#Devon Witherspoon

LINCOLN - One more offseason. One more preseason. One more football season. And one more postseason. All with a new commissioner, and an eye toward a larger future in the league. One more trip around the sun with this iteration of Big Ten football. And one more year with divisional schedules. One more year, for certain, of a Big Ten title game. The…

Georgia will chase a third consecutive national championship in 2023 as the favorite in the USA TODAY Sports way-too-early Top 25 for next season, ahead of the familiar run of teams that have come to dominate the Bowl Subdivision. The Bulldogs are followed by No. 2 Michigan, No. 3 Alabama, No. 4 Florida State and No. 5 Penn State. After an…

In the wake of Mike Leach's death, this just feels like Mississippi State's game to lose, and I don't see them doing that. It's not a knock on the Illini at all, who I think will be able to put up a really good fight without three of their best players. But it's more of the heavy hearts the Bulldogs will playing with, and the entire nation cheering…

The Book of Bielema has been an intriguing mix of the classics in 2022. The no-nonsense style of play employed by the Illinois defense-first philosophy hits you in the throat like a Beat Generation masterpiece. The defense itself, led in part by Devon Witherspoon, Quan Martin, Gabe Jacas, Calvin Avery, Taz Nicholson, Johnny Newton, Tarique Barnes,…

For the first time in quite some time, the Illinois Fighting Illini are soaking up the Florida sun in the college football postseason. But, Bret Bielema's squad isn't in the Sunshine State for sandy beaches and surfing, however, a long awaited business trip. The Illini are now just days away from facing SEC opponent Mississippi State in the…

The Mississippi State Bulldogs (8-4) battle the Illinois Fighting Illini (8-4) in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, Jan. 2. Both teams have identical 8-4 records, with the Bulldogs finishing third in the SEC West and the Illini finishing second in the Big Ten West. This game could come down to game style, with Mississippi State favored…

Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams was one of three Southern California players selected to The Associated Press All-America team released Monday. Offensive lineman Andrew Vorhees and defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu joined their quarterback to give USC more players on the first team than any other school. The AP All-America team is presented by…

Pitt defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was named Monday to the Associated Press All-America first team, his third such honor since the end of the regular season. Pitt running back Israel Abanikanda, who leads the nation in total touchdowns (21) and average per-game scoring (11.6), was named to the AP third team after rushing for 1431 yards. Kancey…

Ah, you know that sound. Awards season. It's here. It's wonderful. The Home Depot College Football Awards Show will air Thursday night (Dec. 7) on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET. We'll have 9 major awards handed out to the best of the best in college football. Let's predict who'll win each of them: Nominees - Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), Ivan Pace Jr.…

The end of the 2022 season is a bittersweet moment. While bowls and the College Football Playoff are still on the horizon, our weekdays are quieter and Saturdays aren't as chaotic. But a season's worth of excellent work always deserves recognition, and All-American teams do just that. Bleacher Report's panel of writers-Max Escarpio, David Kenyon,…

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Congratulations to Ohio State football quarterback C.J. Stroud and Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell for not falling victim to the curse of expectations. Those stars were picked as preseason offensive and defensive player of the year, respectively, in the 12th annual cleveland.com Preseason Big Ten Football Poll in July. Both were…

The College Football season is winding down, and this week we march on to Week 12. There are plenty of big matchups this week, but which are worth putting into a parlay? You can bet this right now, and if you don't have an account at DraftKings Sportsbook receive a $1000 deposit bonus. Michigan is the No. 3 team in the nation and is at home, but…

With two games left in the regular season, Michigan will host its final game in the Big House on Saturday. The Wolverines will welcome 7-3 Illinois into Michigan Stadium in hopes of keeping their undefeated season alive. Michigan, 10-0, has been dominant on both sides of the ball for most of the season. The Wolverines have a top-five run offense…

The Illinois Fighting Illini (7-3) visit the #3 Michigan Wolverines (10-0) in a major Big Ten matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 pm ET on Saturday. Below we continue our College Football odds series with an Illinois-Michigan prediction and pick. Illinois has amassed a 7-3 record having dropped games to Purdue, Michigan State, and Indiana. The…

Every week RockyMtnBlue asks me to "write something clever" here, and every week I am at a complete loss for what to do. This website is making me dumber. Anyway onto our picks. Seamless transition. (all times CT) Straight-Up: All Death Star Against the Spread: Indiana 8-6 MaximumSam: WEATHER CHECK Columbus should be around 40 degrees with mild…

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The 127 edition of the South's Oldest Rivalry between Virginia (3-5, 1-4 ACC) and No. 17 North Carolina (7-1, 4-0 ACC) will take place on Saturday (Nov. 11) at Scott Stadium. The third-most played series in FBS history is scheduled for a noon start on ACC Network and the Virginia Sports Radio Network. GAME COVERAGE: In…

Coming off a bye week following their first loss of the season, the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-1) hit the road for a matchup against the No. 24-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini (5-1), in what has suddenly became a critical game for both teams seeking pole position in the Big Ten West. The name you need to know is Chase Brown. The former Western…

Week 2 of the 2022 college football season will feature several rematches from 2021. One of the more interesting ones will pit the Big Ten against the ACC when the Illinois Fighting Illini host the Virginia Cavaliers. Illinois (1-1) had to hit the reset button after last week's loss at Indiana. The Illini gave up the game-winning touchdown with…