The Big Ten is a shadow of its former self. Weaker than it once was. Less talented than it once was. Less important than it once was.

But all is not lost for the Big Ten, because at the very least, the Big Ten still has a few college football blueblood programs, and it still has a handful of outstanding coaches.

One of those coaches is Michigan's Brady Hoke, and this week, Hoke proved why he's precisely the kind of outspoken, competitive guy the Big Ten needs these days.

Speaking to fans at the West Michigan Sports Commission luncheon on Monday, Hoke made clear just how unhappy he is about Notre Dame's (completely misguided) decision to back out of their longtime series with the Wolverines. In fact, Hoke went so far as to say that the Irish were "chickening out" of the series (which they are, by the way).

Said Hoke: "We have unbelievable rivalry games at Michigan. ... The Notre Dame [series], that rivalry, which they're chickening out of ... They're still going to play Michigan State, they'll play Purdue; they don't want to play Michigan."

Indeed, Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon in September told the media that the decision to end the series was "not ours." The last game of the annual rivalry clash is scheduled for the 2014 season.

"We value our annual rivalry with Notre Dame," Brandon said, "but [we] will have to see what the future holds for any continuation of the series."

Photo: Getty Images

College football's spring season has come and gone.

Those silly spring games have been played. Workouts have wrapped up. Coaches have had enough time to figure out where they're strong, where they're weak, and where they'll need to spend most of their time when camp opens this summer.

In the meantime, well, there's nothing. Nothing to watch. Nothing to do.

Except speculate, of course.

And here at About.com college football, we excel at speculation. So that's what we do here today, as we bring you eight new team previews for the 2013 season. Enjoy, everyone.

South Carolina Gamecocks Preview

Florida State Seminoles Preview

Stanford Cardinal Preview

Georgia Bulldogs Preview

Oregon Ducks Preview

Texas A&M Preview

Clemson Tigers Preview

Vanderbilt Commodores Preview

Photo: Getty Images

The quarterback competition at Penn State was one of the biggest storylines in Happy Valley this spring.

But that story has taken a very sudden, very unexpected turn.

Just days after playing in the Nittany Lions' spring game, sophomore quarterback Steven Bench, projected as a potential starter for the team this fall, has announced his intention to transfer. The announcement puts junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson squarely in the driver's seat to win the job this fall, though he'll have to battle incoming freshman standout Christian Hackenberg.

Bench's transfer comes on the heels of a meeting with coach Bill O'Brien, who apparently informed Bench that he had not won the battle with Ferguson. In fact, Bench may have been told that he wouldn't be in the running to win it at all.

"I have been meeting with all the players this week with my evaluation of where they are at related to football and academics and to discuss what they need to work on this summer," O'Brien said in a statement released today. "After meeting with Steven, he informed me he wants to play elsewhere. We want what is best for Steven. I want to thank him for his contributions to the program. We wish Steven the best in the future and will assist him anyway we can."

Bench had tweeted earlier in the day, "What did I do to deserve this?" He later tweeted that he intended to transfer to a program that would allow him to reach his "full potential."

Something tells me O'Brien isn't exactly heartbroken by this development.

Photo: Getty Images

The best player in college football may be wrapping up his spring workouts earlier than expected.

South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who racked up 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in 2012, has been battling neck and back pain and may sit out the remainder of the Gamecocks' spring session, according to defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward.

And Ward, it seems, is not concerned in the least.

"Whether he goes another snap [during spring workouts], I don't care," Ward said.

Which makes complete sense, of course. After all, Clowney has already established himself as the premier defensive player in the land, and it's not like he needs the spring to prove himself to his coaching staff. Beyond that, the kid will basically be playing his entire junior season with an eye toward next year's NFL draft. The fewer opportunities to get injured, the better.

Photo: Getty Images