It's Week 6 already, so we have some catching up to do. Here are some notes and observations before we get to the links:
1. Michigan recruiting backlash. With all the Brady Hoke talk and the loss to Minnesota, you knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Michigan commit and ESPN 300 tight end Chris Clark tweeted Sunday -- since deleted -- that if Hoke is fired then “that changes everything.” He likely just said what other recruits are thinking, and it'd be naïve to think opposing coaches aren't going to exacerbate the situation by trying to use Hoke's lack of job security against Michigan. Recruiting could wind up being an uphill battle the rest of the season, despite the Wolverines' No. 19 ranking. They currently have 11 commits, and Clark is the highest-rated one.
2. Offensive line woes. Penn State offensive line coach Herb Hand has taken up the practice this season of tweeting out highlights of his Nittany Lions on Sundays. He doesn't do it every week, but he does it most of the time. Needless to say, he skipped the exercise this weekend -- but it's difficult to blame him. There were few highlights Saturday against Northwestern, and the clip of his linemen that most stuck out involved one of his offensive guards inadvertently blocking a teammate. Hand is a good coach, but he doesn't have depth or experience to work with here. He took the blame for Saturday's disastrous performance, but it's clearly not his fault. This is a young offensive line and, quite frankly, it just doesn't have much talent right now.
3. David Cobb's importance cannot be understated. The Minnesota running back has accounted for slightly more than 47 percent of the Gophers' offense. Not just rushing offense, mind you -- entire offense. That means he's a bigger part of the offense than Ameer Abdullah at Nebraska, Melvin Gordon at Wisconsin and Tevin Coleman at Indiana. Cobb has 722 rushing yards (5.8 ypc) and four TDs so far this season. He's worth watching.
Now, on to the links:
East Division
The Harbaughs believe in Michigan's Brady Hoke.
Mark Dantonio thinks fans might be a little spoiled from Michigan State's 2013 defense and that some mistakes are inevitable.
Pass defense (or lack thereof) remains a hot topic for Ohio State.
Penn State is hoping to improve over the bye week.
Rutgers QB Gary Nova is intent on beating Michigan -- not reflecting on his legacy.
Maryland is a 7.5-point underdog heading into the game against Ohio State.
IU coach Kevin Wilson is seeking more consistency from the Hoosiers.
West Division
No Big Ten team gives Michigan State's defense more trouble than Nebraska.
Gary Andersen still sees room for improvement when it comes to his Badgers.
Reflecting on Minnesota's win and reclaiming the Little Brown Jug.
Let the Iowa quarterback controversy begin.
Contrarian-in-chief Pat Fitzgerald focused on his team's foibles on Monday.
In an all-too-familiar theme, Darrell Hazell hasn't yet made a decision on Purdue's starting quarterback.
Illinois QB Wes Lunt is expected to start against Purdue, after missing Saturday's game with an injury.