Big Ten Media Days 2011: Indiana Hoosiers Player And Coaches Interviews

Purdue players Albert Evans, Carson Wiggs, and Joe Holland took time with the media as well as coach Danny Hope during the individual interview portion of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Coach hope spoke at length about his team having an atttiude after last season's 4-8 finish that was marred by numerous injuries:

"I would expect that our entire football team has an attitude because we haven't had a winning season in three years. I'd be disappointed if we didn't play the game with a bit of a chip on our shoulder. You can't focus on the negative. You can't spend your all your time reading about yourself in the football obituaries. You're wasting your time doing that. Ricardo Allen is a guy that came to campus with a bit of a chip on his shoulder and he has an unbelievable passion for the game. That carries over to the team."

The players on hand know that many see 2011 as a year where Purdue can surprise a lot of people:

"Handling the negative attention hasn't been that bad. We don't dwell a lot on it. I am one of the more vocal ones that will say something but it doesn't bother us a lot. We look at our season last year and people see wins and losses. There are things that are not excuses for us losing, but with injuries and things in the game plan that you prepared for going wrong they are hard to adjust to. I believe that if we just stay healthy this year we can be a much better team - Safety Albert Evans

"Everyone saw how much of an impact the injury bug can have on a season last year. Our new strength and conditioning staff really prides itself on having what we call a great pre-hab program. We have strengthening and mobility exercise that can go a long way in preventing injuries. I have obviously been around a pretty long time. I have played in every stadium except Nebraska and I feel I have a lot to offer the younger guys that might not know what to expect." - Linebacker Joe Holland

One of the most interesting interviews of the day was with Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs, who admits that specialists are a different breed. Last season he, along with snapper John Finch and holder Kris Staats called themselves the Blur. This year new snapper Kevin Ballinger and holder Cody Webster have dubbed themselves The Perfect Storm:

"We're the guys dancing around during breaks to the music. We're a different breed. Last year we didn't even think of a nickname at first until last year we started getting our operations down so fast we had sub-one second operations. So we started calling ourselves the Blur because we were so fast it was hard to see. It kind of carried over so this year we call ourselves The Perfect Storm because we make it rain." - Kicker Carson Wiggs

The biggest news out of day 2 of Big Ten media Days in Chicago is the announcement of the new trophy game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers. the Thanksgiving weekend rivalry game will be known as The Heroes Game, per an official release from Iowa’s Steven Roe:

Some play for axes, little brown jugs and even a milk can. Others engage in "battles" and "holy wars." Still more play for cups of a myriad of shapes and sizes and names.

On the last Friday of November in Lincoln, Neb., the football teams from the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska will square off in the first of what is expected to be a long and competitive and entertaining rivalry between one of the Big Ten Conference’s original member institutions and the league’s most recent addition.

And, while the goal is the same as other "trophy games" – win the struggle on the gridiron and claim the trophy — the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers won’t use their annual meeting to determine ownership of football bragging rights for the Corn Belt exclusively. Instead, they will use the national stage that will be Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium or Iowa’s historic Kinnick Stadium each autumn to honor citizens of their respective states who are, according to Webster’s Dictionary, "admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities," and they intend to work with a partner to do a good deed of their own.

Day two of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago featured individual roundtable interviews with players and coaches from around the conference. Indiana Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson was on hand, as well as players Max Dedmond, Demarlo Belcher, and Jeff Thomas. Wilson is entering his first season as Hoosiers head coach, and he is working at changing the culture in Bloomington.

"I saw a program with unbelievable upside and potential. I feel better about it now than I did when I was on the outside looking at it. Bloomington is a great college town and I am very comfortable living there. To sit there and say we can't because things have happened a certain way before is dumb. Every year is different. Just because we do good doesn't mean we'll do good again and just because we do poorly doesn't mean we'll do poorly again. Every year in my life in this profession you just clean the slate and start over. As you build you might start higher as you build, but every team is restarting. I think there is potential to do well and I don't think it is going to be shocking." - Kevin Wilson

Coach Wilson was also surprised by a few things after being on the job for a few months:

The talent level is better than what I thought it was. The infrastructure and facilities are better than I thought they were. Recruiting to a great college town is actually stronger. The product I am selling is cleaner, better, and stronger than what I was anticipating. I think the difficult thing is handling perceptions." - Kevin Wilson

the players on hand were all looking at moving forward as opposed to focusing on the past. Each player was pleased with what Wilson has done so far:

"As a player and a team leader we're taking it all in. We know what he's doing has worked on offense and on defense. Coach Wilson is all about the defense even though he's an offensive genius. He still works with us and lets us know especially when there is a give and take with the offense and defense." - Linebacker Jeff Thomas

"We're just pushing toward this season and looking toward the future with coach. He has confidence with us and we have confidence in him. His intensity level is totally different than what we've seen. he has such high intensity. If we're not playing up to our abilities he's going to let us know and get it fixed."  - Tight End Max Dedmond.

"I can understand why people are not high on us. We always start the season off well then go downhill. You're never going to know until you start playing. We limited ourselves a lot last year and coach Wilson came in and changed our mindset." - Wide Receiver Damarlo Belcher

Most of the wonderful SBNation communities in the Big Ten have posted their roundups of the first day of Big Ten Football Media Days. here is the full rundown of each one on SBNation that has posted a summary:

The Only Colors – Michigan St. Spartans

Corn Nation – Nebraska Cornhuskers

Sippin’ on Purple - Northwestern Wildcats

Black Shoe Diaries – Penn St. Nittany Lions

Hammer & Rails – Purdue Boilermakers

Bucky’s 5th Quarter - Wisconsin Badgers

Everyday Should Be Saturday - College Football In General

One of the final things that Jim Delaney addressed was the possibility of an Ohio State bowl ban and how it would affect the inaugural Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis. He stressed that the conference does not have a policy of disallowing teams to participate in conference championship events if they are ineligible for the NCAA postseason, but should the Buckeyes be hit with a postseason bowl ban he would meet with the athletics directors of the conference to discuss their eligibility for the Big Ten Championship game.

He mostly stated that since there is a difference in that hte Big Ten Championship Game decides the conference’s BCS representative it is different than in basketball. he sited an example of Minnesota playing in the Big ten Men’s Basketball Tournament when it had a postseason ban. This was a different situation because there are so many bids in the NCAA Tournament, but in football it would be different.

This will not be addressed until Ohio State meets with the NCAA to discuss any penalties in a few weeks. The Buckeyes are one of the favorites in the new Leaders Division, but if they are ineligible it could increase the discussion about the inaugural championship game in Indianapolis on December 3rd.

Jim Delaney was the final speaker with the media on Thursday opening day of Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. The commissioner of the conference addressed the media and officially welcome Nebraska in as a full member. Delaney is in his 23rd year as commissioner of the Big Ten, and the 40th annual kickoff luncheon allowed him to speak about the advancement of the league:

“The past two years have been some of the interesting and most challenging in my career. I hope I can put into perspective what those challenges are and what we are doing going forward.”

Delaney also spoke on the college football postseason:

“The BCS is successful, but it is also controversial. There are three years left on the current contract and it is not going anywhere. We value our connection to the Rose Bowl and it is a part of the BCS, so we maintain that relationship.”

Delaney briefly addressed the Ohio State situation:

“Coach Tressel made a mistake and he paid dearly for it. Michigan had a mistake with practice time and it was embarrassing. People make mistakes, but it is how people address those mistakes that matters. I have spoken with coaches and we do not want these situations repeated. We cannot blame other people for our problems, and we have some. The 14 institutions that have come under scrutiny raise a lot of questions as to who is running them. Two in this conference is two too many. I wanted to call the coaches together today and speak to them candidly that the game was as healthy as it has ever been, but in my eyes we have been hurt by the two institutions that have been investigated by the NCAA.”

One of the final areas that Delaney discussed was SEC commissioner Mark Slive’s remarks on increasing admissions standards:

“This is not the time for competition but a time to come together. it is a real challenge, but it is one that we’re up to. I am open to providing scholarships up tot he cost of educations. I am not interested in scholarships beyond that. If you define pay-for-play as anything above the cost of eduction we are not interested in discussing it. There is noting that Slive put forward that I would disagree with.”

Delaney also does not believe that the Big Ten Network should be used to telecast high school games until other issues with the NCAA regarding their coverage is cleared up. This was in response to the new Texas Longhorn Network broadcasting games.

Big Ten Network Mark Silverman also addressed the media on Thursday in Chicago, talking about the history of the network and where it is going forward. Silverman stated that the network, now entering its fifth year, will undergo a relaunch of sorts this fall with new logos and graphics packages.

One of the highlights this fall is the return of Big Ten ICONS hosted by Keith Jackson. This year’s season will focus on the famous coaches of the conference, building off the success of the popular show about players. the addition of Nebraska also brings more national relevance to the network and additional programming.

Silverman also stated that ABC/ESPN’s exclusivity at the 3:30 spot on Saturday afternoons has been lifted, allowing the network to air games at that time. This allows the Big Ten Network to have Saturday doubleheaders if they so choose. It is not expected to happen every week, but it gives the network more flexibility in its broad cast schedule.

Fans of the Big Ten will be able to watch the network on the go this fall through their mobile device with BTN On-the-go. As long as viewers are a subscriber within their cable network they will be able to watch the networks live broadcasts as well as other programing on the go.

The Big Ten’s Coordinator of Football Officials addressed the media after the coaches and spoke mostly about the new unsportsmanlike conduct rule that could result in taking away a scoring play:

“I am confident we will have some controversy the first couple of times and then the coaches and players may learn their lesson. Technically celebration is not a foul, but if it is delayed, prolonged, excessive, choreographed, or toward the opponent to draw attention to themselves you’re getting into a grey area. We can’t put everything in the rule books. It is now a live ball foul if it happens during a live play. It is now a foul enforced from the spot and we will take away a score if a player taunts on the two yard line before going into the end zone. A quick celebration is okay. We want the officials to use some common sense. We’re working with the teams in camps to instruct what a foul is or not.”

The final question addressed to the coaches concerned deposed Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel. Mark Dantonio, one of the closest friends int he coaching community to Tressel was asked about the situation in Columbus and stunned many in the media room with the following statement:

“I was heartbroken. I look at Jim Tressel as a tragic hero and heroes will rise up in the end.”

Dantonio was one of the few coaches to speak candidly on Tressel’s situation with the Buckeyes. Even Ohio State’s Luke Fickell did not comment much on his former coach, as he instead decided to look ahead to his own tenure as Buckeyes coach. Joe Paterno refused to speak on a situation he did not know about, but Dantonio is one of the few voices that has come out so positively behind Tressel despite the allegations he faced at Ohio State.

Dantonio’s remarks certainly sent a murmur through the room as he was the final coach to speak on the day.

Iowa Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz kicked off the final round of coaches remarks at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago and spoke of how the Hawkeyes struggled in close games last season:

“Last it came down to how we handled close games. We lost three games in November by a total of 10 points. It’s true for a lot of us in the conference. The more successful you are in close games the better you’ll be.”

Ferentz’s most interesting comments came on the subject of adjusting the incoming GPA of students and offering multi-year scholarships:

“A lot of ideas have been promoted over the last six months. I think those are both good motions and I support them, but they are very involved to implement. Making that first year ineligible would be healthy for football and it might slow down the recruiting industry too. It would allow gets to get on campus and get acclimated to college life.”

The final new coach in the Big Ten is Jerry Kill, who takes over the Minnesota Golden Gophers after having success at Northern Illinois. Kill led Northern Illinois to wins over Purdue in 2009 and Minnesota in 2010, but he recognizes that being in the Big Ten full-time is different:

“It’s a little bit different because you have to play those games week in, week out. At a mid-major you only play them once or twice and it is a big game. We have to take care of who we are and we’ll have success.”

Kill also recognizes the need to develop a second quarterback behind former Ben Davis star MarQuies Gray. Gray comes into the season as Minnesota’s starter with the graduation of four year starter Adam Weber.

“I think right now and going through spring ball the most gifted athlete on our team is MarQuies Gray. We need two quarterbacks though because you never know with injuries right now. We need to find someone who is going to push MarQuies and establish himself as the #2 guy.”

The final coach to speak on the day was Michigan State Spartans coach Mark Dantonio. The Spartans surprised many last season by winning a share of the Big Ten championship, but the schedule is much tougher in 2011:

“We took a big step last year in where the program wants to go, but 2011 brings a lot of challenges. We have experience, we have a good mindset, and we have good leadership intact.”

Michigan State was notably the one Big Ten Champion of the three that did not play in a BCS bowl. The Spartans defeated Wisconsin and did not play Ohio State, but both the badgers and Buckeyes played in the lucrative BCS bowls:

“I think it was a unique season with three teams being in the top 10. If we had played better in the bowl game I could probably answer that question a little better. We control our own destiny though.”

Like most coaches, Dantonio expressed how Nebraska makes the conference stronger as a whole. Each coach commented that the Cornhuskers bring an excellent tradition to the league and they are excited at their addition.

The first three coaches from the Legend Division have spoken to the media beginning with Northwestern Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald primarily addressed questions concerning Dan Persa, who is recovering from an achilles injury that coast him the final few games of last season:

“Now he has to get past the mental part. He has recovered physically, but he needs to get in the best shape of his life at Camp Kenosha. He needs to know he can do the same things he used to do.”

Fitzgerald was also asked about the situation at Ohio State and its effect on the league:

“You want to see young men great choices. When players and coaches don’t make great choices it is disappointing. We’ll move forward and make it better. We’ll change some bylaws, but I don’t think there is a coach in the country that doesn’t want to be a part of that solution. It’s on us as stewards of the game to leave it in the right spot.”

The third new coach in the league is Brady Hoke, who took over as the new coach of the Michigan Wolverines and is intent on rebuilding a defense that struggled mightily last season. He also was adamant that Michigan is not trying to specifically take advantage of the situation at Ohio State in recruiting:

“I don’t see that and we’re not trying to take advantage in recruiting. We’re Michigan. We have a global education and we’re the winningest program in the history of college football. We focus on the guys that fit the mold of Michigan.”

Hoke also realizes the rivalry with OSU is bigger than the new coaches:

“The rivalry with OSU is not about the coaches, but the schools. Its as big as it can get in sports. It’s fun. If you can’t geared up for it you may not be human.”

The final coach in session three was Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Bo Pelini, who naturally fielded a number of questions about Nebraska joining the Big Ten this season:

“You just take care of yourselves. The schedule makers didn’t do us any favors in our first year. We have a tough schedule ahead, but we go week by week and the process will help us have success. Our football team understands the challenges that will be presented to them. You come here to be challenged and to be the best you can be.”

Pelini also recognized that it was a lot more work this offseason preparing for 11 new opponents:

“We prepare like we do any time. We put a little more time into the new teams and with 11 this year that required a lot more time. At the end of the day I feel great with the preparation we have. We’ve got a lot accomplished in the offseason and we’re ready to meet the challenges.”

The final three coaches in the Leaders Division have addressed the media and new Ohio State Buckeyes coach Luke Fickell spoke about the transition happening in Columbus. Fickell takes over after a tumultuous summer in which previous coach Jim Tressell resigned under a cloud of NCAA violations:

“I am honored and grateful to be representing an Ohio State University. Last few months have been a whirlwind, emotional, and crazy, but productive. Our focus will be on developing our young guys. The most important thing right now is the stability in our coaching staff. The coaching staff alone will allow us to move forward.”

Fickell also stated that he has not been in contact much with Tressell, but that does not stem from a mandate from the OSU administration.

“I’ve not much contact with him. He loves OSU, and wishes us nothing but the best. There have been a lot of people I talked to and the best advice I’ve gotten is ‘be who you are’”

The second new coach int he conference is Kevin Wilson, who takes over for the Indiana Hoosiers with a new level of excitement. Already the Hoosiers have gained a commitment from the nation’s top quarterback in Columbus’ Gunner Kiel, which was in line with what Wilson stated about moving forward:

“There was not a lot of loss and flux when we got hired from the players. 13 of our 15 guys have coached in the Big Ten and we have a great freshman class. We’re selling a great product and off to a great start.”

Wilson recognizes that the culture in Bloomington must change, but he is intent on instigating that change:

“I don’t complain about our culture, but our fans won’t be excited until we start winning. The culture will change as we get our system in.”

The final coach to speak from the Leaders Division was Penn State Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno, who feels going despite his age as the 2011 season approaches:

“I feel a lot better than I did a year ago. The kid at Wisconsin run into me and broke my knee, then I threw my hip out trying to show off and kick a football for the kids. I couldn’t kick when healthy and sure as hell couldn’t kick with a broken knee so I threw my hip. I’m old enough to know my limitations and young enough to know how to manage them.”

As the elder statesman of college football Paterno also wouldn’t comment on the situation at Ohio State:

“I don’t know enough about it. To me they have been a great, great college football program. For something suddenly going on I just don’t know and I sure as heck don’t want to be critical of situations when I am not familiar with them. I am trying to make sure we do what we’re supposed to do.”

The first three coaches have spoken at Big Ten Media Days with Ron Zook, head coach of the Illinois Fighting Illini leading things off. Illinois is coming off of its first bowl win since the 1999 season. Zook is excited about the coming season, but the hot topic of the day is the situation at Ohio State:

“It’s very important that everyone, not just the Big Ten, does everything they can do to protect and respect the game. You hate to see those things happen and they are lessons all coaches have to look at.”

Zook is pleased with the Illini having eight home games and two very close road trips to Indiana and Purdue:

“We’re excited about our schedule. Any time you have eight home games and the first five at home you like it. Indiana and Purdue are close trips and our guys love to go play at Penn State for some reason.”

Wisconsin Badgers coach Bret Bielema had some harsher words to say about the turmoil in college athletics when he took the podium:

“Don’t worry about what you can’t control. If we continue to make positive strides I think it helps everybody involved. In a dream role I would say hammer the guys that aren’t right, mainly in recruiting. People are willingly and knowingly abusing the rules. When you’re aware of that there is no excuse for it. I would to see programs held seriously accountable. – If someone willingly and knowingly violates a rule I see nothing wrong with a substantial penalty and I will let someone else decide that.”

Bielema also spoke about NC State transfer Russell Wilson, who is favored to win the starting quarterback job in Madison:

“We get a lot of info where kids talk to us about transfer opportunities. We were aware of it in the spring. The first thing I wanted to know what kind of person he is. They say you recruit your own problems. Everyone was encouraging to talk to about the way he handles himself. He’s been on our campus ever since he decided. The players have been very positive and have been around him a lot more than I have.”

The final coach in the opening session was Purdue Boilermakers coach Danny Hope. Hope is pleased where Purdue is coming into the season, as he thinks they are farther along than at any point during his three year tenure:

“We feel we are further along at every phase than we have been in the past few years. We return a young, but somewhat experienced football team. We have potentially more firepower on offense, defense, and special teams. If we hang on to the football we can be very successful.”

Hope’s squad returns 19 starters after playing just six seniors a year ago:

“We’re in good shape from a health standpoint. We were probably the youngest team in BCS football last year. A lot of emphasis has been on prehab exercises, techniques and drill to prevent injury. I think we’re in good shape. Robert Marve is where he needs to be. Ralph Bolden will be back. 2010 served to make us a stronger football team.”

The Big Ten Conference announced today its inaugural football 'Players to Watch' list just in time for the conference's Media Day in Chicago, IL. Twelve Big Ten players earned preseason recognition on the list. According to the Big Ten's release, conference coaches voted to institute a preseason Players to Watch list beginning this season, honoring five student-athletes each from the Legends Division and Leaders Division. The 2011 list was selected by a media panel and features additional honorees due to a tie.

The players listed by division are:

Legends Division

• Denard Robinson, QB Michigan
  
•  Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
  
• Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
  
• Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
  
• Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern
  

Leaders Division

• Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
  
• Damarlo Belcher, WR, Indiana
  
• Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
  
• John Simon, DT, Ohio State
  
• Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
  
• Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
  
• James White, RB, Wisconsin

Somewhere in West Lafayette, Purdue fans are wondering why no Boilermakers were listed.

Keep it here at SB Nation Indiana for complete coverage of 2011 Big Ten Media Day.

The first Plain Dealer Big Ten Preseason Newspaper Poll, a poll which may serve as the only preseason poll of its kind in the Big Ten, the University of Nebraska was given twelve votes from the sports writers to win the conference title game in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 3rd.

The Wisconsin Badgers earned eleven votes. Michigan State got one.

When breaking the voting down into the new 'Leaders' and 'Legends' divisions:

Legends

1. Nebraska (19) 139

2. Michigan State (4) 118

3. Iowa 82

4. Michigan (1) 71

5. Northwestern 69

6. Minnesota 25

Leaders

1. Wisconsin (22) 141

2. Ohio State (1) 113

3. Penn State (1) 95

4. Illinois 76

5. Purdue 52

6. Indiana 27

In case you missed something there, that's I.U. and Purdue at the very bottom of the 'Leaders' division. If these sports writers are accurate in their predictions, it's going to be a long year for Hoosier and Boilermaker football in 2011.

Check out The Crimson Quarry (Indiana blog) as well as Hammer and Rails (Purdue blog) for more updates on Big Ten Football 2011.

On the eve of Big Ten Football Media Days later next week the Ohio State Buckeyes received their first dose of good news in several months. The NCAA has released a statement that the Ohio State football program will likely miss the most severe sanctions possible in the memorabilia-for-cash and tattoos scandal that cost Jim Tressel his job and Terrelle Pryor the remainder of his collegiate career:

NCAA investigators said they found no evidence that Ohio State failed to properly monitor its football program or any evidence of a lack of institutional control, according to a letter sent to the university and released Friday.

NCAA investigators also said they have not found any new violations.

“Considering the institution’s rules education and monitoring efforts, the enforcement staff did not believe a failure to monitor charge was appropriate in this case,” the NCAA said in the letter sent Thursday.

The notice clearing Ohio State of the most serious of institutional breaches is a big break for the university, which will meet with the NCAA’s committee on infractions on Aug. 12. That committee could accept penalties Ohio State already placed on itself or could pile on recruiting restrictions, bowl bans and other, stiffer sanctions.

This move comes as a bit of a surprise, considering that USC is in the midst of a two year bowl ban and a reduction of scholarships based on events during Reggie Bush’s career with the Trojans. Ohio State has already vacated the entire 2010 season and several players are suspended for the beginning of the 2011 campaign.

Next week's Big Ten Media Days announce the official kickoff of football season in the Midwest. Once the 36 players and 12 coaches return to campus after the kickoff luncheon on Friday practices will begin in earnest. Since this is Nebraska's first season as a Big Ten member there is a feeling that everything old is new again. The addition of the Cornhuskers brings about the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game on December 3^rd in Indianapolis.

The season has also been an interesting one with the looming specter of possible NCAA sanctions over the Ohio State program. The Buckeyes have been the conference's premier program for the last 10 years, but that could quickly end this season. Ohio State is definitely one of many programs ready to simply play some football instead of answer questions. Their situation makes Ohio State the most difficult team to place in the preseason expectations.

Leaders Division:

First Place: Wisconsin Badgers - The Badgers are coming off of a Big Ten Championship and appearance in the Rose Bowl. Among the three co-champions last season they lose the least, and they should be able to maintain their power running game and stout defense. The addition of Russell Wilson provides an interesting offensive wrinkle too. Normally the Badgers ask their quarterbacks to be supreme game managers like Jim Sorgi and Scott Tolzein. Wilson is an athletic X-factor a quarterback that will give the Badgers a look most people are not used to. If they won their Big Ten opener (and first Big Ten game in Nebraska history) a rematch with the Cornhuskers could send them to the BCS title game.

Second Place: Penn St. Nittany Lions - If Joe Paterno can settle on a quarterback between Robert Bolden and Matt McGloin he will have a talented offense to blend with a defense that came of age last season. Penn State has arguably the toughest non-conference game of any Big Ten foe when it hosts Alabama, but a win there could generate National title talk for JoePa. They would also be favored to have a 9-0 start before a brutal finishing stretch against Nebraska and at Ohio State and Wisconsin. Like many great Penn State teams, we might see another undefeated run end late in the season.

Third Place: Illinois fighting Illini - The loss of Mikel Leshoure to the NFL will hurt, but Nathan Scheelhaase is the most dynamic quarterback in the league not named Denard Robinson. He should have the Fighting Illini offense moving the ball with regularity, especially if the running game can help. Illinois loses too many solid defensive players to contend for the division crown, but Ohio State comes to Champaign in the seventh game of the season and could be 0-2 in league play. Don't be surprised if Illinois swings the upset and continues the downfall of Ohio State.

Fourth Place: Ohio St. Buckeyes - There is clearly a cloud over the Ohio St. program even before practice begins. Jim Tressell, who dominated the league like few others, is gone. Terrelle Pryor is gone. Several key players will miss the first five games of the season that includes a difficult road trip to Miami. Everyone on Ohio State's schedule will smell blood in the water too at the slightest hint of vulnerability. I would not be shocked at all of Ohio State limped into November at 3-5 and 0-4 in the Big Ten. They begin with games against Michigan State, Nebraska, Illinois, and Wisconsin. With so many questions only Indiana and Purdue look like sure wins for them right now.

Fifth Place: Purdue Boilermakers - No team suffered at the hand of the injury bug more than Purdue last season, but even with everyone back more than five wins would be a surprise even for the diehards. Purdue should start 3-0 and beat both Minnesota and Indiana in conference play, but can they pull out a sixth win against someone like Iowa or Illinois? They have possibly the easiest division crossover schedule by avoiding Michigan State, Northwestern, and Nebraska, so the expectation is that a third conference win comes from somewhere and they end a three year bowl drought. Unfortunately, with losses to Northern Illinois (2009) and Toledo (2010) Even those three non-conference games can be considered givens.

Sixth Place: Indiana Hoosiers - Year one under Kevin Wilson has many Indiana fans looking toward the east and hoping top QB recruit Gunner Kiel joins his brother Dusty Kiel on campus next season. Indiana has to replace Ben Chappell and quarterback and repair a defense that gave up an astounding 83 points against Wisconsin. Indiana is hoping for a 4-0 non-conference record with Virginia being the toughest game among the four. The Cavaliers must come to Bloomington, and if IU can get all four non-conference games home dates against Illinois, Northwestern, and Purdue provide the best hope for two more wins and a bowl game.

Legends Division:

First Place: Michigan St. Spartans - I wanted to put Nebraska here, but the divisional crossover opponent did them no favors while they great helped Michigan State. Nebraska has to play the toughest teams on paper from the Leaders Division. Two of those games are on the road at Penn State and Wisconsin. They also have to contend with Michigan State in their own Division. I think Nebraska is the better team than MSU, but the Spartans have the easier schedule with Indiana instead of Penn State. I think that makes a huge difference in the long run.

Second Place: Nebraska Cornhuskers - As mentioned above, Nebraska's first year schedule is brutal. They have no favors in missing Indiana and Purdue, two of the three worst teams in the league. They should have an easy road trip at Minnesota, but the other three road games are very difficult at Michgian, Wisconsin, and Penn State. The season finale against Iowa is the first in what should be a fun new rivalry. I know the Cornhuskers are expected to win this division, but I don't see how they can navigate the toughest schedule in the conference with less than two losses.

Third Place: Michigan Wolverines - Denard Robinson, Roy Roundtree, and a bunch of other playmakers should make Michigan the most exciting offensive team to watch in the league. They may have to win some more 67-65 games like last year's triple-OT win over Illinois. The defense has to improve from what was a deplorable unit last year. Michigan gave up nearly 200 points in the second quarter alone. New coach Brady Hoke will right the ship defensively, but it will be a slow process that prevents Michigan from winning the division immediately.

Fourth Place: Northwestern Wildcats - With a healthy Dan Persa the Wildcats could make another surprising run that they tend to make with an experienced signal-caller. This version of the Wildcats certain feels a bit like the 1995 and 2000 teams that surprised everyone by grabbing a piece of the Big Ten crown. While I don't expect that, this will be a solid bowl team that cannot be overlooked in any game. One possible hangup is that they had to surrender a late season bye week in order to host a non-conference game against Rice. They could easily play spoiler with their last two Big Ten games at home.

Fifth Place: Iowa Hawkeyes - Ricky Stanzi is gone and the Hawkeyes can never seem to keep a running back not named Shonn Greene healthy. They are also one of the rare conference teams playing two BCS-level opponents in the non-conference schedule as they go to Iowa State and host Pittsburgh. If they lose both they are in danger of missing a bowl game. It does help that both Indiana and Purdue cross over from the other division.

Sixth Place: Minnesota Golden Gophers - Someone has to be the Big Ten whipping boy, and it looks like Jerry Kill and the Gophers will be this season. Minnesota has been unable to generate any consistency with multiple offensive schemes. A season opener at USC doesn't bode well for a team needing confidence out of the gate. For a team that has struggled to beat 1-AA competition even a home date against North Dakota State isn't a given. Kill seems like the right hire, but it may take awhile before results are seen.

The Big Ten Network’s Dave Revsine has been selected as the emcee of next week’s Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon, in which all twelve schools will be represented by three players and their respected head coaches. Revsine was the Network’s first on-air hire and has been the studio host since it launched in September of 2007.

The luncheon is the 40th annual kickoff luncheon, and the first in which Nebraska will take part as a full member of the conference. He is an alumnus of Northwestern University and a native of Chicago.

Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins will speak on behalf of the players in addition to the 12 Big Ten head coaches. Last season’s player representative was Purdue’s Keith Smith. the luncheon takes place on Friday, July 29th at 11:30am in Chicago’s McCormick Place. it is viewed as the official start of the Big Ten Football season, which will culminate in Indianapolis with the Big Ten Championship game on December 3rd at Lucas Oil Stadium.