The College Football Season might be over and done with, but I had a few notes regarding how these teams preformed in 2010. I hope you enjoy the reading material!
Northwestern
With Pat Fitzgerald at the helm, the Wildcats will always be a solid squad. Northwestern was red-hot through the first five weeks going undefeated before suffering a disappointing loss at home to Purdue. It looked as if NU was on track to be one of the Big 10’s top dog’s this season but QB Dan Persa’s season-ending Achilles injury in the Iowa game dashed any hopes the program might of had. In the Wrigleyville Classic, Illinois embarrassed NU as RB Mikel Leshoure rushed for 330 yards in a 48-27 rout. And Wisconsin ended up spanking the ‘Cats 70-23 in the season finale. It almost seemed as if Northwestern fell apart right around when Dan Persa became injured. He’s definitely the glue that holds this team together and luckily he’s on track to suit back up for the Wildcats at the start of next season.
Michigan
Rich Rod just couldn’t get the job done in Michigan and now Brady Hoke enters next season in hopes to immediately get the program in the right direction. Denard Robinson was a freak of nature this season, but the problem Rodriguez ran into was that he asked his star to do too much. If Hoke can get some other players to step up next season he might be able to have an immediate impact down in Ann Arbor.
Purdue
The injuries this squad faced on offense really hurt Purdue down the stretch this season as the Boilermakers lost its last six games. I’m already calling it, Purdue will be a surprise team out of the Big Ten next year.
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Illinois
Illinois shocked me this season, as I’m sure it did to most of its fans. The team went 3-9 in 2009 and only returned 5 starters on offense. I definitely didn’t have the Illini beating Penn State in Happy Valley or becoming bowl eligible this year. Ron Zook really ‘Zoinked’ me this time. QB Nathan Scheelhasse is a much better quarterback than Juice Williams and I believe he’s the right guy to take Illinois to the promised lands.
Indiana
What do you want me to say here? Indiana should stick to playing basketball but unfortunately they haven’t been too good in that sport recently, either.
Minnesota
The Golden Gophers poor season had to have been expected. I mean when your defense only returns 2 starters what did you think was going to happen; that they’d be playing for the BCS National Championship? Tim Brewster got the AXE as a result of the team going 3-9. Former NIU Coach Jerry Kill will now have the duty of turning Minnesota into a winner but it won’t be easy. While the Defense will be more experienced next season, the offense loses a lot of key players, such as QB Adam Weber.
Notre Dame
How you start the race isn’t as important as how you finish. Just ask Notre Dame; the Irish went 3-3 in the beginning before finishing up 4-2. ND also finally earned a legitimate bowl win this season (For the first time in recent history). Seriously, torching Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl back in 2008 doesn’t count. A lot more will be expected from Brian Kelly in year 2 though, so we’ll see if he’ll be able to get the job done in South Bend.
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