until he found himself working with the first string. Burzinski is no lock to start but should see minutes somewhere on the line and is a great story.

Bill Belton, RB, Penn State: Belton was a highly-regard recruit who started to make an impact at the end of last season. Moved to full-time running back this spring, he responded by making a lot of plays and adding depth to a spot that was extremely thin behind Silas Redd. Belton's versatility should help him become a useful weapon in Bill O'Brien's offense.

David Cooper, LB, Indiana: There's no question that the Hoosiers desperately needed some help on defense, and head coach Kevin Wilson scoured the junior college ranks for a talent injection. Cooper, along with Jacarri Alexander, proved he could run and tackle this spring, and he also brought a high energy level that rubbed off on his teammates. He's slated to start at middle linebacker and hopefully bring some improvement to the overall defensive effort.

C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa: He was a hyped recruit, and now Fiedorowicz might be about to show why. A matchup nightmare at 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, the junior is expected to play a major role in new offensive coordinator Greg Davis's offense, and James Vandenberg has to love having such a big target.

Frankie Williams, S, Purdue: By the end of last season, Danny Hope regretted his decision to redshirt Williams because he felt he could have contributed at cornerback. Williams moved to safety this spring and got the start there in the spring game. The Boilers are deep at corner but could use a little help at safety, and Williams looks ready to fill that need.

It's time once again for our series looking at the most indispensable players on each Big Ten squad entering the 2012 season.

All together now: this is not necessarily a listing of the best players on each team, but of those whose absence would cause the most pain because of their particular value or a lack of depth at their positions. Up now: Penn State.

Silas Redd, RB, Junior

Although Bill Belton had a nice spring, Penn State's backfield otherwise looked very thin. That makes Redd -- easily the team's best offensive weapon -- indispensable. Redd ran for 1,241 yards last season and was as good as any running back in the country during October. With the uncertainty at quarterback and at receiver, there's little doubt that head coach Bill O'Brien will ask Redd to carry a heavy load on offense. The Nittany Lions can't afford to lose him.

Jordan Hill, DT, Senior

Gerald Hodges is the best player on the Penn State defense, but Linebacker U could absorb the loss of a star at that position, even one as valuable as Hodges. It's much more difficult to replace talent at the defensive tackle position. Perhaps we're biased by how Devon Still raised his game as a senior en route to Big Ten defensive player of the year honors, but Hill looks like he's primed for a huge final season. He had 59 tackles and eight tackles for loss last year and will be the most experienced and accomplished figure in the middle of that Nittany Lions defensive front. Losing him would create a major hole that would not easily be filled.

Adam Rittenberg talks about some of the key Big Ten players to keep an eye on this season.

2011 overall record: 9-4
2011 conference record: 6-2 (T-first, Leaders division)
Returning starters: Offense: 5; defense: 4; kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

LB Gerald Hodges, DT Jordan Hill, LB Michael Mauti, S Malcolm Willis, CB Stephon Morris, RB Silas Redd, WR Justin Brown, C Matt Stankiewitch

Key losses

DT Devon Still, DE Jack Crawford, S Nick Sukay, CB Chaz Powell, LB Nathan Stupar, T Quinn Barham, G Johnnie Troutman, WR Derek Moye, T Chima Okoli

2011 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Silas Redd* (1,241 yards)
Passing: Matthew McGloin* (1,571 yards)
Receiving: Derek Moye (654 yards)
Tackles: Gerald Hodges* (106)
Sacks: Jack Crawford (6.5)
Interceptions: Nick Sukay (3)

Spring answers

1. Offensive line taking shape: Penn State's offensive line has underachieved to varying degrees since 2008, and with only one starter back (Stankiewitch), there were concerns entering the spring. But after a strong winter in the new strength program -- no group benefited more than the offensive linemen -- the front five performed well during the spring session. Junior Adam Gress emerged as the answer at left tackle, and John Urschel locked up a starting spot at right guard.

2. Hodges primed for huge season: After earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2011, linebacker Gerald Hodges made more strides this spring. He moved to the strongside position -- one he notes previous Lions stars have played as seniors -- and consistently looked like the best player on the field during practices. Penn State could have the Big Ten's top linebacking corps in 2012, and Hodges will be leading the charge.

3. Redd alert: While Hodges and defensive tackle Jordan Hill are the defensive stars, junior running back Silas Redd will be the team's primary offensive weapon for the second consecutive season. Redd already has reinvented himself at Penn State, going from a small, shifty back to a bigger, workhorse type. His next step: "Combine those together -- when I need to stiff-arm a guy, when I need to make a guy miss, when I need to run through an arm tackle -- and become a more complete back," Redd told ESPN.com. He certainly looked like an All-Big Ten back this spring.

Fall questions

1. Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback: Penn State entered the spring with a three-man race at quarterback and left the spring with very little resolved under center. New coach Bill O'Brien wants to reduce the candidate pool from three to two, but the competition will continue into the first part of camp. O'Brien is dealing with quarterbacks who are either unproven (Paul Jones) or needing improvement (Matthew McGloin, Rob Bolden). Add in the fact the quarterback are still absorbing O'Brien's complex offense and it means a lot of work must be done in August.

2. The Patriot Act: Speaking of O'Brien's offense, it remains very much a work in progress as Penn State's players learn a system used by the New England Patriots in 2011. O'Brien's approach this spring was to throw a very dense playbook at his new team and see what sticks. It'll be important for Penn State to identify what it can run effectively during preseason camp and fine-tune those plays as much as possible before Sept. 1.

3. Filling out the secondary: Penn State's defensive front seven will be the strength of the team in 2012, but the Lions lose all four starters in the secondary and need to build depth there. Some nice pieces return in safety Malcolm Willis and cornerback Stephon Morris, but Penn State will be looking for more from guys like Adrian Amos, Stephen Obeng-Agyapong and Curtis Drake, who moved from wide receiver to cornerback this spring. If the secondary can hold its own, Penn State's defense could be scary good this fall.

The Big Ten has had some odd choices for preseason offensive player of the year -- Terrelle Pryor in 2009 -- but this year's pick should be obvious. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball won the award after the 2011 season, and he's back in Madison for his senior year. Ball, one of two Heisman Trophy finalists returning for 2012, should be the preseason pick, end of story. We'll save you the suspense about our preseason player rankings: Ball will be No. 1.

But the preseason pick for OPOY often doesn't mean much. In fact, the preseason pick hasn't won the postseason award since Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith in 2006. Smith, by the way, is the last Big Ten player to win the Heisman Trophy.

2007
Preseason pick: Michigan RB Mike Hart
Winner: Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall

2008
Preseason pick: Ohio State RB Chris Wells
Winner: Iowa RB Shonn Greene

2009
Preseason pick: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor
Winner: Wisconsin RB John Clay

2010
Preseason pick: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor
Winner: Michigan QB Denard Robinson

2011
Preseason pick: Michigan QB Denard Robinson
Winner: Wisconsin RB Montee Ball

Ball will be the favorite, but he's far from a shoo-in. There are several players who should challenge the Wisconsin star this season, and we've listed four of them in the accompanying poll. Vote and let us know who you think has the best chance to beat Ball for the offensive player of the year award.

Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead, Penn State running back Silas Redd and Michigan's Robinson are obvious choices. Burkhead and Redd carried their respective offenses as times last season, and both logged more than 240 carries (Burkhead had 283, the second most in the league behind Ball's 307). Burkhead plays for a unit that should see more balance and more weapons develop this season, but he remains the top ball-carrying option. Redd, meanwhile, might once again be Penn State's only viable offensive threat if the quarterback situation doesn't improve.

While Robinson's inclusion undoubtedly will spark some snide remarks, the guy has won the award before and remains one of the nation's most exciting offensive players. He's entering his third season as Michigan's starter, and if he can cut down on interceptions and become a more consistent passer, he'll be in the mix for both league and national awards.

The fourth choice was tough, and I considered several candidates, including Ohio State QB Braxton Miller, Iowa QB James Vandenberg and Michigan RB Fitzgerald Toussaint. Any of them could contend for offensive player of the year honors, as could several others. But I've always thought Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell could be a potential superstar in this league. As Michigan State transitions back to a run-heavy offense behind an improved offensive line, Bell will have a chance to shine.

What say you? Be sure and vote in the poll.

Penn State running back Silas Redd talks about his progress in learning Bill O'Brien's offense.

Big Ten bloggers Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett will occasionally give their takes on a burning question facing the league. We'll both have strong opinions, but not necessarily the same view. We'll let you decide which blogger is right.

Today's Take Two topic is this: Last season, defensive tackle was clearly the strongest overall position group in the Big Ten. What position will be the best throughout the league in 2012?

Take 1: Brian Bennett

I'm tempted to go with linebacker, where some high-profile players and future stars are scattered throughout the conference. But my pick is running back.

There's some major star power at the position this year in the Big Ten, starting off with last year's Heisman Trophy finalist and record breaker, Wisconsin's Montee Ball. While Ball is the obvious choice for preseason offensive player of the year, he could get pushed by some other backs, including Nebraska's tough-as-nails Rex Burkhead, who ran for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Even with last year's No. 2 league rusher (Iowa's Marcus Coker) gone, the position is still stacked with guys like Penn State's Silas Redd, who we both think is primed for a huge season; Michigan's Fitz Toussaint, who ran for more than 1,000 yards despite not taking over lead rushing duties until the eighth game of the season; and Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell, who came on strong late last season and looks great this spring.

Purdue has some very capable runners in Akeem Shavers, Akeem Hunt and Doug Gentry, and Ralph Bolden is coming back from an ACL injury. Ohio State has a potentially strong group with Carlos Hyde, Jordan Hall, Rod Smith and freshman Bri'onte Dunn. Stephen Houston showed some good things for Indiana last year, and transfer Isaiah Roundtree had a big spring game. Minnesota is high on junior college import James Gillum. And don't forget James White at Wisconsin, who could start for most teams in the country.

Iowa, Illinois and Northwestern have some question marks at tailback. But overall, running back is where the Big Ten's bread will be buttered this season.

Take 2: Adam Rittenberg

A good choice, Bennett, as the Big Ten returns six of its top seven running backs and would have brought back all seven if not for Marcus Coker's transfer. But my experience covering this league has taught me to never overlook the defensive line. The D-line once again will be the Big Ten's strongest group in 2012.

Sure, the league loses standouts like Devon Still, Whitney Mercilus and Jerel Worthy. But you could substitute the names Aaron Maybin and Mitch King after the 2008 season, or Brandon Graham and Jared Odrick after 2009, or J.J. Watt and Corey Liuget after 2010. The Big Ten always finds ways to reload up front, and this year will be no different. There might not be as many familiar names as there are at running back, but that soon will change.

Let's start off with the top returning linemen, Ohio State's John Simon and Purdue's Kawann Short, both of whom earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2011. Both men will contend for All-America honors, and could be potential first-round picks in the 2013 class. Then you have a guy we're both excited about: Michigan State defensive end William Gholston. He's a physical freak, as you recently detailed, and has the potential to dominate games and become one of the nation's truly elite defenders in 2012. I'd also include Penn State defensive tackle Jordan Hill in this group of known commodities with the potential for very big things this season. Penn State's overall depth along the defensive line should be better this year.

Now for some lesser-known names who could have breakout seasons. Let's start at Illinois with defensive end Michael Buchanan and defensive tackle Akeem Spence. Buchanan is poised for a big year, as he showed in Illinois' spring game, while Spence is a next-level player who could follow Liuget's path this season. Speaking of defensive tackles, watch out for Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins, a very big man who can do very big things this season. The Buckeyes' heralded incoming freshmen should only bolster their line.

Michigan loses two standout linemen (Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen), but it's hard to imagine the Wolverines falling back much at all up front. Nebraska boasts good depth at the defensive end spot and could see a big year from a guy like Cameron Meredith.

While there are some question marks around the league, including an unproven line at Iowa, teams like Northwestern and Minnesota should be improved up front.

Coming at you a day later than normal, but better than never.

Ryan from Grand Rapids, Mich., writes: Hey Adam, How much of a true telling of Michigan's season is the Alabama game going to be? The more that I think about it, the more I begin to sense there are too many unknown factors on both teams for people to make automatic judgments for both Michigan and Alabama teams. That being said, do you feel that a Michigan victory would be a solid sign for another 11 or 12 win season?

Adam Rittenberg: Ryan, I agree that the first game doesn't answer every question about a particular team, and both squads undoubtedly will be improved later in the season. But teams can make national statements in Week 1, like LSU did last season against Oregon in the opener. A Michigan win would be absolutely huge for the program and for the Big Ten, which has struggled to beat the SEC's elite. I haven't hid my feelings about Alabama. In my view, it's the best college program in America and boasts the best college coach in Nick Saban. Any victory against the Tide, no matter what year or how many starters they've lost or where the game is played, resonates in my book. While Alabama certainly won't be Michigan's last major test in 2012, a Wolverines victory would be extremely significant.

---

Michael from Happy Valley, Pa., writes: hi Adam, you may have already answered this but after your visit to PSU these past two days I have a new and refreshing question about none other than the QB race. What do you think the chances are that Paul Jones, with no game-time experience, is named the starter come september 1st? It sounds like a longshot, but from what I've been hearing around campus and other websites, PJ has been on fire in practice and seems like the real deal when it comes to quarterback. Did he stand out to you at the practice you attended moreso than McGloin (bolden's name shouldn't even be thought of in the QB face ever again or I lose faith in humanity)

Adam Rittenberg: Michael, while Jones remains very much in the mix for the starting job, I think Penn State fans should pump the brakes a bit on all the hype surrounding him. From what I saw this week, he still has some strides to make in a very complex offense, although he clearly has some excellent skills. Granted, I only saw one practice, but he didn't stand out above the others. I realize most PSU fans are sick of Bolden, but it would surprise me if he's not in the final two for the starting job after spring ball. He's a confounding player in many respects, as I saw him make some tremendous, NFL-type throws, but also some head-scratching mistakes. Consistency remains the big key, but I wouldn't write him off despite his struggles in games.

---

Sam from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: Adam, you quoted KF: "Bottom line is we're 4-4 the last two years in conference play," he said. "If that's the best we can do, then that's fine. But we felt like we've left something out there."If thats the best they can do, thats fine? Two questions for you regarding that. First, is than an opinion that permeates the program (from the AD to the players) as far as you can tell from your time in Iowa City. And second, as a professional sports writer, do you think that is a fair of Iowa as a program, with or without KF?

Adam Rittenberg: Sam, I think Kirk's point is that sometimes, a team maxes out at 4-4. Some teams simply aren't better than 5-7. But Iowa has been better than that, in his mind, the past few seasons and has fallen short. When Ferentz first came to Iowa, the team's maximum output was lower than it has been in recent years. Ferentz has built his program on maximizing talent. In some years, the max is 10 or 11 wins. In other years, it's seven or eight wins. I don't think Iowa will have a team, talent wise, that would call a six-win season satisfactory. I also don't think Ferentz's quote means that the team has an attitude that 4-4 is OK. Players and coaches have bigger goals, like reaching the Rose Bowl and winning a Big Ten title. Ferentz's point is that Iowa must max out its ability, which means better than 4-4 in most years.

---

Chris from Chicago writes: Every year we hear a lot of complimentary things about teams in spring/summer practice -- improved competition, "swagger," guys playing/looking hungry. And then the season starts, and many times this hunger/improvement/swagger is nowhere to be seen. When Adam/Brian visit a spring/summer practice, what do you look for to see if a team is actually looking better than it did the previous year?

Adam Rittenberg: Chris, good point about the optimistic nature of spring ball. I've yet to visit a spring practice where the team lacks confidence or expects to lose nine or 10 games. But I do look at body language, and when I'm allowed to see practices, I look for players who look different and play different than they did the previous season. At Penn State, for example, I wasn't closely studying players like Silas Redd and Gerald Hodges (both of whom looked great, by the way). I know they can play at an All-Big Ten level. I was looking for the up-and-comers, and also which position groups are showing greater depth. I also look to see how fluid a practice is, whether there are big plays on both sides of the ball and how many breakdowns occur. But you can tell a lot from meeting with players and coaches, listening to how they say things and how confident they sound about their team.

---

Brian from Indianapolis writes: Call me ignorant, but what does "Silverstone the links" mean? Is it an inside joke, or something?

Adam Rittenberg: Wish it were, Brian. No, it refers to how Alicia Silverstone feeds her son. Click the link at your own risk.

---

Tom from Lakeland, Fla., writes: Going into 2012 it appears that Danny Hope is the only coach on the hot seat. Any thought that Bobby Petrino could end up at Purdue?

Adam Rittenberg: Wow, that didn't take long, did it? I'll say this: Bobby Petrino will have opportunities in 2013. He's too good of a football coach, and there will be those willing to overlook his lying and transgressions because he can win football games. I don't get the sense Purdue would go that route, and AD Morgan Burke remains supportive of Hope, who he tabbed to succeed Joe Tiller. I also don't know if Purdue could pay Petrino what he'd likely demand.

---

Jake M. from Chicago writes: Hi Adam. What makes you and Brian so sure that Urban Meyer will succeed with Ohio St.? While he was highly successful at Florida, he also had the opportunity to win with arguably one of the best college players ever (Tebow). It just seems as if OSU has already won a national championship with Meyer before he has even coached a game.

Adam Rittenberg: Jake, there's certainly a group that wonders how Meyer's Florida tenure would have gone had Tebow not been there. And it's fair to wonder whether he's receiving too much praise too early in his Ohio State tenure. My feeling about Ohio State is the program is set up to compete at the highest level and did for most of Jim Tressel's tenure. The damage from the NCAA investigation appears minimal, in part because of what Meyer did on the recruiting trail following his hiring in late December. There's almost a sense that Ohio State is too big to fail. That doesn't mean Meyer and his staff will have it easy this year. They have work to do, particularly with an offense that has underperformed in recent years and needs playmakers to emerge at the wide receiver spot. I like the young defenders returning, and Ohio State should make strides on that side of the ball. It's not as if Ohio State has been far away from winning another national title. Meyer's presence as an elite recruiter, and the more innovative offense he'll bring could be what puts the Buckeyes over the top. But they'll still have to earn it and win what is becoming a deeper Big Ten.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- When Penn State running back Silas Redd sat down to watch Super Bowl XLVI, he had two goals in mind.

1. Go Giants!

2. Study the New England Patriots' offense, which would soon become his offense at Penn State under new coach Bill O'Brien.

"Part of me obviously wanted my coach to get a ring," Redd told ESPN.com, "but being a Giants fan, I couldn't display that too much."

Redd hasn't fully disclosed his NFL allegiance to O'Brien, although the coach likely has figured it out. And the Lions junior certainly isn't going to bring up the game with his coach, whose Patriots' tenure ended with a 21-17 loss.

"No, no," Redd said, smiling. "I'm not trying to see the bench this year."

Redd shouldn't have to worry too much.

Penn State has no shortage of question marks on offense as it implements a complex new scheme, but the No. 1 running back spot isn't one of them. Redd had a breakout sophomore season in 2011, rushing for 1,241 yards and seven touchdowns on 244 carries. While Penn State rotated quarterbacks and sputtered in the passing game, Redd emerged as the offense's best weapon, and, at times, only weapon.

What makes Redd unique is that he has already reinvented himself during his brief college career, going from a smaller, shifty back as a freshman in 2010, to a workhorse, power back in 2011. He turned in a Herculean month in October, leading the FBS with 703 rushing yards, and logging a staggering 133 carries in five games.

What's the next phase for Redd's career?

"It's just bringing those together," he said. "I've got the shiftiness, and now I have the power running down. Let's try to combine those together -- when I need to stiff-arm a guy, when I need to make a guy miss, when I need to run through an arm tackle -- and become a more complete back.

"It's kind of like an arsenal now. You have certain things in your arsenal, and you bring them out when you think you need to."

As a 192-pound true freshman in 2010, Redd had only one choice: make 'em miss. Then he bulked up to 209 pounds before the 2011 season and realized he could run over defenders, perhaps too much so at times.

"I felt stronger, and I maybe tried to display it too much," said Redd, who currently checks in at 205 pounds and should remain there for the season. "I was using the wrong moves at the wrong times. It's something you don't want to think about it. It should be instinct."

Redd said his open-field decisions are coming more naturally now, although he wants to display better patience. His primary objective is learning O'Brien's offense and its demands for the backs, including an increased role in the pass game.

After recording nine receptions for 40 yards last season, Redd should see his numbers increase. He's lining up more in the slot -- "That seems to be a big formation for our offense, where I'm split out," he said -- or being offset in the shotgun.

"It challenges you as an athlete to see what you can do, not just in the I-formation," he said. "For anyone that has aspirations to go to the next league, this is the offense you want to be in."

Redd and O'Brien have discussed the NFL, and what Redd must do to get there.

"The main thing is pass blocking," Redd said. "He says the one thing rookie backs don't know how to do is pass block."

Redd is confident in his strength as a blocker, but he's working on technique and positioning this spring.

The Big Ten returns nine of its top 10 rushers from 2011, and Redd, who finished fourth in the league, will be in the mix for league and national honors, along with backs like Wisconsin's Montee Ball and Nebraska's Rex Burkhead.

"He's a smart guy, he's a tough guy, he's got good vision and good balance, he can catch the ball out of the backfield," O'Brien said of Redd. "He's a good all-around back."

And he could have a full arsenal at his disposal this season.

You're still here! You didn't go to the store for milk and heroin and then never come back.

• Thanks to Bobby Petrino's troubles, former Ohio State assistant Taver Johnson is now serving as Arkansas' head coach.
• Penn State's Silas Redd has looked impressive at spring practice. Lions center Matt Stankiewitch discusses the new strength program and other topics in this Q&A.
• Michigan is experimenting with Devin Gardner at receiver, but Gardner remains primarily the team's backup quarterback. Former Michigan star LaMarr Woodley thinks Denard Robinson will be a good NFL wide receiver.
• Minnesota's walking wounded are excited to get back on the field for spring ball. Gophers quarterback MarQueis Gray, part of the search committee for a new athletic director, wants the new AD to be accessible to athletes.
• Ohio State receiver Chris Fields denies rumors he quit the team. After being suspended for the Gator Bowl, Buckeyes receiver T.Y. Williams has looked good in spring practice.
• The NCAA should do the right thing and grant Michigan State's DeAnthony Arnett his waiver. Spartans running back Le'Veon Bell needed some extra motivation this spring.
• The middle Watt brother (Derek) is making his own impression at Wisconsin.
• Nebraska's Rex Burkhead is fine-tuning his game. Eric Martin could give the Huskers' defensive line a big boost.
• Northwestern's secondary goes by a new nickname: the Sky Team.
• Purdue quarterback Rob Henry stays busy off of the field.
• Indiana's strength coach has started the rebuilding process (subscription required).
• New Illinois coach Tim Beckman is on the lookout for playmakers. Illini quarterbacks Nathan Scheelhaase and Reilly O'Toole are splitting reps with the top offense.
• Iowa picks up its first recruit for the 2013 class. Despite recent attrition, Iowa's RBs aren't shying away from contact this spring.

Our ultimate Big Ten 2012 road trip is nearing its end, but we're into November and some potentially huge conference games that will determine who goes to Indianapolis. Once again, these are the games, we'd choose to go to each week if we had unlimited travel budgets and full say in the matter (neither of which is true, because we need better agents).

Let's check out our options for Week 11:

Minnesota at Illinois
Penn State at Nebraska
Indiana at Wisconsin
Northwestern at Michigan
Purdue at Iowa

(Bye: Ohio State, Michigan State)

Brian's pick: Penn State at Nebraska

The choices for me this week are this one and Northwestern-Michigan, especially because the Wildcats are usually good for one out-of-nowhere road upset every year. But I'm going with Penn State-Nebraska and I know one thing: the scene won't be anywhere near as surreal as last year's game, which came just a few days after Joe Paterno was fired and included severely heightened security, a pregame prayer and tense affair.

Those subplots won't be in play in Lincoln, but division titles could be at stake. I have both Nebraska and Penn State as just a notch below the favorites line in each division, but either or both could easily surpass those expectations and certainly both could be in serious contention in mid-November. This game will also showcase what might be the league's most potent offense (Nebraska) against one of its strongest defenses (the Nittany Lions). There are questions about the other side of the ball for each team, but those questions will likely have been answered by this time of the year. While this matchup would have offered a whole lot more fun in 1994, it should still prove quite entertaining in 2012.

Adam's pick: Penn State at Nebraska

I'll be joining you in Lincoln, BB, as the Lions and Huskers renew their series. This is one of those new Big Ten pairings that gets me pumped up, in part because I remember the teams' games in 2002-03. They're the two newest members of the Big Ten, and both programs have so much history. While last year's game was unforgettable because of the circumstances you've outlined, I'm pretty sure we'll see more polished performances from both squads at Memorial Stadium. After spending time with Nebraska this week, I can tell you the Huskers fully expect to be in the mix for the Legends division title. Penn State also has a chance to make some noise, mainly because of its defense and its run game, led by junior Silas Redd.

If you like running backs, this game features two of the best in Redd and Nebraska's Rex Burkhead. Burkhead got the best of the Nittany Lions last year, rushing for 121 yards and a touchdown, while Nebraska held Redd to 53 rush yards on 15 carries. The quarterback matchup also should be intriguing as both teams are looking for improvement there. I have yet to see Penn State on my trip, and the Lions will be a fascinating story under new head coach Bill O'Brien. It'll be interesting to see how they handle a tough road environment. Northwestern-Michigan might be another good option, and the Purdue-Iowa matchup could end up featuring two surprisingly good teams. But Lincoln is my pick. I'll make a reservation at Misty's. You're buying.

Previously on the road trip ...

Week 1: Adam at Boise State-Michigan State, Brian at Michigan-Alabama

Week 2: Brian at Penn State-Virginia, Adam at Nebraska-UCLA

Week 3: Adam at Notre Dame-Michigan State, Brian at Cal-Ohio State

Week 4: Brian at Michigan-Notre Dame, Adam at Michigan-Notre Dame

Week 5: Adam at Wisconsin-Nebraska, Brian at Ohio State-Michigan State

Week 6: Brian at Nebraska-Ohio State, Adam at Nebraska-Ohio State

Week 7: Brian at Iowa-Michigan State, Adam at Wisconsin-Purdue

Week 8: Adam at Michigan State-Michigan, Brian at Michigan State-Michigan

Week 9: Brian at Michigan-Nebraska, Adam at Michigan State-Wisconsin

Week 10: Adam at Illinois-Ohio State, Brian at Penn State-Purdue

Mail time. Let's do this.

Joel from Bismarck, N.D., writes: Last fall I seem to remember you saying that the league parity hurt its national perception. When it came to B1G basketball, however, it seemed analysts were touting its parity as an example of how strong the conference was (e.g., every team in the bottom half of the standings beat someone in the top half). My question is if you perceive different standards being used in the sports, and why do you think it is? Or is it less a matter of which sport is being analyzed but which league, and commentators will grab onto whatever stat they want to in order to reinforce their own perceptions (e.g., the B1G football teams underperform)?

Adam Rittenberg: Joel, while some analysts will apply different standards whenever it's convenient, there are some important differences between Big Ten football in 2011 and Big Ten basketball in 2011-12. For starters, the league had more nationally elite teams in basketball and two squads -- Ohio State and Michigan State -- considered legitimate Final Four contenders. Aside from Wisconsin, no Big Ten football team ever fit into this category in terms of national perception. Another difference is that football had one of the worst BCS programs (Indiana) and another (Minnesota) that looked like the worst early in the season. While Big Ten basketball had its doormats as well -- Nebraska and Penn State -- those teams also rose up to record some nice victories, even in league play.

Finally, one important difference is that basketball doesn't have one dominant conference like football does with the SEC, which happens to be the Big Ten's chief rival. I really think if another league was dominating college football -- Big 12, Pac-12, etc. -- the Big Ten's perception wouldn't be quite as bad as it is with the other bigwig conference winning championships year after year.

---

Dave from Delafield, Wis., writes: Adam,Thank you for your commentary on the atmosphere in Boston for the Wisconsin/Ohio State games.I've been to NCAA Basketball Tournament games and several bowl games, and I don't know how anyone that has personally attended both could possibly want a football playoff.The early rounds of the basketball tournament feature half-full arenas, and small numbers of fans from both teams, along with plenty of locals that tend to cheer for the underdog, or the team from the next town over. Unless a team is local or a great game takes place, there is just no electricity. I would hate to see a team that won a conference title, have what was a dream season end in a dull, half-full stadium, because fans are waiting until a bigger game to travel to, or because the game is a home game for a superior opponent. (Think of UCLA at Oregon last year in the Pac-12 title game.)No matter what round of the tournament it is, until the final game is played, there is always the next game. Syracuse players and fans didn't have long to celebrate their win against Wisconsin because they had to prepare for Ohio State. A bowl victory, no matter what bowl, is almost euphoric. It is what makes a good season great, and it sets the tone for the entire spring.

Adam Rittenberg: Totally agree, Dave. I remember covering the NCAA tournament first and second rounds in Minneapolis in 2009. First of all, college basketball in domed football stadiums is never good, especially when it's not even a regional round. The stadium was never going to be close to full. Although Michigan State played there, we had only one "local" team in North Dakota State, which played admirably in the first round but fell short. At that point, the dome pretty much emptied out and there was very little atmosphere for the remaining games.

Any football team strong enough to qualify for a playoff -- most likely a four-team deal -- should play in an atmosphere fitting the significance of the game. Even if it's on the road. I'd rather see a Big Ten team play in a packed SEC stadium for a playoff than watch the game at a neutral site in front of 35,000 people. The event deserves better.

---

Chris from New York writes: "He knows his strengths and doesn't try to coach everybody. He'll coach the defensive line, he'll coach the defense, but he's comfortable with his role and he's very good at his role." - Gerry Dinardo about Brady HokeHow come this exact sentence was such a nightmare for Rodriguez? What's the difference that Hoke gets it as a compliment and Rodriguez gets it as a major diss? Is it only success? If the offense struggled a lot this year would people be saying Hoke can't only pay attention to the defense?

Adam Rittenberg: Chris, I think there were different standards for Rodriguez, which could have been changed had he had more success on the field at Michigan. Rodriguez's work with Michigan's offense had little to do with his firing, as the Wolverines set records in his final season. But his handling of the defense, particularly when it came to hiring coordinators and assistants, ultimately led to his downfall in Ann Arbor. The perception that Rodriguez didn't care about the defense is false, but his decision-making regarding with the unit left much to be desired. Hoke should be held accountable if the offense struggles this fall, but the truth is the turnaround he and Greg Mattison facilitated on defense in 2011 helped the offense deal with some growing pains in its transition. And Michigan's offense still ranked second in the league in scoring and third in yards.

---

Misplaced Gopher from Fargo, N.D., writes: Adam, last year Minnesota football fans were presented a laundry list of reasons why the Gophers couldn't win in Jerry Kill's first year: physically unfit personnel, academic nonperformance, poorly chosen recruits (blaming the previous regime), personnel mismatched to the incoming system, lack of opportunity to coach. This year, coach Kill is making no attempt to keep expectations down. He is praising the players effusively, bragging about the incoming recruits, and he says that this year he's getting to coach the players instead of spending all his time teaching them how to hustle, how to behave, and how to play. Coach Kill seems to be building up the expectations of the 2012 Gophers. Why do you think he's doing this, and how much better can Minnesotans expect our team to be this year?

Adam Rittenberg: Two questions from North Dakota in the same mailblog -- nice! I don't know if Kill is inflating the expectations too much, Gopher. I think at times last season he talked too much about the problems with the previous regime and the uphill climb he faced. While much of what he said is true, his statements sounded like excuses after a while. Kill clearly is more comfortable after going through a full offseason, but he also has addressed the odd roster makeup, which still includes small senior and junior classes (not counting the juco arrivals). But it's natural for coaches to feel more comfortable after they're established, and after they bring in more of their own players. What should Minnesota fans expect this season? Definitely more than three or four wins. It's not unreasonable at all to expect the Gophers to get back to a bowl.

---

Jonathan from Athens, Ala., writes: RE: SEC Teams venturing away from the southeast to play games, don't let the facts get in the way of your agenda but Alabama played at Penn State last year and has a game scheduled in a few years at Michigan State. You claim that it's the SEC that keeps home and home games from happening. Got any facts to back that up with? I bet Urban Meyer would LOVE to play a Nick Saban team again, right? Make sure you have the ambulance ready for when Saban puts him back in the hospital. Maybe, just maybe it's that you guys don't want Bama to choke the football down your throat like we did Penn State and Michigan State recently. You're pathetic.

Adam Rittenberg: Jonathan, I should have noted that Alabama has been the exception in the SEC as far as scheduling Big Ten teams. The Tide deserve credit for being willing to venture to both State College and East Lansing, in addition to facing Michigan at a neutral site. But on the whole, how many other SEC teams would dare play a game in Big Ten territory? Florida certainly wouldn't. Vanderbilt is playing at Northwestern this year, but Vandy, while improving, isn't viewed as a premier program. The Big Ten and SEC both get heat for nonconference schedules, and both leagues are to blame for the lack of non-league games against one another. But if SEC teams play squads in the ACC and Pac-12, why can't they play more against the Big Ten? It'd be nice if more SEC programs follow Alabama's lead, just as it would be nice if more Big Ten programs followed Michigan State's lead.

---

Chip from Savannah, Ga., writes: My question for you is regarding OSU and PSU, why is everyone expecting OSU to have a much better season than PSU. They're both putting in new systems in regards to offense, but I think PSU's defense is still better than OSU's which is going to be both's stronger unit. I know you have a proven commodity in Meyer, but it still doesn't take away from the fact that they have to transition as well.

Adam Rittenberg: Both defenses should be strong, Chip, and while Ohio State's will be improved with more experience, I agree that Penn State's appears to have the stronger unit because of its strength at linebacker and in the front seven. One big omission in your note is quarterback Braxton Miller. While Penn State is still looking for a clear-cut starting quarterback, Ohio State knows Miller is its future. While Miller is far from a finished product, he showed impressive skills as a true freshman in 2011 and looks like an excellent fit for Meyer's offense. Both teams need to develop more options in the passing game and Penn State has a better running back in Silas Redd, but the quarterback play separates the two in my mind. Both programs are going through transitions, but Ohio State players are a little more accustomed to it after what happened last year. That's not saying Penn State won't be fine, but the coaching change in State College has been more dramatic because of the unique circumstances.

---

Mochila from Grand Rapids, Mich., writes: Adam, while you were out on vacation, Brian wrapped up the Postseason Top 25 players. I was wondering if you could explain your reasoning for why Still was placed ahead of Mercilus. For the record, I'm an MSU fan and have no horse in this race; I just thought Mercilus was more deserving given his absurd numbers, primarily in sacks, TFL, and fumbles forced. And for bonus points, what prompted your trip to Istanbul (as opposed to say, Hawaii), and what was your favorite part?

Adam Rittenberg: It was a tough call, Mochila, as both defenders had outstanding seasons. Brian and I actually differed on our Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year endorsements, as he picked Still and I picked Mercilus. As I pointed out then and as you point out in your note, Mercilus' numbers blow away the competition. That said, few positions on the football field are more significant than a dominant defensive tackle, and Still fit the description in 2011. You can't judge defensive tackles strictly by individual stats, as theirs rarely will stack up with those of the top defensive ends. The defensive tackles deal with more double teams, and their roles are more significant in run-stopping. Still was as good or better than another Penn State defensive tackle, Jared Odrick, in 2009. Odrick finished No. 2 in the countdown that year, and Still was deserving of his position in this year's rundown.

Earlier today, I had a Q&A with new Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien where he talked about spring practice. O'Brien met with the media this afternoon and gave out some new information on the Nittany Lions spring, including the news that wide receiver Curtis Drake is moving to cornerback.

Drake played a big role in the win over Ohio State late in the season as a Wildcat quarterback, but he did not make the trip to the team's bowl after getting into a locker-room altercation with quarterback Matt McGloin. O'Brien said Drake had a "clean slate" as far as discipline and that he was needed to bolster the numbers in a secondary where all four starters graduated.

"What I saw with Curtis on the football field was good size, good feet, good hips, instinctiveness, and I think that he's a guy that can contribute over there," O'Brien said. "He's got to keep up his end of the bargain by doing well in school and keeping his nose clean, and then we'll give him a shot to play over there this spring."

Some other notes from O'Brien:

• He reiterated again that there is no starter at the quarterback spot right now and that he might not name a starter until the night before the season opener against Ohio.
• Linebacker Michael Mauti (ACL) won't participate in contact drills this spring, but O'Brien said Mauti "has had a heck of a winter just in the things that he has been able to do. He's definitely obviously one of the core players on this football team, just both from his leadership and from his work ethic, his family."
• Running back Curtis Dukes will sit out the spring to concentrate on academics. That will leave Derek Day as the backup to Silas Redd. Incoming freshman Akeel Lynch will be given a long look this summer at tailback as well.
• O'Brien said he didn't watch much film of Penn State last season and when he did, he mostly watched the defense. He said he wanted all the players to have a clean slate and preferred to focus his time on academics, recruiting and conditioning aspects of the program. He'll get his hands-on work done this spring. "The spring is about, in many ways, just like mini-camps in the National Football League," he said. "The spring is about experimentation, maybe practicing a guy at one spot for about five practices and then moving him to another spot and seeing how he does in different areas and trying to get your best players on the field."