Mallory, Treadwell staying put for now
December 23, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Miami (Ohio) has hired its new head football coach, and to some surprise, he’s not a Big Ten assistant coach.
Illinois co-defensive coordinator Curt Mallory and Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell had emerged as leading candidates for the RedHawks’ head-coaching position, but Miami ended up going with Notre Dame offensive coordinator [...]
Davis’ decision helped by big brother
December 22, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Judging by most NFL draft projections, Vontae Davis’ decision to leave Illinois a year early looked like a slam dunk.
But Davis was helped along in the process by his older brother, Vernon, who found himself in the same position in January 2006 after three seasons as Maryland. Things worked out pretty [...]
Davis’ decision to enter draft a no-brainer
December 22, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
Illinois junior cornerback Vontae Davis is entering the NFL draft, and no one should be surprised.
What would be a surprise is if Davis does not become the first cornerback selected on April 25. Though Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins and others might garner more awards and accolades, Davis projects to be the [...]
Is The Big Ten in a Recession?
December 21, 2008
Under the strain of the BCS, the college football fan eco-system has evolved away from a shared hobby and passion into a fragmented and bitter civil war amongst the county’s power football conferences. Intra-conference rival fan bases have seemingly put their difference aside and banded together in this war of attrition, prestige, and public opinion. [...]
Reviewing my preseason Top 25 (things to watch)
December 18, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
It’s always fun at this time of year to look back at preseason thoughts and predictions. In August, I outlined 25 items I wanted to see during the Big Ten season. Several of them came true, others didn’t and some materialized in different ways.
Here’s a look back at the list to [...]
Illinois Football Honors Players at Awards Banquet
December 17, 2008
CHAMPAIGN, IL—The Fighting Illini announced its 2008 team award winners at its 107th annual football banquet Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Sophomore receiver Arrelious Benn was named the Most Valuable Player, and tight end Michael Hoomanawanui earned the Most Improved Player award.
Benn caught 67 passes for 1,055 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned 20 kickoffs [...]
BYU: Mid-Year Signing Day Thread
December 17, 2008
Signing Day is upon us! Not the big one on the first Wednesday in February but the Mid-Year Transfers one is upon us.
There is some excitement for Cougar faithful this year as there are some offers on the table for three prospects we know about. Two linebackers in Aaron Gress and Jordan Atkinson, then a [...]
Big Ten’s greatest games
December 15, 2008
Here’s some news to tide you over until I can get the Tale of the Tape on the Butler game up later this afternoon or tonight. I just went through the tape and am writing the OSU Insider for Tuesday’s paper first before I get to the Tale.
Meanwhile, Big Ten Network has announced this season’s [...]
Big Ten lunch links: Ferentz’s stability a plus for Iowa
December 15, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
As you might have noticed, we’re rolling out our season recaps this week. The posts for Illinois and Indiana are already up, and check back later today for recaps on Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota.
Coming Tuesday: Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.
Here’s a quick roundup of links before [...]
Illinois Fighting Illini season recap
December 15, 2008
Posted by ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg
No one expected another Rose Bowl appearance from Illinois this fall. But no one expected this, either.
A year after reaching Pasadena, Illinois will stay home for the holidays, the product of a 5-7 record that once seemed unthinkable for a preseason top 20 squad. Despite returning key parts from the Rose [...]