Big Ten Notebook: Northwestern's Kain Colter has NFL aspirations

Northwestern's Kain Colter has thrived in a versatile role for the undefeated Wildcats this season. (US Presswire)

• Wisconsin tight end Jacob Pedersen has had a subpar season according to his own critical self-evaluation. “I’m very disappointed in my play thus far,” he told Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “I’ve got to complement Jared [Abbrederis] in the passing game. I’ve got to do a better job blocking in the run game.” Through five games last year, he had 14 catches and four touchdowns. This season, he has just nine catches for one touchdown and the Badgers run blocking has been atrocious. 

• Northwestern’s Kain Colter has flourished since transitioning from the Wildcats’ starting quarterback to playing a hybrid, running back-receiver role. Coach Pat Fitzgerald called him “the most dynamic young man, I think, in this conference.” His versatile abilities could potentially open doors for him at the next level but he’s realistic about his chances at quarterback. “For me to say that I’m going to go to the NFL and play quarterback right now is far out. Where ever I can get in I’ll do it,”  he said to Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune.

• Sure, Braxton Miller may be the most indispensable player on Ohio State but he is far from the only integral component to the Buckeyes. Weakside linebacker Ryan Shazier, fullback Zach Boren, LT Jack Mewhort, DE John Simon and DT Johnathan Hankins have all been crucial to the Buckeyes’ 5-0 start, reported Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Hankins, in particular, is “a quick-footed boulder at the heart of the defense,” he wrote. 

• All the positive energy surrounding the Penn State football team is being converted into this weekend’s efforts against undefeated Northwestern, which LB Glenn Carson calls “a must win.”  It’s homecoming in Happy Valley and the students have planned a “whiteout” for the noon ET game, reported Guy Cipriano of the Centre Daily Times. The Nittany Lions have won three in a row but their schedule is about to get significantly tougher since six of their next seven conference opponents currently have winning records. 

• Ralph Bolden, Purdue’s leading rusher last season, is close to a return from his third knee injury. Coach Danny Hope hasn’t said whether it will come this weekend against Michigan or next weekend at home against Wisconsin. “Soon,” Bolden told Mike Carmin of the Journal and Courier. “I don’t know the exact date. It’s up to the coaches. I don’t know how they’re going to sprinkle me in, but I’ve been practicing.” In four games without him, Purdue’s offense hasn’t struggled at all, averaging 42.5 points per game, the 13th most in the country. 

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.