Mutka: Big Ten defenses takes a hit from prof

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Caleb TerBush

Updated: November 25, 2011 8:14AM

Okay students. It’s time for the cranky old prof to dish out mid-term grades for Big Ten football.

Before handing them out I’ll have to give the back of my ruler to defenses. Mainly the lack of them.

Normally I’m opposed to corporal punishment, but 20 lashes with a wet noodle. Can anybody out there tackle? Certainly not Northwestern or Minnesota or Indiana. They’re among those guilty of grasping air instead of running backs. Clueless secondaries abound.

Leaders Division

Indiana (1-7) — Bottom feeders in virtually every category, the Hoosiers continue to struggle with quarterback issues. Early losses to Ball State and North Texas were enough to earn them a detention trip to the principal’s office.

Coach Kevin Wilson’s Hoosiers are suffering from the same defensive woes that have plagued them for years, namely an inability to keep running backs from routinely piling up more than 200 yards per game. GRADE: F

Purdue (4-3) — Beating the overrated Illini gives the Boilers a shot at becoming bowl-eligible. Good to see coach Danny Hope turning the offense over to Caleb TerBush, who has completed more than 60 percent of his passes and can target five different receivers with double-digit catches.

Their D-line, anchored by East Chicago’s Kawaan Short, turned in an outstanding effort to immobilize Illinois quarterback Nate Scheelhaase. Safety Albert Evans (Portage) bolsters the secondary. GRADE: B

Illinois (6-2) — Except for an early victory over Arizona State, which was ranked No. 22, the Illini have fattened up on mediocre opponents. Back to back losses to Ohio State and Purdue exposed them in spite of talented receiver A.J. Jenkins and conference sack leader Whitney Mercilus, a hard-hitter who has forced five fumbles.

With Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin coming up the Illini may have to settle for a final record of 7-5. GRADE: B

Ohio State (4-3) — Isn’t anybody minding the store in Columbus? Scarcely had running back Dan Herron and DeVier Posey served their opening five-game suspensions when additional penalties were imposed. Marcus Hall and Melvin Fellows joined them on the suspension list (one game for all but Posey, who was hit with five more). Lack of institutional control aside, the offensively challenged Buckeyes are winning with Neanderthal football. GRADE: C (F for conduct).

Penn State (6-1) — Running back Silas Redd is piling up 100-yard games for the defensive-minded Nittany Lions, who lead the Big Ten in interceptions. Quarterback Matt McGloin may have solved the quarterback issue, guiding them to 34 points at Northwestern in his first start. If the challenged offense perks up look out below. The Nittany Lions lead the Big Ten in interceptions. Devon Still dominates on defense. GRADE: A

Wisconsin (6-1) — Quarterback Russell Wilson’s Heisman Trophy campaign took a hit at Michigan State, but a breakdown in special teams bothered the Badgers more. A blocked field goal and punt as well as a safety killed their chances of a national title. Running back Montee Ball, who scored 17 touchdowns going into East Lansing, suffered a mild head injury against the chippy Spartans. I’d still pick the Badgers in a rematch. GRADE: A-

Legends Division

Iowa (5-2) — Except for a 13-3 loss to Penn State the Hawkeyes have been explosive. Their ground game revolves around Marcus Coker, who is averaging nearly 100 yards. James Vandenberg has added his name to a long list of excellent quarterbacks produced by this program. His go-to-guy McNutt has caught nine touchdown passes.

Linebackers James Morris and  Christian Kirksey rank 1-2 in tackling, but the Hawkeyes are giving up 400-plus yards a game and are last in possession time. GRADE: B

Michigan (6-1) — Thanks to quarterback Denard Robinson, a running back in disguise, first-year Coach Brady Hoke has done a marvelous job of restoring the Wolverines to respectability. Robinson leads the Big Ten in rushing (762 yards, nine TDs), but the verdict is still out on his passing. Throwing the ball in traffic has cost him 10 interceptions. Give the O-line some love for protection. He’s only been sacked nine times. If the season ended today Hoke would be my choice for coach of the year. GRADE: A

Michigan St. (6-1) — Sparty has struggled to put points on the board, but quarterback Kirk Cousins changed all that with his finest collegiate performance, completing 22 of 31 passes for three TDs (no interceptions) to stun Wisconsin. Chippy MSU has often been accused of foul play, but went from 12 penalties to zero in one week. GRADE: A

Minnesota (1-6) — A coach with health issues, Jerry Kill must figure out how to keep the football in Gopher hands. They’re last in turnover margin. A porous pass defense gave up an average of 248 yards before  being dismantled by Nebraska. Through six games the Gophers have given up 13 touchdown passes and were credited with just three picks. They’ve consistently bogged down in the red zone. Quarterback MarQueis Gray, an Indy import, is their No. 1 rusher but has completed only 48.5 percent of his passes. GRADE: F

Nebraska (6-1) — Their reputation for solid defense has taken a hit, the Cornhuskers giving up at least four touchdowns in four games. All-American defensive candidates Lavonte David and Jared Crick (injured) have underachieved. QB Taylor Martinez and RB Rex Burkhead head a dominating ground game. GRADE: B+

Northwestern (2-5) — An ill-advised Heisman Trophy campaign for quarterback Dan Persa, who was slow to recover from an achilles heel injury, was still-born. He recovered to complete an amazing 74.2 percent of his passes, teaming up with rushing leader Kain Colter, who alternates between quarterback and receiver. Throw receiver Jeremy Ebert into the mix and the Cats boast one of the most entertaining offenses in Division I.

Spoiler alert: Turn off the television when they’re masquerading as a defense. In four straight losses the Cats have given up 155 points. GRADE: D-

Condolences to the family of Bruce Sheriff, who died recently. A legendary figure in wrestling, he coached at Gary Edison for three years, but spent more than 30 seasons at Portage, where he produced numerous sectional and regional champions.

Colorful and controversial, Bruce was one of my favorite coaches in his prime. He was elected to the Indiana wrestling Hall of Fame in 1985.