ESPN College Football

James Morris didn't set a goal for number of minutes played as a freshman at Iowa.

He didn't even care which unit -- first team, second team -- he joined on Saturdays. He simply wanted to get on the field. The linebacker ended up appearing in all 13 games, starting the final six, finishing fourth on the squad in tackles with 70.

"It was a pretty awesome experience," said Morris, who added four pass breakups and a sack. "I feel like I got a good jump on most of my competition. I think it'll pay bigger dividends once the season rolls around and I can apply some of that experience."

Morris knows he'll take on an enhanced role for the Hawkeyes' defense this season. He also knows others will have to replicate his rise as Iowa replaces six defensive starters, four of whom were selected in April's NFL draft (Adrian Clayborn, Christian Ballard, Karl Klug and Tyler Sash).

Iowa entered the 2010 season seemingly with a clear identity on defense, but the unit ended up with mixed results. The Hawkeyes need the opposite to occur this fall -- for a new-look defense to establish its personality and consistently shut down the opposition.

"I feel like we're young, but that's not necessarily a bad thing," Morris said. "We're unproven, and there's a lot of guys on our squad who take offense to that. They want to prove themselves, and I'm hoping people are going to be surprised by what they see with the effort and how determined our guys are to prove what kind of players they are."

Morris began the proving process last season. A rash of injuries at linebacker thrust him into the starting lineup down the stretch, and he recorded 40 tackles in his first four starts.

Like many freshmen, Morris was prone to overthinking things when he first got in games. A National Honor Society member in high school, Morris admits he's "very much" an analytical person.

"You're sort of forced to lead a double life, what's expected of you on the field versus being a civil human being in conversation off the field," he said. "I thought I was doing a pretty good job of not outpacing myself toward the end of the year, as opposed to the beginning, when maybe I was playing a step slow, trying to process everything."

Morris acknowledges he made plenty of mistakes in 2010, but his effort level never wavered. He wants to be a more polished player this fall, especially as he guides the linebackers alongside veteran Tyler Nielsen.

Iowa must build depth around Morris and Nielsen with players like Christian Kirksey, Bruce Davis, Anthony Hitchens and Dakota Getz.

Morris doesn't expect the defense's personality to fully form until the end of training camp, which kicks off next month, but players are motivated to prove themselves and finish games better than they did in 2010.

"A lot of guys on our defense, they're driven and they're determined to improve and create their own identity," Morris said. "Some of them, they feel like last year was somewhat in flux in terms of what our identity was. They’re going to come out of camp with a purpose."

We wrap up our preseason look at Big Ten secondaries with a look at the safeties.

Safety isn't quite as stacked as cornerback, and the Big Ten loses some solid players like Iowa's Tyler Sash and Ohio State's Jermale Hines. There are fewer elite prospects at safety, but several teams have potential playmakers.

Here are the top 10 entering 2011:

1. Trenton Robinson, Michigan State, senior: Robinson played a big role in Michigan State's improvement as a secondary in 2010. He led the Spartans with four interceptions and tied for the team lead in passes defended with eight. Robinson, who enters his third season as a starter, had 76 tackles last season and earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches.

2. Aaron Henry, Wisconsin, senior: After emerging as a playmaker in 2010, Henry should be primed for even bigger things in his second season at safety. The former cornerback made the switch and recorded two interceptions, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries last season. Like Robinson, he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches.

3. Tyler Moeller, Ohio State, senior: Moeller will provide a huge boost for a new-look Ohio State defense as he returns from a torn pectoral muscle that shortened his 2010 season. He can play either safety or linebacker and showed impressive playmaking skills early last fall, recording two forced fumbles, an interception and 4.5 tackles for loss in just five games. If Moeller stays healthy, he'll be in the mix for All-Big Ten honors.

4. Brian Peters, Northwestern, senior: Peters boasts a lot of experience, appearing in every game the past three seasons. He also shows a knack for the football, recording three interceptions in each of the past two seasons. A second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2010 after recording 107 tackles, Peters must get a bit more consistent in coverage but looks ready to lead the defense.

5. Micah Hyde, Iowa, junior: After starting all 13 games last season at cornerback, Hyde likely will move to safety as the Hawkeyes lose two multiyear starters in Sash and Brett Greenwood. Hyde showed last fall that he's a tremendous playmaker, recording four interceptions, including the pick-six that won the Insight Bowl against Missouri. He led the team with 11 passes defended, finished second with 82 tackles and had a forced fumble.

7. Nick Sukay, Penn State, senior: Like Moeller, Sukay was doing big things in 2010 before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. Sukay recorded three interceptions, a forced fumble and 29 tackles in just six games. He's a natural playmaker who finished third in the Big Ten in passes defended with 13 in 2009. His return makes a very good Lions secondary even better.

8. Trulon Henry, Illinois, senior: An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2010, Henry will help anchor an Illini secondary that could do some big things this fall. Henry led Illinois with three interceptions and two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, three pass breakups and 64 tackles. He should be helped by the return of Supo Sanni from injury.

8. Logan Link, Purdue, senior: Link quietly turned in a solid 2010 season, finishing eighth in the Big Ten in tackles with 91. He's a solid tackler who added an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The former walk-on has emerged as a really nice contributor for the Boilers' defense.

9. Drew Astorino, Penn State, senior: Astorino has been the iron man in Penn State's secondary, starting each of the past two seasons as well as three games as a redshirt freshman in 2008. He has played through injuries, including a shoulder problem that impacted him last fall, when he recorded 70 tackles, an interception and five pass breakups. If Astorino stays healthy, he could blossom in his final season.

10. Courtney Osborne, Nebraska, junior: This is a bit of a projection pick, but Osborne should be able to help fill Nebraska's gaps at safety this fall. He appeared in every game last season, starting four, and recorded 41 tackles, an interception, a sack and five tackles for loss. Osborne did some nice things down the stretch and seems primed for bigger things in a bigger role.

Also considered: Minnesota's Kim Royston, Michigan's Jordan Kovacs, Indiana's Greg Heban

The Big Ten preseason position rankings have reached the home stretch as we take a look at the secondaries. Although individual positions like center and defensive tackle could boast more star power, the Big Ten's overall strength in the secondary jumps out.

There's a lot to like about the Big Ten cornerbacks as nearly every team boasts experience and/or exciting young players. The Big Ten loses All-Conference safeties Tyler Sash and Jermale Hines but brings back quite a few solid contributors.

There's definite separation after the top four groups, while Nos. 6-9 are extremely close.

Here's the rundown (coming soon: cornerbacks and safeties rankings) ...

1. Penn State: The Lions' linebackers seem to be generating more preseason buzz, but I really like what Penn State brings back in the defensive backfield. There's plenty of experience with safeties Drew Astorino and Nick Sukay, and cornerbacks D'Anton Lynn and Stephon Morris. Penn State needs Sukay to regain the form he showed in the first half of 2010 before a torn pectoral muscle ended his season. Lynn is a bona fide All-Big Ten candidate. If Malcolm Willis, Chaz Powell and others solidify depth here, Penn State should have an elite secondary.

2. Ohio State: This is a group the Buckeyes rarely have to worry about, even after losing three starters. The good news is several key players return from injuries, including safeties Tyler Moeller, C.J. Barnett and Christian Bryant. Moeller should provide a major boost at the "star" position. The cornerback spots should be fun to watch as Travis Howard and Dominic Clarke fend off some challengers for the starting jobs.

3. Nebraska: Like Ohio State, Nebraska can rely on having an elite pass defense under the Pelini brothers, even after losing several standout players. All-American corner Prince Amukamara will be missed, but Alfonzo Dennard is ready for a starring role. Nebraska needs Ciante Evans to follow what Dennard did in 2010. The Huskers likely will use more linebackers this season, but they'll need to fill holes at safety as Austin Cassidy, Courtney Osborne and others are in the mix.

4. Wisconsin: The Badgers' secondary took a major step forward in Chris Ash's first season on the staff. The key is continued progress, continued playmaking and becoming a truly elite group like Ohio State and Nebraska. Wisconsin seems to have the pieces in place with veteran Aaron Henry at safety, as well as All-Big Ten selection Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith at cornerback. The Badgers must fill the other safety spot, and speedster Shelton Johnson could fill in there.

5. Michigan State: The secondary triggered Michigan State's 2010 turnaround, improving from 112th nationally in pass defense in 2009 to 60th last season. After recording 17 interceptions last season, the Spartans must stick to their MAP motto -- Make A Play -- as they aim for a repeat championship this fall. Safety Trenton Robinson is among the league's most experienced defensive backs, and hopes are high for cornerback Johnny Adams, who had an excellent spring. The unit could hinge on young players like Darqueze Dennard, Isaiah Lewis and Tony Lippett.

6. Iowa: The bad news is Iowa loses veteran safeties Sash and Brett Greenwood from a defense that slipped to 84th nationally against the pass in 2010. The good news is All-Big Ten cornerback Shaun Prater returns along with playmaking junior Micah Hyde. Prater could be a shutdown corner this fall, and Hyde, whose pick-six won the Insight Bowl, could play either corner or safety. Iowa must build depth around them with Jordan Bernstine, Greg Castillo, Tanner Miller and others.

7. Purdue: One of the Boilers' big question marks entering 2010 turned out to be a pleasant surprise, and the secondary could be a big strength this fall. Here's a group that could make a move up these rankings by November. Cornerback Ricardo Allen is a budding superstar who recorded two pick-sixes last season. Safety Logan Link is always around the football, and Josh Johnson could take a significant step as he complements Allen.

8. Illinois: I'm tempted to rank Illinois a few notches higher, and if the Illini address several questions in the secondary, I'll gladly do so after the season. If safety Supo Sanni returns to form and both he and cornerback Terry Hawthorne stay healthy, this could be an excellent group. Tavon Wilson returns to his preferred position of cornerback and could have a big season, while Trulon Henry brings experience to the safety spot.

9. Northwestern: Given the question marks in the front seven, Northwestern needs its veteran secondary to step up. Players like cornerback Jordan Mabin and safety Brian Peters should answer the bell this fall. Both multiyear starters can make plays on the football and change games. There's good competition between David Arnold and Ibraheim Campbell at the other safety spot, while Jeravin Matthews emerged this spring to win the starting corner job opposite Mabin.

10. Michigan: I'll probably take some heat from Wolverines fans, who will point to the return of cornerbacks Troy Woolfolk and J.T. Floyd, the emergence of young players like Carvin Johnson and a defensive makeover under Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison. All of that could lead to better results, but Michigan still has fewer certainties in the secondary than do most teams on this list. This unit has been a disaster the past few years, and it'll take a lot of things to go right to get things back on track.

11. Minnesota: Linebacker looks like a strength for the Gophers' defense, but there are questions both up front and in the secondary. The secondary will need more help from a line that generated no pass rush in 2010, but the defensive backs must help themselves, too. Cornerback Troy Stoudermire had a good spring and adds a big hitter to the group. Minnesota really needs big things from safety Kim Royston, who wants to lead the way after receiving a sixth year of eligibility. Building depth around Stoudermire and Royston will be vital in preseason camp.

12. Indiana: Fixing this group is arguably the biggest challenge for new coach Kevin Wilson and co-defensive coordinators Mike Ekeler and Doug Mallory. Indiana simply hasn't had enough Big Ten-caliber defensive backs in recent years, and the results have been ugly. The Hoosiers surrendered a league-worst 27 touchdown passes in 2010 and finished 114th nationally in pass defense efficiency. Sophomore safety Greg Heban is a nice piece, but Indiana will need a boost from Lawrence Barnett, Lenyatta Kiles and others.

Now we get to the good stuff: Player of the Year polls. In mid-May. Gotta love it.

The race for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year isn't easy to forecast. The league loses most of its elite defenders, including five linemen selected in the first round of last month's NFL draft. A former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year -- Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones -- also departs along and four underclassmen who would factor into this year's race -- Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt, Illinois DT Corey Liuget, Illinois LB Martez Wilson and Iowa S Tyler Sash -- also are NFL bound. Eight Big Ten squads lose their leading tacklers from 2010.

So who's left? Nebraska hasn't played a game as a Big Ten member, but the Huskers might have the top two choices for Defensive Player of the Year. Defensive tackle Jared Crick and linebacker Lavonte David both earned second-team All-America honors in 2010 and are poised for big senior seasons. Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy also is very much on the NFL draft radar for 2012, and several Big Ten defensive backs could contend for the award, including dynamic Purdue sophomore cornerback Ricardo Allen. The Big Ten hasn't had a defensive back win the award since Ohio State safety Mike Doss in 2002, but that could change this fall.

It's your turn to weigh in on the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year field.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- When the preseason polls come out in August, the Iowa Hawkeyes likely won't be included.

That's not a bad thing.

Iowa didn't receive a single vote in the preseason AP Poll in 2002. The Hawkeyes went on to win 11 games and reach the Orange Bowl.

After winning 31 games and two Big Ten titles between 2002-04, Iowa entered the 2005 season ranked No. 11 nationally. It went 7-5 that year.

Despite a strong finish to the 2008 season, the Hawkeyes squeaked into the preseason rankings (No. 22 AP, No. 21 Coaches'). They were nationally relevant but hardly overhyped. And after a major scare against FCS Northern Iowa in Week 1, Iowa slipped out of the polls. It responded with a team-record 9-0 start and finished the season ranked seventh in both polls after winning the Orange Bowl.

The respect Iowa and its rabid fans crave arrived last summer as the Hawkeyes debuted in the Top 10 in both polls. Some even listed Iowa as a fringe national title contender. The team stumbled to 7-5 before a dramatic win in the Insight Bowl.

"When we start kind of off the radar, not in the Top 25, we always seem to raise expectations, within the program, especially," senior tight end Brad Herman said. "It's very easy to slip into the hype, people always patting you on the back and then you lose one or two games and all of a sudden the sky is falling. History shows that's the case."

Hawkeyes' veterans like Herman and defensive tackle Mike Daniels know what it's like to be both hyped and somewhat forgotten. There's no doubt how they'd rather be viewed.

"Iowa guys, we love to play with a chip on our shoulder," Daniels said, "and being under the radar just makes that chip even larger."

It's also a familiar realm for Iowa players.

Most of them weren't decorated recruits. They play for a program that would much rather list the number of walk-ons it has sent to the NFL than brag about the number of five-star prospects it signs each February.

Iowa players aren't used to hearing how great they are, and Kirk Ferentz and his assistants make sure it stays that way. Although Hawkeye football is the biggest show in the state, the team sometimes goes out of its way to avoid the media spotlight.

The underdog mentality is ingrained in the culture here, and it has helped on fall Saturdays.

"That's the tradition," defensive end Broderick Binns said. "Coach Ferentz looks for guys who are willing to work hard, have good character, who aren't going to be [jerks]. It's not tradition for coach Ferentz to bring in a guy that's four or five stars, who's all glamorous. Iowa's not about that. We're all about, 'Put your feet in the ground and go to work.'"

Iowa will go to work this fall without the potential distractions/pressure brought on by preseason accolades. The Hawkeyes' star power is gone, and the team must fill gaps at nearly every position.

Quarterback Ricky Stanzi, a three-year starter and a local cult hero, has departed for the NFL. Iowa loses three multiyear starters along the defensive line, including a likely first-round pick (Adrian Clayborn) and a likely second-rounder (Christian Ballard). Both starting safeties depart (Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood) along with receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, tight end Allen Reisner and standout punter Ryan Donahue. Iowa returns only five starters on both sides of the ball.

It'll be an uphill climb for respect, but the Hawkeyes don't mind.

"We all have a goal: the Big Ten championship," Herman said. "That's something we state at the beginning of every single season. Being under the radar kind of relieves the pressure a little bit. We aren't really being talked about right now, and that's fine. Nothing changes around here."

If nothing changes this fall, Iowa will find itself in plenty of tightly contested contests. Drama has been the norm for Iowa the past few seasons.

In 2008, the team dropped four of its first nine games by five points or fewer and faced No. 3 Penn State as an underdog. A 24-23 victory against the Nittany Lions transformed Iowa into a clutch team. The Hawkeyes won their next five games decided by five points or fewer and rallied for wins in eight of their first nine games in 2009.

But Iowa's fortunes turned last fall. All five of its losses came by seven points or fewer, including three straight to end the regular season. A team that prides itself on finishing strong repeatedly crumbled in the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes responded in the bowl game against Missouri, rallying for a 27-24 win, but players and coaches agreed the season was a disappointment.

"We're sitting there at 7-2 and lost three games by 10 points, so what can we do to do better in those situations?" Ferentz said. "That's what we're focused on. It comes down to a lot of little details and giving ourselves a chance. ... The reality is we were pretty good from October 2008 to November 2010. I look at it more that way. I'm not a peak-and-valley person. You can't afford to be if you're a coach."

Iowa appeared to go through some valleys in the offseason as several off-field issues cropped up followed by 13 players being hospitalized in January with rhabdomylosis. The team's celebrated strength program came under fire, but an internal investigation found no specific cause for the hospitalizations and Iowa has moved forward.

"We handled the rhabdo situation very well," Herman said. "Everybody was more pulled together as [the criticism] was coming down on us. It's going to benefit us in the fall for sure."

Iowa has its share of uncertainty entering the fall. Can quarterback James Vandenberg steady the ship after a gutsy performance in relief of Stanzi in 2009? Can Daniels and Binns help the defensive line reload? Who fills the gaps at safety, linebacker and wide receiver?

To these questions, the Hawkeyes say ask away. They'll have answers when September rolls around.

"You've got 11 guys on the field who are just mad at the world," Daniels said. "That's the way we would like to play."

Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes hit the practice field Wednesday for the first of 15 spring workouts.

Here's a snapshot of the Hawkeyes in spring ball:

The big story: Football mercifully resumes as Iowa tries to turn the page on a rough offseason and start fresh. Aside from the dramatic Insight Bowl win against Missouri, Iowa hasn't enjoyed much good news in the past four months. There were off-field problems and player discipline, followed by the hospitalization of 13 players with rhabdomyolysis in January and a subsequent internal investigation. The football field will be a welcome sight for Ferentz and his players as they try to regain their mojo from 2009. Iowa loses a large senior class but returns a group of promising young players and a very solid offensive line. Ferentz's teams typically fare better when outside expectations aren't as high, but the growth process must begin right away this spring.

Position in the spotlight: Quarterback jumps to mind as Iowa begins the task of replacing three-year starter Ricky Stanzi. Remember James Vandenberg? The plucky freshman who nearly led Iowa to a Big Ten title-clinching win at Ohio State in 2009? He now sets his sights on the starting job but could be pushed by junior John Wienke and redshirt freshman A.J. Derby, a fascinating player who could see time at other positions. I'd also include safety here as the Hawkeyes must replace both starters (Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood).

Coaching changes: Ferentz's staff stability continued as Iowa was one of only two Big Ten squads to avoid any coaching changes during the offseason. The only potential uncertainty is veteran defensive coordinator Norm Parker, who missed most of last season following foot amputation surgery. Parker is a battler, though, and will be helping the Hawkeyes as long as his health holds up.

Keep an eye on: Keenan Davis. Iowa needs a No. 2 receiver to emerge alongside Marvin McNutt, and Davis will get every chance to fill the role this spring. A heralded recruit, Davis has just 15 receptions in his first two seasons and needs to take the next step at a position of need.

Spring game: April 16

The NFL scouting combine wrapped up Tuesday with the defensive backs going through drills.

Let's check out the Big Ten's top performers:

CORNERBACKS

• Ohio State's Chimdi Chekwa tied for third in the 40-yard dash at 4.4 seconds; Nebraska's Prince Amukamara tied for fifth at 4.43 seconds;
• Ohio State's Jermale Hines (listed as a cornerback for the combine) tied for 10th in bench-press reps with 19
• Amukamara tied for fifth in the vertical jump at 38 inches
• Amukamara tied for second in the broad jump at 10 feet, 8 inches; Chekwa tied for sixth at 10 feet, 6 inches
• Nebraska's Eric Hagg finished 10th in the 3-cone drill at 6.73 seconds

SAFETIES

• Iowa's Tyler Sash tied for fourth in the 40-yard dash at 4.62 seconds
• Sash tied for fifth in the vertical jump at 33 inches
• Sash tied for second in the 3-cone drill at 6.9 seconds

Now that the combine is finished, let's see which Big Ten players ranked in overall top performance.

BIG TEN TOP COMBINE PERFORMANCES (all positions)

• Chekwa tied for eighth in the 40-yard dash at 4.4 seconds; Nebraska running back Roy Helu Jr. finished 13th at 4.42 seconds; Amukamara finished 14th at 4.43 seconds
• Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt tied for fourth in bench-press reps with 34; Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan tied for 10th with 32; Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan tied for 12th with 31
• Indiana receiver Terrance Turner tied for fifth in vertical jump at 41 inches
• Amukamara and Turner tied for ninth in broad jump at 10 feet, 8 inches
• Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher finished third in the 3-cone drill at 6.46 seconds
• Sanzenbacher finished sixth in the 20-yard shuttle at 3.97 seconds; Helu tied for 11th at 4.01 seconds
• Sanzenbacher finished fourth in the 60-yard shuttle at 10.94 seconds; Helu tied for ninth at 11.07 seconds

Iowa will miss the playmaking prowess of safety Tyler Sash, but it's hard to fault No. 9 for making the jump to the NFL draft.

Meanwhile, Hawkeyes juniors Shaun Prater and Marvin McNutt made wise choices to return for their senior seasons in Iowa City.

There were no major surprises for Iowa's three juniors considering the NFL draft.

Sash, who turns 23 in May, seemed like a good bet to make the jump after starting three seasons at strong safety for Iowa. No Big Ten defensive back made more game-changing plays in the past two seasons than Sash, who leaves Iowa with 13 career interceptions and a team record in interception return yards. Although he didn't have a monster year in 2010, he still finished third on the team with 79 tackles and had two interceptions.

Although McNutt certainly has potential to play at the next level, he didn't seem likely to pass up his senior year. He'll be Iowa's featured receiver as a senior this coming season, and only has been a full-time receiver for two years. When a receiver like Michael Floyd eschews the draft for another year in college, it's probably a good idea for McNutt to do the same.

Prater was the swing guy for Iowa. There had been some buzz he would make the jump to the NFL after a strong junior season, but he opted to remain with Iowa. With both starting safeties (Sash and Brett Greenwood) departing, Iowa will need big performances in 2011 from both Prater and fellow cornerback Micah Hyde.

Well, that was entertaining. The Big Ten is off to a 1-0 start in the bowl season after Iowa rallied to win a wild one in Tempe, Ariz.

Here's a quick look at Iowa's 27-24 win against Missouri in the Insight Bowl.

How the game was won: Headed toward another disappointing loss, Iowa turned the momentum midway through the fourth quarter when Micah Hyde picked off a Blaine Gabbert pass and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown. Gabbert (434 yards) had been brilliant before the pick-six, and Iowa's defense once again seemed to be wearing down. The shorthanded Hawkeyes' offense received a huge lift from freshman running back Marcus Coker and an offensive line that consistently opened holes. The game seemed to be following a typical and tragic script for Iowa, but Hyde created a Hollywood ending.

Player of the game: Marcus Coker. Iowa's depth chart at running back had been decimated by injury, transfer and suspension, leaving Coker as the team's only reliable option for the bowl. The freshman answered the call in a big way, displaying tremendous power and speed. He rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries, including a 62-yard scoring burst early in the second quarter to give Iowa a 14-3 lead. Hyde certainly merits a mention for his heroics.

Turning point: Hmmmm ... how about Hyde's 72-yard pick-six with 5:32 left in the game and Iowa looking dead in the water? Bingo. Although Gabbert made his only awful decision in an otherwise brilliant night, Hyde deserves credit for jumping the route and making a brilliant return up the sideline for the touchdown. It marked Hyde's second return touchdown of the season after he took a lateral from Tyler Sash and raced to the end zone against Michigan State. His score has to go right up there with the Warren Halloway touchdown in the Capital One Bowl as one of the most clutch plays in Iowa history.

Best call: It was the best or the worst, depending on whom you ask, but the replay overturn of a Missouri first-down catch late in the fourth quarter put Iowa in position to win. Missouri would have been in field-goal range had the catch held up, but an excellent camera angle showed the ball hitting the ground and moving. I'm still surprised the officials ended up overturning the call on the field because of indisputable video evidence, but it looked like they made the right decision.

Second guessing: Iowa's defensive scheme. The Hawkeyes played too many linebackers and too few defensive backs against Gabbert and Missouri's pass-happy spread offense. Without much of a rotation along the defensive line, Iowa looked gassed and didn't put much pressure on Gabbert. The plan nearly cost Iowa, but Hyde saved the day.

What it means: Iowa's decorated senior class ends an otherwise disappointing season on a great note, as the Hawkeyes won their third consecutive bowl game for the first time in team history. After blowing four fourth-quarter leads and allowing late touchdowns in all five regular-season losses, Iowa had seen this movie before,but made a play to change the ending. Although Iowa loses a lot for 2011, the encouraging performances from underclassmen like Coker, Hyde and linebacker James Morris raises hope for the future.

It's time to reveal my All-Big Ten team. As always, there were some tough decisions, and several deserving players don't appear on the rundown below.

For your reference, the official All-Big Ten teams and my preseason all-conference squad.

OFFENSE

QB: Denard Robinson, Michigan
RB: Mikel Leshoure, Illinois
RB: Edwin Baker, Michigan State
WR: Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State
WR: Jeremy Ebert, Northwestern
TE: Lance Kendricks, Wisconsin
C: David Molk, Michigan
T: Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin
T: Mike Adams, Ohio State
G: John Moffitt, Wisconsin
G: Stefen Wisniewski, Penn State

DEFENSE

DL: Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
DL: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
DT: Adrian Clayborn, Iowa
DL: Corey Liuget, Illinois
LB: Greg Jones, Michigan State
LB: Martez Wilson, Illinois
LB: Brian Rolle, Ohio State
DB: Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State
DB: Tyler Sash, Iowa
DB: Jermale Hines, Ohio State
DB: Ricardo Allen, Purdue

SPECIALISTS

K: Derek Dimke, Illinois
P: Aaron Bates, Michigan State
KR: Troy Stoudermire, Minnesota
PR: Keshawn Martin, Michigan State

Selections by team: Ohio State (5), Wisconsin (4), Michigan State (4), Illinois (4), Michigan (2) Purdue (2), Iowa (2), Northwestern (1), Penn State (1), Minnesota (1)

Five players are repeat selections from 2009: Wisniewski, Carimi, Clayborn, Jones and Sash.

Here are your semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's best defensive back.

Prince Amukamara, Sr., Nebraska
Mark Barron, Jr., Alabama
Chimdi Chekwa, Sr., Ohio State
Brandon Harris, Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Cliff Harris, Soph., Oregon
Tejay Johnson, Sr., TCU
Joe Lefeged, Sr., Rutgers
Rahim Moore, Jr., UCLA
Patrick Peterson, Jr., LSU
Tyler Sash, Jr., Iowa

Time to press the rewind button on Week 9 before looking ahead to this week's games.

Team of the week: Iowa. After two close losses filled with what-ifs, the Hawkeyes left nothing to chance Saturday afternoon at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa obliterated Michigan State from the opening kickoff, storming out to a 30-0 halftime lead. The Hawkeyes did it with offensive execution, as quarterback Ricky Stanzi put himself on the Heisman radar, completing 11 of 15 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. They also did it with opportunistic defense, recording three interceptions against the typically poised Kirk Cousins, returning one for a touchdown. Iowa received major contributions from many players and avoided a special-teams miscue. The win tightened the Big Ten race heading into November.

Best game: Michigan-Penn State. It was a Saturday of blowouts around the Big Ten, but two traditional powerhouses provided an entertaining offensive shootout at Beaver Stadium. Michigan's Denard Robinson had another huge night, rushing for 191 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 190 passing yards and a score. But "Shoelace" got upstaged by Penn State's Evan Royster and Matt McGloin. Royster, the former All-Big Ten running back who entered Saturday with just one 100-yard rushing performance in seven games, went for 150 rushing yards and two scores. McGloin sizzled in his first career start, passing for 250 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Michigan rallied late to cut Penn State's lead to seven points before the Lions answered. The teams combined for 72 points and 858 offensive yards. Northwestern-Indiana also had some late drama before the Wildcats held on to win 20-17.

Biggest play: Iowa led Michigan State 10-0 late in the first quarter, but the Spartans had entered Hawkeyes territory and had first-and-10 from the 41. Safety Tyler Sash read Cousins perfectly and made an easy interception on a pass to B.J. Cunningham. The exciting part came next, as Sash ran six yards before lateraling the ball over Cunningham's head to teammate Micah Hyde. Hyde raced 66 yards and dived inside the pylon for a touchdown. Iowa went up 17-0 and never looked back. "It's like the point guard that pulls up from 40 feet deep and shoots a 3-pointer," said Sash, a former basketball star in high school. "If he makes it, it's alright. But if he misses it, what are you doing?"

Specialist spotlight: Penn State's Collin Wagner went 2-for-2 on field goals, including a 42-yarder that gave the Lions a 10-point cushion in the fourth quarter. He also ran seven yards on a fake field goal to seal the victory in the final minutes. Northwestern's Stefan Demos has had an up-and-down senior season, but he came up huge at Indiana with two field goals, including a 45-yarder to make it a two-score game with 6:51 left. Both punters in the Michigan State-Iowa game performed well, as Iowa's Ryan Donahue placed three punts inside the 20-yard line and Michigan State's Aaron Bates averaged 48.5 yards per boot. Ohio State recorded a special-teams touchdown as Jonathan Newsome blocked a Minnesota punt and Zach Domicone recovered in the end zone. The Buckeyes also had a 70-yard punt return by Jordan Hall. Illinois' Anthony Santella averaged 43.7 yards on seven punts, and teammate Clay Nurse blocked a Purdue punt.

Game balls (given to players on winning or losing teams who didn't receive helmet stickers)

• Ohio State's Dan Herron, DeVier Posey and Terrelle Pryor: All three turned in big performances as Ohio State blew out Minnesota. Herron continued to establish himself as the Buckeyes' No. 1 running back with 114 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Pryor once again was efficient, completing 18 of 22 passes for 222 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Posey had six catches for 115 yards and a score.
• Iowa DL Mike Daniels: It's probably a combination of Daniels' emergence and the way opponents are double-teaming Adrian Clayborn, but the junior continues to have a huge season. He recorded two more tackles for loss against Michigan State, bringing his season total to 10.
• Northwestern QB Dan Persa and WR Jeremy Ebert: They've formed one of the Big Ten's top passing connections and hooked up five times for 98 yards and two touchdowns against Indiana. Persa completed 18 of 28 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns and no picks, and he added 19 rush yards before being shaken up late in the game.
• Michigan QB Denard Robinson: Robinson single-handedly kept Michigan alive at Penn State with 191 rush yards and three touchdowns and 190 pass yards and a score. He accounted for 381 of Michigan's 423 offensive yards at Beaver Stadium.
• Indiana DE Darius Johnson: Johnson applied steady pressure to Persa and consistently beat Northwestern's offensive line for 11 tackles, including two for loss and a sack.
• Ohio State LB Brian Rolle: With fellow 'backer Ross Homan still sidelined by injury, Rolle stepped up against Minnesota with 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the win.

Now let's spin it forward and look at Week 10.

No. 16 Iowa (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) at Indiana (4-4, 0-4): The Hawkeyes are riding high after their dominant win against Michigan State, but they'll have to take care of business on the road the next two weeks before the Ohio State showdown. Indiana dominated Iowa last Halloween for three quarters as Stanzi threw five interceptions. But it was all Iowa in the fourth, as the Hawkeyes exploded for 28 unanswered points. Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell will throw the ball a ton, so Iowa's defensive linemen will have their ears pinned back for this one.

Minnesota (1-8, 0-5) at No. 14 Michigan State (8-1, 4-1): Despite Saturday's ugly loss, the Spartans remain very much alive in the Big Ten title race and can get well against the league's worst team. Look for Michigan State to reignite its ground game against a Minnesota team that allows a league-worst 201.8 rush yards per game. Minnesota's Adam Weber torched Michigan State for 416 pass yards and five touchdowns in last year's wacky game in Minneapolis, but he'll face a much tougher challenge this time around.

Illinois (5-3, 3-2) at Michigan (5-3, 1-3): Don't be fooled by the matching records; these teams are headed in opposite directions. Illinois is surging after back-to-back blowout victories and looks for its third consecutive win against the Maize and Blue. Michigan has dropped three consecutive league contests as its defense and special teams continue to regress. Embattled coach Rich Rodriguez needs this one in a big way, and the winning team will be bowl eligible.

No. 9 Wisconsin (7-1, 3-1) at Purdue (4-4, 2-2): After an open week, the Badgers return to action against a Purdue team coming off of back-to-back ugly losses. Speaking of one-sided games, Wisconsin crushed Purdue 37-0 last year in Madison. This game features Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year front-runners Ryan Kerrigan from Purdue and J.J. Watt from Wisconsin. The two defensive ends have combined for 12.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss this season.

Northwestern (6-2, 2-2) at Penn State (5-3, 2-2): A pretty obvious story line here as Joe Paterno goes for win No. 400. The Nittany Lions' legend would be just the third college coach to record 400 victories -- John Gagliardi and Eddie Robinson are the others -- and the first to do so in Division I-A/FBS. Standing in the way of history is Northwestern, which brings a 4-0 road record this season to Happy Valley. Wildcats star quarterback Dan Persa returns to his home state for the game.

Bye: No. 11 Ohio State (8-1, 4-1)

» 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.

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

1. The Big Ten race is going to be wild: Michigan State's loss to Iowa really thickens the plot in the Big Ten title race. Four teams have one conference loss entering November, and each week could dramatically alter the picture for the conference championship. Wisconsin and Michigan State both have favorable closing schedules, but arguably no game means more to the race than Ohio State's visit to Iowa on Nov. 20. Michigan State and Ohio State likely benefit from a three-team tiebreaker, while Wisconsin and Iowa want this to come down to head-to-head matchups. Should be a lot of fun to watch.

2. Iowa can play to its potential: After two losses filled with what-ifs, Iowa finally played to its potential in a marquee game. The Hawkeyes threw the first punch against Michigan State and kept pounding away until the Spartans submitted. Kirk Ferentz's squad received strong play in all three phases and got huge lifts from players like Ricky Stanzi, Adam Robinson, Shaun Prater, Tyler Sash and Mike Daniels. If Iowa keeps this up in November, it will be extremely tough to beat.

3. Rich Rodriguez is in major trouble: Coaches are evaluated on wins and losses, but they're also evaluated on progress. And Michigan didn't make any progress on defense or special teams in its open week. The Wolverines let Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin go wild in his first career start and couldn't stop Evan Royster on the ground. And they continued to make errors in the kicking game. Denard Robinson continues to do brilliant things, and his success is tied to Rodriguez, but this definitely looks like déjà vu for the Maize and Blue. Rodriguez can't afford another slide and it doesn't get any easier this week against red-hot Illinois.

4. Illinois is one of the nation's big surprises: The Great Experiment is working. Illinois' decision to stick with Ron Zook and make major changes on the staff is translating to the field, where a talented and hungry team is executing at a high level. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase blossomed Saturday with a career performance, and Illinois continued to play well on defense and special teams. The Illini might be favored in all four of their remaining games and certainly look like they're headed for a decent bowl game, which seemed highly unlikely before the season. Kudos to Zook and his players.

5. The Big Ten is a deep league, despite no unbeatens: Michigan State's loss likely means that the Big Ten will be left out of the BCS national title game for the third consecutive season. But this is a much deeper league than most folks thought entering the season. The four teams at the top can challenge just about anyone, and I wouldn't want to face Illinois if I were an opposing coach. Northwestern will be going bowling for a school-record third consecutive season, and Penn State gained a ton of confidence with its performance Saturday night. Not sure what to make of Michigan, Indiana and Purdue, but I can't imagine all three will be left out of the postseason.

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Nostradamus didn't show up in the bowels of Kinnick Stadium late Saturday afternoon.

Even the great forecaster couldn't take credit for calling this one.

Michigan State and Iowa had produced three of the Big Ten's most exciting matchups the past three years. Iowa won a double-overtime contest in 2007. The Spartans preserved a 16-13 win the next year when Adam Decker stuffed Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene on fourth-and-1. Last year, Iowa won 15-13 on a touchdown pass with no time left on the clock to preserve its undefeated record.

A day before Halloween, these two teams seemed destined to deliver another thriller.

Iowa had other ideas.

The 18th-ranked Hawkeyes dominated No. 5 Michigan State, ending the Spartans' quest for perfection in convincing fashion with a 37-6 victory at Kinnick Stadium, the graveyard for Big Ten unbeatens. The 31-point final margin represented the fifth-largest margin of defeat by an AP Top 25 team since 2000.

"I didn't see this coming," Spartans coach Mark Dantonio said. "Our guys prepared mentally, emotionally."

Not far away in Iowa's interview room, coach Kirk Ferentz echoed his colleague.

"You never see that coming," Ferentz said, "not against a very good team like this. I never see those coming against anybody."

Ferentz often talks about how Iowa will never be confused with a true college football heavyweight. The Hawkeyes don't have a large margin for error. They don't just show up and dominate.

But Iowa had the potential to deliver a complete performance. Iowa entered the year with lofty expectations, but it hadn't met them.

After two losses that showed just how small the Hawkeyes' margin for error can be, the players responded, jumping ahead to a 37-0 lead and never looking back.

"That's the team you want to be," receiver Marvin McNutt said. "We have talent and the times we execute, we know we can do the right thing."

McNutt felt Iowa didn't execute well in practice leading up to last week's game against Wisconsin. It translated to the field, as the Hawkeyes suffered a 31-30 loss that left plenty of what-ifs.

If Iowa lost its third game Saturday, you could start talking about a season of what-ifs. But the Hawkeyes answered every question.

Ferentz didn't know how his team would respond from the Wisconsin loss.

"Absolutely not," he said. "You hope we practice well. You always hope that. My sense was our guys were preparing the way they were supposed to, watching tape and doing that kind of thing. ... But I also know [the loss] was back in everybody's minds. It was a tough week."

Michigan State, meanwhile, saw no clues of the impending disaster.

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said the team had "one of the best weeks of practice ... all year." Head coach Mark Dantonio didn't feel the reinstatement of cornerback Chris L. Rucker caused any distraction. The Spartans had built their 8-0 record on resilient play, taking punches and countering and never giving up.

"Did we come unprepared? I don't think so," Dantonio said. "Did things snowball on us? I guess they did."

It's easy to pinpoint the moment the snowball picked up speed.

Not surprisingly, Iowa delivered the first punch and took a 10-0 lead. But Michigan State was moving the ball and reached midfield before a Kirk Cousins pass to B.J. Cunningham sailed right into the arms of Iowa safety Tyler Sash.

Sash had seen Michigan State run the same play last year and anticipated it, making the easy pick. He didn't anticipate what came next. After racing 6 yards upfield, Sash lateraled the ball over Cunningham's head to teammate Micah Hyde, who ran the remaining 66 yards to the end zone.

"It's like the point guard that pulls up from 40 feet deep and shoots a 3-pointer," Sash said. "If he makes it, it's alright. But if he misses it, what are you doing?"

Sash, by the way, was a standout basketball player in high school who received Division I interest. He first got on Ferentz's radar screen while playing AAU basketball in fifth grade against Ferentz's son, James.

The playmaking safety showed off his hoops skills with the lateral to Hyde.

"I'll do it again if the same thing happens," Sash said with a smile.

"I liked the outcome," Ferentz said. "He's an older guy, I trust our guys. I don't think we practice that."

Sash's magic propelled the Hawkeyes, but their performance wasn't sleight of hand.

A defense that allowed 59 points the past two weeks kept Michigan State off the scoreboard for three quarters. Three Hawkeyes' defensive backs picked off Cousins, who entered Saturday with just four interceptions in 212 pass attempts this season.

Iowa's offense also surged, as quarterback Ricky Stanzi delivered another near-spotless performance (11-for-15 passing, 190 yards, 3 TDs) and got help from running back Adam Robinson (69 rush yards, TD, 32-yard receiving TD), tight end Brad Herman (3 receptions, 80 yards) and others. The Hawkeyes effectively mixed plays and personnel, and just about everything clicked.

"It's a great football team," Narduzzi said. "We knew emotionally, they'd be fired up, [defensive coordinator] Norm Parker was back in the house. ... We expected them to be a well-coached team and come play their tails off because they're fighting for a piece of the Big Ten championship."

Michigan State is right there, too, but Iowa's win ensures the Hawkeyes remain in the title fight heading into November.

"We weren't hitting on all cylinders in previous weeks," Sash said. "I think we did today."