For the past several years, conferences like the SEC, Big 12, and Pac-10 have been complaining that the Big Ten is overrated. I’m a Big Ten fan, but I can’t say that I disagree. After a 9 – 0 start, Iowa rose out of the ashes of the Big Ten this year, and we all held the hope that this would be the team to challenge Florida or Texas or another awesome team for the National Championship.
It doesn’t look like that will be the case. Today, Iowa fell, but not to Penn State (no, they beat them gloriously – sigh …read more

We’re about at the mid-season point for college football. I always think it’s interesting to see which teams have gone undefeated so far and which teams have yet to win a game. By this time, most teams have had at least ONE tough opponent and at least ONE game where they had a chance to win. Here’s how the lists look this year:
Undefeated:

Alabama
Boise State
Cincinnati
Florida
Iowa
Kansas
South Florida
TCU
Texas

Winless

Ball State
Eastern Michigan
Florida Atlantic
Miami (OH)
New Mexico
Rice
Western Kentucky

Really, I think the big surprises here are that there are no major surprises. Few people would have put Iowa on the undefeated list when predicting records at this point …read more

Ok, let’s get it out of the way right now and say that ranked teams need to step it up. I already talked about how the AP Top 25 changed drastically this week with a crazy 15 teams moving either up or down three places or more. Three places. Those are huge jumps and drops. It’s uncalled for, especially when you take into account that many teams had games that weren’t supposed to be that hard.
So, at least the top three teams stayed strong. Of course, the big news for #1 Florida, who beat Kentucky into the ground, was that …read more

This will be Kirk Ferentz’s eleventh year as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes – and with his new contract, he’ll be there for many years to come. Today, he signed an agreement with the school that will keep him at Iowa until 2015.
The school’s getting a bargain – Ferentz’s alary and bonuses won’t change with the new contract. He reportedly earns $3.02 million annually, so Ferentz is getting a good deal too. The agreement also gives him up to 35 hours per year of private plane use, as well as bonuses for winning seasons.
Iowa’s record under Ferentz is 70-53, …read more

All three of the Iowa Hawkeyes arrested early Monday morning for public intoxication are going to have hell to pay from their head coach, but perhaps none more so than James Ferentz. Why?
Because his father is Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkeyes head coach.
Lil Ferentz is a center for the team and was arrested along with fullback Tyler Christensen and tight end Zach Derby. Christensen reportedly pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal mischief and public intoxication. He’ll pay fines of nearly $500. Both Ferentz and Derby have pleaded not guilty.
University public safety officers say that Derby and Christensen attempted to pick a fight …read more

I can’t watch every game, and there are tons not on TV every week. So, instead of blogging about every game, I’ll link you to the people who are talking about it (by conference). If I missed your link, leave a comment!
#11 Ohio State 45, #24 Northwestern 10

Pryor at Ohio Soup
The 2008 Ohio State – Northwestern Report Card at Buckeye Legends
Pryor Steps Up Against Northwestern at The Buckeye Blog

#18 Michigan State 21, Purdue 7

Michigan State Refuses to Lose at A Beautiful Day for Football

Wisconsin 55, Indiana 20

Wisconsin Breaks Away to Defeat Indiana at Indiana Football News
Wisconsin runs over Indiana 55-20 at …read more

I can’t watch every game, and there are tons not on TV every week. So, instead of blogging about every game, I’ll link you to the people who are talking about it (by conference). If I missed your link, leave a comment!
Northwestern 24, #17 Minnesota 17

Last Call with Jake Simpson: Final thoughts on Saturday’s win at NU Football Insider
Late INT lifts Northwestern past Minnesota 24-17 at Big Ten Network

#21 Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 24

Day 2 at Just Juli
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin at Cave Kurt’s Blog
Sat. Final: Michigan State 25, Wisconsin 24 at Today’s TMJ4 Sports

Central Michigan 37, Indiana 34

Welcome back, Gerry. Central …read more

I can’t watch every game, and there are tons not on TV every week. So, instead of blogging about every game, I’ll link you to the people who are talking about it (by conference). If I missed your link, leave a comment!
Indiana 21, #22 Northwestern 19

Finally, a glimmer: Indiana 21, Northwestern 19. at The Hoosier Report
NU-Indiana Highlights at WNUR Sports

#24 Minnesota 17, Purdue 6

Boilermakers Fall To Minnesota 17-6 at Purdue Boilermakers News

Wisconsin 27, Illinois 17

Wisconsin Badgers football: Illinois keeps itself in check at Badger Beat
Badgers beat Illini to get back on track at Big Ten Network

Michigan State 35, Michigan 21

State …read more

I can’t watch every game, and there are tons not on TV every week. So, instead of blogging about every game, I’ll link you to the people who are talking about it (by conference). If I missed your link, leave a comment!
Northwestern 48, Purdue 26

Northwestern-Purdue Highlights at WNUR Sports
No. 21 Purdue takes down Northwestern Big Ten Network

Iowa 38, Wisconsin 16

Series by series: UW offense against Iowa at Wisconsin Badgers Football

#12 Ohio State 45, #20 Michigan State 7

Ohio State Michigan State Recap at The Nut and the Feisty Weasel

#3 Penn State 46, Michigan 17

Review, Game 8: Penn State 46, Michigan 17 …read more

Iowa reported yesterday that freshman offensive lineman James Ferentz has been suspended for underage drinking. Normally, no one would care because A) He’s a freshman and B) It’s Iowa. However, the real story here is that it is his dad who suspended him.
No, this isn’t some case of an over-involved parent. Ferentz’s dad is actually Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz. When junior was cited by city police for underage drinking during Thirsty Thursday (ah, I miss college), Coach Kirk suspended his son indefinitely. He’ll also be required to attend counseling and do community service, and I’m sure he …read more