ESPN College Football

The Big Ten had four 1,000-yard receivers in 2011, all of whom are graduating.

In fact, the league loses its top five receivers -- Iowa's Marvin McNutt, Illinois' A.J. Jenkins, Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham, Northwestern's Jeremy Ebert and Wisconsin's Nick Toon -- and returns just two of its top-10 pass catchers (Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis and Iowa's Keenan Davis). But the departures don't necessarily mean the Big Ten will be scrambling for elite wideouts in 2011.

Consider: of the league's top-10 receivers last fall, only four of them -- Ebert, McNutt, Penn State's Derek Moye and Minnesota's Da'Jon McKnight -- ranked in the top 10 the previous season. So there are receivers who take their game to the next level every season. Wisconsin's Jared Abbrederis might have been the best example this past fall, as he caught 35 more passes and recorded 644 more receiving yards than he had in 2010.

Who will break out in 2012? Again, we're talking wide receivers here, not tight ends, of which there are several talented ones in the Big Ten.

Colleague KC Joyner thinks the Hawkeyes' Davis will take the next step. Davis, pegged to be Iowa's No. 1 wideout following McNutt's departure, is among the players Joyner lists in a recent piece on breakout receivers.

He writes:

An optimist would note that McNutt really wasn't a dominant wideout (his 9.0 YPA was only slightly higher than Davis'), that [Ken] O'Keefe often called, as ESPN.com Big Ten blogger Brian Bennett noted, a "buttoned-down style of play" and that Iowa has a potential Big Ten first-team quarterback in James Vandenberg.

I recently mentioned Davis as one of the Hawkeyes who needs a big offseason to take the next step this fall.

Who are some other potential breakout receivers in the Big Ten?

• Penn State's Justin Brown: Quarterback is Penn State's top offseason priority, but the Lions also need more from the receiver position. Moye's departure puts Brown in position to be the team's No. 1 target in the passing game. Brown averaged 14.8 yards per catch in 2011 and has the size to beat defensive backs for the ball.
• Michigan's Roy Roundtree: Roundtree might not qualify as a breakout player as he already has turned in a productive season (72 receptions, 935 receiving yards, 7 TDs in 2010). But after a significant production drop-off last year, Roundtree needs to elevate his play for a Michigan offense looking for a No. 1 wide receiver.
• Purdue's Antavian Edison: We've seen flashes from Edison in his first two seasons, both as a rusher and as a receiver. He clearly has the ability to take another step after recording 44 receptions for 584 yards and three touchdowns last fall. While Purdue likes to get a lot of players touches on offense, it needs a No. 1 receiver after Justin Siller's departure and Edison has a great opportunity to be that guy.
• Michigan State's DeAnthony Arnett: Arnett's placement comes with a caveat, as he must attain approval from the NCAA to avoid sitting out a season. But if the Tennessee transfer can play this fall, look out. Michigan State loses its top three receivers and its top tight end from 2011 and needs targets for new quarterback Andrew Maxwell. Arnett had 24 receptions for 242 yards as a freshman at Tennessee and could take a big step forward with the Spartans.
• Nebraska's Kenny Bell: Bell showed a lot of promise as a true freshman, averaging 14.4 yards per reception with three touchdowns. He had three or more receptions in five of the eight Big Ten games and added three catches and a touchdown against South Carolina in the Capital One Bowl. The Huskers need a lot more from their receivers in 2012, and Bell could move into a featured role.
• Indiana's Kofi Hughes: I really liked Hughes after watching him last spring, but like many, I assumed Damarlo Belcher would be the team's No. 1 wide receiver and not wash out midseason. Hughes ended up leading Indiana with 36 receptions for 536 receiving yards. He's still relatively new to the position and could take a big step forward in Year 2 of the Kevin Wilson era, as pass-friendly offensive coordinator Seth Littrell arrives.

Kirk Ferentz has coached long enough not to make bold predictions on how his Iowa Hawkeyes will perform in the season's defining month.

"We'll see," Ferentz said. "We came up short last year, and '08 was the opposite, so we'll see."

If Iowa can replicate what it did in 2008, when the team won its final three games and five of its final six, the Hawkeyes could make a once-unthinkable trip to the Big Ten championship game. Iowa's path to Indy is as clear cut as it can get right now: win out and head to Naptown. Any type of stumble likely would eliminate Iowa from the Legends division race.

November began on a high note with a mini-upset win against Michigan last Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. An Iowa defense that has struggled for stretches this season held Michigan to 16 points and 323 total yards, well below the Wolverines' season averages.

The backs-to-the-wall Hawkeyes resume play Saturday against No. 17 Michigan State.

"There's been so much talk about division play, conference races, all that stuff," Ferentz said. "The one thing that hasn't changed is the more you win, the better off you are, and the more you lose, the worse off you are."

Iowa learned the second lesson the hard way in 2010. A senior-laden Hawkeyes team appeared poised for a strong stretch run after thumping Michigan State 37-6 on Oct. 30. But a November to remember became one to forget as Iowa dropped its final three games and likely was a Damarlo Belcher drop away from going o-fer November.

"We learned that nothing is given to us; we've got to go out and take it," defensive end Broderick Binns told ESPN.com. "That starts in practice. It's how you approach practice. If you come to practice with the mind-set that we're going to work and get better, everything's going to take care of itself."

Did Iowa have the same mind-set in 2010?

"I guess in some cases we didn't," Binns said. "I guess we kind of felt entitled in a couple games last year. But me, being a fifth-year senior, I'm going to do my best to get my teammates ready to go."

Binns isn't concerned about entitlement affecting the 2011 Hawkeyes, even those who were on the field for the Michigan State beat-down last October.

"That was last year's team," Binns said. "Michigan State is a totally different team, and Iowa is a totally different team from last season. Michigan State is playing really good ball right now. We know it's not going to be an easy game."

Iowa players are aware of where they stand in the Legends division race. But if last November showed them anything, it's to focus on the journey more than the destination.

"We're not even thinking about the future," Binns said. "We're just worrying about playing this next game."

Meet me at the stock hop.

Stock up

Fitzgerald Toussaint: Michigan coach Brady Hoke finally named a starting running back on Monday, not that there was any doubt left after the Purdue win. Fitzgerald Toussaint's name sounds like a 19th-century French impressionist, and his 59-yard touchdown run Saturday was a work of art. He tallied 170 yards and two scores in all last week, and it looks like the Wolverines have finally found a consistent complement to Denard Robinson.

Tim Marlowe: The Nebraska junior receiver has been getting a lot more playing time and nearly took a 39-yard reverse to the house against Michigan State. He's slight -- just 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds -- but has drawn praise from his coaches for the way he plays the game. Marlowe is getting more run right now than highly-regarded freshman receiver Jamal Turner.

Braxton Miller: The Ohio State freshman quarterback is growing up quickly. His unwavering confidence at the end of the Wisconsin game was truly remarkable for a guy his age, and he appears to be getting better each week. If he can become a more polished passer, Miller will be a terror on opposing Big Ten defenses for the next three-plus years.

Silas Redd: We've written a lot of nice things about Redd in the blog lately, but what he did in October can't be said enough. He had 703 rushing yards in the month and continued his workhorse ways the past two games while dealing with a stinger in his shoulder. If anybody earned a bye week this week, it's the Penn State rising star tailback.

Duane Bennett: Inspired by the Iowa rivalry, the Minnesota tailback ran for 101 yards in last week's win. It was his first 100-yard day since the second game of last season and the first by a Gophers tailback this season. Bennett overcame a costly early fumble and minor knee injury to help Minnesota keep the pig.

Stock down


Big Ten teams on the road: Road teams are just 8-18 on the road in conference play, and some teams seem to be completely different outfits away from home. Michigan State has scored just 26 points total in three road games, while the Spartans are averaging more than 36 per game at home. Iowa has lost five straight road games, and it would be six if not for a dropped Indiana touchdown pass last year. Purdue has fallen six straight times on the road. Do we need coach Norman Dale to break out the measuring tape and show these guys that a football field is still a football field, no matter where it is?

Damarlo Belcher: Belcher should be celebrating his achievement of setting the all-time Indiana receptions record right about now. Instead, the senior who skipped on a chance to enter the NFL draft last year got himself dismissed from the team, just two catches short of the record.

Wisconsin special teams: That's two straight weeks now that the Badgers have had a punt blocked that either resulted or directly led to a touchdown. Bret Bielema says there have been breakdowns in punt protection that he will try to fix. Wisconsin also had a field goal blocked at Michigan State and gave up a long kickoff return to Ohio State that helped set up the winning touchdown. Those mistakes were just as big as the long passes that got the Badgers beat.

Illinois special teams: Wisconsin isn't the only team struggling in the kicking game. The Illini have also had punts blocked in each of the past two weeks. And in the Penn State game they lost by three, they botched one field goal attempt and had another hit off the upright. That's no way to stop a three-game losing streak.

Iowa's defensive front: Not that much has gone right anywhere for the Hawkeyes defense, but the lack of stoutness up front was truly telling in the Minnesota loss. The Gophers came in as one of the worst rushing teams in the Big Ten but were able to gash Iowa in the fourth quarter. Kirk Ferentz's defense isn't getting many tackles for loss (99th in the country) or sacks (83rd), which are signs of weakness up front. Losing three defensive linemen from last year's team to the NFL has taken a heavy toll.

With a 1-8 record and prospects bleak for getting a Big Ten victory, Indiana can only hope for better things in the future.

In some ways, that future has already begun.

A youth movement is in full effect in Bloomington, for better or worse. On Saturday versus Northwestern, the Hoosiers did three things no other FBS team in 2011 has done, according to the school. They started 12 freshmen. They started eight true freshmen. And they had seven freshmen start on defense.

IU first-year head coach Kevin Wilson said he didn't simply throw in the towel on the season and start grooming players for next year.

"They're truly the best guys," he said. "They're practicing the best."

And that tells you a lot about the challenge facing Wilson. It's one thing to play some young guys. Just look at Indiana's opponent this week, Ohio State. The Buckeyes have inserted true freshmen into key roles like quarterback Braxton Miller and receiver Devin Smith, while mixing in plenty of other fresh faces. But they also are surrounded by battle-tested veterans and leaders.

The Hoosiers are perilously short on leadership. When I asked Wilson on Tuesday about his upperclassmen who were leading the way for the youngsters, he didn't need to speak in generalities. He gave a short list of the upperclassmen who are doing so, which included senior tight end Max Dedmond, senior offensive linemen Justin Pagan and Andrew McDonald, senior linebackers Jeff Thomas and Leon Beckum and junior defensive linemen Adam Replogle and Larry Black. And that's where he stopped.

"From there it kind of falls down to the freshmen," Wilson said. "We don't have much in between there."

The lack of senior leadership became even more evident this week when star receiver Damarlo Belcher, expected to be a key player on this season's team, was dismissed from the program after serving a suspension last week. Wilson said he tried to develop some senior leadership in the first few weeks after he took the job last winter.

"We didn't do a good job, in hindsight," he said. "We had some seniors who maybe didn't have things go their way or maybe didn't buy into our system. They were used to doing things a certain way."

So Wilson has gone young. Real young. He has already started 11 true freshmen, six redshirt freshmen and 10 sophomores this season. There have been some nice success stories in there, like promising true freshman quarterback Tre Roberson, sophomore transfer Stephen Houston at running back and freshman safety Mark Murphy. Wilson says it's not a matter of just playing his guys instead of those he inherited; he points out that he didn't actually recruit many of the current freshmen.

But at least he likes the looks of his young players, many of whom were in the first class recruited after Indiana upgraded its football facilities.

"I think it was a more competitive recruiting class," he said. "And the skill set of that freshman class is a little bit better maybe than some of the other classes."

The Hoosiers have some young talent. More upperclassmen leadership to guide them would be very helpful. But they may have to find their own way toward a better future.

It's not a typo. That's a halftime score.

You shouldn't be too surprised after watching Indiana and Northwestern play defense this season.

As expected, it has been an offensive shootout so far in Bloomington, and Northwestern has gotten the better of the Hoosiers, who started seven freshmen on defense. Northwestern scored on its first six first-half possessions, reaching the end zone five times, and piled up 405 yards.

The Wildcats have received brilliant performances from quarterback Dan Persa, quarterback/receiver Kain Colter and superback Drake Dunsmore against the overmatched Indiana defense. Persa has completed 12 of 15 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, and Colter has three receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown pass to Jeremy Ebert. Dunsmore, essentially a tight end, must have set some type of record with three touchdown receptions in the second quarter.

We've seen this all year from Northwestern, which isn't 2-5 because of its offense. Indiana has had no answer for the high-tempo spread attack.

The Hoosiers have moved the ball well at times, as freshman quarterback Tre Roberson continues to provide a spark. Indiana has done it without senior receiver Damarlo Belcher, who is suspended for violating team roles. But the Big Ten's most penalized team continues to be plagued by the yellow hanky, as Indiana received six penalties for 85 yards. And the defense? Ugh. After failing to slow down Iowa last week, Indiana has been shredded.

The big story in the second half is whether Northwestern can hold a lead. The Wildcats squandered halftime leads in losses to Illinois and Michigan. They get the ball first.

Ten items to track on Saturday as you watch another set of Big Ten games.

1. Wisconsin offense vs. MSU defense: Two of the nation's elite units clash Saturday night at Spartan Stadium in a game that likely will determine the Big Ten's top team. The nation's top scoring offense (50.2 ppg) is pitted against a Michigan State defense ranked fourth in points allowed (10.8 ppg), second in yards allowed (186.2 ypg) and first against the pass (119.2 ypg). From terrific individual matchups -- Jerel Worthy vs. Peter Konz, Nick Toon vs. Johnny Adams -- to the chess game between the coordinators, these two units will easily hold your attention.

2. Life without Crick begins: After six shaky quarters in Big Ten play, Nebraska's defense regained its mojo in the final 23 minutes of a historic comeback victory against Ohio State on Oct. 1. But the Huskers received some bad news during the bye week, as star DT Jared Crick was ruled out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Coach Bo Pelini plans to use a four-man rotation at defensive tackle -- Chase Rome, Terrence Moore and Thaddeus Randle will see time alongside starter Baker Steinkuhler. Defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said this week that Rome, a redshirt freshman, "plays like a madman" and has stood out. The Crick-less defensive line debuts Saturday against 1-5 Minnesota.

3. JoePa goes for No. 408: There's something about Joe Paterno, Northwestern and milestone victories. In 2001, Paterno tied Paul "Bear" Bryant's Division I-A record with his 323rd coaching victory after Penn State upset Northwestern in Evanston. Last year, JoePa earned win No. 400 after Penn State rallied past Northwestern in State College. Paterno can reach another plateau Saturday night as Penn State visits Northwestern. A victory gives Paterno 408 for his career, tying him with the late Eddie Robinson for the most in (formerly Division I) history.

4. Spartans' October grind continues: Michigan State is halfway through one of the more grueling months in recent Big Ten history and boasts a 2-0 mark. The Spartans already have made history with their first win at Ohio State since 1998 and their fourth consecutive win against archrival Michigan last Saturday. They now aim to make a national statement by recording their first win against a BCS top 10 team under coach Mark Dantonio. Although Wisconsin certainly gets Michigan State's attention, it'll be interesting to see how the Spartans perform after emotional games against Michigan and Ohio State. Oh, yeah, and a road trip to Legends division contender Nebraska awaits next week.

5. Badgers' road leads to house of horrors: Wisconsin's first true road game of the 2011 season takes place in a stadium that has been the program's house of horrors in recent years. The Badgers have dropped three consecutive games in Spartan Stadium, including a 34-24 defeat last year that proved to be their only regular-season loss. They blew a late lead in East Lansing in 2008 and suffered a 49-14 beating in 2004 when they were 9-0 and ranked No. 5 in the BCS standings. Quarterback Russell Wilson hasn't been part of the Badgers' stumbles in Sparta, and Wisconsin will lean on the transfer in what should be a raucous environment Saturday night.

6. Boiler crossing: The Illinois-Purdue game won't make waves nationally or even regionally, but it's absolutely huge for both teams. Illinois comes off of its first loss and knows the doubters are getting louder. The Illini also must regain their swagger on both sides of the ball after failing to score for 53 minutes last week and falling to an Ohio State team that completed only one pass (and attempted just four). This game might be even more important for Purdue, which did some good things last week at Penn State but once again made too many major mistakes to record a win. The Boilers' schedule following Illinois is very difficult -- Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Iowa -- so if they want to end their bowl drought, they had better start winning soon.

7. Iowa's McNutt eyes the record: After coming to Iowa City as a quarterback, Marvin McNutt will leave as one of the Hawkeyes' most prolific wide receivers. Last week he tied Tim Dwight and Danan Hughes for the team's career touchdown receptions record with 21. McNutt can set the record Saturday as he goes up against an Indiana defense that has surrendered 13 passing touchdowns this season. McNutt ranks fourth in the Big Ten in receptions (5.8 rpg) and third in receiving yards (95.5 ypg) this season.

8. Spartans getting defensive: Michigan State has been on the defensive about its defense since last week's penalty-filled win against Michigan. Spartans defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi on Tuesday clarified his "unnecessary roughness" quote and defended the unit against claims it played dirty against Michigan, in a game that featured several personal fouls. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema has his team prepared, saying the Spartans, "do certain things, whether it be before the snap, during the snap or after the snap that can cause you to react." It will be interesting to see if Michigan State's defense can strike a balance between aggression and discipline against a Wisconsin team that rarely beats itself.

9. A close shave in Evanston: Northwestern has lost four consecutive games for the first time since 2006, and quarterback Dan Persa's senior season seems to be going down the drain. The Wildcats clearly need a shake-up ... or a shave-up? The day after throwing a pick-six at Iowa, Persa decided to shave his head. "Woke up on Sunday, felt like shaving it," Persa said Monday. "So I shaved it." Perhaps the new 'do will help Persa and the Wildcats in a must-win game Saturday night against Penn State at Ryan Field. It's a big one for Persa, a Pennsylvania native who was overlooked by the Lions during the recruiting process. The quarterback needs a strong effort against a Penn State defense ranked seventh nationally against the pass (161.1 ypg).

10. Hoosiers receivers under the gun: Indiana coach Kevin Wilson rarely holds back, and this week he unloaded on his wide receivers, a group that was supposed to be the team's strength. "Our receiver play's been very, very poor," Wilson said. "... We don't work with any sense of speed and urgency out there." Injuries have been a problem, but the wideouts need to help out their young quarterbacks, beginning Saturday afternoon at Iowa. The Hoosiers will be without Damarlo Belcher (knee), so Kofi Hughes and others must step up against the Iowa secondary.

Seven weeks into the season, and we're all tied up.

Rittenberg's 16-for-16 start to Big Ten play has drawn him even with Bennett, a Cardinals fans who is looking more like the Atlanta Braves by the week. Hey, given Bennett's dominance in Big Ten fantasy football, we wanted to give you some drama down the stretch.

Five games are on the Week 8 slate, and there appear to be some tricky ones.

Let's get to the picks!

INDIANA at IOWA

Brian Bennett: The Hoosiers nearly upset the Hawkeyes in Bloomington last year, but I don't think IU can do the same in Iowa City. James Vandenberg, Marvin McNutt and Marcus Coker all enjoy big days as Iowa starts to put together a little winning streak ... Iowa 38, Indiana 17

Adam Rittenberg: Indiana has given Iowa some trouble the past two years, and it will be interesting to see how the Hoosiers receivers respond after being called out by coach Kevin Wilson this week. Ultimately, Iowa's offense is far too powerful. McNutt gets the touchdowns record and Coker builds on his strong performance from last week ... Iowa 35, Indiana 17

NO. 23 ILLINOIS at PURDUE

Adam Rittenberg: Purdue did some nice things last week and could pull off the upset, but Illinois' playmakers on defense will make the difference in this one. Whitney Mercilus and Michael Buchanan gets after the Boilers' quarterbacks, and while Ralph Bolden has a nice day, the Illini pull out a close one as Nathan Scheelhaase has a big fourth quarter. ... Illinois 24, Purdue 21

Brian Bennett: I don't expect Scheelhaase to throw two interceptions again. And A.J. Jenkins will have a much better day. Purdue seems to be getting closer, and a win here wouldn't surprise me. But I think the Illini just have a few too many playmakers and will escape. ... Illinois 27, Purdue 23

NO. 13 NEBRASKA at MINNESOTA

Brian Bennett: This one could get real ugly, fast. Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead each run for 150 in three quarters of play, and the Blackshirts get to have some fun against a struggling Gophers offense. ... Nebraska 58, Minnesota 7

Adam Rittenberg: I don't see things getting that bad, but Nebraska won't be sweating it out in Minneapolis. The Huskers run it plenty, but Martinez and his receivers also build some confidence against Minnesota's flimsy defense. Minnesota's offense makes some big plays here and there, but Nebraska cruises. ... Nebraska 44, Minnesota 17

NO. 21 PENN STATE at NORTHWESTERN

Adam Rittenberg: Northwestern's back is against the wall, and this is an absolute must-win for Dan Persa and his fellow seniors. Persa is due for one of those ridiculous performances, and he gets it at home against his home state team. While Penn State boasts a great defense, the Lions haven't been impressive on the road this season and are due for a loss after escaping last week against Purdue. Calling the upset ... Northwestern 24, Penn State 21

Brian Bennett: Any team that can score 21 points against Penn State has a chance, and Northwestern can certainly do that. But the Wildcats defense is playing so bad that I'm not sure it would matter. Silas Redd runs over the Wildcats and Matthew McGloin tosses a pair of touchdown passes to get No. 408 for Joe Paterno. ... Penn State 28, Northwestern 17

NO. 6 WISCONSIN at NO. 16 MICHIGAN STATE

Brian Bennett: The Spartans' defense is going to cause some problems for Wisconsin, with or without the personal fouls. But you don't stop the Badgers as much as you slow them down. Russell Wilson stays cool under pressure, and Wisconsin overcomes some East Lansing demons with a big second half ... Wisconsin 31, Michigan State 21

Adam Rittenberg: Third-down efficiency will be huge in this game, as Wisconsin leads the Big Ten in conversions and Michigan State leads the league in preventing conversions. The Spartans get some stops early, but Wilson and the Wisconsin offense settles into a rhythm in the second and third quarters. The Badgers simply don't beat themselves, and they'll make fewer mistakes than Michigan State to win a big one. ... Wisconsin 30, Michigan State 24

BYE: Michigan, Ohio State

SEASON RECORDS

Bennett: 49-13 (.790)

Rittenberg: 49-13 (.790)

It wasn't an 83-20 redux, but Wisconsin flexed its muscles once again against an overmatched Indiana team. As a result, Bret Bielema's team improved to 6-0 before its first true road game of the season.

The Badgers cruised to a 59-7 win against Indiana in their final tuneup in advance of the Michigan State showdown next week. While the competition level will be brought up whenever Wisconsin's name is mentioned, credit the Badgers for handling their business in dominating fashion these first six games.

No offense in America is clicking like Wisconsin's, which received huge performances again from running back Montee Ball (14 carries, 142 rush yards, three rushing TDs and a passing TD) and quarterback Russell Wilson (12-for-17 passing, 166 yards, TD and receiving TD). James White had a nice performance as well, as the Badgers steamrolled Indiana's defense. After a huge first half from the offense, the defense and special teams joined the scoring action as Jared Abbrederis had a punt return for a touchdown and Derek Landisch recovered a fumble in the end zone.

We'll get a much better read on Wisconsin next week against Michigan State, which continues to play superb defense and rediscovered its rushing attack against Michigan. It'll be strength versus strength in East Lansing.

Indiana didn't have much of a chance today, but the Hoosiers hurt themselves with turnovers and failed to cash in on some scoring opportunities. Quarterbacks Ed Wright-Baker and Tre Roberson struggled, combining to complete eight of 20 passes for 64 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. It hurt that top receiver Damarlo Belcher left the game with an undisclosed injury.

Coach Kevin Wilson must continue to evaluate his quarterback spot going forward. Wisconsin clearly doesn't have that problem.

It's looking like it could be an awfully long year in Bloomington.

North Texas 24, Indiana 21: We all knew Kevin Wilson had a lot of work to do to get the Hoosiers back to respectability. Maybe we didn't understand how Herculean the task truly was.

It's one thing to lose at North Texas, which has been one of the most hapless teams in the FBS for the past few seasons. It's another to get manhandled by the Mean Green for most of the game. The Hoosiers trailed 24-0 before finally scoring on an interception return in the fourth quarter. Their offense didn't produce a touchdown until a few minutes later with backup quarterback Dusty Kiel in. Then they scored again -- a long Kiel touchdown pass to Kofi Hughes, who ran past a defensive back fiddling with his loose shoe -- with a little more than a minute left to create some drama.

Kiel replaced Edgar Wright-Baker, who completed only 23 of his 40 pass attempts. Kiel's younger brother is a prized recruit for the Hoosiers. This quarterback situation just got interesting.

Top receiver Damarlo Belcher didn't make the trip for IU, and we're still awaiting the official word as to why. That was a big blow to the offense. But there's still little excuse to play this poorly against such weak competition, even on the road.

These Hoosiers are young, and they're still learning Wilson's style. But the bad news is that Big Ten play arrives next week when Penn State comes to Bloomington. After this showing, it's fair to ask whether IU will win another game this year.

Though only a sophomore, Duwyce Wilson came into this season looking to play the mentor role to a young group of Indiana receivers. That meant not only leading by example but also by talking more, something that does not come naturally to him.

Wilson grew up in a household where words were hardly ever spoken. Both his parents, Duwyce Sr. and Celestine Wilson, and two of his sisters are deaf. Only Duwyce Jr. and his oldest sister were born with the ability to hear.

"Our house was a lot more quiet than most," Duwyce said. "When my parents needed me, they'd bang on the floor or something like that, and you had to know it was for you. So it was a little something different."

He and his oldest sister often had to communicate for the family whenever they went out in public, whether that was needing help at a store or ordering at a restaurant.

"She's a lot better at sign language than me, so she'd do a lot of the interpreting," he said. "I can hold a conversation and understand it well enough to know what they're saying, but I can definitely get better."

Wilson is using his time at Indiana to improve his sign language skills. He is majoring in speech and hearing sciences and hopes to become an interpreter after he's done with football. He's looking forward to doing some work in that field in the near future, but he's already learned a lot from his classes.

"My mom says she definitely could tell that my signing has improved, so she's happy with me," he said. "But I'm trying to keep on improving."

He's also doing a good job of improving on the football field.

Wilson turned in a solid redshirt freshman campaign in 2010, catching 32 balls for 488 yards and three touchdowns. We named him to the ESPN.com All-Big Ten Freshman team.

He stood out during spring camp while adjusting to new coach Kevin Wilson's offense but was slowed in fall practice by a muscle strain. The 6-foot-3, 196-pounder got going in the second game of this season, and last week against South Carolina State, he had six receptions for a career-high 101 yards and a touchdown.

"He's a guy who was a little bit under the radar coming into the season," Kevin Wilson said. "He can bring some things that are very comparable to Damarlo [Belcher], so he's a nice complement to him on the outside. He's still not getting a lot of touches, but he has made a couple of big plays."

Duwyce Wilson came to IU from nearby Columbus, Ind., playing for the same high school team as current Hoosiers quarterback Dusty Kiel and his younger brother Gunner Kiel, a star quarterback recruit who has committed to Indiana. Wilson's family may not hear the roar of the crowd, but they come to every home game. Last week, they got to see the Hoosiers record their first victory of the season. The team will try to follow that up this week with its first true road game of the year at North Texas.

"People are happy we got the win," Duwyce Wilson said. "But we're hungry for more. We're still developing as a team."

With standout receivers Terrance Turner and Tandon Doss moving on from last year's team, Wilson knew he had to develop more as a player and a leader this season along with Belcher. He's doing that on the field, but he admits the talking part is still a work in progress.

"I'm trying to be more vocal," he said. "It's something I'm working on as the days go on."

Week 2 is just around the corner, and it brings us a few more appealing matchups around the Big Ten.

Here are 10 items to track during a 12-pack of games Saturday.

1. The Big House in prime time: Michigan has played 520 games at Michigan Stadium, but none has kicked off at night. History will be made Saturday at the Big House as Michigan takes on Notre Dame under the lights. It should be an electric atmosphere at Stadium and Main as more than 110,000 fans will watch two of the game's iconic programs, who will honor the occasion with retro uniforms. Trust me, they're better than Maryland's.

2. Opportunity knocks for Nits: Penn State wants to be viewed as a legitimate Big Ten title contender and a team that belongs among the nation's elite. There's no better opportunity to make a statement than Saturday's game against No. 3 Alabama. Penn State hasn't beaten a top-5 team in the Associated Press poll since crushing Arizona in the 1999 season opener. An upset of Alabama would put the Penn State program -- and not just its iconic coach Joe Paterno -- in the national spotlight.

3. Coker tries to rebound: Iowa running back Marcus Coker entered the season with a lot of hype but fumbled twice in the season opener, earning him a trip to the bench. Coach Kirk Ferentz remains confident in the sophomore and was pleased Coker didn't use the lousy weather conditions as an excuse. Coker gets a great chance to redeem himself on the road against in-state rival Iowa State, which last week surrendered 204 rush yards to FCS Northern Iowa.

4. Bauserman's building blocks: Joe Bauserman took a step toward securing Ohio State's starting quarterback spot in the opener, completing 12 of 16 pass attempts with three touchdown strikes to tight end Jake Stoneburner. Although freshman Braxton Miller remains very much in the mix and should see time Saturday against Toledo, another strong performance from Bauserman should establish the senior as the team's top option before a Week 3 trip to Miami.

5. Linebacker U. vs. Trent Richardson: Penn State will lean heavily on its defense, and particularly its linebackers, as it aims for the upset against Alabama. Linebacker U appears to be back as the Lions boast excellent depth in the defensive midsection with Michael Mauti, Nate Stupar, Glenn Carson, Khairi Fortt, Mike Hull and Gerald Hodges, who got hurt last year in Tuscaloosa but could be a difference-maker Saturday. The linebackers must contain one of the nation's top running backs in Heisman Trophy candidate Trent Richardson.

6. Huskers' offense under the gun: Nebraska scored 40 points in its opener but left plenty of questions on the offensive side. Coordinator Tim Beck is looking for fewer mental mistakes and better execution Saturday night against a Fresno State team that surrendered 36 points and 417 yards to Cal last week. Quarterback Taylor Martinez must show greater accuracy as a passer, while an offensive line dealing with youth and injuries needs to show it can control the line of scrimmage before the competition level gets tougher.

7. Gophers, Hoosiers look for first wins: Minnesota and Indiana were the only Big Ten teams to lose last week, although the teams came away feeling differently about their performances. The Gophers never quit at USC and nearly stunned the Trojans. They return home to TCF Bank Stadium and look for a strong effort against a New Mexico State squad that lost its opener 44-24 to Ohio. Indiana faces a much tougher challenge in Virginia and looks for better play up front on both sides of the ball, not to mention more enthusiasm, as it makes its home debut at Memorial Stadium.

8. The Denard Show, Act II: Quarterback Denard Robinson carried Michigan to a dramatic victory last year with a record-setting performance at Notre Dame Stadium. Can "Shoelace" replicate his heroics Saturday night against the Irish? He'll face what looks like a stronger Notre Dame defense, and he's still transitioning to a new offensive system. But Robinson also works behind a strong offensive line and finally appears to have some help at running back with Fitzgerald Toussaint and Michael Shaw. It will be interesting to see if Notre Dame can contain a Michigan quarterback after being flummoxed by Robinson and Tate Forcier the past two seasons.

9. Backup QBs try to maintain winning ways: Northwestern's Kain Colter and Purdue's Caleb TerBush both recorded victories in their first career starts at quarterback last week. Colter, filling in for the still-rehabbing Dan Persa, showed improved passing skills to complement his running ability against Boston College. He needs to limit hits and build more confidence against FCS Eastern Illinois. TerBush made big throws in clutch situations against Middle Tennessee but must limit mistakes on the road at Rice. Purdue's Robert Marve also could return to the field.

10. Receiving orders: Week 1 was huge for Big Ten wideouts, as five players eclipsed 100 receiving yards in the opening games. Illinois continues to look for big things from A.J. Jenkins and Darius Millines this week against South Dakota State. Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham needs one catch to become the team's all-time receptions leader. Other receivers like Iowa's Marvin McNutt and Indiana's Damarlo Belcher try to build on impressive opening performances.

Kofi Hughes doesn't hesitate when asked what element he brings to Indiana's receiving corps.

"My breakaway speed," the sophomore recently told ESPN.com. "When I get the ball, I'm not running for the first down or the extra yard. I'm running to score every time."

Hughes' speed could come in handy for the Hoosiers, who once again look well stocked at the receiver position but need more touchdowns from the group. Indiana lost top touchdown scorer Tandon Doss (7 TDs in 2010) to the NFL draft, and while No. 1 returnee Damarlo Belcher led the Big Ten with 78 receptions in 2010, only four went for touchdowns.

Belcher is expected to anchor IU's passing attack this year along with Duwyce Wilson, who started four games as a redshirt freshman last fall and recorded 32 receptions for 488 yards. Hughes, one of two true freshmen to play in 2010, provides another exciting option.

"My role’s just as important as Damarlo's or Duwyce's or anybody else who's out there on the field," said Hughes, who recorded seven catches last fall and blossomed during spring practice. "When it's my time to get the ball, I need to be a playmaker. I've always seen myself as a playmaker."

Hughes made plenty of plays as a quarterback for Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. As a senior in 2009, he accounted for 42 touchdowns -- 19 passing, 22 rushing, 1 receiving -- and was named Gatorade Player of the Year in the state.

While he loved calling signals, Hughes knew his future would be at receiver. He credits Doss for working with him on route running and other areas last year.

"I was his little project," Hughes said.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Hughes thinks he still must improve the way he practices and polish his game at what is still a relatively new position. With an unproven quarterback moving into a starting role -- Dusty Kiel, Edward Wright-Baker and Tre Roberson continue to compete -- Indiana needs its receivers to once again be a strength.

The Hoosiers have produced first-team All-Big Ten wideouts in three of the past four seasons with Doss (2009, 2010) and James Hardy (2007).

"We get down to business," Hughes said. "The receivers at Indiana have spoken for themselves in the past five years or so. Being a receiver at IU, there's a lot that comes with that."

Hughes is ready to embrace it and continue the tradition this season.

Here's the second part of my conversation with Indiana coach Kevin Wilson. You can read Part I here.

What is your plan for the the quarterback situation? Do you expect to name a starter early in camp, or closer to the opener?


Kevin Wilson: Performance will dictate that. We don't need a revolving door where we just keep trying guys, or guys feel like as soon they make a bad play they're out. If we do make a decision and go with one guy, you want that guy to have self-confidence and know if he does go out and is a little off one day, he won't be looking over his shoulder the whole time. We've got to wait and see how they perform. We did go through spring with four guys getting a bunch of reps. We will add freshman Tre Roberson into the mix and see where he is. He was Mr. Football in Indiana, though it's a tough position to walk in as a freshman.

We've got to be careful in not trying to be so fair in our evaluation that we don't develop the right guys. So there has to be a point in time where, whether we name a starter or not, that we do pare it down and get a direction, so the guys who are going to be playing get the bulk of the practice reps and keep honing in and improving their game.

The position that really seems to stand out on your roster is receiver. Damarlo Belcher was just named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, for example. How good do you feel about that group?


KW: I really like them. They were learning in the spring to go hard every day and play up to their potential. I actually think they're more talented than maybe they've played. They're comparable to a lot of the kids I had at Oklahoma. And the tight ends group complements them very well. So the quarterbacks will have some good skill kids around them. If we take care of the ball and get some consistent line play, we should be a team that has a chance offensively to score some points.

The receiver position, it's solid. It needs to be a strength of our team. I think we can go about five or six deep, and we'll throw a couple of freshmen in the mix that we're intrigued by. I thought in the spring, Kofi Hughes was really good in some scrimmages. He needs to be a better and more consistent practice player every day, but in the scrimmages he stuck out. Damarlo led the Big Ten in receptions last year. I really like Duwyce Wilson, a sophomore who's coming on strong. Jamonne Chester came on strong. Dre Muhammad is a slot kid who had a nice spring.

Then we have some freshmen we'll get in the mix. Shane Wynn is a small kid, but he's quick and fast. Cody Latimer is a big kid out of Dayton who might be the best athlete of the whole class. I think that group walks out there and is maybe one of the best groups on the team.

Obviously, the defense has been a sore spot for some time. What did you see from that side of the ball this spring, and how can it get better this summer?


KW: I didn't go back and study the past, but stats-wise and numbers-wise, it didn't look like we played great defense last year. I thought from where we started this spring to where we finished was good. I liked that there was some give and take between the offense and the defense -- there were some days in practice where the defense definitely had the edge. I'd actually like to see the defense pick it up and be a little bit more in control and steady every day.

I think we're going to be decent inside at defensive tackle, where we'll play four or five guys and maybe even a couple of freshmen. The defensive ends, I'd like to see those guys pick up their presence. Jeff Thomas and Leon Beckum are captain-type players for us at linebacker. We need a third 'backer to come through and some depth at 'backer. We might have to play some young guys there because we've got some second- and third-year guys who need to pick things up.

And in the back end, we need more consistent play. We need to start playing better. We made some changes in the scheme and structure of how we do things, so maybe that will hep. The bottom line is, you've got to be able to run, you've got to be able to tackle, you've got to be able to to cover, you've got to be able to make adjustments with checks. And you've got to mentally be a smart player.

We've got to play faster in the secondary. That doesn't mean just putting in a new player because his 40 time is faster. There are a lot of really good DBs who don't have great speed, but they're great technicians. Their knowledge is unbelievable, they've got great anticipation and they're great students.

Have you decided whether you will call plays this year?


KW: We'll go through the preseason and figure it out. I'm leery sometimes, because there's so much going on on the field, of what you can and can't do. We've got enough going on now with getting up to speed in recruiting and getting some families relocated and some things around here with our facilities and dressing up our building. We'll have to sit down and iron some things out.

But I was very comfortable in the spring. I did some of those things, and I had [assistant coaches] Kevin [Johns] and Rod [Smith] do some of those things. I think we'll collectively do it as a group, then in time determine maybe who makes the final call, whether it's myself or one of those guys, as the season approaches.

Lastly, you're opening at Lucas Oil Stadium this year, site of course of the Big Ten championship game. How does that help the program, and do you foresee more games there in the future?


KW: Well, it's Ball State's home game. For us, I'm not big on taking home games away from our place, just because of the fans and students and what it means economically. I am excited for our fan base that does travel from Iowa or Indianapolis or from the Northwest or Northeast corners of our state. And I do think it's kind of neat playing a game in a pro stadium. But I don't know if I would want to take a home game away from our campus.

Earlier today, Brian ranked the groups of wide receivers and tight ends in the Big Ten. Now it's time to look at the individuals. We'll break these into two sections: wide receivers are below, and tight ends will be posted Thursday.

The Big Ten is loaded with No. 1 receivers, so sorting them out for this list wasn't easy. Unlike the running backs or quarterbacks, there isn't a huge gap between No. 1 and No. 10 in the wide receiver rankings. And since many of the league's top wideouts have strong track records, these rankings lean heavily on past performance and also consider potential for 2011.

There are quite a few good receivers who don't appear on this list.

Here are the top 10:

1. Jeremy Ebert, Northwestern, senior: Ebert is as solid as they come, having earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media in 2010. He led the league in receiving yards (953) as a junior and showed the ability to stretch the field, averaging 15.4 yards a catch. Ebert hauled in eight touchdowns as quarterback Dan Persa's top target. He headlines one of the league's deepest receiver groups this fall.

2. Derek Moye, Penn State, senior: It took a while for Penn State's offense to get on track last season, but Moye made the most of somewhat limited opportunities. He had 53 receptions but averaged 16.7 yards per catch with eight touchdowns and 68.1 receiving yards per game. The 6-foot-5 Moye can stretch the field and out-jump opposing defenders. If Penn State's quarterbacks indeed take the next step in their development, Moye will have a very big senior season.

3. Marvin McNutt, Iowa, senior: After starting his college career as a quarterback, McNutt has found his natural position at receiver. He averaged 16.2 yards per reception and scored eight touchdowns in 2010, and he could have an even bigger year as Iowa's clear-cut No. 1 option in the passing game. Boasting size, speed and athleticism, McNutt is on the NFL radar and could emerge as the league's top pro prospect and receiver following the 2011 season.

4. Roy Roundtree, Michigan, junior: Roundtree definitely has the potential to move up this list if he can build on a solid 2010 season (72 catches, 935 receiving yards, seven TDs). His big challenge is eliminating drops that plagued him at times last fall. Michigan's new offensive scheme could mean even bigger things for the receivers, and if Darryl Stonum remains suspended, Roundtree might take on a bigger role in the offense. He boasts big-play ability and ended the 2010 season with several good performances.

5. Damarlo Belcher, Indiana, senior: Some folks might forget that Belcher led the Big Ten in receptions (78), recording six or more catches in eight of 12 games. He needs to find the end zone more after scoring only four touchdowns in 2010, but he's one of the league's most experienced receivers on a team loaded with talent at the position. Belcher slimmed down a bit this winter, which should help his speed and durability. Look for Indiana's new quarterback to look for No. 88 a lot this fall.

6. Da'Jon McKnight, Minnesota, senior: Like several players on this list, McKnight has a chance to put himself on the NFL draft radar with a strong senior season. He finished tied for second in the Big Ten in touchdown receptions with 10 last season and averaged 15.6 yards per catch. After splitting catches with MarQueis Gray in 2010, McKnight now will be receiving passes from Gray, the Gophers' projected starter at quarterback. Minnesota lacks much proven depth at receiver, so Gray will be looking for McKnight quite a bit.

7. B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State, senior: Cunningham has been somewhat overlooked during his career, but things should change this fall. Expect the senior to build on his 2010 performance (50 receptions, 611 receiving yards, nine TDs) as he moves into a No. 1 role following Mark Dell's departure. Cunningham has good size (6-2, 223) and will be entering his fourth season as the starter. He's got plenty of help at receiver with Keshawn Martin, Keith Nichol and Bennie Fowler.

8. DeVier Posey, Ohio State, senior: Of the four Ohio State players suspended for the first five games, Posey might be missed the most. He has started the past two seasons and represents the only proven wide receiver on the 2011 roster. Although Posey didn't turn in a breakout year in 2010 like many had expected, he still put up some good numbers (53 catches, 848 receiving yards, eight TDs). The pro potential is there, and he can help himself with a more consistent year. His early-season absence creates opportunities for other receivers to emerge, but he'll almost certainly reclaim the No. 1 receiver spot upon his return.

9. Nick Toon, Wisconsin, senior: Toon had a bit of a disappointing season in 2010, as he dealt with injuries and some inconsistent play. But I expect him to bounce back and reclaim the form he showed in 2009, when he had 54 receptions and 805 receiving yards. As Lance Kendricks departs, Toon becomes the No. 1 option in Wisconsin's passing game. He could play a big role in easing the transition for the Badgers' new starting quarterback.

10. A.J. Jenkins, Illinois, senior: After nearly leaving the program in December 2009, Jenkins reaffirmed his commitment to the Illini and turned in a solid junior season. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase is making strides as a passer and Jenkins should benefit after recording 56 receptions for 746 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010. Illinois is looking for greater depth at receiver, but Jenkins provides a good No. 1 option.

Others to watch: Nebraska's Brandon Kinnie, Michigan State's Keshawn Martin, Purdue's Justin Siller and Antavian Edison, Michigan's Junior Hemingway and Darryl Stonum (if suspension lifted), Indiana's Duwyce Wilson and Kofi Hughes.

We've been ranking each position group in the Big Ten, and so far we've looked at running backs and quarterbacks. Today, let's finish off the offensive skill positions with receivers and tight ends.

The Big Ten is blessed with plenty of standout wide receivers, but remember these rankings heavily account for overall depth at the position, not just isolated star power. We're also including the tight ends in this group while acknowledging that the best ones aren't necessarily big-time pass-catchers.

Here's how we rank them:

1. Michigan State: The Spartans may lack a true superstar, though senior B.J. Cunningham (50 catches for 611 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010) is pretty darn good. What Mark Dantonio can really count on is depth. Cunningham has good size at 6-foot-2, while Keshawn Martin is a speed-burner. Keith Nichol and Bennie Fowler fill out a solid cast of receivers, and when you throw in Brian Linthicum and Dion Sims at tight end, this group deserves the top spot.

2. Michigan: If Darryl Stonum weren't suspended indefinitely, this group might be No. 1. It's still pretty good as things stand now. Roy Roundtree leads the way after catching 72 passes for 935 yards and seven touchdowns last year, and Junior Hemingway is a strong secondary option for Denard Robinson. Tight end Kevin Koger is a third-year starter who can occasionally make big plays in the passing game.

3. Northwestern: Senior Jeremy Ebert (62 catches for 935 yards and eight touchdowns last season) was a first-team All-Big Ten performer as voted by the media. Demetrius Fields had 25 receptions last year, and the Wildcats are counting on big improvements from sophomores Rashad Lawrence, Tony Jones and Venric Mark. Northwestern uses its superback position as a tight end, and Drake Dunsmore had 40 catches from that spot last year.

4. Indiana: The Hoosiers languish at the bottom of many of these rankings, but receiver/tight end is a point of pride. Senior Damarlo Belcher led the Big Ten with 78 catches last year on his way to 832 yards. Even with the loss of Tandon Doss and Terrance Turner, who each had more than 60 catches in '10, new coach Kevin Wilson has a solid corps behind Belcher with Duwyce Wilson and Kofi Hughes, among others. And Ted Bolser is a highly productive tight end who had 27 catches for 407 yards and five scores a year ago.

5. Penn State: Three of the top four receivers from last year return, including No. 1 target Derek Moye (his 16.7 yards per catch average was second in the Big Ten a year ago). Justin Brown and Devon Smith need to continue moving forward. Will the Nittany Lions get anything out of Curtis Drake, who's trying to return from his second broken leg? Penn State hopes to get something out of the tight end position, where Andrew Szczerba and Garry Gilliam dealt with season-ending injuries last year.

6. Wisconsin: Once we reach the middle of these rankings, the units start to become interchangeable and a little indistinguishable. Wisconsin doesn't have to throw it too much because of its stellar running game, but the Badgers have some solid choices when they do go to the air. Senior Nick Toon has the talent to record more than the 36 catches and 459 yards he produced a year ago. Jared Abbrederis should continue to come along after a nice freshman campaign. There's potential but not much experience among the rest of the receivers. Star tight end Lance Kendricks will be tough to replace, but Jake Byrne is an outstanding blocker and Jacob Pedersen caught two touchdowns last year.

7. Nebraska: Brandon Kinnie is the leader here, and the 6-foot-3 senior isn't afraid to make the big catch. Freshmen Jamal Turner and Kenny Bell had nice springs and could add some playmaking skills to a largely unproven crew around Kinnie. Kyler Reed might be the most dangerous pass-catching tight end in the Big Ten, if not the country, after hauling in eight touchdowns and 18 yards per reception a year ago.

8. Iowa: Senior Marvin McNutt is the go-to option after recording 861 yards and eight touchdowns last season. The Hawkeyes will look to junior Keenan Davis to improve and become the No. 2 target. Just about everyone else is green. Tight end is usually a strength for Kirk Ferentz and should be again with senior Brad Herman and a group of talented backups behind him.

9. Ohio State: Seems like we write this a lot, but the Buckeyes would be ranked higher if their star player in this group were available an entire season. But DeVier Posey's five-game suspension means this is an awfully young corps, and that inexperience showed with some inconsistent play this spring. Ohio State will need talented sophomore Corey "Philly" Brown to take a big leap forward and youngsters like Chris Fields, T.Y. Williams and James Louis to contribute in Posey's absence. Tight end Jake Stoneburner might have to become a bigger presence in the passing game.

10. Purdue: The Boilermakers have some decent depth but no proven stars. Antavian Edison is the leading returning receiver with just 314 yards last year, though the junior does have good speed. Justin Siller is talented but has had trouble staying healthy. Purdue lost two solid veterans at tight end in Kyle Adams and Jeff Lindsay and added a couple of potential replacements, including former basketball player Patrick Bade, this summer.

11. Minnesota: Da'Jon McKnight tied for second in the Big Ten last year with 10 receiving touchdowns. But the Gophers' second-leading receiver last season was MarQueis Gray, who's now their starting quarterback. Brandon Green could help after an injury-plagued season. Tight end Eric Lair can grab a few passes, as he did 39 times in 2010.

12. Illinois: The good news: A.J. Jenkins is a reliable weapon who had 746 yards and seven touchdowns last season. The bad news: There's not much experience behind him. Perhaps Ryan Lankford, who starred in the spring while Jenkins was out with an injury, will emerge as a star his sophomore year. Evan Wilson is back at tight end after starting 11 games as a freshman.