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Let's get to it.

Chris from Chicago writes: Hey Adam — very interesting post about recruiting and player development.I think that fanbases are generally going to make the (probably too basic) assumption that more is better. Two main aspects in judging a program is how well they recruit and how well they develop players. So while the B1G has excelled at player development, fans are always going to want more ...Using Nebraska as an example, sending 16 players to the NFL combine is fantastic. Having none of those players be former ESPNU 150 recruits is always going to lead that fanbase to wonder 'How much better would we have been if we'd landed top recruits?' Not a question here — just trying to offer some explanation. I am guilty of this too — I think many fans (incorrectly) assume all things are equal and that player development is great, but it's dependent on where players begin (3*, 4*, 5*). I am a Michigan fan. I am very happy with the two classes Hoke has brought in and the one he's building now. Do I expect a roster full of All-Americans? Not necessarily. But I do have some hope in that — and having 18-22 recruits outside of the ESPNU 150 isn't going to garner that same hope.

Adam Rittenberg: Excellent perspective here, Chris. I agree that fans are always going to want more, and it's interesting to wonder what coaches like Bo Pelini, Kirk Ferentz and Bret Bielema could do with supposedly better recruits. Then again, it's hard to think Pelini could do much better than a player like cornerback Prince Amukamara, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft who came to Nebraska as a three-star running back. I just think it's important for fans to be realistic about star ratings, as there are so many NFL players that were lightly recruited or went to smaller colleges or were late bloomers. It's fine to get excited, don't get me wrong, but recruiting ratings are only one component. Michigan fans should not only be excited about the recruits but the coaches who are there to develop them. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

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Derrick from Brooklyn, N.Y., writes: Any chance Mike Minter gets a shot to be the new DB coach at Nebraska?

Adam Rittenberg: Minter's name came up immediately after the news about Corey Raymond's departure to LSU. The Lincoln Journal Star's Steve Sipple writes today that he hears Minter would be interested in the position if Nebraska approaches him. The former Huskers star is coaching on Turner Gill's staff at Liberty University (special teams coordinator) and has coached in Division II and at a North Carolina high school. Pelini has to act quickly as spring ball kicks off March 10. He could look internally, but if he looks outside, Minter would be an intriguing choice. He certainly knows his way around.

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John from Portola Valley, Calif., writes: Dear Adam, I love Michigan State football, but don't understand why they are considered to be a great team in the 2012 season. Coach Dantonio is an amazing coach and I feel like he is giving them a lot of momentum, but the team is losing huge assets such as Kirk Cousins, Jerel Worthy and B.J. Cunningham. Also, their incoming recruiting class wasn't ranked in the top 25. Michigan State plays a tough schedule with top tier recruits such as Ohio State ranked 6th according to recruiting nation, Michigan ranked 7th and Notre Dame ranked 9th. Why are they still considered to be in the hunt for the 2012 Big Ten Championship?

Adam Rittenberg: John, those players are significant individual losses, and Michigan State will have its share of question marks entering the 2012 season. But I wouldn't base my list of Big Ten title contenders solely on their 2012 recruiting classes. Many of those players will be redshirting, and only a handful will have a significant impact on the 2012 campaign. If you want to be more accurate, look at the recruiting classes in from 2009-11, which were strong at Michigan State. These classes will have a greater impact on the 2012 season than the most recent one, which, by the way, wasn't too shabby, either.

Michigan State will be a deeper team on defense despite losing Worthy, and while the Spartans need a redshirt freshman or two to step up at defensive tackle, there's a lot to like at defensive end (William Gholston), linebacker (Denicos Allen, Max Bullough) and in the secondary. Cousins is a big loss, but Andrew Maxwell has been groomed to step in at QB. Cunningham will be very tough to replace, and receiver is a big question mark.

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Eric from Chicago writes: "...Big Ten teams, while signing fewer of the nation's elite recruits, continue to develop players for the next level. "Isn't it far more likely that recruits are over-evaluated in the South and under-evaluated in the B1G footprint? Rivals, for example, didn't even have a midwest analyst until a few months ago. This doesn't require a conspiracy. The hype over NCAA football in the SEC means that fans there are more receptive consumers of recruiting information and these publications are serving the market.

Adam Rittenberg: Eric, you're not the only one with this view. Let me just say this: there are also a ton of fans in Midwest, and the Big Ten blog traffic numbers confirm this (even in relation to the SEC blog). I can assure you fans in the Midwest are just as passionate about recruiting as those in the south and southeast. The population demographics are what they are, and I do believe there's more talent in the south and southeast than there is in the Midwest. Is there some overvaluing and undervaluing? Without a doubt. Are there elite players in the Big Ten's backyard? Without a doubt. But I don't think it's a grand conspiracy when multiple recruiting analysts from multiple media organizations rate more elite prospects from the south and southeast than any other region.

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Bill from South Korea writes: Adam, I believe that the B1G made a mistake by overlooking Missouri as an expansion candidate. I would love to see an 8 Super-Conference FBS with a definitive championship format. The B1G could have led the way by taking Missouri, Maryland, Rutgers, and West Virginia when they accepted Nebraska. Please take a pass on the Notre Dame worship. That's yesterday's news. Nebraska was a great addition but more was on the table for the taking. I think it is highly unlikely that Missouri would ever move to the B1G from the SEC. My concern is that other conferences are making moves now to add quality programs which may leave the B1G picking up scraps later. I know that the schools I chose are debatable but I concentrated on location, current facilities, and fan base. These factors all equate to income and costs. Kansas would be good but I believe they are linked in an undesirable marriage (KU/KSU). Do you think the B1G will enter the second round of conference expansion anytime soon?

Adam Rittenberg: Bill, it's funny, I started thinking about the Big Ten and Missouri while watching the epic Missouri-Kansas basketball game on Saturday afternoon. The Big Ten did consider Missouri during the expansion process, but some of the public statements by the Missouri governor and others about wanting to be in the Big Ten so badly turned off some of the folks around the league.

It comes down to whether you think the Big Ten should expand beyond 12. The Big Ten presidents have made it clear they're happy at 12, and I still believe Nebraska is a stronger addition than Missouri because of its football brand. In a multi-team expansion, Missouri would have made sense, as would programs like Maryland and Rutgers. West Virginia isn't a cultural fit at all in the Big Ten and would never be admitted, so you can forget that one. Will the Big Ten look at another expansion? It's certainly possible, especially if the SEC continues to get stronger at 14. But for now, the presidents are comfortable at 12.

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Phillip from Madison, Wis., writes: Hey Adam. You said Purdue and Nebraska would be the most impacted by the new kickoff rules, but impact goes both ways. It seems this rule change helps mitigate one of Wisconsin's most glaring issues. If the new kickoff rules were implemented last season, does Wisconsin finish the regular season undefeated?

Adam Rittenberg: You never know, Phillip, but I think Wisconsin would have benefited more from a new rule limiting the number of players who can try and block a punt (except in the Big Ten title game, of course, where it worked out in the Badgers' favor). Kick coverage has been a weak spot for Wisconsin in recent years, as the Badgers ranked 83rd in 2011, 103rd in 2010 and 119th in 2009.

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Nate from Mankato, Minn., writes: Adam, repeatedly you guys talk about how the Iowa defense was disappointing. Yes Prater struggled, and they did have some injuries, but what more was expected of that group? At their losses at Minnesota, Nebraska, and Penn State, as well as their loss in Tempe to Oklahoma, it was definitely not on the defense. Yes, their numbers weren't very good, but who expected them to have good numbers? It was a rebuilding year, and the defense, in my mind, played well for what was expected.

Adam Rittenberg: Nate, you make some good points, but I felt Iowa had achieved a certain level of consistency on defense and could survive some key personnel losses. No doubt it's very tough to replace three starting defensive linemen selected in the NFL draft. And losing two multiyear starters at safety (Tyler Sash, Brett Greenwood) hurt the Hawkeyes. I just felt the defense would be average rather than below average. Iowa had only 10 interceptions, and opponents completed 62 percent of their passes against the Hawks. You look at games like Michigan State, Iowa State and even Northwestern and Pitt. Iowa gave up more than 420 yards in each of those games. Maybe I've been a bit unfair, but I thought Iowa had reached a certain standard on defense and would be able to maintain it despite some personnel turnover.

Fourteen former Big Ten players will soon be the proud owners of new Super Bowl championship rings.

The league had 23 players on the two Super Bowl squads, and several played key roles in the New York Giants' victory against New England. Michigan product Mario Manningham had five catches for 73 yards, including the spectacular 38-yard reception that sparked the game-winning drive. Illinois' Steve Weatherford averaged 40.8 yards on four punts and placed three inside the Patriots' 10-yard line. It was a tough night for Big Ten tight ends, as Ohio State's Jake Ballard and Wisconsin's Travis Beckum each suffered knee injuries during the game. But both won rings.

The entire list of the 14 former Big Ten players who were on the Giants' championship team is as follows:

• DB Prince Amukamara (Nebraska)
• C David Baas (Michigan)
• Ballard
• Beckum
• OT James Brewer (Indiana)
• C Jim Cordle (Ohio State)
• OT David Diehl (Illinois)
• LB Greg Jones (Michigan State)
• DT Jimmy Kennedy (Penn State)
• Manningham
• OT Kareem McKenzie (Penn State)
• S Tyler Sash (Iowa)
• WR Devin Thomas (Michigan State)
• Weatherford

Several Giants coaches also have Big Ties, including offensive line coach Pat Flaherty (a former assistant at Iowa and Penn State), secondary and cornerbacks coach Peter Giunta (ex-assistant at Penn State), linebackers coach Jim Herrmann (former player and assistant at Michigan), and running backs coach Jerald Ingram (ex-player and graduate assistant at Michigan).

The Patriots had eight former Big Ten players on the roster, led by Tom Brady. While Brady failed to win his fourth title, he did set a Super Bowl record with 16 consecutive completions during the game.

And, of course, Bill O'Brien finished his duties as New England offensive coordinator and can now concentrate on being Penn State's new head coach.

I don't know about you but I've got about five minutes of fabulous left.

• A good piece by Herbie Gould on how it's always complicated at Illinois, even at 6-1. Bob Asmussen predicts Ron Zook will face his old team (Florida) in a bowl game.
• Wisconsin should have starting DT Patrick Butrym on the field at Michigan State. Badgers WR Nick Toon has gained a greater appreciation for his famous father.
• Indiana likely is down two offensive starters for Saturday's game. RB Stephen Houston emerges for IU, LaMond Pope writes.
• John Hicks and other former Ohio State players are pleading for the NCAA to reconsider its ruling on suspended WR DeVier Posey, Bill Rabinowitz writes. Ohio State will feature a "Scarlet Out" for the Wisconsin game.
• Purdue has trimmed its sacks allowed total, Mike Carmin writes. Boilers quarterback Caleb TerBush is making the most of his second chance.
• Penn State versus Dan Persa is the What-If Bowl, Brad Wilson writes. Nittany Lions S Drew Astorino is back to 100 percent from injury.
• Iowa's AJ Derby could be switching positions (his coach isn't saying), Pat Harty writes. Check out how former Hawkeyes star Tyler Sash is helping out Brett Greenwood.
• Steve M. Sipple takes a peek ahead at Nebraska's remaining schedule. A Prince stopped by Nebraska's practice Wednesday.
• Michigan State fans: don't expect to sway Lee Corso on Saturday morning. The pending William Gholston decision hasn't changed the practice reps for Michigan State's defensive linemen.
• Some interesting comments from Michigan coordinators Greg Mattison and Al Borges after the Michigan State loss.
• While Northwestern's defense is struggling, DE Tyler Scott has stepped up this year.
• Minnesota's young offensive line struggles to take the next step. Jerry Kill is calling for Gophers fans to get loud on Saturday.

You might not find two FBS coaches from the same league who have more mutual respect than Kirk Ferentz and Joe Paterno.

Ferentz grew up near Pittsburgh idolizing Paterno, and rarely passes up a chance to gush about the legendary Penn State coach. Paterno admires Ferentz and the way his Iowa teams perform, and for good reason: Ferentz has more wins over JoePa (8) than any coach in history, and Iowa has won eight of the past nine games in the series, including three straight.

Still, any spice to the Iowa-Penn State rivalry won't be coming from the two coaches.

Thank goodness for Penn State linebacker Glenn Carson.

Carson on Tuesday recalled being on the sideline last year at Kinnick Stadium -- where Iowa's fans are practically on top of the field -- during Penn State's 24-3 loss to the Hawkeyes.

"The stands are really close to you," he said. "You could hear the Iowa fans heckle us and scream at us, 'Raise your hand if you ever beat Iowa.' That's one thing that stood out in my mind and why this game is so important. Iowa is a wrestling school and Penn State is a football school, so we've got to take it to them."

Ouch. And wait, didn't Penn State win a national championship in wrestling earlier this year?

Carson later said he was joking about the "wrestling school" line. But he and his teammates haven't forgotten the feeling they had last year in Iowa City.

"They think they have this stranglehold on us," Carson said. "We just have to humble them up a little bit."

Former Iowa safety Tyler Sash, now with the New York Giants, quickly responded on Twitter: "Hey Glenn Carson. When was the last time Penn State beat Iowa in football?"

The answer: 2007.

I asked Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt about Carson's comment.

"I heard that," he said. "I'm just ready to play football. We're not really going to do too much talking."

Game on ...

Thoughts and prayers go out to former Iowa safety Brett Greenwood, who collapsed Friday while working out at his high school in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Greenwood is in intensive care at a Bettendorf hospital and likely will be airlifted to University of Iowa hospital in Iowa City at some stage.

The two-time All-Big Ten selection signed a free-agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was released last week.

Former Iowa safety Tyler Sash tweeted Friday night: "My prayers are with #BrettGreenwood he is alive and on his way to IC. He has overcome every challenge throughout his life. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Most people only knew the football player; I was blessed to know the person as well."

Greenwood is a terrific guy and a solid football player. Hoping for the best for him ...

James Morris didn't set a goal for number of minutes played as a freshman at Iowa.

He didn't even care which unit -- first team, second team -- he joined on Saturdays. He simply wanted to get on the field. The linebacker ended up appearing in all 13 games, starting the final six, finishing fourth on the squad in tackles with 70.

"It was a pretty awesome experience," said Morris, who added four pass breakups and a sack. "I feel like I got a good jump on most of my competition. I think it'll pay bigger dividends once the season rolls around and I can apply some of that experience."

Morris knows he'll take on an enhanced role for the Hawkeyes' defense this season. He also knows others will have to replicate his rise as Iowa replaces six defensive starters, four of whom were selected in April's NFL draft (Adrian Clayborn, Christian Ballard, Karl Klug and Tyler Sash).

Iowa entered the 2010 season seemingly with a clear identity on defense, but the unit ended up with mixed results. The Hawkeyes need the opposite to occur this fall -- for a new-look defense to establish its personality and consistently shut down the opposition.

"I feel like we're young, but that's not necessarily a bad thing," Morris said. "We're unproven, and there's a lot of guys on our squad who take offense to that. They want to prove themselves, and I'm hoping people are going to be surprised by what they see with the effort and how determined our guys are to prove what kind of players they are."

Morris began the proving process last season. A rash of injuries at linebacker thrust him into the starting lineup down the stretch, and he recorded 40 tackles in his first four starts.

Like many freshmen, Morris was prone to overthinking things when he first got in games. A National Honor Society member in high school, Morris admits he's "very much" an analytical person.

"You're sort of forced to lead a double life, what's expected of you on the field versus being a civil human being in conversation off the field," he said. "I thought I was doing a pretty good job of not outpacing myself toward the end of the year, as opposed to the beginning, when maybe I was playing a step slow, trying to process everything."

Morris acknowledges he made plenty of mistakes in 2010, but his effort level never wavered. He wants to be a more polished player this fall, especially as he guides the linebackers alongside veteran Tyler Nielsen.

Iowa must build depth around Morris and Nielsen with players like Christian Kirksey, Bruce Davis, Anthony Hitchens and Dakota Getz.

Morris doesn't expect the defense's personality to fully form until the end of training camp, which kicks off next month, but players are motivated to prove themselves and finish games better than they did in 2010.

"A lot of guys on our defense, they're driven and they're determined to improve and create their own identity," Morris said. "Some of them, they feel like last year was somewhat in flux in terms of what our identity was. They’re going to come out of camp with a purpose."

We wrap up our preseason look at Big Ten secondaries with a look at the safeties.

Safety isn't quite as stacked as cornerback, and the Big Ten loses some solid players like Iowa's Tyler Sash and Ohio State's Jermale Hines. There are fewer elite prospects at safety, but several teams have potential playmakers.

Here are the top 10 entering 2011:

1. Trenton Robinson, Michigan State, senior: Robinson played a big role in Michigan State's improvement as a secondary in 2010. He led the Spartans with four interceptions and tied for the team lead in passes defended with eight. Robinson, who enters his third season as a starter, had 76 tackles last season and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches.

2. Aaron Henry, Wisconsin, senior: After emerging as a playmaker in 2010, Henry should be primed for even bigger things in his second season at safety. The former cornerback made the switch and recorded two interceptions, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries last season. Like Robinson, he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches.

3. Tyler Moeller, Ohio State, senior: Moeller will provide a huge boost for a new-look Ohio State defense as he returns from a torn pectoral muscle that shortened his 2010 season. He can play either safety or linebacker and showed impressive playmaking skills early last fall, recording two forced fumbles, an interception and 4.5 tackles for loss in just five games. If Moeller stays healthy, he'll be in the mix for All-Big Ten honors.

4. Brian Peters, Northwestern, senior: Peters boasts a lot of experience, appearing in every game the past three seasons. He also shows a knack for the football, recording three interceptions in each of the past two seasons. A second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2010 after recording 107 tackles, Peters must get a bit more consistent in coverage but looks ready to lead the defense.

5. Micah Hyde, Iowa, junior: After starting all 13 games last season at cornerback, Hyde likely will move to safety as the Hawkeyes lose two multiyear starters in Sash and Brett Greenwood. Hyde showed last fall that he's a tremendous playmaker, recording four interceptions, including the pick-six that won the Insight Bowl against Missouri. He led the team with 11 passes defended, finished second with 82 tackles and had a forced fumble.

7. Nick Sukay, Penn State, senior: Like Moeller, Sukay was doing big things in 2010 before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. Sukay recorded three interceptions, a forced fumble and 29 tackles in just six games. He's a natural playmaker who finished third in the Big Ten in passes defended with 13 in 2009. His return makes a very good Lions secondary even better.

8. Trulon Henry, Illinois, senior: An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2010, Henry will help anchor an Illini secondary that could do some big things this fall. Henry led Illinois with three interceptions and two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, three pass breakups and 64 tackles. He should be helped by the return of Supo Sanni from injury.

8. Logan Link, Purdue, senior: Link quietly turned in a solid 2010 season, finishing eighth in the Big Ten in tackles with 91. He's a solid tackler who added an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The former walk-on has emerged as a really nice contributor for the Boilers' defense.

9. Drew Astorino, Penn State, senior: Astorino has been the iron man in Penn State's secondary, starting each of the past two seasons as well as three games as a redshirt freshman in 2008. He has played through injuries, including a shoulder problem that impacted him last fall, when he recorded 70 tackles, an interception and five pass breakups. If Astorino stays healthy, he could blossom in his final season.

10. Courtney Osborne, Nebraska, junior: This is a bit of a projection pick, but Osborne should be able to help fill Nebraska's gaps at safety this fall. He appeared in every game last season, starting four, and recorded 41 tackles, an interception, a sack and five tackles for loss. Osborne did some nice things down the stretch and seems primed for bigger things in a bigger role.

Also considered: Minnesota's Kim Royston, Ohio State's Orhian Johnson, Michigan's Jordan Kovacs, Indiana's Greg Heban

The Big Ten preseason position rankings have reached the home stretch as we take a look at the defensive secondaries. Although individual positions like center and defensive tackle could boast more star power, the Big Ten's overall strength in the secondary jumps out.

There's a lot to like about the Big Ten cornerbacks as nearly every team boasts experience and/or exciting young players. The Big Ten loses All-Conference safeties Tyler Sash and Jermale Hines but brings back quite a few solid contributors.

There's definite separation after the top four groups, while Nos. 5-9 are extremely close.

Here's the rundown (coming soon: cornerbacks and safeties rankings) ...

1. Penn State: The Lions' linebackers seem to be generating more preseason buzz, but I really like what Penn State brings back in the defensive backfield. There's plenty of experience with safeties Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay, and cornerbacks D'Anton Lynn and Stephon Morris. Penn State needs Sukay to regain the form he showed in the first half of 2010 before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. Lynn is a bona fide All-Big Ten candidate. If Malcolm Willis, Chaz Powell and others solidify depth here, Penn State should have an elite secondary.

2. Ohio State: This is a group the Buckeyes rarely have to worry about, even after losing three starters. The good news is several key players return from injuries, including safeties Tyler Moeller, C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant. Moeller should provide a major boost at the "star" position. The cornerback spots should be fun to watch as Travis Howard and Dominic Clarke fend off some challengers for the starting jobs.

3. Nebraska: Like Ohio State, Nebraska can rely on having an elite pass defense under the Pelini brothers, even after losing several standout players. All-American corner Prince Amukamara will be missed, but Alfonzo Dennard is ready for a starring role. Nebraska needs Ciante Evans to follow what Dennard did in 2010. The Huskers likely will use more linebackers this year, but they'll need to fill holes at safety as Austin Cassidy, Courtney Osborne and others are in the mix.

4. Wisconsin: The Badgers' secondary took a major step forward in Chris Ash's first season on the staff. The key is continued progress, continued playmaking and becoming a truly elite group like Ohio State and Nebraska. Wisconsin seems to have the pieces in place with veteran Aaron Henry at safety, as well as All-Big Ten selection Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith at cornerback. The Badgers must fill the other safety spot, and speedster Shelton Johnson could fill in there.

5. Michigan State: The secondary triggered Michigan State's 2010 turnaround, improving from 112th nationally in pass defense in 2009 to 60th last season. After recording 17 interceptions last year, the Spartans must stick to their MAP motto -- Make A Play -- as they aim for a repeat championship this fall. Safety Trenton Robinson is among the league's most experienced defensive backs, and hopes are high for cornerback Johnny Adams, who had an excellent spring. The unit could hinge on young players like Darqueze Dennard, Isaiah Lewis and Tony Lippett.

6. Iowa: The bad news is Iowa loses veteran safeties Sash and Brett Greenwood from a defense that slipped to 84th nationally against the pass in 2010. The good news is All-Big Ten cornerback Shaun Prater returns along with playmaking junior Micah Hyde. Prater could be a shut-down corner this fall, and Hyde, whose pick-six won the Insight Bowl, could play either corner or safety. Iowa must build depth around them with Jordan Bernstine, Greg Castillo, Tanner Miller and others.

7. Purdue: One of the Boilers' big question marks entering 2010 turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and the secondary could be a big strength this fall. Here's a group that could make a move up these rankings by November. Cornerback Ricardo Allen is a budding superstar who recorded two pick-sixes last year. Safety Logan Link is always around the football, and Josh Johnson could take a significant step as he complements Allen.

8. Illinois: I'm tempted to rank Illinois a few notches higher, and if the Illini address several questions in the secondary, I'll gladly do so after the season. If safety Supo Sanni returns to form and both he and cornerback Terry Hawthorne stay healthy, this could be an excellent group. Tavon Wilson returns to his preferred position of cornerback and could have a big year, while Trulon Henry brings experience to the safety spot.

9. Northwestern: Given the question marks in the front seven, Northwestern needs its veteran secondary to step up. Players like cornerback Jordan Mabin and safety Brian Peters should answer the bell this fall. Both multiyear starters can make plays on the football and change games. There's good competition between David Arnold and Ibraheim Campbell at the other safety spot, while Jeravin Matthews emerged this spring to win the starting corner job opposite Mabin.

10. Michigan: I'll probably take some heat from Wolverines fans, who will point to the return of cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd, the emergence of young players like Carvin Johnson and a defensive makeover under Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison. All of that could lead to better results, but Michigan still has fewer certainties in the secondary than do most teams on this list. This unit has been a disaster the past few years, and it'll take a lot of things to go right to get things back on track.

11. Minnesota: Linebacker looks like a strength for the Gophers' defense, but there are questions both up front and in the secondary. The secondary will need more help from a line that generated no pass rush in 2010, but the defensive backs must help themselves, too. Cornerback Troy Stoudermire had a good spring and adds a big hitter to the group. Minnesota really needs big things from safety Kim Royston, who wants to lead the way after receiving a sixth year of eligibility. Building depth around Stoudermire and Royston will be vital in preseason camp.

12. Indiana: Fixing this group is arguably the biggest challenge for new coach Kevin Wilson and co-defensive coordinators Mike Ekeler and Doug Mallory. Indiana simply hasn't had enough Big Ten-caliber defensive backs in recent years, and the results have been ugly. The Hoosiers surrendered a league-worst 27 touchdown passes in 2010 and finished 114th nationally in pass defense efficiency. Sophomore safety Greg Heban is a nice piece, but Indiana will need a boost from Lawrence Barnett, Lenyatta Kiles and others.

Now we get to the good stuff: Player of the Year polls. In mid-May. Gotta love it.

The race for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year isn't easy to forecast. The league loses most of its elite defenders, including five linemen selected in the first round of last month's NFL draft. A former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year -- Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones -- also departs along and four underclassmen who would factor into this year's race -- Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt, Illinois DT Corey Liuget, Illinois LB Martez Wilson and Iowa S Tyler Sash -- also are NFL bound. Eight Big Ten squads lose their leading tacklers from 2010.

So who's left? Nebraska hasn't played a game as a Big Ten member, but the Huskers might have the top two choices for Defensive Player of the Year. Defensive tackle Jared Crick and linebacker Lavonte David both earned second-team All-America honors in 2010 and are poised for big senior seasons. Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy also is very much on the NFL draft radar for 2012, and several Big Ten defensive backs could contend for the award, including dynamic Purdue sophomore cornerback Ricardo Allen. The Big Ten hasn't had a defensive back win the award since Ohio State safety Mike Doss in 2002, but that could change this fall.

It's your turn to weigh in on the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year field.

The Hope and Concern series marches on with the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Biggest reason for hope: Returning players who stepped up in Insight Bowl

When a team loses a group of seniors like Iowa does, you want to see evidence of who will carry the torch. Several Hawkeyes underclassmen provided the proof Dec. 28 against Missouri. Running back Marcus Coker rushed for an Iowa bowl record 219 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries. By all accounts, Coker has built on his bowl performance and continued to develop throughout the winter and spring. Sophomore defensive back Micah Hyde had the decisive 72-yard interception return for a touchdown against Missouri and looks ready to take over Tyler Sash's defensive playmaker role. Other returning players like linebacker James Morris also stepped up in the bowl game, and an offensive line that returns three starters held an edge at the line of scrimmage.

Biggest reason for concern: Depth in the defensive front seven

Iowa's defense doesn't feature a ton of blitzing or additional defensive backs on the field, even against the spread. Coordinator Norm Parker relies on his front four to generate consistent pressure, and his linebackers to fill gaps and make tackles. The Hawkeyes exit the spring feeling pretty good about three down linemen -- Mike Daniels, Broderick Binns and Lebron Daniel -- and Tyler Nielsen and Morris will occupy two of the starting linebacker spots. But who fills the gaps elsewhere? And more important, what will Iowa do if injuries crop up to returning players with experience. It's tough to reload when you lose three defensive linemen to the NFL draft, and Iowa's lack of depth at linebacker hurt the defense at times last season.

More Hope and Concern

• Purdue
• Indiana

The Big Ten statistical projections already have examined 1,000-yard rushing candidates, sack-masters and 3,000-yard passers. It's now time to examine the league's top interceptors.

I've set the standard at four or more interceptions for the season.

Five Big Ten players reached this milestone last year. Iowa safety Brett Greenwood led the league with five picks, while four players -- Iowa cornerbacks Shaun Prater and Micah Hyde, Wisconsin cornerback Antonio Fenelus and Michigan State safety Trenton Robinson -- all finished with four. Nebraska safety Eric Hagg recorded a team-high five interceptions in 2010, while cornerback Alfonzo Dennard finished with four.

Here are the Big Ten's top pick-4 candidates in 2011:

1. Iowa CB/S Micah Hyde: All Hyde does is make plays, as he showed with an electrifying pick-six in the Insight Bowl as the game seemed to be slipping away from Iowa. Hyde worked at safety for much of the spring and could move into an even larger playmaking role as Greenwood and Tyler Sash both depart. I think teams will throw away from Prater, giving Hyde more chances for picks.

2. Michigan State S Trenton Robinson: The MAP motto -- Make A Play -- fueled Michigan State's secondary in 2010, and the group shouldn't see much of a drop-off this year. Johnny Adams is ready to move into Chris L. Rucker's role as a shut-down corner, and the veteran Robinson once again should have interception opportunities from the safety position.

3. At least one of Wisconsin's DBs: Like Michigan State, Wisconsin's secondary took a significant step forward from a playmaking standpoint in 2010. Fenelus remains a candidate to rack up interceptions, but I also like the potential from safety Aaron Henry and cornerback Devin Smith. Henry recorded two picks last fall, while Smith made a ton of plays this spring.

4. Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard: Dennard could force teams to throw elsewhere as he moves into the Prince Amukamara shut-down corner role. But as he showed last season, he can make plays on the ball and should have some interception opportunities along the way. I also could see a big interception season for Nebraska's other defensive backs like cornerback Ciante Evans and safety P.J. Smith, who had three picks last season.

5. Iowa CB Shaun Prater: Like Dennard, I won't be surprised if Prater sees fewer passes thrown in his direction this fall. It could be a lot like Amari Spievey in 2009. But Prater is a guy who will make the most of his opportunities and could record some interceptions while defending opponents' top receivers.

6. Penn State S Nick Sukay and/or CB D'Anton Lynn: Both players finished with three interceptions last fall and could increase their total this year. Sukay might be the better bet as he racked up three picks in only six games in 2010. If he can stay healthy, the senior should be one of the league's top safeties. Lynn also took a significant step forward in 2010 and should contend for All-Big Ten honors.

7. Purdue CB Ricardo Allen: Here's another example of a guy who might scare away opposing quarterbacks from throwing the ball his way. Allen certainly made teams pay in 2010, recording two interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He's one of the most aggressive young corners I've seen in the Big Ten for some time, so he should have some INT chances this fall.

8. Ohio State S Tyler Moeller: Several Buckeyes defensive backs are candidates, but I really like Moeller's potential to rack up interceptions this fall. He had a pick and two forced fumbles in four-plus games in 2010 before an injury ended his season. Moeller is a natural playmaker in a defense that has become increasingly opportunistic the last three seasons.

Also keep an eye on these players:

• Northwestern S Brian Peters and CB Jordan Mabin
• Ohio State CB Travis Howard
• Nebraska S P.J. Smith
• Michigan CBs Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd
• Minnesota S Kim Royston
• Indiana S Greg Heban

I'll continue the series Friday with a look at the Big Ten's top touchdown scorers (15+).

2010 overall record: 8-5

2010 conference record: 4-4 (T-4th)

Returning starters

Offense: 4; defense: 5; kicker/punter: 1

Top returners

DT Mike Daniels, LB Tyler Nielsen, LB James Morris, DB Micah Hyde, CB Shaun Prater, WR Marvin McNutt, LT Riley Reiff, C James Ferentz, RB Marcus Coker

Key losses

DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Karl Klug, DL Christian Ballard, LB Jeremiah Hunter, S Tyler Sash, S Brett Greenwood, QB Ricky Stanzi, WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, TE Allen Reisner, G Julian Vandervelde, RB Adam Robinson

2010 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Adam Robinson (941 yards)

Passing: Ricky Stanzi (3,004 yards)

Receiving: Marvin McNutt* (861 yards)

Tackles: Jeremiha Hunter (90)

Sacks: Karl Klug (5.5)

Interceptions: Brett Greenwood (5)

Spring answers

1. King James: Most of us haven't seen James Vandenberg since he nearly led Iowa to a Big Ten title-winning victory against Ohio State in 2009, but the junior quarterback has made strides on the practice field. Vandenberg impressed the coaches in bowl practice and continued his progression during the winter and into spring ball, where he locked up the starting quarterback spot. Coach Kirk Ferentz had high praise for Vandenberg this spring and seems comfortable with No. 16 as his guy.

2. Davis emerges: Iowa needed a No. 2 wide receiver to emerge this spring, and junior Keenan Davis answered the call. Davis stood out in the spring scrimmage with several nice catches and drew good reviews for his play throughout the 15 practice sessions. After taking a little longer than expected to impact games, Davis seems ready for a bigger role.

3. O-line ready to shine: The team's biggest question mark last spring should be its strongest unit in 2011. Iowa returns three starters, including NFL prospect Riley Reiff at left tackle and center James Ferentz, an All-Big Ten candidate. Guard Adam Gettis drew good reviews this spring after an injury-plagued 2010 season. The overall depth looks good and the line should be able to protect Vandenberg and give Coker rushing lanes this fall.

Fall questions

1. Micah Hyde's position: Hyde, best known for his Insight Bowl pick-six, played safety for much of the spring after starting all 13 games at cornerback last season. Iowa must replace two multiyear starters at safety (Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood), and Hyde certainly could be an answer there. If he makes the move, who starts at cornerback opposite Shaun Prater? Where do guys like Jordan Bernstine fit in? We should learn more about the secondary in preseason camp.

2. Filling out the front seven: Although Iowa lost three starting defensive linemen to the NFL draft and two contributors at linebacker, it has a decent idea of who will step in. The starting line should feature Mike Daniels, Broderick Binns and Lebron Daniel. But who occupies the other defensive tackle spot next to Daniels? Tyler Nielsen and James Morris will occupy two starting linebacker spots, but several players remain in the mix for the third position.

3. Running back depth: Coker built on his record-setting Insight Bowl performance and has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates as Iowa's top running back. But depth at running back has been an issue the past few seasons and it could crop up again this fall. Jason White and De'Andre Johnson got a lot of reps this spring, but several incoming freshmen should be in the mix as well as Iowa must find insurance for Coker. There's also a possibility Adam Robinson, the team's leading rusher in 2010, could be reinstated.

The 2011 NFL draft is in the books, and it's time to take a look back at how the Big Ten fared in the selections. In case you missed it, check out my breakdown of the six Big Ten players who heard their names called in the first round.

All in all, 29 Big Ten players were drafted this year. New Big Ten member Nebraska had seven selections.

Let's start off with a rundown of the picks. I'll have some quick thoughts after each round.

First round

• Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt, Houston, No. 11 overall
• Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan, Washington, No. 16 overall
• Illinois DT Corey Liuget, San Diego, No. 18 overall
• Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay, No. 20 overall
• Wisconsin LT Gabe Carimi, Chicago, No. 29 overall
• Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh, No. 31

Quick thoughts: The Big Ten had its largest first-round output since 2007, and several players look like good fits for their teams. Chicago had to be thrilled Carimi was still available, and San Diego felt the same about Liuget, projected by many as a top-15 pick. Kerrigan likely needs to contribute immediately for the Redskins, while Clayborn and Heyward enter situations where they can ease into the transition.

Second round

• Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks, St. Louis, No. 47 overall
• Penn State G Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland, No. 48 overall
• Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure, Detroit, No. 57 overall
• Michigan LB Jonas Mouton, San Diego, No. 61 overall

Quick thoughts: Mouton's selection was a surprise for many folks, but it's a testament to a good player who impressed the scouts despite playing for a lousy defense in 2010. Wisniewski enters a good fit in Oakland, where his uncle, Steve, is an assistant offensive line coach. I really like Leshoure in Detroit, where he'll enter a competitive situation at running back.

Third round

• Illinois LB Martez Wilson, New Orleans, No. 72 overall
• Wisconsin G John Moffitt, Seattle, No. 75 overall

Quick thoughts: Wilson, who entered the draft after his junior season, might have been a bit disappointed to fall to the third round. But he enters a good situation in New Orleans and should have some time to develop.

Fourth round

• Iowa DL Christian Ballard, Minnesota, No. 106 overall
• Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa, Oakland, No. 113 overall
• Indiana LT James Brewer, New York Giants, No. 117 overall
• Indiana WR Tandon Doss, Baltimore, No. 123 overall

Quick thoughts: Ballard reportedly tested positive for marijuana use and likely paid a price as he dropped down at least a round. Still, the Iowa standout should help the Vikings early in his career. I really like the Doss fit in Baltimore, which can use more playmakers at receiver. It'll be interesting to see how quickly Chekwa sees the field in Oakland.

Fifth round

• Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi, Kansas City, No. 135 overall
• Iowa DE Karl Klug, Tennessee, No. 142 overall
• Ohio State S Jermale Hines, St. Louis, No. 158 overall
• Iowa G Julian Vandervelde, Philadelphia, No. 161 overall

Quick thoughts: What a round for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Although Stanzi waited a little longer than expected, he joins a team in Kansas City that has a lot of connections to the New England Patriots, the squad many thought would draft the Iowa quarterback. Klug is a solid player who can play either line position. I'll be interested to see how he fares with the Titans.

Sixth round

• Penn State RB Evan Royster, Washington, No. 177 overall
• Michigan State LB Greg Jones, New York Giants, No. 185 overall
• Michigan State CB Chris L. Rucker, Indianapolis, No. 188 overall
• Ohio State LB Brian Rolle, Philadelphia, No. 193 overall
• Iowa S Tyler Sash, New York Giants, No. 198 overall
• Ohio State LB Ross Homan, Minnesota, No. 200 overall
• Michigan G Stephen Schilling, San Diego, No. 201 overall

Quick thoughts: This marked the Big Ten's biggest round as seven players heard their names called. Jones, the former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, went a little later than expected, and Sash also dropped down a bit after entering the draft after his junior season. Homan, who missed some time last season with a foot injury, could end up being an excellent addition for the Vikings. Really like that pick.

Seventh round

• Illinois LB Nate Bussey, New Orleans, No. 243 overall
• Wisconsin G/C Bill Nagy, Dallas, No. 252 overall

Quick thoughts: While I was surprised several other Big Ten players didn't get drafted, both Bussey and Nagy are deserving. Both players played integral roles in their teams' success last fall, and both were overshadowed by other draftees (Liuget and Wilson for Bussey, Carimi and Moffitt for Nagy).

NEBRASKA'S DRAFTEES

Husker fans, I didn't forget you or your team. Nebraska actually had more draft picks (7) than any Big Ten team, and here they are.

• CB Prince Amukamara, New York Giants, No. 19 overall (first round)
• RB Roy Helu Jr., Washington, No. 104 overall (fourth round)
• K Alex Henery, Philadelphia, No. 120 overall (fourth round)
• DB Dejon Gomes, Washington, No. 146 overall (fifth round)
• WR Niles Paul, Washington, No. 155 overall (fifth round)
• OT Keith Williams, Pittsburgh, No. 196 overall (sixth round)
• DB Eric Hagg, Cleveland, No. 248 overall (seventh round)

Quick thoughts: Think there might be a few "Husker Power!" chants at Redskins games this season? The Mike Shanahan-Bo Pelini connection likely played a role in the three Nebraska players heading to the nation's capital. Henery soon will succeed David Akers in Philadelphia, and the Giants had to thrilled that Amukamara still was on the board at No. 19.

Big Ten picks by team

• Nebraska: 7 (players competed in the Big 12)
• Iowa: 6
• Ohio State: 5
• Wisconsin: 5 (four picks in first three rounds)
• Illinois: 4
• Michigan State: 2
• Indiana: 2
• Michigan: 2
• Penn State: 2
• Purdue: 1
• Northwestern: 0
• Minnesota: 0

By position (excluding Nebraska)

• DL: 7
• OL: 7
• LB: 6
• DB: 4
• RB: 2
• WR: 1
• TE: 1
• QB: 1

Nebraska had three defensive backs, a running back, an offensive lineman, a wide receiver and a kicker drafted.

Draft snubs

Quite a few Big Ten players didn't hear their names called during the weekend, and they'll enter the shaky world of free agency. I was absolutely stunned no one drafted Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher. He was the Big Ten's top receiver last fall and brings a combination of football IQ and toughness that should appeal to football people not overly obsessed with measurables.

Wisconsin running back John Clay was the Big Ten's only non-senior who entered the draft but didn't get selected. Clay struggles with weight and his ankle problems might have contributed to him slipping through the draft.

Other Big Ten draft snubs include: Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien, Ohio State guard Justin Boren, Iowa tight end Allen Reisner and Purdue receiver Keith Smith. Nebraska's Pierre Allen and Ricky Henry also will go the free-agent route.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- When the preseason polls come out in August, the Iowa Hawkeyes likely won't be included.

That's not a bad thing.

Iowa didn't receive a single vote in the preseason AP Poll in 2002. The Hawkeyes went on to win 11 games and reach the Orange Bowl.

After winning 31 games and two Big Ten titles between 2002-04, Iowa entered the 2005 season ranked No. 11 nationally. It went 7-5 that year.

Despite a strong finish to the 2008 season, the Hawkeyes squeaked into the preseason rankings (No. 22 AP, No. 21 Coaches'). They were nationally relevant but hardly overhyped. And after a major scare against FCS Northern Iowa in Week 1, Iowa slipped out of the polls. It responded with a team-record 9-0 start and finished the season ranked seventh in both polls after winning the Orange Bowl.

The respect Iowa and its rabid fans crave arrived last summer as the Hawkeyes debuted in the Top 10 in both polls. Some even listed Iowa as a fringe national title contender. The team stumbled to 7-5 before a dramatic win in the Insight Bowl.

"When we start kind of off the radar, not in the Top 25, we always seem to raise expectations, within the program, especially," senior tight end Brad Herman said. "It's very easy to slip into the hype, people always patting you on the back and then you lose one or two games and all of a sudden the sky is falling. History shows that's the case."

Hawkeyes' veterans like Herman and defensive tackle Mike Daniels know what it's like to be both hyped and somewhat forgotten. There's no doubt how they'd rather be viewed.

"Iowa guys, we love to play with a chip on our shoulder," Daniels said, "and being under the radar just makes that chip even larger."

It's also a familiar realm for Iowa players.

Most of them weren't decorated recruits. They play for a program that would much rather list the number of walk-ons it has sent to the NFL than brag about the number of five-star prospects it signs each February.

Iowa players aren't used to hearing how great they are, and Kirk Ferentz and his assistants make sure it stays that way. Although Hawkeye football is the biggest show in the state, the team sometimes goes out of its way to avoid the media spotlight.

The underdog mentality is ingrained in the culture here, and it has helped on fall Saturdays.

"That's the tradition," defensive end Broderick Binns said. "Coach Ferentz looks for guys who are willing to work hard, have good character, who aren't going to be [jerks]. It's not tradition for coach Ferentz to bring in a guy that's four or five stars, who's all glamorous. Iowa's not about that. We're all about, 'Put your feet in the ground and go to work.'"

Iowa will go to work this fall without the potential distractions/pressure brought on by preseason accolades. The Hawkeyes' star power is gone, and the team must fill gaps at nearly every position.

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi, a three-year starter and a local cult hero, has departed for the NFL. Iowa loses three multiyear starters along the defensive line, including a likely first-round pick (Adrian Clayborn) and a likely second-rounder (Christian Ballard). Both starting safeties depart (Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood) along with receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, tight end Allen Reisner and standout punter Ryan Donahue. Iowa returns only five starters on both sides of the ball.

It'll be an uphill climb for respect, but the Hawkeyes don't mind.

"We all have a goal: the Big Ten championship," Herman said. "That's something we state at the beginning of every single season. Being under the radar kind of relieves the pressure a little bit. We aren't really being talked about right now, and that's fine. Nothing changes around here."

If nothing changes this fall, Iowa will find itself in plenty of tightly contested contests. Drama has been the norm for Iowa the past few seasons.

In 2008, the team dropped four of its first nine games by five points or fewer and faced No. 3 Penn State as an underdog. A 24-23 victory against the Nittany Lions transformed Iowa into a clutch team. The Hawkeyes won their next five games decided by five points or fewer and rallied for wins in eight of their first nine games in 2009.

But Iowa's fortunes turned last fall. All five of its losses came by seven points or fewer, including three straight to end the regular season. A team that prides itself on finishing strong repeatedly crumbled in the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes responded in the bowl game against Missouri, rallying for a 27-24 win, but players and coaches agreed the season was a disappointment.

"We're sitting there at 7-2 and lost three games by 10 points, so what can we do to do better in those situations?" Ferentz said. "That's what we're focused on. It comes down to a lot of little details and giving ourselves a chance. ... The reality is we were pretty good from October 2008 to November 2010. I look at it more that way. I'm not a peak-and-valley person. You can't afford to be if you're a coach."

Iowa appeared to go through some valleys in the offseason as several off-field issues cropped up followed by 13 players being hospitalized in January with rhabdomylosis. The team's celebrated strength program came under fire, but an internal investigation found no specific cause for the hospitalizations and Iowa has moved forward.

"We handled the rhabdo situation very well," Herman said. "Everybody was more pulled together as [the criticism] was coming down on us. It's going to benefit us in the fall for sure."

Iowa has its share of uncertainty entering the fall. Can quarterback James Vandenberg steady the ship after a gutsy performance in relief of Stanzi in 2009? Can Daniels and Binns help the defensive line reload? Who fills the gaps at safety, linebacker and wide receiver?

To these questions, the Hawkeyes say ask away. They'll have answers when September rolls around.

"You've got 11 guys on the field who are just mad at the world," Daniels said. "That's the way we would like to play."

My Big Ten tour marches on Friday with a school from the Legends division. Any guesses on where I'll be?

• Several takes on the Big Ten 2013-14 schedules here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here.
• Iowa safety Tyler Sash is stylin' in The Mag. Hawkeyes defensive back Willie Lowe could remain with the team after all, Randy Peterson writes in the Des Moines Register.
• Minnesota legislators vote to allow limited alcohol sales at TCF Bank Stadium, Mike Kaszuba and Eric Roper write in the Star Tribune. A scary moment for a Gophers recruit during a trip to the Grand Canyon, Marcus Fuller writes in the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press.
• Nebraska receiver Kenny Bell is turning heads this spring, Brian Christopherson writes in the Lincoln Journal Star. The Huskers appear in The Sporting News' latest top 10 for 2011.
• Indiana receiver Tandon Doss had a pretty decent performance before NFL scouts Wednesday, Dustin Dopirak writes in The (Bloomington) Herald-Times.
• Illinois receiver Fred Sykes is making the most of increased opportunities this spring, Bob Asmussen writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette.
• Colleague Bruce Feldman breaks down the top quarterback recruiting battles in 2012 (ESPN Insider).
• The Wisconsin-Michigan series will resume in 2015, Adam Mertz writes.
• Penn State assistant Jay Paterno writes about the potential dangers of 7-on-7 teams and recruiting.