When a team has the largest collapse of all time during the month of September, there is plenty of blame to go around. Terry Francona, former Boston Red Sox manager, received the brunt of it recently after his meeting with the team’s hierarchy. The franchise decided not to pick up Francona’s option for next season. Theo Epstein is widely viewed as a baseball mastermind. With … [Read more...] about Terry Francona is the Wrong Boston Red Sox Fall Guy
Illini Beat Northwestern 38-35: Chicago’s Big Ten Team?
It was a week where one school's marketing slogan became a motivational rallying cry for the other school in the state. Northwestern has been promoting themselves as "Chicago's Big Ten Team" for a season and half, and today Illinois made stated pretty loudly how they felt about it. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase scored a 1-yard touchdown with 13 seconds left to lead #22 … [Read more...] about Illini Beat Northwestern 38-35: Chicago’s Big Ten Team?
Illinois 38, Northwestern 35: Rapid Reaction
It was a game that could have changed the Northwestern season. The Wildcats had Dan Persa back, had an 18-point lead on the road, and had momentum. Then, it all fell apart. Northwestern did everything in its power to lose on the road at Illinois. So did the Fighting Illini. … [Read more...] about Illinois 38, Northwestern 35: Rapid Reaction
Badgers, Illini Again Top Rushing Teams in Big 10: Part 2 Illinois
Since Ron Zook took over at Illinois (2005), the top two rushing teams in the Big Ten have been Illinois and Wisconsin. It will surprise you, but the leagues top rushing team is the Illini, while the Badgers are second. Another surprising fact: the two schools are tied for 5th most players on current NFL rosters among Big Ten teams. This season is very young, but so far if … [Read more...] about Badgers, Illini Again Top Rushing Teams in Big 10: Part 2 Illinois
#39 California Golden Bears: College Basketball 111 in 111
Welcome to The Sports Bank’s second annual college basketball season preview series. Last year we looked at 99 teams in 99 days. This year, we are being slightly more aggressive and expanding to 111 teams in 111 days. We will rank the 74 power conference teams and top 37 mid-majors in reverse power ranking order. We’ll break down rosters, non-conference schedules, and pick … [Read more...] about #39 California Golden Bears: College Basketball 111 in 111
White Sox Adam Dunn: WORST. SEASON. EVER. Fire Ken Williams!
Manager Ozzie Guillen was let go by the Chicago White Sox last week, but the man who should have been cut was GM Kenny Williams. Williams has made so many bad trades, and HORRIBLE free agent signings that he was the one who really deserved to be cut. Why? He wasted all that money on Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Jake Peavy- all ludicrously overpaid underachieving wastes of space … [Read more...] about White Sox Adam Dunn: WORST. SEASON. EVER. Fire Ken Williams!
Home-Field Should Help the Brewers Beat the D-Backs (NLDS Preview)
The Milwaukee Brewers (96-66) did their-selves a huge favor when clinching the second seed in the Playoffs. By doing so, they emerged as the favorites in their National League Divisional Series (NLDS) with the Arizona Diamondbacks (94-68). On paper, the Brewers and D-Backs appear to be two evenly matched teams, but at home, the Brewers have played great baseball with a … [Read more...] about Home-Field Should Help the Brewers Beat the D-Backs (NLDS Preview)
Battle for the Best in the Midwest; #8 Nebraska vs. #7 Wisconsin (Game Preview)
For the first time since 1962 (#3 Wisconsin vs. #5 Minnesota), two top-ten teams will face-off at Camp Randall Stadium. The highly anticipated game between the #7 Wisconsin Badgers (4-0) and #8 Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0) will be under the lights as the prime-time game on ABC with the help of ESPN College GameDay. The battle for the Best in the Midwest contains more story … [Read more...] about Battle for the Best in the Midwest; #8 Nebraska vs. #7 Wisconsin (Game Preview)
#11 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. #13 Clemson Tigers: Brutally Honest Game Preview
I guess I was wrong about the ACC- on many levels. It's a much stronger college football conference than I thought. Much better. And it's not Florida State who's the national title contender this year. The winner of the Clemson Tigers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies game will advance to the national title consideration discussion. Loser...gets to find solace in fighting on for a … [Read more...] about #11 Virginia Tech Hokies vs. #13 Clemson Tigers: Brutally Honest Game Preview
#22 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats: Brutally Honest Game Preview
Big Ten conference play begins with the annual in-state rivalry game between the Northwestern Wildcats and Illinois Fighting Illini. It does feel a little weird not having this game played on the last week of the season, when all the other intrastate, intra-region bloodfeud games are held. But last year it was such a special event that it's hard not to get excited for the 2011 … [Read more...] about #22 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Northwestern Wildcats: Brutally Honest Game Preview