Good morning, sports fans. You've got one week to finish your Christmas shopping, and if you haven't started picking out Hannukah gifts yet you're already behind. Might we suggest some lovely morning links?
1. Today's the day when Wisconsin can make its reunion with Paul Chryst official. Chryst told his players at Pittsburgh that he planned to meet with the Badger brass. His move might leave room for another domino to fall among Big Ten coaches. The chain reaction that started with Bo Pelini's firing at Nebraska could wind up affecting Michigan State as well. Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi is one of many potential candidates that make sense for the opening at Pitt. Narduzzi danced around questions about his contact with other schools this week. Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio knows it's a matter of time before he loses the talented coordinator, and this might finally be the year.
2. At least Dantonio knows he won't be losing his quarterback this offseason. Redshirt junior Connor Cook said he would return for his final year of eligibility in 2015. Cook said he has “unfinished business” to attend to at the college level. The 6-foot-4 Cook won't have star receiver Tony Lippett to help him fill out his résumé next fall, but he could be helping his draft stock by sticking around. Heisman winners Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston would likely have been selected before Cook in this year's draft. Next year's class is a little less daunting.
3. The Associated Press released its All-America teams Tuesday and 14 Big Ten players were mentioned on the top three units. Four players -- Melvin Gordon, Tevin Coleman, Brandon Scherff and Joey Bosa -- made the first team. There are always tough calls and offended feelings when trying to narrow down a pool of thousands of players to the very best at each position, but the Big Ten shouldn't feel slighted by any of the picks this season. It would be a tough sell to say any others were undeservedly left off the list.
Now, on to the links…
East Division
Offensive coordinator Tom Herman will stay at Ohio State for the playoffs before taking over as Houston's new head coach.
Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis says bowl teams are hurt by an antiquated system for distributing ticket allotments.
Rutgers receiver Andrew Turzilli, a fifth-year transfer from Kansas, is looking forward to his first college bowl experience.
In a postseason full of Big Ten underdogs, none is fighting the odds as much as Maryland against Stanford.
Coachless Michigan lost its first player to a transfer this offseason on Tuesday, a redshirt freshman linebacker.
Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has attracted a lot of attention in coaching circles during his first year with the Nittany Lions.
The Big Ten Network reached way back in time to fill its Mt. Rushmore of Indiana football.
West Division
Madison prepared to welcome its native son Paul Chryst with a slideshow of his past connections to the town and university.
The Gophers are feeling the love as they prep for Minnesota's first New Year's Day bowl in a half century.
Former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini landed a job in his hometown at Youngstown State.
Iowa is having trouble selling tickets to its eighth Florida bowl game in the last 13 years.
Former Illinois linebacker Houston Bates, now at Louisiana Tech, will get a chance to end his career against his former teammates.
Freshman linebacker Ja'Whan Bentley has a bright future in the middle of the Purdue defense.