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Da'Jon McKnight is a fast learner.

The Minnesota receiver didn't play football in his sophomore or junior years of high school as he focused on basketball instead. Despite that lack of experience, he blossomed into one of the Big Ten's best wideouts last year as a junior. McKnight caught 46 balls for 75o yards, and only Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher had more than his 10 touchdown grabs.

Imagine what McKnight can do now that he's really starting to understand the game.

"I feel like I've learned a whole lot," he said. "I know about routes and what the defense is trying to do, whether it's a Cover 2 or a Trap 2. I've learned little techniques to help my game.

"I feel like I can double my catches this year. But it's all about the team winning and being more consistent."

McKnight has always had good size at 6-foot-3. He says his body is more sculpted now at a solid 210 pounds, after playing at about 208 last year. He's paying more attention to his nutrition; instead of his regular stops at McDonald's for a breakfast burrito, he's turning to bagels, apples and protein bars to start his morning.

Interestingly enough, the Gophers' second-leading receiver last year was MarQueis Gray, who is now the team's quarterback. While Gray may still need to learn the finer points of quarterback play, he and McKnight have great chemistry after playing the same position together last year. And there should be no misunderstandings between the quarterbacks and receivers.

"He knows how it is to play receiver," McKnight said. "He knows sometimes we have jammed fingers. He knows when to throw it hard and when to put some touch on it. I think playing receiver will really help him out."

Former quarterback Adam Weber always knew to look McKnight's way in the red zone last year. McKnight is hoping he and Gray form that same connection.

"I told him, from the 20-yard line on in, the jump ball is always an option," he said. "If you ever get in trouble, you can't go wrong throwing the jump ball to me."

We'll see whether defenses can learn how to stop that.

During my Big Ten chat Wednesday, Dan from B1G Country asked about any NFL draft bargains from the conference this year.

With the draft set to begin Thursday night, I thought this would be a good time to look at some Big Ten players who might benefit teams in the middle or later rounds, or even as free-agent pickups.

Here's one potential bargain from each Big Ten squad (heights and weights according to ESPN's Scouts Inc.).

ILLINOIS
Randall Hunt, G, 6-6, 318
The skinny: Hunt anchored a formidable Illinois offensive line that helped Mikel Leshoure and others run wild in 2010. He shut down Baylor's Phil Taylor in the Texas Bowl and brings a sturdy frame to the interior line. Hunt wouldn't be a bad choice in the later rounds.

INDIANA
James Brewer, T, 6-6, 323
The skinny: I'm hesitant to call Brewer a bargain because he could be off the board early in the draft. Indiana had another tackle, Rodger Saffold, taken with the first pick of the second round in 2010. Brewer has the size to be good at the next level, and if he's still available on the third day, he'd be a nice pick.

IOWA
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR, 5-11, 202
The skinny: The character questions are there, but DJK was an extremely productive player at Iowa and could be a nice late-round addition for a team. He's a strong route runner with good speed and good hands, and he can stretch defenses. If a team is willing to take a bit of a risk, it could be rewarded.

MICHIGAN
Stephen Schilling, G, 6-4, 308
The skinny: Schilling played a ton of football at Michigan and helped the Wolverines to a record-setting offensive performance in 2010. His measurables might not blow teams away, but he's a smart, solid lineman who could be a nice addition in the middle to later rounds.

MICHIGAN STATE
Eric Gordon, LB/S, 5-11, 224
The skinny: Overshadowed by fellow linebacker Greg Jones for much of his career, Gordon quietly produced at an extremely high rate for Michigan State. You could argue he was the Spartans' best linebacker during the second half of the 2010 season. Gordon turned in an impressive performance on pro day and would be a nice pickup late in the draft or as a free agent.

MINNESOTA
Adam Weber, QB, 6-3, 221
The skinny: Some Gophers fans might scoff at this, but I always felt Weber got a raw deal during his college career. He played for three different offensive coordinators, never complained about it and still set a bunch of team records. While his junior season was a disappointment, Weber did some good things last fall and drew respect around the Big Ten. Not a bad pick in the later rounds.

NEBRASKA
Eric Hagg, S, 6-1, 209
The skinny: Hagg is a playmaker, as he showed with a team-high five interceptions plus a school-record 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Texas. He also brings versatility to the table, having played a safety-linebacker hybrid role last fall for the Blackshirts. Hagg has played on an elite college defense and would be a good get in the middle to late rounds.

NORTHWESTERN
Quentin Davie, LB, 6-4, 238
The skinny: Davie entered the 2010 season as a solid NFL prospect and started off strong but disappeared at times down the stretch. He made big plays throughout his career and boasts good size as an outside linebacker. Davie could help a team as a late-round or free-agent addition if he gets back to his 2009 form.

OHIO STATE
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, 5-11, 182
The skinny: If I were an NFL general manager, I wouldn't hesitate to draft Sanzenbacher. He lacks ideal measurables but makes up for it with football intelligence and a fearless approach to the game. Sanzenbacher has great hands and became Ohio State's top threat in the red zone this season. He stood out at the Senior Bowl and would be an excellent pick in the middle rounds.

PENN STATE
Evan Royster, RB, 5-11, 212
The skinny: Royster is a patient runner with good vision who could thrive in the right situation at the pro level. His slow start to the 2010 season is a concern, but he picked things up down the stretch and boasts a productive college résumé. If a team needs a running back in the late rounds, Royster would be a nice choice.

PURDUE
Keith Smith, WR, 6-2, 224
The skinny: There's risk here as Smith comes off of tears in two knee ligaments, but a team could get a major steal if the Boilers receiver can stay healthy. He has the size to excel at the pro level and might have been the Big Ten's top receiver had he stayed on the field last season. Smith is a class act who has a chance to be a solid NFL receiver.

WISCONSIN
Scott Tolzien, QB, 6-2, 209
The skinny: He might never be a full-time starter in the NFL, but teams certainly can benefit from having Tolzien on the roster. He's an extremely smart player who makes up for mediocre measurables with superb intangibles. Tolzien is accurate and efficient, and he'll prepare harder than anyone. If a team needs a quarterback in the later rounds, Tolzien would be a great pick.

Minnesotans are known for their hospitality, but several folks stiff-armed formalities when Matt Limegrover came to town as Gophers' offensive coordinator.

"I didn't get a, 'Hello, welcome to Minnesota,'" Limegrover recalled. "I got a, 'Hey, is MarQueis going to be our starting quarterback?' They wanted to anoint him from the day we got on campus."

From that day forward, Limegrover provided the same answer: I don't know. He wanted to look for the best quarterback to run his offense, not the fan favorite or the most athletically gifted or the highest recruited player.

Would MarQueis Gray be in the mix? Without a doubt. But new Minnesota coach Jerry Kill, Limegrover and the rest of the staff are stressing accountability this spring. Starting jobs will be earned, not inherited.

"We need that quarterback to be a quarterback," Limegrover said, "more than just a wonderful athlete who can catch a snap from center."

Fortunately for the coaches, Gray accepted their challenge.

He spent the winter months studying Northern Illinois games from the 2010 season, trying to pick up nuggets and nuances from the offense Minnesota will run this season. He hounded his new quarterbacks coach Jim Zebrowski with questions.

He would lead voluntary workouts and then gather teammates like top receiver Da'Jon McKnight to watch more film. Gray went "above and beyond in his preparation," Limegrover said.

"He would show us the depth or the speed or the timing, things like that," McKnight said. "It just showed me he cares. He's trying to be a leader. He really wants to win."

It has paid dividends so far this spring.

From talking with Kill on Monday, I can say the new coach isn't giddy about too many things right now with his team. But Gray's progress is one of them.

"He's been the biggest surprise on our whole team, period," Kill said. "MarQueis has done an unbelievable job of picking up what we're asking him to do. He's had to learn a lot, he's seen a lot of different things from the defense, he's handled himself well, he's very composed. He's got good work ethic and he's a good football player."

Gray knew he'd need to get back into "quarterback mode" this winter after playing most of the 2010 season at wide receiver, where he finished second on the team in receptions (42), receiving yards (587) and receiving touchdowns (5). He was used to learning a new offense after Minnesota cycled in new systems the previous two years, but he spent even more time with the scheme Kill and Limegrover were bringing from Northern Illinois.

"I thought I might as well get a head start and become a vocal leader and put guys in the right place," Gray told me Monday. "I just took the job head-on. It put me a step of everyone else, and now I can help them because I came in earlier."

Gray always has been popular with Gophers fans. A good portion of them wanted to see him win the starting job last spring, when he competed alongside Adam Weber.

Although Gray entered the offseason as the heavy favorite to claim the starting job, he never felt entitled to it.

"I didn't want them to just hand me over the job because they heard good things," he said.

Gray's work the past few months has his coaches saying plenty of good things about their top quarterback.

"He’s the best quarterback; not just the best athlete at quarterback," Limegrover said. "If he had come in and fumbled around and couldn't get people in right spots and had trouble with cadence, then we'd have a real dilemma on our hands. To his credit, he wasn’t going to leave anything to chance. It made our lives a lot easier."

These days, MarQueis Gray spends his free time studying tape from Northern Illinois' 2010 season, trying to soak in the offense he'll run at Minnesota this fall.

Gray likes the scheme, which suits his skill set well. But Minnesota's coaches could have told him they'd be running the wishbone or the run 'n' shoot, as long as he would be the man calling signals.

Once Gray heard he was returning to the quarterback spot, nothing else really mattered.

"That's basically what I wanted to hear," Gray told me this week. "It put a smile on my face."

Gray came to Minnesota as a heralded dual-threat quarterback but started at wide receiver last season because the coaches didn't want to waste his talent on clipboard duty. The 6-4, 230-pound Gray finished second on the team in receptions (42), receiving yards (587) and receiving touchdowns (5), while adding 110 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Although the departure of four-year starting quarterback Adam Weber suggested Gray would return to quarterback, he didn't take anything for granted.

"I had no idea what they were going to do with me," Gray said. "But when [the new staff] first got here, I talked with coach [Jerry] Kill and he told me I was going to be his quarterback. I've played quarterback all my life. I just like being the general on the field, being the man that the team looks to to help them win games."

Gray knows he must re-establish himself as a leader and has taken steps to do so this offseason. He has pushed himself to be more vocal in winter workouts and gathers receivers to go through pass routes after weightlifting sessions.

"I'm getting back into the rhythm of it," he said. "I haven’t being doing it since I left high school, but they believe in me and I believe in them, so I'm pretty sure it’s going to work out."

Gray also has spent time with his new quarterbacks coach, Jim Zebrowski, going over the new scheme. Zebrowski told Gray that the system blends the offenses from Rose Bowl participants TCU and Wisconsin, although Gray sees more plays run from the shotgun and pistol formations than from under center.

Dual-threat quarterback Chandler Harnish excelled in the offense at Northern Illinois, accounting for 28 touchdowns (21 pass, 7 rush) and 3,366 yards of total offense (2,530 pass, 836 rush) in 2010. The Gophers' staff knows Gray will need time to grow in the system, but they like what they're inheriting.

"We were watching the [Minnesota-Iowa] game and he goes back there in the quasi-Wildcat as the quarterback and he lasers one," offensive coordinator Matt Limegrover said. "We kind of looked at each other and said, 'OK, we can work with that.' You think, 'OK, wonderful athlete, can run, can do things with the ball in his hands, All-Big Ten caliber wide receiver,' that's awesome. But then you watch him drop back and throw the ball.

"Then you go, 'This kid's more than just an athlete we're going to put back there. He's a quarterback.'"

» Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Non-AQ

Not many changes this week, aside from a shuffle at the bottom.

1. Wisconsin (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten): It's dangerous for anyone to get in Wisconsin's path right now. The Badgers bullied their way to a share of the Big Ten title and most likely earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl since Jan. 1, 2000. Paul Chryst's offense is the most dangerous unit in the conference.

2. Ohio State (11-1, 7-1): Big Ten titles and beat-downs of Michigan have become the norm for Ohio State, and the 2010 Buckeyes kept the streaks alive. Ohio State is a team that gets stronger as games go on and as the season goes on. The Buckeyes likely will aim for a second consecutive BCS bowl win, most likely in New Orleans against the dreaded SEC.

3. Michigan State (11-1, 7-1): Whatever happens with the bowl selections, Michigan State can call itself a champion after an impressive performance against Penn State. The Spartans have a strong case for BCS selection but could get snubbed because of more impressive finishes by both Wisconsin and Ohio State. Still, Mark Dantonio's team has overcome a ton of adversity both on and off the field.

4. Penn State (7-5, 4-4): At least Penn State competed on Saturday, which is more than I can say for Michigan and Northwestern, and, for that matter, Iowa in the closing minutes. The Nittany Lions clearly are not an elite team, but they have fared very well in bowl games under Joe Paterno and can start building toward 2011 in the upcoming practices before a New Year's Day contest.

5. Iowa (7-5, 4-4): What happened here? After dismantling Michigan State on Oct. 30, the Hawkeyes backslid in November and finished the regular season with three consecutive losses. The team that was so good at finishing last fall allowed late touchdowns in all five of its losses and repeatedly lost its poise in clutch situations. Extremely disappointing.

6. Illinois (6-5, 4-4): The open week came at a good time for Illinois, which got to sit back and watch its fellow mid-tier mates fall apart. Illinois faces a huge test Friday night at Fresno State, which is always tough to beat on its home field. A victory secures a winning season for Illinois and gives the Illini some momentum entering a bowl game.

7. Michigan (7-5, 3-5): Back-to-back blowout losses put a damper on a season that began with a surge but slowed down considerably in Big Ten play. Quarterback Denard Robinson is a stud but he does not have enough weapons around him, and Michigan's repeated breakdowns on defense and specials teams are discouraging so late in the season.

8. Northwestern (7-5, 3-5): You expected the offense to have its struggles without star quarterback Dan Persa, but Northwestern's defense simply has not shown up the past two weeks. Whether it is youth or a lack of leadership, the Wildcats have to be concerned after surrendering 118 points to Illinois and Wisconsin. Pat Fitzgerald's teams have finished the season strong until this year.

9. Minnesota (3-9, 2-6): Written off in mid November, Minnesota won its final two regular-season games to end things on a good note. You had to be pleased for senior quarterback Adam Weber, who finally got his hands on a rivalry trophy as the Gophers hoisted the Floyd of Rosedale. Uncertain times are ahead for Minnesota, but the players have a reason to smile entering the offseason.

10. Indiana (5-7, 1-7): Winning the Bucket game wasn't enough to save coach Bill Lynch, but Indiana moves up a spot in the power rankings after winning at Ross-Ade Stadium for the first time since 1996. The Hoosiers really will miss Ben Chappell, one of the nation's more underrated quarterbacks. All eyes now turn to the coaching search.

11. Purdue (4-8, 2-6): If Purdue could hold a lead, it would be going bowling as one of the nation's more improbable success stories. But the Boilers didn't get it done against Michigan State and Indiana and finished the season with six consecutive defeats. The injury excuse works this season, but Danny Hope needs to make a bowl in Year 3 to avoid some serious heat.

Five lessons from the Week that was in Big Ten football:

1. Wisconsin and Ohio State look poised for BCS success: The Big Ten won't have a team in the BCS title game, but the league appears ready to do some damage in the big bowls for the second consecutive season. Wisconsin finished the regular season with seven consecutive wins and won four November games by a combined score of 235-84. Ohio State, meanwhile, continued its November success under head coach Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes stepped up in the second halves of all three of their November victories and now take aim at a second straight BCS bowl win.

2. Michigan State can finish: The Spartans' season of milestones ended with several more, as they won at Penn State for the first time since 1965 and captured a share of the Big Ten championship for the first time since 1990. Fittingly, Michigan State found a way to finish after Penn State made things very interesting with 19 fourth-quarter points. While previous Spartans teams might have fallen short against Notre Dame, Northwestern, Purdue and Penn State, the 2010 version proved that it is truly special.

3. Michigan's progress is hard to find: Two years after a 42-7 loss in Columbus, Michigan came to The Shoe and fell 37-7 in a game that was just as uncompetitive as the 2008 contest. The Wolverines continued to make major mistakes in all three phases, and Rich Rodriguez's record against Michigan's Big Ten rivals fell to 0-6. This isn't the type of product Rodriguez expected to see in Week 13 of his third season on the sideline. Although Michigan improved its record by two games, the program's overall progress remains up for debate. Athletic director Dave Brandon must mull this over as he determines Rodriguez's future.

4. Ben Chappell and Adam Weber went out as winners: Both quarterbacks set team records but also experienced plenty of losing in their careers. But both men ended things on a good note Saturday, helping their teams to wins in rivalry games. Chappell was brilliant at Purdue, passing for 330 yards and three touchdowns as Indiana snapped a 12-game Big Ten road losing streak and won at Ross-Ade Stadium for the first time since 1996. Weber passed for 164 yards and got plenty of help from the running backs and his defense as Minnesota won a rivalry trophy for the first time in his four years as the starting quarterback.

5. Northwestern's and Iowa's seasons ended on the same play: Neither team has been the same since Dan Persa fired a touchdown pass to beat Iowa on Nov. 13 at Ryan Field. Northwestern has flatlined without its starting quarterback, and while the offensive struggles could be expected, the defense didn't show up in the final two weeks of the regular season. Iowa ended an extremely disappointing regular season with three consecutive losses, the last to a 2-9 Minnesota team that showed a lot more fight than the Hawkeyes in a rivalry game.

Jeff Horton won't win Big Ten Coach of the Year. That honor will deservedly go to Michigan State's Mark Dantonio or Wisconsin's Bret Bielema.

But Horton deserves a ton of credit for keeping Minnesota on track through a very tough time. And today, the Gophers got a big reward.

The Floyd of Rosedale.

Minnesota's 27-24 upset of No. 24 Iowa allowed the Gophers to hoist a rivalry trophy for the first time since 2006. And you could tell how excited the Minnesota players were as they raced over to grab the bronze pig on Iowa's sideline.

Those of us who know Gophers quarterback Adam Weber are happy for him Saturday. He has endured a ton of losing in his college career, and to win a rivalry trophy in his final game is something he'll never forget. Weber had a so-so day passing the ball, but he got plenty of help from running backs DeLeon Eskridge (95 rush yards, TD) and Duane Bennett (63 rush yards, TD).

Backup quarterback MarQueis Gray also provided a lift with 39 rush yards and a score, including a huge third-down conversion to set up the winning touchdown.

What a letdown for Iowa, which dropped its final three Big Ten games by a total of 10 points. The Hawkeyes once again seemed to wear down on defense and recorded only 218 offensive yards against the nation's No. 88 defense.

I expected a lot more from a senior-laden Iowa team that needs to refocus itself for a bowl game.

It's rivalry week in the Big Ten, and here are 10 things to watch on Saturday.

1. Title talk: Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State all can claim at least a share of the Big Ten title by winning on Saturday. The Badgers are primarily rooting for a Michigan State loss, although if all three teams win, Wisconsin likely heads to Pasadena because of its higher place in the BCS standings. Michigan State is pulling for hated rival Michigan to upset Ohio State, while the Buckeyes want Northwestern to shock Wisconsin in Madison. Should be an interesting day of scoreboard watching around the league.

2. Penn State looks toward the future: Joe Paterno said this week that he'll return in 2011 for his 46th season as Penn State's head coach. Paterno cited having a young team with the potential to get better. Well, Saturday provides the Nittany Lions with the chance to take a big step forward. Penn State has struggled mightily against ranked teams this season, falling by more than 20 points to Alabama, Iowa and Ohio State. A win against No. 10 Michigan State would give Penn State wins in five of its final six regular-season games and raise the bar for next fall.

3. Lynch's last stand: Indiana doesn't want to fire Bill Lynch, but it might have to if the coach goes winless in Big Ten play in his fourth season at the helm. Lynch can avoid such a fate and improve his cause by beating archrival Purdue in West Lafayette. The Hoosiers players are in Lynch's corner, as linebacker Tyler Replogle said this week: "We've been trying to win for Coach Lynch all year." After so many near misses, the Hoosiers need to show that they can get over the hump in a Big Ten game.

4. Robinson vs. Pryor: The Big Ten's two most recognizable players meet Saturday at The Horseshoe, and the league's Offensive Player of the Year Award could be at stake. Robinson has broken records and put up some incredible numbers, but he's still looking for a signature win. Beating No. 10 Ohio State certainly would qualify. Pryor boasts a 29-4 record as Ohio State's starting quarterback and came up big in the clutch last week at Iowa. Both signal callers have significantly improved their passing numbers this season, but both remain threats to run.

5. Getting piggy wit it: Sorry, couldn't resist. The Floyd of Rosedale is at stake Saturday when Minnesota and No. 24 Iowa meet at TCF Bank Stadium. The Hawkeyes need to finish strong after back-to-back heartbreaking losses, and they've taken their anger out on Minnesota in recent years. The Gophers saw coach Tim Brewster fired midseason for, among other things, not winning enough rivalry trophies. Bringing the pig back to Minneapolis in a huge upset would help Minnesota end a disappointing season on a very good note.

6. Wildcats try to rebound against three-headed monster: Northwestern's defense got absolutely shredded for 519 rush yards against Illinois last week at Wrigley Field. It's not the type of performance the Wildcats needed before a game against an even better ground attack in Wisconsin. The Badgers called 28 consecutive run plays last week against Michigan and have been dominant on offense during Big Ten play. John Clay could return to join sophomore Montee Ball and freshman James White, forming a fearsome three-headed monster in the backfield.

7. Kirk Cousins' health: The Michigan State quarterback hasn't looked like himself for a few weeks, and there are reasons why. He has been dealing with a sprained ankle since an Oct. 16 game against Illinois and a sprained shoulder for just about as long. Like his team, Cousins has shown resiliency to play through the pain, and he scored the game-winning touchdown last week against Purdue. But he also reaggravated his injuries in the game. Cousins is never one to complain and will try to lead Michigan State to its first Big Ten title in 20 years Saturday, but will his body hold up in Happy Valley?

8. Greg Robinson's stuffed animal: Robinson is trying just about anything to help Michigan's poor defense, apparently even a stuffed animal. The Wolverines defensive coordinator was seen rubbing the stuffed animal on the neck of linebacker Kenny Demens in last week's game against Wisconsin. I'd prefer to see Jobu show up on the Michigan sideline this week. Then again, it might take more than gimmicks to help this unit become respectable.

9. Gophers try to end scoreless streak: Minnesota has been shut out in its previous two meetings with Iowa, a scoreless streak Hawkeyes' fans never hesitate to point out (pun intended). The Gophers haven't exactly been dynamic on offense this season, but they put up 38 points two weeks ago against Illinois to record their first conference win of the season. Senior quarterback Adam Weber hopes to end an up-and-down career on a strong note against an Iowa defense looking to start strong and finish stronger after blowing fourth-quarter leads in consecutive games.

10. Endgame for Kerrigan: Purdue isn't going bowling, so Saturday marks the final chance for Boilers fans to salute star defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. Former defensive tackle Jeff Zgonina is the only Purdue player to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors, taking home the award in 1993. Kerrigan soon should add his name to the list, and he tries to go 3-1 against Indiana in his career.

Let's take a look back at Week 12 before looking ahead to rivalry week.

Team(s) of the Week: Wisconsin and Illinois. Both teams get the nod for different reasons. The Badgers overcame their Michigan misery and won in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1994. After Wisconsin's red-hot offense surged out to a 24-0 lead, the Badgers survived a mini scare in the third quarter before steamrolling Michigan with 28 consecutive designed run plays. Running backs James White and Montee Ball combined for 354 rush yards and six touchdowns in the win. Speaking of the ground game, no back in America had a bigger day than Illinois' Mikel Leshoure, who racked up a team-record 330 rushing yards against Northwestern. Behind Leshoure's brilliance, Illinois piled up 519 rush yards and claimed a must-win game against Northwestern at Wrigley Field to become bowl eligible.

Game of the Week: Ohio State at Iowa. The game featured three lead changes and an exciting fourth quarter defined by big plays on both sides of the ball. Both defenses came to play, and only one touchdown was scored in the first half. Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor overcame two interceptions to lead a pair of fourth-quarter scoring drives. After Buckeyes receiver DeVier Posey dropped a wide-open touchdown pass in the end zone with the Buckeyes down 17-13, Pryor saved the day with a 14-yard scramble on fourth-and-10. Ohio State scored the go-ahead touchdown moments later and its defensive line stepped up down the stretch. Iowa's season of heartbreak continued, while Ohio State kept its streak of Big Ten titles intact.

Biggest play: Three immediately come to mind. Pryor's scramble on fourth-and-10 likely saved Ohio State's season. Michigan State's Denicos Allen blocked a Purdue punt late in the fourth quarter to set up the game-winning touchdown as the Spartans rallied from a 28-13 deficit. And Penn State's Andrew Dailey and James Van Fleet teamed up for a punt block and a touchdown return that broke a 24-24 tie against Indiana at FedEx Field.

Specialist spotlight: The two punt blocks by Michigan State and Penn State loomed large in both teams' victories. Michigan State punter Aaron Bates had another big game, averaging 43.4 yards per punt and placing three inside the Purdue 20-yard line. After not attempting a punt the week before against Indiana, Wisconsin's Brad Nortman made the most out of his only chance against Michigan, pinning the Wolverines at their 1-yard line. Ohio State's Devin Barclay kicked a clutch field goal against Iowa for the second straight year, this time a 48-yarder in the fourth quarter. Both punters looked comfortable at Wrigley, as Illinois' Anthony Santella averaged 53.5 yards per punt and Northwestern's Brandon Williams had a 45.2-yard average. Northwestern's Venric Mark had a 58-yard punt return that set up a Wildcats touchdown against Illinois.

Best sign: The Big Ten's last-minute decision to primarily use one end zone at Wrigley Field became the top story in college football heading into Saturday. But just in case players from Northwestern and Illinois didn't hear about the rule changes, a fan sitting behind the dreaded East end zone provided a reminder. He held up a sign that read: "Wrong Way!" Nice.

Game balls (given to players on winning or losing teams who didn't receive helmet stickers)

• Penn State QB Matt McGloin: The sophomore racked up a career-high 315 pass yards and two touchdowns against Indiana, completing 22 of 31 attempts in the win. His 315 pass yards tie for the 10th most in team history.
• Illinois LB Martez Wilson: The Chicago native sparkled in his hometown Saturday, recording three tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in the win against Northwestern.
• Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien: He completed his first 13 pass attempts against Michigan and showed good toughness, absorbing several hits before releasing the ball. Tolzien finished the game 14-for-15 for 201 yards and an interception.
• [+] Enlarge
  AP Photo/Nick WassPenn State quarterback Matt McGloin had a career day in a win over Indiana.
  Michigan State WR Mark Dell: Dell made Senior Day a memorable one by recording eight receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns against Purdue. The senior receiver hauled in scoring passes of 24 yards and nine yards to match a career high for touchdowns.
• Michigan QB Denard Robinson: He started slowly against Wisconsin but came on strong in the second half. Robinson racked up 121 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, breaking the FBS single-season record for quarterback rushing. He also had 239 pass yards and two touchdowns with an interception.
• Purdue CB Ricardo Allen: Any postseason awards list of top freshmen should include Allen, who recorded his second pick-six in as many weeks against Michigan State. He tied Mike Rose's single-season record for interceptions returned for touchdowns. Allen now leads Purdue with three interceptions this season.
• Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins: The junior played through pain and overcame an early miscue to record four touchdowns (3 pass, 1 rush) and 276 pass yards. Cousins completed passes to 10 different receivers in the come-from-behind win against Purdue.
• Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor: It's not how you start in football, and Pryor finished extremely strong against Iowa. He led two fourth-quarter scoring drives, racked up 78 rush yards against a stout Iowa defense and passed for 195 yards.
• Indiana WR Tandon Doss: The dynamic junior led Indiana in both receiving yards (90) and rushing yards (61) against Penn State. Doss had seven receptions and five rushes on the day. He also shined as a return man and finished the game with 293 all-purpose yards, tied for the seventh-best effort in team history.

Now let's look ahead to rivalry week.

Michigan (7-4, 3-4 Big Ten) at No. 8 Ohio State (10-1, 6-1): If the Buckeyes win, they will tie a Big Ten record with their sixth consecutive league title (won or shared). They also aim for their seventh consecutive win against their archrival. Michigan can spoil it all for Ohio State and take the heat off of third-year coach Rich Rodriguez, but a Wolverines win would qualify as a major upset. Pryor takes aim at a Wolverines defense that ranks 99th nationally in points allowed (33.6 ppg).

No. 10 Michigan State (10-1, 6-1) at Penn State (7-4, 4-3): A special season for the Spartans comes down to this, the biggest game in recent team history. Michigan State can record a team record for wins if it beats Penn State, and a victory ensures the Spartans of at least a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 1990. McGloin and the Nittany Lions look to spoil the party and end the regular season with wins in five of their final six games.

Indiana (4-7, 0-7) at Purdue (4-7, 2-5): For the second straight year, the Bucket game will be played with just pride and bragging rights on the line. Neither Indiana nor Purdue will be going bowling this season, but both teams want to end 2010 on a good note. It could be a pivotal game for Hoosiers coach Bill Lynch, who has recorded just two Big Ten wins since his Hoosiers beat Purdue in 2007 to clinch a bowl berth.

No. 24 Iowa (7-4, 4-3) at Minnesota (2-9, 1-6): Iowa has shut out Minnesota in each of the last two seasons, and the Hawkeyes will come in angry after dropping back-to-back games. The Golden Gophers, meanwhile, come off of an open week after an uplifting win against Illinois and look for their first home victory of the season. It'll be the last game for quarterback Adam Weber, the other Minnesota seniors and probably most of the coaching staff. Iowa has won eight of the teams' last nine meetings.

Northwestern (7-4, 3-4) at Wisconsin (10-1, 6-1): The Badgers are playing for a share of their first Big Ten title since 1999 and most likely their first Rose Bowl appearance since that year. Barring an Ohio State loss, a Badgers win likely punches their ticket to Pasadena. Wisconsin's offense has been sensational as of late, and starting running back John Clay should be back in the fold. It likely spells bad news for Northwestern, which had no answer for Illinois' rushing attack at Wrigley.

Bye: Illinois (6-5, 4-4)

Let's take a look back at Week 11 before spinning it forward to Week 12.

Team of the Week: Northwestern. There are two guarantees with Northwestern football in the last decade or so. Every season, the Wildcats drop a game they shouldn't and pull off an upset, usually against Iowa. After stumbling against short-handed Purdue in early October, the Wildcats continued their trend by upsetting then-No. 13 Iowa on Saturday. Northwestern blew an early lead, which is nothing new this season, but this time Pat Fitzgerald's crew rallied in the fourth quarter behind star quarterback Dan Persa and others. Persa led two fourth-quarter scoring drives and Northwestern held on to beat Iowa for the fifth time in the teams' last six meetings. The victory ensures that Northwestern will record three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1958-60.

Best game: Iowa at Northwestern. The Wildcats controlled play for the first half but led just 7-3 at halftime as both defenses stepped up. Iowa surged throughout the third quarter as the Hawkeyes controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and twice reached the end zone. But an interception by Northwestern's Brian Peters changed momentum and gave the home side new life. Northwestern ran its up-tempo offense to perfection behind Persa on two scoring drives, and Iowa's veteran defenders seemed to wear down at the end. The final minutes featured plenty of drama as Persa fired the game-winning touchdown pass with 1:22 left but ruptured his Achilles' tendon on the play. Iowa had one final chance but couldn't get the ball in the end zone. Northwestern celebrated a bittersweet win, as Persa underwent season-ending surgery Saturday night. The Minnesota-Illinois game also deserves a mention as the Gophers rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to snap their nine-game losing streak.

Biggest play: Several come to mind, including Persa's 20-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Fields to give Northwestern the lead for good. Minnesota's Troy Stoudermire gave his team new life in the fourth quarter with a 90-yard kickoff return that set up a touchdown. But my pick took place at The Shoe. Ohio State led Penn State 17-14 early in the fourth quarter when Terrelle Pryor heaved a deep pass to receiver DeVier Posey, who couldn't haul it in but tipped the ball. Fellow wideout Dane Sanzenbacher swooped in to grab the deflection for a 58-yard touchdown. Ohio State went on to a 38-14 romp.

Specialist spotlight: Minnesota's much-maligned special teams units deserve credit after Saturday's win. Stoudermire's kick return was huge, and the Gophers also got a 45-yard field goal from Eric Ellestad and three punts placed inside the Illinois 20-yard line by Dan Orseske. Northwestern and Iowa both were brilliant on kickoffs and punts, as Stefan Demos and Michael Meyer combined for eight touchbacks and Brandon Williams and Ryan Donahue combined to place four punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Both teams finished with zero return yards. Purdue's Carson Wiggs continued his strong season by going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts, while Wisconsin's Philip Welch went 2-for-2. Punters Anthony Fera of Penn State and Ben Buchanan of Ohio State both had good performances at Ohio Stadium.

Power surge: Wisconsin turned in a historic offensive performance in crushing Indiana on Saturday. The Badgers' 83 points marked the most against a Big Ten team in team history and the highest total in a game during the modern era. It was the most since the Badgers defeated Marquette 85-0 on Oct. 8, 1915. The 83 points scored tied the Big Ten record for scoring in the modern era, as Ohio State put up 83 against Iowa in 1950.

Game balls (given to players on winning or losing teams who didn't receive helmet stickers)

• Wisconsin DEs Louis Nzegwu and J.J. Watt: It wasn't all about the Badgers' offense Saturday, as Nzegwu and Watt combined for four tackles for loss, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a sack against Indiana.
• Ohio State CB Devon Torrence: After getting picked on in the first half, Torrence responded with a pick-six in the third quarter to give Ohio State its first lead against Penn State. He had six tackles, one for loss, in the game.
• Minnesota QB Adam Weber: It hasn't been an easy road for the Gophers senior quarterback, but he had a big role in snapping the team's losing streak Saturday. Weber threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions at Illinois. Also meriting a mention is running back DeLeon Eskridge, who rushed for three touchdowns.
• Michigan LB Obi Ezeh: It has been a bumpy road for Ezeh the last two seasons, but the senior stepped up along with several other Michigan defenders at Purdue. Ezeh recorded a team-high eight tackles, including two for loss and a sack against the Boilers.
• Northwestern S Brian Peters: After some struggles in recent weeks, Peters made several big plays against Iowa, none bigger than an interception early in the fourth quarter that set up Northwestern's rally. He led the Wildcats with 10 tackles and recorded a forced fumble and two pass breakups.
• Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien: The running backs always get top billing at Wisconsin, but Tolzien was nearly flawless against Indiana, completing 15 of 18 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns.
• Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure: The talented junior running back continues to do his part for the now-slumping Illini. After recording five touchdowns last week at Michigan, Leshoure racked up 141 rush yards and two touchdowns on only 18 carries against Minnesota.

Now here's a quick look at Week 12.

Penn State (6-4, 3-3 Big Ten) vs. Indiana (4-6, 0-6) at Landover, Md.: Embattled Hoosiers coach Bill Lynch could really use a win right about now, but the schedule does him no favors. Lynch signed off on moving this home game to FedEx Field, but he and his team have to anticipate a road-game atmosphere as Penn State fans will pack the place. Indiana must win to maintain hope of becoming bowl eligible, while Penn State tries to ensure a winning season.

Purdue (4-6, 2-4) at No. 12 Michigan State (9-1, 5-1): After an open week, the Spartans resume play with a chance to reach 10 wins for the first time since 1999. It marks the final home game for All-American linebacker Greg Jones, who will take aim at a patchwork Purdue offense. Two of the Big Ten's top defenders share the field in Jones and Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, whose team must win its final two games to become bowl eligible.

No. 7 Wisconsin (9-1, 5-1) at Michigan (7-3, 3-3): The Badgers are riding a five-game win streak and put up 83 points in their last game, but they have really struggled in the state of Michigan and especially at the Big House. Wisconsin hasn't won in Ann Arbor since 1994 and hasn't won in the state since beating Michigan State in 2002 at Spartan Stadium. Michigan has won back-to-back games but needs a much cleaner performance in all three phases to record the upset.

Illinois (5-5, 3-4) vs. Northwestern (7-3, 3-3) at Chicago: Football is back at Wrigley Field for the first time since 1970 and the Illini and Wildcats will play the first college game at the Friendly Confines since 1938. The pageantry takes center stage Saturday, but Illinois still needs a win to become bowl eligible and turn down the heat on coach Ron Zook. Northwestern redshirt freshman Evan Watkins makes his first career start at quarterback.

No. 9 Ohio State (9-1, 5-1) at No. 20 Iowa (7-3, 4-2): The Buckeyes must win out to give themselves a chance at a record-tying sixth consecutive Big Ten title. To do so, they must play better on the road after losing at Wisconsin and struggling at Illinois. Iowa gave Ohio State all it could handle last year in Columbus, and this time the Hawkeyes will have starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi available. It's Senior Day at Kinnick Stadium, where Iowa aims for a signature win to salvage an otherwise disappointing season.

Bye: Minnesota (2-9, 1-6).

For the first time in 72 days, the Minnesota Golden Gophers entered a locker room with smiles on their faces.

What happened after their 38-34 win against Illinois was to be expected.

"It was definitely insane," Gophers running back DeLeon Eskridge told ESPN.com. "I wish we had cameras in there or something because we just went crazy. It was wild, and we just enjoyed it."

Minnesota had waited a long time to celebrate something after a season filled with disappointment.

The Gophers came to Illinois as losers of nine consecutive games. Their head coach, Tim Brewster, had been fired Oct. 17 after the team dropped its sixth consecutive contest. The team had struggled mightily in all three phases, and most assumed Minnesota would finish 1-11 for the second time in four years.

Motivating Minnesota to play out the string wasn't an easy task, but interim coach Jeff Horton saw no quit in the players.

"The easy thing to do is walk away or believe what everybody's saying, 'You've got no chance,'" Horton said. "That's human nature. And I thought in the second half [against] Ohio State, it got away from us. The turning point was against Michigan State last week at the half, when they scored on the last play. They had all the momentum, but we came back out in the second half, played really well and it carried over into [Saturday]."

Minnesota jumped out to a 17-7 halftime lead, but as has been the case all season, the good times didn't last. Illinois stormed back to claim a 34-24 edge with 8:14 to play, as the Gophers had no answer for running back Mikel Leshoure.

Another defeat seemed certain, but Minnesota got some life when Troy Stoudermire returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards.

"The main thing that was being said was, 'We can still win this, don't give up, it's still a close game, keep going,'" Eskridge said. "We definitely did that."

After Minnesota stopped Illinois with 2:44 left, the Gophers took the ball at their own 20-yard line, trailing 34-31. Horton approached senior quarterback Adam Weber, telling him to enjoy the moment: his last road game in college, trying to run the 2-minute drill to win the game.

Weber also had received some encouragement from Brewster, who sent him a text message Friday that read: "Call me after you beat them." Weber came through, making plays with both his feet and his arm as Minnesota reached the end zone in 10 plays.

"He puts up with so much crap and never complains," Horton said of Weber. "All he does is do the right thing all the time, say the right thing, so it was really rewarding for him."

The emotion in Horton's voice was still there hours after the game, as Minnesota waited to board its flight home.

"Just the circumstances, all the uncertainty, coaches, players, all we've been through," Horton said. "I don't think people realize how hard this is. It's a daily grind to try to keep moving forward. To see it pay off for the kids and the coaches was awesome."

» Power Rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Non-AQ

I'll be the first to admit this installment of the power rankings went easy on some teams. Although Iowa lost to Northwestern, I still have a hard time dropping the Hawkeyes below the No. 4 spot. Same thing for Penn State at No. 5.

Should Michigan vault both the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions after two somewhat shaky wins? Let's remember that Michigan lost to both Iowa and Penn State. And while Northwestern finally put it all together against Iowa, I have a hard time placing the Wildcats ahead of both Iowa and Penn State.

Basically, Iowa and Penn State get a bit of a pass this week. But both teams had better get things in gear this coming Saturday.

1. Wisconsin (9-1, 5-1 Big Ten): The Badgers flexed their muscles in a historic offensive performance Saturday against Indiana. Some felt Bret Bielema went too far, but he can't tell his players to stop playing the game. Wisconsin has the easiest closing slate of the three league title contenders, but it must find a way to get over the hump in the state of Michigan.

2. Ohio State (9-1, 5-1): After a lackluster first half, Ohio State looked like the team we've come to know under Jim Tressel in the month of November. The Buckeyes overpowered Penn State with Dan Herron and the run game, and an always opportunistic defense recorded two interception returns for touchdowns. Things get tougher this week with a trip to Iowa City.

3. Michigan State (9-1, 5-1): The open week came at a good time for Michigan State, which had to be pleased seeing Iowa stumble at Northwestern. The Spartans now become big Hawkeyes fans as they want Iowa to beat Ohio State and increase the likelihood of a two-team tie atop the Big Ten between Michigan State and Wisconsin, which the Spartans would win.

4. Iowa (7-3, 4-2): Sure, the Hawkeyes didn't drop in the power rankings, but they took a major step back in the Big Ten title race. Iowa would need a lot to go wrong elsewhere to have any chance to catch both Wisconsin and Michigan State in the final two weeks. Given the preseason expectations and all the seniors coming back, Iowa should be disappointed with how things have turned out.

T-5. Penn State (6-4, 3-3): This is another team that shouldn't feel good about being in the same spot in the rankings. Penn State did a lot of good things in the first half at Ohio State but completely fell apart in the final 30 minutes. Quarterback Matt McGloin's hot start abruptly ended, and it will be interesting to see how things play out under center in the final two weeks. Penn State should bounce back this week against Indiana.

T-5. Northwestern (7-3, 3-3): The Wildcats recorded a season-affirming win against Iowa but unfortunately lost star quarterback Dan Persa to a season-ending injury. No Big Ten player has meant more to his team than Persa this fall, so expectations have to be tempered the rest of the season. Redshirt freshman Evan Watkins will need to grow up fast, and he'll need help from the offensive line and the run game.

6. Michigan (7-3, 3-3): Kudos to the much-maligned Michigan defense for bailing out Denard Robinson and the offense Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. Michigan played a very sloppy game and made several questionable decisions, but it found a way to beat a banged-up Purdue team and ensure its first winning season since 2007. Things get a lot tougher the final two weeks with Wisconsin and Ohio State.

8. Illinois (5-5, 3-4): Only a few plays separate Illinois from a 7-3 mark, but the team's inability to beat both Michigan and Minnesota suddenly puts bowl eligibility in jeopardy. The Illini must beat a shorthanded but fired-up Northwestern squad this week at Wrigley Field or knock off Fresno State on the road Dec. 3 to reach the six-win plateau. If not, the heat will rise for coach Ron Zook.

9. Purdue (4-6, 2-4): Despite having the Big Ten's best defensive player in end Ryan Kerrigan, the Boilers are too injured and too limited on offense to beat decent teams. Purdue's defense has made several big plays the past two weeks, but the Boilers simply haven't converted enough opportunities and have made too many major mistakes of their own. It doesn't get any easier this week with a trip to Michigan State.

10. Minnesota (2-9, 1-6): It would have been easy for Minnesota to give up weeks ago, and especially after falling behind by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. But interim coach Jeff Horton and his players didn't relent and mounted an impressive come-from-behind win on the road. You had to feel happy for quarterback Adam Weber and the other seniors who have endured so many losses in their careers.

11. Indiana (4-6, 0-6): Until Saturday, the Hoosiers could hang their hats on competing hard in Big Ten games. But they couldn't generate any defensive stops against Wisconsin, even after the Badgers put their second- and third-stringers into the game. Allowing 83 points is simply unacceptable, and Bill Lynch needs to get more out of his team the last two weeks to ensure he's back in 2011.

It's time to recognize the best and the brightest in a wild Week 11 in Big Ten play.

Northwestern QB Dan Persa: What a bittersweet day for Persa and the Wildcats. Persa delivered another Herculean performance in the 21-17 win, completing 32 of 43 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He led Northwestern on two fourth-quarter scoring drives against No. 13 Iowa and fired the game-winning touchdown with 1:22 left. Unfortunately, he also suffered a ruptured Achilles' tendon on the touchdown play and will have season-ending surgery. Persa will be missed, but he went out a winner.

Wisconsin RBs Montee Ball and James White: No John Clay? No problem for the Badgers, who ran all over Indiana for a school-record six touchdowns on the ground. Ball and White combined for 311 rush yards and five touchdowns on 41 carries in the 83-20 rout. They share the sticker with quarterback Scott Tolzien, who completed 15 of 18 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns.

Ohio State RB Dan Herron: There's no doubt about the identity of Ohio State's top running back. It's all about Boom. Herron continued his strong second-half push with 190 rush yards and a touchdown on 21 carries as No. 9 Ohio State rallied past Penn State for a 38-14 win. The junior has eclipsed 100 rush yards in each of his past two games.

Minnesota CB Troy Stoudermire: It hasn't been an easy season for Stoudermire or his Gophers teammates, but they finally had a chance to celebrate Saturday. With Minnesota down 34-24 midway through the fourth quarter, Stoudermire turned momentum by returning a kickoff 90 yards to set up a touchdown. He then sealed the 38-34 victory with an interception on the final play. He shares the sticker with quarterback Adam Weber (225 pass yards, 2 TDs) and running back DeLeon Eskridge (3 rush TDs).

Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan: OK, I'm breaking my own rule about giving stickers to players on losing teams. But Kerrigan has been horribly overlooked for much of the season, and he deserves some love after another truly dominating performance. Kerrigan recorded 10 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in a 27-16 loss to Michigan. He now owns the Big Ten record for career forced fumbles (14) and has tied the FBS mark.

Minnesota just showed why you should never give up in college football. Kudos to Jeff Horton and his team.

Meanwhile, Illinois fans might be ready to give up on Ron Zook once again.

Minnesota ended its nine-game losing streak with a 38-34 come-from-behind win against Illinois. It marked the Gophers' first win since Sept. 2 and their first conference victory since Oct. 31, 2009, against Michigan State.

The most impressive thing from Minnesota was its resiliency after getting down 34-24 with 8:14 remaining. Think about it: you're 1-9, your coach has been fired, you're on the road and a bye week beckons. But the Gophers didn't quit, mounting two touchdown drives and scoring the game-winner on DeLeon Eskridge's third touchdown run, with 16 seconds left.

Adam Weber passed for 225 yards and two touchdowns for a well-deserved win.

This is crushing for Illinois and it once again raises serious questions about Zook's leadership. It's not merely that the Illini have lost two straight, but how they did. Defense and special teams have been Illinois' hallmarks this season, but both areas have let down in the past two losses.

Illinois had everything to play for today on Senior Day but came out flat. And after taking control late, the Illini let up and gave Minnesota new life.

Bowl eligibility seemed like a foregone conclusion two weeks ago. Now Illinois needs to beat Northwestern in Chicago or Fresno State on the road to get it done. Won't be easy.

Some quick thoughts as the four early games have reached halftime.

Iowa-Northwestern: The Wildcats once again are off to a strong start, but can they preserve a lead against a favored opponent? Northwestern should be up more than 7-3, but has to be pleased with its defense, which hasn't allowed a third-down conversion. Quarterback Dan Persa has been outstanding once again, completing 11 of 12 passes, but only one Northwestern drive has resulted in points. Ricky Stanzi has been held in check so far.

Indiana-Wisconsin: After an evenly matched first 20 minutes, Wisconsin has taken control in a big way and leads 38-10. Montee Ball continues to provide a lift for the Badgers and already has eclipsed his career high in rushing. Scott Tolzien got hot late in the half, and he's getting all the help he needs form Ball and James White, filling in for the injured John Clay. Indiana really needs to find way to stretch the field more in the second half. Ben Chappell's injury really stings.

Michigan-Purdue: Very bizarre game in West Lafayette so far. Michigan should have a comfortable lead, but turnovers are keeping Purdue in the game. Denard Robinson's pick-six really stung because the Wolverines were set to build on a 14-3 lead. The Wolverines have committed three first-half turnovers to go along with five last week against Illinois. Not good. Purdue keeps piecing things together at quarterback and is really struggling to throw the ball, but the Boilers are hanging around, thanks to Michigan. Wolverines lead 14-13.

Minnesota-Illinois: Wow. This is the shocker of the day around the Big Ten. Minnesota has scored 17 unanswered points to take a 17-7 edge at the half against an extremely uninspired Illinois team. The Gophers have dominated time of possession, their formula early this season, and have received strong play from quarterback Adam Weber. Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase, meanwhile, is really struggling after three strong performances. The Illini have to get this thing turned around in the second half.