ESPN College Football

The Allstate Sugar Bowl officially wrapped up the Big Ten season and also settled the season-long picks battle between the two bloggers.

New guy for the win.

I took a slim one-game lead into bowl season but widened the gap with a stellar 9-1 showing in the bowls. Adam went a respectable 7-3, which is still a record the Big Ten wishes it had during the postseason. I'll put my picks trophy next to the one I won in our fantasy challenge earlier this season. My mantel is getting crowded.

Let's review our picks ...

Little Caesars Bowl

• Bennett's pick: Purdue 34, Western Michigan 33
• Rittenberg's pick: Western Michigan 31, Purdue 27
• Actual score: Purdue 37, Western Michigan 32
• 20-20 hindsight: We both predicted a close game with a lot of points, even though we didn't see it being as wild as it turned out. Rittenberg has less confidence in the Purdue defense, which gave up plenty of points and yards but also created seven turnovers. I correctly predicted a big night for the Boilers' running game -- they ran for 265 yards -- though my somewhat tongue-in-cheek pick of a blocked kick at the end didn't happen.

Insight Bowl

• Bennett's pick: Oklahoma 27, Iowa 20
• Rittenberg's pick: Oklahoma 31, Iowa 24
• Actual score: Oklahoma 31, Iowa 14
• 20-20 hindsight: Neither of us thought Iowa had enough firepower without Marcus Coker to hang with the Sooners, and the Hawkeyes didn't even score until the fourth quarter. Adam nailed the Sooners' point total, while my prediction of two James Vandenberg interceptions was one too many.
  

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

• Bennett's pick: Texas A&M 35, Northwestern 31
• Rittenberg's pick: Texas A&M 42, Northwestern 31
• Actual score: Texas A&M 33, Northwestern 22
• 20-20 hindsight: Adam can take a bow for correctly pegging the margin of victory. He must have talked the Aggies into kicking that field goal with 30 seconds left. Neither of us liked the chances of Northwestern's defense slowing down A&M, and the Wildcats surrendered 409 yards while falling behind 30-7 before a late rally.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

• Bennett's pick: Illinois 17, UCLA 9
• Rittenberg's pick: Illinois 14, UCLA 10
• Actual score: Illinois 20, UCLA 14
• 20-20 hindsight: We both foresaw a low-scoring game, and if not for UCLA's late cosmetic touchdown, I would have almost nailed the total combined points. I predicted that the Illinois defense would dominate and that Whitney Mercilus would record two sacks; he was credited with 1.5. Adam said Nathan Scheelhaase would score a late touchdown. Well, he did throw a 60-yard score to A.J. Jenkins with less than six minutes left.

TicketCity Bowl

• Bennett's pick: Houston 31, Penn State 24
• Rittenberg's pick: Penn State 28, Houston 24
• Actual score: Houston 30, Penn State 14
• 20-20 hindsight: I predicted that Case Keenum would throw a couple of early touchdown passes and that Penn State would have trouble responding. That looked pretty smart as Keenum threw for two first-quarter scores and the Nittany Lions laid a defensive egg. I almost had Houston's score on the nose and probably wouldn't have given Penn State's offense that much credit had I known for sure that Matt McGloin wouldn't play. Adam's pick of a 200-yard plus day for Silas Redd was a little bit off, as Redd mustered only 53 yards on 14 carries.

TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl

• Bennett's pick: Ohio State 24, Florida 23
• Rittenberg's pick: Ohio State 21, Florida 17
• Actual score: Florida 24, Ohio State 17
• 20-20 hindsight: Ah, my only setback. We both gave the Buckeyes a little too much credit and didn't see the big Florida special-teams plays that would swing this outcome. I predicted impressive days for Dan Herron and DeVier Posey; Herron ran for 82 yards and Posey had only 38 yards receiving. We both thought Braxton Miller would star for Ohio State. He threw for two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough.

Outback Bowl

• Bennett's pick: Michigan State 17, Georgia 14
• Rittenberg's pick: Michigan State 21, Georgia 20
• Actual score: Michigan State 33, Georgia 30 (3 OT)
• 20-20 hindsight: We both saw a low-scoring game and a close Spartans victory, and I nailed the margin of victory. Neither of us predicted a triple-overtime thriller, or that Michigan State would fall behind 16-0 before a huge rally.

Capital One Bowl

• Bennett's pick: South Carolina 20, Nebraska 17
• Rittenberg's pick: South Carolina 24, Nebraska 21
• Actual score: South Carolina 30, Nebraska 13
• 20-20 hindsight: We both thought the Huskers would keep it close, and they should have. But Nebraska made way too many mental errors, and the Gamecocks turned a game that was 16-13 going into the fourth quarter into a blowout win. I didn't think Nebraska could pass the ball effectively, and Taylor Martinez only threw for 116 yards. Neither of us gave South Carolina's offense enough credit.

Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO

• Bennett's pick: Oregon 35, Wisconsin 30
• Rittenberg's pick: Wisconsin 38, Oregon 35
• Actual score: Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38
• 20-20 hindsight: Kudos to Adam for correctly predicting Wisconsin's final score, and it was 38-35 going into the fourth quarter. But they play 60 minutes for a reason. We both saw a high-scoring game but not a record-breaking Rose Bowl. Adam was right to say Jared Abbrederis would have a big game, but Wisconsin's defense let him down. I said Montee Ball would have a big day (check) but that the Badgers couldn't contain the Ducks in space. Uh, yeah.

Allstate Sugar Bowl

• Bennett's pick: Michigan 24, Virginia Tech 13
• Rittenberg's pick: Michigan 27, Virginia Tech 21
• Actual score: Michigan 23, Virginia Tech 20 (OT)
• 20-20 hindsight: We both came within a point of one team's score, though neither of us predicted overtime. I liked Michigan to win big while Adam forecast a closer game. He was right on that -- but not right enough during bowl season to beat me.

SEASON RECORDS

Brian Bennett: 82-26 (.759)

Adam Rittenberg: 79-29 (.732)

Urban Meyer won't be coaching in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, but his fingerprints will be all over the game. It's also a rematch of the 2007 BCS title game. Ohio State hopes for a better outcome in this one.

WHO TO WATCH: Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller. The precocious true freshman quarterback showed flashes of greatness this season, including his game-winning touchdown heave to beat Wisconsin. He has incredible shiftiness for a quarterback and has run for at least 91 yards five different times this season. Miller put it all together in the season-ending loss at Michigan, totaling 335 yards and three touchdowns. The Buckeyes finally took the reins off the passing game in that contest, something they'll probably have to do again against Florida's defense, which is ranked No. 9 nationally. Meyer has already gushed about Miller's potential in his system, and this will be a good gauge of how far the youngster has progressed after some extra bowl practices.

WHAT TO WATCH: Will the real Ohio State defense please stand up? The Buckeyes were uncharacteristically sloppy with their tackling and techniques down the stretch while losing their final three games. Penn State stunned the defense by running the Wildcat, while Michigan racked up 444 total yards in a 40-34 win. Key injuries and youth prevented this from being a vintage Silver Bullets squad this year. The unit should be healthier now, with players like linebacker Andrew Sweat back to full strength, and the young players have had more practice time. They have a favorable matchup against a Gators offense that struggled to find its identity and ranked 101st in the FBS in yards per game this season. Florida also has a new offensive coordinator after Charlie Weis left for Kansas. Ohio State has little excuse not to turn in a strong defensive performance here.

WHY TO WATCH: While Meyer will dominate much of the discussion, the former Florida and future Ohio State coach has said he doesn't plan to attend the game in person. Buckeyes fans are more fired up about the first spring practice under Meyer than they are watching this 6-6 team any more, but it's their last chance to see their school play in a bowl game until at least December 2013 because of next year's NCAA-imposed bowl ban. So they'd better enjoy this one now. The fact that Ohio State gets another crack at an SEC team in a bowl -- technically, the program is 0-for-9 against the SEC in the postseason since last year's Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas was officially vacated -- injects a little more spice into the matchup.

PREDICTION: Ohio State 24, Florida 23. With nothing to lose and no bowl game next year, the Buckeyes let it all hang out. Miller plays well, and Ohio State gets valuable contributions from running back Dan Herron and receiver DeVier Posey, who each had an instrumental role in the NCAA punishment. It's not exactly redemption for them or for 2007, but it sure beats losing.

Big Ten bowl season finally arrives this week, and that means it's time for us to make our predictions.

Today, we'll offer our picks in the eight non-BCS games involving Big Ten teams (our Rose Bowl and Allstate Sugar Bowl selections will arrive in the near future).

Brian Bennett holds a slim one-game lead over Adam Rittenberg from the regular-season and Big Ten championship game predictions. But as always, glory is won in the postseason. Who says bowls don't matter?

On to our picks ...

Little Caesars Bowl


WESTERN MICHIGAN vs. PURDUE (Dec. 27)

Adam Rittenberg: Purdue should be geared up for its first bowl appearance since 2007, but I don't like the vibe around the Boilers, who have had several off-field incidents and will be without leading tackler Dwayne Beckford (suspended) and top rusher Ralph Bolden (injured). Western Michigan can put up a ton of points, and I don't think the Boilers will quite keep up. ... Western Michigan 31, Purdue 27.

Brian Bennett: If Purdue follows its win-loss pattern this season, then it must lose this game. But the Boilermakers simply have to be able to beat a MAC team if they want to build any kind of momentum in this program for Danny Hope. Even without Ralph Bolden, Purdue has a huge edge in the running game. The Boilers' season ends the only way it really could: with a blocked kick to seal a victory ... Purdue 34, Western Michigan 33.

Insight Bowl

No. 14 OKLAHOMA vs. IOWA (Dec. 30)

Brian Bennett: I don't know how motivated the injury-ravaged Sooners will be, and the Hawkeyes have been really good in bowl games under Kirk Ferentz. But the loss of Marcus Coker is too much to overcome in an already difficult matchup for Iowa. Oklahoma picks off James Vandenberg twice and holds on. ... Oklahoma 27, Iowa 20.

Adam Rittenberg: Without Coker, Iowa needs to hope Oklahoma has a letdown in Tempe. The Sooners have advantages at too many positions. While the Hawkeyes' defense will fight hard for retiring coordinator Norm Parker, Oklahoma has too much firepower for a unit that hasn't slowed down many teams. Vandenberg will play well at times, but the Sooners prevail. ... Oklahoma 31, Iowa 24.

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

TEXAS A&M vs. NORTHWESTERN (Dec. 31)

Adam Rittenberg: Texas A&M is the better team here, but the Aggies have more than a few distractions following a very disappointing season. Dan Persa will have a huge game in his final performance for the Wildcats. But my lack of faith in Northwestern's defense prevents me from picking the upset. The unit hasn't developed much at all and never comes through in the clutch. A&M has too many weapons and pulls away before a partisan crowd. ... Texas A&M 42, Northwestern 31.

Brian Bennett: Tough call here between an Aggies team that collapsed all season long and a Northwestern program that hasn't won a bowl game since the Truman administration. I agree with Adam that the Wildcats' defense is going to have a tough time, especially without senior cornerback Jordan Mabin. Playing a virtual home game and perhaps motivated to perform after the tragic death of offensive lineman Joseph Villavisencio, A&M guts this one out. ... Texas A&M 35, Northwestern 31.

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

UCLA vs. ILLINOIS (Dec. 31)

Brian Bennett: First one to 10 points wins. Or team that doesn't jump over the right-field wall at AT&T Park gets the trophy. There aren't two bowl teams with less momentum than the Bruins and the Illini. But one unit I know will show up is the Illinois defense, which has been strong all season and should be motivated to play for Vic Koenning in his final game as interim head coach. Whitney Mercilus cements his national sack title with two quarterback takedowns, and the Illinois offense figures out how to reach the end zone a couple of times. ... Illinois 17, UCLA 9.

Adam Rittenberg: Both of these teams are in various states of flux, and I'm leery picking Illinois to win for the first time since Oct. 8. But as you point out, the best single unit in this game is Illinois' defense, which has played well all season. Mercilus, Jonathan Brown and the Illini win one for Vic and Nathan Scheelhaase scores a late touchdown as the Illini win an ugly one. ... Illinois 14, UCLA 10.

TicketCity Bowl

No. 19 HOUSTON vs. No. 22 PENN STATE (Jan. 2)

Adam Rittenberg: This should be a fascinating game, if nothing else. I really think if Penn State shows up to play, the Lions will win. But it's more than fair to ask whether Penn State's entire squad will be motivated or not. The Lions' defense is better than what Houston has faced all season, and while Case Keenum will make plays, Devon Still will be in his face. Houston showed no interest in stopping the run in the C-USA title game, and a healthy Silas Redd goes for 200-plus as Penn State ends an odd season with a win. ... Penn State 28, Houston 24.

Brian Bennett: Hardest game on the board to call, because of Penn State's state of mind. And don't forget that Houston has a new coach, too. You've got the nation's No. 1 scoring offense vs. the No. 5 scoring defense. In a bubble, I'd usually choose the dominant defense over the high-scoring offense. But there are too many other factors at play here, and I think once Keenum throws a couple of early touchdowns, the Nittany Lions will deflate. ... Houston 31, Penn State 24.

Outback Bowl

No. 16 GEORGIA vs. No. 17 MICHIGAN STATE (Jan. 2)

Brian Bennett: Assuming both teams have shaken off their conference title-game defeats, this is an outstanding matchup. You've got two of the best defenses in the country and two terrific quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins and Aaron Murray. Michigan State was awful against an SEC team in Florida last year, but I think this year will be a different story. The Spartans have a more varied offense than Georgia, which benefited from a weak SEC East this year. It's a grinder, but a key special teams play from Keshawn Martin makes the difference. ... Michigan State 17, Georgia 14.

Adam Rittenberg: Michigan State's time has come, and while the Spartans must shake off the sting of the Big Ten title-game loss, they have no excuses not to be geared up by Jan. 2. Mark Dantonio's squad ended the season playing really, really good football, and I also envision a strong performance from Pat Narduzzi's defense. Georgia's D is formidable, too, but Michigan State will use the quick-passing game it showcased against Wisconsin as Martin and B.J. Cunningham find room to roam. Kirk Cousins hits Cunningham for the game-winning score in the final minute. ... Michigan State 21, Georgia 20.

Capital One Bowl

No. 9 SOUTH CAROLINA vs. No. 20 NEBRASKA (Jan. 2)

Adam Rittenberg: Another tough game to call. Nebraska's offensive line will face arguably its biggest challenge of the season with South Carolina's defensive ends. If Nebraska's defense performs as it did against Michigan State and Iowa, the Huskers have a great chance. Ultimately, South Carolina makes a few more plays and capitalizes on a second-half turnover to win. ... South Carolina 24, Nebraska 21.

Brian Bennett: Can Nebraska run the ball effectively against the Gamecocks? That's my biggest question here. If it comes down to the Huskers needing Taylor Martinez to pass the ball down the field, that could spell big trouble for Big Red. I think Nebraska will find some success with Rex Burkhead between the tackles, but not as much on the perimeter against a fast SEC defense. South Carolina's offense is nothing special, and Steve Spurrier's team has been pretty dismal in bowls. But the Head Ball Coach's defense is the best unit on the field and will make enough plays for the win. ... South Carolina 20, Nebraska 17.


TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl

FLORIDA vs. OHIO STATE (Jan. 2)


Brian Bennett: It's the World's Largest Outdoor Urban Mixer. It's also Ohio State's last chance to win a bowl game until at least Dec. 2013. So the Buckeyes had better give this one all they have. Some underclassmen might be bummed about the NCAA's bowl ban, but I see this as the perfect us-against-the-world rallying cry for Luke Fickell. Braxton Miller gives fans reason to daydream all offseason with another star turn, and Dan Herron and DeVier Posey try their best to make up for their contributions to the bowl ban by leading the charge to victory. ... Ohio State 24, Florida 23.

Adam Rittenberg: Even though Ohio State made a head-coaching change, the bowl practices should really benefit the players, especially the young guys on defense. Miller looked like a special player against Michigan, and if given the chance, he and Posey can make some big plays in this game. Florida is without offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, and the Gators' attack leaves much to be desired. I also agree Ohio State players will be motivated for their final taste of postseason play until 2013. ... Ohio State 21, Florida 17.

SEASON RECORDS

Brian Bennett: 73-25 (.745)

Adam Rittenberg: 72-26 (.735)

Ohio State's infractions case with the NCAA came to an end today after the events leading up to it had played out -- at least publicly -- for almost exactly one year. Here is a timeline of the Buckeyes' trying times:

April 2, 2010: Then-Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel gets his first email from Columbus lawyer Chris Cicero informing him that quarterback Terrelle Pryor and other players were trading their team memorabilia to local tattoo-parlor owner Edward Rife in exchange for tattoos. Tressel does not inform any of his superiors about this.

Dec. 7, 2010: The U.S. attorney’s office discovers Ohio State football memorabilia in a raid of Rife's business.

Dec. 23, 2010: Ohio State announces that Pryor, running back Dan Herron, receiver DeVier Posey, offensive tackle Mike Adams and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas would be suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season for trading their memorabilia. All five players are allowed to play in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, thanks to some lobbying by the Big Ten. The Buckeyes would go on to defeat Arkansas in the game.

Jan. 13, 2011: Ohio State unearths Tressel’s emails with Cicero, igniting an investigation.

Feb. 19: A group of Buckeyes players are paid $200 by booster Robert DiGeronimo for attending a charity event in Cleveland.

March 8: The school announces that Tressel will be suspended for the first two games of the 2011 season and will be fined $250,000. His bosses voice their support of Tressel, with school president E. Gordon Gee infamously saying, "I'm just hopeful the coach doesn't dismiss me."

March 17: Tressel’s suspension is extended to the first five games of the season.

May 30: Athletic director Gene Smith forces Tressel to resign. Luke Fickell is named interim coach.

July 8: Ohio State announces it has vacated all wins from the 2010 season and is self-imposing two years' probation stemming from the Tressel/tattoo controversy. The school later also says it will return its proceeds from the Sugar Bowl.

Aug. 12: Ohio State goes before the NCAA Committee on Infractions in Indianapolis.

Sept. 1: Less than 48 hours before the season opener against Akron, running back Jordan Hall and defensive backs Travis Howard and Corey “Pittsburgh” Brown are suspended two games each for accepting cash from DiGeronimo at the charity event.

Sept. 20: Ohio State publicly disassociates itself with DiGeronimo, who had given more than $70,000 to the athletic department in the previous 25 years.

Oct. 7: Posey is suspended an additional five games, while Herron and linemen Marcus Hall and Melvin Fellows are suspended one game for being overpaid for summer jobs at a company owned by DiGeronimo.

Nov. 3: The NCAA sends another notice of allegations to Ohio State concerning the DiGeronimo accusations. The NCAA says the Buckeyes will face a "failure to monitor" charge. The Buckeyes respond by stripping themselves of five total scholarships over a three-year period.

Nov. 28: Ohio State hires Urban Meyer as its new head coach. Meyer and Smith both say they are not worried about any serious NCAA penalties. Smith says there is no precedent for receiving a bowl ban in cases similar to this one.

Dec. 20: The NCAA doles out its punishment to Ohio State: a 2012 postseason ban, the loss of four scholarships on top of the school's own reduction, an extra year of probation and a five-year show-cause penalty for Tressel.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Now that's more like it, a scoreless quarter between Penn State and Ohio State. Here are some notes and observations after 45 minutes of play, as No. 21 Penn State still leads Ohio State 20-14.

• Both teams are in love with the Wildcat formation and have had some success, Penn State more than Ohio State. The Buckeyes went to the well one too many times deep in their own territory as running backs Jordan Hall and Dan Herron couldn't complete a handoff, leading to a fumble. Fortunately for Ohio State, its defense turned in an impressive goal-line stand to keep Penn State from taking a two-score lead.
• I loved Penn State's decision to go for the touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the 1, but the play calls before were highly questionable. Running backs Stephfon Green, Silas Redd and Brandon Beachum have been terrific, and yet Penn State went with two Michael Zordich runs and a Matthew McGloin sneak. You've got to give the ball to the running backs before fourth down.
• Ohio State seemed to have its offense cooking late in the quarter before a Carlos Hyde fumble. The turnovers are killers, but the Buckeyes must continue to pound away at the Penn State defense with Herron, Braxton Miller and others. Ohio State has had good success running to the outside.
• Penn State kicker/punter Anthony Fera might be the team's MVP so far today. He has kicked field goals of 43 and 46 yards, both career longs. He also pinned Ohio State at its own 3-yard line late in the quarter.

Saturday is Senior Day at Ohio State. This year will likely bring some mixed emotions to the event.

The Buckeyes have a small senior class of contributors -- of the 24 players who will be honored before the Penn State game, only nine have ever started a game in their careers. And of those nine, four of them have been mired in controversy this year. Offensive lineman Mike Adams and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas sat out the first five games as part of their suspension for the tattoo-for-memorabilia scandal. Running back Dan Herron served that suspension and an extra game for another violation. And receiver DeVier Posey will be playing for the first time Saturday after sitting out 10 games for both the tattoo case and a summer job that the NCAA has alleged paid him for work he didn't perform.

The seniors also won three Big Ten championships and played in three BCS games, winning two of them (though one of them, like the entire 2010 season, was officially vacated). So how exactly will fans view this class? Will it be all cheers on Saturday? Or some grumbling as well?

"I'm not sure how they will react," Herron said. "That's really not something we can worry about. If fans give us a good response, we'll be happy. If they don't, we've got to keep moving on."

Head coach Luke Fickell says the seniors who were suspended should be shown the same respect as others.

"They've made a mistake," he said. "They've served their penance. They've shown what they can do in the way that they've handled themselves ....

"To me, these guys have battled through a lot. I've got the utmost respect for them for how they've handled the situations. The way they've been in the locker room, I couldn't ask for anything truly more in the last six months than the way they've handled themselves, the way they've accepted me, and our coaching staff, and the things we thought were important for these six months."

Posey might be the most interesting case study of them all. Surely, the Buckeyes' woeful passing offense could have used him this season. He's a central figure in not one but two situations that resulted in a notice of allegations from the NCAA. He's also paid the price by sitting out 10 games his senior year and trying to stay in shape and focused on when his opportunity would come.

Adams and Herron, who were starters before their suspensions, stepped right back into their roles when they came back. Fickell praised the way Posey has handled himself through the situation but didn't commit to Posey starting this week. The Buckeyes may need him against a stout Penn State defense.

"I'm so excited to see him out there and playing," said Herron, a close friend of Posey's. "When you miss 10 games, it's tough on someone, especially when it's your dream to play college football. He's been working tremendously hard and hopefully he'll show that on Saturday."

It's also important to note that many of the seniors never got into any NCAA turmoil. Guys such as All-Big Ten center Mike Brewster, who will be starting his 47th consecutive game this week. Brewster said he'll choose to remember the BCS bowls, and that the NCAA can't vacate last year's Allstate Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas out of his mind. This year, though Ohio State is 6-4, he said he'll remember helping to mentor young players such as Braxton Miller and hopefully setting the stage for the future.

It remains to be seen how the rest of the senior class will be remembered.

"I hope we have a great legacy," Herron said. "We've been through a lot, but we don't make that as an excuse. We've shown that you can go through anything and that anything is possible. We're going to fight to the end."

The Big Ten division races could be decided Saturday. As for the Big Ten blogger predictions race, it's far from over.

Rittenberg takes a one-game lead on Bennett into Week 12, but Bennett, being a St. Louis Cardinals fan, knows all about erasing deficits to win championships. Several intriguing matchups are on the slate this week, so let's get to the predictions ...

MINNESOTA at NORTHWESTERN

Brian Bennett: The Wildcats have won three in a row and won't stop now that they're this close to bowl eligibility. Minnesota's shaky pass defense will lead to a big day for Dan Persa, who throws two touchdowns to Jeremy Ebert and three overall. ... Northwestern 35, Minnesota 20

Adam Rittenberg: Northwestern might be peaking at the right time, but the Wildcats can't let up against a Minnesota team that should play better than it did a week ago. A healthy MarQueis Gray makes plays, but Persa finds Ebert, Drake Dunsmore and Kain Colter for touchdown passes against the leaky Gophers' D. ... Northwestern 34, Minnesota 21

INDIANA at NO. 15 MICHIGAN STATE

Adam Rittenberg: Michigan State needs to keep its emotions in check on Senior Day, and the Spartans must avoid a Minnesota-like performance against an Indiana team with a potent offense. But the Spartans sense what's ahead of them and take care of business, receiving big performances from running backs Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker. ... Michigan State 35, Indiana 17

Brian Bennett: The winningest class in Michigan State history isn't going to lose on Senior Day to a 1-9 Indiana team. The Spartans defense lives in the Hoosiers backfield and Kirk Cousins throws for 300 yards in an easy win. ... Michigan State 38, Indiana 14

NO. 16 NEBRASKA at NO. 18 MICHIGAN

Brian Bennett: Nebraska is playing very well, but the Huskers have been banged up on both lines and just played a very physical game at Penn State. A second straight win in a tough road spot is too much to ask. Denard Robinson bounces back with a pair of touchdown passes as Michigan helps out rival Michigan State in the Legends' race. ... Michigan 20, Nebraska 17

Adam Rittenberg: Tough one to call, as plenty is at stake for both teams. Both teams can run the ball and play a little defense, but someone is going to make Michigan pay for the mistakes it makes on offense. Nebraska records three takeaways, two against Robinson, and gets a big performance from Rex Burkhead to rally for another big road victory. ... Nebraska 24, Michigan 21

NO. 17 WISCONSIN at ILLINOIS

Adam Rittenberg: The Badgers have new life in the Leaders Division, while Illinois and embattled coach Ron Zook look like they're on life support. I actually think Illinois comes to play in this one, especially on defense, and hangs around for a while. But the Illini can't slow down Wisconsin, which gets three more touchdowns from Montee Ball and pulls away. Illinois will score in the first half, but won't outscore the Badgers. ... Wisconsin 35, Illinois 24

Brian Bennett: Zook will want to walk away from this one. Illinois simply can't score any more, and Wisconsin can't be stopped. Even on the road, the Badgers cruise behind three TDs from Russell Wilson. ... Wisconsin 31, Illinois 14

IOWA at PURDUE

Brian Bennett: The Boilers are on a high after knocking off Ohio State and Iowa hasn't won on the road all year. But Purdue has had trouble staying consistent, and I think the Hawkeyes' balanced offense creates problems. A late Marcus Coker TD run seals it. ... Iowa 28, Purdue 24

Adam Ritenberg: Although Purdue hasn't followed up any of its previous four wins with another victory, the Boilers end the trend this week. Danny Hope's squad has been good at home, and Iowa has had its struggles away from Kinnick Stadium. Purdue contains Coker and records a special teams touchdown to get bowl-eligible for the first time since 2007. ... Purdue 27, Iowa 21

NO. 21 PENN STATE at OHIO STATE

Adam Rittenberg: Tough game to predict as both teams have had issues offensively and Ohio State has been somewhat inconsistent on defense as well. Penn State's seniors will ensure the team remains focused in its first road game since the scandal, and the Lions take an early lead. But Ohio State comes back behind Braxton Miller and DeVier Posey, and the defense rebounds a bit against a banged-up Silas Redd. ... Ohio State 16, Penn State 14

Brian Bennett: I can't pick Penn State to win on the road after all the team has been through, especially not in the Horseshoe on Senior Day. It will be a physical, at times unsightly game, but Boom Herron makes the difference. ... Ohio State 14, Penn State 10

SEASON RECORDS

Adam Rittenberg: 63-22 (.741)

Brian Bennett: 62-23 (.729)

Ohio State has been a different team since Dan "Boom" Herron returned to the field from suspension. Not only have the Buckeyes won three straight games, but Herron has boosted the run game, which has eclipsed 200 rush yards in each contest. Herron, undeniably the team's emotional leader, has racked up 415 rush yards and two touchdowns on 70 carries since his return. Arguably no player is more directly tied to Ohio State's success than Herron, as the Buckeyes are 21-1 in games where he rushes for at least 55 yards. A member of the so-called "Tat-5," Herron was suspended for the first five games for selling memorabilia items in exchange for cash and tattoos and sat out another game because he was paid by a former booster for work not performed.

The Buckeyes senior running back took some time to talk with ESPN.com about his season, his suspension and what lies ahead for Ohio State.

What has been the key to the way you've performed since coming back from suspension?

Dan Herron: It was just working really hard with the defense. We have a great defense, and with me being on scout team, it really helped me out. Just working with the strength coaches, my running back coach, they just kept me game-ready.

Being on the scout team, how much were you practicing against the first-team defense?

DH: Every day for six weeks. I was definitely working with those guys, trying to make them better and trying to make myself better. They definitely got me prepared to go out there and play in a game again.

How do you feel being out there in games, getting hit again?

DH: I feel blessed. I'm so happy to be back out there, to be out there playing against so much great talent, just playing with my teammates again. It's been an honor to get back out there and play with my guys.

What do you think you mean to the guys, your presence being back out there?

DH: Me being an older guy, I definitely feel like I'm one of the leaders and one of the guys to kind of get the team going. Me having so much experience and just being around some of the greater teams from the past years we had, I bring that leadership.

Was it hard to be a leader when you were suspended?

DH: Actually, no. I was always trying to stay on the guys, even being on the scout team. On the field, off the field, I tried to help the guys keep going and working hard.

When you first found out last December that you weren't going to be out there for the first five games, how did you react?

DH: When everything first happened, I was definitely down a little bit. But at the same time, I told myself I can't let this situation keep me down. I have to go out there and keep working hard and keep trying to get better and really learn from the situation and turn it around and make it a good situation for myself.

What was it like watching the games early in the year?

DH: It was definitely hard for me, just to sit there and watch the games, knowing I could be out there helping out my teammates. Especially when we took a couple losses early during the season, that was really hard for me.

Have you ever thought about what this season would be like if none of you guys had been suspended, if you were out there from the start and DeVier [Posey], maybe even Terrelle [Pryor]?

DH: I've thought about it a few times, but everything happens for a reason and we have to just keep on moving forward now. We can't think about what if or what could have happened. We just have to worry about what happens now.

What did you learn from the experience of sitting out?

DH: Oh, man, just really thinking twice before making a decision, making sure I know all the rules. And before you make a decision, make sure you make the right decision. It's just crazy. You learn so much from it.

What do you think the legacy of your senior class will be at Ohio State?

DH: I think it's going to be special. With everything that we've gone through, if we keep on winning and we get a chance to go to the Big Ten championship game, I think that will definitely be special. Especially with everything that has gone on at Ohio State in the last year or so.

What would it mean to go to the Big Ten championship?

DH: It's definitely still alive for us. It's one of our goals, to be the top team in the Big Ten and try to play for a big-time bowl game. It would definitely mean a lot to us.

What has it been like working with Braxton [Miller]? You were with Terrelle for three years and now you're with Braxton. How have you seen him develop?

DH: It's been good. Braxton's definitely one of those guys who works hard every day. He's one of those guys who wants to win. He's a special athlete, and I think he has a very bright future. It's been great working with him.

You still have your backs to the wall in the division race. A loss might take you out of it. How will you approach these last three games as a team?

DH: We're just staying focused and go out there and give it our best every single game. Every Saturday is a stepping stone.

Ten things to watch around the Big Ten as a pivotal Week 11 slate of games kicks off on Saturday.

1. Penn State with no JoePa: For the first time since 1965, Penn State will play a game without Joe Paterno as its head coach. Paterno's firing Thursday night shook a program that had been rattled to its core throughout the week. Senior Day at Beaver Stadium will take place without the most famous senior of all. How will Penn State players respond? How will the fans respond after an outpouring of emotion Wednesday night? It's a very big game for this team and these seniors, but they'll be truly challenged to keep the focus on the task at hand.

2. Tom Bradley: The longtime Penn State defensive coordinator steps into the uncomfortable position of acting head coach following Paterno's ouster. Bradley must keep the focus on the players and not on the firestorm outside the program. He'll need help from his fellow assistants, including former head coaches like Galen Hall and Ron Vanderlinden. While many think Penn State's assistants have coached the team for years, Saturday will mark the first time Paterno is totally out of the equation.

3. A date with destiny: Michigan State and Iowa are the only two Legends Division teams that control their own fate in the Big Ten championship race. Only one squad will walk out of Kinnick Stadium on Saturday with that label still in place. Iowa has won seven consecutive home games in the series, including a 37-6 spanking of the then-undefeated Spartans last season. Michigan State hasn't been the same team away from home and must come out with better energy, particularly on offense, after struggling in a 24-3 loss at Nebraska on Oct. 30. The Hawkeyes haven't lost at home this season, but haven't played a team as complete as Michigan State.

4. Chasing the record: Wisconsin running back Montee Ball, or "Moneyball," as we like to call him, needs two touchdowns to tie the Big Ten single-season record of 26 held by three players (Ohio State's Pete Johnson in 1975, Indiana's Anthony Thompson in 1988 and Penn State's Ki-Jana Carter in 1994). Ball has scored at least two touchdowns in every game this season and leads the nation with 24 scores in 2011. He'll try to make history as Wisconsin puts Paul Bunyan's Axe on the line at Minnesota.

5. Starting blocks in Champaign: Michigan and Illinois are trying to get back in the win column, and both teams are looking for stronger starts. The Wolverines have throttled opponents after the first quarter, but have been outscored in the first 15 minutes. The Illini have failed to score in the first half in each of their past three games, all losses. Ron Zook wants his Illinois team to play loose, while offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said it comes down to the basics. Illinois needs to show up offensively against a Michigan team that typically gets better as games go along.

6. Rex vs. Silas: Still undecided about the Big Ten's best running back? You're not alone. Two of the top candidates square off Saturday in State College as Nebraska's Rex Burkhead goes up against Penn State's Silas Redd. Both men have been their teams' most consistent offensive performers this season. Redd comes off of a bye week after recording a historic performance in October, rushing for more than 100 yards in five consecutive games and leading all FBS players with 703 rush yards during the month. Burkhead, who was a bit banged up in last week's loss to Northwestern, has eclipsed 100 rush yards five times in the past seven games.

7. Cousins' chance at redemption: Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins grew up a big Iowa fan and has a few Hawkeye alums in his immediate family. But he has yet to record a win against Iowa as Michigan State's starting quarterback, losing a 15-13 heartbreaker in 2009 and struggling in last year's game, throwing three interceptions, including a pick-six. Cousins gets one final shot at Iowa on Saturday, and it's a huge game for the senior and his Spartans teammates. Iowa has been vulnerable against the pass at times this season, so Cousins and his receivers will look to stretch the field.

8. Axe to grind: Speaking of final chances, Minnesota senior safety Kim Royston gets one last crack at Wisconsin, his former team, on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium. Royston began his career as a Badger before transferring to Minnesota, where he has faced some hurdles, including a broken leg that sidelined him all of last season. The NCAA granted Royston a sixth year of eligibility, and he has made the most of it as one of few bright spots for Minnesota's defense, leading the Big Ten in solo tackles (51). The Gophers have been playing much better ball as of late, and they hope to shock Wisconsin and regain the Axe on Saturday. Said Royston: "I've been having those visions [of hoisting the Axe] ever since I left there."

9. Buckeyes' boiling point: After looking flat at times last week against Indiana, Ohio State knows it can't afford a similar performance this week at Purdue. The Boilers are one of those teams, like Illinois, that seems to give Ohio State trouble. Ohio State stumbled at Purdue in 2009, putting its Big Ten title hopes in jeopardy. Another loss Saturday likely would take Ohio State out of the Leaders Division race. Buckeyes' running backs Dan Herron and Jordan Hall both are dealing with ankle injuries. Herron is expected to play and Hall could return after missing the Indiana game.

10. Bowl push continues: Northwestern (4-5) and Purdue (4-5) both need two more wins to become bowl eligible, and the quest resumes Saturday on their home fields. After a potentially season-turning win at Nebraska, Northwestern returns home to face 3-6 Rice, which has a victory over, yep, Purdue. Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said his team won't be overlooking the Owls, who can put up plenty of points. Purdue, meanwhile, returns home after consecutive blowout losses on the road against Wisconsin and Michigan. The Boilers are 2-0 in Big Ten home contests and need at least one of the next two (Ohio State, Iowa), plus the finale at Indiana to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2007.

Let's take a much-needed break from the Penn State mess to focus on the games. There will be some good ones around the Big Ten this week, including several that should shape the division races heading into the final two weeks.

Without further ado, here are the predictions:

RICE at NORTHWESTERN

Brian Bennett: Beware the Owls. Just ask Purdue. But Northwestern got a much-needed confidence boost in last week's win at Nebraska, and I can't see the Wildcats dropping the ball now with a bowl bid within sight. Rice allows more than 30 points a game, so the Northwestern offense should have a good time with or without a full day from Dan Persa. ... Northwestern 41, Rice 27


Adam Rittenberg: Both of these teams can put up points, and I think we'll see plenty at Ryan Field on Saturday. Dan Persa's health will be an interesting story line, but Northwestern's offensive line is finally coming together and Rice will struggle to contain Kain Colter, no matter where he lines up. Colter accounts for three more touchdowns as the Wildcats prevail. ... Northwestern 38, Rice 28

NO. 19 NEBRASKA at NO. 12 PENN STATE

Adam Rittenberg: I would have picked Penn State before Wednesday night's news that JoePa is out. I actually like this matchup for the Nittany Lions, who have a front seven that can contain Nebraska and a running back (Silas Redd) who can attack the middle of the Huskers' defense. But it's just hard to see Penn State playing a focused 60 minutes of football after all that has happened. ... Nebraska 20, Penn State 17

Brian Bennett: Penn State players say they will block out the distractions, but I don't see how that's possible. Give me the team that's had a normal week of preparation and which has an offense that's explosive enough behind Taylor Martinez to score on the Penn State 'D.' ... Nebraska 21, Penn State 14


NO. 17 MICHIGAN STATE at IOWA

Brian Bennett: Michigan State's offense has been putrid on the road, but the Spartans have played some very good defenses away from home (Ohio State, Nebraska and even Notre Dame). Despite a solid performance last week against Michigan, Iowa does not have a great defense. Michigan State focuses on running the ball for a change as Le'Veon Bell goes over 100 yards, and the Spartans assume a tighter grip on the Legends lead. ... Michigan State 23, Iowa 17

Adam Rittenberg: Michigan State is the better team, but the Spartans haven't been the same on the road. Iowa, meanwhile, has performed very well on its home field. The Hawkeyes should move the ball well with a balanced offense led by Marcus Coker and James Vandenberg. This isn't the blowout we saw last year, but I like Iowa to come away with the win. ... Iowa 27, Michigan State 24

OHIO STATE at PURDUE

Adam Rittenberg: This has been a tricky game for Ohio State in years past, and the Buckeyes stumbled in West Lafayette two years ago. But I think Luke Fickell's squad had its hiccup last week. Dan Herron records another big performance as Ohio State's run game shows up and the Buckeyes defense performs better than it did against Indiana. ... Ohio State 27, Purdue 17

Brian Bennett: Purdue has had trouble stopping the run the past couple of weeks, and that's not good news against a team that's doing its best impression of a Woody Hayes powerhouse. Herron and Braxton Miller each go over 100 yards and John Simon leads a stout defensive effort as the Buckeyes stay in the Leaders hunt. ... Ohio State 24, Purdue 10


NO. 18 WISCONSIN at MINNESOTA

Brian Bennett: Minnesota is improved, but I remember that Marcus Coker 250-plus yard performance from a couple of weeks ago. That's a scary thought with Wisconsin's powerful ground game coming to the Twin Cities. Montee Ball gets three scores before the third quarter ends to break the Big Ten record and Wisconsin swings the axe in its first true road victory. ... Wisconsin 42, Minnesota 20


Adam Rittenberg: The Battle for the Axe has become much more interesting in the past few weeks, as Minnesota is making progress, particularly on offense. Minnesota will be fired up for this game and MarQueis Gray will make some plays, but Wisconsin's offense is simply too much for the Gophers. Montee Ball records two touchdowns to tie the Big Ten single-season record as the Badgers prevail. ... Wisconsin 34, Minnesota 21

NO. 24 MICHIGAN at ILLINOIS

Adam Rittenberg: I don't have much confidence in either team heading into this one. While Illinois' defense has performed well against the streak, the Illini aren't as strong against spread offenses like Michigan's. Illinois actually gets off to a fast start in this one, but Michigan makes enough adjustments and Denard Robinson comes through in the second half. The Wolverines rally for a win. ... Michigan 28, Illinois 24

Brian Bennett: Upset special. Illinois comes out with a new focus and intensity after its bye week, and Paul Petrino surprises Michigan with some new offensive wrinkles. Jonathan Brown knocks out Denard Robinson with a big hit and the Illini get back on the winning track at long last. ... Illinois 21, Michigan 17.

SEASON RECORDS

Rittenberg: 59-20 (.747)

Bennett: 58-21 (.734)

The 2010 season wasn't a great one for Big Ten running backs.

The league's best running back played quarterback (Michigan's Denard Robinson). Illinois' Mikel Leshoure flew under the radar but was a nationally elite back in every sense of the word.

But after those two, meh. The league boasted some solid backs -- Edwin Baker, James White, Dan Herron, Adam Robinson, John Clay -- but no one you had to watch every time he took the field. The Big Ten's real star power could be found on the defensive line, as five players went on to become first round picks in the NFL draft.

This season, it's all about the running backs in the Big Ten. The league boasts four players averaging more than 105 rush yards per game, all of whom rank among the nation's top 21 rushers. No other league has more backs in the top 25 nationally than the Big Ten.

So who's the Big Ten's best running back in 2011? It's already one of the more spirited debates around the conference.

Let's meet the candidates (in alphabetical order):

• Wisconsin junior Montee Ball
• Nebraska junior Rex Burkhead
• Iowa sophomore Marcus Coker
• Penn State sophomore Silas Redd

Now let's take a closer look at each player and how they stack up.

MONTEE BALL

Vitals: 5-11, 210, junior from Wentzville, Mo.

2011 stats: 162 carries for 1,076 yards and 21 touchdowns, 119.6 ypg, 6.64 ypc, 13 receptions for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns, 1-for-1 passing with a 25-yard touchdown

Things to know: Ball leads the nation with 24 touchdowns, tying the team record set by Brian Calhoun. He needs just two touchdowns to tie the Big Ten single-season record held by three players. Ball scores a touchdown every 7.3 touches. ... Ball leads the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (145 per game). He ranks fifth nationally among FBS running backs in combined rushing-receiving yards. ... He has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last 15 games and 39 touchdowns during the span. ... Ball has rushed for at least 115 yards in eight of his last nine games against Big Ten opponents. ... Like the other Wisconsin backs, Ball has no fumbles (lost or recovered) this season. ... Despite a strong finish to last season, Ball transformed his body in the winter and spring, shedding weight to add speed while maintaining his power.

Supporting cast: Ball has the best supporting cast of the four candidates. He runs behind one of the nation's best offensive lines, a group led by NFL prospect Peter Konz. His quarterback, Russell Wilson, is a Heisman Trophy candidate and has brought a new element to Wisconsin's offense. His backup, James White, is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

The quote: "He's definitely our best practice player. Nobody has practice that hard at that position since I've been here." -- Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema

Quick case for Ball: "Moneyball" is a touchdown-scoring machine and has been absolutely unstoppable for most of the season. Few backs in the country have been more effective than Ball since the middle of last season. He doesn't put the ball on the ground and consistently moves it forward and into the end zone. He didn't rest on his laurels in the offseason and got better physically.

Quick case against Ball: Wisconsin's track record of running the ball probably works against Ball with the other candidates. The Badgers always have a dominant back (or three) and terrific offensive lines. Wilson's presence also has opened things up for Ball in the run game.

REX BURKHEAD

Vitals: 5-11, 210, junior from Plano, Texas

2011 stats: 187 carries for 951 yards and 13 touchdowns, 105.7 ypg, 5.1 ypc, 14 receptions for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns

Things to know: Burkhead has recorded five 100-yard rushing performances in the last seven games, including against two of the nation's better rush defenses in Michigan State and Ohio State. He turned in a heroic performance in the win against the Spartans, carrying 35 times, the third-highest total in team history. ... Burkhead has gotten better as games have gone on. He has 43 fourth-quarter carries and has averaged 6.16 yards in the final quarter. Burkhead had 109 second-half yards and 96 fourth-quarter yards in Nebraska's historic comeback win against Ohio State. ... He has lost just 32 yards on 187 carries. ... Of his 38 carries in the red zone, Burkhead has gained a first down or a touchdown on 15 rushes. He has rushed for at least one touchdown in every game this season. ... Former Texas high school star nicknamed "Superman," Burkhead did a bit of everything for Nebraska in 2010, even taking some snaps as a Wildcat quarterback.

Supporting cast: Burkhead shares a backfield with another rushing threat in quarterback Taylor Martinez, who has 712 rush yards and nine touchdowns this season. While Martinez demands the attention of opposing defenses, he also takes away some carries and scoring opportunities for Burkhead. Nebraska's offensive line entered the season banged-up and extremely young, but the group has come together nicely. The Huskers' passing attack ranks 101st nationally, and Martinez and his receivers have had their ups and downs. After Burkhead and Martinez, no other Nebraska player has more than 25 carries.

The quote: "He might not be the flashiest guy in the world. I wouldn't trade him for anybody. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and how he plays the game." -- Nebraska coach Bo Pelini

Quick case for Burkhead: He's one of the more reliable players in the country and an absolute joy to watch. He doesn't mess around with excessive moves and blends speed and power extremely well. Unlike Ball and Coker, he doesn't operate in an offense with a strong passing threat, and he's produced against some solid defenses.

Quick case against Burkhead: His numbers don't pop off the page like some of the other candidates'. Burkhead's most impressive performance (against MSU) was more of a workmanlike effort (35 carries, 3.7 ypc) than one that wows you. He doesn't have many long runs in Big Ten play (longest is 22 yards).

MARCUS COKER

Vitals: 6-0, 230, sophomore from Beltsville, Md.

2011 stats: 211 carries for 1,101 yards and 12 touchdowns, 122.3 ypg, 5.2 ypc, 15 receptions for 94 yards

Things to know: Coker leads the Big Ten in carries, rushing yards and rushing average (he ranks sixth nationally). ... He has six 100-yard rushing performances this season. His 12 rushing touchdowns tie for the fourth-highest single-season total in team history ... Coker ranks second in the Big Ten and 41st nationally in all-purpose yards (132.8 ypg). ... His 252 rushing yards yards in an Oct. 22 game at Minnesota ranks as third best single-game total in school history. ... He's one of only four backs in Iowa history to record multiple 200-yard rushing performances. ... Coker has eclipsed 120 rush yards and scored two touchdowns in each of his last four games, all against Big Ten opponents.

Supporting cast: Coker runs behind one of the better Big Ten offensive lines, led by NFL draft prospect Riley Reiff at left tackle. Iowa isn't quite as powerful up front as Wisconsin but boasts a better line than both Penn State and Nebraska. Quarterback James Vandenberg has had a very strong season passing the ball, and defenses must respect Iowa's aerial attack and receiving corps, led by star senior Marvin McNutt. Coker has been Iowa's bell cow, as no other Hawkeyes running back has logged more than 18 carries.

The quote: "Marcus is the type of back that makes your offensive line want to block for him. So we definitely love him, and we love blocking for him, and we don't want anyone else back there." -- Iowa center James Ferentz, to The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette

The case for Coker: He leads the Big Ten in rushing and has improved as the season has progressed. He boasts arguably the best combination of power and big-play potential among the candidates, recording six runs of 25 yards or more and three of 41 yards or more. While some of the other candidates are solid, reliable runners, Coker has the rare ability to simply dominate a game.

The case against Coker: He struggled with fumbles at the start of the year and hurt Iowa in its Week 2 loss to Iowa State. He benefits from Iowa's lack of depth at running back and gets more carries than other candidates. He averaged a pedestrian 4.3 yards per rush through Iowa's first five games. He feasted on mostly average defenses.

SILAS REDD

Vitals: 5-10, 209, sophomore from Norwalk, Conn.

2011 stats: 195 carries for 1,006 yards and 7 touchdowns, 111.8 ypg, 5.2 ypc, eight receptions for 31 yards

Things to know: Redd recorded five consecutive 100-yard games and led all FBS players with 703 rushing yards in October. He averaged 140.6 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry during the month. He's the first Penn State player to record five consecutive 100-yard games since former All-American Curtis Enis in 1997. ... He already has eclipsed 1,000 rush yards for the season, becoming the 12th Penn State player to do so. ... He already has 118 carries more than he had all of last season and has racked up 28 or more carries in four of Penn State's five Big Ten games. ... He has lost just 19 yards on 195 carries. ... Redd worked on his body during the offseason and added 10-15 pounds to help with an increased workload. He also changed his running style, becoming a more straight-ahead, downhill power back.

Supporting cast: Redd has the weakest supporting cast of the candidates, underscoring how impressive his performance has been this season. Penn State has rotated two quarterbacks all season and had very limited success in the passing game, so the offense relies heavily on Redd to produce. The offensive line is performing better in recent weeks but hasn't been as strong as Wisconsin's and Iowa's, and even Nebraska's. Redd has gotten a bit of help from fellow backs Beachum and Curtis Dukes, but Dukes is second on Penn State's carries list with only 35.

The quote: "He can hurt you with his speed and his elusiveness outside, and he can run between the tackles. He's a pretty complete back." -- Nebraska coach Bo Pelini

The case for Redd: He has been an absolute workhorse for a struggling Penn State offense and transformed himself into a complete back in just his sophomore season. Redd had the most impressive month of any candidate (October), and he did it all against Big Ten competition. He has the weakest supporting cast and, along with Coker, he's clearly his team's main ball-carrier.

The case against Redd: The main knock on Redd is he doesn't score enough touchdowns. He has 14 fewer rush touchdowns than Ball, six fewer than Burkhead and five fewer than Coker. Redd also has had some fumbling issues that have ended promising Penn State drives.

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

Another wild Saturday of Big Ten football has produced yet another No. 1 team in the power rankings. Whether this league is mediocre or balanced, it has been fun to watch.

Penn State takes over the top spot despite not playing a game Saturday. Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern make moves, while Nebraska and Michigan both take a tumble.

As a reminder, we're trying to keep the Big Ten power rankings consistent with how we rank teams in the ESPN.com power rankings. Teams are ranked according to body of work as well as recent performance.

1. Penn State (8-1, 5-0): The open week came at a great time for Joe Paterno's crew, which had additional time to gear up for its defining stretch of the season. Penn State finishes with Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin, and needs two wins to clinch the Leaders division. Given the league-wide struggles to win big games on the road, Penn State's home finale this week against Nebraska is critical for the Lions. The defense has been superb, as has workhorse running back Silas Redd, but Penn State likely will need big things from quarterback Matthew McGloin down the stretch.

2. Michigan State (7-2, 4-1): It was ugly at times, but Michigan State made enough plays down the stretch to escape Saturday's scare from Minnesota with a 31-24 victory. Kirk Cousins rebounded from the Nebraska debacle with 296 pass yards and two touchdowns, and Le'Veon Bell sparked an inconsistent run game (96 yards, 2 TDs). Michigan State looked a bit sluggish for the second consecutive game and will need greater intensity and a more polished performance this week at Iowa, which embarrassed the Spartans 37-6 last year at Kinnick Stadium.

3. Wisconsin (7-2, 3-2): There was no heartbreak this week, at least on the Wisconsin sideline. The Badgers got their groove back against Purdue, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Running back Montee Ball continued his assault on the record book with 223 rush yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Quarterback Russell Wilson was brilliant and Wisconsin had its way with an overmatched Purdue defense. Despite another special-teams breakdown, the Badgers received big plays from their defense and cruised to another easy home win. They now must toughen up on the road, where they play their next two games.

4. Nebraska (7-2, 3-2): Big Red will now need help to win the Legends division after falling to Northwestern on its home field. Nebraska lost to an unranked foe at home for the fifth consecutive year. After a breakthrough performance against Michigan State, the Huskers' defense backslid against Northwestern, which attacked the middle of the field and controlled the line of scrimmage. Although quarterback Taylor Martinez passed the ball extremely well, Nebraska made too many mistakes on both sides of the ball. The Huskers must now rebound on the road the next two weeks against Penn State and Michigan.

5. Michigan (7-2, 3-2): The Wolverines' slow starts and inconsistent passing attack finally caught up with them Saturday at Iowa. Although Michigan rallied valiantly behind Robinson, it fell short on its second consecutive road game. The Wolverines now need a lot of help to get back in the Legends division race, and the schedule doesn't get any easier with games at Illinois and against Nebraska and Ohio State. Michigan's defense struggled with Coker but, as usual, improved as the game went on. The offense simply showed up too late.

6. Ohio State (6-3, 3-2): The Buckeyes have won three straight to become bowl eligible and remain alive in the Leaders division after an 0-2 start to Big Ten play. They were far from dominant Saturday against Indiana, particularly on defense, but a commitment to the run game in the second half and a big interception by cornerback Travis Howard sealed the win. Senior running back Dan Herron has made a huge difference since his return from suspension, and running back Carlos Hyde emerged from the dog house with a big performance. A tricky game at Purdue awaits Ohio State this week before the showdown against Penn State.

7. Iowa (6-3, 3-2): Don't count out Iowa in the Legends division race. The Hawkeyes rebounded from a crushing loss at Minnesota and took care of Michigan on their home field, where they improved to 6-0. Iowa remains home this week to face Michigan State in another must-win matchup within the division. Sophomore running back Marcus Coker is starting to hit his stride, racking up 124 rush yards or more in each of his last four seasons. If the defense can build upon its performance Saturday, Iowa will be an extremely dangerous team down the stretch.

8. Northwestern (4-5, 2-4): The Wildcats do it every season -- record one big upset and one shocking defeat. They pulled off quite the stunner Saturday against then-No. 10 Nebraska, surviving an injury to starting quarterback Dan Persa and outlasting the surging Huskers at Memorial Stadium. Backup quarterback Kain Colter played a brilliant game behind a ferocious offensive line, and Northwestern's defense delivered by far its best performance of the season. The Wildcats can't avoid a hangover this week against Rice as they need at least two more wins to get bowl eligible. They play their final three games at home.

9. Illinois (6-3, 2-3): The open week gave the Fighting Illini a chance to regroup following their three-game slide. Illinois has amazingly had more yards and more first downs than any of its last three opponents -- Ohio State, Purdue and Penn State -- but dropped all three contests. Whitney Mercilus and his fellow defenders continue to play at a high level, but Illinois needs its offense to reappear to resurrect its season. Things don't get much easier the next two weeks as the Illini host Michigan and Wisconsin.

10. Purdue (4-5, 2-3): It has been a real struggle for Purdue since the Illinois win, as the Boilers have dropped consecutive road games by a combined score of 98-31. Purdue's defense had no answer for Ball, Wilson and the Wisconsin attack, which racked up 605 yards, including 364 on the ground. Boilers quarterback Caleb TerBush had a rough day with two interceptions, and the run game didn't show up for the second consecutive game. Purdue must now regroup this week against Ohio State, as it needs two more wins to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2007.

11. Minnesota (2-7, 1-4): The Gophers have looked like a completely different team since their open week. They gave Michigan State's decorated defense all it could handle Saturday at Spartan Stadium, as quarterback MarQueis Gray and wide receiver Da'Jon McKnight connected for three touchdown strikes. Gray has really emerged in last two games, recording 488 pass yards and 133 rush yards. Although Minnesota's defense remains too leaky, Jerry Kill's team is slowly taking steps in the second half of the season. Another rivalry game is on tap this week as Wisconsin visits TCF Bank Stadium.

12. Indiana (1-9, 0-6): A young Hoosiers squad admirably kept pace in Columbus for three and a half quarters before falling to Ohio State. Freshman quarterback Tre Roberson continues to impress and led a high-tempo Hoosiers attack that racked up 19 first downs and converted 10 of 17 third-down chances. The defense performed a bit better after a horrendous effort last week but still allowed too many big plays, and Indiana continued to fall victim to untimely penalties (6 for 62 yards). The Hoosiers get a much-needed bye before the final two games.

It's time to highlight the best and the brightest from Week 10 in the Big Ten:

• Ohio State's offensive backfield: Quarterback Braxton Miller (14 carries, 105 yards, two touchdowns) and tailbacks Dan Herron (14 carries, 141 yards and a touchdown) and Carlos Hyde (15 carries for 105 yards and a score) were the three horsemen of the apocalypse against Indiana. It was the first time three Buckeyes players ran for 100 yards in the same game since 1989, when Scottie Graham, Carlos Snow and Dante Lee did so against Northwestern. And Ohio State needed almost all of it to hold off the Hoosiers.
• Wisconsin RB Montee Ball: Just call him "Moneyball." Ball's incredible season reached new heights against Purdue as he ran for a career-high 224 yards on just 20 carries in a little more than two quarters of work. He also scored three more touchdowns, giving him a school-record 24 on the season. Ball needs just three more this season to break the Big Ten single-season touchdown mark.
• Northwestern QB Kain Colter: After Dan Persa left the game with an apparent left shoulder injury, Colter led the way to a stunning 28-25 upset at Nebraska. Colter completed 4 of 6 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, ran 17 times for 58 yards and two scores and caught three passes for 57 yards. Special mention also goes to the Wildcats' offensive line, which paved the way for 209 rushing yards against the newly minted Blackshirts defense
• Iowa RB Marcus Coker: The Big Ten's leading rusher had his fourth straight game of at least 124 yards. He carried 29 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-16 win over Michigan.
• Iowa DE Broderick Binns: The senior had his biggest performance of the season at the perfect time as Iowa contained Michigan and Denard Robinson. Binns was in Robinson's face all game, recording three knockdowns, a sack and two tackles for loss..

The game didn't go as many had planned, but Ohio State got the result it needed to stay alive in the Leaders Division race.

Ohio State overcame a pesky Indiana squad 34-20 after truly committing to the rushing attack in the second half. After some curious pass calls early in the game, the Buckeyes got back to what they do best and ran all over Indiana. Ohio State racked up 346 rush yards and had three players -- Dan Herron, Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde -- eclipse the 100-yard mark.

It's no coincidence that Ohio State's win streak has coincided with Herron's return from suspension. The Buckeyes' senior running back and undisputed emotional leader has been fabulous. He recorded his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance today, going for 141 yards and a touchdown on only 14 carries. Hyde emerged from the coaches' dog house and contributed as well with 105 yards and a 2-yard touchdown that put away the game with 2:41 left.

Miller had some shaky moments throwing the ball, but his mobility once again helped the Buckeyes as he finished with 105 rush yards and two touchdowns, including a 20-yard dash on third-and-goal.

Ohio State's defense won't be saving this game tape, as Indiana's up-tempo spread attack gave the Buckeys fits. But linemen John Simon had another brilliant performance, and cornerback Travis Howard recorded another huge interception to set up the final touchdown.

Credit Kevin Wilson and the Indiana Hoosiers for a really good effort today. The Hoosiers received solid play from QB Tre Roberson for most of the game, and their defense improved upon a porous effort last week against Northwestern. Ultimately, Indiana still makes too many mistakes to win games, as the Hoosiers were flagged six times and committed a turnover at a bad time.

Ohio State marches onto face Purdue next week, while Indiana gets a much-needed bye.

Ohio State's depth at tailback -- and maybe even more importantly, its kick return game -- has taken another hit. Head coach Luke Fickell said Thursday that Jordan Hall, the team's No. 2 running back, is "probably doubtful" against Indiana because of an ankle injury.

If Hall can't go, that would be two running backs unavailable for the Buckeyes. Jaamal Berry was suspended this week after he was charged with assault.

But tailback depth shouldn't be too much of a problem for Ohio State. Dan Herron has been terrific since returning from his suspension, rushing for 274 yards in two games. Carlos Hyde, who ran for more than 100 yards against Nebraska before Herron came back, will be elevated to the No. 2 back. Hyde voiced his displeasure over his reduced role on Twitter and did not play last week against Wisconsin, but Fickell said Hyde has "kept his mind right."

"This could be a very good opportunity for him," Fickell said.

Rod Smith, who has been working out some with the Buckeyes' linebackers, will also be available at running back.

The bigger issue if Hall can't play might be on special teams. Hall ranks third in the Big Ten in kick returns at 30.2 yards per attempt. Last week, he returned a Wisconsin kick 42 yards to help set up the game-winning score.

Fickell said Corey "Philly" Brown, Chris Fields and Devin Smith could chip in on kick returns in Hall's absence, and Herron might get some work there, too.

The Buckeyes are heavy favorites to beat 1-8 Indiana at home this week, but Hall could be a key player down the stretch as they contend for the Leaders Division title.