A more accomplished spread quarterback. A more decorated sophomore receiver threat. A more proven defense. A team that didn't merely beat the No. 1 team in the nation, but actually was No. 1 going into its final regular-season game.
Many Northwestern fans remain convinced that the Wildcats will flourish or flail this season on the determined legs, sustained good health and ultra-competitive spirit of Tyrell Sutton. That made it all that much more surprising last week when the four 2008 co-captains were selected by teammates, and the star senior tailback was not among them.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It sounded odd coming from a coach who has been accused of having a pass-first mentality and is best known for developing quarterbacks Tom Brady and Brady Quinn, but there was nothing about Charlie Weis' tone to suggest he wasn't being sincere while addressing the plan for his Notre Dame offense.
Martez Wilson won't make his first start for Illinois until Saturday, but he's already earning accolades. The sophomore linebacker from Simeon is on the Butkus Award watch list and has received preseason All-Big Ten mentions from several publications.
Northwestern fans hoping for a dramatic unveiling of a new lightning-and-thunder offense under incoming coordinator Mick McCall when the Wildcats open against Syracuse on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN2, 720-AM) might want to lower their expansive expectations, according to senior quarterback C.J. Bacher.
There will be no dress rehearsals before No. 20 Illinois and No. 6 Missouri open their seasons at a sold-out Edward Jones Dome on Saturday night in St. Louis (7:30, ESPN, 560-AM). And both sides are looking forward to it.
Let the arguments begin. Even though Georgia is the consensus No. 1, there's more parity than usual at the top, where at least five college football teams are separated by the thinnest of margins.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Miami starting quarterback Robert Marve and six others have been suspended for Thursday's season opener against Charleston Southern.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The typical talking points for Notre Dame freshman were getting tossed around like confetti at a birthday party Friday at freshman media day.
Perhaps the best indicator of how much freshmen who played for Notre Dame last season will improve during their sophomore seasons can be seen in the eyes of nose tackle Ian Williams during evening meetings. Those once droopy lids are now wide open, which is a positive sign for the Irish.
DEKALB, Ill. -- Jerry Kill is a firm believer that special teams should, literally, live up to their name.
Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone, expected to vie for the starting position, will miss the season after undergoing surgery Friday for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
LINCOLN, Neb. -- Two wrestlers kicked off Nebraska's team after appearing on a pornographic Web site broke NCAA rules twice in five months, athletic director Tom Osborne said Friday.
CHAMPAIGN -- He often rises at dawn for a workout and a quick round of golf but still manages to arrive at the office in time for the start of his busy business day.
