Meandering through the maize (and blue): Ohio State cares

We're back from Big Ten media days in Chicago, some of us traveling by plane and others making the crucial error of train travel, complete with stoppages on the track, delayed departure, delayed arrival and the resulting lack of sleep.

Not that I'm bitter.

Anyway, one of the things that stood out from Big Ten media days - besides some very inane comments (more on that at annarbor.com today or tomorrow) - was how much Ohio State gave a virtual pep talk to Michigan about wanting them to return to past ways.

Who knew the Buckeyes' players were suckers for history, too.

The thoughts are led by Ohio State tight end Jake Ballard, who tells his friends he "hopes Michigan gets it turned around."

A couple other brief notes about today here at annarbor.com: First, we'll have some more on Ohio State-Michigan coming in a little bit. And, today begins our Big Ten previews, so look out for that - one a day for the next 11 or so.

While you're waiting for the other good stuff, check out these links:

FOOTBALL:

Dave Curtis breaks down contenders to Ohio State and Penn State's Big Ten dominance for Sporting News Today. Not among them: Michigan. Inside today's issue, an interesting story on Terrelle Pryor as well.

Oh, wow, there's a bunch of stuff to link about. In case you missed it, here's an easy way to maneuver through annarbor.com's two days of Big Ten media day coverage with more coming today as we begin our Big Ten previews.

Michigan is trying to forget its past - its recent past, anyway - writes Matt Markey of the Toledo Blade.

Maize 'N Brew has a pretty detailed breakdown of a conversation with Michigan offensive lineman Mark Ortmann. Ortmann spent part of Tuesday telling annarbor.com why he feels comments made by departed players Kurt Wermers and Justin Boren are, well, fallacies.

Annarbor.com's Dave Birkett writes about the adjustment linebacker Stevie Brown has made from safety, where he used to roam.

When Denard Robinson begins fall camp, he's already fallen behind because of Tate Forcier's early enrollment, writes Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press.

Brown thinks Michigan's defense will be faster, writes Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune.

Mgoblog gives its unbelievably detailed breakdown of recruiting Tuesday -- like it does every Tuesday.

BASKETBALL:

Over in the "we haven't started yet" corner of the world, the Marist suing James Madison lawsuit over Matt Brady might be a trendsetter, writes Dustin Dopirak of the Daily News-Record. Except Michigan and West Virginia already had it down.

College coaches concerned about the amount of money AAU tournaments charge coaches to attend -- and some of the sketchiness that all of this brings, writes Pete Thamel in the New York Times. Meanwhile John Beilein, head of the ethics committee, said it's an important thing on the agenda.