Big Ten short takes

• Quarterback Jake Rudock's development was critical to Iowa's turnaround last season. Now a junior, Rudock suffered a leg injury last week at Pittsburgh. But sophomore C.J. Beathard came in and led Iowa back from a 10-point deficit in a 24-20 win, completing seven of eight passes for 98 yards. Rudock is questionable for this week's game at Purdue, but coach Kirk Ferentz might find these two QBs interchangeable.

• Ohio State had to replace Carlos Hyde, Ryan Shazier and four offensive line starters coming into the season. Then Braxton Miller suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, and standout defensive end Noah Spence was lost to a drug suspension. But the schedule should help Ohio State continue to retool since its Sept. 6 Virginia Tech loss. The Buckeyes play Cincinnati, Maryland and Rutgers before heading to Penn State.

• How big was last week's win at then-No. 18 Missouri for Indiana? For one thing, it quieted talk about coach Kevin Wilson's job security. After the game, Wilson said he felt like his players had been pressing at times, costing them opportunities. The Hoosiers better not let their guard down, as Maryland arrives this week, averaging 36.8 points per game.