Big Ten at Ten 8.16.12: You Know, Where Numbers are Relative

Mike said it yesterday, but we are going to be moving these links to the afternoon for a little while to give each closing argument its time in the spotlight. In case you missed those, by the way, you can find Indiana's Closing Argument here and Minnesota's Closing Argument here. When I mentioned that the 'numbers are relative' above, what I really mean is that these links could drop anywhere between 12-5, so just check back a lot or like us on facebook here... Just think of it like you think of the term, "Big Ten" in that all things considered, a number is really just a brand name, right? Right...

Anyhow, what I really want to talk about is preseason awards hype because nothing spells fun like conjecturing who will win an award based solely on how hyped a person is. Our good friends at the WWL released their running power rankings of who will win the Heisman today with none other than Matt Barkley leading the way. And really, that does not even remotely surprise me. In similar fashion, the first annual SBN All-American Team was released today as well with Barkley leading the way there as well. Sports Illustrated had previously announced their teams, but while we are doing comparisons, it's probably a good time to point out they also love Barkley.

So why do I point all this out? Well, first of all, I firmly believe Barkley will not end up winning the Heisman this year. I might eat these words later, but I just feel like Landry Jones has a better chance flying under the radar and playing against even worst defenses than the Pac 12. Who knows, though. While we're on the subject of preseason hype, I did notice that the ESPN Heisman poll has two Top 5 contenders as of now in Montee Ball (2) and Denard Robinson (4). So good for us? Unless one of those teams goes undefeated, I just do not think the voters will give enough love to either one to actually get them the hardware either.

So what do you all think? What B1G players are going to be All-American by the end of the season? How about award winners? Does anyone care or are we just ready for football? Either way, on to the morning afternoon links.

Team Links:

• Luke Butkus, nephew of Dick Butkus, is happy to be home and ready to make a name as a coach
• Illinois sets its site on more than just a rebuild according to FOX Sports.
• CBS Sports presents Indiana's Best Case/Worst Case scenario for 2012. When your ceiling is 6-6, it could be a rough year.
• The BTN continues its conference tour with their expectations for what they'll see in Indiana.
• BHGP asks what the most difficult September opponent will be for the Hawkeyes.
• The WWL gives their Best Case/Worst Case scenarios for Iowa.
• FOX Sports looks at the changes at Iowa in what was an unusually busy offseason for them.
• Michigan will be bringing in a retired FBI Agent to motivate the team not to gamble or do drugs or all that stuff... At least that's what I get from this article.
• MGoBlog has the out-of-state recruiting guide for where the Michigan recruits play their Senior seasons.
• Michigan FB Stephen Hopkins went from overweight tailback to potential weapon at fullback this season.
• TOC has another discussion with an opposing blog, this time talking with Nebraska's Corn Nation.
• The Lansing State Journal profiles MSU Senior leader and backup RB Larry Caper.
• Camp Updates on MSU's Offense thus far via OC Dan Roushar.
• Minnesota is still trying to figure out how to sell football tickets.
• A good article on Minnesota OL Jimmy Gjere who decided that his longterm health in light of concussion like symptoms was more important than the glory of football.
• Nebraska would really like to win a conference title. After all, it's been 12 years...
• You'll hear this storyline a lot in Nebraska games -- Rex Burkhead is a good person off the field as well.
• Corn Nation continues its countdown to the season with a look at another new idea learned: Rivalries.
• So UCLA is having fireworks after the Nebraska game... Doesn't that seem kinda minor league?
• LTP takes a look at Northwestern RB Venric Mark in hopes for a decent run game.
• SoP interviews Corn Nation (man those guys have done a lot of interviews as of late) and the best comment is from Salt Creek in reference to the NU-NEB game being sold out, What is wrong with (Nebraska fan) you? "We want to be Chicago's Big Ten Team."
• SoP also gives Davion Fleming the countdown treatment.
• So apparently Ohio State is the most difficult place to play according to Yahoo! Sports. This list is... interesting.
• The Akron Beacon Journal breaks down Ohio State non-con opponent Central Florida.
• LGHL does what any responsible SBN Team Site would do in the lead up to the season - talk about the gambling odds for the opening opponent.
• 11W knows punting is winning and takes a look at the Special Teams at OSU.
• Buckeye Empire actually says some nice things about the WWL.
• BOB is going to take some time in deciding who redshirts this season.
• BSD continues their positional previews for the coming year with a look at Special Teams.
• Matt McGloin is officially in his, "dream offense," which is interesting considering that dream offense consists of him and a bunch of new guys.
• Ralph Bolden would really like to play football and forget about his knee injuries.
• Despite a talented freshmen class at Purdue, don't expect a lot of them to get significant playing time this year.
• Badgers aiming high again, but need some help at QB.
• Monte Ball is part of the star power coming back to college football this season according to the WWL.
• Madtown Badgers asks if WR is an area of strength for Wisconsin as camp goes along.