Big Ten morning links

For this edition of the morning links, I bring you three bite-sized opinions:

1. Michigan should look to backup QB: Shane Morris doesn’t deserve to start, per se, but Devin Gardner has shown he’s not the answer to Michigan’s woes. Actually, he’s a big contributing cause. Against two Power-5 opponents, Gardner has led the Wolverines offense to exactly zero touchdown drives. Can Morris possibly fare any worse? Hoke should announce the starter later Tuesday. If he picks Gardner, this has to be the dual-threat’s last chance. But if U-M wants to turn things around now, maybe it should stop starting the same guy over and over again and expecting different results. You know what they call that ...

2. Ameer Abdullah still the best back in the Big Ten: Apologies to Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon, who made enough highlight-worthy plays just on Saturday to fill up a season-long reel. But Abdullah has still had the more impressive season by far. Gordon put up video game numbers against Bowling Green, but Abdullah grinded it out against a good Miami run defense for 229 yards. Abdullah’s “worst” game came against McNeese State when he turned in this play. Don’t worry; you really don’t have to click that link because you’ve probably seen that crazy play -- where he breaks at least five tackles en route to a 58-yard TD -- at least a dozen times already. Gordon is great but, so far this season, Abdullah is better.

3. NCAA president Mark Emmert can’t admit when he’s wrong: Can we make something clear here? Whether or not you agreed with the NCAA’s initial move of sanctioning Penn State, it seems as if we can all agree that the NCAA handled the situation in a manner that was far from ideal. But, of course, the NCAA’s tone-deaf president was asked Monday about his handling of it all -- and, of course, disagreed. Emmert’s response: “I think that has gone really well.” It looks as if we need to talk, Mark. If you dole out a punishment and reduce said punishment twice in two years, then you probably missed the mark initially. Heck, you’re basically admitting you missed the mark with actions instead of words. ESPN.com’s own Ivan Maisel wrote something to that effect as well -- nearly a full year ago. The more Emmert talks, the more it becomes harder to believe him.

Now on to the links ...

East Division

• The Michigan job is too big for Brady Hoke, writes The Detroit News' Terry Foster.

• Despite improvements, Ohio State is still "not sure of" of its best offensive line rotation.

• Michigan State QB Connor Cook said he hasn't made a decision on the NFL and he's focused on this season.

• Penn State is starting to receive votes in the top 25 -- but who's not voting for the Nittany Lions?

• Rutgers coach Kyle Flood doesn't believe in "trap games."

• Injuries have forced quite a few changes on Maryland's depth chart.

• Indiana coach Kevin Wilson knows his team has to back up the win against Missouri.

West Division

• Without WR Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin's vertical passing game is lacking so far this season.

• Nebraska's back seven needs to do some cleaning up.

• Jake Rudock was listed as the starter on Iowa's depth chart Monday morning, but Kirk Ferentz will undoubtedly be asked about the brewing QB controversy Tuesday.

• Despite Illinois 3-1 record, the Fighting Illini are still searching for consistency.

• Minnesota needs a sharper passing game in its Big Ten opener.

• An early preview package on Purdue's matchup against Iowa.

• There's plenty of room for Northwestern's passing game to improve, but QB Trevor Siemian feels it's at least coming along.