Dave and Drew Thurman (11:56 am)
Mascot: Hawkeyes
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (11th year at Iowa, 79-54 overall, 1-5 vs. OSU)
2008 Record: 9-4 (Defeated South Carolina in Outback Bowl , 31-10)
2009 Record: 9-1
Base Offense: "I" Formation
Base Defense: 4-3
Letterman: Returning - 49; Lost - 22
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 8, Specialists - 2
Returning Stars: LB Pat Angerer, S Tyler Sash
Notable Alumni:
- Tom Arnold, actor from Roseanne
- Tom Brokaw, TV anchor and author
- Bret Bielema, football coach, Wisconsin
- Dallas Clark, tight end, Indianapolis Colts
- George Gallup, founder of the Gallup poll
- Don Nelson, NBA player and coach
- Ashton Kutcher, actor
Cheerleading Scouting Report:
Iowa Overview:
As much as the Buckeyes have felt snakebitten by injuries this season, the Hawkeyes have even more reason to complain. Before the season even started, their starting running back Jewel Hampton was lost for the season. Iowa moved on without him though, and found a star in redshirt freshman Adam Robinson. They would also lose him for the season after being injured against Michigan State. Then Ricky Stanzi went down in the first half against Northwestern last week, and all those injuries finally caught up with the Hawkeyes as they lost 17-10 to Northwestern. Their dreams of going to a National Championship were crushed after a 9-0 start.
Dave and Drew Thurman (12:40 pm)
Mascot: Nittany Lions
Stadium: Beaver Stadium (107,282)
Head Coach: Joe Paterno (44th year at PSU, 391-128-3; vs OSU 8-12)
2008 Record: 11-2 (Lost to USC in Rose Bowl 38-24)
2009 Record: 8-1
Base Offense: Ace (3 Wide Receivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Letterman: Returning - 37; Lost - 20
Returning Starters: Offense - 5, Defense - 4, Specialists - 1
Returning Stars: QB Daryll Clark; RB Evan Royster; LB Sean Lee
Notable Alumni:
-Lisa Salters, ESPN reporter
-Adam McKay, Screenwriter and director of Anchorman and Talladega Nights
-Herman Fisher, Co-founder of Fisher-Price toy company
-John Cappalletti, Heisman Trophy winning RB
-Mike Scioscia, MLB catcher and manager
-Franco Harris, NFL Hall of Fame running back
-Joseph Heller, Author of Catch-22
Cheerleading Scouting Report:
Penn State Overview:
Saturday's game between the Nittany Lions and the Buckeyes was hyped as the game that would decide the Big Ten Champion before the season started. While this game will not necessarily decide that because Iowa is in the mix, it still has massive Big Ten implications. One would expect that this game is going to feature two of the nation's top defenses, and should be low scoring in nature. With that said, both teams do have talent on the offensive side of the ball, especially Penn State, who is very underrated as an offensive unit. They have played a pretty easy schedule thus far, but are still averaging 429 yards a game and 30 points a game. So yes, Penn State can put up points!
 Seth Smith is averaging 87.9 yards a game // Photo via nmstatesports.com Dave and Drew Thurman (11:12 am)
Mascot: Aggies
Stadium: Aggie Memorial Stadium (30, 343)
2008 Record: 3-9
2009 Record: 3-5
Head Coach: DeWayne Walker (first year at NMSU, 3-5)
Letterman Returning: 44 (21 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 5, Defense - 5, Specialist - 1
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Multiple Formations
Returning Stars: WR Marcus Anderson, LB Jason Scott
Notable Alumni:
Well, there aren't really any recognizable names on this list, so instead we are printing the words to their fight song which is unique to say the least:
Aggies, Oh Aggies
the hills send back the cry
we're to do or die!
Aggies, Oh Aggies
we'll win this game or know the reason why!
And when we win this game
we'll buy a keg of booze
and we'll drink it to the Aggies 'til we wobble in our shoes
A-G-G-I-E-S!
Aggies, Aggies, Go Aggies!
Aggies, Oh Aggies
the hills send back the cry
we're here to do or die!
Aggies, Oh Aggies
we'll win this game or know the reason why!
New Mexico State Overview:
Coming into the season the Aggies were expected to be bottom feeders in the WAC, and they have not disappointed. They have not beaten a quality opponent yet, and are coming off two crushing defeats to Louisiana Tech (45-7) and Fresno State (34-3). As you can expect based on those games, offense has been a struggle. The Aggies are averaging 13.2 points a game compared to their opponents' 28, and are only averaging 254.2 yards per game.
Dave and Drew Thurman (12:03 pm)
Mascot: Golden Gophers
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,000)
2008 Record: 7-6 (Lost to Kansas 42-21 in Insight Bowl)
2009 Record: 4-3
Head Coach: Tim Brewster (3rd year at Minnesota, 12-20)
Letterman Returning: 54 (21 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 9, Defense - 8, Specialists - 0
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Ace (3 Wideouts)
Returning Stars: QB Adam Weber, WR Eric Decker (pictured)
Notable Alumni:
Bob Dylan - Singer/Songwriter
Hubert H. Humphrey - Former U.S. Vice President
Jessica Lange - Actress
Tony Dungy - NFL Player and Coach
Tom Lehman - PGA Golfer
Dave Winfield - MLB Hall of Famer
Kevin McHale - NBA Player
Yanni - Grammy-nominated pianist and composer
Cheerleading Scouting Report:
Minnesota Overview:
Tim Brewster and company head into Columbus this Saturday, coming off a crushing 20-0 defeat at Penn State. Much like the Buckeyes on the other side of the ball, the Gophers are trying to get themselves established on the offensive. Against Penn State they would only put up 138 total yards, and really struggled trying to get the running game going. This has been a trend all year for Brewster's squad, and the offense has not looked sharp in the team's biggest games. In fact, they are being outgained on the ground and through the air by their opponents. Not a very positive sign for a winning team.
Dave and Drew Thurman (9:40 AM)
Mascot: Boilermakers
Stadium: Ross-Ade Stadium (62,500)
Coach: Danny Hope (first year at Purdue, 1-5)
2008 record: 4-8
Base Offense: Ace (3 wide recivers)
Base Defense: 4-3
Lettermen: Returning - 49; Lost 19
Returning Starters: Offense - 5; Defense - 7; Specialists - 2
Returning Stars: WR Keith Smith; DE Ryan Kerrigan
Notable Alumni:
Neil Armstrong, first man to walk on the moon
Charles Ellis, designer of the Golden Gate Bridge
Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
John Wooden, Basketball Hall of Famer as player and coach
Bob Griese, Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback; sportscaster
Orville Redenbacher, entrepreneur of popcorn fame
Jim Gaffigan, comedian and actor
Dave and Drew Thurman (11:19 am)
Mascot: Badgers
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium (80,321)
2008 Record: 7-6 (Lost to Florida State 42-13 in Champs Sports Bowl)
2009 Record: 5-0 (#25 in USA Today coaches poll)
Head Coach: Bret Bielema (4th year at Wisconsin, 33-11)
Letterman Returning: 42 (18 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 5, Specialists - 2
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Power I (often with 2 TE's)
Returning Stars: TB John Clay, DE O'Brian Schofield
Notable Alumni:
Elroy Hirsch - Hall of Fame NFL Player
Ron Dayne - Heisman Trophy Winning RB
Curl Lambeau - Hall of fame NFL player and coach, co-founder of Packers
Frank Lloyd Wright - Architect
Tom Wopat - Luke on Dukes of Hazzard
Charles Lindbergh - Aviator
William S. Harley - Founder of Harley-Davidson
Wisconsin Overview:
Bielema was on hot seat coming into 2009, and his Badgers have answered the call with a 5-0 record. They have been challenged though, and outside of the Wofford game every game has been tight. In fact while they are averaging 35 points a game, their opponents are averaging 24.6 points a game. Pretty small window of margin for a undefeated team.
Dave and Drew Thurman (11:54 am)
Mascot: Hoosiers
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (52,692)
2008 Record: 3-9
2009 Record: 3-1
Head Coach: Bill Lynch (3rd year at IU, 13-16; 17th year overall, 94-83-3)
Letterman Returning: 49 (23 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 9, Specialists -1
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Pistol
Returning Stars: DE Jamie Kirlew; DE Greg Middleton
Notable Alumni:
Dick Enberg - Sportscaster
Ernie Pyle - Award winning WWII journalist
Mark Spitz - Swimmer (won 7 gold medals in '72 Olympics)
Jane Pauley - TV journalist
Jeff Sagarin - Creator of Sagarin rating system for college sports
Isaiah Thomas - NBA Hall of Famer, coach, and owner
Mark Cuban - Entrepreneur; owner of Dallas Mavericks
Indiana Overview:
The Hoosiers have actually started off with some momentum this season (3-1), and have already matched their win total from a year ago. Their non-conference schedule was pretty pathetic, though their near upset in Ann Arbor a week ago did raise some eyebrows. The big difference is that Indiana's offense seems to be performing better every single week. In fact, their offense put almost a hundred more yards up against the Wolverines last week. I realize that Michigan plays very soft "D," but the 467 yards the Hoosiers gained was pretty impressive.
Dave and Drew Thurman (12:25 pm)
Mascot: Fighting Illini
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (62,870)
2008 Record: 5-7
2009 Record: 1-1
Head Coach: Ron Zook (5th year at Illinois, 19-31; 1-3 vs. OSU)
Lettermen Returning: 46 (17 Lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 8, Defense - 5, Specialists - 2
Base Defense: 4-3
Base Offense: Ace (3 WR)
Returning Stars: QB Juice Williams; WR Arrelious Benn
Notable Alumni:
Robert Ebert - Film Critic
Jerry Colangelo - President & CEO of Phoenix Suns
Gene Hackman - Academy Award winning actor
Red Grange - Charter member of Pro Football Hall of Fame
Dick Butkus - Hall of Fame linebacker
Hugh Hefner - Editor-in-chief, Playboy Enterprises
Steve Stricker - Professional Golfer
Steve Chen & Jawed Karim - Co-founders of YouTube
Illinois Overview:
Ron Zook brings a disappointing Illini squad into the Horseshoe this Saturday, with a team who has already been written off after their 37-9 beating from Missouri. As ugly as that opening loss was, the Illini should strike fear for Big Ten teams because of their high potent offense (436.5 yards a game). Much like the 2007 edition of the Illini, this team has the ability to be scary when the offense puts everything together. Coming off a bye week, you have to wonder if that is a possibility this weekend.
Drew Thurman (10:04 am)
This Saturday a rested Illini squad will come to Columbus, just off a bye week. Talk of Zook's crew has been hush hush after the 37-9 beating they took to open the season against Missouri, but that doesn't make them any less lethal come Saturday. For whatever reason, Illinois always seems to give the Buckeyes a little extra fight. Even the other Big Ten powerhouses, Penn State and Michigan, don't seem to get the same kind of physical play from the Illini that the Buckeyes do. At least in recent history, they are ready for blood when they see the Scarlet and Gray.
Fans will obviously never forget the showdown in Champaign in 2002, as the Buckeyes barely escaped with a 23-16 victory in overtime. Then the two teams would get a break for two years until they met again in 2005. That year, in Zook's first season, the Illini won zero conference games and got crushed 40-2 by the Buckeyes in Columbus (Smith and Ginn rocked them). Since 2005 though, the Buckeyes have not had an easy game against Zook and company. One has to believe that Zook, an Ohio native, feels beating the Buckeyes will build more momentum both for the program and for recruiting than any other game. It sure seems that the last three years, the Illini have circled their collision with Ohio State on the calender. Let's take a look back at how those games played out...
Dave and Drew Thurman (10:27 am)
Mascot: Rockets
Stadium: Glass Bowl (26,248)
2008 Record: 3-9 (included victory over TSUN); 2009 Record: 1-1
Head Coach: Tim Beckman (1st year at UT, 1-1)...former CB coach at OSU
Letterman Returning: 57 (7 lost)
Returning Starters: Offense - 9, Defense - 7, Specialists - 2
Base Defense: 4-2-5
Base Offense: Ace (3 WR)
Returning Stars: RB Morgan Williams; DB Barry Church
Notable Alumni:
- Christi Paul, CNN Headline News Anchor
- Chester Taylor, NFL Running Back
- Fredric J Baur, inventor of the Pringles can
- Philip Baker Hall, actor
Cheerleading Scouting Report:
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