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)
Big Ten Football
Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Conference Season Kick-off Edition
College football is in mid-season form as Big Ten play begins this week. The Illini are 4-0 for the first time since 1951, and they just completed their first undefeated non-conference season since 2001. That's all we really need for an intro- let's get to the rankings. 1.) Wisconsin Badgers (4-0) Have put in the most impressive offensive and defensive performance so far … [Read more...] about Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Conference Season Kick-off Edition
Questioning Ron Zook’s Very Questionable Play-Calls, Rationale
Fans of the Florida Gators will understand this piece. Actually non college football fans will probably understand it even. It feels like we publish this column every season. Last year, we did the "Did Ron Zook's play-calling cost Illinois a win?" story after the Illini had a chance to upset then #2 Ohio State at home in the Big Ten conference opener. Go here to brush up … [Read more...] about Questioning Ron Zook’s Very Questionable Play-Calls, Rationale
Illini Escape Western Michigan; Illinois 4-0 First Time since 1951!
Sandwiched in between last weekend's emotional prime time upset of nationally ranked Arizona State and next week's Big Ten opener versus hated in-state rival Northwestern, today's contest against MAC opponent Western Michigan certainly had a "trap game" feel. And given the Illini performance in the first half, it certainly looked that way for awhile (think Minnesota game … [Read more...] about Illini Escape Western Michigan; Illinois 4-0 First Time since 1951!
Hawkeyes Marvin McNutt, Illini Whitney Mercilus on College Football All-Name Team
With a name like Mercilus, pronounced merciless, you have to be a college football player. And a player at the very aggressive attacking position of defensive end too- that helps. Illinois Fighting Illini junior DE Whitney Mercilus is just that; a man with a name built for his role like former Illini OL Eric Block, or current Buffalo Bills DB Reggie Corner. "I do get a lot … [Read more...] about Hawkeyes Marvin McNutt, Illini Whitney Mercilus on College Football All-Name Team
Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Preconference Edition
One of the main storylines in the Big Ten entering this college football season was all the dual threat quarterbacks. Well so far, I'd say it's really only Wisconsin's Russell Wilson and Nathan Scheelhaase who fit that bill. Michigan's Denard Robinson did throw for over 330 yards and 4 TDs, but he is an average thrower at best. He made some really poor throws in that Notre … [Read more...] about Big Ten Football 2011 Power Rankings: Preconference Edition
Big 10 Football Season Predictions and Projections
There's four good teams in the Big Ten this season and five more that could be good or just blah. You can call it parity (just don't call it PARODY, I HATE when people make that mistake, it isn't Weird Al Yankovic playing college football here) or you can call it mediocrity. Expect a lot of conference teams to be ranked in the 30s and 20s overall in the nation. On the … [Read more...] about Big 10 Football Season Predictions and Projections
Your Preseason All-American Kicker? Purdue Boilermakers Carson Wiggs
The Purdue Boilermakers aren't exactly poised to have a banner college football season. They lost the guy that might have been the starting quarterback in Rob Henry, and I will consider their fanbase very lucky if they actually get to see a bowl bid. But they do have "everybody's all-american"...... at the placekicker position, in Carson Wiggs. He was named a first team … [Read more...] about Your Preseason All-American Kicker? Purdue Boilermakers Carson Wiggs
#8 Nebraska Cornhuskers: College Football 77 in 77
Appalachian State Returning to Face Michigan Wolverines in 2014 Opener
The Michigan Wolverines football program will open the 2014 season with another match-up against Appalachian State at Michigan Stadium on Aug. 30. You remember the first meeting- the 2007 season opener? When the defending FCS champion Mountaineers stunned the Wolverines, 34-32, as ASU blocked a field goal attempt that could have won the game for Michigan at the end of … [Read more...] about Appalachian State Returning to Face Michigan Wolverines in 2014 Opener