Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio's announcement of his starting quarterback Tuesday means that all six of the teams in the Big Ten Legends Division have reached a decision on their starters. The same can't be said for the squads in the Leaders Division.
Half of the six teams in the division -- Indiana, Penn State and Wisconsin -- still haven't announced their starters.
Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen is deciding between sophomore Joel Stave and sixth-year senior Curt Phillips. Andersen said Tuesday on the weekly Big Ten teleconference that the quarterbacks already know who the starter will be when the Badgers take the field Saturday against Massachusetts.
"I don't think it needs to be a big deal just because it's the quarterback," he said.
Andersen also said, "I feel good about Curt. I feel good about Joel."
Indiana coach Kevin Wilson's team opens Thursday against FCS opponent Indiana State, and he said that he and his staff will decide Wednesday who will start for the Hoosiers. The contenders are junior Cameron Coffman and sophomores Tre Roberson and Nate Sudfeld. All three played last season, with Coffman and Roberson starting games.
Wilson said waiting so long to name a starter is nothing new to him, noting that he waited until warm-ups before last season's game with Ball State to decide on a starter between Coffman and Sudfeld after Roberson was hurt in the preceding game. He went with Coffman.
Meanwhile, Penn State coach Bill O'Brien said he wouldn't divulge his starter until game time Saturday: "You'll find out who the quarterback is on the first play against Syracuse."
True freshman Christian Hackenberg and junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson are the contenders.
O'Brien says not making the decision public is "best for the football team" and the players involved. He also said it was possible both quarterbacks will play in the opener.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
