Ten Things We Learned About the Big Ten Today

Today was the first full day of one of the best times of the year: college football season! The Big Ten has been well represented in BCS games in recent years, with Ohio State getting to the National Championship Game two years in a row and Illinois making an appearance in the Rose Bowl last year. With this success, there is a lot of excitement about the Big Ten this season, with Ohio State ranked #2, Illinois looking to build on last year, and teams like Penn State, Wisconsin, and Northwestern also looking up.

With that, we learned numerous things about the Big Ten through their games today.

1. Illinois' fortunes this season hinge on one player: Daniel Dufrene

Rashard Mendenhall was a huge catalyst for the team last season, with his bruising runs and great hands out of the backfield. He was also a solid blocker for QB Juice Williams. In the Illini's 52-42 loss to the Missouri Tigers today, Dufrene rushed for 75 yards and caught six passes for 50 yards.

He is relevant because if the Illini can't establish him as a running presence, Williams cannot run his draw plays, and he will have to beat teams with his arm. He did throw for a career high of 451 yards today, but the 2 INT he threw were big blows to their chances at victory. Their key to success is in the ground game.

2. Kellen Lewis is a dual threat worth a watch on Saturdays

Lewis set the all-time Indiana record for career TD passes by a Hoosier. The record had been held by Antwan Randal-El, and is if that weren't impressive enough in of itself, he also busted TD runs of 75 and 62 yards in the Hoosiers 31-13 win over Western Kentucky. He totaled 185 rushing yards on the day, coupled with his 144 yards and 2 TD passes. Considering he is only a junior, he may put the TD record completely out of reach for sophomore QB Ben Chappell.

3. A balanced attack sets Iowa on a course for improvement

Iowa may not have played the most difficult of opponents in their 46-3 drubbing of Maine on Saturday, but the result isn't as impressive as the numbers behind it.

The Hawkeyes had 457 yards of total offense, with 212 yards passing and 245 yards rushing. This kind of balanced attack makes it difficult for teams to key on any specific element in the game, and their two QB rotation also makes game-planning difficult for opponents. Jake Christensen threw for 122 yards and a TD, and Ricky Stanzi added 90. Also, Shonn Greene rushed for 109 yards and a TD, with freshman Jewel Hampton adding two more TDs in the victory.

4. Success with Rich Rodriguez in Ann Arbor will not come easy

Michigan lost 25-23 to Utah at the Big House today, their second straight home opener defeat. Last year's game against Appalachian State was a huge upset, but there were some disturbing trends that emerged in this year's game against a better Utes team.

Last year, Michigan had 479 yards of offense against Appalachian State, but in this game they had a measly 203. Their running game was especially anemic, with only 36 yards. The losses of key players like Jake Long, Mike Hart, and Chad Henne notwithstanding, the strain of importing a whole new offense is difficult for any team, and with the spotlight's intense glare focused on the Maize and Blue, it is especially rough.

5. The Spartans may be scrappy, but penalties may be an issue

8 penalties for 82 yards may not seem like a lot, but when they come in frequent key situations, they can be a devastating  blow. The Spartans had plenty of offensive punch with 402 yards and 23 first downs, but the penalties allowed the Cal Golden Bears to squeak by them 38-31. Mark Dell's 9 catches for 202 yards provided a spark, and Javon Ringer's 2 rushing TDs also were a welcome sight.

6. Minnesota's woes will likely continue on defense

Last year, the Golden Gophers were dead last in the nation in yards allowed. This year, they may be well on their way to matching that feat. They allowed 398 total yards to the Northern Illinois Huskies in a 31-27 victory, which was only acheived with a last minute rally by the Gophers. Their offense looked crisp, with Adam Weber throwing for 298 yards and two scores in the game.

7. Northwestern looks primed for their first bowl victory in nearly 60 years

In a 30-10 drubbing of Syracuse, the Wildcats looked solid in their home opener at Ryan Field in Evanston. Tyrell Sutton, a 1000 yard rusher his first two years, rushed for 144 yards, and also caught a TD pass. Star QB CJ Bacher threw for 215 yards and 3 TD's, a sign that he is more seasoned and ready for the big stage in the conference. They also held the Orange to 11 first downs in the game.

After being bowl eligible last season but not getting an invitation, the Wildcats look like a team on a mission. With a healthy running back and a veteran QB beneath center, this team could be on the rise.

8. The Buckeyes' two QB attack makes them legitimate national title contenders

In their annual drubbing of Youngstown State, the Buckeyes showed that they intend to use true freshman Terrell Pryor to maximum effect. He threw for 35 yards and rushed for 52 and a score in his debut in Columbus as the Buckeyes rolled 43-0 over the Penguins.

Not to be left out, Todd Boeckman threw for 187 yards and 2 TD in a crisp and effortless performance in this tuneup game.

Unfortunately, Beanie Wells left the game with a foot injury after rushing for 111 yards and a score. His status for the game vs. Ohio is uncertain, and if he hasn't returned by Sept. 20th, when the Buckeyes face the USC Trojans in LA, the Buckeyes are going to be in a world of trouble.

9. Penn State's JoePa reaffirms his status as a legend

Penn State stomped Chattanooga State into submission Saturday in a 66-10 massacre in Happy Valley. As if the Nittany Lions' 9 for 11 3rd down conversion rate weren't impressive enough, Joe Paterno also earned his 373rd career FBS victory, tying him for 1st all time with Florida State's Bobby Bowden. For those people who thought the old ball coach had lost a step, it was certainly a sight to see him stalking around the sidelines like the old days.

Oh, and the Lions' 334 rushing yards weren't bad either.

10. The ground is good to the Badgers

Camp Randall was abuzz Saturday as Wisconsin destroyed Akron 38-17, behind a rushing performance that can only be categorized as fantastic. 404 rushing yards, with PJ Hill rushing for 210 of them, were the key component in the victory. "You want to show them that it's going to be a long day," Hill said. "It's not going to be easy. Badger football -- we play physical football, straight at you. Nothing too fancy. Eventually it's going to wear you down."

If this is what this team has in mind for its Big Ten bretheren this season, the conference makeup could take on a reddish hue.

This weekend featured quite a few demolitions, a lot of gaudy offensive stats, and a few great games (Illinois/Mizzou comes to mind). If this is any indication of the type of season that the Big Ten will have this year, we are certainly in for a magical ride.

Writer's Note: We were unable to learn much about Purdue this week, since they didn't play on Saturday. Next week we will pay close attention to the Boilermakers, so for those of you with a proclivity for the black and gold, you will be rewarded for your patience next week. Also, please keep the Gulf Coast in your thoughts today. We all hope that the devastation isn't as bad as Hurricane Katrina, and hopefully everyone will be back on their feet quickly once the storm has passed.