Yesterday, BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart released his All-Big Ten Spring Offensive Team. Today, it’s time to recognize the best on defense and special teams. Which players shined the most from Lincoln, Neb., to State College, Pa.? Dienhart talked to media, coaches and college officials across Big Ten country to get their views.

Big Ten spring practices officially ended last Saturday, with Michigan State and Wisconsin playing their spring games. What players shined from Lincoln, Neb., to State College, Pa.? I talked to media, coaches and college officials across Big Ten country to get their views. With that, I unveil my All-Big Ten Spring offensive team. My defensive team will follow. See my offensive stars in this post.

With 2011 Big Ten Football Championship Game participants Michigan State and Wisconsin wrapping up spring football Saturday, every Big Ten team can turn its attention to the summer. Here at BTN.com, we’re not ready to put spring football behind us just yet. That’s why we compiled this post featuring the best from this year’s spring action. And when talking the best of spring, nothing — at least in our minds — comes close to topping Sparty lining up in the backfield and taking the handoff. Watch the entertaining play now.

Wisconsin played its annual spring game Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, and while several key Badgers were on the sidelines, including stars Montee Ball and Chris Borland, it still looked strong. Watch highlights now and see our sideline interviews with Ball, Borland and former wide receiver Nick Toon, who was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the NFL draft, in this post. Also, see what BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart learned from Saturday’s action and check out some of the best in-game tweets. You can watch the game again at 8 p.m. ET Sunday on BTN.

The Michigan State football team held its annual spring game Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium. It was an entertaining and insightful day in East Lansing, Mich., as Mark Dantonio gave BTN an all-access pass to the scrimmage. Watch now as Lisa Byington was allowed into the Michigan State huddle, plus get interviews and highlights from Saturday’s 14-2 decision in this post. Also, see what BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart learned from the spring game and read some of the best tweets that were sent out during the action.

Spring games are great because they give fans a glimpse into what their teams will look like in the fall. But, lets face it, the games lack the excitement and entertainment of a real game. Saturday’s Michigan State game had a moment of great entertainment, though. Mark Dantonio made sure of it, as he put Sparty, Michigan State’s chiseled mascot, in the backfield and dialed up a running play. Let’s just say no one will confuse Sparty with Le’Veon Bell, because the mascot struggled on the play, losing yards and putting the ball on the ground. To be fair, the defense was offside. Either way, it was a priceless moment.

The last time we saw former Michigan State star linebacker Greg Jones he was proposing to his girlfriend on the field following the New York Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI win. On Saturday, he was an honorary captain for Michigan State’s spring game at Spartan Stadium. Watch Lisa Byington’s interview with the two-time first team All American now. Also, Byington caught up with former Spartan star DT Jerel Worthy, who was selected by the Green Bay Packers on Friday. Watch Worthy’s interview in this post.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Urban Meyer has talked about the need to find players who can make things happen. He calls them “wow” players. Well, the first-year Ohio State coach found one in the spring game today in receiver Michael Thomas.

The Penn State Blue-White game will be archived on BTN2Go. It is also available on the Big Ten Digital Network as part of a separate subscription. The Penn State game will re-air on BTN TV on Saturday at 8 p.m. And what is Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher doing at the Penn State game? Watch the interview inside this post and find out.

BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart went to Columbus and tweeted live from the stadium. Follow Tom here: @BTNTomDienhart. Or look in this post for a sampling of his tweets. The Big Ten Network will archive the game on BTN2Go. And it will be replayed Saturday at 11 p.m. on BTN TV.