ESPN College Football

Cassidy Hubbarth and the college football bloggers bring you the best from the spring and what that means for the games in the fall.

It’s quite common to see a team make a significant jump in Year 2 under a coach. Michigan will be challenged to build on its 11-2 record under Brady Hoke in 2012, while both Minnesota (3-9) and Indiana (1-11) certainly can improve this fall.

Colleague Ryan McGee takes a look at 10 of the second-year coaches in the FBS, grades them on Year 1 and explores what they need to do in Year 2. Not surprisingly, Hoke receives an A from McGee after guiding Michigan to a Sugar Bowl championship and four more victories than it had in 2010. The next step: to get quarterback Denard Robinson more comfortable and add more reliable weapons around him.

I’d add that replenishing the defensive line will be key after losing Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen.

McGee gives Kill a D in his first year, and that’s after Minnesota won its final game against Illinois. As with Michigan, McGee wants to see Minnesota develop some help for its own athletically gifted quarterback, MarQueis Gray. The Gophers undoubtedly need help at wide receiver and running back, but they also need much more from the defensive line after three consecutive down seasons there.

Indiana doesn’t make McGee's rundown, but it’s hard not to give the Hoosiers an F for 2011. Kevin Wilson will have the offense humming soon enough, but the defense remains the biggest issue in Bloomington. Perhaps the arrival of several junior college players will accelerate the turnaround.

Cassidy Hubbarth and the college football bloggers go around the country to explain how a playoff system would help everyone.

Ivan Maisel and Gene Wojciechowski debate whether the bowls or a playoff system is the way to go.

The number of offensive coordinator changes and/or quarterback competitions in the Big Ten should make this year's spring games more interesting than usual.

Brian Bennett looks at the positions that will need the most and least attention for Penn State this spring.

A look at why the Big Ten has struggled to produce offensive skill players selected in the first round of the NFL draft.

Brian Bennett looks at a major issue facing every Big Ten team this spring: finding big-time playmakers at the receiver position.

Todd McShay previews the Senior Bowl.

Jim Basquil and the ESPN.com bloggers recap a wild weekend of college football.

ESPN.com bloggers Edward Aschoff, Ted Miller and Adam Rittenberg preview Week 8's biggest games in this week’s web show.

Brian Bennett on why Iowa should not be counted out of the Big Ten Legends Division race.

Adam Rittenberg looks at three keys to Illinois getting to 10 wins this season.

Trevor Matich breaks down the Big Ten's Week 1 quarterbacks.

Jack DiNardo takes you through training camp with the Northwestern Wildcats.