ESPN College Football

FOXSports.com is reporting that NCAA investigators were in Thibodaux, La., on Monday looking into Auburn's recruitment of Greg Robinson and Trovon Reed.

Robinson, an offensive lineman, signed with the Tigers as part of the 2011 class. Reed signed with Auburn in 2010 and redshirted last season after injuring his knee. Robinson and Reed were recruited primarily by Auburn assistant Trooper Taylor.

Dennis Lorio, Thibodaux High School's former football coach, told FOXSports.com that he was interviewed for 45 minutes by one of two NCAA investigators who visited him and that Robinson was interviewed for a "couple of hours."

USA Today continued its comprehensive look at coaches' salaries with a look at how the assistants are faring (not too bad, despite a down economy).

The number of assistant coaches earning $250,000 or more is on the rise, particularly in the SEC, but what strikes me is the Big Ten's absence among the very top earners. No Big Ten assistant ranks among the top 10 nationally in salary and only Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino ($475,250) ranks in the top 30 in earnings. The SEC, meanwhile, has 14 assistants among the top 30.

Are Big Ten assistants getting short-changed? Are Big Ten assistants inferior to those in the SEC? Why such a discrepancy?

I think the quality of coaching remains very high in the Big Ten and several assistants might want to get new agents. I also think that wild spending on assistant coaches is less a part of the culture in the Big Ten than it is in the SEC, Big 12 or even ACC. Will we ever see a Big Ten coordinator make more than $900,000, like Will Muschamp did at Texas, or more than $500,000? Perhaps we will, but I think it's doubtful.

There are also quite a few top assistants at big-time programs in the Big Ten who don't seem likely to make the jump to head-coaching positions elsewhere. While we've seen Big Ten assistants like Wisconsin's Dave Doeren and Ohio State's Darrell Hazell land top jobs this month, there aren't a ton of red-hot coaching prospects in the Big Ten.

It's interesting to see the discrepancy.

Who are the Big Ten's highest-paid assistants? Check 'em out:

(Note: As a private institution, Northwestern doesn't have to reveal coaches' salaries; Penn State declined to provide coaches' salary information.)

1. Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino (total compensation: $475,250, maximum bonus: $39,000)

2. Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst (total compensation: $361,094, maximum bonus: $122,500)

3. Illinois defensive coordinator Vic Koenning (total compensation: $325,120, maximum bonus: $26,000)

4. Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman (total compensation: $311,500, maximum bonus: $50,550)

5. Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock (total compensation: $309,000, maximum bonus: $51,500)

6. Minnesota defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove (total compensation: $305,000, maximum bonus: $0)

7. Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee (total compensation: $282,100, maximum bonus: $0)

8. Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Robinson (total compensation: $277,100, maximum bonus: $0)

9. Ohio State assistant head coach/receivers coach Darrell Hazell (total compensation: $264,800, maximum bonus: $48,133)

10. Iowa offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe (total compensation: $260,524, maximum bonus: $0)

Nebraska's highest-paid assistants are offensive coordinator Shawn Watson ($380,000 salary, $130,833 maximum bonus) and defensive coordinator Carl Pelini ($375,000 salary, $129,375 maximum bonus).

Illinois' decision to spend big bucks for its new coordinators plays out here. It's interesting that for a defense-oriented league like the Big Ten, three of the four highest-paid assistants are offensive coordinators.

The Big Ten's biggest assistant coach bargain in 2010: Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell ($235,250), who led the team during coach Mark Dantonio's absence. All but one of Ohio State's assistants makes more than Treadwell.

Another major bargain is Wisconsin running backs coach John Settle ($129,792).

Your thoughts on the coaches' salaries?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Week 13, you are what you are. And I'm not Mr. Perfect (my wife reminds of this daily).

I've accepted the fact that I'll never have another spotless week of predictions. Came close again in Week 13, but whiffed on the Wrigley Game. Figures, given the curses that live in that building.

Three of the predictions this week are no-brainers, while the other two took some time to decide.

I spent most of my time on Michigan State-Penn State. For weeks, I've projected Penn State to knock off the Spartans, but I'm switching it up now. After several days of deliberations, I think Michigan State had its major scare against Purdue and will play better in Happy Valley. And while the environment will be tough, a noon ET kickoff and no drama regarding coach Joe Paterno's future works in Michigan State's favor.

Yes, I know this doesn't fall in line with my bowl projections for Penn State and Iowa, but I'll fix that on Sunday if things go as forecasted.

Without further ado ...

Ohio State 38, Michigan 20: Not even the magical powers of Greg Robinson's stuffed animal can get Michigan's defense to a place where it can knock off the Buckeyes. Denard Robinson keeps the Wolverines in this one for a while, but Ohio State takes over just before halftime and never looks back. Expect a big game for Dan "Boom" Herron on the ground, and wideout DeVier Posey bounces back with a touchdown grab.

Michigan State 28, Penn State 24: I'm buying in, Spartans fans. This is your year. Kirk Cousins is banged up and the Spartans haven't won in Happy Valley since the year before Paterno became Penn State head coach, but they get it done this year. Penn State lacks the pass rush to truly rattle Cousins, who will attack the Lions secondary with receivers Mark Dell and B.J. Cunningham. Michigan State rallies for the win and claims its first league title since 1990.

Purdue 31, Indiana 27: I'll break down the Bucket game in a video post later Wednesday. Check it out this afternoon.

Iowa 34, Minnesota 17: The Gophers end their scoreless streak against Iowa and even take an early lead in this one. But Iowa has too much pride and too much skill to fall apart, especially against a vulnerable Minnesota defense. Ricky Stanzi gets it in gear and tosses touchdown passes to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt as Iowa retains the Floyd of Rosedale.

Wisconsin 48, Northwestern 14: There's too much going for Wisconsin right now, and not enough going for Northwestern. This one turns into a rout as Montee Ball and James White run all over an inconsistent Northwestern defense. Badgers defensive end J.J. Watt records a pair of sacks and Wisconsin turns it on in the third quarter to essentially lock up its first Rose Bowl berth in 11 years.

Bye: Illinois

Last week: 4-1

Season record: 68-14 (.829)

Greg Robinson's coaching methods have been a subject of great scrutiny as the Michigan defense continues to backslide.

But things got weird -- and amusing -- in Saturday's game against Wisconsin.

After Michigan forced a fumble early in the third quarter, linebacker Kenny Demens and others returned to the sideline, where they were greeted by Robinson, the Wolverines' defensive coordinator. Robinson approached Demens and appeared to rub his face with ... a stuffed animal.

Check it out. I wish I could make this stuff up.

Whatever Robinson was holding didn't prove to be much of a good luck charm, as Michigan's defense reverted to its fundamentally flawed ways down the stretch as Wisconsin called 28 consecutive run plays to close out a 48-28 win.

But the stuffed animal was a major topic of discussion at Michigan's news conference Monday. Not that the Wolverines really wanted to discuss it.

"Are you saying there's an animal on the sidelines? Next question," defensive end Craig Roh said.

Nose tackle Mike Martin confirmed the animal exists but said, "It's a secret. ... That's kind of our thing. That's the defense's thing. I can't talk about that. That's got to stay in our room, our little thing."

The animal sighting sparked a series of burning questions: What was it? A Wolverine? A Badger? A Liger?

Will Robinson bring the stuffed animal to Columbus this week? Is it a staple for Michigan, or does Robinson switch it up every week?

Hey, at this stage of the season, Michigan should be trying just about anything to help its woeful defense.

My suggestion: Jobu.

Can't you year Robinson in the locker room before Saturday's game? "Running backs, Wolverines are afraid. I ask Jobu to come, take fear from Wolverines. I offer him cigar and rum. He will come."

Indeed.

A perfect 10 today: 10 items to track in Week 10 in the Big Ten.

1. JoePa goes for No. 400: The all-time coaching wins leader in major college football can reach another milestone if Penn State beats Northwestern on Saturday. Joe Paterno can join John Gagliardi and Eddie Robinson as the only college football coaches to record 400 career victories, and he can become the first man in Division I-A/FBS history to do so. This is a moment likely never to be seen again, as the 83-year-old Paterno, in his 45th year as Penn State's coach, is truly one of a kind. A win Saturday also would make Penn State bowl eligible.

2. Michigan's D tries to stop the bleeding: The Michigan Wolverines have been one-third of a team for most of the season, excelling on offense but stumbling repeatedly on both defense and special teams. Michigan's defense seemed to regress after the bye week, bringing more heat on head coach Rich Rodriguez and coordinator Greg Robinson. Rodriguez shot down talk of defensive staff changes, but he's taking on a greater role with the defense as Michigan tries to end its three-game Big Ten slide. The Wolverines on Saturday face an Illinois offense beginning to surge.

3. Endgame in West Lafayette: Two of the front-runners for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year meet Saturday at Purdue's Ross Ade Stadium. Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan has been simply unstoppable this season, cementing himself as a first-round draft pick in April with 7.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. Kerrigan leads the Big Ten in both categories, but not far behind sits Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt, who boasts five sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss to go along with six pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and two blocked kicks. There's plenty of mutual respect between the two stars. Kerrigan goes up against Wisconsin left tackle Gabe Carimi, another likely first-round pick.

4. Spartans rushing to rebound: Despite what he called an "embarrassing performance" at Iowa, Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio maintained that "the sky is not falling around here." He's right, too, as the Spartans still are very much alive for the Big Ten title and a possible trip to the Rose Bowl. Michigan State can get well Saturday against last-place Minnesota, and it would be well served to reignite a rushing attack that has gone cold the past three weeks. Minnesota allows a league-worst 201.8 rush yards a game and will miss starting defensive tackle Brandon Kirksey because of a suspension. Spartans backs Edwin Baker, Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper need a big day.

5. Iowa faces trap game: Everyone in Iowa City wants to fast-forward to Nov. 20 and the Ohio State game, but the Hawkeyes first must take care of business on the road against two teams that give them trouble. Up first is Indiana, which dominated Iowa for the better part of three quarters last year and picked off Ricky Stanzi five times before the Hawkeyes rattled off 28 fourth-quarter points. Indiana beat Iowa in 2006 and 2007 and boasts a passing attack that will challenge the Hawkeyes' secondary. It's important for Iowa to keep the pedal down in Bloomington.

6. The joy of six: Three Big Ten teams -- Michigan, Illinois and Penn State -- enter Saturday's games with five victories, needing one more to become bowl eligible. One team will reach the magic number in Ann Arbor as Michigan and Illinois lock horns. The Wolverines would remove a lot of pressure by beating the Illini and virtually ensuring the end of their postseason drought. Like Michigan, Illinois hasn't been to a bowl since after the 2007 season and can continue its surprising surge with a victory. Teams like Indiana and Purdue also can inch closer to bowl eligibility with upset wins Saturday.

7. Persa back in Pennsylvania: Dan Persa was a high school star in Pennsylvania, but he barely got a sniff from Penn State in the recruiting process. He landed at Northwestern and has been the biggest reason for the Wildcats' 6-2 start. Persa, whose mother and sister went to Penn State and who grew up attending Nittany Lions games, heads back to his home state to try and spoil Paterno's 400 party. The Northwestern junior is cleared to start after suffering a concussion last week. While Persa heads home, Northwestern is at its best on the road, winning six consecutive games stretching back to last season. The Wildcats also fare well in November under coach Pat Fitzgerald, compiling a 9-4 record, including a 6-1 mark the past two seasons.

8. Scheelhaase takes aim at shorthanded secondary: Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase has put himself in the mix for Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, and he gets another chance to shine Saturday at the Big House. Scheelhaase, who last Saturday completed 16 of 20 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns, faces a struggling Michigan secondary that lost starting cornerback J.T. Floyd to a season-ending ankle injury this week in practice. True freshman Courtney Avery starts in Floyd's spot opposite James Rogers, the Wolverines' lone non-freshman cornerback. Illinois is a run-first offense, but don't be surprised if Scheelhaase takes to the air against the vulnerable Wolverines.

9. Penn State's quarterback situation: Freshman Rob Bolden might be Penn State's future, but sophomore Matt McGloin has been on the field at the end of back-to-back Nittany Lions victories. Bolden has fully recovered from a concussion suffered Oct. 23, and the coaches let the two quarterbacks compete for the starting job throughout practice this week. McGloin performed well in his first career start last week against Michigan, but quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno indicated after the game that Bolden still held the top job. Joe Paterno mentioned he might play both quarterbacks against Northwestern, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out.

10. Purdue turns to Robinson: Purdue expects to start its third quarterback this season as true freshman Sean Robinson gets the nod against Wisconsin. Robinson played most of the Illinois game last Saturday, completing just 7 of 20 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. The Boilers will use Rob Henry if his throwing hand improves, but Robinson is their top option. "If he was an immature freshman, didn't have some of the same intangibles, we could be in some real trouble," coach Danny Hope said. "This guy can come over and make a commitment from a maturity standpoint to become a quarterback we can win with."

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

Wisconsin moves into the top despite not playing a down on Saturday. Iowa, Northwestern and Penn State also make upward moves, while the Michigan schools both take a hit.

As a reminder, these rankings reflect how teams are playing right now. They're supposed to change each week.

1. Wisconsin (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten): After two huge wins, the Badgers received a well-earned open week before what looks like a very manageable November slate. Wisconsin should be healthy when it hits the road for Purdue this week, and barring a letdown, an 11-1 record is very possible. Bret Bielema's team still would like to see losses by Michigan State and Ohio State at some point.

2. Iowa (6-2, 3-1): That was what most of us had been waiting for from a talented and veteran Hawkeyes team. Iowa put it all together against Michigan State for its most complete performance in quite some time. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi should be on the Heisman radar, and safety Tyler Sash returned to his playmaking ways. Iowa now must handle its business on the road before the Nov. 20 showdown against Ohio State.

3. Ohio State (8-1, 4-1): Style points haven't been a problem for Jim Tressel's team this year. Ohio State eviscerated Minnesota on the road, piling up 52 points and 507 yards of offense. The offense is loaded with weapons, and the Buckeyes also scored touchdowns on defense and special teams. Ohio State enters its most successful month under Tressel, and the Buckeyes could run the table and reach the Rose Bowl.

4. Michigan State (8-1, 4-1): The Spartans looked like a different team at Kinnick Stadium, making far too many big mistakes to keep pace with Iowa. Quarterback Kirk Cousins must rebound after throwing three interceptions, and so must a defense that couldn't contain Stanzi. The good news is Michigan State's closing schedule remains favorable, and the Spartans hold the head-to-head tie-breaker advantage against Wisconsin.

5. Illinois (5-3, 3-2): Life is good right now for Ron Zook and the Fighting Illini, who could run the table the rest of the way to finish a surprising 9-3. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase had a breakout performance Saturday, and the Illinois defense held Purdue scoreless for 49 minutes. It's too bad the Illini don't have more games against ranked opponents, because they look unstoppable right now. Up next is a trip to slumping Michigan.

6. Penn State (5-3, 2-2): Count me among those skeptical of whether Penn State could keep pace with Michigan in a shootout, but Matt McGloin and Evan Royster shut us all up. McGloin was outstanding in his first career start, and Royster recaptured his 2009 form with 150 rush yards and two touchdowns. Penn State will face better defenses in the coming weeks, but the Lions took a big step toward bowl eligibility and moved Joe Paterno one win away from No. 400.

7. Northwestern (6-2, 2-2): The flaws are still there with the Wildcats, but you can't argue with their record. If this is indeed a rebuilding year, coach Pat Fitzgerald and his players will gladly take a school-record third consecutive bowl appearance, which they all but locked up Saturday at Indiana. The defense stepped up nicely and the offense received big performances from Dan Persa, Mike Trumpy and Jeremy Ebert. Penalties remain a big problem, but NU avoided a turnover in Bloomington. Northwestern now enters a month where it has been very good under Fitzgerald.

8. Michigan (5-3, 1-3): I expected a lot more from Michigan after an open week, especially facing a banged-up Penn State team starting a new quarterback. Instead, we got more of the same from Greg Robinson's woeful defense, and the special teams weren't much better. Quarterback Denard Robinson certainly did his part, but Michigan isn't consistent enough to win a Big Ten game at this point. It will take a major improvement this week to beat red-hot Illinois.

9. Purdue (4-4, 2-2): Back-to-back blowout losses certainly change the mood in West Lafayette. Injuries continue to ravage Purdue, and the Boilers defense had no answer for Scheelhaase and Illinois. Danny Hope left Champaign ticked off at Ron Zook's fourth-quarter strategy, but he has got bigger problems on his hands. Purdue still needs two wins to make a bowl game, but it won't be easy.

10. Indiana (4-4, 0-4): The Hoosiers are playing better on defense, but they didn't get nearly enough from Ben Chappell and the offense against Northwestern on Saturday. Several curious play calls and no rushing attack made it tough for Indiana to finish drives. This team just can't get over the hump in Big Ten games, and it needs to win two of them to qualify for a bowl and ensure coach Bill Lynch returns in 2011.

11. Minnesota (1-8, 0-5): The Gophers moved the ball at times against Ohio State, but they still make far too many major mistakes to keep pace with elite opponents. Finishing drives has been a challenge all season for Minnesota, and it continued Saturday night. Gophers players continue to play hard, if not well, and they have another shot at a ranked opponent this week at Michigan State.

Ten items to track as you watch the second Saturday of Big Ten games.

1. Slowing down Shoelace: No one this season has slowed down Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, who leads the nation in rushing (181 ypg) with 27 runs of 12 yards or more. Michigan State All-American linebacker Greg Jones plans to change things Saturday in Ann Arbor. Jones is by far the best defensive player Robinson has faced this season and was all over the field last week against Wisconsin. Jones vs. Robinson is a fascinating subplot to the most anticipated game in the rivalry in recent memory.

2. Pass the Buck(eyes): Excuse the bad pun, but Indiana brings the Big Ten's top pass offense (348.2 ypg) to Columbus, where it faces an Ohio State Buckeyes team that leads the Big Ten in defending the pass (161.8 ypg allowed). Something's got to give as Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell and his talented wide receivers and tight ends go up against Chimdi Chekwa, Jermale Hines and a speedy Ohio State secondary. Chappell (480 pass yards) and receiver Tandon Doss (15 rec., 221 yards) come off of huge games, while Ohio State plays its first full contest without Tyler Moeller.

3. Gophers gunning for the Axe: If Minnesota plans to turn around its season, there's no better place to start than Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. The Gophers love their trophy games, but their trophy case in Minneapolis has been empty for some time. No trophy and no game means more to Minnesota than the annual clash with Wisconsin for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota seniors like quarterback Adam Weber don't want to go through their entire careers without hoisting the coolest rivalry trophy in college sports. An upset victory would provide a huge boost, while a loss would virtually shut the door on postseason play and possibly Tim Brewster's future as Gophers head coach.

4. Seeing red in Happy Valley: Penn State has failed to reach the end zone twice in five games this season, and the Lions have slipped into a tie for 114th nationally in red-zone efficiency, converting just two-thirds of their opportunities into points. Illinois ranks fourth in the league in red-zone defense (75 percent conversions), but coordinator Vic Koenning tells me that depth problems have prevented him from employing a true goal-line package. Penn State coach Joe Paterno says opening up the playbook in the red zone isn't the answer, but the Lions had better try something against an improved Illini defense.

5. Henry leads banged-up Boilers: No team in America has been hit with more significant injuries than Purdue, which mercifully received a bye last week to regroup a bit. After losing quarterback Robert Marve to a season-ending ACL tear, the Boilers now turn to redshirt freshman Rob Henry to guide their offense. Henry is an exceptional athlete with good potential as a quarterback, and Danny Hope doesn't plan to shrink the playbook Saturday at Northwestern. But Henry will be tested in his first career start -- a Big Ten road game at night, no less.

6. Mark Dantonio returns for rivalry: Mark Dantonio has placed a premium on the Michigan State-Michigan rivalry ever since he became Spartans head coach. It would take more than a blood clot to make him miss Saturday's game in Ann Arbor. Dantonio, released from the hospital Monday, opened his news conference Tuesday by saying, "Can't keep me down Michigan week." The plan calls for him to spend the game in the coaches' booth. Michigan State is 2-0 during Dantonio's recovery from a mild heart attack, but his presence should provide a lift in a hostile environment.

7. Wisconsin's running back rotation: John Clay might be the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, but he's being pushed for carries by dynamic freshman James White. After White had another big day last week at Michigan State, Badgers running backs coach John Settle said, "We're going to put the competition out there and open it up." Clay continues to put up solid numbers, but he hasn't shown home-run ability like White this season. The burly junior has responded well to challenges before and on Saturday faces a vulnerable Minnesota defense that has allowed a league-high 10 rushing touchdowns.

8. Northwestern aims for historic start: There have been some bumps along the way, but the Wildcats sit at 5-0 for the second time in two years. A win Saturday night against Purdue would give Northwestern its first 6-0 start since 1962, the last time the program was ranked No. 1 nationally. The Wildcats are favored to do so, but they can't expect to keep overcoming penalties and turnovers, especially in Big Ten play. A polished performance against Purdue would put Northwestern in both national polls when No. 17 Michigan State visits on Oct. 23.

9. Sorting out the Buckeyes' backfield: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor (strained quad) should be ready for Saturday's game, but he still needs some help from his backfield mates. Ohio State's situation at running back has been the hot-button topic among Buckeye Nation, which wants to see either more production from Dan Herron and Brandon Saine or more opportunities for Jaamal Berry and Jordan Hall. If the Buckeyes can't spark their ground game against an Indiana defense ranked 108th nationally against the run (207 ypg allowed), they should start to get worried.

10. Cousins takes aim at shaky Michigan D: As incredible as Denard Robinson has been for Michigan, there's a growing sense that the Wolverines will see their fortunes turn soon if Greg Robinson's defense doesn't show some improvement. Indiana's Chappell had his way with Michigan's secondary last week, and while Michigan State brings a more balanced offense to Ann Arbor, Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins is playing with a lot of confidence. If Michigan can't pressure the pocket, Cousins will pick apart the Wolverines' secondary with his talented receivers and tight ends.

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

The Big Ten race tightened a bit on the first Saturday of league play. Ohio State looked beatable at Illinois, while both Iowa and Michigan State delivered impressive performances against ranked opponents. Northwestern found a way to stay undefeated, and Michigan rode Denard Robinson to another win.

Here's the new rundown ...

1. Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten): Championship teams face adversity along the way, and Ohio State encountered plenty of it against pesky Illinois. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor played through an injury and finally got some help from a running back (Dan Herron) late in the game. Ohio State's defense shut down Illinois in the second half despite losing key contributor Tyler Moeller to a chest injury. The Buckeyes certainly didn't win many style points at Memorial Stadium, but they won a game.

2. Iowa (4-1, 1-0): The Hawkeyes return to their rightful place in the power rankings after a dominant defensive performance against Penn State. End Adrian Clayborn made an impact both on the field and in the stat sheet, Shaun Prater had a pick-six and the Hawkeyes kept Penn State out of the end zone with an impressive goal-line stand. Iowa has two weeks to prepare for Robinson and Michigan.

3. Michigan State (5-0, 1-0): Adversity is no longer the Spartans' Kryptonite. Coach Mark Dantonio's absence didn't faze Michigan State, and neither did three first-half turnovers. Michigan State controlled the game against Wisconsin and put things away with a 15-play, 84-yard touchdown drive that featured great execution by quarterback Kirk Cousins and great play calling by coordinator Don Treadwell. Now things get fun as the Spartans visit archrival Michigan.

4. Michigan (5-0, 1-0): The Wolverines are still pretty much a one-man show, but what a show he puts on. Robinson continued his assault on the record books against Indiana, racking up 494 yards of total offense and becoming the first player in FBS history to twice record 200 rush yards and 200 pass yards in a game. Robinson's brilliance rescued Michigan's defense again, however, and Greg Robinson's unit has to get a lot better quickly if the Wolverines want to keep winning.

5. Wisconsin (4-1, 0-1): Bret Bielema must really hate the state of Michigan. Bielema's teams continued to struggle in the Great Lake State, as the Badgers couldn't match Michigan State in all of the important categories Saturday. Wisconsin's veteran offense is underachieving right now, especially up front, and the defense sorely misses linebacker Chris Borland. No one will be impressed if Wisconsin pounds Minnesota next week, but a chance for redemption returns Oct. 16 against Ohio State.

6. Northwestern (5-0, 1-0): Michigan isn't the only Big Ten team that needs to find a new formula for winning. The Wildcats escaped Minnesota with a W despite doing all they could to give the game to the hapless Gophers. Coach Pat Fitzgerald finally has enough talent to win games despite mistakes, but Northwestern has a lot of things to clean up. The schedule continues to help the Wildcats, who face banged-up Purdue this week before a bye.

7. Penn State (3-2, 0-1): Yes, the Nittany Lions have lost to two outstanding teams on the road, but their body of work reeks of mediocrity. Tom Bradley's defense is strong enough to keep Penn State in games, but the offense remains inconsistent and continues to struggle along the line. Penn State's red zone woes continued early in the second half at Kinnick Stadium, as it couldn't convert an opportunity to get back in the game. If the execution doesn't improve on offense, Penn State is staring at a four- or five-loss season.

8. Indiana (3-1, 0-1): What a performance by Ben Chappell and Tandon Doss. You have to feel for Indiana's top quarterback and wide receiver as Chappell torched Michigan for 480 pass yards, 221 of which went to Doss. Indiana might have the Big Ten's best passing attack, but it doesn't translate into wins. I know I sound like a broken record, but until the Hoosiers significantly upgrade their defense, they'll be unable to get over the hump in Big Ten play. Still, IU can take several positives from the Michigan game and should reach a bowl.

9. Illinois (2-2, 0-1): The improvement on defense is legit, as Vic Koenning's unit did a good job against Pryor and the Buckeyes' offense until the fourth quarter. But Illinois really had some chances to win but couldn't overcome several inexcusable penalties and a questionable decision by coach Ron Zook to kick a field goal rather than go for a game-tying touchdown with 4:40 left. The Illini also had five fourth-quarter penalties, including an offside call right in front of the bench after stopping Ohio State on third-and-1. There's still a lot to clean up.

10. Purdue (2-2): Purdue clearly needed the bye week after learning quarterback Robert Marve would miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. No team in America has had worse luck on the injury front, but Purdue needs to get young quarterbacks Rob Henry and Sean Robinson ready for this week's trip to Northwestern. More importantly, the Boilers have to tighten things up on defense, the unit that will determine whether Purdue turns things around or not.

11. Minnesota (1-4, 0-1): A potential season-turning win was right there for the Golden Gophers, and they still couldn't take it. Despite an eight-point fourth-quarter lead, a 3-0 edge in turnovers until the final minute, a very good offensive game plan and an opponent (Northwestern) making mistake after mistake, Minnesota once again couldn't finish. Tim Brewster's power of positivity will truly be tested as players have to be questioning themselves right now. At least Minnesota will recharge for a rivalry game this week at Wisconsin.

Five lessons from the first Saturday of conference play.

1. Michigan State looks legit: It's rare when a team wins a game despite losing the turnover battle 3-0. It's practically unheard of for a team to win by double digits despite a minus-3 turnover margin. Michigan State not only survived its early miscues but took control before halftime and never really looked back against No. 11 Wisconsin. Mark Dantonio's continued absence didn't faze the Spartans, who finally are showing the maturity to overcome adversity both on and off the field. Don Treadwell is handling play calls and big decisions extremely well, and Pat Narduzzi's defense held Wisconsin star John Clay in check. The Spartans don't play Ohio State this year, but they might challenge the Buckeyes for the league title.

2. Ohio State can be beat in league play: After four impressive victories, Ohio State raised some red flags with its performance at Illinois. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor once again was the team's only viable rushing threat until Dan Herron emerged late in the game. A quad injury limited Pryor's effectiveness in the second half, and Ohio State went back to a very conservative scheme. The defense stepped up nicely after a shaky start, but injuries continue to plague the unit, with safety Tyler Moeller (chest) the latest to go down. Ohio State still boasts the most talent and the fewest holes of any Big Ten team, but it probably won't be a cakewalk for Jim Tressel's crew.

3. Michigan, Northwestern need to tweak formula: Both the Wolverines and Wildcats are 5-0 right now, but neither squad has a long-term sustainable formula for success. Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson has been the nation's most dynamic player, but the Wolverines can't expect No. 16 to bail them out throughout Big Ten play without getting at least some improvement from Greg Robinson's defense. Northwestern has looked extremely sloppy the past two weeks, committing too many penalties and too many turnovers, but the Wildcats have upgraded their talent enough to survive with wins. The competition soon gets much tougher for both Michigan and Northwestern, and both teams need to clean up some things.

4. Penn State is mediocre, and Wisconsin might be, too: Sure, both teams lost road games to good opponents Saturday, but neither squad has looked impressive this season. Penn State's offense lacks experience at quarterback, but the offensive line just can't compete with top-shelf defenses like Iowa's. Quarterback Rob Bolden will get better, but Penn State needs to reevaluate things and find ways to get the offense going. Wisconsin simply isn't performing to its talent level on offense. The line hasn't been nearly as dominant as I thought, and the defense really misses Chris Borland. The questions about whether Bret Bielema can beat the good teams and take Wisconsin from a good to a great program are very valid right now. An experienced team should do better than this, plain and simple.

5. Iowa might have the Big Ten's most dominant defense: Iowa lost the Arizona game because of special teams and poor offensive line play, not defense. And other than allowing Arizona's late touchdown drive, Iowa's defense has looked flat-out dominant this season. The latest example came Saturday night against Penn State, which couldn't reach the end zone and recorded only 54 rushing yards. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn is still a beast, and cornerback Shaun Prater came up with a big play in the fourth quarter. The Big Ten might actually be an offense-first league this season, but Iowa continues to win with the same formula.

Some quick thoughts on a game that didn't turn into a "defensive shootout," as Indiana coach Bill Lynch said it might.

Michigan 42, Indiana 35: What's left to say about Denard Robinson? Plenty. I'll be talking about No. 16 throughout next week, but here's what you need to know: 494 yards of total offense, five touchdowns and the game-winning score. Michigan might be a one-man team, but no man has been more impressive in college football than Robinson has this fall.

Meanwhile, another Robinson continues to raise anxiety levels in Ann Arbor: Wolverines defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. His unit once again looked bad against a dynamic Indiana offense, allowing 568 yards, 480 through the air. Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell had his way with the Wolverines secondary.

Surprising? Hardly. Disappointing? Yes.

Greg Robinson has to figure out something fast as the competition level increases next week against Michigan State. The receivers for both teams were outstanding, and Indiana's defensive woes against good teams continued. Indiana could make some noise this year, but it must get better on defense and find a running game ASAP.

Invest wisely.

STOCK UP

Scott Tolzien: After a bit of shakiness in Wisconsin's first two games, Tolzien looked very sharp against Arizona State despite not having two of his top receivers (Nick Toon and David Gilreath). The senior quarterback completed 19 of 25 passes for 246 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.

Anthony Santella: Special teams play hasn't been a Big Ten strength so far this season, but Santella is a bright spot. The Illinois senior leads the nation in punting with a 48.9-yard average. Santella has improved from 50th nationally in punting in 2009 and 75th in 2008.

Northwestern's defensive line: The loss of third-round draft pick Corey Wootton hasn't fazed the Wildcats, who are receiving excellent play up front from defensive tackles Jack DiNardo and Corbin Bryant and end Vince Browne. The three combined for 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup against Rice.

Penn State's third-down efficiency: The Lions have been excellent on third down on both sides of the ball. They rank 12th nationally in third-down conversions at 53.7 percent, a testament to an offensive line that has yet to allow a sack. Penn State leads the Big Ten and ranks 12th nationally in third-down defense at just 25 percent conversions.

STOCK DOWN

Greg Robinson: His Michigan defense showed some shakiness in the first two games but made up for it by forcing turnovers. There was nothing to sugarcoat the struggles Saturday against Massachusetts, which rolled up 36 points and 439 yards, keeping things very interesting until the end.

Iowa's offensive line: After holding up well the first two weeks, Iowa's inexperience up front showed against Arizona. The Hawkeyes surrendered six sacks, including three on the final four offensive plays. Though senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi needed to get rid of the ball, he didn't have much chance to do so.

Special teams: Major breakdowns are becoming an epidemic around the Big Ten. You saw it Saturday with Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio State. The mistakes need to be fixed ASAP.

Now it's time to check in on the league award races.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: OFFENSE

(Player, Week 3 performance)

1. Michigan QB Denard Robinson: 10-for-14 passing, 241 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 17 rushes, 104 yards, 1 TD.

2. Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor: 22-of-29 passing, 235 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs; rushing TD; had school-record 16 consecutive completions in first half.

3. Northwestern QB Dan Persa: 24-for-32 passing, 307 yards, 1 TD; 34 rush yards, 1 TD.

4. Michigan State RB Edwin Baker: 14 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD.

5. Wisconsin RB John Clay: 22 carries, 123 yards, 1 TD.

6. Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure: 24 carries, 180 yards, 1 TD.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE: DEFENSE

1. Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan: Recorded five tackles, two for loss and a sack. Leads Big ten with 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 more than any other player.

2. Michigan State LB Greg Jones: Recorded nine tackles, including a sack and had a quarterback hurry. Leads the Big Ten with 29 tackles.

3. Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt: Played through pain against Arizona State to record a pass breakup and three quarterback hurries.

4. Ohio State S Tyler Moeller: Recorded a forced fumble, an interception and 1.5 tackles for loss. Ties for league lead in forced fumbles with two.

5. Northwestern LB Quentin Davie: Recorded a game-high 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and had an interception returned for a touchdown. Leads the Big Ten in both interceptions (3) and passes defended (5).

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR RACE


1. Michigan State RB Le'Veon Bell: 17 rushes, 114 yards, 1 TD.

2. Wisconsin RB James White: 6 rushes, 40 yards, 4 kick returns for 93 yards.

3. Penn State QB Rob Bolden: 17-of- 27 passing, 217 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 4 carries, 33 rush yards, 1 TD.

4. Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase: 16 carries, 115 yards, 1 TD; 8-of-16 passing, 70 yards.

Ohio State remains atop the rankings, although there's a little more room between the Buckeyes and the rest of the league after three weeks. No Big Ten team has fewer flaws and more firepower than the Scarlet and Gray, who look like they can challenge Alabama and any other squad for the national title.

Iowa's loss to Arizona costs the Hawkeyes a spot in the rankings, while I see very little separating Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State right now. All three teams have some strengths but also some obvious problem areas. As a result, they're bunched together.

1. Ohio State (3-0): The nation's most opportunistic defense forced five turnovers Saturday against Ohio, and quarterback Terrelle Pryor completed a school-record 16 consecutive passes in a 43-7 rout. Aside from the occasional special-teams breakdown, I don't see a weakness on this team. Ohio State is a bona fide national title contender.

2. Wisconsin (3-0): We didn't see the dominant play some had expected from the Badgers against Arizona State, but we learned a lot more about Bret Bielema's team. Wisconsin worked through all types of adversity and received two huge special-teams plays from Shelton Johnson and Jay Valai to remain unbeaten and move up a spot.

3. Iowa (2-1): After a second-half comeback that evoked memories of last season's magic, Iowa fell flat in the clutch against Arizona. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi couldn't get out of his own backfield, and the Hawkeyes had some surprising struggles on both defense and special teams. A chance at the national title is all but gone, but Iowa can still regroup and make a push for the Rose Bowl.

T-4. Penn State (2-1): Tom Bradley's defense turned in a dominant performance against Kent State, but questions remain on the offensive side, particularly with Evan Royster and the run attack. The senior star has yet to eclipse 40 rushing yards in a game this season. Quarterback Rob Bolden will continue to get better, but Penn State must identify a capable running back, whether or not his last name is Royster.

T-4. Michigan (3-0): The Denard Robinson Show continues to perform every Saturday, but Michigan has a few more weapons on offense than No. 16 this season. The Wolverines might need every one of them as the defense isn't stopping anyone right now. UMass pretty much had its way with Greg Robinson's crew Saturday, and an upgrade is critical before league play.

T-4. Michigan State (3-0): Like their archrivals from Ann Arbor, Michigan State owns a dramatic, come-from-behind win against a Notre Dame team that is either unlucky or very mediocre. Still, Michigan State showed a lot of promise on offense as quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver B.J. Cunningham complemented the two-pronged rushing attack of Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker. Coach Mark Dantonio made the Call of the Year in overtime for the win.

7. Northwestern (3-0): No rise in the rankings just yet for Pat Fitzgerald's team, but winning will eventually pay off. Quarterback Dan Persa and his talented receiving corps continue to shine, and linebacker Quentin Davie led a tremendous defensive performance against Rice with a pick-six, his third interception in the past two weeks.

8. Purdue (2-1): I'm keeping the Boilers here for another week, but they need to deliver a more complete performance this week against Toledo. Purdue is still figuring out its identity without two key offensive players (Keith Smith and Ralph Bolden), but the defense delivered a solid effort Saturday against Ball State.

9. Illinois (2-1): Illini coach Ron Zook put it best after the Northern Illinois game, saying, "I'm not so sure we would've won that game a year ago." They probably would not have won, but an improving defense and an offense building a run-first identity behind Mikel LeShoure and Nathan Scheelhaase proved to be enough against NIU. Illinois remains very much a work in progress, but at least there's progress being made now.

10. Indiana (2-0): Kudos to Ben Chappell and his receivers for a huge performance at Western Kentucky, but again, what do we really know about the Hoosiers? They've played two terrible opponents with another (Akron) on the slate for this week. I'll be happy to move Indiana higher in the rankings when the Hoosiers notch a quality win and show some real improvement on defense.

11. Minnesota (1-2): The Gophers did some good things Saturday against USC, but they couldn't finish things off after claiming a third-quarter lead and lost their 16th consecutive game against a ranked opponent. The defense fared much better after getting embarrassed against FCS South Dakota, but a breakdown on special teams turned the game. Minnesota faces a must-win situation this week against Northern Illinois.

Craig Roh's job description actually is more defined than it was a year ago, even though it sounds more ambiguous.

"I’m that hybrid type of position," Roh told me in April. "Half linebacker, half defensive lineman."

Roh started his first collegiate game for Michigan at the aptly labeled "quick" position, a combination of linebacker and defensive line. His bio on Michigan's official website reads that he started all 12 games at outside linebacker in 2009, but Roh said he only got out of the three-point stance during practice this spring.

As Michigan's defense worked more in the 3-3-5 set during spring ball, Roh divided his time between linebacker and defensive line.

"There’s some changes," he said. "I’ve never been in a linebacker [position], second-level, setting up there. Some guys are playing basically the same position they played last year. For me, this is something new and different.

"[Defensive coordinator Greg Robinson] is helping me a lot with the learning curve."

Roh should be a lot further along when the season kicks off Sept. 4 against Connecticut. Michigan's defense needs him to provide a major boost.

At 6-5 and 251 pounds with excellent speed, Roh boasts the size and skill to excel in the hybrid role. He expects to have more responsibilities in pass coverage but will remain a pass-rushing threat after recording two sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2009.

Although Roh did some good things as a true freshman, he recognized the steps he needed to make during the offseason.

"I saw a guy that definitely did need to gain some size," Roh said. "That was a big factor. And a guy that really needed to learn every facet of the defense so he could play his position."

Roh arrived at Michigan weighing just 238 pounds and lost some of it during the season.

Describing himself as "tiny" among Big Ten defensive linemen, Roh spent the winter, spring and summer bulking up in the weight room. He also followed a diet most people would dream about: six meals and more than 4,000 calories a day.

"I have crazy metabolism, and putting on weight was tough for me," he said. "It's something I've really got to concentrate on. Some meals, you're like, 'I really don't want to eat this right now,' but you have to."

Michigan loses its top two defenders -- end Brandon Graham and cornerback Donovan Warren -- from a unit that struggled for most of 2009, finishing last in the Big Ten in both points allowed (33.2 ypg) and yards allowed (428.5 ypg) in conference games. Although Robinson tried to downplay talk about the 3-3-5 alignment, Michigan undoubtedly will tweak things this fall, and Roh is a big part of the plan.

"I'm a guy that's expected to perform this year," Roh said. "BG [Graham] was just an amazing player, and I feel like in some sense I need to replace what he's done."

During his two-plus seasons at Michigan, Rich Rodriguez often has mentioned the numbers game on defense, a game that the Wolverines have been losing.

Rodriguez isn't talking about numbers of points allowed or yards allowed, although it's all connected to the larger problem the Wolverines' defense has endured. Michigan simply hasn't had enough capable players to succeed on that side of the ball. And without the numbers, or adequate depth at certain positions, the defense has plummeted. In the last two seasons, the Wolverines have finished 67th and 82nd in yards allowed, and 84th and 77th in points allowed, respectively.

High attrition has certainly played a major role, and of those who left, many were top defensive prospects. Recruiting also has played a significant role, much of it before Rodriguez's arrival, as Michigan signed small classes with not enough defensive recruits. Mgoblog has a great breakdown of the problems here and here.

Heading into a pivotal season, can Michigan survive the numbers situation on defense?

"It's still limited, to an extent, this spring," defensive coordinator Greg Robinson told me earlier this month. "Now there's going to be 14, 15 guys walking in the door [in the summer]. How many can you count on as freshmen? Time will tell that. Craig Roh played as a freshman [in 2009].

"So it can be done."

Michigan's incoming freshman class will be a huge factor in the defense's results, one way or another. Unlike past classes, the 2010 crop is both sizable and filled with defensive players.

Cornerback Demar Dorsey, the Big Ten's highest-rated recruit according to ESPN recruiting, will contribute right away as long as he qualifies for admission. Other defensive recruits like Cullen Christian and Marvin Robinson also are good bets to see the field this fall.

"We may have some young guys come in this fall and provide some competition, which is a little scary when you're talking about true freshmen," Rodriguez said. "But we want to play more people defensively and offensively."

Several defenders who stepped up this spring also should help in the numbers game.

Safety Cameron Gordon, a converted wide receiver, was arguably Michigan's top spring performer. The coaches also singled out linebacker Kenny Demens, cornerback J.T. Floyd, Teric Jones, defensive linemen Adam Patterson and Renaldo Sagesse and others for their play. Redshirt freshmen like Cameron Gordon and safety Thomas Gordon drew more attention during the spring session.

"You notice them," Robinson said, "and that is good. It's just the numbers aren't there yet. There will be a real infusion in August. We're going to get it done, but I know where the work is. It's about developing young players as quickly as we can. You've really got to count on 18, 19 guys, so the depth is what we have to establish."

Robinson admits Michigan never truly had adequate depth in 2009, and the results showed.

"We lacked depth, we lacked maturity at times," he said. "But that's last year. It doesn't really matter. There's no reason to be putting rose-colored glasses on it. At the same time, can it be an improved defense? Yep. It's the year 2010 and it's the 131st defense to perform here at Michigan.

"And doggone it, we're going to find a way to be better."