Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, July 18, 2016

Thoughts and prayers to former Michigan RB coach Fred Jackson, whose nephew was a shooting victim in Baton Rouge.

Montrell Jackson, 32, a 10-year-veteran of the Baton Rouge Police Department, was one of three police officers killed in an ambush shooting just a mile from police headquarters.

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There are some interesting QB battles in the Big Ten. One such competition is at Penn State.

Most program watchers feel Trace McSorley, a redshirt sophomore from Virginia who replaced an injured Christian Hackenberg in January's TaxSlayer Bowl, will win the job. But James Franklin says it?s an open competition. Could Tommy Stevens really win the job? No word on when a starter will be tabbed. Still, I will be surprised if McSorley isn?t the man.

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Like me, have you had enough of the Pokemon Go craze? If so, then you?ll like this video of Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett hitting Pikachu with a football.

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Remember Derrick Green? The guy tabbed by some as the nation?s No. 1 prep RB when he signed with Michigan a few years ago? Things never worked out in Ann Arbor, and a report has him landing at TCU as a grad transfer.

Green rushed for 898 yards and seven touchdowns on 212 carries in 28 games at U-M, including seven starts. The Wolverines will be just fine at RB sans Green.

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Good podcast from HawkCentral.com, which takes a look at the Hawkeyes? possible fortunes in 2016. Could another trip to the Big Ten title game be in the offing? Hmmm. I say ?yes.?

But for that to happen, pass rushers are needed. Also, more playmakers are needed at wideout. And perhaps the biggest key of all: How will Iowa deal with huge expectations and being the hunted?

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It?s mid-summer, so why not look at Northwestern?s projected depth chart?

I am keeping an eye on the wideout slots. Guys like Austin Carr, Flynn Nagel and Solomon Vault, among others, need to emerge at a big position of need.

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Good piece here with Andrew White, as the former Nebraska hoopster discusses his ugly departure from the Huskers and his possible interest in ? Michigan State.

Mlive.com notes that White originally was surprised to learn that Michigan State was among the schools to request a copy of his release from Nebraska. Soon after, MSU reached out to both he and his father. Assistant coach Dane Fife initiated the recruitment. One day later, White spoke with Tom Izzo. I will be surprised if White lands in East Lansing, where his wing spot is loaded with talent.

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Good Q&A from Omaha.com with one of my all-time fav Huskers: RB Ameer Abdullah, who still trains in Lincoln even though he is a pro with the Lions.

What was the hardest Husker game for him to watch last year? Amazingly, it wasn?t the Purdue game.

?Ugh, Illinois!,? Abdullah said. ?Illinois was so hard for me to watch. I was at home, I almost cried. I ain?t gonna lie. I almost cried. I was so mad just because I knew - I?ll hold my tongue - Illinois was the toughest game. Illinois.?

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Purdue has extended Matt Painter?s deal for three years. It?s a smart move, as Painter has done well-save for some recent NCAA tourney struggles. Still, his body of work is commendable and he will have a Top 25 team next season. And the new A.D.-expected to be hired this summer–won?t have to worry about the hoop coach?s long-term future upon taking the job.

Painter has coached his alma mater the past 11 seasons, with a record of 238-134. He's taken the Boilermakers to eight NCAA Tournaments and won one Big Ten regular-season co-championship and one Big Ten Tournament title.

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