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
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa Hawkeyes QB James Vandenberg Receives Manning Award
University of Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg has been named one of eight Manning Award “Stars of the Week” and also nominated for Intersport’s Quarterback Performance of the Year award. Both recognitions were announced after Vandenberg’s career day in the Hawkeyes' thrilling comeback win over Pittsburgh. The Manning Award, sponsored by the Sugar Bowl, named eight … [Read more...] about Iowa Hawkeyes QB James Vandenberg Receives Manning Award
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
Iowa Hawkeyes Welcome Back Heisman Runner-Up QB Brad Banks
Former University of Iowa All-America quarterback Brad Banks led the 2002 Hawkeyes to a Big Ten co-championship; a perfect 8-0 league mark and an 11-2 overall record. That team made their first ever BcS appearance vs. USC in the Orange Bowl. Banks was runner-up to USC’s Carson Palmer (you might have heard of him, he made a lot of news with the Cincinnati Bengals lately) in … [Read more...] about Iowa Hawkeyes Welcome Back Heisman Runner-Up QB Brad Banks
#29 Penn State Nittany Lions: College Football 77 in 77
Every year at Big Ten media days, JoePa on dais is one of the biggest highlights. There is always the token ghoulish question about his health/age. It happened again this year. He has a good time with reporters on it. And I'm not sure how much of his confused old man bit is contrived and how much of it is genuine. -JoePa when asked about his contract: "Is this the last … [Read more...] about #29 Penn State Nittany Lions: College Football 77 in 77
#36 Iowa Hawkeyes: College Football 77 in 77
What's the key to the Iowa Hawkeyes having a much better 2011 than 2010? "Got to make sure we're practicing well, and we go eliminate off-the-field distractions, and making sure we're finishing games," wide receiver Marvin McNutt told me at Big Ten media day. So all those off-the-field distractions were they a big reason the team went downhill fast toward the end of last … [Read more...] about #36 Iowa Hawkeyes: College Football 77 in 77
Big Ten Football Media Day: Notable Quotables, Nuggets and Tidbits
It's officially "back to school" season as another round of Big Ten Football Media Days has begun. You know what it means, college football season is now within striking distance. And it's a new era in the Big Ten, a conference championship game, new divisions, and a new member with a storied history, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. But the old is always good too. We love our … [Read more...] about Big Ten Football Media Day: Notable Quotables, Nuggets and Tidbits
2011 Big Ten QB Power Rankings: Preseason Edition
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. The talent at quarterback is anything but mediocre though. There's dual threats everywhere you look, and … [Read more...] about 2011 Big Ten QB Power Rankings: Preseason Edition