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It's pretty clear that the bulk of Michigan's talent, especially on defense, can be found in the younger classes. As redshirt freshmen and sophomore fill more spots on the two-deep, older players are being phased out. Not surprisingly, two of them...

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI 2012 record: 2-10 2012 conference record: 0-8 (sixth in Leaders division) Returning starters: Offense: 9; defense: 4; special teams: 2 Top returners QB Nathan Scheelhaase, RB Donovonn Young, RB Josh Ferguson, WR Ry...

2012 record: 7-6 2012 conference record: 3-5 (fourth in Legends division) Returning starters: Offense: 8; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 1 Top returners LB Max Bullough, CB Darqueze Dennard, LB Denicos Allen, S Isaiah Lewis, DE Marcus Rush, QB An...

2012 record: 10-3 2012 conference record: 5-3 (third in Legends division) Returning starters: Offense: 8; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 2 Top returners RB Venric Mark, QB Kain Colter, QB Trevor Siemian, C Brandon Vitabile, WR Christian Jones, TE...

2012 record: 8-6 2012 conference record: 4-4 (third in Leaders Division, Big Ten champions) Returning starters Offense: 8; defense: 7; kicker/punter: 2 Top returners LB Chris Borland, S Dezmen Southward, LB Ethan Armstrong, RB James Wh...

2012 record: 6-7 2012 conference record: 3-5 (fourth in Leaders division) Returning starters: Offense: 5; defense: 9; kicker/punter: 2 Top returners DT Bruce Gaston Jr., DE Ryan Russell, S Landon Feichter, CB Ricardo Allen, RB Akeem Hunt, C R...

The links are on the clock ... More on quarterback Steven Bench's departure from Penn State here and here and here and here. Bob Flounders looks at Penn State's all-time draft team on defense. The draft is here for Penn State's NFL hopefuls. A ...

Anyone could see that Minnesota's secondary took a major step in 2012, helping the defense finish 12th nationally in pass yards allowed and 23rd in pass efficiency. But could anyone identify the most invaluable piece of the Gophers' back four? Pro...

Brian and I on Wednesday debated which struggling unit from the 2012 season -- Illinois' offense, Indiana's defense, Iowa's offense, Michigan State's offense or Nebraska's defense -- would take the biggest step forward this fall. I went with the MSU ...

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi didn't want to nag any more. Narduzzi always had told his defenders exactly what they needed to do to become an elite unit. He shaped the identity of the unit, rather than th...

Adolphus Washington is a huge part of Ohio State's future on defense, but he hasn't forgotten the Buckeyes' recent past. Asked to identify his top goal during spring practice, Washington made sure to give a nod to the man who showed him the way in...

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Mike Hankwitz didn't inherit a bare cupboard when he arrived as Northwestern's defensive coordinator in 2008. The defense included several future NFL players, including end Corey Wootton and cornerback Sherrick McManis. Eight sta...

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State's rise as a nationally elite defense can be traced to its success in statistical categories such as INT (interceptions), TFL (tackles for loss), PBU (pass breakups) and QBH (quarterback hurries). But if you've...

Some questions and answers before the weekend ... Antonio from Omaha writes: As I read Brian's article "Huskers take aim at turnover problem" earlier, it hit me how much an impact a team's offensive success or failure has on it's defense, and vice...

I dare type it, but spring might be finally here. Iowa's open practice in Des Moines is finally official. An experienced linebacker corps looks like the strength of the Hawkeyes' defense. Linebacker depth at Linebacker U is a concern as recruit...

The timing couldn't have been much better for Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun to turn a corner -- both literally and figuratively. Michigan State needed a rally in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against TCU and, as usual, relied on its defense for ...