Illinois (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) is off to its best start since the 1951 National Title team went 7-0. The Hoosiers (1-5, 0-2) lost their third in a row, have not beaten a Football Bowl Subdivision team this season and lost 13 consecutive against the Top 25 since a 31-28 victory over then #13 Iowa Hawkeyes on Oct. 14, 2006. But that doesn't tell the whole story. Illinois … [Read more...] about #16 Illini Destroy Hoosiers, 6-0 Despite Not Playing a Complete Game
illini football 2011
Illini Receiver A.J. Jenkins: Probably Best WR Weapon in Big Ten
Earlier this college football season, University of Illinois senior wide receiver A.J. Jenkins made some comments that proclaimed himself the best wide receiver in the Big Ten. He has since backed off from those remarks, and now maintains a more standard, PR-friendly, humble and some could say vanilla manner in his on-the-record comments to the media. But his play on the … [Read more...] about Illini Receiver A.J. Jenkins: Probably Best WR Weapon in Big Ten
Illini LB Kick to Northwestern OL Groin Earns him 1 game Suspension
The Big Ten Conference announced today that it has accepted the one-game suspension of University of Illinois linebacker Jonathan Brown for violating the Big Ten Sportslike Conduct Agreement during the rivalry game versus Northwestern this past Saturday. In case you missed it, Brown blatantly and very intentionally kneed Wildcats OL Patrick Ward in the, um, let's say he hit … [Read more...] about Illini LB Kick to Northwestern OL Groin Earns him 1 game Suspension
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?
#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
Troy Pollard, Jay Prosch Add to Illini RB Depth
While Illinois’ rushing offense has remained dominant, the Illini are doing it by committee this year rather then relaying on one dominant runner like they did in 2007 (Rashard Mendenhall) and 2010 (Mikel Leshoure). Four different Illini have over 200 rushing yards on the season, and all four have scored at least one rushing TD. Senior RB Troy Pollard (a runner in the Daniel … [Read more...] about Troy Pollard, Jay Prosch Add to Illini RB Depth
Why the Illini Will Win More Games than Notre Dame
You're like, "ok Captain Obvious." Not so fast my friend, I was saying this in August too. I thought my local media friends would find that assertion crazy given all the BCS preseason hype Notre Dame was getting, and the fact that Illinois was getting zero votes in either poll. But the truth is Notre Dame is 2-2, and very mediocre, while the Illini are this year's … [Read more...] about Why the Illini Will Win More Games than Notre Dame
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!
Illini Win Over #18 Arizona State Feels Like Champaign Campaign
With Illinois defeating the #18 Arizona State Sun Devils 17-14 tonight; and getting off to their first 3-0 start since 2001, it's starting to feel quite a bit like that year. It was Illinois' most recent Big Ten title season, but that's not why it feels that way. The Fighting Illini have a long way to go to reach that Champaign Campaign plateau. However, there are a few … [Read more...] about Illini Win Over #18 Arizona State Feels Like Champaign Campaign