OSU Buckeyes

Every Big Ten team will rely on a handful of freshmen (sometimes more than a handful) to fill key roles when the 2013 season rolls around. Which newcomers will make the biggest impact in the league?

Tom Luginbill, RecruitingNation's senior national recruiting analyst, has identified five names to remember among incoming freshmen who will enroll this summer. Luginbill already singled out Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple as an early enrollee who could make a difference this fall.

Two Big Ten freshmen make Luginbill's new list. Neither needs much of an introduction.

Michigan running back Derrick Green is expected to compete right away for a starting job. Ranked by RecruitingNation as the No. 5 running back (No. 38 overall player) in the 2013 class, Green will be Michigan's best option in the backfield as the Wolverines go back to a more traditional pro-set scheme that will emphasize power running. No Michigan back distinguished himself this spring, and Green likely will face the most competition from Fitzgerald Toussaint, who comes off of leg surgery.

Luginbill also likes the impact potential of Ohio State incoming freshman Dontre Wilson, who could be fill the so-called "Percy position" in Urban Meyer's spread offense in Columbus. Wilson, a speedster from Texas who picked Ohio State ahead of Oregon and Texas, brings playmaking ability to an offense that needs more of it other than star quarterback Braxton Miller. Although Jordan Hall returns to the mix after battling injuries throughout 2012, Wilson could have a significant role in the offensive vision with a strong preseason showing.

What other incoming freshmen (non-early enrollees) could make an impact in the Big Ten this season?

Here are a few:

Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg: It'll be Hackenberg or junior-college transfer Tyler Ferguson starting for the Lions in their season opener against Syracuse. Unless Ferguson creates significant separation in camp, Hackenberg likely will be a factor this season.

Indiana DT Darius Latham: The Hoosiers need help along their defensive line, and could turn to Latham right away. A four-star prospect with good size and athleticism (played basketball in high school), Latham should be part of the mix up front at IU.

Michigan State RB Delton Williams: The Spartans need help in the backfield after no one really emerged this spring, and the coaches moved backup middle linebacker Riley Bullough to offense for help. There's a good chance Michigan State turns to an incoming freshman and Williams, the team's highest-rated recruit in the 2014 class according to RecruitingNation, will have a golden opportunity in camp.

Ohio State S Vonn Bell: Unlike the other freshmen listed here, Bell doesn't play a position where Ohio State has an overly pressing need. But he might be too talented to keep off of the field, especially when the Buckeyes go to their nickel and dime packages.

We'll know soon enough the Big Ten's bowl agreements for the 2014-19 cycle, but you can dust off those calendars for the final year of the current lineup.

The bowl schedule for the 2013 season is out. Here's what you need to know for the Big Ten's tie-in games.

Jan. 1

• Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio: BCS vs. BCS (Big Ten and Pac-12 champs will be in the game if not in the national championship), 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
• Capital One Bowl: Big Ten vs. SEC, 1 p.m. ET, ABC
• Outback Bowl: Big Ten vs. SEC, 1 p.m. ET, ESPN
• TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl: Big Ten vs. SEC, noon ET, ESPN2
• Heart of Dallas Bowl: Big Ten vs. Conference USA, noon ET, ESPNU

Dec. 28

• Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl: Big Ten vs. Big 12, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Dec. 27

• Texas Bowl: Big Ten vs. Big 12, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN

Dec. 26

• Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Big Ten vs. MAC, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN

No real surprises here, as the Big Ten will keep its New Year's Day cluster for another year, attempting to dominate the airwaves leading into the Rose Bowl. The Texas Bowl and Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl have prime-time spots on Friday night and Saturday night, respectively, but the Big Ten will have no teams in action in a tie-in bowl between Dec. 28 and Jan. 1.

Although bowl dates and times can change from year to year, here's a look at the details for the Big Ten's likely future tie-in bowls ...

Holiday Bowl: Dec. 30, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl: Dec. 30, 3:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

New Era Pinstripe Bowl: Dec. 28, noon ET, ESPN

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl: Dec. 27, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

If the Big Ten enters agreements with some or all of these bowls, its overall bowl schedule should be more spread out, which I consider a plus. The New Year's Day cluster isn't popular with Big Ten fans, and sets the league up for embarrassments like this.

By the way, the game Big Ten teams really want to reach, the Vizio BCS National Championship, takes place Jan. 6 at 8:30 p.m. in Pasadena, Calif.