WISCONSIN

Feel good about: The mobility of sophomore quarterback Jon Budmayr, who steps in for Scott Tolzien. Budmayr isn't quite 6 feet tall, and the Badgers plan to move him around in order to help cut down on the number of passes batted out of the air.

Still concerned about: The inexperience of the offensive line that must block for tailbacks Montee Ball and James White, who were frequently unstoppable behind all-conference linemen Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt. Center Peter Konz has been out with a sprained ankle, making the shortage worse. Sophomore Casey Dehn has failed to seize a spot, but could still win the right tackle job this fall.

ILLINOIS

Feel good about: Seniors Jason Ford and Troy Pollard combining to match the production of Mikel Leshoure at running back. Ford had over 500 yards as a reserve each of the past two years, while Pollard, returning from a knee injury, has had the strongest spring.

Still concerned about: The lack of experience at receiver. The Illini would like to provide more targets so Nathan Scheelhaase doesn't have to run so much, but only senior A.J. Jenkins has more than a handful of catches at this level.

PURDUE

Feel good about: The ability of junior-college tailback Akeem Shavers to lift a rushing game that had no tailback average 50 yards last year. Ralph Bolden, who missed 2010 because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, could return, but Shavers' strong spring means Bolden's status is less critical.

Still concerned about: Replacing defensive end Ryan Kerrigan and his 12 1/2 sacks. The Boilermakers are strong at defensive tackle, but senior defensive end Gerald Gooden will need help -- more blitzes, probably -- in order to come close to the pressure that Kerrigan was able to apply.

INDIANA

Feel good about: The four-way competition to succeed Ben Chappell as Hoosiers quarterback. Sophomores Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker are the frontrunners, and spring practice hasn't done much to separate them. Most Hoosiers observers believe incoming freshman Tre Roberson, Indiana's Mr. Football, will get a shot in the fall, too.

Still concerned about: The culture of losing. New coach Kevin Wilson groused this week that, "I would hope some of the freshmen are better than the guys we have on the team. ... They're mentally weak." The longtime Oklahoma assistant intends to overhaul everything, and he's not afraid to jettison holdovers from last year's 1-7 Big Ten cellar-dwellers.

OHIO STATE

Feel good about: Their ability to execute despite all the distractions of the offseason, and the upcoming suspensions of five players and coach Jim Tressel. "We've been doing a really good job just staying focused, keeping our eyes just on spring ball," said senior center Mike Brewster. "Kind of taking all the rest and just blocking it out."

Still concerned about: Who will fill in while quarterback Terrelle Pryor serves his five games. Four candidates, including senior Joe Bauserman, above, are competing for the assignment, but none has seized the job. "I wish it was definitive. I wish someone was head and shoulders above another," Tressel said. "But at this point, I don't see that."

PENN STATE

Feel good about: Rob Bolden's decision to remain with the Nittany Lions. The first freshman ever to start at quarterback for Joe Paterno, Bolden lost his job when he suffered a concussion against the Gophers in October, and he considered transferring after the season. But Paterno wouldn't release him, and Bolden has strongly competed for his old job.

Still concerned about: Stephfon Green's shoulder injury, keeping the senior tailback off the field and apparently ceding the job to 245-pound sophomore Silas Redd. Penn State ranked ninth in rushing, and Paterno concedes that "we don't have a super guy in there we can go with. But I think we have a couple of guys who could end up being really good."