Victor Cruz can return after missing most of the past two seasons

Clearly, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Michigan have been the class of the Big Ten so far.No. 8 Wisconsin and No. 10 Nebraska will get a chance to prove the conference isnt the Big Two and Little Eight like it used to be years ago when Woody Hayes was leading the Buckeyes and Bo Schembechler was coaching the Wolverines.Sure, the conference has four teams in the top 10 of The Associated Press college football poll for the first time since 1960 during the regular season.The Badgers , though, have to beat the Buckeyes on Saturday at home to stay highly ranked and to prove they belong among the Big Tens best after a closely contested loss at Michigan .You hope to earn that right to be in those conversations, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst acknowledged Tuesday.The Cornhuskers, who play Saturday at Indiana, will get their chance in back-to-back road games Oct. 29 against Wisconsin and Nov. 5 against Ohio State.Nebraska coach Mike Riley said he didnt personally peek ahead to those opponents during the teams recent bye week, but the program is keeping tabs on schools it will face later in the schedule.We have our graduate assistants do that, Riley said.Regardless of how Wisconsin does against Ohio State or Nebraska fares against the Buckeyes, it appears as if the Badgers or Cornhuskers will likely end up representing the West at the Big Ten championship game.Ohio State and Michigan , meanwhile, appear to be on a collision course to meet Nov. 26 at the Horseshoe to earn the Easts spot in the conference final.When Jim Harbaugh was asked during the Big Ten teleconference if he would take a look at the Buckeyes during his teams bye week, or if he does on a weekly basis, he simply refused to answer the question.Were looking at it as an improvement week, Harbaugh said, dodging the question by talking about his plans for the idle Wolverines.Rutgers got too close of a look the last two weeks at Michigan and Ohio State, losing 78-0 and 58-0, respectively so to speak to the traditional powers.There are a lot of similarities on their overall talent up and down the roster, Scarlet Knights coach Chris Ash said. They are different, schematically, more so on offense than on defense.Here are some other things of note in the Big Ten:SLUMPING SPARTANS: Michigan State, which was ranked No. 12 before the season, has lost three straight for the first time since 2009 and for the third time since Mark Dantonio took over the program in 2007.It has been a stark slump for a program that won 36 games and two Big Ten title the previous three years.I dont know if I appreciate that more, Dantonio said. I understand its very difficult to win. I also understand when you have these types of situations, youve got to dig yourself out of the hole and you got to have one focus and thats the next game, the next moment. You have to make sure the players are not being bombarded. I know theyre being bombarded outside of this football building, but that the football building becomes a sanctuary for them.If the Spartans slip again and lose Saturday at home against Northwestern, it will mark their first four-game skid since the fourth and final year of the John L. Smith era in 2006.SIGNING EARLY: Big Ten coaches appear to be largely in favor of last weeks proposals by the Division I council that would create early signing periods in June and December, instead of in February.To me, it makes perfect sense, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.At least two coaches, Marylands DJ Durkin and Ash, though, dont want an early signing period earlier than December.I dont think its a good path, Ash said.---Online:College Football: http://collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Larry Lage at www.twitter.com/larrylage and follow his work at www.bigstory.ap.org/content/larry-lage Scarpe Firmate Scontate Offerte . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. Air Max 90 Scontate Outlet . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. https://www.scontatescarpeoutlet.it/ . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Scarpe Nike Scontate On Line . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Air Max 720 Outlet .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After missing the playoffs the past four seasons, the New York Giants have a right to be optimistic.The NFLs worst defense has been bolstered by off-season signings. The offense returns most of its players after a solid season. And there is a belief that new coach Ben McAdoo can step in for Tom Coughlin and return the Giants to their recent glory years.It was all there to see on Thursday as the Giants reported to training camp. That is until McAdoo noted that defensive tackle Damon `Snacks Harrison is going to start camp on the physically unable to perform list because of swelling in his knee.McAdoo said the injury is not serious, but it certainly put a damper on Day 1.Harrison signed a five-year, $46.25 million contract to be in the center of the line. Now he is injured, and one has to wonder whether injuries are going to get the Giants yet again.Linebacker J.T. Thomas (hamstring) and defensive tackle Jay Bromley (ankle) also are starting camp on the PUP list.McAdoo said their injuries also are not serious. Well see.If the Giants can stay healthy, their talent is deep enough with the signings of defensive end Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, linebacker Keenan Robinson and the re-signing of defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, to get them to the postseason.We talked to the expectation with everybody. Our goal is still to put the fifth (Lombardi) trophy in the case, McAdoo said after meeting with the team. The other thing we addressed is that it is just words right now. We have to go out there and put the work in and earn it.While the Giants have posted consecutive 6-10 seasons, they were not that far off last year. They lost six games either late in the fourth quarter or in overtime.Guard Justin Pugh said this is the most talented team he has been on in in his four seasons with the Giants.Im very confident in this team he said. I think where we were at last year, we lost some crucial games down the stretch, and I think we should have been in last year. I think we missed some big opportunities last year to go to the playoffs, and I think that obviouusly that is the goal.dddddddddddd I am very confident with the guys in this room and the locker room, that were going to be successful this year.Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., are focal points of the offense, but the potential increases if Victor Cruz can return after missing most of the past two seasons, rookie receiver Sterling Shepard lives up to the hype, and the O-line can open some holes for running back Rashad Jennings and company.This team can be really good, Jennings said, by paper and by talent that we actually have on this team. So speaking especially from the offensive standpoint, going into Year 3, we have high expectations and this will be a disappointment if we dont complete what we are looking for.The defense is expected to make the biggest improvement. Vernon gives the Giants one of the leagues top pass rushers, and the hope is JPP will be able to do more now that his mangled right hand has had more than a year to recover from the July 4, 2015 fireworks accident.Pierre-Paul insists his hand is fine. He wont have to use a club-type glove on it this season, which might help. He added he had one offseason procedure to help heal the hand.He hedged for a second when asked about the potential of the defense.We have to see, he said. I know people have high expectations and they should. As a defensive player, you should have high expectations.Second-year safety Landon Collins said it took half a season for the unit to have confidence in coordinator Steve Spagnuolos new defense. Finishing ranked last left a chip on their shoulders.You put it behind you, you dont think about it, but you know you were 32 in the league and now youre just pushing to be top 10 in the league, Collins said. Thats our biggest thought.So is getting to the playoffs.I liked the look in their eyes. McAdoo said. They were hungry to get going. They were chomping at the bit, like I am. Its a good place to start.---NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '