And then there were two.
We're down to the final two names on our Big Ten Top 25 preseason player rankings. As a reminder, these rankings are based on past performance and potential for this season.
If the No. 1 player on our list cannot fulfill his duties, the runner-up will be more than happy to take his place. They do play the same position, after all.
No. 2: Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska, senior, 5-foot-11, 210 pounds
2011 postseason rank: No. 10
2011 numbers: Ran for 1,357 yards on 284 carries, with 15 touchdowns. Also caught 21 passes for 177 yards and two scores.
Why he's here: Burkhead erased all doubt last year that he's one of the best running backs in the country. He finished third in the Big Ten in rushing and was a first-team All-Big Ten performer. More importantly, he was, and is, the heart and soul of the Huskers.
What makes Burkhead special is that he approaches every carry as if his scholarship money depends on it. No one runs harder. While he may lack signature highlights, it's the compilation of effort that impresses. The lasting images of his 2011 season included his fourth-quarter heroics against Ohio State in a record-setting comeback and his school-record 38 carries in a tireless performance against Iowa.
This week, Nebraska launched a website for Burkhead to promote him for the Heisman Trophy and other awards. Burkhead doesn't need a lot of extra publicity. His play every Saturday says all you need to know.
The countdown
No. 25: Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
No. 24: MarQueis Gray, QB, Minnesota
No. 23: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue
No. 22: Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin
No. 21: Jared Abbrederis, WR/KR, Wisconsin
No. 20: Denicos Allen, LB, Michigan State
No. 19: Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
No. 18: Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
No. 17: Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State
No. 16: Michael Buchanan, DE, Illinois
No. 15: Fitzgerald Toussaint, RB, Michigan
No. 14: Max Bullough, LB, Michigan State
No. 13: James Vandenberg, QB, Iowa
No. 12: Ricky Wagner, OT, Wisconsin
No. 11: Johnny Adams, CB, Michigan State
No. 10: Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
No. 9: Jonathan Brown, LB, Illlinois
No. 8: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
No. 7: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
No. 6: Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
No. 5: Gerald Hodges, LB, Penn State
No. 4: William Gholston, DE, Michigan State
No. 3: John Simon, DE, Ohio State