ESPN College Football

Miami and Ohio State on Jan. 3, 2003 provided one of the most exciting and talked-about games in recent college football history. Ohio State's double-overtime victory in the Fiesta Bowl secured a national title and marked the beginning of a surge under The Vest (Jim Tressel). It also signaled the end of Miami's amazing run of success. The teams reunite Saturday in Columbus (ESPN, 3:40 p.m. ET), as Ohio State continues its push for the national title and Miami aims for another signature win to prove that yes, The U is back.

Bloggers Adam Rittenberg and Heather Dinich break down the matchup in Columbus.

Adam Rittenberg: HD, always a pleasure. Tough first weekend for the so-close league, I mean the ACC. Both Ohio State and Miami looked impressive against weak competition Thursday night. We've got to start this off with the two quarterbacks, Terrelle Pryor and Jacory Harris. Both are Heisman Trophy candidates in my mind, and they're friends off the field who text each other from time to time. What are the big keys for Harris against an always stout Ohio State defense?

Heather Dinich: Ahh, Ritt, the pleasure is all yours. First, he has to get the protection he needs -- something he hasn't always had, but that appeared to improve in the season opener against Florida A&M. Second, Harris has to continue to play mistake-free like he did in the first half last week. Turnovers were a big issue for him last year -- 17 interceptions -- and Cameron Heyward and the rest of the Buckeyes' D are more than capable of getting him flustered. He’s got to stay on his feet and make smart decisions. What about Pryor? Miami's rushing defense is coming off its best performance in three years, with eight sacks against FAMU. Is Ohio State’s front ready to hold off the Canes and make Pryor look worthy of the Heisman Hype?

AR: Pryor looked much more comfortable with the offense in the opener, but he faced virtually no pressure from Marshall and could sit back and wait for wideouts Dane Sanzenbacher and DeVier Posey to get open. That should change against the Canes, and it'll be interesting to see how often Pryor takes off and runs -- his old method for dealing with pressure -- or stands in the pocket and makes a tough throw. Ohio State's offensive line finally seems to be coming together after several years of underachieving. It's a group filled with blue-chip recruits that boasts good experience now, especially at the guard spots with Justin Boren and Bryant Browning. A big key will be whether left tackle Mike Adams can protect Pryor's blind side.

Speaking of highly recruited offensive linemen and Ohio State, how is our pal Seantrel Henderson doing? Let's just say Buckeye Nation is waiting. Moreover, how do you see Miami's O-line matching up with Heyward, John Simon and Ohio State's front four?

HD: Miami’s pass protection was pretty good against FAMU, giving up just one sack, and Mount Henderson got some snaps in which he swallowed up some smaller, less athletic players. He's still got a learning curve, though, and the truth is it's too hard to judge that group until it lines up against the Buckeyes. Some might have made too much of the power versus speed plotline in the Champs Sports Bowl against Wisconsin, but I’m wondering if that won’t be a factor with Ohio State’s defensive front in putting the pressure on Harris. The Buckeyes' run defense is solid, but can they stop this deep backfield with or without Graig Cooper?

AR: Heather, I'm glad you brought up the Champs Sports Bowl. I know this is a different and supposedly better Miami team, but I have a hard time forgetting how Wisconsin outclassed the Canes in that game, and would have won by more points if not for a Garrett Graham fumble near the goal line. If Wisconsin's defense makes Harris look like that, I can't imagine what Ohio State's will do to him. You also bring up a good point about Cooper, who missed most of the Wisconsin game. He's a tremendous athlete and could be a big factor on Saturday if he plays. Ohio State running back Brandon Saine is another guy who looks better and better as time goes on and had a great performance in the opener.

OK, you're on the spot. What happens in this one?

HD: Well, one of two things: A.) Miami wins and is an instant surprise contender for the national title, or B.) The Hurricanes lose and ACC fans flip the channel to the Florida State game, clinging to desperation that somebody can represent on the national level. I think Miami is good, but I don’t think they're ready for Ohio State -- especially not in the Shoe. I'm still in believe-it-when-I-see-it mode with these guys when it comes to national relevance. Can they win the ACC? No doubt. But the Canes need to win the Coastal before they're in the same realm as the Buckeyes. Do you see any upset in the making?

AR: Miami certainly has the talent to win this game. The Canes must win the turnover battle, force Pryor into some bad decisions and hold the edge on special teams, which surprisingly might be Ohio State's biggest weakness this year. While I forecast a great game, I don't see the upset. Ohio State is simply too strong up front on both sides of the ball and wins the battle at the line of scrimmage. Ohio State got over its big-game hump in the Rose Bowl against Oregon, and the Buckeyes aren't a slow Big Ten team, as they're often portrayed. The Buckeyes win this one by a touchdown.

Let's take a look at three issues facing each Big Ten team heading into spring practice:

ILLINOIS

Spring practice starts: March 30

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• The quarterback competition. Four-year starter Juice Williams departs, and a host of young players (and one older one) are in the mix to replace him. New offensive coordinator Paul Petrino wants to shape his system around the starting signal-caller, so he'll be looking for some separation this spring. Jacob Charest got valuable playing time behind Williams in 2009, and Eddie McGee, a part-time wide receiver, has extensive playing experience at quarterback. They'll compete with redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase and true freshman Chandler Whitmer, an early enrollee.
• Fixing the defense. New defensive coordinator Vic Koenning brings an impressive résumé to Champaign, but he'll be challenged to fix a unit that hasn't been right since J Leman and Co. left following the Rose Bowl run in 2007. Koenning wants to identify leaders on defense this spring and will look to players like end Clay Nurse and linebackers Ian Thomas and Martez Wilson. Illinois' most pressing needs likely come in the secondary after the team finished 100th nationally against the pass in 2009.
• Line dance. Illinois needs to get tougher and better on both lines to turn things around in 2010. The Illini tied for eighth in the Big Ten in sacks allowed last fall, and while the run game got going late, top lineman Jon Asamoah departs. Perhaps a bigger priority is finding a pass rush on defense after finishing last in the league in both sacks and tackles for loss in 2009.

INDIANA

Spring practice starts: March 23

Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

• Rebuilding the back seven on D. Indiana loses three starters in the secondary and two linebackers, including blog favorite Matt Mayberry. The Hoosiers brought in three junior college defenders, two of whom, linebacker Jeff Thomas and cornerback Lenyatta Kiles, will participate in spring practice. Needless to say, jobs are open everywhere, and coordinators Brian George and Joe Palcic will be looking for playmakers to step up. Several players are moving from offense to defense, including wideout Mitchell Evans to safety.
• End game. Indiana loses a lot of pass-rushing production as multiyear starters Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton depart. Both starting jobs at defensive end are open this spring, and IU will look to Darius Johnson, Terrance Thomas and others to step up and make plays.
• Willis watch. Indiana hopes 2010 is the year when running back Darius Willis becomes a superstar. Getting him through spring practice healthy will be a key first step. Willis has been impressive on the field, but he has struggled with injuries for much of his career. IU's passing attack should be very strong in 2010, and if Willis can elevate the run game, the Hoosiers should put up a ton of points.

IOWA

Spring practice starts: March 24

Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

• The offensive line. Rebuilding the offensive line is far and away Iowa's top priority heading into the 2010 season. The Hawkeyes are stacked at running back and boast a strong passing attack, but they'll struggle if things aren't solidified up front. Tackle/guard Riley Reiff blossomed last season and guard Julian Vandervelde also returns, but Iowa will look to fill three starting spots this spring.
• Refilling at linebacker and cornerback. Iowa's defense has been one of the nation's most opportunistic units the last two seasons, and players like Pat Angerer, A.J. Edds and Amari Spievey were three big reasons why. All three depart, so Iowa needs to reload at linebacker and find a shut-down corner (Shaun Prater?). The spotlight will be on guys like Prater, Tyler Nielsen and Jeff Tarpinian this spring.
• Sorting out the running back spot. Iowa is absolutely loaded at running back, but there's only one ball to be carried on a given play. The Hawkeyes likely will use a rotation in 2010, but who will be the featured back? Jewel Hampton will try to reclaim the top spot, which he lost because of a knee injury last summer. Adam Robinson filled in extremely well for Hampton in the lead role, and Brandon Wegher was one of the heroes of the Orange Bowl win.

MICHIGAN

Spring practice starts: March 14

Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

• Defense, defense, defense. Head coach Rich Rodriguez always will be known for his spread offense, but he won't be around much longer at Michigan if the defense doesn't significantly improve. A unit that ranked 82nd nationally last season loses its two best players (Brandon Graham and Donovan Warren) and must find contributors at linebacker, safety and cornerback. Help is on the way from the 2010 recruiting class, but Michigan can't afford a bad spring on defense.
• Devin Gardner. The heralded quarterback recruit enrolled early and will enter the mix this spring. Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson are the front-runners at quarterback, but Gardner might be the ultimate answer for the Wolverines. His ability to pick up the system and push Forcier and Robinson this spring will determine whether he sees the field in the fall or takes a redshirt.
• Running back. Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor depart, but Michigan once again should be good at the running back spot. Vincent Smith will miss spring ball as he recovers from knee surgery, but several others, including Michael Shaw and Fitzgerald Toussaint, will be competing throughout the 15 workouts. Shaw, who scored two touchdowns on 42 carries in 2009, could create a bit of separation with a good spring.

MICHIGAN STATE

Spring practice starts: March 23

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• Team morale. The residence hall incident and the subsequent fallout really rocked the Michigan State program. Head coach Mark Dantonio has yet to address the status of several suspended players, and the final outcome could impact the depth chart, particularly at wide receiver. It's important for Michigan State's team leaders -- Greg Jones, Kirk Cousins and others -- to unite the locker room in the spring and do all they can to prevent further problems.
• Line dance. Michigan State needs to improve on both the offensive and defensive lines in 2010, and it all starts this spring. The Spartans must replace left tackle Rocco Cironi and center Joel Nitchman, and they also lose top pass-rusher Trevor Anderson at defensive end. As strong as the Spartans should be at the skill positions, they need to start building around linemen like Joel Foreman and Jerel Worthy.
• Keith Nichol. The versatile junior could be moved to wide receiver, but he'll get a chance to push Cousins at quarterback this spring. Nichol's skills are too valuable to waste on the sideline, particularly if Michigan State has a pressing need at receiver, but he still could be a factor at quarterback if his improves his accuracy. The speedy Nichol could run the Wildcat in addition to serving as a wide receiver, if MSU chooses to go that route.

MINNESOTA

Spring practice starts: March 23

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• The coordinator and the quarterbacks. Minnesota will welcome its third offensive coordinator in as many seasons, though Jeff Horton doesn't plan to overhaul the system like Jedd Fisch did a year ago. Horton's primary task will be developing quarterbacks Adam Weber and MarQueis Gray, who both struggled last fall in the pro-style system. Weber has the edge in experience, but he needs to regain the form his showed in his first two seasons as the starter. Gray brings tremendous athleticism to the table but must prove he can succeed in a pro-style offense.
• The offensive line. Head coach Tim Brewster has insisted that when Minnesota gets the offensive line on track, things really will get rolling. The Gophers need better players and arguably tougher players up front, and the line should benefit in Year 2 under assistant Tim Davis. The group should be motivated by finishing last in the Big Ten in rushing in each of the past two seasons.
• Young defenders. Minnesota loses most of its starting defense from 2009, but fans are more excited about the young talent returning on that side of the ball. Spring ball could be huge for players like Michael Carter, D.L. Wilhite and Keanon Cooper as they transition into leading roles. The Gophers' biggest losses come at linebacker, as all three starters depart.

NORTHWESTERN

Spring practice starts: March 29

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• Identify a running back. The Wildcats produced an impressive string of standout running backs under former coach Randy Walker and at the beginning of Pat Fitzgerald’s tenure, but they struggled in the backfield in 2009. Northwestern returns the Big Ten’s most experienced offensive line, so identifying a primary ball carrier or two this spring is vital. Arby Fields and Scott Concannon showed a few flashes last year but must get more consistent, while Mike Trumpy will be an interesting addition to the mix.
• Polishing Persa. Dan Persa steps in at quarterback for second-team All-Big Ten selection Mike Kafka, and he’ll try to walk a similar career path. Kafka transformed himself in the offseason a year ago to become an extremely consistent passer, and Persa will need to do the same. Persa could be the best running quarterback Northwestern has had since Zak Kustok, but his size and the nature of the offense suggests he’ll need to make strides with his arm. NU also needs to see progress from backup Evan Watkins, as it lacks overall depth at quarterback.
• Reload in the secondary. Northwestern loses three starters in the secondary, including all-conference selections Sherrick McManis and Brad Phillips. Fitzgerald will lean heavily on cornerback Jordan Mabin and safety Brian Peters to lead the group, but he needs a few more players to emerge this spring. Defensive backs like Justan Vaughn have experience and must transition into featured roles.

OHIO STATE

Spring practice starts: April 1

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• Running back competition resumes. Brandon Saine and Dan Herron finished strong in 2009, but they can’t get too comfortable. Several young running backs, including Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry, Jermil Martin and Carlos Hyde, will be competing for carries this spring. Saine likely has the best chance to lock down a featured role at running back, but if the hype about Berry pans out, it’ll be a dogfight.
• Pryor’s evolution. After Ohio State’s victory in the Rose Bowl, both Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel talked about the game being a key juncture in Pryor’s development. The junior quarterback must build on his performance this spring, especially from a passing standpoint. Ohio State can be a more balanced and more effective offense in 2010, but Pryor needs to keep making strides.
• Safety squeeze. The Buckeyes didn’t lose much from the 2009 team, but the safety spot took a hit as first-team All-Big Ten selection Kurt Coleman as well as key contributor Anderson Russell depart. Jermale Hines looks like the answer at one spot, and he’ll enter the spring with high expectations. Ohio State needs to build around Hines and identify playmakers for an increasingly opportunistic unit.

PENN STATE

Spring practice starts: March 26

Spring game: April 24

What to watch:

• Quarterback, quarterback, quarterback. No surprise here, as Penn State’s quarterback competition will be one of the Big Ten’s top storylines until September. Two-year starter Daryll Clark departs, leaving a major void under center. Sophomore Kevin Newsome played a bit last fall and has been in the system for a full season. He’ll enter the spring with a slight edge, but Matt McGloin and early enrollee Paul Jones also will be in the mix before Robert Bolden arrives this summer.
• Getting better up front. All-America candidate Stefen Wisniewski leads an offensive line that will have more experience and needs to make strides this spring. The line struggled against elite defensive fronts last year (Iowa, Ohio State) but should have more cohesion after another offseason together. The tackle spots will be interesting to watch, as Dennis Landolt departs. Penn State’s defensive line needs to shore up the middle after losing Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Year Jared Odrick.
• Linebacker U. put to the test. Penn State has a proven track record of reloading in the defensive front seven, but it loses a lot of production, especially at linebacker. All three starting spots are open this spring, and the spotlight will turn to players like Nate Stupar, Bani Gbadyu, Chris Colasanti and others to fill the production and leadership gaps left by Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman and Josh Hull.

PURDUE

Spring practice starts: March 24

Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

• Marve watch begins. The starting quarterback job is open, and all eyes will be on Miami transfer Robert Marve. One of the nation's most decorated recruits in 2007, Marve started for the Hurricanes in 2008 but ran into problems and transferred. Slowed by an ACL injury last summer and fall, Marve will have every chance to establish himself this spring as he competes with Caleb TerBush.
• Wide-open secondary. All four starters depart in the secondary, creating plenty of competition back there this spring. Players like safety Albert Evans and cornerback Charlton Williams will be in the spotlight as they try to nail down jobs. Purdue should be better in the front seven in 2010, but you can bet opposing quarterbacks will attack an unproven secondary.
• The run defense. It's a huge priority for Purdue to improve against the run after finishing last in the Big Ten in rush defense in each of the past two seasons. Linebacker Jason Werner's return for a sixth year is huge, and Purdue boasts one of the Big Ten's top D-linemen in Ryan Kerrigan. Those two must provide leadership and foster more cohesion from the younger players around them. New D-line coach Gary Emanuel will be instrumental in the process this spring.

WISCONSIN

Spring practice starts: March 13 (break from March 29-April 2)

Spring game: April 17

What to watch:

• The secondary. Wisconsin looks pretty solid on the defensive line and at linebacker, so getting the secondary up to par will be key this spring. Safety Jay Valai is a vicious hitter, but can he become an All-Big Ten-caliber safety? Aaron Henry joins Valai at safety after struggling at cornerback in 2009. Wisconsin also will look for continued progress from corners Devin Smith and Niles Brinkley.
• Replacing Schofield. Bret Bielema told me earlier this week that the competition at defensive line is once again heating up this offseason. Wisconsin must replace first-team All-Big Ten end O'Brien Schofield, who ranked second nationally in tackles for loss (24.5) in 2009. J.J. Watt has superstar written all over him, but Wisconsin will look for more pass-rush ability from David Gilbert and Louis Nzegwu.
• The wide receivers/tight ends. Wisconsin showed at times last fall that its passing attack could be dynamic, and it will look for big things from several players this spring. Wideout Nick Toon certainly has what it takes to be a star in the Big Ten, and Lance Kendricks showed in the Champs Sports Bowl that he's a capable successor for Garrett Graham at tight end. The Badgers will look to David Gilreath, Isaac Anderson and Kyle Jefferson to fill the No. 2 wideout spot.

Perhaps the best part about spring practice is projecting the handful of players who will turn heads and raise expectations heading into the fall. Most of these players have provided hints of bigger things to come.

So who will become a breakout player in the Big Ten? Here are a few names to watch.

Penn State CB Stephon Morris: Morris made a name for himself in Penn State's nickel package as a true freshman. He recorded 30 tackles, had an interception, a sack and two passes defended. Look for him to improve and become a major factor in Penn State's secondary.

Michigan State WR Keshawn Martin: He is already the Big Ten's most dangerous kickoff returner and could become one of the league's top wide receivers this year. Martin led Michigan State last season in yards-per-reception (22.8) and yards-per-carry (12.2). Look for the Spartans to find more ways to get the ball to Martin, who is a legitimate big-play threat.

Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks: Kendricks certainly looked like Wisconsin's tight end of the future in the Champs Sports Bowl, where he recorded seven receptions for a career high 128 receiving yards in the win against Miami. Garrett Graham's graduation opens up the top spot for Kendricks, who could have a monster season in 2010 working alongside quarterback Scott Tolzien.

Minnesota S Kim Royston: Minnesota will lean heavily on its safeties in 2010, and Royston looks ready for the added responsibility. The Wisconsin transfer finished the 2009 season on a very strong note: He recorded a career high 15 tackles (14 solo) and forced a fumble. Royston and Kyle Theret could form the league's top safety tandem.

Iowa RB Jewel Hampton: He's baaaack. Younger teammates Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher filled in nicely for Hampton in 2009, but Hampton still has the best chance to become Iowa's featured back. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns in 2008 as Shonn Greene's backup and can be very effective if his knee gets back to 100 percent.

Illinois CB/WR Terry Hawthorne: One of the few bright spots for Illinois last season, Hawthorne recorded 30 tackles, intercepted a ball for a 44-yard touchdown and had six passes defended as a true freshman. He can play both cornerback and wide receiver for the Illini, who are desperate for playmakers on both sides of the ball. Hawthorne provided a spark for Illinois last year, but he could be a star in 2010.

Ohio State LB Brian Rolle: Cameron Heyward and Ross Homan will be the headliners for Ohio State's defense in 2010, but watch out for Rolle as well. Rolle already "broke out," in a sense, with 95 tackles (seven for loss) and an interception in 2009. But he could truly explode for the Buckeyes this coming fall.

Northwestern TE Drake Dunsmore: Anyone who saw Dunsmore run through several Auburn defenders for a 66-yard touchdown in the Outback Bowl recognizes his immense potential. The junior might be NU's top NFL prospect and offensive coordinator Mick McCall loves to get him involved. Dunsmore will be one of the top targets for new starting quarterback Dan Persa.

Five lessons from the Big Ten's strong performance in the bowls.

1. The Big Ten is filled with elite defensive coordinators: We already knew that the Big Ten was a defense-oriented league, but we saw just how good these coaches can be in the bowls. Defensive coordinators like Dave Doeren (Wisconsin), Tom Bradley (Penn State), Norm Parker (Iowa) and Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell (Ohio State) crafted tremendous game plans to slow down offenses featuring supposedly better athletes and more speed. The Big Ten's four bowl winners allowed an average of only 15.5 points and 211.5 yards, and totally shut down opposing quarterbacks like Miami's Jacory Harris and Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli. Offense sells in today's college football, but you can't beat the defensive coaching in the Big Ten.

2. A shorter layoff and expansion aren't totally necessary for bowl success: The Big Ten's strong performance in the bowls might have put a damper on the expansion movement, at least for a little while. Many people both inside and outside the league have cited the long layoff before bowls and the lack of a championship game as detriments to postseason success. But this year, the layoffs seemed to benefit teams like Iowa and Ohio State as they prepared to face tricky offensive schemes. All four bowl winners started quickly in their games, showing no signs of sluggishness, and while Northwestern, Minnesota and Michigan State all fell behind in the first half, all three teams played competitive games. Expansion might benefit the league in the long run, but it doesn't automatically equal bowl wins or bowl losses.

3. Terrelle Pryor can be a complete quarterback: He's not quite there yet, but the Ohio State sophomore showed the nation what he could eventually become with a terrific effort against Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Pryor surprised everyone by coming out of the gate slinging the ball, and he made several clutch throws while maintaining his presence as an effective rusher and scrambler. Pryor recorded career highs in completions (23), attempts (37) and passing yards (266) as he outgained Oregon's entire team in yards (338-260). If Pryor continues to evolve as a passer, he'll contend for national honors in 2010.

4. Big Ten quarterbacks can be difference-makers: Quarterback play was a huge question mark in the Big Ten entering the season, and quite frankly, it didn't get much better after the games started. But several teams received big boosts from their signal-callers in the bowls. In addition to Pryor, Wisconsin's Scott Tolzien had an extremely efficient performance as he made tough throws and featured tight ends Lance Kendricks and Garrett Graham in a Champs Sports Bowl victory. Iowa's Ricky Stanzi more than made up for one major mistake with clutch passes and runs against Georgia Tech. Penn State's Daryll Clark notched the signature win he had waited for and led the game-winning drive against LSU. Northwestern's Mike Kafka had the ultimate Jekyll-and-Hyde performance against Auburn, but he totally carried the offense and nearly completed a miracle comeback.

5. There's a clear upper tier in the Big Ten entering the 2010 season: The four bowl winners set themselves apart from the rest of the league, and will remain that way entering this fall. Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin all return most of their core players, while Penn State needs to rebuild a bit but get a big boost as running back Evan Royster comes back for his senior season. The Big Ten could enter the fall with three top-10 teams and most likely four top-20 squads. The league could be top heavy in 2010, so it will be up to teams like Northwestern, Michigan State, Purdue and Michigan to challenge the upper tier.

A strong Big Ten bowl season leaves me with some tough choices for the All-Bowl team. We can certainly debate some of these, but here are my selections.

OFFENSE

QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
He came of age in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi, delivering a complete performance as both a passer and a runner. Pryor accounted for 338 total yards; Oregon had 260.

RB John Clay, Wisconsin
Clay gave Miami a taste of Big Ten football by bulldozing the Hurricanes for 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in the Champs Sports Bowl.

RB Brandon Wegher, Iowa
It seemed like no running back could stay healthy for Iowa this year, but Wegher came up huge in the FedEx Orange Bowl. The true freshman had 113 rush yards on 16 carries, including the clinching 32-yard touchdown run with 1:16 left.

WR DeVier Posey, Ohio State
I saw a future NFL receiver when I watched Posey in the Rose Bowl. He had eight receptions for 101 yards, including a leaping 17-yard touchdown that all but sealed Ohio State's victory.

WR Andrew Brewer, Northwestern
Brewer saved his best game for last, hauling in eight receptions for 133 yards and scoring on receptions of 35 and 39 yards in the Outback Bowl.

TE Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern and Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
Dunsmore had nine receptions for 120 yards, including an electrifying 66-yard touchdown dash through the Auburn defense. Garrett Graham might be the first-team All-Big Ten selection, but Kendricks stole the show in the Champs Sports Bowl with seven receptions for 128 yards.

C John Moffitt, Wisconsin
Moffitt moved back to center because of a teammate's injury and helped the Badgers overpower Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl. Wisconsin racked up 430 total yards and held the ball for 39:15.

G Justin Boren, Ohio State
Boren led a big and nasty Buckeyes line that generated push for the run game and helped Pryor attempt a career high 37 passes in the win against Oregon.

G Joel Foreman, Michigan State
The Spartans' offensive line stepped up nicely in the Valero Alamo Bowl, helping to generate 148 rush yards and allowing only one sack against a Texas Tech team that rushes the passer extremely well. Foreman, an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection, deserves some props.

OT Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
Bulaga showed why he's jumping to the NFL draft with a terrific performance against Georgia Tech star defensive end Derrick Morgan in the FedEx Orange Bowl.

OT Dennis Landolt, Penn State
Landolt and his linemates did a good job against LSU's blitz and protected Daryll Clark on a muddy field in Orlando. Penn State allowed only one sack and rushed for 124 yards.

DEFENSE

DL Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
Clayborn was an absolute beast in the Orange Bowl, recording nine tackles (all solo) and two sacks as he disrupted Georgia Tech's triple option attack.

DL J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
Watt led an aggressive Badgers defensive front with a sack, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery against Miami.

DL O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin
Schofield was disruptive all season and showed it in the bowl game, recording two sacks and forcing a fumble that led to a crucial field goal in the fourth quarter.

DL Thaddeus Gibson, Ohio State
The Buckeyes defensive front made life miserable for Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, and Gibson stepped up with two tackles for loss in what proved to be his final collegiate game.

LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Bowman had a game-high nine tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and forced LSU into a critical penalty in the final minute as the Lions preserved a Capital One Bowl win.

LB Ross Homan, Ohio State
Homan ended the season as one of the Big Ten's top linebackers and turned in a terrific performance in Pasadena with 12 tackles and an interception that set up a field goal just before halftime.

LB Pat Angerer, Iowa
The triple option will test a middle linebacker, but Angerer stepped up for Iowa with a game-high 10 tackles, including one for loss, against Georgia Tech.

DB Kyle Theret, Minnesota
Theret was the Gophers' MVP in the Insight Bowl, recording seven tackles (all solo), two interceptions, a tackle for loss and a 40-yard reception on a fake punt that set up the team's first touchdown.

DB Ross Weaver, Michigan State
The Spartans' secondary struggled against Texas Tech, but Weaver recorded a team-high seven solo tackles and had a forced fumble and an interception that led to 10 Michigan State points in the second half.

DB Kim Royston, Minnesota
Royston recorded a career-high 15 tackles, tying the Insight Bowl record, including 14 solo stops against Iowa State. He also forced a fumble that turned into a Minnesota field goal.

DB Sherrick McManis, Northwestern
McManis made plays throughout his career and finished it in typical fashion with an interception and a fumble recovery, both occurring in Northwestern's end of the field.

SPECIALISTS

K Collin Wagner, Penn State
The horrible field conditions didn't bother Wagner, who went 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts and drilled the game winner with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

P Blake Haudan, Minnesota
Haudan averaged 49.6 yards on five punts and completed a 40-yard pass to Theret on a well-timed fake in the third quarter.

Returner Keshawn Martin, Michigan State
Martin blossomed as the Big Ten's most dangerous kick return man this fall and averaged 24.8 yards per runback with a long of 36 against Texas Tech.

Honorable mention -- WISCONSIN: QB Scott Tolzien, RB Montee Ball, P Brad Nortman, LB Chris Borland, TE Garrett Graham, starting offensive line. MINNESOTA: WR Da'Jon McKnight, LB Lee Campbell. NORTHWESTERN: QB Mike Kafka, WR Zeke Markshausen, WR Sidney Stewart, CB Jordan Mabin, LB Quentin Davie. PENN STATE: QB Daryll Clark, RB Stephfon Green, TE Andrew Quarless, LB Sean Lee, DT Jared Odrick, CB A.J. Wallace, starting offensive line. OHIO STATE: DE Cameron Heyward, DT Doug Worthington, RB Brandon Saine, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, K Devin Barclay, K Aaron Pettrey, P Jon Thoma, starting offensive line. MICHIGAN STATE: RB Edwin Baker, WR Blair White, P Aaron Bates, LB Greg Jones, starting offensive line. IOWA: QB Ricky Stanzi, TE Tony Moeaki, P Ryan Donahue, DT Karl Klug, LB A.J. Edds, DE Broderick Binns, starting offensive line.

After a successful Big Ten bowl season, let's take a look back:

Team of the postseason: Ohio State. The team everyone loves to hate silenced its critics with a terrific performance on both sides of the ball against a favored Oregon team in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi. Ohio State snapped the Big Ten's six-game slide in BCS games and the league's six-game slide in the Rose Bowl.

Best game: The Outback Bowl. It didn't result in a Big Ten win, but arguably no bowl game had more plot twists as Northwestern made a furious comeback against Auburn. Wildcats quarterback Mike Kafka set an NCAA record for most plays by one player (98 -- 78 pass, 20 rush), and Auburn had to win the game three times in overtime before finally prevailing 38-35 after Northwestern's trick play on fourth down didn't reach the end zone.

Biggest play: Terrelle Pryor's 24-yard pass to a leaping Jake Ballard on third-and-13 in the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl. Ohio State led by only two points at the time, and Ballard's catch kept the drive alive, as Ohio State eventually went in for a touchdown.

Best drive: Two really stand out to me. Ohio State marched 81 yards in 13 plays and burned 6:01 off of the clock in the fourth quarter against Oregon Pryor hit DeVier Posey for a 17-yard score to cap it all off. Penn State trailed 17-16 in the fourth quarter when Daryll Clark led a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with the game-winning field goal and burned 5:57 off of the clock.

Offensive Player of the Postseason: Ohio State's Pryor. He finally turned in the complete performance we've all been waiting for, and he did it on a huge stage. Pryor set career highs in both completions (23) and passing yards (266) as he fired two touchdowns against Oregon. He also had a game-high 72 rushing yards. Pryor earned Offensive Player of the Game honors.

Defensive Player of the Postseason: Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn. As we mentioned countless times during Virtual Pressbox, Clayborn was a beast against Georgia Tech. Clayborn recorded nine tackles and two sacks in Iowa's FedEx Orange Bowl victory and helped derail Georgia Tech's triple option offense. He was named Orange Bowl MVP.

Special Teams Player of the Postseason: Penn State kicker Collin Wagner. The horrible field conditions at the Capital One Bowl were a major story, but they didn't bother Wagner, who went 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts in Penn State's victory.

Coach of the postseason: Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker. The veteran defensive guru rendered the triple option offense totally ineffective for most of the game. Parker had his players prepared for Georgia Tech, and it showed in a dominant defensive performance. Honorable mentions go to Ohio State defensive coordinators Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell and Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren.

Surprise performance: Everybody knew about Garrett Graham, but it was another Wisconsin tight end, Lance Kendricks, who stole the show in the Champs Sports Bowl. Kendricks became Scott Tolzien's go-to receiver, recording a career-high 128 receiving yards on seven receptions. He had the second most receptions by a Wisconsin player in a bowl game, behind only Pat Richter's 11 in the 1963 Rose Bowl.

Bowled over: Fortunately, Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray and Northwestern kicker Stefan Demos will have other opportunities to step up for their teams. But the postseason will sting both men for a while. Gray fumbled deep in Iowa State territory as Minnesota was driving for the potential game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter of the Insight Bowl. Speaking of field goals, Demos missed three, including the potential game-winner, plus an extra-point attempt in the Outback Bowl.

Best calls: They didn't result in victories, but I loved Michigan State's fake field goal and Minnesota's fake punt call. Michigan State's fake to Charlie Gantt went for 18 yards and set up the go-ahead touchdown on the next play. Minnesota punter Blake Haudan passed to safety Kyle Theret, who had a monster performance in the Insight Bowl. The play went for 40 yards and Minnesota scored its first touchdown moments later.

Second guessing: I'm still somewhat in shock about Iowa's decision to run a fake field goal midway through the fourth quarter when it led Georgia Tech by only three points. The decision didn't end up hurting the Hawkeyes, who forced a turnover on the ensuing possession, but it could have been disastrous. Also, Michigan State seemed to lose the momentum in the fourth quarter against Texas Tech when it ran the ball on third-and-long to set up a field-goal try. Yes, quarterback Kirk Cousins had struggled and left tackle Rocco Cironi was out, but field goals weren't going to beat the Red Raiders.

Craziest stat line: Northwestern's Kafka completed 47 of 78 passes for 532 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions. He added 30 rush yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. He had thrown 117 consecutive passes without an interception until his first pick in the opening quarter.

Memorable post-game quote: After an odd question about Iowa representing the heartland, quarterback Ricky Stanzi, standing on the victory podium, replied, "Of course. There's nothing better than being American. So, this is the greatest feeling. If you don't love it, leave it! USA, No. 1!"

Fresh faces: Two freshmen running backs stood out in their postseason debuts. Iowa's Brandon Wegher had 113 rush yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the Orange Bowl, while Michigan State's Edwin Baker went for 97 rush yards and a score on just 12 carries in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Wisconsin's 20-14 victory in the Champs Sports Bowl marked a fitting end to a season where the program reclaimed its identity.

In 2008, the Badgers got away from the things that made them a respected upper-tier Big Ten program for the better part of the past 15 years. They lacked discipline and consistency, and they didn't just lose games, but got thrashed by Penn State, Iowa and Florida State.

The 2009 campaign will be remembered as the season Wisconsin got back on track. Everything seemed to stabilize, from the quarterback to the head coach to the defensive leadership.

Many of the reasons for UW's turnaround showed up Tuesday night against No. 15 Miami. An aggressive defense shut down Jacory Harris and the Hurricanes offense. A balanced offense found gaps in Miami's defense and should have scored at least 30 points. Quarterback Scott Tolzien made good decisions and tough throws. Tight ends Lance Kendricks and Garrett Graham torched Miami for 13 receptions and 205 receiving yards (107 after the catch). The offensive line imposed its will for backs John Clay (121 rush yards, 2 TDs) and Montee Ball (61 rush yards).

Keep in mind, Miami is the type of team that supposedly gives the Big Ten trouble, but Wisconsin faced very little adversity aside from the opening minute and the final two.

Wisconsin had a fairly watered-down 9-3 record entering the Champs Sports Bowl, but a signature win against Miami changes things. And raises the bar for 2010.

The Badgers lose only one offensive starter in Graham. Clay likely will enter the fall as a Heisman Trophy candidate. There are some significant departures on defense, namely end O'Brien Schofield, linebacker Jaevery McFadden and safety Chris Maragos. But Wisconsin boasts a lot of young talent on defense, including linebacker Chris Borland, the Big Ten's Freshman of the Year this fall, as well as end J.J. Watt, linebacker Mike Taylor and cornerback Devin Smith.

For the most part, Wisconsin remains a young team. And a good one.

Expectations will be higher for Wisconsin in 2010, and they should be. The Badgers should challenge both Ohio State and Iowa for the Big Ten title. Wisconsin proved Tuesday it can win a big game on a big stage, and the bowl victory could signal bigger things ahead for Bielema's crew.

Loyal blog readers out there know where I'm headed with several of these picks, though I had some tough decisions in the end. It's not easy to condense so many defensive standouts into 11 slots, while there's certainly more wiggle room on the offensive side.

For your reference, my preseason All-Big Ten team and the Big Ten's official all-conference squads.

OFFENSE

QB: Daryll Clark, Penn State
RB: John Clay, Wisconsin
RB: Evan Royster, Penn State
WR: Keith Smith, Purdue
WR: Blair White, Michigan State
TE: Garrett Graham, Wisconsin
C: Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State
OL: Justin Boren, Ohio State
OL: Bryan Bulaga, Iowa
OL: Dace Richardson, Iowa
OL: Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin

DEFENSE

DL: Brandon Graham, Michigan
DL: Jared Odrick, Penn State
DL: O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin
DL: Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
LB: Greg Jones, Michigan State
LB: Pat Angerer, Iowa
LB: Navorro Bowman, Penn State
CB: Donovan Warren, Michigan
CB: Sherrick McManis, Northwestern
S: Kurt Coleman, Ohio State
S: Tyler Sash, Iowa

SPECIALISTS

P: Zoltan Mesko, Michigan
K: Brett Swenson, Michigan State
KR: Ray Fisher, Indiana
PR: Ray Small, Ohio State

All-Big Ten selections by team: Penn State (5), Iowa (5), Wisconsin (4), Ohio State (3), Michigan State (3), Michigan (3), Northwestern (1), Purdue (1), Indiana (1)

There were 16 selections who also made the preseason All-Big Ten squad: Clark, Royster, Clay, Bulaga, Wisniewski, Boren, Garrett Graham, Brandon Graham, Odrick, Jones, Bowman, Angerer, Coleman, Mesko, Swenson and Small.

Big Ten play is complete, so there will be minimal movement the rest of the way.

1. Ohio State (10-2, 7-1): It seemed extremely unlikely back on Oct. 17, but Ohio State once again found its way to the top of the Big Ten. The Buckeyes won their fifth consecutive Big Ten title and their third outright league title in the past four seasons. Never doubt Jim Tressel in the month of November. Never doubt Tressel against Michigan. Buckeyes are at the top, again.

2. Iowa (10-2, 6-2): Head-to-head isn't everything, but when teams are as close as Iowa and Penn State on paper, it has to be the deciding factor. The Hawkeyes don't have as many dominant wins as the Nittany Lions, but they have better wins, including a 21-10 triumph at Penn State on Sept. 26. Iowa's defense bounced back strong against Minnesota after struggling at Ohio State. The Hawkeyes likely need a healthy Ricky Stanzi to win their bowl game.

3. Penn State (10-2, 6-2): The Nittany Lions on Saturday not only looked like a team that belongs in a BCS bowl game, but a team that could win one. Senior quarterback Daryll Clark stepped up in a big way, and the defense totally shut down Michigan State in the second half. It took a while, but Penn State seems to be peaking right now.

T-4. Wisconsin (8-3, 5-3): Wisconsin doesn't have a bad loss on its résumé, but the Badgers are certainly a notch below the top three after their loss at Northwestern. I'm sold on quarterback Scott Tolzien, running back John Clay and tight end Garrett Graham, but the defense struggled against Northwestern's spread attack. Still, the Badgers are in line for a possible Outback Bowl berth if they beat Hawaii on Dec. 5.

T-4. Northwestern (8-4, 5-3): When Northwestern trailed Indiana 28-3 on Oct. 24, no one thought the Wildcats would end up here. OK, maybe Pat Fitzgerald and his players kept the faith, but this was a flawed team that found itself down the stretch. Besides Ohio State, no Big Ten team had a better November than Northwestern, which notched two wins against top-20 teams. Like Tressel and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, Fitzgerald does his best work in November.

6. Michigan State (6-6, 4-4): The Spartans might be beyond the collapses of the John L. Smith era, but they still haven't turned the corner as a program. With a chance to make a statement at home against Penn State, Michigan State fell flat on its face after halftime. Mark Dantonio's team will be an underdog in a bowl game and can redeem itself, but the season has been a disappointment.

7. Minnesota (6-6, 3-5): Another season has passed without a win in November or a victory in a rivalry game. The Gophers' defense came to play Saturday, as it has for most of the season, but the offense really struggled. Minnesota went scoreless against Iowa for the second straight season and endured its second shutout of the season (there was nearly another against Ohio State). The coaches downplayed the magnitude of the shift in offensive philosophy, but this unit looks lost right now.

8. Purdue (5-7, 4-4): I'd really like to rank the Boilermakers higher, but their losses to Michigan State and Minnesota keep them at No. 8. It's really a shame that Purdue won't be going bowling because the Boilers would be a very dangerous team in December or January. Kudos to head coach Danny Hope, quarterback Joey Elliott and others for keeping the team united after a 1-5 start.

9. Illinois (3-7, 2-6): The Illini didn't play this week, and they're assured of finishing outside the Big Ten basement because both Michigan and Indiana lost. Illinois really needs to win one of its remaining two games to build some momentum for a make-or-break 2010 season. A victory against No. 5 Cincinnati on Friday (ABC, noon ET) would provide a major confidence boost for Ron Zook and his team.

10. Michigan (5-7, 1-7): The Wolverines move up a spot because of a solid defensive effort against Ohio State, which couldn't pull away until Tate Forcier began firing interceptions in the second half. Mistakes doomed Michigan throughout its miserable Big Ten season, and head coach Rich Rodriguez needs Forcier and his other young players to grow up fast for 2010.

11. Indiana (4-8, 1-7): I'm very disappointed in the way Indiana finished the season. The Hoosiers had the mojo on their side Saturday, with a large crowd and archrival Purdue in their stadium. But they seemed to come out uninspired and made too many mistakes in all three phases. Head coach Bill Lynch has some exciting offensive weapons, but he needs to find a way to get this program over the hump in 2010 or he'll be gone.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

I'm stuck on these guys.

• Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien: Tolzien looked like the guy we saw in September, as he torched Michigan's defense for 240 pass yards and a career-high four touchdowns. He spread the ball well to Nick Toon, Garrett Graham and Isaac Anderson, and moved the Badgers closer to the 10-win plateau.
• Penn State LB Navorro Bowman: In what might be his final game at Beaver Stadium, Bowman turned in a brilliant performance to rescue Penn State against Indiana. He led the Lions with 12 tackles, including a sack, and had a 73-yard interception return for a touchdown to break a 10-10 tie in the third quarter.
• Ohio State RB Brandon Saine: The Buckeyes junior saved his best performance for the perfect time, rushing for 103 yards and two touchdown on only 11 carries against Iowa. Saine's 49-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter gave the Buckeyes a 24-10 lead.
• Wisconsin RB John Clay: Clay solidified himself as the frontrunner for Big Ten offensive player of the year honors with another dominant performance on the ground. The sophomore piled up 151 rush yards and a touchdown on only 26 carries. Can someone say Heisman Trophy candidate in 2010?
• Iowa WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos: I rarely give these to players from losing teams, but DJK once again showed why he's a game-changer for Iowa. His 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter brought Iowa back after it appeared Ohio State had delivered the knockout blow. Johnson-Koulianos also had three receptions for 71 yards.

We're about to get started here in Columbus. Here's what has happened so far in the Big Ten today.

Penn State 31, Indiana 20: Penn State gave Indiana a great opportunity to take control of this game with four first-half turnovers. When the Hoosiers couldn't capitalize, the Lions didn't give them a second chance. Penn State scored 24 unanswered points as running back Evan Royster got going and the defense held IU quarterback Ben Chappell in check for most of the second half. Daryll Clark didn't have a great game by any means, but he avoided mistakes in the second half and moved Penn State closer to the 10-win plateau. Linebacker Navorro Bowman made the play of the day when he intercepted a Chappell pass and raced 73 yards to the end zone. It has been a season of near misses for Indiana, which can't generate a consistent rushing attack.

Wisconsin 45, Michigan 24: Scott Tolzien became the latest quarterback to completely pick apart Michigan's secondary, as Wisconsin came in with an excellent offensive game plan today. Tolzien fired four touchdown passes as wide receiver Nick Toon and Isaac Anderson and tight end Garrett Graham all had big games. Badgers running back John Clay once again went over the 100-yard rushing mark (151, to be exact) as Wisconsin eclipsed its victories total from last season. Michigan backslid in the second half for the third straight week, as the run game never truly got going. Tate Forcier had arguably his best game at quarterback for the Wolverines, but he can only do so much. Greg Robinson's defense is a disaster, and Michigan's bowl hopes could be finished after a 4-0 start.

Michigan State 40, Purdue 37: The Spartans received big plays in all three phases during a wild second half as they held off Purdue to get bowl eligible. Special teams was huge down the stretch as Michigan State blocked a long field goal attempt, received another huge kickoff return from Keshawn Martin and drilled the game-winning field goal with 1:51 left. Quarterback Kirk Cousins didn't have his typical accuracy, but he hit on several huge pass plays, three for touchdowns. Purdue's desperate run for a bowl game ends despite another huge performance from quarterback Joey Elliott, an All-Big Ten candidate. Wideout Keith Smith and running back Ralph Bolden came up big, but the Boilers defense couldn't stop the big play.

Northwestern 21, Illinois 16: Illinois made this one interesting with a furious fourth-quarter rally behind backup quarterback Jacob Charest, who struggled for the first 50 minutes or so. After a sloppy first half, Northwestern took control with a 7-play, 99-yard scoring drive in the third quarter. Mike Kafka finally hit on a big pass play to Andrew Brewer (52 yards), and the run game started to show up with freshman Arby Fields. Kafka passed for 300 yards and Zeke Markshausen continued his surprise season at wide receiver. The game wasn't without controversy, as replay officials didn't overturn a fourth-down interception that sealed the win for Northwestern, which secures back-to-back bowl berths for the second time in team history. Illinois inexplicably will miss a bowl for the second straight season.

Minnesota 16, South Dakota State 13: The Golden Gophers are bowl eligible, but they didn't make it easy on themselves. Minnesota rode great defense to hold off South Dakota State and notch victory No. 6. Junior quarterback Adam Weber continued to struggle, completing 10 of 21 passes with a pick-six in the second quarter as the Minnesota offense piled up only 231 yards. But the Gophers defense forced four turnovers, including a fumble recovered for a touchdown by D.L. Wilhite. A huge sigh of relief for Tim Brewster, who now tries to win his first trophy game next week at Iowa.



Penn State held off Indiana's upset bid, 31-20.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The text message arrived around 4:30 p.m. last Saturday, but Ohio State safety Anderson Russell didn't see it until after his game against Indiana.

When Russell finally got to his phone, a smile splashed across his face.

"Ball out tonight," the message read.

	AJ Mast/Icon SMI
	Anderson Russell came up big in Ohio State’s win over Indiana.

Russell had followed Kurt Coleman's orders in a 33-14 victory against the Hoosiers, filling in brilliantly for his close friend and fellow safety, who stayed home in Columbus to serve a one-game suspension for a late hit the week before against Illinois.

With Coleman 200 miles away, Russell reclaimed the starting job he had lost earlier in the season and turned in his best performance of the season. The senior recorded an interception and a forced fumble and tied for the team lead with six tackles, earning Ohio State's Defensive Player of the Week award for his efforts. Shortly after the game, Russell called Coleman to celebrate.

"He told me good job and everything," Russell said. "He was proud of me and I told him I missed having him out on the road. We had somebody go down with a suspect call that we all didn’t agree on, but it was something we had to go with.

"We had to have guys step up."

Coleman's absence was the latest hiccup in a season that hasn't gone exactly according to plan for Ohio State's senior safeties tandem. Russell and Coleman entered the fall having started two seasons next each other in the Buckeyes' defensive backfield, and both seemed like good bets for All-Big Ten honors in 2009.

But Russell had a rough opener against Navy, twice getting burned for touchdowns, including an 85-yarder midway through the fourth quarter. The next week, Jermale Hines occupied the starting free safety spot next to Coleman. Ohio State has employed a three-man rotation at safety, but Russell has lost playing time to Hines, who ranks fourth on the team with 19 tackles.

“It’s been a change just because I’ve been used to being in there every snap these past couple of years," said Russell, who recorded 130 tackles, 10 passes defended, three sacks and two interceptions in the last two seasons. "But we’re still winning, and I’m happy and I’m still able to contribute. I’m not upset about it or anything.

"I’m going to keep playing. It’s not like just because I wasn’t starting or playing as many snaps as [before], I wasn’t going to start letting up in practice."

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Five lessons from the week that was in Big Ten football.

1. Iowa is for real -- Some Hawkeyes fans might have misinterpreted my postgame commentary. True, Penn State made mistakes Saturday night, but Iowa forced them with terrific defense and special teams. The Hawkeyes put themselves squarely in the Big Ten title mix with Ohio State by stunning the Nittany Lions for the seventh time in eight tries. Defense and special teams are the formula for success on the road, and Iowa executed both areas to perfection in the first of four challenging Big Ten away games. It's hard to imagine a defensive line in the country playing better than Iowa's.

2. Scott Tolzien is also for real -- The quarterback position must improve in the Big Ten this year, and Tolzien has done his part for the 4-0 Badgers. He has validated the coaches' decision to start him, throwing for 221 yards per game with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Tolzien picked apart a vastly overrated Michigan State secondary in Saturday's victory, passing for four touchdowns, three to tight end Garrett Graham.

3. Tressel ball still works -- Much like Iowa, Ohio State has gotten better every week of the season despite some lingering issues on offense. Credit quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running backs Brandon Saine and Dan Herron for making key plays against Illinois, but Ohio State won with defense yet again. The Buckeyes haven't allowed a touchdown since Stafon Johnson's run at the end of the USC loss, shutting out consecutive opponents for the first time since 1996. Head coach Jim Tressel's formula continues to click in Big Ten play.

4. Press the panic button for several teams -- Illinois and Michigan State both should be in panic mode after getting dominated -- the Illini more than the Spartans -- in critical road tests on Saturday. Both teams were projected to be in the Big Ten's upper half, and now both could be fighting for their postseason lives when they meet Oct. 10 at Memorial Stadium. Northwestern also should be extremely worried because of a defense that has regressed fundamentally and that shocked head coach Pat Fitzgerald with its poor tackling. Purdue can't seem to get over the hump in close games, and Danny Hope could have a long first season in West Lafayette.

5. Michigan's defense has major issues -- Tate The Great showed up again in the fourth quarter Saturday to secure a 4-0 start for Michigan, which continues to pile up points. But if the Wolverines continue to play defense like they did against Indiana and for most of the game against Notre Dame, they won't be undefeated for long. Youth, size and depth are hurting Greg Robinson's defense right now, and things need to get fixed as Michigan hits the road for the first time and faces better competition in October.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Time to recognize the best and the brightest from Week 4 in the Big Ten.

Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn -- Clayborn changed the complexion of Iowa's 21-10 win over fifth-ranked Penn State with a punt block and a 53-yard return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter. It marked Iowa's first blocked punt return for a touchdown since the 2005 Capital One Bowl against LSU.

Iowa DE Broderick Binns -- Before Clayborn's blocked punt, Binns had been the star of the game for Iowa. With the Hawkeyes down 10-0, he sacked Penn State's Daryll Clark in the end zone, jarring the ball loose for a safety. He finished with eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the victory. Binns shares this sticker with fellow Hawkeyes defender Pat Angerer (14 tackles, forced fumble, interception).

Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien -- He's been one of the biggest surprise players in the Big Ten through four games. Considered a long shot in Wisconsin's quarterback competition, Tolzien has taken hold of this offense. He picked apart Michigan State's secondary for four touchdowns, three to tight end Garrett Graham, in Saturday's victory.

Ohio State's defense -- The ultimate team defense posted its second consecutive shutout for the first time since 1996. Ohio State forced three fumbles and recorded three interceptions against Illinois. Linebacker Brian Rolle continues to sizzle (8 tackles, INT, half a sack), safety Kurt Coleman had nine tackles and a forced fumble and the defensive line dominated for the third straight game as Todd Denlinger and Thad Gibson both recorded two tackles for loss.

Minnesota RB Duane Bennett -- For the first three games, Minnesota's offense consisted entirely of wide receiver Eric Decker. Bennett changed that against Northwestern and boosted a dormant rushing attack with three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 8:35 remaining. He showed a lot of toughness in breaking tackles.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

I'd like to apologize to Bret Bielema and the Wisconsin Badgers for doubting you. Especially at home.

It won't happen again.

Wisconsin made a major statement Saturday by dominating hapless Michigan State in a 38-30 victory that wasn't as close as the score indicates. Junior quarterback Scott Tolzien continued to validate the coaches' decision to start him by tossing four touchdown passes, three to tight end Garrett Graham.

I was very impressed with Wisconsin's balanced attack, as running back John Clay got going (142 rush yards, TD) after some fumbling problems last week. Perhaps the biggest plus is the secondary, which struggled a lot in Week 2 against Fresno State but contained Michigan State in this one. Three interceptions definitely looks good going forward.

As for Michigan State, what else is new? The Spartans entered the season determined to prove they could handle high expectations after back-to-back bowl appearances. It seemed like they would come out strong in a desperate situation Saturday, but Wisconsin controlled the game until the final stages.

Forget about this never-ending quarterback competition for a minute. Mark Dantonio's secondary is an absolute mess despite boasting a ton of depth. Tolzien had his way with the Spartans' defensive backs, and that just can't happen. Next week's rivalry game against Michigan is an absolute must win.