Mitch Sherman, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Big Ten morning links

Happy Halloween. Let’s get your Friday started with three questions that may have slipped through the cracks -- until now -- about Week 10 in the Big Ten.

Can Austin Appleby keep it going this week against Nebraska? Sure. While the Cornhuskers rank third nationally in limiting opponents to a 48.1-percent completion rate, Appleby can look for high percentage throws to speedy backs Akeem Hunt and the do-it-all Raheem Mostert. They've combined to catch 40 passes this year. Miami burned Nebraska in September with a similar style. It’s a good formula for a talented, young quarterback such as Appleby, whose 83.4 QBR index ranks seventh nationally and leads the Big Ten. Since taking over for Danny Etling, the 6-foot-5 sophomore has completed 66.3 percent of his throws and led the Boilermankers to 35.7 points per game. With what we saw from the Nebraska defense last week against Rutgers, reason exists to believe that Appleby can have another good day.

Have we seen the last of Maryland’s feel-good story for this season? The Terps’ fast start took a dramatic turn for the worse last week at Wisconsin. Maryland’s quarterbacks have been beaten up. Its running game was non-existent in Madison. The turnovers are starting to mount -- with nine in the past three games -- and it faces two of the Big Ten’s top defensive units next in Penn State, a familiar foe to coach Randy Edsall, and, after a bye, Michigan State. Maryland looks like it’s a year or two away from a breakthrough. It has recruited athletes such as William Likely and Stefon Diggs, plenty capable of changing games against Big Ten competition, but the infrastructure is not yet strong enough. It’s conceivable, despite five wins in its first seven games, that Maryland will still be in search of a bowl eligibility-clincher in the regular-season finale on Nov. 29 against Rutgers.

Is Illinois on track to salvage its season? The easy answer is no. The Fighting Illini scored a lot of points behind Wes Lunt, now injured, early in the season, and it hasn’t been the same since Reilly O'Toole took over this month. Before its upset win over Minnesota last week, Illinois had lost four of five games, including a clunker at home to Purdue. But suddenly, the Boilermakers look much better. Illinois was competitive in losing at Wisconsin, and it punched Minnesota in the mouth, capitalizing on three turnovers and four sacks. Don't expect Illinois to win Saturday at Ohio State for the first time in seven years, but if it can continue to build on last week, a bowl appearance is not out of the question with a closing stretch at home against Iowa and Penn State and a visit to Northwestern.

East Division

  • Penn State coach James Franklin plans to dress as Olaf from "Frozen" for Halloween.

  • The QB decision between Gary Nova and Chris Laviano will go down to the wire at Rutgers.

  • Brady Hoke is not concerned about speculation that touted freshman Jabrill Peppers might look to leave Michigan.

  • Connor Cook says he wants to return to Michigan State as a senior next year.

  • Ohio State is not looking past Illinois to its Nov. 8 showdown with the Spartans.

  • Is Indiana in danger of losing a homegrown quarterback recruit to Penn State?

West Division

  • Safety Corey Cooper quietly helps direct the Nebraska defense.

  • Jerry Kill is not worrying about negativity after Minnesota's loss to Illinois.

  • Wisconsin safeties Michael Caputo and Peniel Jean rely on film study to improve.

  • Northwestern receiver Miles Shuler feels fortunate to have made a quick recovery from the neck injury that knocked him out of the game two weeks ago against Nebraska.

  • It's time to get the running game revved up at Iowa, says Mark Weisman.

^ Back to Top ^