The Big Ten wraps up spring pracÂtice SatÂurÂday, when IÂoÂwa, RutÂgers and MichÂiÂgan State hold their annuÂal spring games. It'll be a new-look conÂferÂence this fall, with the adÂdiÂtion of MarÂyÂland and RutÂgers, givÂing the league 14 teams split into East and West diÂviÂsions. Here's a glance at where each team stands now and how that might change by this fall:
Big Ten West
GOÂPHERS
Coach: JerÂry Kill (fourth year).
2013: 8-5, 4-4 Big Ten. Bowl game: Lost to Syracuse 21-17 in Texas Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 8, defense 7.
Top reÂturnÂees (2013 stats): RB David Cobb (1,202 rushÂing yards), DE Theiren Cockran (7 ½ sacks).
Spring news: LB Cody Poock looked like a poÂtenÂtial startÂer at outÂside lineÂbackÂer but tore the ACL in his right knee and is quesÂtionÂable for the seaÂson.
SchedÂule notes: The GoÂphers play at Texas ChrisÂtian (Sept. 13) and drew two tough Big Ten East crossÂovers: at MichÂiÂgan (Sept. 27) and vs. OÂhiÂo State (Nov. 15).
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 60. The GoÂphers are comÂing off their best finÂish since 2003. This team might be betÂter, but the big test comes with this NoÂvemÂber finÂish: IÂoÂwa, OÂhiÂo State, at NeÂbrasÂka, at WisÂconÂsin.
ILÂLIÂNOIS
Coach: Tim BeckÂman (third year).
2013: 4-8, 1-7.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 7, defense 8.
Top reÂturnÂees: RB Josh FerÂgusÂon (779 rushÂing yards), S Earnest Thomas (101 tackÂles).
Spring news: DeÂspite a shaky spring game, Will Lunt, a transÂfer from Oklahoma State, is the favorite to take over at quarterback. He'll reÂplace Nathan Scheelhaase, who quiÂetÂly led the Big Ten in passÂing last year.
SchedÂule notes: IlÂliÂnois plays at Washington (Sept. 13) and faces OÂhiÂo State and Penn State in its Big Ten East crossÂoÂver games.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 45. An unÂherÂaldÂed reÂcruitÂing class did little to quell fans' angst about BeckÂman, who is 6-18 at IlÂliÂnois, inÂcludÂing 1-15 in the Big Ten. Beyond Scheelhaase, this team must reÂplace lineÂbackÂer JonÂaÂthan Brown, the conÂferÂence's seÂcond-leadÂing tackÂler.
IÂOÂWA
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (16th year).
2013: 8-5, 5-3.
Bowl game: Lost to LSU 21-14 in the Outback Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 8, defense 5.
Top reÂturnÂees: QB Jake Rudock (18 TD passÂes, 13 interÂcepÂtions), RB Mark WeisÂman (975 rushÂing yards).
Spring news: SevÂerÂal top playÂers reÂturn, but there's a hole at lineÂbackÂer, where the HawkÂeyes lost three longtime startÂers.
SchedÂule notes: The nonÂconÂferÂence slate brings Northern IÂoÂwa, Ball State, IÂoÂwa State and PittsÂburgh. The HawkÂeyes got a faÂvorÂaÂble draw from the Big Ten East, with games against InÂdiÂanÂa and MarÂyÂland.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 70. The HawkÂeyes reÂstored faith last year, reÂboundÂing from a 4-8 finÂish in 2012. IÂoÂwa should enÂter the fall as a strong canÂdiÂdate to win the Big Ten West.
NEÂBRASÂKA
Coach: Bo Pelini (sevÂenth year).
2013: 9-4, 5-3.
Bowl game: DeÂfeatÂed GeorÂgia 24-19 in the GaÂtor Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 5, defense 8.
Top reÂturnÂees: RB Ameer AbÂdulÂlah (1,690 rushÂing yards), DE Randy GregÂoÂry (10 ½sacks)
Spring news: Pelini has lightÂened up a bit, at least pubÂlicÂly, and the CornÂhuskÂers hope to turn a corÂner as they beÂgin the post-Taylor Martinez era with Tommy ArmÂstrong Jr. runÂning the offense.
SchedÂule notes: AfÂter openÂing with FloriÂda Atlantic and McÂNeese State, the Huskers play at FresÂno State and MiÂamÂi (Fla.). Their crossÂoÂver games are at MichÂiÂgan State and home against RutÂgers.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 75. InÂstead of firÂing Pelini, NeÂbrasÂka gave him an exÂtenÂsion through 2018. His teams have lost exÂactÂly four games in each of the past six years.
NORTHÂWESTÂERN
Coach: Pat FitzÂgerald (ninth year).
2013: 5-7, 1-7.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 9, defense 9.
Top reÂturnÂees: RB Venric Mark (inÂjured last year), LB Chi Chi Ariguzo (106 tackÂles).
Spring news: FormÂer QB Kain ColÂter has tried unÂionÂizÂing this team, an isÂsue that has overÂshadÂowed evÂerÂyÂthing else, but the curÂrent playÂers are exÂpectÂed to reÂject the iÂdeÂa.
SchedÂule notes: Northwestern opens with CaliÂforÂnia and will play at Notre Dame (Nov. 15). CrossÂoÂver games are at Penn State and home against MichÂiÂgan.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 50. TrevÂor Siemian, who split time with ColÂter, now has the QB job all to himÂself, and he is far less moÂbile. Mark's reÂturn should help enÂerÂgize an offense that reÂturns most of its othÂer key playÂers.
PURÂDUE
Coach: Darrell Hazell (seÂcond year).
2013: 1-11, 0-8.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 10, defense 8.
Top reÂturnÂees: QB Danny Etling (10 TD passÂes, seven interÂcepÂtions), RB Akeem Hunt (464 rushÂing yards).
Spring news: An ofÂfenÂsive line that alÂlowed 38 sacks last seaÂson conÂtinued to show its fuÂtilÂiÂty in the spring game, as Etling was sacked four times.
SchedÂule notes: The BoilerÂmakers play Notre Dame in InÂdiÂanÂapÂoÂlis on Sept. 13. The Big Ten crossÂovers are home against MichÂiÂgan State and at InÂdiÂanÂa, preÂserÂving that riÂvalÂry game.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 40. The BoilerÂmakers were lousy last year, and some of their best playÂers are gone, inÂcludÂing DT Bruce GasÂton, CB RiÂcarÂdo Allen and P Cody Webster. This team looks too thin on the ofÂfenÂsive and deÂfenÂsive lines to exÂpect much imÂproveÂment this year.
WISÂCONÂSIN
Coach: Gary Andersen (seÂcond year).
2013: 9-4, 6-2. Bowl game: Lost to South CaÂroÂliÂna 34-24 in the Capital One Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 6, defense 3.
Top reÂturnÂees: RB MelÂvin Gordon (1,609 rushÂing yards), CB SoÂjourn Shelton (4 interÂcepÂtions).
Spring news: Joel Stave's inÂjured right shoulÂder has opÂened the door for dual-threat QB Tanner McÂEÂvoy to take over as the startÂer.
SchedÂule notes: The BadgÂers open with LSU (Aug. 30) in Houston and are host to deÂfendÂing MAC chamÂpiÂon BowlÂing Green (Sept. 20). Their crossÂoÂver games — MarÂyÂland and at RutÂgers — seem to be a gift from reconfigured Big Ten.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 75. Gordon is back, but it's unÂclear how this team will reÂplace wide reÂceivÂer JarÂed Abbrederis and sevÂerÂal key deÂfenÂsive playÂers, inÂcludÂing Chris BorÂland and Beau Allen.
Big Ten East
INÂDIÂANÂA
Coach: KevÂin WilÂson (fourth year).
2013: 5-7, 3-5.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 8, defense 10
Top reÂturnÂees: RB TeÂvin Coleman (958 rushÂing yards), WR Shane Wynn (11 TD reÂcepÂtions).
Spring news: NeedÂing a deÂfenÂsive makeÂoÂver, the HooÂsiers switched to the 3-4 unÂder new deÂfenÂsive coÂorÂdiÂnaÂtor Brian Knorr.
SchedÂule notes: The HooÂsiers face BowlÂing Green and MisÂsouÂri in nonÂconÂferÂence play and play IÂoÂwa and PurÂdue from the Big Ten West.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 50. InÂdiÂanÂa lost some top-flight reÂceivÂers, inÂcludÂing Cody LatÂiÂmer, but this still will be a leÂthal offense with quarterbacks Tre RoÂberÂson and Nate Sudfeld and a healÂthy Coleman. The HooÂsiers went 1-11 in WilÂson's first year but inÂcreased their win total to four in 2012 and five in 2013.
MARÂYÂLAND
Coach: Randy EdÂsall (fourth year).
2013: 7-6, 3-5 ACC. Bowl game: Lost to MarÂshall 31-20 in the MilÂiÂtarÂy Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 9, defense 9.
Top reÂturnÂees: QB C.J. Brown (13 TD passÂes, seven interÂcepÂtions), WR Stefon Diggs (587 reÂceivÂing yards in seven games).
Spring news: MarÂyÂland ofÂfiÂcialÂly moves into the Big Ten on July 1, afÂter 61 years in the ACC.
SchedÂule notes: AfÂter nonÂconÂferÂence games against West Virginia and Syracuse, MarÂyÂland plays its first Big Ten game at InÂdiÂanÂa on Sept. 27. The TerraÂpins play crossÂoÂver games against IÂoÂwa and WisÂconÂsin.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 55. The TerraÂpins have some good skill playÂers in Brown, Diggs and a staÂble of runÂning backs that should at least make their move into the rough-and-tumÂble Big Ten East inÂterÂestÂing.
MICHÂIÂGAN STATE
Coach: Mark Dantonio (eighth year).
2013: 13-1, 8-0. Bowl game: DeÂfeatÂed StanÂford 24-20 in the Rose Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 7, defense 5.
Top reÂturnÂees: QB Connor Cook (22 TD passÂes, six interÂcepÂtions), RB JerÂeÂmy LangÂford (19 touchÂdowns).
Spring news: The SparÂtans must reÂplace three ofÂfenÂsive lineÂmen, inÂcludÂing Blake TreadÂwell, and sevÂerÂal key deÂfenÂsive playÂers, inÂcludÂing CB Darqueze Dennard, LB Denicos Allen, LB Max Bullough and S Isiah Lewis.
SchedÂule notes: The SparÂtans play at OrÂeÂgon (Sept. 6) and face NeÂbrasÂka and PurÂdue from the Big Ten West. Their reÂmatch against OÂhiÂo State comes Nov. 8.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 85. AfÂter winÂning its first Rose Bowl in 26 years, MichÂiÂgan State should be a top-10 team in most preseason polls.
PENN STATE
Coach: James Franklin (first year).
2013: 7-5, 4-4. Bowl game: InÂeliÂgible.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 7, defense 7.
Top reÂturnÂees: QB ChrisÂtian Hackenberg (134.0 efÂfiÂcienÂcy ratÂing), RB Zach Zwinak (989 rushÂing yards).
Spring news: Franklin, the formÂer VanÂderÂbilt coach, has creÂatÂed quite a buzz since takÂing over for Bill O'Brien, who boltÂed afÂter two years for the Houston TexÂans.
SchedÂule notes: The NitÂtaÂny Lions open with FiÂesÂta Bowl winÂner Central FloriÂda in DubÂlin, IreÂland. The crossÂoÂver games are against Northwestern and IlÂliÂnois.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 75. The spring game drew 72,000 fans, but this squad still must play with 10 fewer scholÂarÂships than othÂer teams this fall. OfÂfenÂsive line depth is a big conÂcern, and WR Allen Robinson left a year early for the NFL.
MICHÂIÂGAN
Coach: Brady Hoke (fourth year).
2013: 7-6, 3-5. Bowl game: Lost to KanÂsas State 31-14 in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 7, defense 9.
Top reÂturnÂees: QB DeÂvin GardÂner (21 TD passÂes, 11 interÂcepÂtions), TE DeÂvin Funchess (748 reÂceivÂing yards).
Spring news: GardÂner threw two more interÂcepÂtions in the spring game. WR Freddy CanÂteen enÂrolled early and had an elecÂtriÂfyÂing camp.
SchedÂule notes: MichÂiÂgan plays ApÂpaÂlaÂchiÂan State, Notre Dame, MiÂamÂi (OÂhiÂo) and Utah in nonÂconÂferÂence play, and Minnesota and Northwestern from the Big Ten West.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 70. Hoke, whose teams have gone backÂward since 2011, hired ofÂfenÂsive coÂorÂdiÂnaÂtor Doug Nussmeier away from AlÂaÂbamÂa. The WolÂverÂines' bigÂgest quesÂtions are on the ofÂfenÂsive line, with Taylor LewÂan headÂed to the NFL.
OÂHIÂO STATE
Coach: Urban Meyer (third year).
2013: 12-2, 8-0.
Bowl game: Lost to ClemÂson 40-35 in the OrÂange Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 5, defense 8.
Top reÂturnÂees: QB BraxÂton Miller (24 TD passÂes, seven interÂcepÂtions), DL Noah Spence (eight sacks).
Spring news: OÂhiÂo State must reÂplace RB Carlos Hyde and four startÂers on the ofÂfenÂsive line.
SchedÂule notes: The Buckeyes open against Navy (Aug. 30) in BalÂtiÂmore, folÂlowed by Virginia Tech, Kent State and CinÂcinÂnatÂi. They play Minnesota and IlÂliÂnois from the Big Ten West.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 80. AfÂter winÂning his first 24 games at OÂhiÂo State, Meyer hopes to reÂbound strong from two seaÂson-endÂing lossÂes. The Buckeyes must shore up a defense that ranked 11th in the Big Ten last year against the pass.
RUTÂGERS
Coach: Kyle Flood (third year).
2013: 6-7, 3-5 AAC.
Bowl game: Lost to Notre Dame 29-16 in the PinÂstripe Bowl.
StartÂers reÂturnÂing: Offense 9, defense 7.
Top reÂturnÂees: RB Paul James (881 rushÂing yards), LB Steve Longa (123 tackÂles).
Spring news: PhilÂip Nelson must sit out this seaÂson afÂter transÂferÂring from Minnesota. MeanÂwhile, RutÂgers has a three-way quarterback batÂtle aÂmong Gary Nova, Mike Bimonte and Chris Laviano.
SchedÂule notes: The ScarÂlet Knights open at Washington State (Aug. 28) and play their first Big Ten game Sept. 13 against Penn State. They also play WisÂconÂsin and NeÂbrasÂka from the Big Ten West.
Football feÂver temÂperÂaÂture: 60. RutÂgers went 9-4 in its first year unÂder Flood, beÂfore slipÂping to 6-7 last seaÂson.