Over the last 40 years, only three defensive players have been selected as the Big Ten's most valuable player. Wisconsin defensive end Erasmus James could make it four.\nJames has spent most of the season blowing up plays and dismantling quarterbacks and running backs.\n"He has all the physical tools: size, tremendous speed, athleticism. He's flexible and tremendously gifted," said Badgers coach Barry Alvarez, who calls the senior the best defensive player he's ever coached. "He carries all of that onto the field. I've had other players that are gifted that weren't nearly as productive as him."\nThe 6-foot-4, 263-pound James had 10 sacks and 15 tackles for negative yardage the last two years; he's got seven and 10.5, respectively, through just over six full games this year heading into the No. 4 Badgers game at Michigan State Saturday.\nHe missed much of the last three games with a sprained ankle. He played only five plays in last week's 38-14 win over Minnesota and was in the backfield on each snap.\nThe other defensive players to receive the MVP award, presented by the Chicago Tribune newspaper, have been tackles Larry Bethea of Michigan State in 1977 and Don Thorp of Illinois in 1983, and Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997.\nThere are still strong contenders on offense, although three Michigan players might split the vote and toss the election to James.\nMichigan tailback Michael Hart is averaging 30 more rushing yards in Big Ten games than anybody else in the league. The guy who hands him the ball, fellow freshman Chad Henne, leads the way in pass efficiency.\nMany, including Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr, think athletic wide receiver Braylon Edwards is the biggest reason Henne and Hart have developed so quickly.
THUMBS UP\n Looking for anything that might help snap Northwestern's losing streak on the road, coach Randy Walker examined the team's entertainment choices for the night before the game. Some short features were panned by the Wildcats, who turned around and lost the next day.\nThen Walker showed his team a couple of episodes from the syndicated cartoon "Family Guy" last Friday night that were met with thumbs up. The Wildcats went on to win at Penn State 14-7.\nBut don't read too much into it.\n"I don't think it affects us that much, what we watch," tailback Noah Herron said. "Whatever they put on, it's the night before. If we don't have our heads on by the next day, it doesn't matter what kind of movie they show."\nLegend has it that former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes once kicked an assistant in the rear end for showing "Love Story" to the Buckeyes the night before a game. The next week, they went back to watching "Patton."
REVERSE SAMPSON\nPurdue defensive tackle Brent Grover has a head full of hair that goes all over the place. The moppy 'do spills out of his helmet on game days and draws cackles from opponents and teammates alike.\nBut his hair might not be around for much longer. With the Boilermakers on a four-game losing streak going into Saturday's home game against Ohio State, Grover is considering cutting his hair to do away with the bad karma.\n"Might have to change something soon," Grover said.\nAt least one person would be happy to see it go.\n"My mom is trying to convince me that my hair's at fault," he said.
BCS ABCs\n If Michigan and Wisconsin each win their final two regular-season games, they'll tie for the Big Ten title. But Michigan will need some help to play in a Bowl Championship Series game.\nThe Wolverines are not crazy about going to Orlando, Fla., for the fourth time in seven seasons to play in the Capital One Bowl.\n"You always have to think positive things. That's what I'm doing," wide receiver Jason Avant said. "If we do what we have to do and beat Northwestern and everything plays out like we want it to the rest of the season, it's going to work out for us. We'll be somewhere the team enjoys."
PORK GAME\n Back in 1935, the governors of Iowa and Minnesota wagered a prize hog from their state over who would win the game between their Big Ten schools.\nFor the 71st time on Saturday, No. 19 Iowa is at Minnesota for their annual grudge match. The other white meat is no longer on the line.\nThe winner gets to keep Floyd of Rosedale, a porcelain pig, for the next year.
QUICK-HITTERS\n Justin Zwick has recuperated from a mildly separated right (throwing) shoulder but Troy Smith, 3-0 as a starter, will again get the call for Ohio State ... Northwestern has as many wins against Michigan as any other team over the past decade (3) ... Any of four teams (Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and Northwestern) can still grab at least a piece of the Big Ten title.
