ESPN College Football

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- John Simon is genuinely flattered by the tribute, even if it pains him to hear it repeated.

When asked about the term "Tebowish," which new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer used to describe Simon during spring practice, Simon expresses his gratitude. Then he steers the conversation away from himself like he steers offensive linemen out of his rushing lanes.

Meyer hasn't coached Simon in a game and won't for another four-plus months, but the coach already places the Buckeyes senior defensive end in an exclusive group that includes Meyer's most successful player, former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow.

"Just to be characterized with someone who has such high integrity, that means a lot to me," Simon recently told ESPN.com. "But really, I'm just coming in here every day and doing the best I can."

Is Simon a Tebow fan?

"Absolutely," he said. "He's a tremendous athlete, tremendous person. So to be compared to someone like that is a great honor. I appreciate what [Meyer] says. But I'm just coming in every day doing what I can to help. It's a team sport."

Simon's selflessness is one of many qualities that has stood out to Meyer since he took the Ohio State job. Every new coach looks for players to rely on, and Simon, who has started the past 26 games and last fall earned third-team AP All-America honors, immediately stepped forward.

At times this spring, the coaches had to pull Simon off of the practice field so the offense could get some quality work in without No. 54 blowing up every play. Not surprisingly, Simon barely played in Saturday's spring game because he didn't need to.

"He's revealed himself around here for many years," Meyer said. "This didn't just surface. I'm putting him in a category that, I've only coached one or two like him."

Tebow being one of them.

"I used the term Tebowish," Meyer said. "I've got to be careful not to do that. It should be Simonish. He's a next-level type player: leader, character, toughness, commitment.

"He's elite, elite."

As a freshman, Simon's teammates billed him as a future All-American. He has played both line positions during his career, starting at defensive tackle in 2010 before playing mostly end last season. While Ohio State's defense didn't perform to its traditional standard in 2011, Simon did his part by supplying a a team-leading 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks, more than twice as many as any other Buckeye.

At 6-foot-2 and 260 pounds, Simon is somewhat of a tweener: small for a defensive tackle and a bit short for a defensive end. His physical measurables might not be ideal, but in almost every other category, he's off the charts. Many talk about his motor, a term often applied to former Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who as a senior went from first-team All-Big Ten to unanimous All-American and NFL first-round draft pick.

"You can't teach a motor, you can't teach intensity," Buckeyes defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said. "You'll have a hard time teaching some of those unique things. He has every single one of those. But John, I think he still has a lot of ability to get better fundamentally and technique-wise. That's what’s so exciting about John. He's only scratched the surface of how good he can get with the tools he has."

Fickell lauded Simon's versatility, saying the senior could play middle linebacker if the team needed him there. While playing multiple positions should help Simon in the NFL evaluation process, Fickell hopes "we can settle him in a little bit more" at defensive end.

Simon sees areas where he can improve every time he watches film. And he watches plenty of it. He also spent the spring tutoring Ohio State's younger defensive linemen, and will do the same this summer, when the Buckeyes welcome heralded D-line recruits like Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington.

"He'll be here at 6 in the morning, he'll leave late at night," senior linebacker Etienne Sabino said. "He has an unbelievable understanding of the game. He's not very vocal, but he leads by example.

"He's just somebody you can count on."

That's the type of tribute, more than "Tebowish" or "future All-American," that a guy like Simon can appreciate.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer raves about Braxton Miller's competitive spirit these days, but not long ago the Ohio State coach felt differently about his quarterback.

"It was very alarming in the [winter]," Meyer told ESPN.com.

New coaches must wait until the spring to work with players on the practice field, but they keep close tabs during winter conditioning. It's no coincidence the coaches' offices at programs like Nebraska overlook the team's weight room.

When Meyer observed Miller this winter, he became concerned. It wasn't as if Miller slacked off or didn't get his work in with the strength coaches. But he didn't measure up to the starting quarterbacks Meyer had in the past.

"Chris Leak doesn't get enough credit at Florida," Meyer said, referring to the quarterback who helped him win his first national title, against Ohio State. "He was a very hard worker in the weight room, a very competitive guy in the weight room. [Tim] Tebow was off the charts. Alex Smith was extremely competitive in the offseason program. I didn't see that from Braxton."

"He worked hard," Meyer continued. "He was fine. I didn't see him compete at the level he's competing at right now. The lights come on, you get the ball in his hands and he becomes an excellent competitor."

The lights of spring practice are only so bright, even here at Ohio State, but Miller's work on the field has put Meyer's concerns to rest. The sophomore still has a long way to go in absorbing a new offense and improving the technical aspects of his game, but his drive to win isn't in doubt for a coach who knows what he wants in a starting quarterback.

"In the winter, it's just all working out, a little bit of competitive drills going on," Miller told ESPN.com. "But when the pads come on, the lights come on, it's just more natural for me to have fun and compete."

He showed glimpses of it as a freshman last fall, never more so than in the closing moments of Ohio State's 33-29 win against then-No. 15 Wisconsin. The Buckeyes had squandered a 12-point lead with 4:39 to play and trailed 29-26 when Miller rallied the team in the closing seconds. On first down from Wisconsin's 40-yard line, Miller rolled out, spotted teammate Devin Smith slipping behind Wisconsin's secondary, and fired the game-winning touchdown pass with 20 ticks left.

Miller also led a late scoring drive in regulation at Purdue, and didn't seem fazed by his first trip to Ann Arbor, passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns with an interception against a top-20 Michigan defense.

Although he had limited production in a limited role in a limited offense last season, Miller didn't shy away from big moments.

"All my life, when I get the chance to get the ball in my hands, it's exciting," he said.

When spring ball began, Buckeyes offensive coordinator Tom Herman had different concerns than Meyer about Miller. Herman knew he had inherited an athlete -- Miller rushed for 715 yards and seven touchdowns last season -- but he had never seen Miller pass the ball live.

Despite starting 10 games in 2011, Miller only attempted 157 passes, including a laughable four in a win at Illinois.

"I crossed my fingers and held my breath and went out there for the first practice," Herman said. "It was a big sigh of relief, seeing him throw the football. How he throws the football from the shoulders up is actually very mechanically sound. His footwork is probably the biggest thing we're continuing to work on.

"They're not easy fixes, but they're a lot less complex than trying to break a kid's arm mechanics down and build him back up."

Meyer likens Miller to Josh Harris, who played quarterback for Meyer at Bowling Green in 2001-02. But Miller has his "own little niche," Meyer said.

Like Meyer, Herman has seen Miller compete hard in practices, particularly during winner/loser days.

"He wants it to be perfect every time, and especially when he's the one contributing to those mistakes, then it really frustrates him," Herman said. "That's a good thing. If he wasn't frustrated, we'd have problems."

For the most part, Miller remains even-keeled. Buckeyes offensive tackle Jack Mewhort doesn't expect Miller to become "more rah-rah" in the weight room. Mewhort also doesn't expect Miller to be rattled in big moments.

"He wants the ball in his hands because he knows he can do great things with it," tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "You weren't really able to see that in the winter, because it's all lifting and running, but once you get on the field, some guys change, and he's one of those guys."

Stoneburner has seen significant changes in Miller this spring, acknowledging that a quarterback who was "a little bit intimidated" last season is taking charge more in the huddle. The soft-spoken Miller is trying to be more vocal, whether it's flipping protections with his linemen, or changing the routes for his pass-catchers.

"I grew up a lot," he said.

But he's not where he needs to be.

"He's an average leader right now," Meyer said. "We need to make him a great leader. You have to raise the level of play of those around you. This summer, he has to do it. He hasn't done it to this point. He's been at Ohio State for a little over a year, and his leadership qualities are not where they need to be.

"I think he will get there, because he's sharp, he's smart and he's a competitor."

Especially when the lights come on.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Mail time.

Jason from Dallas writes: Saw your RB and WR video blogs. So are you saying Purdue had no running backs or receivers last year, or have none that will be any good this year? Can't help but notice you mentionied the entire conference, except Purdue.

Adam Rittenberg: Jason, thanks for pointing this out, but I didn't mean to slight Purdue at all. The Boilers lose a very good receiver in Justin Siller and return two strong running backs in Ralph Bolden and Akeem Shavers. Bolden's recurring knee problems are a major concern, but Shavers looked pretty capable of doing damage in the bowl game. Akeem Hunt is another guy who could bolster Purdue's rushing attack. Sometimes it's hard to hit on every team in a short video, but I like what Purdue brings back at the skill positions in 2012.

John from AuGres, Mich., writes: The reports on Andrew Maxwell were pretty positive the past two years at Michigan State. He is a bit more athletic than Kirk Cousins, and it appears he can "sling it" pretty well. With an experienced offensive line and 3 talented running backs (Bell, Caper, Hill), expect "Air Max" to provide the balance the Spartans will need to compliment a strong defense.

Adam Rittenberg: I'm really excited to see Maxwell this spring and then in game action during the fall. He definitely has had time to prepare for this role, and the reviews on his skills are encouraging. The lack of game experience is the big question mark with Maxwell, and I'm sure there will be some bumps along the way, especially against good competition early in the 2012 season. I also agree that Michigan State can really help out Maxwell by regenerating the rushing attack with Le'Veon Bell. Michigan State won't win many more division titles with the type of rushing attack we saw in 2011. I fully expect it to be a stronger area for the Spartans this coming fall.

Jim from Odebolt, Iowa, writes: Adam, I am going insane here. I have searched the entire web and even made a few phone calls to insiders on the Iowa program. Who is the next defensive coordinator at Iowa? By now, I would have to believe that if was someone inside the program Kirk would have already announced, yet there has been no seeing of Tom Bradly or Ron Aiken or any other possible candidates seen coming or going form the Iowa football offices. What kind of effect does this have on our current recruits or possible recruits, especially on the Dline where we have a few promising young men coming in.

Adam Rittenberg: Jim, you're not the only Hawkeye fan getting antsy about the prolonged defensive coordinator search. I really thought Iowa would have Norm Parker's successor in place by now. I don't think the delay has too much of a negative effect on recruiting, as Iowa will almost certainly keep a similar structure on defense. Kirk Ferentz doesn't like to overhaul things, and Iowa has been successful on defense for a long time with the current structure. There will be some tweaks I'm sure, but I think Iowa is selling defensive recruits on its track record.

Ronald from Lake Zurich, Ill., writes: You had Gerald Hodges of Penn St. at the top of your most improved players of 2011 in the B1G Leaders div. Wouldn't Jonathan Brown of Illinois be more deserving? Brown had 108 tackles to 106 for HodgesBrown had 19.5 tackles for loss to 10 for HodgesBrown had 6 sacks to 4.5 for HodgesBrown was a sophomore in 2011 playing little in 2010

Adam Rittenberg: Ronald, I wasn't trying to slight Brown by not including him, and if we expanded the list, he certainly would have made it. Brown put up some exceptional numbers and has a bright future in Tim Banks' aggressive defense. Both players put up some terrific statistics. I felt Hodges impacted games more consistently than Brown did, although Brown had some huge performances like the one against Arizona State in Week 3. With Ian Thomas departing, Brown will move into a bigger leadership role with the linebackers in 2012. He certainly made a huge jump, as did Hodges.

Tim from Naperville, Ill., writes: I noticed on the list of players from the B1G to participate in the combine, Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz were not included. Can you give any incite as to why certain players are not on the list?

Adam Rittenberg: Tim, as I pointed out in the post, it was an initial list, not a final list. The initial list doesn't include underclassmen who have declared for the draft. Peter Konz obviously will be at the combine along with other Big Ten underclassmen like Illinois' Whitney Mercilus. I was a bit surprised not to see Zeitler on the initial list, but I'd be extremely surprised if he's not in Indy next month. I will post the final combine invite list as soon as it becomes available.

Charlie from Chicago writes: Hey Adam,Can you fill us in a little bit on the situation with Kyle Prater? It sounds like he is leaning towards Northwestern, so my question is how excited should Wildcat fans be about him? I'm just curious about the reasons why he's transferring and how much his past injuries are going to be a problem. Basically would Northwestern be getting the same 5-star WR that USC got a couple years ago? Also he would have to be benched for a year after transferring, right? Thanks.

Adam Rittenberg: Charlie, you're correct that Prater is leaning toward Northwestern, as colleague Scott Powers reported Thursday. His injury history at USC is a bit of a concern for whichever team lands him, but it sounds like he really wanted to play closer to home (Chicago area). While the glitz of L.A. and USC is appealing to top recruits, some players ultimately are homesick and want to be closer to their families. Would Northwestern be gaining an elite receiver? Tough to tell without seeing Prater play significant time at the college level. He'd have to re-prove himself to a certain degree. But the potential certainly is there. I understand a lot of Northwestern fans are excited about Prater because Northwestern rarely lands recruits like him. But he also plays a position where Northwestern is already very strong and should be strong going forward. I think the hubbub would be a bit more justified if Prater played defensive back, a position where Northwestern has struggled for more than a decade.

Kasey from California writes: Really Adam? You write about the B1G possibly looking into coaching behavior because of something IOWA's basketball coach did, but turn it around on Pelini by using the A&M game of all examples? Normally I don't mind what you guys write, but come on. This whole topic started because of McCarffey. Why not put a picture of him and focus your article on him instead of turning it around on Pelini? You media types just always have to go fishing for ways to stir the pot.

Adam Rittenberg: Kasey, since this is a Big Ten football blog, I was pointing out an incident involving a Big Ten basketball coach that will have ramifications for the league's football coaches. Our college basketball blog is there to focus on McCaffery, but I was putting the Fran Slam in a Big Ten football context. All the Big Ten football coaches need to know their sideline conduct is being watched. Pelini isn't the only coach who needs to be aware, as Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald and others also have been very animated during games. Husker fan Mike from Lincoln did some extensive research and found demonstrative pictures of every Big Ten coach to show Pelini isn't the only one. Check out Bret Bielema, Kirk Ferentz, Brady Hoke and Mark Dantonio.

Matt from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam, Meyer's spread offense might be a turn off to some elite quarterbacks with their eyes set on the pros. If you remember, Tressel's pro-style offense (unfortunately) led Pryor to choose Ohio State. However, do you think the influx of Tebow-Mania and the surprising rise of Alex Smith in the NFL somewhat debunk the non-spread stereotype for elite QB recruits that OSU might go after?

Adam Rittenberg: Good point, Matt. Alex Smith's emergence certainly shows that an Urban Meyer-coached QB can make in the NFL, although Jim Harbaugh has a lot to do with Smith's rise. Tim Tebow still has a long way to go to be a long-term pro quarterback, but I think we've seen that quarterback who play in spread offenses can transition well to the NFL game. Cam Newton's 2011 season is more proof.

Follow me on Twitter throughout the Big Ten coaches' teleconference, which begins right now.

• No official word from Purdue on star receiver Keith Smith, but Smith's high school coach says the senior tore his ACL and MCL, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Former Minnesota All-American Bob Stein says the program's current condition is "shameful," Charley Walters writes in the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press.
• Promising Penn State linebacker Gerald Hodges is out indefinitely with a leg injury, Bob Flounders writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News.
• Denard Robinson is all over ESPN these days, but the Michigan quarterback doesn't even have cable, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News. In case you missed it, ESPN Stats & Information examines Robinson's historically hot start, and colleague Andrea Adelson compares Robinson's start with Tim Tebow's in 2007. Some good Wolverines notes from annarbor.com's Pete Bigelow.
• Mark Dantonio knows Michigan State's best football is ahead of it, Shannon Shelton writes in the Detroit Free Press. A look back at the late Brad Van Pelt, whose number will be retired Saturday at Spartan Stadium, Joe Rexrode writes in the Lansing State Journal.
• Tim May and Ken Gordon discuss Ohio State's win against Miami and the soft slate ahead in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Coaches keep talking (joking, mostly) about Kirk Ferentz's salary at Iowa, Ryan Suchomel writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
• Coach Bret Bielema isn't ruling out Kraig Appleton's return to Wisconsin, though don't hold your breath, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal. Wisconsin players haven't forgotten what Steven Threet did to them in 2008 at the Big House, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Northwestern's trip to Rice will be a homecoming for several Houston natives on the team, Lindsey Willhite writes in the Daily Herald.
• Illinois' Jack Ramsey is back at receiver after a recent switch to defensive back, Bob Asmussen writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette.
• It has been pretty much status quo at Indiana during an unusually long early season hiatus, Dustin Dopirak writes in The (Bloomington) Herald-Times (subscription required).

ESPN's NFL draft expert Mel Kiper recently addressed a question I get all the time: Where does Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor project for the NFL?

Kiper drops the dreaded name -- Tim Tebow -- but points out an important difference between the former Florida star and quarterbacks like Pryor and Vince Young.

"While Tebow was in a system that asked him to run and he liked to run, Young and Pryor don't need to run, but they can run. It's a big distinction. Part of Young's growth and value as an NFL quarterback is his knowledge of his physical skills allowing him to run, but he doesn't have to just to have value. What Pryor will need to prove is that he has footwork, not just good feet, an accurate arm, not just a cannon, and that he can read plays and deliver with anticipation, not just find open receivers."

As I've written before, Pryor likely never will have textbook mechanics. But if he can improve in other areas, namely footwork and decision-making, he can be a heck of a college quarterback, and possibly a great pro quarterback. This spring, I saw improved footwork from Pryor, and if he can make smart decisions -- and anticipate the right throws, as Kiper says -- he should have a great junior season.

Kiper also weighs in on former Penn State quarterback Pat Devlin, now at Delaware, as well as former Michigan defensive end Brandon Graham, the first-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.

I also missed this from last week, but Kiper has come out with his position rankings (top 5) for the 2011 NFL draft . These are seniors only, so draft-eligible juniors like Pryor and Wisconsin's John Clay aren't on the list.

Here are the Big Ten players who made it:

• Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, No. 2 offensive tackle
• Ohio State's Justin Boren, No. 2 offensive guard
• Michigan's Stephen Schilling, No. 3 offensive guard
• Wisconsin's John Moffitt, No. 5 offensive guard
• Penn State's Stefen Wisniewski, No. 2 center (note: Wisniewski practiced at guard this spring and likely will stay there this season)
• Iowa's Adrian Clayborn, No. 2 defensive end
• Ohio State's Cameron Heyward, No. 4 defensive end
• Michigan State's Greg Jones, No. 3 inside linebacker
• Iowa's Ryan Donahue, No. 1 punter

A solid list of players there. I was a little surprised not to see Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan or Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan, but the others look to be in the right places.

Kiper on Jones: "Jones is one of the purest tacklers you'll see in college football. His stock could rise next season on a potentially underrated Michigan State team, but he'll need to overcome questions about his size. I wouldn't be surprised to see him come into camp with 10 more pounds on that frame, which should help solidify his stock."

Kiper on Clayborn and Heyward: "Heyward came on strong this past season and should be an anchor of a top-five defense next season. Clayborn was a beast down the stretch, and it's huge for coach Kirk Ferentz to get him back as an anchor point for that defense, which loses significant talent elsewhere."

Kiper on Boren and Moffitt: "Moffitt is the only guy to be added to this list; Wisconsin should have an elite line next season with Moffitt and OT Carimi. RB John Clay will enjoy running behind them. Justin Boren isn't No. 1 here yet, but could jump [Rodney] Hudson with a dominant season for a Big Ten power."

As a starting quarterback in the Big Ten and a pre-med student at Michigan State, Kirk Cousins' plate seems rather full.

But when church groups, youth organizations or high schools ask him to speak at their venues, Cousins has a tough time saying no.

Between Michigan State's bowl game Jan. 2 and April 7, Cousins estimated that he'd done 10 to 15 speaking appearances. On Christmas Eve, he spoke at three separate services at a church in East Lansing, just days before departing to San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl. During the one week he has off in May, he'll make four or five speaking appearances in and around his hometown of Holland, Mich.

Though Cousins' schedule during the season or in spring ball can't accommodate as many engagements, he'll do what he can.

"I feel like being a quarterback here at a big university, this is a platform," he said. "It's an opportunity to influence people for the good. I want to take advantage of that."

Cousins, who last year became just the second sophomore to be named a co-captain in Michigan State history, references his religious background in his speeches. His father, Don, is a non-denominational Christian minister, and has helped him in the process.

"It's something that I enjoy doing," he said. "God blessed me with a little bit of talent to do it, and my dad has been able to coach me there, too. I'm not just going out there not knowing how to do it."

Cousins is well aware of the responsibility that comes with his position and the influence he has with others, especially kids. Other quarterbacks from BCS schools have received attention for their off-field work, none more so than former Florida star Tim Tebow.

While Cousins doesn't know Tebow, he has admired him and others from a distance.

"He did things the right way," Cousins said. "What I'm amazed by is the scrutiny he's been under and how closely he's been watched, and he seems to take it all in stride and seems to remain very humble. He's definitely a guy I've learned a lot from. Colt McCoy's another guy, Sam Bradford, they're all guys who seem to be very successful on the field but also off the field.

"Football's not my life. It's not the most important thing in my life. So I'm not afraid to share that and speak out."

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Dan from Madison, Wis., writes: Can you explain the media coverage that continues to suggest Penn State has a shot at the BCS while neglecting Wisconsin? Assume both go 10-2, they have the same record with the same losses. Penn State's were objectively worse, both coming at home. Wisconsin had a slightly harder out of conference schedule (Fresno State is a minor bump). They both travel well; remember the 1994 Rose Bowl? 70% Wisconsin fans in Pasadena. Is the only difference Paterno and the ever ambiguous "national reputation" that guides BCS at large bids? If so, time for Senator Herb Kohl to join others in Congress and open an anti-trust investigation.

Adam Rittenberg: Dan, I agree with many of your points, and Wisconsin seems to have a slightly better profile than Penn State. And yes, Badgers fans travel very well. The only difference is the ambiguous national reputation, but bowls see that as a major factor. Same with Joe Paterno. And Penn State has some recent history at the Orange Bowl (2006) and has been a regular at the Fiesta Bowl over the years. Bowl committees want guarantees, and Penn State brings the national name and the legendary coach. Neither of these teams truly deserves a BCS at-large berth, but I would have to give an edge to Penn State at this point. Not saying it's fair, but it's reality.

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Jordan from Iowa City, Iowa, writes: Hey Adam, quick question for you concerning the Heisman race. I just noticed that Alabama running back Mark Ingram is in first place. My question for you: why didn't Shonn Greene get this kind of attention last year when he had much better stats than Ingram, including more yards and more touchdowns through the same amount games , plus he ran for over 100 yds in every game last season. I guess it just doesn't make any sense to me. Let me know what you think, thanks.

Adam Rittenberg: Greene didn't get the attention for a couple of reasons. The Heisman Trophy race is essentially a quarterback derby, and last year you had three great ones (Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy). This year's race has only opened up to other positions because the marquee quarterbacks haven't backed up their preseason hype (or been injured, in Bradford's case). The other factor is Mark Ingram plays for a national championship contender, while Iowa didn't really enter the national spotlight until the end of last season. Shonn Greene deserved more consideration and he would have gotten it this year with an Iowa team that started 9-0.

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Derek from Glen Gardner, N.J., writes: I think you had a major oversight with your rooting interests.You said that Penn State fans should root against Notre Dame. I understand that this slightly improves the Nittany Lions' chances at reaching a BCS bowl game, but that would also mean they are rooting for, *gulp*, Pitt.Sorry Adam, but I will never root for Pitt. Ever.I'll let it slide this time, but don't make this mistake again.

Adam Rittenberg: Touche, Derek. Good call there. Asking Penn State fans to root for Pitt is like asking Michigan fans to root for Notre Dame. That's a game where the rooting interest isn't that significant for the Big Ten either way. The bigger thing is for Cincinnati to keep winning and prevent the Big East from getting two teams into BCS bowls (Pitt and Cincinnati). So go ahead and root for Notre Dame, though I can't imagine that will be too much fun, either.

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Matthew from Boise, Idaho, writes: How can the Big Ten as a whole improve their image as a whole? I feel that most of the Big Ten teams have improved this year at the same time there has been some disappointments in some teams. All have at least one loss in conference, shouldn't we accept the fact that this means they are playing well and no one team is in total domination.

Adam Rittenberg: It's been a strange year in the Big Ten, and most would call it disappointing because the bottom half of the league has struggled. Then again, there aren't many truly bad teams in the Big Ten, which is different from last year. The only way to improve the overall reputation is by winning bowl games, particularly against teams with high-powered offenses and lots of speed (i.e., Oregon). These are the types of teams no one thinks the Big Ten can beat any longer, so changing the trend in January will be critical for the league.

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Jeff from Cincinnati writes: Adam, as an Illinois grad currently living in Cinci, I started out the season really excited for the matchup between the Illini and Bearcats. As you can imagine, I have since tempered my excitement. But the past couple weeks have me seeing a tiny glimmer of hope - sure they've played 2 good quarters all year, but they've got to be building a little confidence. Am I loony to think the Illini might somehow manage to pull this off? The game is sandwiched between WVU and Pitt, two huge conference games for the Bearcats, and the Illini still have some playmakers. Is there any possible hope or should I just get a head start on hiding my orange and blue in the back of the closet for that weekend?

Adam Rittenberg: A lot depends on this weekend, Jeff. If Illinois beats Northwestern, its bowl hopes remain alive with two weeks to prepare for Cincinnati. If the Illini lose, they're eliminated from bowl contention and can only play the spoiler role on Nov. 27. The timing of the game probably favors Illinois at this point since Cincinnati has much more at stake. But I just don't think Illinois can score with the Bearcats, even though the Illini offense has shown life in recent weeks. Cincinnati just seems to have its way with opposing defenses, and Illinois hasn't consistently stopped people this fall. But it should be an interesting matchup, especially if Illinois wins Saturday.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

When scanning the BCS standings, it's pretty easy to formulate a one-sentence summary for each team to this point in the season.

Examples:

• No. 1 Florida -- Dominating defense has picked up slack for offense, lacking a bit at wide receiver, led by quarterback (Tim Tebow) with potential to be Superman.
• No. 4 Iowa -- Extremely resilient team led by defense and special teams, Jekyll-and-Hyde quarterback in Ricky Stanzi, dominates fourth quarter, multitude of close wins preventing national respect.
• No. 5 Cincinnati -- Genius head coach (Brian Kelly) directing masterpiece on offense, overcame loss of starting quarterback Tony Pike, great wide receivers and solid defense, hamstrung by Big East's reputation.
• No. 8 Oregon -- Disastrous season debut against Boise State, overcame suspension of star running back LeGarrette Blount, crushed USC and Cal, frontrunner for Rose Bowl berth, incredible turnaround.

Then you get to No. 11 Penn State. What do we really know about this team?

Nine games into the season, the Nittany Lions have flown completely under the radar. And it's not entirely their fault. Sure, it would have been nice to see Penn State play a decent nonconference opponent instead of Akron, Syracuse, Temple and Eastern Illinois.

	Randy Litzinger/Icon SMI
	Joe Paterno's Nittany Lions need a signature win over Ohio State on Saturday.

But the Big Ten has really let down the Nittany Lions this season. They have faced only one ranked opponent, Iowa, and lost 21-10 back on Sept. 26.

Penn State has made strides since then and breezed through the month of October, but it beat no team close to the Top 25. Normally, the Nittany Lions' triumph at Michigan would carry a lot of weight nationally, but Michigan is a disaster right now. Wins against Northwestern and Illinois looked good before the season, but both of those teams have underachieved.

When will we get a true gauge on Penn State? The wait should be over on Saturday afternoon (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

Ohio State is visiting Happy Valley, and while the 16th-ranked Buckeyes aren't a powerhouse this season, they remain the measuring-stick program in the Big Ten. They boast a dominant defense and an offense starting to find itself. And they don't lose in November.

For the Lions, Saturday's game likely represents their final chance for a signature win during the regular season, their final chance to show the progress made since the Iowa loss.

"When you play a team you know is good and everyone knows is good, you look at it like, 'Hey, if we beat these guys, we'll know we really are good,'" Penn State left tackle Dennis Landolt said.

The defense has been more than good, leading the nation in points allowed (9.33 ppg), ranking second in tackles for loss (8.8 per game) and ranking fifth both in total defense (254.8 ypg) and rushing defense (84.1 ypg). The offense certainly has something prove Saturday against Ohio State, which last year held Penn State to 13 points and knocked out quarterback Daryll Clark. The Buckeyes have posted three shutouts this season and rank sixth nationally in total defense.

Penn State needs some help to return to the Rose Bowl, but other goals are still out there. It could become the first Big Ten team to beat Ohio State in consecutive seasons since Wisconsin in 2003-04.

More importantly, a victory Saturday will show Penn State is more than a product of an easy schedule. It will show the Lions are a worthy BCS bowl contender.

"It's a chance to see how good we really are," Landolt said, "how far we've come."

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Terrelle Pryor earned a passing grade last week, even if there are still a lot of questions about his, er, passing.

The Ohio State sophomore quarterback overcame two major tests -- mounting criticism from media and fans, and a shaky first-half performance against Minnesota. He's still not at a point where he can single-handedly win games for the Buckeyes, but he showed growth after hitting a low point as a college player in Ohio State's 26-18 loss at Purdue.

	Joe Robbins/Getty Images
	Terrelle Pryor rebounded from the loss at Purdue to lead Ohio State to victory Saturday against Minnesota.

It started after last Wednesday's practice, when Pryor made a somewhat surprising appearance before reporters. He had been heavily criticized and his high school coach had questioned Ohio State's coaching staff, but he faced the music and handled himself well. For the same guy who made the "Everybody kills people" comment only weeks ago, Pryor appeared much more comfortable and mature in fielding questions.

"[The Purdue loss and fallout] opened me up to the world and opened me up to myself and who I am as a person, and us as a team," Pryor said. "Maybe that was the best thing that happened to us. Maybe we'll learn from it."

(I'd like to take this opportunity to point out that Pryor didn't shy away from the media like Tim Tebow did after a poor performance Saturday in a win (!) over Mississippi State. Pryor has received much more criticism in a year and a half than Tebow has in three-and-a-half seasons, but Pryor never dodged reporters after a game, no matter how poorly he played.)

Moving on to Pryor's more important test, the actual game against Minnesota. It was more of the same in the first half, as he completed just 3 of his first 9 passes and threw an interception in the end zone late in the second quarter. Ohio State twice entered the red zone and emerged with no points.

One encouraging sign was Pryor's willingness to run, as he carried 12 times in the first half.

The sophomore really picked things up in the third quarter. He completed three of four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he gained 15 yards, 11 yards and 19 yards on three running plays, the first of which went to the end zone.

Pryor finished the game with 15 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown. He hit on two big passes to wideout DeVier Posey, but did most of his damage with his feet. It's a formula Ohio State must use the rest of the way: a minimum of 15 carries for Pryor (I'd like to see 17-23) and take shots downfield when they're available.

"Last week really humbled me," he told reporters afterward. "I may be a little too cocky. ... Today helped me grow as a quarterback."

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The field for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award has been narrowed from 22 to 10, and Penn State senior quarterback Daryll Clark remains in the running.

Clark is the lone Big Ten representative on the list of 10, which includes familiar names like Florida's Tim Tebow and Texas' Colt McCoy. The Unitas Award winner will be announced Dec. 11 at a reception in Baltimore.

Clark leads the Big Ten in pass efficiency (143 rating) and ranks third in both passing average (227.8 yards per game) and total offense (246.3 ypg). He's tied with Purdue's Joey Elliott for the league lead in touchdown passes with 12.

A Big Ten player has never won the Unitas Award.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Quarterback health in the Big Ten has been strong through the season's first month, as none of 11 opening-day starters is currently sidelined due to injury. Things haven't been so fortunate at places like Oklahoma, South Florida, USC, Baylor and even Florida, where Heisman frontrunner Tim Tebow sustained a concussion last week against Kentucky. The recent injuries serve as a reminder that every team must be prepared to lose the starter at its most important position on the field.

Here's a snapshot of the backup quarterback landscape in the Big Ten:

READY TO ROLL


Eddie McGee, Illinois -- McGee has replaced starter Juice Williams numerous times during the last three seasons, either because of injury or performance. He helped Illinois to its lone victory Sept. 12 against Illinois State and has appeared in 17 games, completing 52 of 94 pass attempts for 714 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Keith Nichol, Michigan State -- The Spartans are still operating in a two-quarterback system, though Kirk Cousins has started all four games and received most of the work. Nichol brings excellent athleticism to the backfield and improved his pocket presence during the offseason, and while his numbers aren't stellar, he led two late scoring drives against Wisconsin.

Curt Phillips, Wisconsin -- At one point in camp, Phillips looked like the frontrunner for the starting job before giving way to Scott Tolzien. His speed and mobility bring a new element to the Badgers' offense, and he has racked up 128 rush yards on eight carries in two games to go along with four completions on six attempts.

Dan Persa, Northwestern -- Persa's athleticism actually earned him some time on special teams last year as he waited for a shot under center. He has had limited action in three games this year, and while his size is a concern, he boasts a strong arm and good feet.

Joe Bauserman, Ohio State -- The former minor league pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization has been at Ohio State for two seasons, moving into the backup role this fall. Bauserman doesn't have a ton of game experience (4-for-9 passing this year), but he's not as raw as some of the other quarterbacks in the league.

HAS THE HYPE

Denard Robinson, Michigan -- "Shoelace" was the talk of the preseason and dropped jaws by wrong-footing several defenders for a 43-yard touchdown run on his first collegiate carry. Robinson's speed and moves will get him on the field in some form or another, but he's still unproven as a passer through the first four games.

MarQueis Gray, Minnesota -- A heralded recruit from Indianapolis, Gray can be a versatile weapon for offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch. With physical gifts similar to those of Terrelle Pryor, Gray already has a touchdown catch and 50 rush yards on eight carries. But he hasn't attempted a pass, so a few doubts remain there.

WHO KNOWS?

Kevin Newsome, Penn State -- Newsome enrolled early and spent spring ball preparing to back up senior Daryll Clark, who has served as his mentor. Despite Penn State's easy opening stretch, the team's offensive struggles limited playing time for Newsome, who has completed 4 of 6 attempts for 32 yards.

James Vandenberg, Iowa -- One of the greatest passers in Iowa high school history, Vandenberg has only one career appearance, completing 2 of 3 attempts for 38 yards. A multi-sport star in high school, he boasts solid credentials but hasn't had a chance to prove himself yet.

Caleb TerBush, Purdue -- Head coach Danny Hope and offensive coordinator Gary Nord have been impressed with TerBush, but the redshirt freshman has yet to attempt a pass in a college game. TerBush has good size (6-5, 222) and a strong arm, but he needs to see action in a game.

Edward Wright-Baker, Indiana -- Wright-Baker did some impressive things in preseason camp, but Hoosiers head coach Bill Lynch is still deciding whether or not to redshirt the talented true freshman. Though Wright-Baker remains listed as Ben Chappell's backup on the depth chart, Indiana used Adam Follett in garbage time Sept. 19 at Akron.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

In 1997, Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson made history as the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. No defender has come close to striking a pose since Woodson edged Tennessee's Peyton Manning for the award, and seeing how the Heisman now serves as a glorified quarterback contest, it's unlikely any defender will follow Woodson.

Two defenders who should gain consideration for college football's top honor this fall are the subjects of an interesting discussion between blog colleagues Chris Low (SEC) and Ted Miller (Pac-10). Low and Miller debate the merits of two standout safeties: Tennessee's Eric Berry and USC's Taylor Mays.

Any college football fan worth his or her salt knows about Berry and Mays, two of the nation's most accomplished defenders and the leading candidates for the Jim Thorpe Award. Both safeties are widely projected as top-10 picks in the 2010 NFL draft. I, for one, can't wait to watch Mays live when USC visits Ohio State on Sept. 12.

Could Mays or Berry follow Woodson's path to Manhattan in December?

It seems like a long shot with quarterbacks Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy all returning, but both of these safeties should be on the radar. Tennessee is touting Berry for the Heisman (turn on your mute button before visiting the Web site), while Mays knows his Heisman campaign needs a statistical boost.

Let's look back at how Woodson won the award in 1997 and where Berry's and Mays' best seasons stack up:

By the Numbers Woodson (1997) Berry (2008) Mays (2008) INT 8 7 0 INT returns for TD 0 2 0 PBU 9 6 9 Tackles 47 72 53 Tackles for loss 5 8.5 2 Sacks 1 3 0 Return yards 301 32 n/a Return TDs 1 0 n/a Receptions 12 1 n/a Receiving yards 238 3 n/a Receiving touchdowns 2 0 n/a

Mays clearly needs
a major boost this fall to match Woodson, but Berry isn't far off in terms of production on defense. The difference is Woodson's versatility as a punt returner and as an offensive threat. For all the great plays Woodson made on defense in 1997, arguably his most memorable play was the 78-yard punt return for a touchdown against Ohio State.

Berry's non-defense production is limited to seven rushes for 32 yards, one reception for three yards and two kickoff returns for 32 yards.

I wish defensive players had a better shot at the Heisman, but as Woodson showed 12 years ago, you need to do more.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ever since Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith won the Heisman Trophy in 2006, the Big Ten has been mostly absent from the discussion about college football's most coveted award. No Big Ten player finished in the top 10 in voting in 2007, when Florida's Tim Tebow won the trophy. Iowa running back Shonn Greene finished sixth in voting last year, while Michigan State running back Javon Ringer came in 10th.

Will the Big Ten have a horse in the Heisman race this fall?

Most prognosticators are overlooking the league's stars, and unfortunately, this award has more to do with preseason hype than anything else. But keep your eyes on these potential candidates.

Penn State QB Daryll Clark -- A first-team All-Big Ten selection last year, Clark did a fabulous job in leading Penn State to the Rose Bowl. By all accounts, he has gotten even better during the offseason. He faces an uphill climb in the Heisman race, however, because of Penn State's soft schedule. Clark must put up big numbers each and every time he steps on the field this fall. He also needs Iowa, Illinois and Ohio State to start strong so his performances against those teams would gain more national recognition.

Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor -- Pryor might be the Big Ten's best candidate for the Heisman, even though Clark is the more accomplished quarterback. Everyone in the country knows Pryor because of his hype during the recruiting process and his ascent to the Buckeyes starting job last year. Plus, Pryor gets an early chance to make a national statement when Ohio State faces USC on Sept. 12. Pryor needs a huge performance against the Trojans to have any shot at the Heisman, but he's a much improved player and will be watched throughout the season.

Penn State RB Evan Royster -- The big question will be how many carries Royster receives. He did major damage last fall despite limited carries and is the Big Ten's leading returning rusher. If Penn State feeds him often and he puts up big numbers every Saturday, he could make his way onto the Heisman radar. As with Clark, Royster will be fighting the schedule issue and likely won't be left on the field when a game is out of reach.

Illinois WR Arrelious Benn -- Like Pryor, Benn is a known name not only in Big Ten circles, but around the country. He was a big-time recruit who has matched the hype so far, winning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2007 and eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards last year. Benn needs another huge year this fall to have any shot, and his touchdowns total must go way up.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The preseason hype machine stirred again Monday with the release of the Davey O'Brien Award watch list, which includes 33 signal-callers and four from the Big Ten.

All of the usual suspects are on the list -- Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Zac Robinson -- and here are your Big Ten nominees.

• Daryll Clark, Sr., Penn State
• Terrelle Pryor, So., Ohio State
• Adam Weber, Jr., Minnesota
• Juice Williams, Sr., Illinois

No major surprises, as both Clark and Williams put up impressive numbers last season and Pryor earned Big Ten preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors. It's nice to see Weber get some love as well as he has performed through a transitional period at Minnesota.

Looking over some of the names on the list -- Jarrett Brown, Aaron Corp, former Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett -- I half expected to see Iowa's Ricky Stanzi appear. Despite some good moments last season, the Hawkeyes quarterback still has a few things to prove.

Semifinalists for the O'Brien Award will be announced Oct. 26 and finalists named Nov. 23. The winner will be revealed Dec. 10 during the college football awards show.