2008 Northwestern Additional Information
Coaching Staff
What's more troubling is that the one victory came in the one home game that Ohio State has played following a Tressel-coached bye week. The Buckeyes have lost all four road contests that followed bye weeks by an average margin of 13.25 to 20.
Even worse, one of those losses was to the Wildcats of Northwestern. Jim Tressel seems to have taken the loss personally, as the Buckeyes have posted their season high point total against Northwestern in all 3 seasons since that awful night.
But that's no reason to think the Buckeyes will win this week. Nor is the injury to Tyrell Sutton. Some denizens of Evanston like to point out that the Wildcats averaged over 42 yards per game MORE on the ground when they were without Sutton's services last year. What they fail to mention is that most of that drop-off was because Ohio State was one of the teams they played without Sutton. Northwestern averaged 119 yards on the ground in their other games without Sutton; which was just 3/4 of a yard short of their season-long average. Northwestern's output against the Buckeyes you ask? Zero point zero yards.
So no, Sutton does not make as big a difference as the Ohio State defense makes. And don't expect the back-up quarterback to run all over the Buckeyes like he did the Gophers last week. He exploited Minnesota's lack of speed. Whatever Ohio State's defense lacks, it most certainly is not speed.
The real difference between this bye week and all of the others during the Tressel tenure is that this bye week came after a loss. None of the other bye weeks did.
And this wasn't just any loss. This is the first time since 2004 when the Buckeyes have spent more than one week of a Big Ten season in need of another team to lose in order to win at least a share of the conference title. In 2005 the Nittany Lions were generous enough to put the Buckeyes back in control of their own destiny the week immediately following the original "white-out". This year, they shared the Buckeye's bye week.
All of this suggests that Ohio State should come out as flat as a pancake this week. They are playing a sandwich game, between their toughest game of the year (PSU) and a revenge game (Ill). And for most of the members of the team, it is the first conference game they will play in when there is something less than an outright Big Ten championship at stake. There probably isn't even a share at stake, practically speaking.
With so many intangibles against them, one might wonder if there is anything in the Buckeyes' favor this week. Well, there is ONE thing. And it's this: The Wildcat defense is a fraud.
Though ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring defense, the FBS teams that Northwestern has played have an average rank of 70.125 in scoring offense. While Ohio State is only ranked 69th in scoring offense, it is well known that they have the potential to be powerful. An off week to rest their tired and sore feet might be just what they need to put these Wildcats in their place. Bucks roll.
The Lighter Side
First, is it just coincidence that the week Ohio State takes a seat College Football sees offensive production shoot through the roof? Take a look at some of these scores: Kansas 52, Kansas State 21; Oklahoma State 59, Iowa State 17; Florida 49, Georgia 10; Stanford 58, Washington State 0; USC 56 Washington 0; Oklahoma 62, Nebraska 28; and Purdue 48, Michigan 42. Looking at the data we can come to a couple conclusions.
The effect of Tyrone Willingham living in your state
State of California 114
State of Washington 0
Yikes! If we combine the USC - Washington and Stanford - Washington State scores it becomes plain that the Ty Willingham is not just killing the Huskies program, but ruining football for the entire state of Washington. We maybe would have noticed this when he was in South Bend, but seeing Purdue and Indiana stink was more or less "normal." Now, I'm left to wonder, "What might have been" had Willingham never lived in the Hoosier State. It is a true testament to Joe Tiller that he was able to manage winning records in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Without the Willingham factor the 7-6, 9-4, and 7-5 Boilermakers might well have been a modern day USC.
The Big XII - the New Pac 10!
Kansas 52, Kansas State 21
Oklahoma State 59, Iowa State 17
Oklahoma 62, Nebraska 28
Missouri 31, Baylor 28
Texas A&M 24, Colorado 17
Texas Tech 39, Texas 33
Winners: 267 Losers: 144
Average: 44.5 - 24
We're being sold on the Big XII and how great it is. I look at these outcomes and I wonder why none of these teams are bothering to field a defense? If you take the winning scores - combine them as points given up by losing defenses and compare it to the worst scoring defenses in the nation, the Big XII comes in just in front of North Texas and Washington State for 3rd worst performance in the nation. Pathetic. And the 24 points allowed by the winning teams? That makes the winning defenses as good as :drum roll please:........Wisconsin. If there is any question at all that the media can't get enough offense, it's the Big XII and the hype they're getting. Here's 20 dollars worth of free advice, media members. Let the Ohio State - Penn State game be a lesson to you. Penn State came in to the tilt against Ohio State averaging a robust 45.4 points per game. While still winning against the Buckeyes, they managed a paltry 13 points - the lone TD coming after gaining fantastic field position because of... here it comes... their Defense. Once any of these teams in the Big XII meets a team with a defense, like say (and it really pains me to say) Penn State, you can expect similar results.
Offensive Genius
With all the high scoring carnage going on this past Saturday, we should have expected similar production from Notre Dame, right? After all, we've got the offensive genius running the show for the Domers and not only was something in the air generally, but the Domers got the benefit of 4 OTs to pad their scoring stats.
Pitt 36
Notre Dame 33
Going in to OT tied at 24 and starting at the opponent's 25 Team Charlie comes up with 3 FGs when they needed at least 4. If we turn each team's FG in to a TD, the final score would have been 46 - 52 (Pitt would not have needed to go for 2 in the final OT) and would have been the sort of score we'd expect from a 4 OT affair. Alas, no.
What's become clear is that when we were told Weis is an "Offensive Genius," the person who first made the claim put the emphasis on the wrong syllable.
Finally, the team that used to be the Michigan Wolverines. How bad have things become in Ann Arbor? Going in to "Snake Oil Bowl I" the Wolverines were scoring at an 18.9 points per game clip while giving up 28.8. I think we can agree that Michigan fans are more accustomed to those numbers being reversed. That is, they'd expect Michigan to be scoring 28.8 per game and giving up 18.8. Even then, 18.8 would not be enough to satisfy, as it would only be good for 25th in the nation, but it is surely more in line with what fans expect. So, what does our Coach among Coaches do? He demands the installation of the 3-3-5 to seek defensive improvement. The result? Michigan gives up 522 yards and 48 points.
Michigan won't be going bowling for the first time since the Big Ten allowed more than 1 team to represent the conference during bowl season. We were told the RichRod molds his system to his players - just ask Shaun King from Tulane or Woody Dantzler from Clemson, the latter of whom was a decent kick return man for a season or two in the NFL. But reality is that we now see that he does not change. He's a one trick pony. We were told that RichRod would be "just fine" with Michigan's talent, as it's - even at its worst - still better than WVUs. Eh... not so much. "Barwis will have these guys in shape and getting stronger as the year goes on!" If you say so, I guess... though since giving up just 13 to Toledo in a losing effort, Michigan has allowed 46, 35 and 48 seems to belie the assertion.
No. If you ask me, Rich Rod switching to the 3-3-5 is the confirmation that I needed to firmly establish that the man is nothing but a gimmick coach on both sides of the ball. The 3-3-5's usage has been described as follows: "It causes confusion for offensive football teams to attack because it is something they don't normally see on a weekly basis." - Bob Davie. If that description doesn't scream "Gimmick" I don't know what does. To be fair, there are legitimate uses for the 3-3-5 but the problem is that the Defense is suspect to a power running game. What is the Big Ten "known" for? I rest my case.
Wrestlerone, who needs you?
Normally I'd track down some idiot posts made by Northwestern's number one fan Wrestlerone at wildcatreport.com and use him as a sounding board for this piece. But, after his bravado last season offering a sig bet to anyone who'd listen to his absurd declarations and in the face of the beat down Northwestern took in the Shoe, it has lost some of it's fun to do so. I'm certain that Wrestlerone is feeling no pain after NU's exciting last second INT return for the winning TD against Minnesota. I'm certain that this is clear evidence to him that the Buckeyes are in serious trouble on Saturday. And to that, I say this, 48-7, 54-10, and 58-7. There is one game on the schedule where Tressel seems content to leave his foot on the gas pedal. This is that game.
Traditions & Opponent Perspective
It's no secret that Northwestern isn't a football school. It's first and foremost an academic school the "Ivy League school of the Big Ten" (just ahead of OSU, of course!). However, Wildcat football has just as much a storied and tradition-filled program as many of the other Big Ten schools.
Historical Data
Northwestern Wildcats (Evanston, Illinois) Founded in 1851
Stadium: Ryan Field-Originally Dyche Stadium, renovated 1997 (Evanston, IL)
Constructed: 1926 (Renovated 1997)
Seating Capacity: 49,256
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Big Ten Conference (since 1896, charter member)
Colors: Purple & White
Mascot: Wildcats (Willie the Wildcat)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 8 Big Ten Titles: 1903*, 1926*, 1930*, 1931*, 1936, 1995, 1996*, 2000* (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 13 (13 different players as of 2007)
College Hall-of-Famers: 13
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 2 (John "Paddy" Driscoll, Otto Graham)
Award Winners: 2 Bednarik, 2 Nagurski, 2 AFCA COY, 2 Bryant COY, 2 Robinson COY, 1 Dodd COY, 1 Walter Camp COY, 1 George Munger COY
National Championships: None recognized, 1 unrecognized in 1936 (Bill Libby)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-8 years, Coaches-4 years
Records
Bowl Games: 1-5-0 (.166) Most recently a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the 2005 Sun Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 239-435-23 (.359) versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 14-58-1 (.199) Most recently a 58-7 loss to the Buckeyes in 2007 in Columbus.
Coach's Reord: Pat Fitzgerald, 2006, 17-16-0 (.515)
2007 Season: 6-6-0 (.500)
Sep 1 - W vs. Northeastern, 27-0
Sep 8 - W vs. Nevada, 36-31
Sep 15 - L vs. Duke, 14-20
Sep 22 - L at Ohio State, 7-58
Sep 29 - L vs. Michigan, 16-28
Oct 6 - W at Michigan State, 48-41 OT
Oct 13 - W vs. Minnesota, 49-48
Oct 19 - W at Eastern Mich, 26-14
Oct 27 - L at Purdue, 17-35
Nov 3 - L vs. Iowa, 17-28
Nov 10 - W vs. Indiana, 31-28
Nov 17 - L at Illinois, 22-41
2008 Schedule
Aug 30 - W vs. Syracuse, 30-10
Sep 6 - W at Duke, 24-20
Sep 13 - W vs. Southern Ill, 33-7
Sep 20 - W vs. Ohio U, 16-8
Sep 27 - W at Iowa, 22-17
Oct 4 - Open
Oct 11 - L vs. Michigan State, 20-37
Oct 18 - W vs. Purdue, 48-26
Oct 25 - L at Indiana, 19-21
Nov 1 - W at Minnesota, 24-17
Nov 8 - vs. Ohio State, 12:00 PM
Nov 15 - at Michigan, 12:00 PM
Nov 22 - vs. Illinois, TBA
Links
Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Pat Fitzgerald
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Randy Bates - Linebackers Coach
Jerry Brown - Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach
Adam Cushing - Superbacks Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Mike Hankwitz - Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach
Bret Ingalls - Offensive Line Coach/Running Game Coordinator
Kevin Johns - Wide Receivers Coach/Passing Game Coordinator
Marty Long - Defensive Line Coach
Matt MacPherson - Running Backs Coach
Mick McCall - Offensive Coordinator/QB's Coach
Rayna Stewart - Defensive Graduate Assistant
Louis Ayeni - Offensive Graduate Assistant
Sharrod Everett - Assistant Director of Football Operations
Nolan Jones - Director of Football Operations
Larry Lilja - Director of Strength and Conditioning
Nick Zostautas - Asst. Strength and Conditioning Coach
Matt Clark - Student Assistant Coach
Matt Harper - Director of Video Operations
Ryan Kessenich - Football Operations Assistant
Josh Mallon - Assistant Video Coordinator
Niel Stopczynski - Recruiting Assistant
RecruitingAssistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Randy Bates - Linebackers Coach
Jerry Brown - Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach
Adam Cushing - Superbacks Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Mike Hankwitz - Defensive Coordinator/Safeties Coach
Bret Ingalls - Offensive Line Coach/Running Game Coordinator
Kevin Johns - Wide Receivers Coach/Passing Game Coordinator
Marty Long - Defensive Line Coach
Matt MacPherson - Running Backs Coach
Mick McCall - Offensive Coordinator/QB's Coach
Rayna Stewart - Defensive Graduate Assistant
Louis Ayeni - Offensive Graduate Assistant
Sharrod Everett - Assistant Director of Football Operations
Nolan Jones - Director of Football Operations
Larry Lilja - Director of Strength and Conditioning
Nick Zostautas - Asst. Strength and Conditioning Coach
Matt Clark - Student Assistant Coach
Matt Harper - Director of Video Operations
Ryan Kessenich - Football Operations Assistant
Josh Mallon - Assistant Video Coordinator
Niel Stopczynski - Recruiting Assistant
Starters Returning: 17 (Offense 8, Defense 7, Special Teams 2)
Letterman Returning: 47 (Offense 26, Defense 17, Special Teams 4)
Notable Returners:
QB C.J. Bacher, RB Tyrell Sutton, WR Eric Peterman, WR Ross Lane, WR Rasheed Ward, OT Kurt Mattes, OL Joel Belding, SB Brendan Mitchell, DT Adam Hahn, DT John Gill, DE Corey Wootton, LB Prince Kwateng, CB Sherrick McManis, SS Brad Phillips, DE Kevin Mims, P Stefan Demos, PK Amado Villarreal
Starters Lost: 7 (Offense 3, Defense 4, Special Teams 0)
Letterman Lost: 19 (Offense 7, Defense 11, Special Teams 1)
Notable Losses:
OG Adam Crum, C Trevor Rees, OT Dylan Thiry, LB Adam Kadela, LB Eddie Simpson, FS Reggis McPherson, CB Deante Battle
Incoming Recruits:
Behind the NumbersNotable Returners:
QB C.J. Bacher, RB Tyrell Sutton, WR Eric Peterman, WR Ross Lane, WR Rasheed Ward, OT Kurt Mattes, OL Joel Belding, SB Brendan Mitchell, DT Adam Hahn, DT John Gill, DE Corey Wootton, LB Prince Kwateng, CB Sherrick McManis, SS Brad Phillips, DE Kevin Mims, P Stefan Demos, PK Amado Villarreal
Starters Lost: 7 (Offense 3, Defense 4, Special Teams 0)
Letterman Lost: 19 (Offense 7, Defense 11, Special Teams 1)
Notable Losses:
OG Adam Crum, C Trevor Rees, OT Dylan Thiry, LB Adam Kadela, LB Eddie Simpson, FS Reggis McPherson, CB Deante Battle
Incoming Recruits:
2009 Verbals
Anthony Battle DE 6-3 230 Chicago, IL
Drew Moulton WR 5-11 164 Midland, MI
Taylor Paxton OL 6-5 265 Englewood, CO
Tim Riley LB 6-3 220 Oswego, IL
Brian Smith OL 6-6 277 Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Will Studlien LB 6-2 220 Sunbury, OH
Mike Trumpy RB 6-0 197 Wheaton, IL
Patrick Ward OL 6-6 295 New Lenox, IL
Evan Watkins QB 6-6 230 Carol Stream, IL
2008 Class
Nick Adamle OL 6-5 298 Wheaton, IL
Brian Arnfelt DE 6-4 243 Stillwater, MN
Hunter Bates DB 5-9 159 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Martin Bayless WR 6-2 200 Missouri City, TX
Jared Carpenter DB 5-10 186 Bowling Green, KY
Alex Daniel RB 5-11 191 Roswell, GA
Neal Deiters OL 6-9 342 Elmhurst, IL
Demetrius Dugar DB 5-11 175 Aldine, TX
Jeremy Ebert ATH 6-0 178 Hilliard, OH
Demetrius Fields WR 6-0 192 Dallas, TX
Caleb Harper DB 5-11 175 Murfreesboro, TN
Evan Luxenburg DT 6-3 280 Beachwood, OH
Jeravin Matthews WR 5-9 170 Canonsburg, PA
Brian Mulroe OL 6-6 263 Wilmette, IL
Brett Nagel LB 6-4 225 Lemont, IL
David Nwabuisi ATH 6-1 230 Bellaire, TX
Stone Pinckney LB 5-11 202 Columbia, SC
Chuck Porcelli OL 6-8 285 Lombard, IL
Jeff Radek OL 6-6 277 Naperville, IL
Quentin Williams TE 6-3 235 Pittsburgh, PA
2007 Class
Colin Armstrong OL 6-5 270 Lisle, IL
David Arnold DB 6-0 185 Copley, OH
Michael Bolden DB 6-1 175 Evanston, IL
Charles Brown WR 5-11 175 Chicago, IL
Vincent Browne DE 6-5 239 Lisbon, OH
Ben Burkett OL 6-4 249 Toledo, OH
Scott Concannon RB 5-10 185 Columbia, MO
Jack DiNardo DE 6-4 245 Hinsdale, IL
Drake Dunsmore TE 6-3 209 Overland Park, KS
Ben Johnson LB 6-4 196 Somers, WI
Cameron Joplin TE 6-4 247 Ann Arbor, MI
Jordan Mabin DB 5-10 178 Macedonia, OH
Niko Mafuli OL 6-3 293 St. Louis, MO
Bryce McNaul LB 6-2 242 Eden Prairie, MN
Alex Netter OL 6-4 250 Santa Rosa, CA
Dan Persa QB 6-2 201 Bethlehem, PA
Brian Peters DB 6-3 194 Pickerington, OH
Josh Rooks TE 6-6 250 Holland, MI
Kevin Watt DE 6-4 225 Glen Ellyn, IL
2006 Class
Mike Boyle OL 6-7 255 Princeton, NJ
Corbin Bryant TE 6-4 240 Chicago, IL
Lee Coleman WR 6-0 170 Gainesville, GA
Quentin Davie LB 6-4 192 Louis, MO
Stefan Demos K 5-10 190 Scottsdale, AZ
Carl Fisher WR 6-2 205 Bolingbrook, IL
[strike]Kendal Mason DT 6-1 270 Delray Beach, FL [/strike]
Joe Mauro QB 6-4 199 Bedford, TX
Sherrick McManis DB 6-0 175 Peoria, IL
Brendan Mitchell TE 6-2 223 Hudson, OH
Brad Phillips ATH 6-3 202 Export, PA
Stephen Simmons RB 5-8 170 St. Louis, MO
[strike]Connor Smith OL 6-4 285 Spring Branch, TX[/strike]
Sidney Stewart WR 6-0 165 Farmington, MI
Marshall Thomas DT 6-3 270 Miami, FL
Justan Vaughn DB 6-0 164 Pearland, TX
Nate Williams LB 6-1 220 Pittsburgh, PA
2005 Class
Malcolm Arrington LB 6-2 218 Orchard Lake, MI
[strike]Thomas Bemenderfer OL 6-5 245 Mishawaka, IN[strike]
Andrew Brewer ATH 6-2 205 Jenks, OK
[strike]Tyler Compton OL 6-5 270 Humble, TX [/strike]
Omar Conteh RB 6-0 195 Cypress, TX
Ramon Diaz OL 6-4 280 Morris, IL
Mike Dinard LB 6-2 222 Parma, OH
John Gill OL 6-3 285 San Jose, CA
Adam Hahn DE 6-4 245 Hartford, WI
Chris Jeske LB 6-1 225 Joliet, IL
Mike Kafka QB 6-3 190 Chicago, IL
Keegan Kennedy DE 6-3 240 West Palm Beach, FL
Prince Kwateng LB 6-1 215 Munster, IN
Kurt Mattes OL 6-6 265 Plymouth, PA
Eric Peterman QB 6-0 199 Springfield, IL
Brendan Smith ATH 6-0 203 New Hampton, NH
Tyrell Sutton RB 5-8 186 Akron, OH
Desmond Taylor DT 6-2 259 Los Angeles, CA
Rasheed Ward WR 5-10 159 Chicago, IL
Corey Wootton OL 6-7 255 Ramsey, NJ
Drew Moulton WR 5-11 164 Midland, MI
Taylor Paxton OL 6-5 265 Englewood, CO
Tim Riley LB 6-3 220 Oswego, IL
Brian Smith OL 6-6 277 Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Will Studlien LB 6-2 220 Sunbury, OH
Mike Trumpy RB 6-0 197 Wheaton, IL
Patrick Ward OL 6-6 295 New Lenox, IL
Evan Watkins QB 6-6 230 Carol Stream, IL
2008 Class
Nick Adamle OL 6-5 298 Wheaton, IL
Brian Arnfelt DE 6-4 243 Stillwater, MN
Hunter Bates DB 5-9 159 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Martin Bayless WR 6-2 200 Missouri City, TX
Jared Carpenter DB 5-10 186 Bowling Green, KY
Alex Daniel RB 5-11 191 Roswell, GA
Neal Deiters OL 6-9 342 Elmhurst, IL
Demetrius Dugar DB 5-11 175 Aldine, TX
Jeremy Ebert ATH 6-0 178 Hilliard, OH
Demetrius Fields WR 6-0 192 Dallas, TX
Caleb Harper DB 5-11 175 Murfreesboro, TN
Evan Luxenburg DT 6-3 280 Beachwood, OH
Jeravin Matthews WR 5-9 170 Canonsburg, PA
Brian Mulroe OL 6-6 263 Wilmette, IL
Brett Nagel LB 6-4 225 Lemont, IL
David Nwabuisi ATH 6-1 230 Bellaire, TX
Stone Pinckney LB 5-11 202 Columbia, SC
Chuck Porcelli OL 6-8 285 Lombard, IL
Jeff Radek OL 6-6 277 Naperville, IL
Quentin Williams TE 6-3 235 Pittsburgh, PA
2007 Class
Colin Armstrong OL 6-5 270 Lisle, IL
David Arnold DB 6-0 185 Copley, OH
Michael Bolden DB 6-1 175 Evanston, IL
Charles Brown WR 5-11 175 Chicago, IL
Vincent Browne DE 6-5 239 Lisbon, OH
Ben Burkett OL 6-4 249 Toledo, OH
Scott Concannon RB 5-10 185 Columbia, MO
Jack DiNardo DE 6-4 245 Hinsdale, IL
Drake Dunsmore TE 6-3 209 Overland Park, KS
Ben Johnson LB 6-4 196 Somers, WI
Cameron Joplin TE 6-4 247 Ann Arbor, MI
Jordan Mabin DB 5-10 178 Macedonia, OH
Niko Mafuli OL 6-3 293 St. Louis, MO
Bryce McNaul LB 6-2 242 Eden Prairie, MN
Alex Netter OL 6-4 250 Santa Rosa, CA
Dan Persa QB 6-2 201 Bethlehem, PA
Brian Peters DB 6-3 194 Pickerington, OH
Josh Rooks TE 6-6 250 Holland, MI
Kevin Watt DE 6-4 225 Glen Ellyn, IL
2006 Class
Mike Boyle OL 6-7 255 Princeton, NJ
Corbin Bryant TE 6-4 240 Chicago, IL
Lee Coleman WR 6-0 170 Gainesville, GA
Quentin Davie LB 6-4 192 Louis, MO
Stefan Demos K 5-10 190 Scottsdale, AZ
Carl Fisher WR 6-2 205 Bolingbrook, IL
[strike]Kendal Mason DT 6-1 270 Delray Beach, FL [/strike]
Joe Mauro QB 6-4 199 Bedford, TX
Sherrick McManis DB 6-0 175 Peoria, IL
Brendan Mitchell TE 6-2 223 Hudson, OH
Brad Phillips ATH 6-3 202 Export, PA
Stephen Simmons RB 5-8 170 St. Louis, MO
[strike]Connor Smith OL 6-4 285 Spring Branch, TX[/strike]
Sidney Stewart WR 6-0 165 Farmington, MI
Marshall Thomas DT 6-3 270 Miami, FL
Justan Vaughn DB 6-0 164 Pearland, TX
Nate Williams LB 6-1 220 Pittsburgh, PA
2005 Class
Malcolm Arrington LB 6-2 218 Orchard Lake, MI
[strike]Thomas Bemenderfer OL 6-5 245 Mishawaka, IN[strike]
Andrew Brewer ATH 6-2 205 Jenks, OK
[strike]Tyler Compton OL 6-5 270 Humble, TX [/strike]
Omar Conteh RB 6-0 195 Cypress, TX
Ramon Diaz OL 6-4 280 Morris, IL
Mike Dinard LB 6-2 222 Parma, OH
John Gill OL 6-3 285 San Jose, CA
Adam Hahn DE 6-4 245 Hartford, WI
Chris Jeske LB 6-1 225 Joliet, IL
Mike Kafka QB 6-3 190 Chicago, IL
Keegan Kennedy DE 6-3 240 West Palm Beach, FL
Prince Kwateng LB 6-1 215 Munster, IN
Kurt Mattes OL 6-6 265 Plymouth, PA
Eric Peterman QB 6-0 199 Springfield, IL
Brendan Smith ATH 6-0 203 New Hampton, NH
Tyrell Sutton RB 5-8 186 Akron, OH
Desmond Taylor DT 6-2 259 Los Angeles, CA
Rasheed Ward WR 5-10 159 Chicago, IL
Corey Wootton OL 6-7 255 Ramsey, NJ
What is it with the Buckeyes and Bye Weeks? Five times during Jim Tressel's tenure has Ohio State had a week off during the season. While the Buckeyes do just fine during the bye week (they have yet to lose a game during weeks when they haven't played one); the Buckeyes have a record of 1-4 in games immediately following a bye.
What's more troubling is that the one victory came in the one home game that Ohio State has played following a Tressel-coached bye week. The Buckeyes have lost all four road contests that followed bye weeks by an average margin of 13.25 to 20.
Even worse, one of those losses was to the Wildcats of Northwestern. Jim Tressel seems to have taken the loss personally, as the Buckeyes have posted their season high point total against Northwestern in all 3 seasons since that awful night.
But that's no reason to think the Buckeyes will win this week. Nor is the injury to Tyrell Sutton. Some denizens of Evanston like to point out that the Wildcats averaged over 42 yards per game MORE on the ground when they were without Sutton's services last year. What they fail to mention is that most of that drop-off was because Ohio State was one of the teams they played without Sutton. Northwestern averaged 119 yards on the ground in their other games without Sutton; which was just 3/4 of a yard short of their season-long average. Northwestern's output against the Buckeyes you ask? Zero point zero yards.
So no, Sutton does not make as big a difference as the Ohio State defense makes. And don't expect the back-up quarterback to run all over the Buckeyes like he did the Gophers last week. He exploited Minnesota's lack of speed. Whatever Ohio State's defense lacks, it most certainly is not speed.
The real difference between this bye week and all of the others during the Tressel tenure is that this bye week came after a loss. None of the other bye weeks did.
And this wasn't just any loss. This is the first time since 2004 when the Buckeyes have spent more than one week of a Big Ten season in need of another team to lose in order to win at least a share of the conference title. In 2005 the Nittany Lions were generous enough to put the Buckeyes back in control of their own destiny the week immediately following the original "white-out". This year, they shared the Buckeye's bye week.
All of this suggests that Ohio State should come out as flat as a pancake this week. They are playing a sandwich game, between their toughest game of the year (PSU) and a revenge game (Ill). And for most of the members of the team, it is the first conference game they will play in when there is something less than an outright Big Ten championship at stake. There probably isn't even a share at stake, practically speaking.
With so many intangibles against them, one might wonder if there is anything in the Buckeyes' favor this week. Well, there is ONE thing. And it's this: The Wildcat defense is a fraud.
Though ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring defense, the FBS teams that Northwestern has played have an average rank of 70.125 in scoring offense. While Ohio State is only ranked 69th in scoring offense, it is well known that they have the potential to be powerful. An off week to rest their tired and sore feet might be just what they need to put these Wildcats in their place. Bucks roll.
Well we survived the bye week! I don't know about you, but the bye week throws me off my game. Pairing the bye with the rolling back of the clocks didn't help matters. But, thankfully normalcy returns this week as the Buckeyes prepare for the Mighty Northwestern Wildcats. Before looking at Team Fitzgerald, though, let's review what happened on the field in week 10.
First, is it just coincidence that the week Ohio State takes a seat College Football sees offensive production shoot through the roof? Take a look at some of these scores: Kansas 52, Kansas State 21; Oklahoma State 59, Iowa State 17; Florida 49, Georgia 10; Stanford 58, Washington State 0; USC 56 Washington 0; Oklahoma 62, Nebraska 28; and Purdue 48, Michigan 42. Looking at the data we can come to a couple conclusions.
The effect of Tyrone Willingham living in your state
State of California 114
State of Washington 0
Yikes! If we combine the USC - Washington and Stanford - Washington State scores it becomes plain that the Ty Willingham is not just killing the Huskies program, but ruining football for the entire state of Washington. We maybe would have noticed this when he was in South Bend, but seeing Purdue and Indiana stink was more or less "normal." Now, I'm left to wonder, "What might have been" had Willingham never lived in the Hoosier State. It is a true testament to Joe Tiller that he was able to manage winning records in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Without the Willingham factor the 7-6, 9-4, and 7-5 Boilermakers might well have been a modern day USC.
The Big XII - the New Pac 10!
Kansas 52, Kansas State 21
Oklahoma State 59, Iowa State 17
Oklahoma 62, Nebraska 28
Missouri 31, Baylor 28
Texas A&M 24, Colorado 17
Texas Tech 39, Texas 33
Winners: 267 Losers: 144
Average: 44.5 - 24
We're being sold on the Big XII and how great it is. I look at these outcomes and I wonder why none of these teams are bothering to field a defense? If you take the winning scores - combine them as points given up by losing defenses and compare it to the worst scoring defenses in the nation, the Big XII comes in just in front of North Texas and Washington State for 3rd worst performance in the nation. Pathetic. And the 24 points allowed by the winning teams? That makes the winning defenses as good as :drum roll please:........Wisconsin. If there is any question at all that the media can't get enough offense, it's the Big XII and the hype they're getting. Here's 20 dollars worth of free advice, media members. Let the Ohio State - Penn State game be a lesson to you. Penn State came in to the tilt against Ohio State averaging a robust 45.4 points per game. While still winning against the Buckeyes, they managed a paltry 13 points - the lone TD coming after gaining fantastic field position because of... here it comes... their Defense. Once any of these teams in the Big XII meets a team with a defense, like say (and it really pains me to say) Penn State, you can expect similar results.
Offensive Genius
With all the high scoring carnage going on this past Saturday, we should have expected similar production from Notre Dame, right? After all, we've got the offensive genius running the show for the Domers and not only was something in the air generally, but the Domers got the benefit of 4 OTs to pad their scoring stats.
Pitt 36
Notre Dame 33
Going in to OT tied at 24 and starting at the opponent's 25 Team Charlie comes up with 3 FGs when they needed at least 4. If we turn each team's FG in to a TD, the final score would have been 46 - 52 (Pitt would not have needed to go for 2 in the final OT) and would have been the sort of score we'd expect from a 4 OT affair. Alas, no.
What's become clear is that when we were told Weis is an "Offensive Genius," the person who first made the claim put the emphasis on the wrong syllable.
Offensive: Giving painful or unpleasant sensations <That's an offensive odor>; Causing displeasure or resentment <He made offensive remarks>
is clearly the descriptor for Fatty-Faticans and not:
Offensive: Of or relating to an attempt to score in a game or contest.
Let's go 3-3-5!
Finally, the team that used to be the Michigan Wolverines. How bad have things become in Ann Arbor? Going in to "Snake Oil Bowl I" the Wolverines were scoring at an 18.9 points per game clip while giving up 28.8. I think we can agree that Michigan fans are more accustomed to those numbers being reversed. That is, they'd expect Michigan to be scoring 28.8 per game and giving up 18.8. Even then, 18.8 would not be enough to satisfy, as it would only be good for 25th in the nation, but it is surely more in line with what fans expect. So, what does our Coach among Coaches do? He demands the installation of the 3-3-5 to seek defensive improvement. The result? Michigan gives up 522 yards and 48 points.
Michigan won't be going bowling for the first time since the Big Ten allowed more than 1 team to represent the conference during bowl season. We were told the RichRod molds his system to his players - just ask Shaun King from Tulane or Woody Dantzler from Clemson, the latter of whom was a decent kick return man for a season or two in the NFL. But reality is that we now see that he does not change. He's a one trick pony. We were told that RichRod would be "just fine" with Michigan's talent, as it's - even at its worst - still better than WVUs. Eh... not so much. "Barwis will have these guys in shape and getting stronger as the year goes on!" If you say so, I guess... though since giving up just 13 to Toledo in a losing effort, Michigan has allowed 46, 35 and 48 seems to belie the assertion.
No. If you ask me, Rich Rod switching to the 3-3-5 is the confirmation that I needed to firmly establish that the man is nothing but a gimmick coach on both sides of the ball. The 3-3-5's usage has been described as follows: "It causes confusion for offensive football teams to attack because it is something they don't normally see on a weekly basis." - Bob Davie. If that description doesn't scream "Gimmick" I don't know what does. To be fair, there are legitimate uses for the 3-3-5 but the problem is that the Defense is suspect to a power running game. What is the Big Ten "known" for? I rest my case.
Wrestlerone, who needs you?
Normally I'd track down some idiot posts made by Northwestern's number one fan Wrestlerone at wildcatreport.com and use him as a sounding board for this piece. But, after his bravado last season offering a sig bet to anyone who'd listen to his absurd declarations and in the face of the beat down Northwestern took in the Shoe, it has lost some of it's fun to do so. I'm certain that Wrestlerone is feeling no pain after NU's exciting last second INT return for the winning TD against Minnesota. I'm certain that this is clear evidence to him that the Buckeyes are in serious trouble on Saturday. And to that, I say this, 48-7, 54-10, and 58-7. There is one game on the schedule where Tressel seems content to leave his foot on the gas pedal. This is that game.
It's no secret that Northwestern isn't a football school. It's first and foremost an academic school the "Ivy League school of the Big Ten" (just ahead of OSU, of course!). However, Wildcat football has just as much a storied and tradition-filled program as many of the other Big Ten schools.
- Northwestern's athletic teams are nicknamed the Wildcats. Before 1924, they were known as "The Purple" and unofficially as "The Fighting Methodists." The name Wildcats was bestowed upon the university in 1924 by a writer for the Chicago Tribune who wrote that even in a loss to the University of Chicago Maroons, the Northwestern football players looked like "Wildcats [that] had come down from Evanston." The name was so popular that university board members made "wildcats" the official nickname just months later.
- The Northwestern's mascot is Willie the Wildcat. However, the team's first mascot was not Willie, but a live, caged bear cub from the Lincoln Park Zoo named Furpaw. In fall 1923, Furpaw was driven to the playing field to greet the fans before each game. After a losing season, the team decided that Furpaw was the harbinger of bad luck and banished him from campus. Poor Furpaw!
- The first Willie was designed by Alpha Delts Frank Willard, John Balch, Rog Johnson and Bill Henning for their homecoming float in 1947. They designed the head while their mothers sewed the rear section of the costume. The first Willie required two people to fill the costume; one for Willie's front and one for Willie's rear end. In 1948, two women students wore the Willie costume. Notre Dame had a standing rule forbidding women on the field, so Willie was stopped at the gates of the South Bend stadium. After a lengthy conference, the officials gave the women special permission to appear. The fate of Willie did not improve in 1949, when Purdue male cheerleaders, not realizing that Willie was two women, picked up the wildcat and threw it into their boilermaker mascot. Apologies were made after hearing feminine shrieks.
- "Go U Northwestern", the Northwestern fight song, is played after scoring and at the end of games. A secondary fight song is "Rise Northwestern (Push On Song)," the final four measures (ending with a shouted "Go, 'Cats!") of which is often played after first downs.
- The "official" cheer at Northwestern sporting events is the chant "Go U! NU!" Students also commonly taunt opposing sports teams with "State-school, state-school," referencing that all institutions of the Big Ten conference, except for Northwestern, are public universities.
- NU students painting The Rock to show their school spirit.
- Fans jingle their car keys at the games. This began as an arrogant taunt; Big Ten rivals often bested Northwestern at football, and the keys implied "while your school may win the football game, in a few years your school's graduates will be parking Northwestern graduates' cars."
- The Wildcat Growl is done when NU is on defense to show support and distract the other teams. Students extend their arms, make a claw with their hands, and growl.
- For many years, students would throw marshmallows at the kick-off of football games. Northwestern archivist Patrick Quinn says that students were likely "trying to get them into the tubas, and then started throwing them at each other," leading to the tradition of throwing marshmallows at the field. While Gary Barnett was football coach, he banned marshmallows because they supposedly detracted from the serious level of football that he wanted for the school.
- The Clock Tower glows purple after a winning game. The Tower remains purple until a loss or the end of the sports season.
- The Northwestern student section is led in their cheers by Northwestern University Marching Band (NUMB). NUMB performs on the field and in the stands at all home games and follows the team to one Big Ten away game per season.
- NUMB's pregame consists of Northwestern's traditional "Pre-game Fanfare" and "Push on" fight song. After a "Patrotic Medley", followed by the National Anthem, NUMB performs the visiting team's fight song to the visiting fans. NUMB performs "Go U Northwestern!" while forming a sculpted 'N', and the pre-game show ends with the band forming a tunnel for the football team to run through as it enters the field.
Northwestern Wildcats (Evanston, Illinois) Founded in 1851
Football 1st Season: 1875
Stadium: Ryan Field-Originally Dyche Stadium, renovated 1997 (Evanston, IL)
Constructed: 1926 (Renovated 1997)
Seating Capacity: 49,256
Playing Surface: Natural Grass
Conference: Big Ten Conference (since 1896, charter member)
Colors: Purple & White
Mascot: Wildcats (Willie the Wildcat)
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1937 (first year of NCAA classification)
Conference Championships: 8 Big Ten Titles: 1903*, 1926*, 1930*, 1931*, 1936, 1995, 1996*, 2000* (*=Co-Champions)
Consensus All-Americans: 13 (13 different players as of 2007)
College Hall-of-Famers: 13
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 2 (John "Paddy" Driscoll, Otto Graham)
Award Winners: 2 Bednarik, 2 Nagurski, 2 AFCA COY, 2 Bryant COY, 2 Robinson COY, 1 Dodd COY, 1 Walter Camp COY, 1 George Munger COY
National Championships: None recognized, 1 unrecognized in 1936 (Bill Libby)
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: AP-8 years, Coaches-4 years
All Time: 459-610-44 (.432)
Bowl Games: 1-5-0 (.166) Most recently a 50-38 loss to UCLA in the 2005 Sun Bowl
All Time vs the BigTen: 239-435-23 (.359) versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: 14-58-1 (.199) Most recently a 58-7 loss to the Buckeyes in 2007 in Columbus.
Coach's Reord: Pat Fitzgerald, 2006, 17-16-0 (.515)
2007 Season: 6-6-0 (.500)
Sep 1 - W vs. Northeastern, 27-0
Sep 8 - W vs. Nevada, 36-31
Sep 15 - L vs. Duke, 14-20
Sep 22 - L at Ohio State, 7-58
Sep 29 - L vs. Michigan, 16-28
Oct 6 - W at Michigan State, 48-41 OT
Oct 13 - W vs. Minnesota, 49-48
Oct 19 - W at Eastern Mich, 26-14
Oct 27 - L at Purdue, 17-35
Nov 3 - L vs. Iowa, 17-28
Nov 10 - W vs. Indiana, 31-28
Nov 17 - L at Illinois, 22-41
2008 Schedule
Aug 30 - W vs. Syracuse, 30-10
Sep 6 - W at Duke, 24-20
Sep 13 - W vs. Southern Ill, 33-7
Sep 20 - W vs. Ohio U, 16-8
Sep 27 - W at Iowa, 22-17
Oct 4 - Open
Oct 11 - L vs. Michigan State, 20-37
Oct 18 - W vs. Purdue, 48-26
Oct 25 - L at Indiana, 19-21
Nov 1 - W at Minnesota, 24-17
Nov 8 - vs. Ohio State, 12:00 PM
Nov 15 - at Michigan, 12:00 PM
Nov 22 - vs. Illinois, TBA
Official Sites:
Official School Site - Northwestern University
Official Alumni Site - Northwestern University - Alumni
Student Newspaper - Daily Northwestern
Official Athletic Site - NU Sports
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Hail to Purple (Independent)
Message Boards - Purple Reign (Scout)
Message Boards - Wildcat Report(Rivals)
Blog - Lake The Posts
Blog - WNUR Sports
Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers
Local News Sources:
Chicago Tribune - Local News
Chicago Sun Times - Local News
Chicago Daily Herald - Local News
WNUR - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
Game Notes (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes
Big Ten Weekly Release Notes (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes
Game Notes (PDF) - NU Sports
2008 Roster - NU Sports
2008 Schedule - NU Sports
2008 News - NU Sports
2008 Stats - NU Sports
2008 Spring Football - NU Sports
2008 Spring Guide (PDF) - NU Sports
2008 Media Guide (Links to PDFs) - NU Sports
2007 Stats (PDF) - Big Ten
2007 Stats - Conf Only (PDF) - Big Ten
Team Breakdown (PDF) - Big Ten
2008 Spring Game - Big Ten
2008 Team Preview - BigTen
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - Offense - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - Defense - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2007 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - CFN
2006 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - OZone
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - College Football Poll
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - BigTen-Fans
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - Athlon
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - B/R
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - The Sports Network
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - Red Zone Report
Game Preview - ESPN U / AP
Travel:
Directions & Parking Info - NU Sports
Take the Train - NU Sports
Campus Shuttle - NU Sports
Football Map & Guide (PDF) - NU Sports
Travel, Dinning, Entertainment, etc. - NU Sports
B10 Conference Previews and Breakdowns:
2008 BigTen Prospectus (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Team Breakdowns (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Media Info(PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Composite Schedule (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Season in Review (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Overall Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Conference Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2008 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2008 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Schedules & Predictions - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Team Capsules - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Unit Rankings - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Season WrapUp - CFN
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CNN/Si
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2008 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
2008 BigTen Football Preview - MSNBC
Travel:
Home Game
Preseason RankingsOfficial Alumni Site - Northwestern University - Alumni
Student Newspaper - Daily Northwestern
Official Athletic Site - NU Sports
Official Conference Site - Big Ten Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Message Boards - Hail to Purple (Independent)
Message Boards - Purple Reign (Scout)
Message Boards - Wildcat Report(Rivals)
Blog - Lake The Posts
Blog - WNUR Sports
Team Page - NCAA
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Fox Sports
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - CBS Sportsline
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Team Page - AOL
Team Page - CSTV
Team Page - ATSH2H
Team Page - Covers
Local News Sources:
Chicago Tribune - Local News
Chicago Sun Times - Local News
Chicago Daily Herald - Local News
WNUR - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
Game Notes (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes
Big Ten Weekly Release Notes (PDF) - Ohio State Buckeyes
Game Notes (PDF) - NU Sports
2008 Roster - NU Sports
2008 Schedule - NU Sports
2008 News - NU Sports
2008 Stats - NU Sports
2008 Spring Football - NU Sports
2008 Spring Guide (PDF) - NU Sports
2008 Media Guide (Links to PDFs) - NU Sports
2007 Stats (PDF) - Big Ten
2007 Stats - Conf Only (PDF) - Big Ten
Team Breakdown (PDF) - Big Ten
2008 Spring Game - Big Ten
2008 Team Preview - BigTen
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - Offense - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - Defense - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2007 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - CFN
2006 Northwestern Wildcats Football Preview - CFN
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - OZone
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - College Football Poll
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - BigTen-Fans
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - Athlon
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - B/R
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - The Sports Network
2008 Northwestern Wildcats PREVIEW - Red Zone Report
Game Preview - ESPN U / AP
Travel:
Directions & Parking Info - NU Sports
Take the Train - NU Sports
Campus Shuttle - NU Sports
Football Map & Guide (PDF) - NU Sports
Travel, Dinning, Entertainment, etc. - NU Sports
B10 Conference Previews and Breakdowns:
2008 BigTen Prospectus (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Team Breakdowns (PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Media Info(PDF) - BigTen
2008 BigTen Composite Schedule (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Season in Review (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Overall Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2007 BigTen Conference Stats (PDF) - BigTen
2008 CFN Big Ten Preview - CFN
2008 CFN Preseason All-Big Ten Team - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Schedules & Predictions - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Team Capsules - CFN
2008 CFN B10 Unit Rankings - CFN
2007 CFN B10 Season WrapUp - CFN
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CNN/Si
2008 BigTen Football Preview - CollegeSports-Fans
2008 BigTen Football Preview - College Football Poll
2008 BigTen Football Preview - MSNBC
Travel:
Home Game
None
Preseason Watch Lists
Biletnikoff Award - Ross Lane, NU & Eric Peterman, NU
Manning Award - C.J. Bacher, NU
Bronko Nagurski Trophy - John Gill, NU
Outland Trophy - John Gill, NU
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award - C.J. Bacher, NU
Doak Walker Award - Tyrell Sutton, NU
Big Ten Conference Players of the WeekBronko Nagurski Trophy - John Gill, NU
Outland Trophy - John Gill, NU
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award - C.J. Bacher, NU
Doak Walker Award - Tyrell Sutton, NU
Week #1 - Aug. 30, 2008
Offense - QB Juice Williams, Illinois & QB Kellen Lewis, Indiana
Defense - LB Obi Ezeh, Michigan
Special Teams - P Stefan Demos, Northwestern
Week #2 - Sept. 6, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State & QB Adam Weber, Minnesota & RB Evan Royster, Penn State
Defense - DE Karl Klug, Iowa
Special Teams - FB Frank Halliburton, Purdue
Week #3 - Sept. 13, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - LB DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
Special Teams - PR Andy Brodell, Iowa
Week #4 - Sept. 20, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - DE Vince Browne, Northwestern & LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Special Teams - PK Amado Villarreal, Northwestern
Week #5 - Sept. 27, 2008
Offense - QB - C.J. Bach?r, Northwestern
Defense - DE - Brandon Graham, Michigan
Special Teams - KR - Derrick Williams, Penn State
Week #6 - Oct. 4, 2008
Offense - QB - Juice Williams, Illinois
Defense - LB - Brit Miller, Illinois
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State & K - Joel Monroe, Minnesota
Week #7 - Oct. 11, 2008
Offense - QB - Daryll Clark, Penn State
Defense - DE - Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota & DE - Aaron Maybin, Penn State
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State
Week #8 - Oct. 18, 2008
Offense - RB - Shonn Greene, Iowa
Defense - LB - Pat Angerer, Iowa
Special Teams - K - Kevin Kelly, Penn State
Week #9 - Oct. 25, 2008
Offense - QB - Mike Kafka, Northwestern & QB - Justin Siller, Purdue
Defense - S - Brendan Smith, Northwestern
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State
Preseason AccoladesDefense - LB Obi Ezeh, Michigan
Special Teams - P Stefan Demos, Northwestern
Week #2 - Sept. 6, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State & QB Adam Weber, Minnesota & RB Evan Royster, Penn State
Defense - DE Karl Klug, Iowa
Special Teams - FB Frank Halliburton, Purdue
Week #3 - Sept. 13, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - LB DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
Special Teams - PR Andy Brodell, Iowa
Week #4 - Sept. 20, 2008
Offense - RB Javon Ringer, Michigan State
Defense - DE Vince Browne, Northwestern & LB Navorro Bowman, Penn State
Special Teams - PK Amado Villarreal, Northwestern
Week #5 - Sept. 27, 2008
Offense - QB - C.J. Bach?r, Northwestern
Defense - DE - Brandon Graham, Michigan
Special Teams - KR - Derrick Williams, Penn State
Week #6 - Oct. 4, 2008
Offense - QB - Juice Williams, Illinois
Defense - LB - Brit Miller, Illinois
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State & K - Joel Monroe, Minnesota
Week #7 - Oct. 11, 2008
Offense - QB - Daryll Clark, Penn State
Defense - DE - Willie VanDeSteeg, Minnesota & DE - Aaron Maybin, Penn State
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State
Week #8 - Oct. 18, 2008
Offense - RB - Shonn Greene, Iowa
Defense - LB - Pat Angerer, Iowa
Special Teams - K - Kevin Kelly, Penn State
Week #9 - Oct. 25, 2008
Offense - QB - Mike Kafka, Northwestern & QB - Justin Siller, Purdue
Defense - S - Brendan Smith, Northwestern
Special Teams - K - Brett Swenson, Michigan State
BigTen Preseason Media Poll
1. Ohio State
2. Wisconsin
3. Illinois
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Chris "Beanie" Wells - Ohio State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - James Laurinaitis - Ohio State
2. Wisconsin
3. Illinois
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year - Chris "Beanie" Wells - Ohio State
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year - James Laurinaitis - Ohio State
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data