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In his first year as Indiana's head coach, Kevin Wilson took a standoffish position about how the team was viewed from the outside.

In our conversations, he never hesitated to point out where Brian Bennett and I had his Hoosiers projected on the Big Ten blog (at or near the bottom of most rankings). He had an infamous appearance on an Indianapolis sports radio show that had taken some not-so veiled shots at the Indiana program. He didn't deny the program's mostly horrid history, but he got fed up with it being used against the team going forward.

His team then proceeded to feed right into that history, going 1-11 with zero wins against FBS competition. A program viewed as one of the weakest in the FBS managed to take a step back.

Wilson is taking a slightly different approach heading into his second year at Indiana. He knows where Indiana will be projected heading into the fall, and he understands why the forecast is bleak. But he also knows how vital it is for the Hoosiers to begin climbing out of the canyon and raising expectations both inside and outside the program.

From The (Bloomington) Herald-Times (subscription required):

"This year is a fight year," Wilson said. "We've got to fight. We've got to establish some credibility. If we lay an egg, then it's just a vicious cycle that can go right down the toilet. It's a critical year. And the bottom line is that, at least at some point in time, we've got to win games."

I love hearing this from a coach in the second year of a seven-year contract. Indiana gave Wilson time to get things right -- more time than most first-time head coaches receive. But Wilson understands the shift needs to take place sooner rather than later.

He's taking accountability to make sure improvement takes place in Bloomington.

"No aspect is satisfactory," he said, "when you're 1-11."

But he said he's learned some things about being a head coach after a year on the job.

"I have to do a better job coaching, and be in a position to do that," he said. "As I evaluate my own weaknesses and strengths, maybe the best thing I have in the background is just being a good, solid football coach. Hopefully, we can get the whole organization on the same page, so I can get back to being more of a football coach. Last year, I could have done a better job of time management, of leadership to help those people developing our program, and therefore allowing me the freedom to coach."

The transition from top assistant to CEO (head coach) can be rocky for some, and while Wilson will have more on his plate than direct coaching, this statement is encouraging to hear.

Wilson is never going to be Mr. Rah-Rah. His personality and style will turn off some, especially those accustomed to hearing what they want to hear from a coach, even if it's not true.

I love his approach. I've known Wilson for a long time -- back to his days as a Northwestern assistant, and mine as a Northwestern student reporter -- and I've always appreciated his bluntness and candor. He doesn't hold back, and you always know exactly where he stands on a topic.

Regarding the 2012 season, he knows it's big. He's willing to be accountable. He wants to lead the fight. Indiana fans should be excited.

Spring practice is a time when coaches install new schemes or just instill the fundamentals. The most exciting part of spring practice is potential new stars emerge, with newcomers or former reserves turning heads with their performances.

Some of these guys will fade back into the shadows come fall. But others will be making major contributions on a field near you. Here's a list of some players who had breakout springs:

Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois: Redshirted last year after a hamstring injury, Ferguson blew up for 130 yards and caught six passes in the Illini spring game. He flashed his speed and versatility for an offense that desperately needs playmakers in its new spread attack. Ferguson should be in line to get a lot of touches in 2012.

Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State: A true freshman who enrolled in January after spending a year in prep school, Thomas suddenly became Braxton Miller's favorite target in the spring game, hauling in 12 catches for 131 yards. Like Ferguson, he gave a glimmer of hope to a position that was sorely in need of a boost for the Buckeyes, and he'll get a shot at plenty of playing time right away.

Darien Harris, LB, Michigan State: Few people were talking about Harris at the start of spring, especially since the Spartans return all three starting linebackers. But with Chris Norman out this spring with an injury, Harris got a bunch of reps and ran with it. Mark Dantonio called the redshirt freshman "one of the exciting surprises of the spring." He'll play this fall, but the question is how much?

Joey Burzinski, OL, Michigan: Even most Wolverines fans had probably not heard of Buzinski, a walk-on freshman, before this spring. But a strong work ethic and a lack of depth on the Michigan O-line helped him make a move until he found himself working with the first string. Burzinski is no lock to start but should see minutes somewhere on the line and is a great story.

Bill Belton, RB, Penn State: Belton was a highly-regard recruit who started to make an impact at the end of last season. Moved to full-time running back this spring, he responded by making a lot of plays and adding depth to a spot that was extremely thin behind Silas Redd. Belton's versatility should help him become a useful weapon in Bill O'Brien's offense.

David Cooper, LB, Indiana: There's no question that the Hoosiers desperately needed some help on defense, and head coach Kevin Wilson scoured the junior college ranks for a talent injection. Cooper, along with Jacarri Alexander, proved he could run and tackle this spring, and he also brought a high energy level that rubbed off on his teammates. He's slated to start at middle linebacker and hopefully bring some improvement to the overall defensive effort.

C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa: He was a hyped recruit, and now Fiedorowicz might be about to show why. A matchup nightmare at 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, the junior is expected to play a major role in new offensive coordinator Greg Davis's offense, and James Vandenberg has to love having such a big target.

Frankie Williams, S, Purdue: By the end of last season, Danny Hope regretted his decision to redshirt Williams because he felt he could have contributed at cornerback. Williams moved to safety this spring and got the start there in the spring game. The Boilers are deep at corner but could use a little help at safety, and Williams looks ready to fill that need.

After an offseason jam-packed with change, most players and coaches in the Leaders Division haven't had time to examine anyone but themselves.

"I have no idea," first-year Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said. "I'm only concerned about one program, and that's Penn State."

The Big Ten had three head-coaching changes in the offseason, all of them in the Leaders Division (Penn State, Ohio State and Illinois). Wisconsin, the two-time defending Big Ten champion, had to replace six assistant coaches, including premier playcaller Paul Chryst and offensive line guru Bob Bostad. Purdue replaced its defensive coordinator, while Indiana brought in a new offensive coordinator.

All six teams have some new flavor and the uncertainty that comes with it. All six teams also sense opportunity in what could be a wide-open division race.

"Everybody has new people," Penn State defensive tackle Jordan Hill told ESPN.com. "Even Wisconsin, they've got six new assistants, and in most cases, the assistants are who deal with the players the most. So I feel it's wide open. Not that I don't feel that every year, but it's more than usual."

Wisconsin has reached the past two Rose Bowls and won 32 games during the past three seasons. The Badgers return Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball, the Big Ten's offensive player of the year in 2011, and recently added another quarterback transfer in Danny O'Brien, the former Maryland signal-caller.

Although the staff turnover is significant, Bret Bielema has replaced key assistants before, like defensive coordinator Dave Doeren after the 2010 season. There's still a strong case to be made that the Leaders Division title still goes through Mad-city.

"We are the targeted team in the Big Ten because of what we've done the past two years," Ball said. "Everyone is shooting and gunning for us."

Added Bielema: "Everyone thinks it's complacency that's going to affect us, but here at Wisconsin we've become greedy."

Ball lists Ohio State as the team Wisconsin is gunning for, and the Badgers and Buckeyes have a spicy rivalry brewing. Some think Ohio State will end up as the division's top team, but the Buckeyes are banned from postseason play and the Big Ten title game, adding a subplot to the division race.

"We have a great opportunity right now," Purdue defensive tackle Kawann Short said. "We've got a lot of starters coming back. ... Ohio State can't get back in conference championship, so it just gives us a little edge.

"We've got to take advantage of it."

Purdue likely will be a popular pick as a sleeper team in the division. The Boilers return nine starters on both sides of the ball and three quarterbacks -- Caleb TerBush, Robert Marve and Rob Henry -- who have started multiple games. They also have recorded two wins against Ohio State during coach Danny Hope's three-year tenure.

Indiana has a bigger hill to climb after a 1-11 season in 2011. But the Hoosiers are a year older and more familiar with the demands of coach Kevin Wilson and his staff.

"Last year we struggled in my first year, didn't play up to our capabilities," Wilson said. "Hopefully that'll lead to giving ourselves an opportunity to compete with some of those teams as they go through some transition."

While Ohio State can't make it to Indianapolis in Urban Meyer's first year, the other two division teams with new coaches could surprise people. Both Penn State and Illinois have similar profiles, boasting strong defensive front sevens but question marks on offense.

"At this time, everybody is saying the same thing, whether it's Illinois, Ohio State, Wisconsin," Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase said. "... It really comes down to who’s going to go out there every day and get better, who's going to put in the extra work to be the best football team.

"Everybody wants to be, but ultimately one team is going to do it more so than anybody else."

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Tre Roberson's throwing arm was sore during Thursday morning's passing drills. And as far as Indiana is concerned, that's not a bad thing.

Roberson made a promising debut last season as a true freshman, starting the Hoosiers' final five games and showing off a strong mix of athleticism and poise. Now in his first college spring practice, Roberson is working on his passing. A lot.

"He's throwing it a ton," first-year Indiana offensive coordinator Seth Littrell said. "He's not fully used to it. He's always been a spread, run type of quarterback."

The Hoosiers know that Roberson can take off and run, but that's not the only thing they want out of a quarterback. Littrell and head coach Kevin Wilson come from the Mike Leach/Oklahoma offensive system, where high-percentage passing makes everything go.

Wilson said the two easiest ways for IU to improve on its 1-11 record this season is to become a high-efficient passing team and to get more physical overall. Roberson completed 57 percent of his throws during his rookie campaign, which needs to go up. The good news is, the talent -- and the pedigree -- is there.

"I do think he has a skill set where I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't become a complete quarterback," Wilson said. "He throws it well, his mechanics are clean and I think he plays like a quarterback.

"It's nice that he has good feet and can make some plays on the run and you can design a quarterback run or run the option once in a while. ... But I don't think we can be an elite team running zone read or pulling it all the time."

At the beginning of last season, Roberson's path to playing time appeared uncertain. He was third on the depth chart behind Ed Wright-Baker and Dusty Kiel. Hotshot recruit Gunner Kiel, Dusty's brother, had committed to Indiana in the summer.

But injuries and ineffectiveness by Wright-Baker and the elder Kiel allowed Roberson to become the first true freshman ever to start for the Hoosiers. In his first career start, on the road against Iowa, he completed 16-of-24 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown and ran for 84 yards.

"I just wanted to bring fun to the huddle," he said. "We weren't having a lot of fun last year. So I was just coming in and smiling and saying, 'Let's go. We can do this.'"

Football is in his genes. His grandfather, Larry Highbaugh, played defensive back at Indiana and later in the Canadian Football League, where he won six Grey Cups. Highbaugh was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Roberson said he used to see CFL trophies all over his grandfather's house growing up. But he really remembers watching his father, Gajuan, play semi-pro football on Friday nights.

Tre led Lawrence Central High School to the state championship game and won Indiana Mr. Football honors. Roberson always knew he wanted to go to Indiana, where two of his grandparents and a couple of cousins had attended. He committed when Bill Lynch was still the coach and kept his word even through the coaching change. The Hoosiers' less-than-stellar tradition never deterred him.

"I just felt like, if I came here I'd have the ability to help it change," he said.

Now he's the center of that effort to change things. Wright-Baker and Dusty Kiel both transferred in the offseason, and Gunner Kiel wound up at Notre Dame. Tre Roberson looks like the future at Indiana. His arm better get ready for lots of work.

When the Big Ten football coaches gathered in Chicago for a meeting earlier this month, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald looked over to Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and joked, "Which one of us is the old man now?"

Fitzgerald was struck by the notion that at age 37, heading into his seventh year as the Wildcats' head man, he is now the second-longest-tenured coach in the league. That shows how much change the conference has experienced the past two years -- and illustrates why this spring looms as an important time for many of its teams.

Three schools -- Ohio State, Penn State and Illinois -- hired new permanent head coaches this offseason, following the three that did so last year (Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota). Add in Nebraska, and seven of the 12 Big Ten teams have coaches either in their first or second year of competing in the conference.

"That's unprecedented," said Big Ten associate commissioner Mark Rudner, who has worked for the league since 1979 and currently serves as the football coaches' liaison to the conference. "It's a whole new world."

The Big Ten used to be known as a collection of icons, the league of Woody and Bo and larger-than-life coaches. No school is less familiar with change than Penn State, which will begin a season without Joe Paterno as head coach for the first time since 1966.

All the new personalities lead some to wonder if the Big Ten will maintain its identity and culture. Already, new Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has made waves with some aggressive recruiting tactics, leading Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema to criticize Meyer and caution that the Big Ten does not want to become a northern version of the SEC.

Meyer and Bielema met to hash out their differences in that coaches' meeting earlier this month. Rudner took it as a positive sign that 11 of the 12 coaches attended what was a voluntary gathering just two days after signing day. The only coach who didn't attend, Penn State's Bill O'Brien, was preparing to coach in the Super Bowl.

"Everybody seems willing to throw in with everybody else, so hopefully that will make for a lot smoother transition," Rudner said.

Transition will be the main buzzword thrown around most campuses when spring practice begins in early March.

Meyer will install the offensive system that helped the Florida Gators win two national titles as the Buckeyes begin their quest to regain Big Ten supremacy -- after the 2012 bowl ban expires, of course. Illinois is switching to a full-fledged spread attack under new coach Tim Beckman, himself a former Meyer assistant.

Jerry Kill at Minnesota and Kevin Wilson at Indiana will seek better things after disappointing first seasons, and each has brought in some junior college players to try to fill holes on the roster. Michigan won the Sugar Bowl in Brady Hoke's first year but still wants to move toward more of a pro-style offense, as long as it doesn't restrict the talents of QB Denard Robinson. Nebraska had its share of successes and setbacks in its first season of Big Ten play and now has a better idea of what it takes to compete in the league. The Huskers need to get stronger on defense but will have to do so without departed stars Lavonte David, Alfonzo Dennard and Jared Crick.

Even some of the most stable programs weren't immune to change. Wisconsin, which has gone to back-to-back Rose Bowls, lost most of its offensive staff when coordinator Paul Chryst went to Pitt and took several assistants with him. Purdue coach Danny Hope wasn't satisfied with making the program's first bowl since 2007 and reorganized his defensive staff. And as Big Ten dean Ferentz enters his 14th season at Iowa, he'll do so for the first time without defensive coordinator Norm Parker (who retired) or offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe (who left for the Miami Dolphins).

"We probably cheated time here a little bit," Ferentz said.

Some veteran staffs stayed intact, such as Northwestern and Michigan State. The Spartans figure to make another run at a Legends Division title if they can adequately replace QB Kirk Cousins, All-American defensive tackle Jerel Worthy and their top three receivers.

"Players just want to have consistency in vision and consistency in expectations," Fitzgerald said. "When you've had a position coach for four straight years, you know what to expect, and there's something to be said for that.

"At the same time, when there's change, there's a newfound sense of urgency. Our big challenge is making sure our guys don't feel like we're Charlie Brown's teacher going, 'Wah-wah-wah-wah,' and start getting bored."

There's nothing boring about the transition at Penn State. Paterno's reign came crashing down in shocking, controversial fashion before he passed away in January. For the first time in decades, the Nittany Lions will have several new assistant coaches, not to mention a new style of offense and leadership under O'Brien. Players can already see the differences in winter conditioning.

"There's a lot of excitement around here right now," linebacker Michael Mauti said. "It's just a whole new way of doing things."

They'll be saying that on a lot of Big Ten campuses this spring.

After taking a look at the Legends Division outlook for spring practice, it's time to turn the focus to the Leaders Division.

Away we go ...

ILLINOIS

Start of spring practice: March 7
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• New faces in new roles: Tim Beckman and his assistants get their first chance to work with the players on the field. Beckman retained only one assistant (defensive line coach Keith Gilmore) from the previous staff, so it'll be important for the players and coaches to get acclimated. It's also a big spring for co-offensive coordinators Billy Gonzales and Chris Beatty, both of whom will be primary playcallers for the first time at this level.
• The quarterbacks: Nathan Scheelhaase is a two-year starter, but he'll have to re-establish himself as the team's top option at quarterback. Reilly O'Toole received a decent amount of field time last season, and Illinois should have a competition under center in spring practice. Both men will have to learn a new offense and show good decision-making skills after combining to throw 12 interceptions last fall.
• No Merci: All-American defensive end Whitney Mercilus is gone, and Illinois will be looking for his replacement this spring. The defensive line could once again be a strength for the Illini, especially with Gilmore back and an aggressive defensive coordinator in Tim Banks. It'll be interesting to see how the coaches use Michael Buchanan and Justin Staples, who played the "bandit" position in the previous scheme and boast speed but don't have typical defensive end size.

INDIANA

Start of spring practice: March 3
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Juco fever: Indiana needs a quick fix on defense, and it hopes an influx of junior college players can provide one. Six juco players already are enrolled and will participate in spring practice, including five on the defensive side. It will be interesting to see how players such as defensive back Tregg Waters and linebackers Justin Rayside and Jacarri Alexander perform this spring as they compete to play right away.
• New direction on offense: Coach Kevin Wilson wants to be more productive in the passing game, and he hired an offensive coordinator in Seth Littrell who can help in that area. Littrell guided an Arizona offense that last season ranked third nationally in passing (370.8 ypg) and 27th in pass efficiency (145.2). He'll try to help Tre Roberson, who Wilson said he thinks can elevate his game significantly as a passer despite throwing twice as many interceptions (six) as touchdowns (three) as a freshman.
• Who has grown up: Indiana played 32 freshmen (16 true, 16 redshirt) in 2011, the most in the FBS. The early experience should pay off for several players, and Indiana needs them to grow up quickly during the spring. Roberson showed a lot of promise at quarterback, and safety Mark Murphy finished second on the team with 76 tackles. Keep an eye on players such as defensive end Bobby Richardson and receiver/returner Shane Wynn.

OHIO STATE

Start of spring practice: March 28
Spring game: April 21

What to watch:

• Urban renewal: The mood has improved around Ohio State's program from the moment Urban Meyer stepped to the podium Nov. 28. After putting together his staff, signing an elite recruiting class and ticking off some of his Big Ten coaching colleagues, Meyer finally gets a chance to work with the players on the practice field. After a lackluster final season at Florida in 2010, Meyer says he's refreshed and recharged, and it'll be interesting to see how he attacks practices.
• The new offense: Ohio State fans can't wait for a new offense after suffering through a 2011 season that featured some extremely questionable play-calling. Meyer's offensive system is well-known throughout college football, but the interesting thing this spring will be how Meyer and offensive coordinator Tom Herman blend their ideas. Herman is a dynamic young coach who impressed a lot of folks at Iowa State. But Ohio State is a different animal, and expectations will be high for quarterback Braxton Miller and the unit.
• Fickell back on defense: After spending last season as Ohio State's head coach, Luke Fickell returns to an assistant role on the defensive side. And for the first time, Fickell will be the Buckeyes' primary defensive playcaller. Ohio State's defense took a step back last season and will be looking to regain its traditional form. Fickell will work alongside co-defensive coordinator Everett Withers and look to identify some leaders to complement defensive lineman John Simon.

PENN STATE

Start of spring practice: March 26
Spring game: April 21

What to watch:

• O'Brien's time: Much will be made of Penn State opening spring ball without Joe Paterno, but the real story is how critical these practices will be for new coach Bill O'Brien and his team. Penn State will be acclimating to new systems on both sides of the ball and a new coaching style from O'Brien and his assistant coaches, all but two of whom are from the outside. The learning curve will be accelerated for all involved, as Penn State needs to get a lot done in 15 workouts.
• The quarterbacks: It's good that O'Brien has extensive experience coaching quarterbacks because no position needs a bigger upgrade at Penn State. The Lions struggled mightily under center last season and need a major boost beginning this spring. Can O'Brien get more out of Matthew McGloin and Rob Bolden, both of whom have seen extensive time in the Big Ten? How does Paul Jones factor into the mix? It'll be interesting to see how the signal-callers perform this spring.
• Filling gaps on defense: Penn State should have one of the nation's best linebacker groups this season, but the Lions need to fill some holes on the line and in the secondary. Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Devon Still departs, and Penn State will be leaning on Jordan Hill and others to step up. A bigger concern is the secondary, which loses two multiyear starters at safety (Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay). Penn State also has a new defensive coordinator in Ted Roof, who will be looking for better results than he had at Auburn.

PURDUE

Start of spring practice: March 7
Spring game: April 14

What to watch:

• Another quarterback competition: Boilers coach Danny Hope loves having options at quarterback, and he'll once again get his wish during spring practice. Caleb TerBush, Robert Marve,Rob Henry and Sean Robinson all boast starting experience and will vie for the No. 1 job when workouts resume. Henry, who sizzled last spring and would have started the season if not for a torn ACL, has been cleared to participate in noncontact drills. Marve received an extra year of eligibility and will be in the mix. TerBush started every game last season.
• Tisebar takes over: Purdue has a new defensive coordinator for the third consecutive season, as Tim Tisebar takes over this spring. Tisebar returns to college football after spending the past three seasons with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes. Hope hired Tisebar to help Purdue improve against the spread offense and the zone-read game. It will be interesting to see what spin Tisebar puts on the defense as the Boilers enter a pivotal season.
• Offensive line depth: One of Purdue's strengths last season is a bit light on bodies following several departures. The Boilers need a left tackle to replace Dennis Kelly, and they also must increase depth on the interior line. Purdue already has moved tight end Robert Kugler to center, and Hope said earlier this month that several other tight ends could practice at offensive tackle during the spring.

WISCONSIN

Start of spring practice: March 17
Spring game: April 28

What to watch:

• A revamped staff: Bret Bielema hired six new assistant coaches during the winter months, including offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The new coaches will have their first opportunity to work with players on the field this spring. It's important for both sides to acclimate, mainly because Wisconsin has had tremendous success the past two seasons and doesn't want the staff shakeup to throw things off course. Quarterback Russell Wilson made a seamless transition to the program last summer. Let's see if the new assistants can do the same in spring ball.
• The quarterbacks: Speaking of Wilson, he departs Madison, leaving a major void under center. Jon Budmayr and Curt Phillips are coming off of major injuries, and while they're both making progress it could be tough to get a gauge on them this spring. Canada will spend much of his time working with Joel Stave and Joe Brennan, who need to get comfortable with Canada's adjustments to the offense and start establishing themselves as potential team leaders.
• Reloading up front: Wisconsin will have to replace two All-American offensive linemen for the second consecutive year, and the Badgers lose three All-Big Ten selections up front (Peter Konz, Kevin Zeitler and Josh Oglesby). While the Badgers are built to reload, offensive line coach Mike Markuson has a lot of evaluating to do this spring. On the defensive line, Wisconsin loses two starters (Patrick Butrym and Louis Nzegwu) and will be looking for some difference-makers. End David Gilbert returns to the mix after missing most of last season with a broken foot.

Happy national signing day to all!

ESPNU will start its Signing Day Special at 9 a.m. ET, as several of the nation's top recruits announce their college choices. Coverage will continue until 7 p.m. ET and will feature analysis from colleagues Tom Luginbill, Craig Haubert, Mark Schlabach and others. Be sure to check out ESPN's recruiting page throughout the day.

Here's a signing day preview, and our analysts weighed in on the Big Ten recruiting scene here and here.

The Big Ten blog will be covering all the big commits and the news conferences from around the league.

Here's a team-by-team schedule of what's coming your way today:

ILLINOIS

• Illinois will have a signing day blog beginning at 8 a.m. ET. New head coach Tim Beckman will be chatting with fans at 11 a.m. ET, and exclusive videos will be posted at fightingillini.com and coachbeckman.com throughout the day.
• News conference: Beckman's news conference begins at 4:30 p.m. ET and can be seen here.

INDIANA

• Indiana has a Signing Day Central page and will Webcast a signing day show beginning at 8 a.m. ET. Head coach Kevin Wilson and his assistants will announce, review highlights and provide commentary on Indiana's 2012 signing class. Updates also will be provided on Twitter and Facebook.
• News conference: Wilson's news conference begins at 2 p.m. ET and can be seen here.

IOWA

• Recruit names and bios will be posted at hawkeyesports.com and on Twitter.
• News conference: Coach Kirk Ferentz's news conference begins at 5 p.m. ET and can be seen here.

MICHIGAN

• Recruit bios and other information can be found on Michigan's official Web site.
• News conference: Coach Brady Hoke will address reporters at 2 p.m. ET.

MICHIGAN STATE

• Recruiting class and bios will be posted to msuspartans.com.
• News conference: Coach Mark Dantonio will address reporters at 3 p.m. ET.

MINNESOTA

• Signing day central features a live blog beginning shortly after 6:45 a.m. ET, bios and video with coaches commentary on each recruit and an interactive map. Minnesota is hosting a national signing day social at TCF Bank Stadium.
• News conference: Coach Jerry Kill will address reporters at 4 p.m. ET.

NEBRASKA

• Recruits' bios, videos, coaches' commentary and other information will be posted at huskers.com.
• News conference: Coach Bo Pelini will address reporters at 3:30 p.m. ET.

NORTHWESTERN

• A signing day blog will provide updates as national letters of intent roll in and any other news. Updates also will be posted on Twitter. There will be a signing day reception in Chicago.
• News conference: Coach Pat Fitzgerald will address reporters at 12:30 p.m. ET. The news conference can be seen here.

OHIO STATE

• The Signing Day Central page will provide recruits' names, video highlights, bios and more throughout the day.
• News conference: Coach Urban Meyer will meet with reporters at 4 p.m. ET. His news conference can be seen here.

PENN STATE

• Recruits' names and brief bios can be found here and here as the letters of intent come in.
• News conference: Penn State assistant coaches and two players (Silas Redd and Michael Mauti) will meet with reporters between 3-4 ET. Head coach Bill O'Brien will have a conference call with reporters from the Super Bowl in Indianapolis at 5:05 p.m. ET. A transcript of O'Brien's call will be posted here.

PURDUE

• Check out Signing Day Central for recruit bios, video and a recruiting chat during the day.
• News conference: Coach Danny Hope will meet with reporters at 4 p.m. ET. The news conference can be seen here.

WISCONSIN

• A signing day blog live from coach Bret Bielema's office will begin providing updates at 8 a.m. ET as letters of intent roll in. Updates also will be provided on Twitter. Wisconsin also will broadcast a signing day Web show from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET featuring interviews with Bielema, six assistants and linebacker Chris Borland.
• News conference: Bielema will meet with reporters at 4 p.m. ET. The news conference can be seen here.

The offseason is here, and while teams are focused on recruiting right now, they will soon turn their attention to fixing problem areas and gearing up for 2012.

With that in mind, we present the offseason to-do lists for every Big Ten club, beginning with the Leaders Division. We're not going to talk about recruiting needs here, as we'll focus on that in the very near future. Instead, we're taking a look at a couple of areas each team needs to repair or restock in the coming months.

Illinois

• Spread it on: An Illini offense that needed a GPS to find the end zone the last half of the season is in for a jarring change. New head coach Tim Beckman will implement the spread offense and demand a higher tempo. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase must regain his freshman-year form if he is to hold off Reilly O'Toole for the starting job, and Illinois must replace its best receiver in A.J. Jenkins. Finding a reliable running back is high on the priority list as well. This offense will get a total makeover and needs to make the most of the spring and summer to get ready.

• Locate defensive leaders: We wondered this time last year how Illinois would replace Corey Liuget. Then Whitney Mercilus jumped up with an All-American season. Who will be the next big playmaker now that Mercilus is off to the NFL? Can Michael Buchanan replicate Mercilus's production off the edge? Will Jonathan Brown capitalize on his potential? New defensive coordinator Tim Banks needs to keep up the level of performance this defense had in '11.

Indiana

• Build toughness on defense: This one is obvious, as the Hoosiers ranked 114th in points allowed (37.3) and 109th in total defense in Kevin Wilson's first season and gave up at least 40 points in five of their eight Big Ten games. Wilson played a ton of youngsters in 2011 and has a promising future leader in rising sophomore Mark Murphy. But Indiana simply must get more physical up front and tackle better to have any hope of making significant strides.

• Develop Tre Roberson: One of the bright spots in IU's 1-11 season was the emergence of freshman Roberson at quarterback. His athleticism allowed him to make plays in and out of the pocket. With Dusty Kiel and Ed Wright-Baker leaving the program, the offense now solely belongs to Roberson, with juco transfer Cameron Coffman his likely backup. Roberson must continue to make progress as a sophomore, or else it could be another long year in Bloomington.

Ohio State

• Urban renewal: Jim Tressel may have been gone last season, but his influence was still heavily felt as former Tressel assistant Luke Fickell and most of Tressel's staff remained in place. So the Buckeyes players are about to experience a whole new way of doing things under Urban Meyer. Most of the change will come on offense, where there will be a new system and new terminology, and spring practice will prove critical for getting everything installed. Meyer's biggest challenge may be reshaping an offensive line that lost three longtime starters in center Mike Brewster and tackles Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts.
• Upgrade the passing game: Braxton Miller improved as a passer as the season went on, but the Buckeyes' passing game still left a lot to be desired most of the time. Miller will need to spend as much time as possible with new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tom Herman to improve his throwing, and a group of young Buckeyes receivers like Devin Smith, Corey "Philly" Brown and Chris Fields needs to come of age and turn into reliable playmakers.

Penn State

• Come together: New coach Bill O'Brien's most daunting task likely will come off the field, where he'll be responsible for repairing a fractured community. He can begin to do so by embracing former players, building bridges to the alumni on the speaking circuit and being more open than his famous predecessor. O'Brien must show recruits that it's OK to come to State College again. Fans will be hungry for football by the spring, and O'Brien should use that optimism to his advantage.
• Fix the offense: There's little question that a Stone Age offense was holding Penn State back, and O'Brien seems intent on being his own offensive coordinator. He'll need to settle on a quarterback, whether that's Matt McGloin or Rob Bolden or someone else, and ingrain his NFL concepts to a bunch used to a vanilla scheme. O'Brien has a solid building block in star tailback Silas Redd but must replace top receiver Derek Moye and an offensive line gutted by graduation.

Purdue

• Establish an identity: The Boilermakers were the epitome of a mediocre team in 2011, going 6-6 and never winning back-to-back games in the regular season before edging out a MAC team in a lower-level bowl. What exactly is the defining trait of Danny Hope's team? It's time to create an identity, especially on defense where Purdue was inconsistent last season. Old defensive coordinator Gary Emanuel is out and Tim Tibesar is in from the CFL to take over. Tibesar needs to maximize the talent of budding stars like Kawann Short and Ricardo Allen and put his stamp on that side of the ball.
• Create a quarterback pecking order: After dealing with crippling quarterback injuries the past two seasons, Hope must be thrilled by the new-found depth at the position. Robert Marve received a sixth year of eligibility and will be back alongside 2011 starter Caleb TerBush. Meanwhile, projected '11 starter Rob Henry makes his way back from a knee injury. Competition should make the position better, but Purdue must figure out who and how it wants to play at quarterback.

Wisconsin

• Find a quarterback: Russell Wilson leaves large cleats to fill after just one season in Madison, and there is no obvious heir apparent. Will Jon Budmayr's elbow allow him to compete for the job? Will Joe Brennan take the next step in his development? Will hyped incoming freshman Bart Houston be ready? The Badgers went to the Rose Bowl the past two seasons with seasoned, senior quarterbacks. New offensive coordinator Matt Canada won't have that luxury this year and has some work to do in the offseason. At least he can lean on a stout running game led by Montee Ball while the quarterback situation crystallizes.
• Build staff chemistry: Canada will be one of six new coaches on Bret Bielema's staff in 2012 and will be part of an almost entirely new offensive brain trust. The Badgers have their style of play on that side of the ball down to a science at this point, but it's not easy to blend that many new coaches and personalities into a program all at once. Bielema has to get them all up to speed and on the same page in a hurry, and the new coaches have to establish rapport with the players right away. That might be one of the Badgers' biggest obstacles on the way to a second straight division title.

The college football season is officially over. So it's time to break out the crystal ball and offer our projections for the preposterously-too-early 2012 Big Ten power rankings.

1. Michigan State: The Spartans must replace a lot of leadership, including quarterback Kirk Cousins, receivers B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin and All-American defensive tackle Jerel Worthy. But nine starters return off the Big Ten's top overall defense, featuring Will Gholston, Denicos Allen and Isaiah Lewis as potential breakout stars. Le'Veon Bell could have a big year as the No. 1 tailback, and if Andrew Maxwell can adequately fill in for Cousins, the offense should be fine, especially if Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett gets his waiver to become immediately eligible at receiver. Plus, the road schedule (at Central Michigan, at Indiana, at Michigan, at Wisconsin, at Minnesota) is far more manageable than what the team navigated in 2011.

2. Michigan: A lot of things went right for the Wolverines in 2011, including a favorable schedule. That slate gets harder in 2012, beginning with Alabama at Cowboys Stadium and including road trips to Nebraska and Ohio State. Still, Denard Robinson and Fitz Toussaint form one of the most dangerous offensive duos in the league, and the second year under Brady Hoke and his staff should mean more familiarity and comfort. Coming off a BCS win, Michigan could start the season in the Top 10.

3. Wisconsin: The Badgers will have to overcome many challenges to reach their third straight Rose Bowl. The biggest concern is at quarterback, where there's no experience to replace Russell Wilson and his record-breaking efficiency level. Bret Bielema will have to remake almost his entire offensive coaching staff after Paul Chryst took several assistants with him to Pittsburgh. Still, Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball returns to keep the Wisconsin running game among the best in the country. And the two Big Ten teams who beat the Badgers in 2011 -- Michigan State and Ohio State -- must come to Madison in '12.

4. Ohio State: The Buckeyes aren't eligible to make the Big Ten title game, but don't be surprised if they put up the best record in the Leaders Division. A transition period can be expected as Urban Meyer takes over as head coach and installs an entirely new offensive system. But Ohio State had a small senior class in 2011 and brings back many talented players, such as defensive lineman John Simon, quarterback Braxton Miller and running back Carlos Hyde. A schedule that features eight home games should equal much improvement over this year's 6-7 record.

5. Nebraska: Few teams will be as experienced on offense as Nebraska, which returns seven starters and just about every key skill player on that side of the ball. Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead should be even better with another year in offensive coordinator Tim Beck's system. The questions are on defense, where the Huskers struggled at times in 2011 before losing their top two players in linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard. Nebraska must get tougher up front defensively to handle the Big Ten grind and has difficult road assignments looming at Ohio State and Michigan State.

6. Penn State: For the first time since 1965, we'll see what a Penn State team looks like that is not coached by Joe Paterno to start the season. New coach Bill O'Brien made a wise decision to retain defensive assistants Larry Johnson and Ron Vanderlinden, and even without All-American lineman Devon Still, that side of the ball should stay stout with standouts like Gerald Hodges, Jordan Hill and hopefully a healthy Michael Mauti. O'Brien's biggest impact should come on offense. The former New England Patriots offensive coordinator will try to bring the Nittany Lions attack into the 21st century with a competent passing game. Tailback Silas Redd provides a nice crutch while that transition occurs.

7. Iowa: After two straight 7-5 regular-season finishes, the Hawkeyes will look to get back into Big Ten contention. But they'll have to overcome the losses of star receiver Marvin McNutt, offensive tackle Riley Reiff, defensive linemen Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns and cornerback Shaun Prater. When he's on, James Vandenberg is as good a dropback passer as there is in the Big Ten, but making up for McNutt's production won't be easy. Assuming Marcus Coker returns from suspension, the running game should be very good. The defense simply has to improve after giving up too many big plays in 2011, and Kirk Ferentz hasn't yet named a successor to veteran defensive coordinator Norm Parker, who retired.

8. Purdue: The Boilermakers have a chance to make a move in a Leaders Division that is marked by coaching changes. They return most of the major pieces of their Little Caesars Bowl-winning team, and the return of Rob Henry from his season-ending knee surgery opens up some interesting possibilities at quarterback. Kawann Short should be one of the top defensive linemen in the league if he decides to return for his senior year. We'd still like to see more consistency from Danny Hope's program before we rank Purdue too high, however.

9. Northwestern: Dan Persa and his record-breaking accuracy are gone, along with top receiver Jeremy Ebert. Yet we're not too concerned about the offense and like the multi-dimensional options that Kain Colter provides with his all-around athleticism. Northwestern's issue is whether it can fix a defense that had trouble stopping anybody. The fact that the Wildcats lose their top three defensive backs from a secondary that was routinely torched does not inspire confidence.

10. Illinois: New coach Tim Beckman has his work cut out for him in Year One. He has to completely revamp an offense that couldn't shoot straight in the back half of 2011 while implementing a new spread style. He has to try to maintain the defense without coordinator Vic Koenning or All-American defensive end Whitney Mercilus. And he faces a schedule that sees the Illini going to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Michigan, all three of which won in Champaign this past season. There's still talent on defense, led by promising linebacker Jonathan Brown. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase needs to build on his second-half showing in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

11. Minnesota: After a horrible start, the Gophers showed a lot more fight down the stretch in 2011, beating Iowa and Illinois at home. Jerry Kill knows how to build a program, and the team can't help but be better in 2012, especially if MarQueis Gray continues to develop at quarterback. But Minnesota still has some holes on its roster that can only be fixed through recruiting, and while the Gophers could make a run at bowl eligibility this year, they'll be hard-pressed to make too much noise in a stacked Legends Division.

12. Indiana: The good news for the Hoosiers is that they played a ton of freshmen in 2011, and the growing pains should start to pay off for guys such as Tre Roberson and Mark Murphy in 2012. The second year under Kevin Wilson should also bring progress. Still, this is a team that went 1-11 in 2011 with no wins over FBS teams, so it remains an uphill climb.

The Big Ten and Pac-12 announced Wednesday that the two leagues would join forces for annual interconference games (And if somebody hasn't already trademarked the Biggie-Pac Midwest/Coast Feud as the title of this series, I'm running to the patent office tomorrow).

Anyway, many details are yet to be hashed out about which teams will play, when, where, etc. We know the football games between the leagues won't start until 2017. That's a long time from now. But that didn't deter me from coming up with a fun potential lineup of head-to-head, Big Ten/Pac-12 showdowns if the games were to begin next season.

Here's what I suggest:

Ohio State-USC: The Compliance Bowl. Loser has to eat the scholarship reductions from the winner. Terrelle Pryor and Reggie Bush serve as honorary captains.

Michigan-Arizona: RichRod's Revenge. Wildcats practice 20 hours a day to get ready. Let's make this happen.

Nebraska-Colorado: Buffs: "Hey, we're renewing our old Big 12 rivalry!" Huskers: "I'm sorry. Who are you again?"

Northwestern-Stanford: The SAT Bowl. The combined tuition payments from those in the stands would surpass our national debt.

Michigan State-Oregon: Almost happened this year if the Spartans would have held on in Indy. There would be so much green in this game that they should play at a neutral site: Boise's blue field.

Wisconsin-Cal: The cities of Madison and Berkeley also enter into a partnership. Their shared goal: mellowing out.

Penn State-Washington: Cue up the grunge music, because this game would totally rock if it were still the early '90s.

Indiana-Washington State: Two former Oklahoma offensive coordinators square off in Mike Leach and Kevin Wilson. Worth it just for the press conferences.

Purdue-UCLA: The John Wooden Bowl. Two programs that care more about basketball and often underachieve in football.

Illinois-Arizona State: These two teams played this season in just about the last time anybody thought either one was any good.

Minnesota-Oregon State: Beavers vs. Gophers just seems to fit.

Iowa-Utah: Uh, both states have four letters? OK, so these don't all work.

What are your dream Pac-12/Big Ten matchups?

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

The 2011 regular season is in the books, and the Big Ten has some separation.

The league's top two teams, Michigan State and Wisconsin, will meet Saturday in the inaugural Big Ten title game in Indianapolis. Michigan also proved it belongs near the lead pack after beating Ohio State to finish 10-2 and likely secure an at-large BCS bowl spot. Nebraska and Penn State were evenly matched in their Nov. 12 matchup, and there's not much separating the 9-3 teams in the power rankings.

There's definitely a dropoff after the top 5 and it will be interesting to see how teams like Iowa, Ohio State, Northwestern, Purdue and Illinois fare in their bowl games. Ohio State showed some life on offense against Michigan, but fell to the Wolverines for the first time since 2003. Iowa and Illinois struggled in their finales, and Northwestern's season-long woes on defense showed up against Michigan State. Purdue found a way to beat Indiana, but will need a stronger effort to win its bowl game.

Let's get to the rankings.

1. Michigan State (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten): The Spartans are peaking at the perfect time and head to Indianapolis after a perfect 4-0 performance in November. We loved the way coach Mark Dantonio kept his foot on the gas against Northwestern and ensured his team didn't lose momentum before the season's defining game. Senior quarterback Kirk Cousins is playing outstanding football, and the Spartans are making plays in all three phases. They'll be tough to beat in Indy.

2. Wisconsin (10-2, 6-2): Credit Bret Bielema's team for making the most of its second chance in the Leaders division. Wisconsin left no room for doubt about the division's best team by crushing Penn State at Camp Randall Stadium behind Russell Wilson, Montee Ball and a stout defense. The Badgers get their rematch with Michigan State, which broke their hearts with a Hail Mary on Oct. 22 in East Lansing. Like the Spartans, Wisconsin went 4-0 in November.

3. Michigan (10-2, 6-2): The Streak is over as Michigan beat archrival Ohio State for the first time since 2003, ending a seven-game slide. Saturday's game didn't go as many had envisioned, as Denard Robinson and the Wolverines had to outscore a suddenly energized Ohio State offense. Robinson came alive in the final two games as Michigan closed the regular season with three consecutive wins and likely locked up a BCS at-large berth.

4. Nebraska (9-3, 5-3): It took 11 games, but the Huskers finally put together the type of defensive effort many of us expected when the season began. Nebraska held Iowa to its first scoreless first half in four years and limited the Big Ten's No. 5 offense to seven points and 270 total yards. Cornerback Alfonzo Dennard and linebacker Lavonte David triggered the Blackshirts' performance, and I-back Rex Burkhead led the offense with his seventh 100-yard rushing performance. The win likely locks up a Florida bowl appearance.

5. Penn State (9-3, 6-2): Faced with a tall order in Madison, Penn State couldn't keep pace with Wisconsin and fell short of a division title that looked likely when November began. The Lions had no answer for Wilson and Ball, and dug themselves a big hole with three turnovers. They now await their bowl fate, which should be interesting given the negative publicity surrounding the program. Penn State's coaching search also should kick into high gear.

6. Iowa (7-5, 4-4): A roller-coaster regular season for the Hawkeyes ended with a major thud in Lincoln. The offense never showed up, as star receiver Marvin McNutt couldn't shake free of Dennard and quarterback James Vandenberg was unable to find a rhythm. The defense played admirably for a while before letting down late. Iowa failed to capitalize on a favorable schedule this season, but the Hawkeyes still can pick up another bowl win. They're very good in postseason play.

7. Ohio State (6-6, 3-5): Buckeyes fans had to be wondering where this offense was all season. Amid the Urban Meyer chatter, Ohio State offensive coordinator Jim Bollman opened up the playbook and the Buckeyes executed extremely well behind freshman quarterback Braxton Miller. While it wasn't quite enough to beat Michigan, Ohio State showed impressive fight. A very difficult regular season has come to a close, and all eyes are on the future.

8. Northwestern (6-6, 3-5): A great quarterback and a good offense can only take a team so far, and Northwestern ended a disappointing regular season at .500. The Wildcats' season-long struggles in the secondary showed up Saturday against Michigan State, as the Spartans repeatedly converted third-and-long situations. Pat Fitzgerald must continue to assess the direction on defense. Still, wins in four of the final five games should send Northwestern to a bowl for a fourth consecutive year.

9. Purdue (6-6, 4-4): Despite some tense moments in Bloomington, Purdue found a way to regain the Old Oaken Bucket and become bowl eligible for the first time since 2007. The Boilers went .500 in Big Ten play for the second time under Danny Hope and should land in one of the Big Ten's final two bowl tie-ins (TicketCity or Little Caesars Pizza). Running back Ralph Bolden (54 rush yards, 63 receiving yards) had a nice day and Purdue's balanced offense racked up 27 first downs and 508 total yards.

10. Minnesota (3-9, 2-6): If only Minnesota could play Illinois or Iowa every week. For the second consecutive season the Gophers recorded their only Big Ten victories against the Fighting Illini and Hawkeyes, finishing 3-9. Quarterback MarQueis Gray raised hope for the future with a superb performance in the regular-season finale, and Minnesota's energized defense shut down an anemic Illinois offense. Year 1 of the Jerry Kill era was tough both on and off the field, but better days could be ahead.

11. Illinois (6-6, 2-6): Ron Zook's fate likely had been sealed before kickoff Saturday, but an uninspired performance by the Fighting Illini made the decision easy. Illinois made history by winning its first six games for the first time since 1951 and made more history by becoming the first FBS team to drop its final six games after starting 6-0. A once potent offense has completely fallen apart. Illinois now awaits its bowl destination as AD Mike Thomas begins looking for Zook's replacement.

12. Indiana (1-11, 0-8): A difficult season mercifully ended Saturday as Indiana saw two leads disappear as Purdue took control in the Bucket game. Kevin Wilson finishes his first season as coach with just one win and none against FBS competition. There's clearly a lot of work to do, especially on defense, but the good news is Indiana played more young players than any team in America and should reap the benefits in 2012.

Purdue has the Old Oaken Bucket back. More importantly, the Boilers have bowl eligibility.

It wasn't easy, as Purdue had to hold on for a 33-25 win on the road against rival Indiana. But the team looks likely to make the postseason for the first time since 2007 by getting its sixth win.

Fittingly in a season where special teams played such a big part in the outcomes (Middle Tennessee, Rice, Ohio State), the kicking game again played a huge role. Carson Wiggs kicked four field goals, Raheem Mostert had a huge kick return and a Cody Webster punt was downed at the Indiana 1 on the Hoosiers' final possession of the game.

The bad news for the Boilers was that running back Ralph Bolden appeared to injure his knee after rushing for 55 yards. Bolden has dealt with ACL problems his whole career, and we can only wish him the best with this latest injury. Akeem Hunt stepped up in Bolden's absence to produce 100 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a 50-yard gain that set up Purdue's final touchdown. Josh Johnson sealed the win with an interception of Tre Roberson with 4:38 left.

With Illinois losing its sixth straight game on Saturday, the Boilers should get the Big Ten's final bowl tie-in slot if the league gets two in the BCS. If not, another game with an open spot would likely scoop up this team since its fan base should be excited about the postseason. Danny Hope definitely bought himself some more time with the win, as a second straight loss to Indiana would have caused some serious questions to be raised in West Lafayette.

Indiana finishes 1-11 with no wins over FBS teams. There are some positives, because the Hoosiers pushed a lot of youngsters into duty and have solid building blocks in Roberson and running back Stephen Houston (seven rushes for 129 yards and a touchdown). But Kevin Wilson still has a serious rebuilding project ahead of him.

Coming at you a little early during this holiday week, here are 10 items to track in the Big Ten this weekend.

1. Leaders of the pack: Before getting to the main course next week in Indianapolis, we're treated to a delicious championship appetizer Saturday afternoon in Madison. The Leaders Division title and a trip to Naptown are on the line as No. 19 Penn State visits No. 15 Wisconsin. The winner improves to 10-2 and moves one step closer to Pasadena. Wisconsin has been unshakable on its home field the past two and a half seasons, and the Badgers are averaging 52.3 points at Camp Randall Stadium this year. Penn State is 4-0 on the road this season and has allowed more than 14 points away from State College just once.

2. Michigan's mission: Michigan has exceeded outside expectations in its first season under coach Brady Hoke. But it won't matter much unless the Wolverines get over the hump against their archrival Ohio State -- or "Ohio," as Hoke and his players now call the Buckeyes. After dropping seven consecutive games in the series, Michigan has a golden opportunity to beat Ohio State. In fact, if the favored Wolverines can't beat Ohio State this year, when the 6-5 Buckeyes are sputtering, will they ever? It'll be interesting to see how a Michigan senior class that has been through a lot performs in its final home game. By the way, a Wolverines win puts the team in a great spot for a BCS at-large berth.

3.The Bucket Bowl: After a mistake-filled loss to Iowa, Purdue has backed itself into a corner for postseason play. The Boilers must beat rival Indiana on Saturday in the Bucket game to reach six wins and become bowl-eligible. A loss would ensure Purdue stays home for the holidays for the fourth consecutive season -- a troubling stretch for a program that reached bowls in 10 of Joe Tiller's first 11 seasons as coach. Another bowl-less winter and a second consecutive loss to IU, especially a 1-10 Hoosiers team, would turn up the heat on Purdue's third-year coach Danny Hope.

4. Different incentives for Wildcats, Spartans: Northwestern likely has locked up a bowl spot, but Pat Fitzgerald and his players are taking nothing for granted entering their final regular-season game. A victory gives Northwestern seven wins, a five-game win streak and most likely a decent bowl destination in the Big Ten's lineup. The Wildcats should have no problem gearing up for Senior Day. Michigan State, meanwhile, already has clinched the Legends Division and will head to Indianapolis next week. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio plans to keep the pedal down and play his starters, but it will be interesting how his players respond in a game they really don't need to win. With one exception, Michigan State has brought the right emotion to every game this season.

5. Zook's last stand: Illinois hasn't won a game since Oct. 8, and the clock is ticking for embattled seventh-year coach Ron Zook. The Illini have dropped five straight games heading into their regular-season finale at Minnesota. Some believe that, win or lose, Illinois will dump Zook -- but the Illini will be playing for their coach as they head to Minneapolis. A win moves Illinois to 7-5 and ensures the Illini of a second consecutive bowl appearance for the first time since 1991-92. It also could make the decision on Zook a bit more difficult for first-year athletic director Mike Thomas. Minnesota is the worst team Illinois has faced since its last Big Ten win against Indiana.

6. Devon Still vs. Wisconsin's offensive line: Penn State's defense must play its best game of the season to slow down Wisconsin at Camp Randall, and for the Lions, it all begins with Devon Still. The senior DT is a finalist for both the Bednarik Award and the Outland Trophy, and he's the frontrunner for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Still dealt with the flu last week and his play suffered at Ohio State, but he's healthy now and faces a Wisconsin offensive line playing without star center Peter Konz. The Badgers struggled to rush the ball between the tackles for chunks of the Illinois game before Montee Ball broke through. It will be interesting to see how Travis Fredrick or Ryan Groy handles Still and an improved Penn State front four.

7. A rivalry reborn: Nebraska and Iowa last played in 2000, but all the ingredients are in place for a terrific new Big Ten rivalry. The teams kick off rivalry weekend in the Big Ten on Black Friday, as the Hawkeyes visit Lincoln for the inaugural Heroes Game. While the game has no bearing on the Legends Division title race, both teams are fighting for bragging rights and a better bowl destination. It's a big game for Iowa CB Shaun Prater, an Omaha native, while the game's top individual matchup features Iowa WR Marvin McNutt going up against Nebraska CB Alfonzo Dennard. McNutt needs 12 receptions to become Iowa's all-time leader.

8. Swan song for Ohio State's seniors, possibly coaches: Ohio State's senior class has a complicated legacy, but one thing that can't be disputed is their ability to dominate Michigan. The Buckeyes have thumped Michigan by a combined score of 100-24 in the past three years. Although this has been no ordinary year for Ohio State, which sits at 6-5, the seniors still can produce the standard result against Michigan and salvage a bit of their final season. Maintaining The Streak in The Game also resonates for the coaches, whose futures at Ohio State are very much in doubt as the Urban Meyer talk heats up. Head coach Luke Fickell can earn a lot of points with Buckeye Nation by beating a favored Michigan squad in Ann Arbor.

9. WildLion and MoneyBall: Penn State added an effective new wrinkle to its offense for the Ohio State game, as the coaches emphasized the Wildcat, or WildLion formation, with former high school quarterbacks Curtis Drake and Bill Belton calling signals. It will be interesting to see how much Penn State uses the WildLion against the high-powered Badgers, or whether a suddenly intrepid coaching staff has a few more tricks up its sleeve. Wisconsin will have no such mystery in how it attacks Penn State. The Badgers will rely on Montee "MoneyBall" Ball, arguably the nation's most productive running back in the past year and a half. Ball has scored 30 touchdowns this season -- at least two in every game -- and needs nine more to tie Barry Sanders' record.

10. Looking for positives: Minnesota and Indiana are the only Big Ten teams guaranteed to end their seasons Saturday afternoon. There haven't been many positives for either squad, but the Gophers and Hoosiers can end on a good note, spoil some bowl plans for others and enter a critical offseason on a good note. First-year Minnesota coach Jerry Kill has seen "a different group of kids" since halftime of the Nebraska game on Oct. 22. "We're taking baby steps," he said. Beating Illinois for the second straight year would represent another step. Indiana, meanwhile, can ensure Purdue doesn't go to a bowl with a win Saturday; it would be Indiana's first victory this season against an FBS opponent. "With the way our season has went," Hoosiers first-year coach Kevin Wilson said, "we're using this week to try and find some positive motivation for our seniors to try and end it on a high note."

Michigan State wants to decide the Legends Division itself without any help. And so far today, the Spartans are playing like a team that won't need any assistance.

It's no surprise that Mark Dantonio's team, which is usually so good at home, is blowing out Indiana in East Lansing on Senior Day. Still, it's been a very impressive overall performance so far as the Hoosiers trail 34-3 at the half.

Michigan State already has 326 yards of total offense. Kirk Cousins has been terrific in throwing for 241 yards and two scores. B.J. Cunningham caught a 63-yard touchdown, while Keshawn Martin hauled in a 47-yard touchdown and ran one in from 19 yards.

Indiana hasn't been able to get much going against the Spartans defense and was 0-for-7 on third downs before finally converting one in the final minute of the half. This was a tough assignment for the Hoosiers, but Kevin Wilson has to be disappointed how lopsided this is after his team had an extra week to prepare with the bye last week.

The Spartans are making sure there's nothing to be disappointed about this week. And, hey, if Michigan can hold on to beat Nebraska about an hour up the road, then Michigan State can go ahead and book its travel plans to Indianapolis.

USA Today has done yeoman's work in compiling the salaries of every FBS football coach in America.

So, naturally, it's time to take a look at where the Big Ten coaches stand. Here are the salaries for each coach in the league (Joe Paterno is still listed as Penn State's head coach) and the number in parenthesis is where each one ranks nationally (the USA Today chart also has potential bonus money included, but we'll just deal with guaranteed pay here):

1. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa: $3.785 million (5)

2. Brady Hoke, Michigan: $3.254 million (8)

3. Bo Pelini, Nebraska: $2.775 million (13)

4. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin: $2,598,186 (17)

5. Mark Dantonio Michigan State: $1.918 million (34)

6. Ron Zook, Illinois: $1.755 million (39)

7. Jerry Kill, Minnesota: $1.7 million (42)

8. Kevin Wilson, Indiana: $1.26 million (56)

9. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern: $1,189,961 (58)

10. Luke Fickell, Ohio State: $1.172 million (59)

11. Joe Paterno, Penn State: $1,022,794 (64)

12. Danny Hope, Purdue: $925,000 (65)

Some quick thoughts:

It's no surprise to see Ferentz so high, but Iowa fans use his salary against him whenever the Hawkeyes have an off year like this season. Other than the top four, the Big Ten doesn't always pay its coaches in accordance to the size of the programs and the money the league and schools are raking in, at least compared to other leagues. Of course, it's unusual to have Ohio State's coach rank so low; whoever gets that job next will likely be near the top of the country in salary. Dantonio seems underpaid, though he just signed a contract extension. Don't be surprised to see Hope angle for a raise and an extension if he gets one more win and Purdue makes a bowl game.

What are your thoughts? Who is overpaid or underpaid? And does the Big Ten need to pay more in coaching salaries, or do these guys make enough? Sound off.