Swan song next for 11

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

It’s the end of the Big Ten as we know it.

With Nebraska joining in 2011 — not to mention the possibility of others also climbing aboard the expansion train — the Big Misnomer puts its 11-team alignment on the field for one final time this fall.

Next season the conference will go to a divisional setup and begin playing a conference championship extravaganza.

It’s enough to bring pause to many longtime Big Ten lovers.

“It’s truly an end of an era,” Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. “A new era will begin in ’11.”

The final go-round won’t lack for subplots: Can Tressel’s Buckeyes match the record of six straight Big Ten titles?

Will Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez ever get things turned around inside the refurbished Big House?

Does anybody know how to block man-eaters Adrian Clayborn at Iowa or Greg Jones of Michigan State?

And how many victories (currently 394) will Penn State coach Joe Paterno have when he turns a sprightly 84 on Dec. 21?

Iowa is expected to challenge the Buckeyes for the conference crown again, along with Penn State and Wisconsin.

OHIO STATE

Key players: QB Terrelle Pryor, DE Cameron Heyward, LB Ross Homan, WR DeVier Posey, OG Justin Boren. Returning starters: 9 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: Buckeyes can match Big Ten record (Ohio State, 1972-77) with sixth straight league title. ... Tressel enters 11th season in Columbus at 94-21 (.817) overall and 59-13 (.819) in Big Ten games. ... He’s second only to Michigan’s Bo Schembechler (.850 from 1969-89) in Big Ten winning percentage among coaches with at least a decade on job. ... Pryor had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in February, says he is healthy and ready to go. ... Buckeyes host Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 11.

PENN STATE

Key players: RB Evan Royster, WR Derek Moye, OL Stefen Wisniewski, DE Jack Crawford. Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense.

Notes: JoePa begins his record 45th season looking for a new QB. Sophs Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin are top candidates to replace graduated Daryll Clark. ... Royster needs 481 yards to break Curt Warner’s school rushing record of 3,398. ... Chaz Powell, former starting WR, moved to CB for depth. ... Defense needs three new LBs after Sean Lee, Navorro Bowman and Josh Hull were taken in NFL draft.

IOWA

Key players: QB Ricky Stanzi, WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, DE Adrian Clayborn, SS Tyler Sash. Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.

WISCONSIN

Key players: RB John Clay, QB Scott Tolzien, LT Gabe Carimi, LB Chris Borland. Returning starters: 10 offense, 6 defense.