ESPN College Football

As part of the “College Football Live” 100 Days 'Til Kickoff countdown, we're taking a look at the top 10 players in the Big Ten for 2012. Please note that this list could look different when we do out Big Ten Top 25 players list later this summer.

But here's how they're ranked for the "College Football Live" event:

1. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin: After scoring 39 touchdowns and earning an invitation to New York for the 2011 Heisman Trophy ceremony, Ball returned to school for his senior year and very much earned the No. 1 spot on this list. His numbers could go down a bit this year as they would be nearly impossible to top. Yet Ball, who has focused on pass-blocking and improving his strength this offseason, could be a better all-around back in 2012.

2. Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska: Still a bit underrated nationally, Burkhead gets plenty of respect in the Big Ten. He ran for 1,357 yards and 15 touchdowns last season without much of a passing attack to keep defenses honest. The senior approaches every carry like his scholarship check depends on it, which is why Nebraska fans embrace him.

3. John Simon, DE, Ohio State: New Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer gushed over Simon this spring for his all-out commitment on and off the field. Simon had seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss on a banged-up defensive front last year and should contend for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2012.

4. William Gholston, DE, Michigan State: We mean this in the best possible way: Gholston is a freak. How else to describe a 6-foot-7, 275-pounder with the speed of an outside linebacker? Gholston can be downright unblockable when he's focused and using proper technique, something he showed in an impressive Outback Bowl performance against Georgia in January. If that's a sign of things to come, he could be an All-American.

5. Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State: Hodges has become the latest member of Linebacker U to seize stardom. He broke out last season with 106 tackles, including 4.5 sacks, as he anchored the middle of one of the best defenses in the country. Fast, strong and instinctive, he has everything you want from the linebacker position.

6. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan: There might not be a more exciting player in the country than "Shoelace," who has put together more heroics than a comic book character the past two seasons. But his passing remains suspect, as evidenced by his Big Ten-worst 15 interceptions last season. The word out of spring practice was that Robinson had improved his fundamentals and looked sharp as a passer. If he can add accuracy to his other many talents, the sky is the limit for him and the Wolverines this season.

7. Kawann Short, DT, Purdue: Short thought about skipping his senior year and entering the NFL but decided to make a push for first-round status this season. He certainly has the ability to do so as a potentially dominant run-stuffer in the middle of Purdue's defensive line. Short had 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2011 and will be the focus of every opposing offensive game plan this season.

8. Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin: Bret Bielema says Borland might be the best middle linebacker he's ever coached. That is saying something since Borland didn't move to the middle linebacker spot until last season. Though a bit undersized, he makes up for it with natural instincts and underrated athleticism. Borland made 143 tackles last year and formed one of the best defensive duos in the country with fellow Badgers linebacker Mike Taylor.

9. Silas Redd, RB, Penn State: Redd carried Penn State's offense during the middle of last season and was as productive as any back during October. He eventually wore down a bit under a heavy workload and because of some injuries, but he could be primed for an even bigger year in new coach Bill O'Brien's offense. Redd ran for 1,241 yards last season and figures to find the end zone more than the seven trips he made there a year ago.

10. Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois: Brown burst onto the scene as a sophomore, posting 108 tackles and 19.5 for loss as a quarterback-seeking missile. He was a bit inconsistent, however, and he lost his cool when he kneed a Northwestern player in the groin, earning a one-game suspension. Now a year older and wiser, Brown should be one of the top defensive playmakers in the conference, if not the country.

We asked you Monday to weigh in on the Big Ten offensive player of the year race: specifically, which player had the best chance to challenge the 2011 winner, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball. As of noon ET today, it's a close race between Michigan QB Denard Robinson and Nebraska RB Rex Burkhead, with more than 6,300 votes cast.

It'll be interesting to see how the OPOY race unfolds, but I'm more interested in the candidate pool on the defensive side of the ball. The Big Ten always will be a defense-driven conference -- the league boasted six top-20 defenses in 2011 -- and the 2012 season presents an interesting group of standouts. There's not only a large pool of what I would describe as top contenders, but a nice group of secondary candidates as well. And as we've seen lately, a surprise player could emerge to win the award. Few pegged Penn State DT Devon Still to be the recipient entering the 2011 season.

Let's take a look at the top contenders:

William Gholston, DE, Michigan State, Jr., 6-7, 275


2011 statistics: 70 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 2 pass breakups
2011 awards: Second-team All-Big Ten (media and coaches)
Making a case: The freakishly athletic Gholston might be the Big Ten's most gifted player, and he appears ready for a huge junior season. Remember how Penn State's Still dominated the bowl game before his breakout 2011 season, which resulted in Big Ten defensive player of the year honors? Gholston delivered a similar performance in Michigan State's Outback Bowl win against Georgia, tying a team bowl record with five tackles for loss and recording two sacks and a fumble recovery. Don't be surprised if Gholston mirrors Still's route this coming fall. He boasts a unique combination of size and speed, and while he'll surely command more attention this year, he plays on a defense featuring several players who opponents must respect.

John Simon, DE, Ohio State, Sr., 6-2, 260

2011 statistics: 53 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches), second-team All-Big Ten (media), third-team AP All-America
Making a case: The term most often associated with Ryan Kerrigan, the 2010 Big Ten defensive player of the year, is motor. Kerrigan never took plays off and consistently outworked his opponents. The same holds true for Simon, who had new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer calling him "Tebowish" after just a handful of spring practices. Simon's motor never stops, and he makes up for a lack of ideal size with his work ethic and knowledge of the game. Like Gholston, Simon should benefit from the players around him. Pegged as a future superstar by older teammates when he played as a true freshman, Simon is primed to live up to those expectations this fall.

Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 233

2011 statistics: 106 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media)
Making a case: Hodges showed last season that when healthy, he's one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten. This spring, he looked like the best player on the field during Penn State's practices. He's moving to the strong side, a position where some of Penn State's best linebackers have played during their senior seasons. With Michael Mauti returning from injury, Glenn Carson back and several others in the fold, Penn State could have the league's top linebacking corps in 2012. Expect Hodges to take his game to the next gear, and he could have a season much like Navorro Bowman in 2009.

Kawann Short, DT, Purdue, Sr., 6-3, 310

2011 statistics: 54 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 blocked kicks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (media), second-team All-Big Ten (coaches)
Making a case: The Big Ten recently has been a league of dominant defensive tackles, and two of them from Penn State, Jared Odrick and Still, have won defensive player of the year honors in the past three seasons. Purdue's Short looks like the next in line after a superb junior season that seemed to fly under the radar both regionally and nationally. He's consistently disruptive and also makes consistent plays in the backfield. Short has racked up 12.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in the past two seasons, so he has been good for a long time. After turning down a chance to turn pro -- he received a third-round grade from the NFL draft advisory board -- Short could have a huge senior season.

Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin, Jr., 5-11, 250


2011 statistics: 143 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, 5 pass breakups
2011 awards: First-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media)
Making a case: Like Short, Borland has been a consistent playmaker for multiple years with Wisconsin. The 2009 Big Ten freshman of the year returned from shoulder problems to turn in an incredibly productive 2011 season. Borland moved to middle linebacker last fall but still found ways to get in the backfield. His tackles for loss total marked the most for a middle linebacker in the FBS. Borland always has been strong against the pass and should help Wisconsin in that phase this fall. Along with Mike Taylor, Borland will lead the Wisconsin defense and look to add more numbers to a tremendously productive career.

Jonathan Brown, LB, Illinois, Jr., 6-1, 235

2011 statistics: 108 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, 2 fumbles recovered, 4 pass breakups
2011 awards: Second-team All-Big Ten (media)
Making a case: I put Brown in the same category with Gholston: an elite talent who could become a national superstar this coming season. Like Borland did in 2011, Brown will have to prove he can impact games at middle linebacker the way he did on the outside last season. Like Borland, Brown is an excellent blitzer who can get in a quarterback's face and wreak havoc in the backfield. He'll anchor the linebacking corps for an Illinois defense that should once again be strong in the front seven.

Others to watch

• Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin, Sr., 6-2, 222
• Jordan Hill, DT, Penn State, 6-1, 298
• Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State, Sr., 5-11, 175
• Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois, Sr., 6-6, 240

Dark horse candidates

• Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State, Jr., 6-3, 252
• Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State, Jr., 6-4, 317
• Jordan Kovacs, S, Michigan, Sr., 6-0, 197
  
• Denicos Allen, LB, Michigan State, Jr. 5-11, 232
• Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue, Jr., 5-9, 176
• Micah Hyde, CB, Iowa, Sr, 6-1, 190
  
• Daimion Stafford, S, Nebraska, Sr., 6-1, 205
• Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 239
• Akeem Spence, DT, Illinois, Jr., 6-1, 305

While I can't include everyone at this early stage, there's a large and interesting group in the mix for this award. Should be a great race to watch.

MADISON, Wisc. -- Just thinking about all the talent Wisconsin has lost in the past two years can be a little daunting.

The Badgers saw four first- or second-team All-Americans leave after the 2010 season (Gabe Carimi, John Moffitt, Lance Kendricks and J.J. Watt) and two more depart after last season (Peter Konz, Kevin Zeitler), along with their NCAA record-breaking transfer quarterback (Russell Wilson). Many programs would expect a dip after having so much star power leave town, but Bret Bielema is feeling fine.

"I used to freak out when we lost players, too," Bielema said. "But we do a good job of just developing. We always talk about being a developmental program, and I think it truly is that type of program now."

Wisconsin's ability to keep reloading will be put to the test in 2012. The team returns just 11 starters from last year's Big Ten champions, and six assistant coaches -- including almost all of the offensive brain trust -- left for other jobs in the offseason. Yet many still predict the Badgers will repeat as Leaders Division champs.

They will need new starters to emerge at receiver, on the right side of the offensive line, on the defensive line, in the secondary and of course at quarterback, where Maryland transfer Danny O'Brien could plug the hole. But O'Brien is the exception, as Wisconsin usually just brings along the next man on the depth chart.

"There are All-Americans sitting behind All-Americans, especially at spots like offensive line and running back," linebacker Chris Borland said. "Like last year, having lost Moffitt and Carimi, and then our line was arguably better. I think it speaks more to the development than it does to the players."

Madison might well be the world's leading producer of offensive linemen, and the running back tradition is just as strong. But other positions are becoming known for their string of successes as well, including tight end and safety. In each of the past two years, Wisconsin has lost an all-conference safety -- Jay Valai in 2010 and Aaron Henry in 2011. But Bielema says this year's pair of starters, Dezmen Southward and Shelton Johnson, might be his best duo yet.

"A guy might not be good enough to play right away, but a lot of times he'll develop for a year and come on the scene when a guy leaves or gets injured," said Jared Abbrederis, who's gone from former walk-on to one of the league's best wideouts. "That's kind of how it goes around here."

What's most impressive about the Badgers' recent run is that they've done it without many high-profile recruits. Bielema mostly signs three-star types and rarely brings in the true blue-chipper that gets scouting services drooling. Even though the program's exposure has increased of late, he still has little interest in trying to recruit much outside of a few key areas.

"We do what we can with what we've got," Bielema said. "I don't think we want more national recruits. A lot of times, those guys come with some issues you don't want to deal with. I take a lot of pride with the way our guys go about their business and handle themselves."

Player development is going to be key for Wisconsin's immediate future, because a cavalry of help isn't coming. The team signed only 12 players in February and expects to bring in an even smaller class next year. The reason? So few players have left before their eligibility ended.

"A lot of places sign 24 or 25 kids every year, so something is happening to those kids," Bielema said. "Of the last 66 kids we signed, 64 of them are still on campus, which is an unheard of number."

Last year's Rose Bowl team had only 24 juniors and seniors, and the rest were underclassmen. If those youngsters develop the way their predecessors have, then the Badgers will have a deep and experienced team soon. In fact, when O'Brien -- who has two years of eligibility remaining -- came on his visit, Bielema told him, "I think we'll be really good this year. But next year, on paper, might be the best team I've ever had."

That's a big statement, given how much talent -- both players and coaches -- has exited Madison in the past two years. But Wisconsin is confident in its ability to reload from within.

"We realize we're a developmental program," athletic director Barry Alvarez said. "We don't have the access to a lot of five-star guys. We might have a Joe Thomas coming out of the state or get a Ron Dayne because of his ties to the area. But for the most part, we develop players. And I think we have the right formula."

MADISON, Wis. -- The last time we saw Wisconsin's defense in a game, the Badgers were getting steamrolled by Oregon in the Rose Bowl, allowing 621 yards and 45 points.

The Ducks can make many defenses look bad, but a Big Ten champion isn't supposed to get punctured that severely. Badgers defensive coordinator Chris Ash said a handful of his players consistently lined up incorrectly or went to the wrong spots during that 45-38 loss on Jan. 2.

Oregon pulled out a few new wrinkles for the game, but that doesn't fully explain why a veteran defense with a month to prepare could have made so many fundamental mistakes.

"I've been searching for answers for a few months on that one," Ash told ESPN.com last week.

Mysteriousness surrounds much of what happened to Ash's side of the ball last season. The numbers say Wisconsin had a fantastic season on defense, as it finished 15th in the FBS in total defense and 13th in points allowed. Yet the lasting images of the Badgers' season revolve around the long passes given up at the end of losses to Michigan State and Ohio State and that Rose Bowl fiasco.

Last year's breakdowns hover over the team this spring and in some ways are guiding how the players are approaching this offseason preparation.

"Those things are fresh in our minds a little bit still," defensive tackle Ethan Hemer said. "We're definitely focusing more on the little things, making sure you're stepping right, you're in position, minimizing your missed alignments. We all realize that one play can make a big difference, and that requires us to be even sharper than we've been in the past. We don't want to be that team that gives up the big play."

This spring is about building depth as much as anything for the Badgers' defense. Only six starters return, while injuries have either shelved or slowed leading tacklers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland and projected starting defensive end David Gilbert. Starting cornerback Devin Smith is working himself into shape after a foot injury cost him most of 2011.

Borland and Taylor, who combined for 293 tackles last season, provide two anchors as one of the best linebacker combos in the country. Another strength could be at defensive tackle, where Hemer, Beau Allen and the emerging Warren Herring have all played well this spring. The defensive line still needs an explosive player on the edge, but the team is hopeful that Gilbert -- who played only four games last year and is out this spring with a foot injury -- can be that guy when healthy.

"When he got hurt, he was really starting to play at a high level," Ash said. "He's really one of the few guys we have who's naturally a pass-rusher."

The secondary lost two starting seniors in Aaron Henry and Antonio Fenelus, but Ash thinks Smith can be an all-conference cornerback this season. Dezmen Southward has replaced Henry at safety and continues to come along. He de-cleated running back Melvin Gordon on a crushing tackle during Saturday's scrimmage.

"We know we have to be the backbone of the defense," cornerback Marcus Cromartie said of the secondary. "We want to be the reason to win. We don't want to be a liability."

Wisconsin's defense has often been overshadowed by the team's offense, and last year the unit embraced its no-name status. This season, though, the players believe they have enough talent to forge their own identity.

"We feel like we deserve to be a defense that's on the radar," Smith said. "It starts with practice and film, but I think we can be one of those type defenses everybody talks about, like LSU and Alabama. We have to earn that respect."

It's a respect they'll have to earn by not allowing big plays and mental breakdowns to become the lasting images of 2012.

We continue our postseason position rankings today as we move on to the linebackers.

Not surprisingly, Linebacker U takes the top spot, though it was a very close call. Depth helped the top two teams on this list, while star power marked spots Nos. 3 through 5. After that, it's a bit of a dropoff.

Away we go ...

1. Penn State: We thought this group could be the deepest linebacking corps in the league this past season, and that depth proved both true and invaluable when starter Michael Mauti went out in the fourth game of the season. Even without him, the Nittany Lions' linebackers played great, led by first team All-Big Ten performer Gerald Hodges, who had a breakout campaign. Nate Stupar filled in nicely for Mauti, and Glenn Carson was solid in his first year as a starter in the middle.

2. Michigan State: We wondered in the preseason how the Spartans would replace stars Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. The answer: very nicely, thank you. Sophomores Denicos Allen and Max Bullough emerged as fierce playmakers, especially on the blitz, and Chris Norman provided steady play on the weak side. All three return in 2012 to give Penn State a run for its money as the best group in the league.

3. Wisconsin: Mike Taylor and Chris Borland were finally healthy in the same season, and what a difference that made. They were a terrific pair, combining for 293 tackles and becoming the only Big Ten duo to average more than 10 tackles per game each. Taylor in particular made great strides. Kevin Claxton was overshadowed a bit as the third Badgers linebacker, but that's understandable given the amount of plays Borland and Taylor made.

4. Illinois: The emergence of Jonathan Brown (108 tackles, 19.5 for loss) as fire-breathing pass-rusher made this unit better than we projected in the preseason. Ian Thomas also had a good season at the position with 85 tackles, and Trulon Henry rounded out a strong crew before he missed time late following a shooting incident. The Illini defense stayed consistent throughout the team's struggles.

5. Nebraska: Depth was not a strong suit for the Huskers by any means, but there was no better linebacker in the league and few better in the nation than All-American Lavonte David. He had 133 tackles and countless big plays. Will Compton came on as the season wore along to provide a good complement to David. Finding consistent play elsewhere at the position was a challenge for Nebraska.

6. Ohio State: We pegged the Buckeyes at No. 3 in our preseason linebacker rankings, but it wasn't a vintage year for a group that struggled down the stretch drive. Andrew Sweat led the way with 72 tackles despite missing two games because of injury, and Etienne Sabino had a decent season (62 tackles, 6.5 for loss) if not the breakout season many had predicted. Freshman Ryan Shazier announced himself late in the year as a potential star in the making.

7. Michigan: The Wolverines' defense surprised everyone in 2011, though the defensive line was clearly the vanguard on that side of the ball. Kenny Demens led the team with 94 tackles, while freshmen Desmond Morgan and Jake Ryan made an immediate impact as starters. This wasn't an overwhelming group, but it was one that mostly did its job.

8. Iowa: The Hawkeyes had a hard time keeping everybody healthy and consistent, but this spot might have been the best part of their defense. James Morris and Christian Kirksey tied for the team lead with 110 tackles each, while Tyler Nielsen added 73 stops while battling some nagging injuries. The Iowa defense overall was disappointing, however.

9. Purdue: Danny Hope usually knew what to expect from week to week out of his linebackers: solid, consistent play. Joe Holland, Dwayne Beckford and Will Lucas each had between 82 and 94 stops as the top three tacklers on the team. Lucas and Holland also recorded double-digit tackles for loss. The chief complaint here is that the Boilermakers gave up some big point totals during the season.

10. Minnesota: The Gophers struggled up front and in the secondary, but linebacker was their most experienced and reliable defensive position, as expected. Veterans Gary Tinsley, Mike Rallis and Keanon Cooper played in every game, and were among the most consistent players on the team. Tinsley led the way with four sacks. Florida transfer Brendan Beal was expected to make an impact, but missed the season with a knee injury.

11. Northwestern: It wasn't a very good year overall for the Wildcats' defense, and linebacker was no exception. David Nwabuisi ranked third on the team with 84 tackles, while Bryce McNaul was right behind with 76. But Northwestern's starting trio combined for just 2.5 sacks and didn't come up with enough difference-making plays throughout the season.

12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers was that Jeff Thomas was the best player on defense in 2011, finishing with 80 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. The bad news is that he was a senior. Besides Thomas, Indiana was forced to go young at the position, playing freshmen Chase Hoobler, Mike Replogle and Mark Murphy, a safety/linebacker hybrid, at times during the season. Kevin Wilson hopes the experience makes them better in '12, but this is yet another position that needs vast improvement going forward.

PASADENA, Calif. -- After a 45-38 loss to Oregon, Wisconsin was left to wonder what might have been; not just in the Rose Bowl but in its season as a whole.

The Badgers could have played for the national title if not for a loss on a Hail Mary pass at Michigan State and another long passing touchdown in the final seconds at Ohio State. The team rebounded to make it to Pasadena, only to lose in another heartbreaking manner.

The weirdness of the finishes had at least one player wondering if there was some sort of voodoo going on.

"Something must have happened with this team before the season," running back Montee Ball said. "It's just terrible luck. If you take a minute off our season, we'd probably be undefeated."

This time, Wisconsin got the ball back with 16 seconds left at its own 13, needing a touchdown. Russell Wilson completed a 29-yard pass to Jared Abbrederis and a 33-yarder to Nick Toon to put the ball at the Oregon 25 with two seconds left. One problem: the Badgers were out of timeouts. The offense hustled to the line, and Wilson snapped and spiked the ball as soon as the officials whistled it ready for play. But the game clock ran down to zero, and after an official review, the game was ruled over.

Wilson threw up his hands in confusion and outrage when there was not a second put back on the clock.

"I didn't think there was any way that two full seconds ran off the clock there," he said. "They made the call and it is what it is. We could have won the game in a lot of areas, too, but it would have been nice to have a chance there. Obviously with one second left, I think we could have capitalized."

Head coach Bret Bielema said there was no thought to try and run a play instead of going for the spike. Wisconsin put itself in a tough position by calling two timeouts early in the third quarter, something Bielema could get criticized for.

The first timeout was called on first down from the Oregon 14 in the first few minutes of the second half. Bielema ran down the sidelines and onto the field screaming for the timeout there. Bielema said that was a busted formation where a wide receiver lined up on the wrong side. The Badgers ended up settling for a field goal on that drive.

The second timeout came with 10:45 left after Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas hesitated on whether to bring a kickoff return out of the end zone before kneeling down very close to the line. Replays showed that Thomas' foot was on the goal line, though the ball never completely crossed the plane. A replay reversal could have pinned the Ducks inside their own 1 or even ruled the play a safety.

"I was trying to get a read from my sideline official if we could review forward momentum," Bielema said. "He didn't understand the question where I was at, and that's why they charged me a timeout.

"They knew that what I was trying to get answered was answered the proper way, so they came back and gave me another timeout instead of using the challenge."

Ironically, Bielema was questioned for calling timeouts at the end of the Michigan State loss, which ended up giving the Spartans enough time to pull off the Hail Mary. Who knows if having another timeout would have changed things against Oregon, but the Badgers had their guts ripped out again.

"My stomach kind of fell," linebacker Chris Borland said. "We've been through that before. You hate to see a game determined by a review."

A review of Wisconsin's 2011 season will find several weird finishes. Could it have ended any other way in the Rose Bowl?

PASADENA, Calif. -- The simple storyline coming out of the Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio will likely be that Wisconsin simply wasn't fast enough to beat Oregon.

Plenty of evidence would support that conclusion. Never in the 98 years of the Rose Bowl has a team averaged as much as 9.7 yards per play, as the Ducks did in their 45-38 win. Oregon racked up 621 total yards and had scoring plays of 91, 64, 54 and 41 yards as Badgers defenders often hopelessly chased from behind.

Wisconsin players bristled at the notion that they couldn't run with Oregon, and not surprisingly. They've heard the too-slow critique for years and have won enough games to disprove much of it. They preferred to blame Monday's defensive performance on things like "gap accountability," missed assignments and just plain brain cramps.

"I think we lost our mind on some plays," defensive end Louis Nzegwu said.

Fans and media are often guilty of not thinking clearly when trying to explain a team's losses. Wisconsin has now dropped two straight Rose Bowls by the thinnest of margins, and there will be those who try to diagnose why the program "can't win the big one." It's the same stuff Oregon heard until late Monday evening. Never mind that the Ducks lost close games in their last two BCS losses, or that the Badgers might be celebrating a second straight Rose win if just a couple of plays had gone differently.

Yet if there's anything the past two Rose Bowls have taught us -- and especially this one -- it's that Wisconsin needs more difference-makers on defense.

That doesn't necessarily mean more speed, though that wouldn't hurt. Even though De'Anthony Thomas and LaMichael James spent a lot of time gliding down the field alone or with a friendly escort, the Badgers didn't come away thinking they couldn't keep up with the Ducks.

"I thought they were fast, but I thought we matched them pretty well," safety Aaron Henry said. "Whenever we did what we were supposed to do, we got off the field. When we allowed them to run through holes without being touched, they took advantage of it."

Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema used the month of preparation to simulate Oregon's accelerated pace as much as possible. The defense faced two scout-team offenses at once during practice and went through extra conditioning work to get ready for the up-tempo.

It turned out that didn't play much of a factor. The Ducks often didn't go at warp speed with their snaps. They just scored really quickly. Two examples were particularly galling for Wisconsin.

The Badgers had pinned the ball with a punt on the Oregon 9-yard-line late in the first quarter, only to have Thomas rip off a Rose Bowl-record 91-yard touchdown. On the first series after halftime when adjustments should have been fine-tuned, the Ducks scored in just 33 seconds on a 64-yard Thomas run.

"With a month to prepare, we shouldn't have had problems like that," linebacker Mike Taylor said. "Their mixing up of formations and things, they do get you off of your keys. But there's really no excuse for it."

Oregon averaged 8.6 yards per rush -- another Rose record -- and quarterback Darron Thomas threw for 268 yards, his third-highest total of the season. Wisconsin only sacked him twice and did not stop much of anything outside of the Ducks' screen game.

"What hurt us was the play-action pass," Nzegwu said. "We respected their run, and when some of our D-ends hit the edge we couldn't tell whether it was a run or pass. We kept on following the running back, and that kind of hurt our pass rush."

What also hurts is a lack of defenders who can blow up plays on their own. Nzegwu returned a fumble Taylor caused by a hit on Thomas for a touchdown, and Henry came up with an interception. But there were too few other impact plays. Oregon has lost under coach Chip Kelly when it has faced teams with a standout defensive line and other disruptive presences, like Nick Fairley of Auburn or Tyrann Mathieu of LSU. The Badgers have many good defensive players -- Taylor and fellow linebacker Chris Borland were All-Big Ten selections -- but not enough stars or blue-chip NFL prospects.

The program has shown it can produce those types of players. Defensive end J.J. Watt won the Lott Trophy last year and just wrapped up a strong rookie regular season for the Houston Texans. Even with Watt last year, though, Wisconsin struggled to contain TCU's skill players in a 21-19 Rose Bowl loss.

Wisconsin is known for offensive studs like quarterback Russell Wilson and Montee Ball and those NFL offensive linemen; Bielema's next challenge is to attract and develop similarly elite talent on the other side of the ball. Wisconsin may have to rely more on its defense next year without Wilson, offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and most likely Ball.

It's true that Oregon will make a lot of teams look slow when its offense is clicking. But it's also true that teams don't win many BCS games by giving up 621 yards and 45 points.

"We didn't even challenge them on two or three of their scores, and nobody can win doing that," Bielema said.

The Badgers were just a couple plays short of winning every game they played this season, so a major overhaul is not in order. A few more defensive difference-makers, however, could have changed those outcomes.

PASADENA, Calif. — Greetings from Rose Bowl Stadium, where it is sunny and very warm, with temperatures expected to peak in the low 80s. Explain to me again why I don't live here.

Neither team will really be used to this weather, which is far different than what they practiced in at home. Given the pace Oregon plays at, perhaps heat will become a factor.

I still think this will be a close game, and the way New Year's Day unfolded once again, the Big Ten needs a win. Wisconsin players and coaches told me they probably won't really understand Oregon's speed until they see it in person right off the bat. In-game adjustments, then, will be huge. And the Badgers are going to have to maintain their discipline if the Ducks rip off a big play. Make that when the Ducks rip off a big play, because it will happen.

"A lot of times, that's when they kick into hyper gear, because defensive players will have a little bit of a reaction after a big play," linebacker Chris Borland told me. "It's important that if something happens, we just have to show some poise and play the next down."

Fans are starting to trickle into the stadium. Many are wearing short sleeves and shorts. It's that kind of day, and I expect a terrific game to match the perfect conditions.

Much, much more to come, including some notes from pregame warm-ups ...

The Granddaddy looks like a classic in the making, with two explosive offenses going head to head in Pasadena. Both Wisconsin and Oregon are hungry for a BCS victory, too, after some recent failure. Here's a preview of what to expect on Monday from the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO:

WHO TO WATCH: Wisconsin's Montee Ball. The junior running back needs just one touchdown to tie and two to break the FBS single-season record, as his 38 scores are one behind Barry Sanders' mark. Ball doesn't usually stop at one trip to the end zone, as he has scored at least two touchdowns in every game this season and at least three touchdowns in each of his past five games. The running game in general will be enormous for the Badgers. Not only does that trigger everything they do offensively, but the more they can grind the clock by keeping the ball on the ground, the longer they can prevent Oregon's offense from taking the field. Ball and the Ducks' LaMichael James are two of the best backs in the NCAA, so the head-to-head matchup will be a fun one to track.

WHAT TO WATCH: Which defense can come up with stops? Both teams are known for their offenses but have better defenses -- statistically speaking, at the very least -- than they get credit for. Still, the clash of styles could make it difficult for either side to slow the other down, as Wisconsin's power running game could eat up Oregon's undersized defense, while the Ducks' flash-forward no-huddle spread could leave the Badgers gasping for and grasping at air. For Wisconsin, a huge key will be tackling in open space, something at which linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland usually excel. There might not be many punts or three-and-outs in this game, but if either defense can string together some stops, that could be enough to swing momentum.

WHY TO WATCH: You've got two top-10 teams, two offenses that average more than 44 points per game, two wildly contrasting styles, stars like Ball, Russell Wilson, James and Darron Thomas, splashy uniforms and the beauty and pageantry that is the Rose Bowl. If you need more reasons to watch, you must not like college football.

PREDICTION: Oregon 35, Wisconsin 30. No outcome would be all that surprising in this matchup. Wisconsin should succeed in running the ball with Ball, but the Badgers will have trouble slowing Oregon's roll. It’s going to be a thriller, but the Ducks will be more efficient on offense and clinch the game in the fourth quarter.

LOS ANGELES -- To have any chance of stopping Oregon's high-scoring offense in the Rose Bowl, Wisconsin is going to need a strong game from linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland. One thing's for sure: Both guys will surely savor the opportunity.

Borland and Taylor are arguably the co-MVPs of a mostly anonymous Badgers defense. They owe their standout 2011 seasons at least in part to some painful lessons they learned.

After being named the Big Ten freshman of the year in 2009, Borland missed all of last season, including the Rose Bowl appearance, with a shoulder injury. Taylor saw a promising redshirt freshman year end prematurely in 2009 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament that forced him to miss the Champs Sports Bowl.

Through their shared injury experience, the two formed a bond. Each helped motivate the other to recover.

"I can attest to the fact that being next to Mike for the last few years, seeing what he's had to go through, has helped me coming back from injuries," Borland told reporters. "I think he could say the same thing. It's brought us closer. We've been looking forward to playing together for a while, and this year it was able to happen."

They've both seen each other in weaker moments.

During the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl trip, Taylor was on crutches in his Orlando, Fla., hotel room and had to ask teammates to pick up some food for him.

"That hotel, it seemed like a mile, it was so long," Taylor said at Thursday's media session. "Eventually I lost the crutches and just put a brace on, but it was still quite a trek limping that far.

"When I got hurt, Chris came in and had a great season. It really made me happy to see that and obviously I was like, 'Well, what if I was healthy?' But you've got to stay positive."

Last year, Borland underwent his shoulder surgery on Dec. 23, then flew with the team to Los Angeles. Despite all the hoopla of the event, he was mostly miserable.

"Yeah, Merry Christmas, and my birthday's right after," he said. "So happy birthday. Happy New Year. I don't want to be too pitiful, because it was a great experience to come out here. I tried my best to respect where I was.

"But it was hard. It was hard to be out and not even do anything. I couldn't walk around a lot. Couldn't go to Disneyland and stuff. And then the game, most obviously."

It's safe to say that both linebackers have made up for lost time. Taylor was one of the most improved players in the Big Ten, recording 137 tackles after making only 58 last season. Borland, who switched to middle linebacker this season, added 131 stops. They are the only teammates in the Big Ten to have averaged more than 10 tackles per game this year.

Maybe neither will wow you with his size or speed, but they are both excellent tacklers who play with ferocity. Oregon offensive lineman Carson York jokingly referred to Borland as the "human incarnation of a Badger."

"Those guys are outstanding," Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. "I mean they immediately jump out on film and are relentless and incredibly good at shedding blocks. Slipping blocks. Avoiding blocks of offensive linemen, fullbacks.

"We know that we definitely have our hands full with those guys. And you're not going to trick them."

Taylor and Borland will have to excel against the Ducks' fast-paced offense. As middle linebacker, Borland has to signal in defensive calls as quickly as possible. Wisconsin can't afford many missed tackles against a team with such explosive speed, and its defense usually funnels plays to its top two linebackers.

Luckily for the Badgers, the two trust and communicate with each other innately, a relationship forged by some more painful times. Those memories have fueled them to this point.

"Being hurt and missing time makes you grow more mature," Borland said. "I think sometimes guys don't really appreciate what they have. And to have it taken away from you really makes you respect the game and a trip like this and a successful year."

If it's bowl season, that must mean it's time for people to question whether or not Wisconsin has enough speed to compete.

That's a more reliable refrain than any Christmas song around the holidays. The Badgers heard the questions when they played Florida State in 2009, Miami in 2010 and last year against TCU. So, of course, that same old tune is popping up again for the Rose Bowl showdown versus Oregon.

"I remember hearing a line about this game, that the headline is going to be speed versus power," Wisconsin center Peter Konz said Wednesday. "I was like, 'Where have you been the last four years?'"

So, yes, Wisconsin's quickness or supposed lack thereof is a tired storyline and one that was overblown to begin with. Except that there is a legitimate speed concern looming in this game, one that has little to do with the Badgers' athleticism. It's the same problem everyone who plays the Ducks has: how to prepare for, and stop, their freakishly fast offense.

"Oregon is probably faster than every defense in the nation," Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland said. "We're not unique in that."

Hardly anyone can simulate the rapid pace at which Oregon plays. Chip Kelly's offense likes to sprint to the line of scrimmage and snap the ball before the defense sets. Wisconsin has come up with a few ways to try and get ready for that.

For the first time since he's been a head coach, Bret Bielema said he has ended bowl practices with conditioning work for the defense. The Badgers' first-team offense has run a lot of two-minute drill situations against the first-team defense to give them a high-tempo look.

Wisconsin is using two separate scout team offenses in practice. After one scout squad finishes a play, the second unit hustles to the line to snap another play in an effort to simulate Oregon's speed.

"We use two waves in order to get two plays off in about 20 seconds," Borland said. "I think we've been able to emulate the tempo pretty well."

A main problem against the Ducks is getting the defense set before they yell hike.

"So many of their big plays come against defenses that are actually looking over to the sideline when they're ready to snap the ball," defensive coordinator Chris Ash said. "One of our No. 1 priorities is just getting lined up."

To that end, Ash has simplified many of the defensive calls for this game. Borland, the middle linebacker, will use shorter phrases and quicker hand gestures to signal his teammates where to be. Wisconsin will probably rely less on making checks at the line, which is OK since Oregon often runs the same plays repeatedly. The challenge will be getting the assignments right while moving at a higher speed.

"You have to be in great physical shape and also have a great mental capacity to be ready for all the things they're going to throw at us," safety Aaron Henry said. "It's so quick that everybody has to know where to be play from there."

Opposing teams have tried all sorts of ways to prepare for the Ducks. The list of those who have succeeded is a short one.

"In all reality, there's really not much you can do to simulate it until we get to the stadium and play the opening series to see how fast it is and how we're going to match up," Ash said.

Wisconsin's defense doesn't get much attention because of how large a shadow the team's offense casts (quite literally, in the case of the offensive linemen). But Ash's side of the ball ranked No. 8 nationally in total defense and sixth in the FBS in points allowed at just 17 per game. While the last-minute, long touchdown passes by Michigan State and Ohio State stick in most people's minds, the Badgers quietly excelled in just about every facet defensively this season. Bielema ays Ash -- who took over for Dave Doeren as coordinator before this season -- and his assistants are as good as any defensive coaches he's worked with at making in-game adjustments.

"Bret's done a great job of hiring the right people on the defensive staff who have similar philosophies," Ash said. "We know our package inside and out, and we know our strengths and weaknesses. We game plan, but we also make a lot of contingency plans for things that can be potential problems. And I think our players can adjust."

It's likely that, with a month's prep time and all the wrinkles Kelly injects into the Oregon attack, Wisconsin will be forced to make major changes on the fly Monday evening. If there's a question about the Badgers' speed worth asking, that's the one.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Greetings from the inaugural Big Ten championship game, where No. 13 Michigan State will take on No. 15 Wisconsin for the right to face Oregon in the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO.

It has been a fun two days here in Naptown, as fans of both teams and several others from the league have descended on the downtown area. Colleague Brian Bennett and I have encountered more Michigan State fans than Wisconsin fans, but both squads should be well represented in the stands. How many empty seats there are tonight should be a story as the secondary ticket market for the game has been soft.

We're indoors tonight, so weather won't be a factor.

Fortunately, the action on the field should be entertaining -- certainly better than what the Indianapolis Colts have done this season. Both Wisconsin and Michigan State are hot, having gone 4-0 in November after stumbling in Oct. 30 road games. Michigan State played the much cleaner ballgame in the teams' first meeting, committing no penalties, and the Spartans will need another disciplined effort tonight as they can't rely on Wisconsin to make as many mistakes as it did Oct. 22.

Both teams are relatively healthy. Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (ankle) will return to the starting lineup opposite Johnny Adams. Wisconsin likely will be without starting center Peter Konz (ankle) for the third consecutive game, and Travis Frederick is expected to start in his place.

Two players to watch for each team:

Michigan State: receiver/return man Keshawn Martin, who has killed Wisconsin the past two seasons, and defensive end William Gholston, who was suspended for the teams' first meeting.

Wisconsin: running back Montee Ball, who had a huge month of November, and linebacker Chris Borland, who also finished strong and leads the team with 16.5 tackles for loss.

Should be a good one tonight. In case you missed our championship week coverage, check it out.

Much more to come from Lucas Oil.

Nebraska senior Lavonte David is one of six finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. David is the only Big Ten player still in the mix for the award.

Here's the full list of finalists:

• Lavonte David, Nebraska
• Dont’a Hightower, Alabama
• Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
• Jarvis Jones, Georgia
• Luke Kuechly, Boston College
• Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

While Nebraska's defense has fallen short of expectations, David has been fabulous this season. He ranks third in the Big Ten with 114 tackles and has 10 tackles for loss, the fifth-highest total among Big Ten linebackers. He has added two interceptions, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

"We're proud of Lavonte and the way he plays," Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Tuesday. "He comes out every week and plays his butt off. I wouldn't trade him for any linebacker in the country. He's had a great year and been a leader on our football team. He's been a fun guy to coach."

I think David has a pretty good shot at this award. The Alabama players could cancel one another out. Kuechly has been awesome, but he plays for a bad team. Te'o and David are similar in that both have stood out for teams that have fallen a bit short of expectations.

As for Big Ten snubs, Penn State's Gerald Hodges and Wisconsin's Mike Taylor and Chris Borland both have been very good. All three players return next year and should get some preseason recognition for the Butkus.

Saw you so much clearer, once you were in my rear-view mirror.

Team of the week: Michigan. The Wolverines flexed their muscles and blew out Nebraska 45-17 in their best performance and arguably biggest win of the season. Michigan is now the Big Ten's best hope for an at-large BCS bid. Michigan State sure liked what happened in Ann Arbor this week, too.

Game of the week: Penn State 20, Ohio State 14. Ultimately, this game had no bearing on the Big Ten title race, but try telling these two teams that. In a week without many thrillers, the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes played an old-school, physical game that featured no second-half points but plenty of hold-your-breath moments. Given the backdrop of what Penn State had been dealing with back home, it was far from meaningless.

Biggest play: Illinois led Wisconsin 14-0 in the second quarter when punter Justin Duvernois dropped the ball after catching the snap. The Badgers' Conor O'Neill tackled him at the 2-yard line to set up a Montee Ball touchdown run and finally give Wisconsin some momentum. Who knows how the game would have unfolded differently had the Illini taken a 17-0 lead into half instead of 17-7. And for a team that had special-teams breakdowns in losses to Michigan State and Ohio State, it was good for Wisconsin to get one back in the kicking game.

Best call: Lions turning into Wildcats. Interim coach Tom Bradley and his staff decided to use Curtis Drake and Bill Belton in the Wildcat formation against Ohio State, something Penn State hadn't shown much of all season. By the time the Buckeyes adjusted to it, Penn State had piled up 254 yards and 20 points in the first half. The defense did the rest in the second half. Question: Would the Nittany Lions have used that kind of creativity if Joe Paterno was still the head coach?

Toughest call: Robert Marve's touchdown-no-fumble near the end of the Purdue-Iowa game. The Boilers quarterback scrambled and dived for the end zone with 1:27 left in the game, losing the ball just as he hit the pylon. The officials on the field ruled it a touchdown, which would have cut the lead to 31-27 with an extra point giving Purdue a chance to get within a field goal. But after a review, the play was ruled a lost fumble in the end zone, which gave the ball to Iowa and basically ended the game.

Boilermakers coach Danny Hope brought a still picture of the play to his Sunday media briefing, saying it showed Marve's hand hitting the pylon and the ball out of bounds. Other angles and replays seemed to validate the replay officials' ruling. You can watch the video of it here at the 1:40 mark. Either way, Purdue simply made too many mistakes in the game to be whining about one call, no matter how crucial it was.

Big Men on Campus (Offense): Wisconsin's Ball and Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson. Ball had career highs in rushes (38) and yards (224) and scored three more touchdowns, becoming just the fifth player in FBS history to reach 30 touchdowns in a season. Robinson bounced back from a couple of rough outings to account for four touchdowns and 263 total yards of offense against Nebraska. He has now won six Big Ten player of the week honors, third-most in league history.

Big Man on Campus (Defense): Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland. The sophomore made a career-high 16 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles against Illinois. His second forced fumble gave the Badgers a short field to set up their second touchdown, and he helped lead a defensive effort that shut out the Illini in the second half and forced four turnovers. A special shout out also goes to Northwestern's Brian Peters, who forced and recovered a fumble and made an interception despite wearing a cast on one arm against Minnesota.

Big Man on Campus (Special teams): Penn State's Anthony Fera. He made a 43-yard field goal and a 46-yarder at the end of the first half to account for the margin of victory in the Nittany Lions' 20-14 win against Ohio State. He also had three punts downed inside the 20-yard line, including one on the 3-yard line. How good has Fera been this season? This is third Big Ten weekly honor of the season.

Strangest moment: It's not often you see an offensive guard taking a handoff and running a sweep. But Michigan State's Joel Foreman did just that on Saturday in a nice gesture from Mark Dantonio.

The Spartans were up 48-3 on Indiana when Foreman lined up at tight end and came around the left side for a three-yard gain. Dantonio said he thought of the idea in practice Thursday as a way to honor Foreman, a fifth-year senior who has started 46 career games at left guard.

"That was for every big guy out there who ever wanted to run the ball," Foreman told reporters. "I'm averaging three yards a carry, broken tackle. I think that's more than [quarterback] Kirk [Cousins] has, so I'm doing all right."

It was a particularly appropriate way to end the home season for Foreman, who let cancer survivor Arthur Ray Jr. begin the game in his place in the season opener despite his consecutive starts streak. After Foreman's run, he jogged to midfield with the ball under his arm, saluted and then came out of the game. Ray was one of the first players to greet him.

"He got the game ball for that," Dantonio said of Foreman. "He took it, as a matter of fact."

When Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor studied film of himself during the offseason, he didn't like what he saw.

"I saw myself maybe take some plays off," he told ESPN.com. "Not necessarily taking plays off, but not finishing to the ball."

It's not that Taylor had an effort issue or a motivation problem. The redshirt junior reflects the no-frills, workmanlike approach Wisconsin wants all of its players to have on the field. Growing up in Ashwaubenon, Wis. -- practically in the shadows of Lambeau Field -- the 6-2, 230-pound Taylor has been a football fanatic from a very young age.

He doesn't say much. He just does his job.

But even the more consistent Big Ten defenders downshift for a play here and there and commit "loafs," as former Badgers defensive coordinator/linebacker coach Dave Doeren would call them.

Taylor wanted to make sure his loafs went away.

"You could be jogging to the ball, thinking the guy's going to get tackled or it's going to be an incomplete pass, but before you know it, the ball's up in the air," he said. "You can get a pick. You can pick up a fumble, or a guy can cut back and you can tackle him. So when you run to the ball, things can happen."

Good things have happened for Taylor throughout a breakout 2011 season.

He leads the Big Ten and is tied for seventh nationally with 108 tackles, six ahead of the Big Ten's No. 2 tackler, fellow Badgers linebacker Chris Borland. In nine games Taylor has nearly doubled his tackles total from 12 games last season (58). He has recorded double-digit tackles in five games and nine stops in two others, twice earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts.

Part of Taylor's production spike can be attributed to being healthy. After a promising start to the 2009 season, he suffered a season-ending ACL tear against Iowa. While he played in the final 12 games last year, Taylor wasn't at full speed.

He has performed in fifth gear throughout this fall.

"The most improvement I've had is just running to the ball," he said.

No game better reflected this than an Oct. 29 contest at Ohio State, where 105,511 fans in the Horsehoe got to know the name Mike Taylor. That's because Taylor recorded 22 tackles in the game, the most for a Wisconsin player since 1998 and the fourth-highest total in the FBS this season.

Taylor had 2.5 tackles for loss against the Buckeyes and added a pass breakup.

"You just play and play, and before you know it, those tackles can add up," he said. "I credit just running to the ball and never giving up on a play."

Taylor's most important contribution that night, however, might have come after the game. Wisconsin suffered its second consecutive heartbreaking loss, and for the second straight week the defense was on the field for the decisive play.

In a deflated locker room, the man of few words decided to speak up.

"Keep your head up," he remembers telling his teammates. "The only thing you can do is just move forward. The past is the past. We've still got good things to come."

Taylor's message struck a chord.

"The best leaders, a lot of times, are the guys that say very little and do a lot on the field," coach Bret Bielema said days after the Ohio State game. "But when they speak, a lot of people listen. So I think Mike's in a position to really say some great things and have our guys pay attention."

It helps when the speaker backs up his words, as Taylor did the following week with nine tackles and an interception against Purdue. He recorded a team-high 13 stops in last week's win at Minnesota.

Wisconsin's high-powered offense gets most of the publicity, as quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Montee Ball are candidates for national awards. The Badgers defense, meanwhile, quietly ranks in the top six nationally in pass yards allowed, points allowed and total yards allowed. It has been called a no-name unit. Taylor likes it that way, though his numbers suggest he deserves more recognition.

"We’re just a bunch of guys who like to have fun out there on the field and play for each other," Taylor said.

Every single snap.