The biggest difference between the SEC and Big Ten isn’t speed at the skill-positions on offense. Nope. It’s on defense—along the line, in particular. The Big Ten has some big fellas who can make plays and get up the field—just not the depth and breadth of the SEC. But, the situation is improving. Here is my ranking of the Big Ten defensive lines.

It all begins up front. Ask any coach. Without good blockers, skill talent is diminished—and offenses flounder. The Big Ten has some potentially strong blocking units, which has hopes high in several precincts. Here’s my ranking of the Big Ten offensive lines, starting with two of the conference’s biggest powerhouse programs.

When you think of Nebraska, you don’t typically think of receivers. You think ground-pounding offenses that play physical football behind big lines and star running backs. Well, this year’s edition of the Cornhuskers has some very good receivers. In fact, it’s the best collection in the Big Ten. Here’s my ranking of the Big Ten receiving units.

The Big Ten lost its top two rushers in Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball. And Nebraska standout Rex Burkhead also is gone. But most of the conference’s other top running backs are back. Here is how I rank the Big Ten running back units, and it’s my latest look at how the various football teams units stack up by position. Read the others right here. Agree? Disagree? Tell me in the comments below, email me about here, or track me down on Twitter (@BTNTomDienhart).

Minnesota lost to Nebraska 7-4 on Friday in the Big Ten Baseball Tournament, ending its run there. But during the game, the Gophers had some more fun after doing the same earlier in the day. Watch closely in the video in this post. One of the Gopher players gets a shave while Minnesota coach John Anderson talks to our BTN announcers. Can’t beat fun at the old ballpark.

During Friday’s Big Ten Baseball Tournament elimination game between Illinois and Minnesota, players from both teams looked like they were rather loose. During the game, Minnesota’s players had some fun behind the back of Minnesota coach John Anderson. For Illinois, several players acted out a little pantomime before the game, with one player playing the role of a dog. Just watch the videos in this post to see what we’re talking about.