Big Ten Football & Basketball Blog

The Fighting Illini came off a 2-9 season in 2006 causing few to believe that the 2007 Illini would win 9 games, defeat #1 Ohio State in Columbus and make a BCS Bowl game, let alone the Rose Bowl. But Illinois has defied the odds all season long and while the College Sports Fans preview of the Rose Bowl between USC and Illinois does not paint a better picture for the Illini, don’t ever count Ron Zook’s team out. While Fighting Illini apparel & clothing is a hot-seller due to the Rose Bowl berth, Zook will surely have his team ready for their great January 1st test.

The November 11th BCS Standings have been released and now feature 4 Big Ten football programs in the Top 25 rankings. After their 28-21 loss to Illinois on Saturday, the Ohio State Buckeyes continue to lead the Big Ten and will play Michigan for the Big Ten football championship next weekend, but the Buckeyes have dropped from #1 to #7 in the BCS standings. Illinois is the second-ranked Big Ten school coming in at #19 overall thanks to a strong computer score. Michigan comes in at #21 following a disappointing loss @ Wisconsin and the Badgers round out the Big Ten programs in the Top 25 of the BCS coming in at #25.

Penn State was the lone other Big Ten football team receiving Top 25 votes in the AP and USA Today rankings and was ranked as high as #22 by the coaches in the USA Today poll.

DFN Sports network sites feature a great selection of men’s & women’s Ohio State hats & apparel, Wisconsin Badgers apparel and Michigan Wolverines clothing & apparel online.