Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 23, 2014

Is there a more hip and social media savvy coach than Penn State?s James Franklin? Nope. Oh, but there are pros and cons. He discusses it here. Franklin?s embrace of social media is a stark contrast to Bill O?Brien, who abhorred it. In fact, as legend goes, O?Brien called Facebook ?Spacebook.? So, there you go. It?s gonna be a blast to see where Franklin can take this Penn State program.

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Remember Jim Tressel? Who am I kidding, we all remember the guy who helped get Ohio State on probation after lying (some like to soften it by saying ?not being truthful?) to the NCAA. Well, he?s among three finalists to be president of Akron. Only in America.

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Michigan State?s spring game is this Saturday (live on BTN and BTN2Go). And Mark Dantonio wants a big crowd. Here, watch this video and see for yourself. Seems he wants to make this a midnight madness-type event. Good idea.

Speaking of the Spartans, here is a nice photo album of spring practice. This should get your juices flowing for Saturday?s game.

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Nice pick up for Ohio State, as Alabama center Chad Lindsay is transferring with immediate eligibility. He could start this season. The Buckeyes need a center, as the only sure starters up front are left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Pat Elflein. Lindsay will compete with Jacoby Boren and Billy Price.

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Indiana is altering its 2015 and 2016 football schedules. And by that, I mean they are lessening the work load.

The Hoosiers are paying $750K to get out of two games with mighty South Florida. In its place, the Hoosiers will play ? less mighty Florida International.

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Good Q&A with Purdue?s Darrell Hazell in the Indianapolis Star.

Hazell likes the direction of things. And, honestly, the Boilermakers have only one way to go after a 1-11 season (0-8 Big Ten): up. As much as a talent upgrade, Hazell also needs to upgrade attitudes in West Lafayette. Could this team win three or four games in 2014? Maybe. Line play will be key.

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This is sure to grab your attention: Michigan?s Taylor Lewan lived with a pig in college. See, I told you.

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Among a record 30 players invited to the NFL draft, five are from the Big Ten: Ohio State?s Ryan Shazier and Bradley Roby along with Minnesota?s Ra?Shede Hageman, Indiana?s Cody Latimer and Michigan?s Taylor Lewan. Please note that Michigan State?s Darqueze Dennard declined an invite.

Penn State?s Allen Robinson isn?t among the invitees. Too bad. But, go ahead and check him out in these videos making these three way-cool dunks.

TWEETS THAT MATTER

My take: I guess I?d rather spend this event with my friends and family.

My take: Are you shocked?

My take: Still good options. But considering new Michigan OC Doug Nussmeier was just at Alabama, you would have thought that the Wolverines would have landed him.

My take: Yep. Don?t think he would have come unless he felt VERY good about starting.

My take: I would expect it.

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About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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