ESPN College Football

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- As Illinois' starting center for the past few seasons, Graham Pocic has mashed limbs with some of the nation's best defensive tackles.

Penn State's Devon Still, Purdue's Kawann Short, Michigan State's Jerel Worthy and Michigan's Mike Martin are among those who have lined up across from Pocic. But Pocic's toughest opponent is a man he never faces on Saturdays.

"I get to go against the best D-tackle in the conference every day [in practice]," Pocic said. "It's awesome."

Pocic is biased, but don't be surprised if his teammate, Akeem Spence, earns the same label from the NFL talent evaluators a year from now. Spence has been on the NFL radar for the past two seasons, earning a starting job as a redshirt freshman and starting all 26 games he has played at Illinois.

The 6-foot-1, 305-pound Spence built on his freshman-year numbers (45 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery) by finishing fourth on the squad in tackles (69) last fall. He had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for an Illinois defense that finished seventh nationally in yards allowed and 15th in points allowed.

"His explosiveness off the ball, his strength, he's pretty athletic for his size," Pocic said. "He's just a powerful dude. If you're not ready when you go against him, he's going to get under you and make some plays in the backfield."

The Illini have had defensive linemen selected in the first round of the past two NFL drafts: tackle Corey Liuget in 2011 (No. 18 overall pick) and end Whitney Mercilus last week (No. 26 overall pick). Spence is already being mentioned as a top candidate to enter the NFL draft after his junior season this fall.

Asked last month how motivated he is to be Illinois' next elite next-level prospect, Spence's face lit up.

"I'm real motivated," he said. "I'm just working real hard, doing everything that they did, do everything right. When it's time to step up, I want to be that guy making a big sack, making a big tackle for loss, making a big turnover. That's what I'm working toward."

Spence remains in touch with Liuget, who he started alongside in 2010. Although they've had similar career arcs at the same position -- Spence actually has played more than Liuget did in his first two years -- they're different players.

"He's a lot taller than I am," Spence said.

Only two inches to be exact, but it makes a difference in the trenches.

"Corey was a little more agile and faster," Pocic said, "but Corey doesn't have the strength that Akeem has. Corey's probably a little more explosive, but Akeem's just so strong and physical inside. It's tough to deal with."

Like several other veteran defenders, Spence had concerns about the unit's direction after head coach Ron Zook's firing coordinator Vic Koenning's departure for North Carolina. He was relieved to learn the new scheme under coordinator Tim Banks closely resembles its predecessor. Illinois also retained defensive line coach Keith Gilmore, the lone holdover from the previous staff.

Spence will play mostly the 3-technique and 1-technique in Banks' scheme with some spot work out wide at the 5-technique.

"You're creating a culture of great defensive line play," Banks said. "Those kids want to uphold that standard. You talk about those guys [Liuget and Mercilus], they were just here. It's not like 10 years ago. Our guys know who they are. They say, 'If he can do it, I can do it.' There's been greatness in that room."

Spence wants to continue that legacy before he walks out the door.

Seven Big Ten teams hold their spring games Saturday, and we're taking a closer look at each one of them.

Next up: The annual Orange and Blue Spring Game at Illinois. Here are all the vitals:

When: 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. local time), Saturday

Where: Memorial Stadium

Admission: Free. All seating will be in the east stands. Free parking is available in the lots surrounding the stadium and Assembly Hall.

TV: The game will be streamed live on both BTN2Go and the Big Ten Digital Network. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the game on tape-delay at 7 p.m. ET Sunday.

Weather forecast: Partly cloudy with scattered thunderstorms possible, temperatures between 66-76 degrees, 50 percent chance of rain, winds at 19-20 mph.

What to watch for: Illinois should have one of the more entertaining spring games in the Big Ten. New head coach Tim Beckman said players will approach it "as if it's a real game." The team's seniors were divided into two groups and drafted teams earlier this week. The game will be played with a normal clock in the first half and a running clock in the second half (except if the game is close in the final two minutes). Another unique tidbit: Beckman will go into the stands and select Illinois students to call two plays per half for both teams.

Beckman wants to put on a show for the fans, who should get a decent sense of the new systems Illinois is using on both sides of the ball. The Illini are employing an up-tempo spread attack on offense, and it will be interesting to see how quarterbacks Nathan Scheelhaase and Reilly O'Toole are adjusting. There are depth issues at both wide receiver and running back, and Illinois is bolstering the spots with players such as Miles Osei, a reserve quarterback who could see time at both receiver and running back Saturday, and starting cornerback Terry Hawthorne, who will see time at receiver. Another defensive back, Justin Green, is being used as a running back. Top wideout Darius Millines (foot) is out, so plenty of others will have opportunities to make plays.

The changes aren't as dramatic on defense, as coordinator Tim Banks uses a similar scheme to his predecessor, Vic Koenning. Illinois looks very strong in the defensive front seven, and coaches have praised players such as Michael Buchanan, Jonathan Brown and Justin Staples. Safeties Supo Sanni and Steve Hull, both projected starters, are out for the game.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Jonathan Brown's watershed moment as a football player won't come if he earns All-Big Ten honors, if he's named an All-American, or if he leads Illinois in tackles.

Brown won't know he has arrived until his stepfather has no critiques for him after games.

He might be waiting a while.

His stepfather, Richard Kinley, played defensive end and linebacker at Middle Tennessee and helped mold him as a player, particularly during grueling backyard workouts at their home in Memphis.

"My stepdad instilled it in me," Brown told ESPN.com. "You have to realize what the game is worth."

Brown has learned to value the game, and Kinley's opinions, which are offered after every contest. Even after Brown's coming-out party in Illinois' defense-driven win against Arizona State last year -- Brown recorded 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception en route to earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors -- Kinley had a few notes for his stepson.

The 6-1, 235-pound Brown flourished in Vic Koenning's assertive defense last fall, leading Illinois with 108 tackles. Just a true sophomore, he finished second in the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 19.5, trailing only his teammate Whitney Mercilus (22.5), and tallied six sacks, a forced fumble, two fumbles recovered and four pass breakups. Few Big Ten linebackers put up more impressive numbers.

But the 2011 season wasn't all positive for Brown and his Illini teammates, who got off to a team-record 6-0 start before dropping their next six games. Two weeks after the Arizona State triumph, cameras spotted Brown kneeing Northwestern offensive lineman Patrick Ward in the groin following a play in Illinois' victory. The infraction led to a one-game suspension.

Despite Brown's terrific season, when you Google his name, eight of the first 10 entries are about his personal foul in the Northwestern game.

"It was a very disappointing mistake," Brown said. "That was me being young, not thinking and being caught up in the moment. It brought my focus into what is really going on. ... It's still a maturing process."

We shouldn't see similar missteps from Brown going forward, but he's not about to downshift how he plays the game, either. He moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker this spring, as Illinois' new coaching staff heightens his leadership role on the defense.

Tim Banks' defensive scheme is similar to what Koenning ran, although the linebackers are dropping into coverage a little more.

Brown isn't shy about his ability, acknowledging he's "blessed with a lot of talent." His father, Rod, played linebacker at Memphis and coached in high school and in the Arena2 league.

But perhaps Brown's strongest attribute is his drive.

"In football, you've got to play with a passion," he said. "If you play with that passion, you can't be stopped."

Despite not starting as a freshman in 2010, Brown set three goals for his sophomore season: be All-Big Ten, be an All-American and lead the team in tackles. He went 2-for-3, earning second-team all-conference honors from the media.

"I have big goals," he said. "If you don't set the bar high, you'll never reach the bar."

How are Brown's goals for 2012?

He paused and smiled.

"Bigger."

Michael Buchanan knows the recent history on the Illinois defensive line.

Two years ago, tackle Corey Liuget had a breakthrough junior season and parlayed that into a first-round NFL draft status. Last season, Whitney Mercilus went from an unheralded player to a consensus All-American and the FBS sack leader, prompting him to leave early for the NFL.

Will the Illini have a defensive lineman blossom into a national force for a third straight year? Buchanan hopes so.

"I think we're starting to develop a tradition there," he said. "First it was Corey, then Whitney, and I feel like it's my time now. I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself to step up."

If 2012 is Buchanan's year, then he won't be coming out of nowhere.

While Mercilus got all the headlines for his 16 sacks, Buchanan had a standout season at the other defensive end spot. A second-year starter as a junior, he finished fourth in the league with 7.5 sacks and was ninth in tackles for loss at 13.5. His production helped keep offenses from double-teaming Mercilus all the time.

"I like to think I was a threat on the other side," he said.

Buchanan played the "bandit" spot -- a kind of linebacker/defensive end hybrid role -- in former defensive coordinator Vic Koenning's scheme. He said new defensive coordinator Tim Banks has the Illini doing similar things as last year so far in spring practice, though the players have had to learn all new terminology. Buchanan is hoping to line up as a traditional pass rusher a little more this season.

To do so, he's trying to bulk up. He's put on about 10 pounds this offseason to get up to 250, which is still lean on his 6-foot-6 frame. He'd like to get a little heavier before the fall.

"I'm a taller guy, so obviously I've been working on staying low," he said. "I'm learning about the game more, about how to read offensive tackles and what types of things they're going to do to me this year."

If Buchanan needed a lesson on how to develop into a superstar, all he had to do was look Mercilus' way last year.

"I learned how to play every play watching him," Buchanan said. "Whit had an unbelievable motor that lot of our guys need to mirror. He did a great job of playing every play even in practice. He was a leader on and off the field, and that's one of the things I'm trying to turn myself into."

Despite the loss of Mercilus and the departure of Koenning, Buchanan said he thinks the Illinois defense can maintain the high level of play it turned in all of last season. If he is not the breakout star along the line, perhaps it will be junior tackle Akeem Spence.

"I think he's going to have a great year," Buchanan said. "He's the strongest guy on our team, and he looks even faster and more explosive this spring. He's trying to learn the game more and step up and be a leader. His whole maturity level has changed, and his approach to the game so far has been great."

Both those guys were overshadowed by Mercilus last year. But using recent history as a guide, one of them has a chance to step into the spotlight in 2012.

The Big Ten saw an unprecedented number of coaching changes during the offseason, as three head coaches were dismissed, Wisconsin's staff lost six assistants and many other moves were made. Barring an unexpected change, only four teams -- Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota and Northwestern -- will return their full staffs intact for the 2012 campaign.

Although the coaching carousel hasn't quite reached its end, Big Ten teams have filled all of their coordinator vacancies for the coming season. The league will have 13 new coordinators at eight different programs.

It's time to pass out quick grades for the coordinator hires (co-coordinators are graded together):

ILLINOIS

Co-offensive coordinators Billy Gonzales and Chris Beatty
Previously: Gonzales was LSU's receivers coach and pass-game coordinator; Beatty was Vanderbilt's receivers coach

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: C

Gonzales and Beatty both are strong recruiters who should help bring talented players to Champaign, but they're both young and unproven as playcallers. They should bolster Illinois' receiving corps, but I'd expect a few growing pains on game days as they adjust to bigger roles with a unit that flat-lined late in the 2011 season.

Brian Bennett: B-

Both are energetic guys who should adapt well to Tim Beckman's style, and both were considered up-and-comers. But as Adam mentioned, neither had led an offense before, so it's hard to give this too high a grade yet.

Defensive coordinator Tim Banks
Previously: Co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Cincinnati

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: A-

After a very successful 2011 season, Illinois' defense is looking for continuity and Banks can provide it. His aggressive style and pressure packages should translate well for a unit that still has a lot of talent in the front seven with linebacker Jonathan Brown, defensive tackle Akeem Spence and others.

Brian Bennett: B+

Vic Koenning declined to stay, and Jon Tenuta took the job for about 20 minutes before deciding to stay at NC State. As a third choice, Banks is a really nice hire and a better fit, in my opinion, than Tenuta would have been. After a tough first year with a Cincinnati defense lacking depth and experience, Banks did a great job turning that unit around in 2011. At Illinois, he merely needs to keep it going.

INDIANA

Offensive coordinator Seth Littrell
Previously: Offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Arizona

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: B+

Littrell wasn't the reason Arizona made a coaching change in 2011, as his offense ranked third nationally in passing (370.8 ypg) and 15th in total yards (465.2 ypg). He comes from the fertile Mike Leach coaching tree and should help Indiana's offense become more balanced behind promising quarterback Tre Roberson.

Brian Bennett: A

It isn't easy to hire big-name coaches at Indiana, but Kevin Wilson got a good one as Littrell was left looking for a gig. The addition of Littrell already helped the Hoosiers land promising quarterback Nathan Sudfeld on the recruiting trail.

IOWA

Offensive coordinator Greg Davis
Previously: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas (didn't coach in 2011)

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: B

Davis is an experienced coach who has coordinated offenses at the highest level and won a national title at Texas. He should help James Vandenberg's development at quarterback. The concern is he has been predictable at times and had his most recent success in a spread system, which Iowa likely won't use.

Brian Bennett: C+

Davis oversaw some record-breaking offenses at Texas, but he won't have the same kind of blue-chip talent at Iowa. Then again, in Kirk Ferentz's system, he won't be asked to generate 50 points per game. He's great with quarterbacks, and Ferentz will feel comfortable with a veteran coach who'll keep things simple. But to hire a guy who'd been out of football for a year was not very exciting for a program that probably could have used a battery recharge.

Defensive coordinator Phil Parker
Previously: Defensive backs coach at Iowa

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: B

Parker knows the Hawkeyes' personnel and brings an energetic personality to the defense, but he's not the big-splash addition some were hoping for after Norm Parker's retirement. Phil Parker has coached defensive backs forever but has yet to serve in a coordinator role. It'll be interesting to see how much he actually tweaks the scheme in Iowa City.

Brian Bennett: B-

Parker knows the Hawkeyes defense in and out, and I doubt much will change with the approach now that he is in charge. There was a curiously long time between Norm Parker's retirement and his successor's appointment, and Phil Parker has never been a coordinator before, so that brings my grade down a notch.

NEBRASKA

Defensive coordinator John Papuchis
Previously: Defensive line coach and special teams coordinator, Nebraska

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: B

Papuchis is a rising star and most likely a head coach in the near future. While I'm tempted to give him a higher grade, he hasn't been a playcaller and is just four years removed from being a football intern at LSU. Inexperience is the only main drawback here.

Brian Bennett: B-

Like Adam said, the grade level is held down here by a lack of previous experience. But every coordinator has to start somewhere, and Bo Pelini has been really high on Papuchis, who has done excellent work everywhere he's been put to use so far. Any growing pains should be offset by the knowledge Pelini can impart as a defensive-minded head coach.

OHIO STATE

Offensive coordinator Tom Herman
Previously: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Iowa State

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: B+

Herman is regarded as a rising star and a sharp offensive mind who, with the help of Urban Meyer, will inject some life into a bland Ohio State offense. The only potential drawbacks are that he hasn't proven himself in a big-time job like Ohio State, and Iowa State's offensive numbers from 2011 don't exactly jump off the page.

Brian Bennett: B-

Ohio State fans were probably expecting a bigger name when Meyer promised to bring in the best staff in the country. But Meyer has an eye for offensive talent and will be heavily involved in the offensive game planning himself. Though Herman hasn't done it on a major stage, he'll be working with a lot more talent in Columbus, and this grade could easily prove to be an A in the future.

Defensive coordinator Luke Fickell and co-defensive coordinator Everett Withers
Previously: Fickell was Ohio State's head coach; Withers was North Carolina's head coach

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: A-

There's a lot to like about this pair, as both men return to coaching defense after being put in awkward positions last season. It'll be interesting to see how Fickell fares as the primary defensive playcaller. Withers has a few blotches on his résumé (Minnesota 2007) but brings a lot of experience to the table.

Brian Bennett: A

The head-coaching experience both men got last year should only help their development as coaches, and both are excellent recruiters. My only concern is whether there are too many cooks in the kitchen, but there's no reason to believe that Fickell and Withers won't get along and accept their roles. If so, this should work out really well.

PENN STATE

Defensive coordinator Ted Roof
Previously: Defensive coordinator at Auburn (briefly took Central Florida defensive coordinator job in December)

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: C+

While I loved what Roof did at Minnesota in 2008, his exit from Auburn after some struggles there raises a few red flags. The good news is he steps into a very good situation with Penn State's defense, and he has three good assistants: Larry Johnson, Ron Vanderlinden and John Butler, two of whom (Johnson and Vanderlinden) are holdovers from the previous staff.

Brian Bennett: C

Roof has some very bright spots on his long résumé, but he's also been a serial job-changer whom Auburn fans couldn't wait to see leave town despite the national title. Bill O'Brien could have retained Tom Bradley or promoted Johnson and probably done just as well, if not better. But he has a previous relationship with Roof, so the trust factor should be high.

PURDUE

Defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar
Previously: Defensive coordinator for the CFL's Montreal Alouettes

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: C

Both the change and the hire surprised me a bit, and Tibesar is a bit of a wild card coming back to college football from the CFL. He knows how to face the spread offense, a primary reason Danny Hope hired him, and had some success in Montreal. But his previous FBS stop at Kansas State resulted in some struggles (117th-rated defense in 2008).

Brian Bennett: C-

If Tibesar pans out as a successful defensive coordinator, perhaps Hope will start a trend of teams looking to the Great White North for assistant coaches. I'll give Hope some credit for making an unconventional choice, but I'm a little skeptical about just how well the CFL experience will translate to college.

WISCONSIN

Offensive coordinator Matt Canada
Previously: Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northern Illinois

Grades

Adam Rittenberg: B

Canada has extensive coordinator experience, including four seasons in the Big Ten at Indiana, but he has been primarily a spread coach in recent seasons. While he had success running a pro-style system during his first stint at Northern Illinois (2003), he'll have to make some adjustments. The good news: he inherits a lot of talent and understands his main job is to keep the momentum going.

Brian Bennett: B-

I was surprised that Bret Bielema didn't chose someone who was a pro-style disciple through and through given his strong comments about not changing the offense much after Paul Chryst left. As Adam said, Canada knows his stuff and has done some good work as a coordinator. But anytime a coach has to adjust his style to a larger system and not the other way around creates a seed of doubt.

When Illinois decided to retain head coach Ron Zook after a miserable 2009 season, it gave him a nice allowance to hire new coordinators.

Paul Petrino, who Zook hired to run Illinois' offense, became the Big Ten's highest-paid assistant in 2010 at $475,000. No other Big Ten aide earned more than $400,000 that year. Petrino's salary increased to $525,000 in 2011.

Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning earned a little more than $325,000 in 2010, making him the league's third highest-paid assistant. He received a $17,000 raise last fall.

Both Petrino and Koenning are gone after Illinois' coaching transition, but the school remains willing to pay competitive salaries for its coordinators.

According to The (Champaign) News-Gazette, Illinois will pay a total of $1.2 million in 2012 for its three coordinators: Tim Banks (defense), Billy Gonzales (co-offense) and Chris Beatty (co-offense). Each coach will earn $400,000.

Assistant coach salaries are on the rise nationally, and the Big Ten had been lagging behind other leagues in paying its top assistants. Michigan changed the game a bit in hiring defensive coordinator Greg Mattison for $750,000. Urban Meyer's new staff at Ohio State is making nearly $1 million more than the previous staff, and Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, who nearly left for the same post at Texas A&M, has a sizable raise coming his way.

Illinois fans should be encouraged that their program remains willing to pay up for assistants. More Big Ten programs need to take this approach to remain competitive.

It's a bit surprising, though, that both Gonzales and Beatty are earning so much as first-time coordinators. Banks has been a defensive coordinator since 2007.

Here are the salaries for Tim Beckman's assistants at Illinois:

• Billy Gonzales, co-offensive coordinator/receivers: $400,000
• Chris Beatty, co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks $400,000
• Tim Banks, defensive coordinator/safeties $400,000
• Luke Butkus, offensive line $200,000
• Mike Ward, linebackers $200,000
• Keith Gilmore, defensive line: $200,000
• Tim Salem, special teams coordinator/running backs: $200,000
• Alex Golesh, tight ends/specialists/recruiting coordinator: $150,000
• Steve Clinkscale, cornerbacks: $150,000

The Big Ten had three head-coaching changes in recent weeks, and new leading men have stepped in at Ohio State, Illinois and Penn State. We will be sharing our thoughts on the three new coaching staffs as they become complete. First up is Illinois, as head coach Tim Beckman finalized his staff earlier this week with the hiring of Tim Banks as defensive coordinator.

Here's the new Illinois staff:

Tim Beckman -- head coach
Tim Banks -- defensive coordinator/safeties
Billy Gonzales -- co-offensive coordinator/receivers
Chris Beatty -- co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
Luke Butkus -- offensive line
Steve Clinkscale -- cornerbacks
Keith Gilmore -- defensive line
Alex Golesh -- tight ends/specialists/recruiting coordinator
Tim Salem -- running backs/special teams coordinator
Mike Ward -- linebackers

So Today's Take Two topic is: How did Beckman fare in putting together his staff at Illinois?

Take 1: Adam Rittenberg

There were a few bumps along the way, namely Jon Tenuta's hiring as defensive coordinator and subsequent change of heart, but Beckman eventually got his staff in place. The youth of the staff certainly stands out, as six of the nine assistants are 40 years old or younger. This certainly could help Illinois on the recruiting trail, and by all accounts Beckman has added some strong recruiters to the mix. He made a good move in retaining Gilmore, who helped defensive linemen Corey Liuget and Whitney Mercilus become stars the past two seasons. Banks also comes in with a strong background, especially after helping the Cincinnati defense lead the nation in tackles for loss and rank second in sacks during the 2011 season. Although Mercilus departs, Banks inherits talented defenders like linebacker Jonathan Brown who can pressure the quarterback. This isn't the most experienced offensive staff, and it will be interesting to see how Gonzales and Beatty fare as co-coordinators. Illinois' offense fell apart late in the 2011 season, and the coaches need to get quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase and others back on track. Butkus is a former Illinois player with a famous name, but he'll be taking on a key position group by himself for the first time in his career. Salem is certainly the veteran on the offensive side, and he looks like a strong addition to help the running backs and also Illinois' special teams, which really struggled in 2011. I felt defensive coordinator would be Beckman's most important hire after Illinois lost Vic Koenning to North Carolina. Banks looks like be a strong addition. I'm really interested to see if the offensive staff can prove itself in Year 1.

Take 2: Brian Bennett

Youth is definitely the buzzword on this staff. Banks and Beatty are in their late 30s, Gonzales is 40, Butkus is 32 and Golesh graduated from Ohio State less than six years ago. They should be able to relate to the Illinois players and fare well on the recruiting trail. They should also bring a lot of energy, something that will be needed to keep up with the naturally caffeinated Beckman. While many of the assistants are young, they have some intriguing résumés. Gonzales worked for Urban Meyer at Florida and was part of two national title teams and nearly won another one this year at LSU. I know Beatty from my old beat on the Big East, and West Virginia people thought he was a promising up-and-coming young coach. Neither has called plays at the FBS level and will be asked to run Beckman's spread offense; even though Beckman has a defensive background, I'd expect him to be highly involved in the offense. Banks was a nice hire after turning around Cincinnati's defense in 2011. A lot of these assistants will have to prove themselves in some ways, whether it's in a new role or against tougher competition. Few seem to have strong connections or history in recruiting the state of Illinois, which will be a key for the program's long-term success. Beckman might not have brought in a lot of high-profile names, but a young, hungry staff might be just the thing to help him move the Illini forward.

It's time to look back and recognize some of the highlights and lowlights from the Big Ten bowl season:

Best performance: Michigan State. After falling behind 16-0 to Georgia, the Spartans rallied back to take the lead in the second half. When they needed to drive the field for a tying touchdown with only 1:55 left, they did just that. When Kirk Cousins threw an interception on the first overtime possession, they responded by holding tough on defense. Michigan State had 17 tackles for loss against the Bulldogs, including five by defensive end William Gholston. Darqueze Dennard grabbed two interceptions, and the special teams came up with a blocked kick to win the game. The 33-30 triple-overtime victory was yet another milestone for the program under Mark Dantonio.

Worst performance: Penn State clearly didn't want to go to the TicketCity Bowl, and it showed right away. Houston quarterback Case Keenum made a mockery of the Nittany Lions' defense, throwing for 227 yards in the first quarter alone. Penn State had allowed that many yards passing in an entire game only once all season. He'd finish with 532 yards passing as the Cougars breezed to a 30-14 victory.

Best new mascot: Northwestern brought a stuffed monkey with a No. 63 jersey to its Meineke Car Care Bowl game against Texas A&M, symbolizing its quest to end a 63-year bowl victory drought. Alas, the Wildcats will have to order a No. 64 uniform after losing 33-22. Better make it a big jersey, because this postseason curse is more like an 800-pound gorilla at this point.

Worst near-death experience: Near the end of Iowa's Insight Bowl loss to Oklahoma, star Hawkeyes receiver Marvin McNutt was nearly taken out by ESPN's skycam, which fell to the field from its cables. The heavy camera almost hit McNutt off the bounce, and he got caught up in its wiring as he left the Iowa huddle. The skycam was unceremoniously escorted off the field, kind of like how Iowa's season ended in a 31-14 loss.

Worst ball security: Purdue and Western Michigan combined for 11 turnovers in a wild Little Caesars Bowl. On two separate occasions, the Boilermakers forced a turnover only to give the ball right back to the Broncos as defenders coughed it up trying to go the other way. Ultimately, Purdue got the upper hand by creating seven takeaways and holding on for a 37-32 victory.

Best clock management: Michigan State trailed Georgia 27-20 late in the fourth quarter of the Outback Bowl when the Spartans were called for pass interference on third-and-3 from the Bulldogs' 37. The officials ruled that Georgia had completed the pass on the play even though receiver Malcolm Mitchell clearly dropped the ball. Dantonio challenged the ruling, despite the fact that Georgia was going to get a first down either way. Dantonio's successful challenge meant that instead of the clock running down toward three minutes, the clock was stopped and reset to 3:43. That extra time proved enormous, as the Spartans tied the game with 14 seconds left in regulation.

Worst clock management: Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema was unsure if he could challenge the ruling when Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas hesitated and nearly left the end zone before kneeling down for kick-return touchback. As Bielema asked the sideline official for a clarification, he was charged with a timeout. That was the second timeout burned by the Badgers early in the second half. They dearly could have used the stoppages when the offense ended the game at the Oregon 25-yard line. Russell Wilson hurried to the line and was instructed to spike the ball with two seconds left, but officials ruled there was no time left.

Best impersonation of a wide receiver: Michigan's fake field goal attempt late in the first half of the Allstate Sugar Bowl went awry when holder Drew Dileo's intended receiving target, tight end Kevin Koger, didn't know the fake was on. So Dileo threw the ball into a crowd, and Virginia Tech deflected it. But long snapper Jareth Glanda saved the day by hauling it in for an 11-yard gain. The Wolverines ended up with a field goal on the play, and they needed every point in an overtime victory.

Best use of the kicking game: Purdue coach Danny Hope turned into a riverboat gambler in the Little Caesars Bowl, calling for two consecutive onside kicks in the first half. Both worked and led to points. Raheem Mostert also returned a kickoff 99 yards for a score.

Worst use of the kicking game: Ohio State had a punt blocked for a touchdown and allowed a 99-yard kickoff return by Florida. The Buckeyes lost by seven points in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl.

Worst loss of composure: Nebraska star cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery let their emotions get the best of them in the third quarter of the Capital One Bowl. Dennard took a coupLe of swings at Jeffery, who pushed Dennard's helmet back. Both players were rightly ejected. Amazingly, Jeffery was still named MVP of South Carolina's 30-13 win.

Best crisis management: We saw what happened to Penn State and Ohio State as they played for lame-duck head coaches. Illinois not only had to deal with that but also a six-game losing streak and a group of assistants threatening to boycott the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl hours before the game. Somehow, interim head coach Vic Koenning managed to hold things together to help the Illini win 20-14 over UCLA.

Best inspiration: As Michigan's Brendan Gibbons lined up for the 37-yard kick to win the game in overtime, he had one thing on his mind. "Brunette girls,” Gibbons said. “Every time we were like struggling in kicking, coach tells me to think about girls on a beach or brunette girls," Gibbons told reporters. "So that's what we did. Made the kick." And they say blondes have more fun.

The Big Ten power rankings saw plenty of shuffling throughout the 2011 regular season, and the bowls brought some more movement. There's a new No. 1 team atop the rankings, and several squads helped or hurt themselves in the final analysis. We had a tough decision for the top spot between Michigan State and Wisconsin but went with the team that ended on a stronger note. The Badgers land the No. 2 spot ahead of Michigan, while there's a significant drop-off after No. 3.

The overall depth in the Big Ten isn't as good as we thought it would be entering the year, although the league packed more punch than it did in 2010.

Let's get to the rundown.

1. Michigan State (11-3): The Spartans ended a very good season on a high note, rallying to force overtime against Georgia in the Outback Bowl and winning in dramatic fashion during the third extra session. Mark Dantonio recorded his first bowl win as Spartans coach and quarterback Kirk Cousins went out on top, but the MSU defense carried the day in Tampa. Although the Spartans didn't win the Big Ten title, they looked like the league's top squad during the bowl season and could be the conference favorite entering 2012.

2. Wisconsin (11-3): It's amazing that a team this talented found ways to lose three games. As Badgers running back Montee Ball said after the Rose Bowl, "If you take a minute off our season, we'd probably be undefeated." But a few key plays in all three defeats leave Wisconsin wondering what if? Credit Wisconsin for winning the Big Ten and making consecutive Rose Bowl appearances. Ball and Russell Wilson were brilliant all season. But you have to wonder if Wisconsin has missed its window of opportunity.

3. Michigan (11-2): Winning is all that matters, and while we're still figuring out how the Wolverines prevailed in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, they walked away as victors to cap a rebound season under first-year coach Brady Hoke. Michigan's seniors came through in their final game, as receiver Junior Hemingway made two terrific touchdown catches and defensive linemen Ryan Van Bergen and Mike Martin helped keep Virginia Tech out of the end zone. It added up to Michigan's first BCS bowl win since the 2000 Orange. While we don't know how a Wisconsin-Michigan matchup would turn out, we think Wisconsin had the stronger overall season.

4. Nebraska (9-4): While it's tempting to drop the Huskers more after they melted down against South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl, there's really no other team to put in this spot. Nebraska had its great moments in its first Big Ten go-round and had talent in all three phases, but the team seemed too fragile at times. Three of Nebraska's four losses came by 17 points or more. Huskers fans aren't pleased with head coach Bo Pelini at the moment, and Pelini and his staff enter a crucial offseason.

5. Penn State (9-4): Here's another team that ended its season with a thud, although one that many expected after nearly two months of turmoil. A December locker-room scuffle left Penn State without starting quarterback Matthew McGloin (concussion), and the offense sputtered against a mediocre Houston defense in the TicketCity Bowl. Many of us expected more from the Nittany Lions' defense, but Case Keenum carved up Penn State in a 30-14 victory. The Bill O'Brien era now begins in Happy Valley, and Penn State has a chance to make noise in a wide-open division in 2012.

6. Purdue (7-6): We don't want to overvalue a bowl win against Western Michigan, but Purdue ended the season with consecutive victories for the first time in 2011. The Boilers' run game surged even without top running back Ralph Bolden (knee), as Akeem Shavers racked up 149 rush yards behind a punishing offensive line. Special teams also proved to be a big difference for Purdue, which converted two onside kicks and had a kick return for a touchdown by Raheem Mostert. Purdue still makes too many major mistakes, but the program enters the offseason with some much-needed momentum.

7. Iowa (7-6): For the second straight year Iowa hoped an Insight Bowl win would take the sting off of a disappointing season. This time, however, the Hawkeyes fell short in Tempe as Oklahoma shut down a Marcus Coker-less offense for three quarters. Iowa's defense performed admirably for retiring coordinator Norm Parker, but the offense lacked enough firepower and made too many mistakes against the Sooners. The Hawkeyes failed to capitalize on a favorable schedule and now reach a crossroads in 2012 in what should once again be a tough division.

8. Ohio State (6-7): A forgettable season in Columbus ended with a forgettable result, as Ohio State fell to Florida in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl because of special-teams breakdowns and not enough offense. The offense finished the season ranked 108th nationally in yards (318.2 ypg). Ohio State suffered its first seven-loss season since 1897 and ended with its first four-game losing streak since 1943. Can't see the Buckeyes being this far down for very long as new coach Urban Meyer inherits a young roster with the potential to make significant strides in 2012.

9. Illinois (7-6): A turbulent month ended with Illinois winning the Bizarro Bowl, er, Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, to record postseason wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in team history. Credit interim coach Vic Koenning for keeping the team united and a very good defense focused for the bowl game. Still, beating a sub-.500 UCLA team only earns you so much, and Illinois still had a very disappointing season relative to expectations in August. New coach Tim Beckman now steps in to try to get the program to the next level beginning in 2012.

10. Northwestern (6-7): The monkey will be wearing a No. 64 jersey in 2012 as Northwestern failed to end its 63-year bowl losing streak. The Wildcats now have dropped nine straight bowls, tying Notre Dame's for the longest postseason slide in FBS history. While the Wildcats' defense had its typical problems, the offense didn't show up for nearly three quarters and put the team in a hole against a superior Texas A&M squad. Northwestern has now seen its wins total drop in each of the past three seasons.

11. Minnesota (3-9): As the Gophers watched bowl season from their couches for the second straight year, the focus turns to how Minnesota can improve in 2012. Quarterback MarQueis Gray leads an offense that should be more fluid in its second year in the system. The bigger questions are on defense, as Minnesota allowed 31.7 points per game and 403.1 yards per game. Safety Kim Royston is a significant loss, and Minnesota must find a way to generate a better pass rush in 2012.

12. Indiana (1-11): The youth movement this past fall should pay off in some fashion for Indiana in 2012, and it's not a stretch to suggest the Hoosiers will make noise on offense. But as we have stated over and over, Indiana's Big Ten breakthrough only will take place when the defense takes significant steps in all three levels. The defense has to be the focus throughout the offseason after Indiana ranked 109th or worse nationally in four major statistical categories (total defense, scoring defense, rushing defense, pass efficiency defense).

Jon Tenuta's tenure as the Illinois defensive coordinator lasted fewer than 24 hours.

The veteran coach was named an Illini assistant on Tuesday afternoon. But on Wednesday, Tenuta said he had a change of heart and will remain at NC State, where he coaches linebackers.

“From the top, I want to say that Illinois is a great program and I think the world of Tim Beckman,” Tenuta said in a statement. “I’ve known Beck for 20 years and I have no doubt that with the staff he is putting together, he will have Illinois at the top of the Big Ten very soon. However, my family comes first and I may have made a decision without fully thinking through the situation with them. My son is a senior in high school and has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at NC State, and it is something I just don’t want to miss. I was one of the first people to contact Beck and congratulate him on the opportunity at Illinois, and I wish him and the Illini nothing but the best.”

Coaches often use family reasons as an excuse not to do something they don't want. But for Tenuta to turn down a coordinator job and remain a position coach makes you think this is a little more sincere than most.

I had my doubts about Tenuta, anyway, after covering him at Notre Dame in 2009. I'm not sure his style is what Illinois needs.

This is the second known coach to turn down the defensive coordinator job at Illinois, as Vic Koenning opted not to remain on with Beckman. Koenning instead went to North Carolina.

In the end, it won't matter as long as Beckman finds the right guy. But now he has to start looking for another defensive coordinator with a prime recruiting period fast approaching.

New Illinois coach Tim Beckman has added three assistants to his staff, including coaching veteran Jon Tenuta as his defensive coordinator.

Tenuta coached linebackers the past two years at NC State. He has been defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Kansas State, among other stops. He's also familiar with the Big Ten from his time at Ohio State, where he served as defensive backs coach from 1996-2000 and defensive coordinator in 2000.

Tenuta's defenses at Georgia Tech from 2002 to 2007 were often among the best in the country, but he was not as successful at Notre Dame. In his second season in South Bend, the Irish ranked 86th nationally in total defense and their inability to stop anybody helped lead to head coach Charlie Weis' firing.

Tenuta is known for liking aggressive blitzing schemes, which sometimes can be seen as a gambling style. Beckman will have to hope Tenuta can maintain the level of defensive production the unit turned in under former coordinator Vic Koenning, who turned down a chance to stay on staff. Though star defensive end Whitney Mercilus is skipping his senior year for the draft, the Illini still have talent on defense. Linebacker Jonathan Brown in particular could thrive under Tenuta.

The other two new assistants are Chris Beatty and Luke Butkus. Their roles have not been specified, though Butkus is expected to coach the offensive line.

Beatty spent the past season at Vanderbilt as wide receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator. Before that, he worked three seasons at West Virginia as running backs/slot receivers coach and recruiting director. Beatty was well regarded in Morgantown as a strong recruiter and up-and-coming coach.

Butkus is well known to Illlini fans, as he was a three-year starting center for the program from 1999-2001. He was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree who was on the 2001 Sugar Bowl team. Butkus has worked the past five seasons in the NFL, the last two with the Seattle Seahawks as a quality control assistant with the offensive line. He was also an assistant offensive line coach for three seasons with the Chicago Bears from 2007-09. It never hurts to have a guy named Butkus on your staff, especially in Illinois.

Beckman had previously announced that defensive line coach Keith Gilmore will stay on staff, while he hired Alex Golesh and Mike Ward from Toledo. He still has three open coaching spots, including offensive coordinator.

In a move that was widely expected, Illinois junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus announced Tuesday that he'll skip his senior year and enter the 2012 NFL draft.

Mercilus came from way under the radar to post an outstanding year. He led the nation with 16 sacks, tying Simeon Rice’s single-season school record, and forced a Big Ten record nine fumbles, second-most in NCAA history. His 22.5 tackles for loss also led the Big Ten. Mercilus won the Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end and was a consensus first-team All-American.

He capped his season with a solid performance in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl win against UCLA, recording 1.5 sacks. Mercilus's high motor and instincts for the ball turned him into a star.

Mercilus issued this statement:

“First, I want to congratulate my teammates and coaches for a great win against UCLA in the Fight Hunger Bowl — it was a great feeling to get back to winning, especially with a defensive performance like we had. With that said, after a lot of prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided the time is right for me to forgo my senior year and enter the 2012 NFL draft.

I want to thank coach [Ron] Zook, coach [Vic] Koenning, coach [Keith] Gilmore and the entire Illini staff for helping me get to this point. To the entire Illinois community — students, professors, athletic department and fans — thank you for all of your support during my time here in Champaign; these have been some of the best times of my life and I will never forget all that this university means to me. Finally, thank you to my teammates — without you guys, I would not be in the position to make this decision. I have faith that Illinois will rise to the top and I will be there to support you.”

Mercilus is the seventh Illini player in the last five years to enter the draft early. The previous six all were taken in the first three rounds, including three first-rounders. The latest was defensive tackle Corey Liuget, who was selected by the San Diego Chargers in 2011.

Defensive line coach Keith Gilmore had this statement:

“I’m very proud of Whitney for the amount of work he put in to be in this position. He really matured during the season and became a terrific leader not only for the defensive line, but for the entire defense. Whitney had an incredibly productive season and is a great role model for our other players in doing things the right way and putting in the extra effort. The entire Fighting Illini family wishes him nothing but the best as he moves on to the NFL.”

Even though he had only one standout college season, Mercilus' stock was never going to be higher. Leaving for the NFL is the right move, especially as the Illini go through a coaching transition that will include a new defensive coordinator. New head coach Tim Beckman will not only have to right an offense that struggled over the final seven games, he'll have to try and keep the defense at a high level with new assistants. And without the team's biggest defensive star.

While watching the five-pack of bowl games involving Big Ten teams Monday, I looked for the units that had the speed, athleticism, explosiveness and playmaking ability to be branded as nationally elite.

Sorry, Big Ten fans, but this is a speed game now. It's plainly obvious. And overall, the league seems to be lacking in that category.

Anyway, the one unit that stood out above the rest -- yes, even above Wisconsin's offense -- was the Michigan State defense.

That crew can step on the field with any team in America and hold its own.

The Spartans' defense has elite athletes, like sophomore end William Gholston, who put himself on the national radar with a huge performance featuring five tackles for loss, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Gholston overpowered Georgia's offensive line in the Outback Bowl, much like he did with Ohio State's offensive line and other groups. Defensive tackles Jerel Worthy and Anthony Rashad White both had excellent games, and Darqueze Dennard showed why he's one of the league's emerging cornerbacks with two interceptions, including a pick-six.

Michigan State's defense has stockpiled playmakers and depth at all three levels. It's a credit to the team's recruiting efforts, as the unit didn't miss standout linebackers Greg Jones and Eric Gordon much if at all this season. Even if Worthy departs for the NFL, which I expect him to, the Spartans have shown they can reload because of their recruiting.

The number of young Spartans defenders who have seen the field and contributed in the past two seasons also signals a shift. Michigan State started only one senior on defense Monday -- safety Trenton Robinson -- and had six sophomores or freshmen in the starting lineup.

I don't know how long the Spartans can hang onto defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, but he's got it going right now and will be rewarded with a raise later this winter.

We've seen other great defenses in the Big Ten, both this season and in other years. Ohio State soon should be able to elevate its defense to traditional levels. Nebraska had elite defenses in 2009 and 2010 before falling off this season. Iowa's defense was brilliant in 2009, but since has taken significant steps backward. Penn State's defense held its own in Big Ten play but showed its weaknesses against Houston's wide-open spread in the TicketCity Bowl. Michigan's defense is on the way up under Greg Mattison. Illinois' defense performed at an elite level for much of the season, but now moves on without coordinator Vic Koenning.

But if Big Ten squads are looking for examples to compete nationally in bowls on the defensive side -- looking at you, Wisconsin -- Michigan State should be it.

UCLA needed a special NCAA waiver just to get into a bowl game. Illinois lost its final six games and had assistants threatening to boycott this game. Is it any wonder that the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl was, shall we say, a little ragged?

How the game was won: The Illinois offense disappeared over the second half of the season and didn't do a whole lot in this one, either. But the team's defense remained stout throughout the seaosn and was inspired to play hard for interim coach Vic Koenning, their former defensive coordinator. The Illini defense came up with a score, sacked UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince five times and allowed just 220 total yards. The Bruins' only points came when they got a short field in the first half and when they connected on a bomb with 29 seconds left and Illinois already starting to celebrate. Defense wins minor bowl championships.

Turning point: UCLA led 7-3 and the Illinois offense was completely stagnant late in the third quarter. That's when the Bruins provided a gift. Prince's sideline pass was picked off by cornerback Terry Hawthorne, who had nothing but open field in front of him as he ran it in for the 39-yard touchdown. Hawthorne never took his eyes off the quarterback, and Prince misread the coverage. That pick-six sapped the spirits of the Bruins and loosened things up for the Illini.

Player of the game: Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase. His passing numbers weren't terribly impressive (18-for-30, 189 yards, one touchdown) and he struggled early on. But Scheelhaase took on the brunt of the running game with leading rusher Jason Ford suspended for this game, finishing with 110 yards on 22 carries. He also had a nine-yard catch, giving him more total yards than UCLA's entire offense.

Stat of the game: Thanks in large part to the sacks, Illinois outrushed UCLA 179-19.

Record performance: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus was credited with 1.5 sacks, giving him a nation's best 16 this season. That tied the school record set by Simeon Rice. He got in on his second sack despite being held on the play. Mercilus was one of the most improved players in the nation this season and will almost certainly skip his senior year to enter the NFL Draft.

Strangest stat: UCLA finishes the season with eight losses, yet the Bruins played in a bowl game. It might be a while before we see that happen again.

Unsung hero: Illinois' Ryan Lankford. He averaged 45.6 yards on five punts, with two downed inside the 20. He also had three catches for 24 yards. Now that's versatility.

Best call: Midway through the fourth quarter, UCLA came after Scheelhaase on a blitz. But Illinois had the exact right call on: a slant pass to A.J. Jenkins. The one guy the Bruins couldn't leave open caught a short strike from Scheelhaase and glided in untouched for a 60-yard touchdown. The score became crucial when UCLA tacked on that touchdown in the final minute.

What it means: Not much of anything. Both programs will wake up on New Year's Day with new head coaches -- Jim Mora Jr. for UCLA, Tim Beckman for Illinois. So both teams will mostly have a blank slate, and they'd rather forget most of the 2011 season, anyway. Beckman will drastically change the offense to a spread, and he has to be happy to see Scheelhaase turn in a confidence-building bowl performance. Beckman will need to keep the defense playing at this level without Koenning. Mora needs to improve the overall toughness of the underachieving Bruins and change the attitude around the program .

One team lost its final six games and fired its coach. The other team finished with a losing record and fired its coach. Still, they're both going to play a bowl game in San Francisco, and one team has to win it. Let's take a look at the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl essentials:

WHO TO WATCH: Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus. The junior leads the nation with 14.5 sacks and nine forced fumbles. He showed up on everybody's All-America team and will almost certainly head to the NFL after this game. So he may be primed to go out with a bang against a UCLA offensive line that is decent but not overpowering. Bruins tackle Jeff Baca may need some help containing the explosive Mercilus off the edge.

WHAT TO WATCH: The Illini defense has been strong all season, but can the offense generate anything? After starting the season well, Illinois averaged just 11 points per game in its six straight losses to end the year. The offensive line was a mess, and quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase appeared to lose his confidence -- not surprising, considering how little time he was given to throw. Leading rusher Jason Ford is academically ineligible for the bowl, and offensive coordinator Paul Petrino bolted for Arkansas, leaving quarterbacks coach Jeff Brohm in charge of the playcalling. If Scheelhaase can get some protection, he has one of the top receiving threats in the country in A.J. Jenkins. But that's a big if.

WHY TO WATCH: Well, you need something to do while getting ready to go out for New Year's Eve, right? We can't pretend this isn't one of the least appealing bowl matchups, given the complete lack of momentum or enthusiasm on either side. But, hey, it's still a Pac-12 vs. Big Ten meeting in California, even if this is about as far away from the Rose Bowl as you can get. Both teams have talent and tradition, and both will be looking to impress their new incoming head coaches.

PREDICTION: Illinois 17, UCLA 9. I have little confidence in the Illini's ability to do much offensively. But the Illinois defense will be the best unit on the field and should be motivated to play for Vic Koenning, the defensive coordinator/interim head coach who is leaving after the game. It probably won't be pretty -- except for the background shots of San Francisco.