ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Big Ten play has started and one week in, Michigan looks like a serious contender not only for a Legends Division title but also to be the league’s representative in the Rose Bowl, especially because the conference’s best team, Ohio State, is ineligible.

Much of the optimism has to do with an improved defense and the re-emergence of quarterback Denard Robinson, who set the Big Ten quarterback rushing record against Purdue.

Because of that and his overall importance in the Michigan offense, Robinson reclaimed the top spot in the Michigan 10, which rates the Wolverines based on performance and other factors surrounding the team. As always, consider this like the stock market, where guys will move up and down -- sometimes violently -- from week to week. 1. QB Denard Robinson (4): Robinson became the Big Ten’s career quarterback rushing leader and fourth among quarterbacks in the history of FBS teams with a 235-yard performance against Purdue. More importantly, though, he made better decisions passing, including throwing a ball away when he had nothing instead of forcing it.

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