CHICAGO -- The Big Ten will consider using instant replay next season, but only after talking with its coaches and athletic directors first.

"I think the coaches will consider it,'' Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany told the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Sunday. "But I don't think it's a slam dunk.''

Delany said that if the league's coaches and athletic directors want replay, the Big Ten will try to do it. Delany said the issue has come up before, but without much support. Several controversial calls this season, including several involving Penn State and coach Joe Paterno (one of which prompted Penn State athletic director Tim Curley to issue a statement calling for the review of the conference's officiating procedures) have revived the debate.

"My recollection is that no more than two coaches and a couple of athletic directors supported it,'' he said.

If the Big Ten decides on instant replay, it would probably cost between $1 million and $2 million to institute, according to the Star Tribune. The league would also have to get approval from the NCAA. Delany said he knows of some opposition, but plenty of support.

Big Ten officials are graded each week on tape. He said there are usually between three and five mistakes per game. Last week, Penn State felt pass interference could have been called on a late pass during the Nittany Lions' 13-7 loss to Ohio State.

"I know what the range of our mistakes are,'' Delany told the Star Tribune. "I know we affect games. I know we've made critical mistakes at critical junctures. When you have parity, they stand out like a sore thumb.''

Delany defended his officials.

"I do believe our guys are working hard,'' he told the Star Tribune. "It's embarrassing to make mistakes that are that public. ... Guys make mistakes, but I don't think they're intentional.''