CHICAGO - One factor that should cement Ohio State's position as favorite in the Big Ten Conference and one of the premier college football teams in the nation is experience and stability at quarterback.

But just because fifth-year senior Todd Boeckman returns as the Buckeyes' signal-caller does not mean coach Jim Tressel will shy away from a plan to share playing time with a freshman.

That's how special everyone seems to view Terrelle Pryor.

Tressel wouldn't tip his hand when asked about his quarterback plans at Thursday's Big Ten media day session, but when asked how soon Pryor could play a role in the offense, Tressel left little doubt.

"On August 4, he gets to start practicing and he will be incorporated into this offense on that day," Tressel said. "He has a lot of things to build on as part of his foundation, including a communications system and the way we do things.

"But he's the kind of guy who wants to know what's going on. He loves to train. He loves to compete. He has great ability.

"From Day 1, I would think he'll be a guy who people will take notice of."

Even though he has not played a college game, it has been difficult not to notice Pryor.

He was the No. 1-rated prep prospect in the nation, and Ohio State won a heated recruiting battle that included Big Ten rivals Michigan and Penn State.

Pryor is a big, gifted pass-run quarterback who was the Parade Magazine national player of the year after throwing for 1,889 yards and rushing for another 1,899 yards while accounting for 58 touchdowns as a senior at Jeanette (Pa.) High School.

He is listed as a 6-foot-6, 235-pounder, and one Ohio State insider said that at the very least, fans can expect Tressel to use Pryor in some pre-determined offensive series or as a change of pace quarterback that gives defenses another headache to consider.

Job sharing, Part 2

Another job that may be shared is the Illinois tailback position.

Coach Ron Zook said Thursday that while Daniel Dufrene is likely to take the first handoff in practice, he'll have help as the Illini seek to replace Rashard Mendenhall.

"We've talked about it as a staff, and the most important thing is that we'll have running back by committee at least in the beginning," Zook said. "It's important we get backs in there that we know what they can do."

That includes Troy Pollard, who returns from injury, and freshman Mikel LeShoure.

"We have a pretty good feel for what they can do," he said, noting that LeShoure was able to enroll early and participate in spring practice.

The wild card is freshman Jason Ford from Belleville, who has yet to work out in front of the coaches.

Iowa's woes

When Iowa suffered with a number of embarrassing off-the-field incidents in 2001, what coach Kirk Ferentz needed to quiet the storm was a year of calm away from the game and a season of success within it.

That's just what he got as Iowa rebounded from a 7-5 year in 2001 to go 8-0 in the Big Ten and 11-1 overall before losing in the Orange Bowl.

Ferentz finds himself in the same position again after a slump on the field combined with too many troubles off of it.

On the field last season, Iowa was 6-6 and missed out on a bowl game for the first time in seven years.

Since April 2007, 18 Iowa football players have been cited for 23 offenses, 11 of which were deemed alcohol-related. Two of those are felony charges, both pending related to an alleged rape of a female athlete.

Both players involved in that incident have left the program. One of them has transferred to Indiana (Pa.) University, a team coached by former Illini head coach Lou Tepper.

On Thursday, Ferentz said he is trying to address the situation and is in the process of hiring a "player-development coach" who will help new student-athletes adjust to life on campus and within the Iowa City community.

"The best way to do it is to make better decisions off the field," he said. "We have examined everything we do and we have to be more proactive. We're confident this will be a different year … but only time will tell."

Ferentz said the new staff addition will give players someone to meet with and be accountable to.

"We're not looking to hire Dr. Phil," he said. "He's not available and we can't afford him. We're eager to get that position filled."

Roasting Tiller

Big Ten coaches took some good-natured parting shots at Purdue coach Joe Tiller, who will begin his final season before passing the reigns to offensive line coach Danny Hope.

Purdue's program was dead in the water before Tiller arrived from Wyoming in 1997. Since, the Boilermakers have been to 10 bowl games, and Tiller is credited for bringing his exciting spread offense to the Big Ten.

Now, eight Big Ten teams run the spread, including Illinois.

"I'm a big Joe Tiller fan because he can walk in today and not wear a tie," Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. "If I do that, I get heckled."

Sure enough, Tiller wore a black short-sleeve shirt and no neck tie. He plans to retire to Wyoming, where he can pursue his love of trout fishing.Ironically, Penn State's Joe Paterno kidded Tiller about his retirement.

"He keeps telling me he wants to fish, for crying out loud. I told him, after you catch three of them, you'll look at one and they'll all look alike."

Paterno was asked if he had consulted with Tiller about retirement.

"You think I'm going to ask someone who sits on his rear end and fishes for advice? You're crazy. Joe has to do it his way. I have to do it my way."

Home cooking

Who has the best schedule in the Big Ten this season?

You'd have to like Indiana's slate, which includes eight home games and no date whatsoever with perennial powers Ohio State and Michigan. The non-conference opponents are Western Kentucky, Murray State, Ball State and Central Michigan.

One of Indiana's four road games is at Illinois on Oct. 18.

Mark Tupper can be reached at mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.