The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) gives out honors in different ways than other organizations, where things are broken down into specific regions for accolades. A lot of times, like for the All-American teams, they release regional teams and then end up making a national conglomerate. For coaching staffs to be honored, that’s a little more difficult to surmise. But that takes nothing away from the fact that Purdue and Michigan’s coaching staffs were rewarded from the organization as being the best in their respective regions. Read the rest of this entry »

The Outland Trophy awards the nation’s top interior lineman, and the award has been garnered by a Big Ten player 3 of the last five years–Iowa’s Robert Gallery won in 2003, while Minnesota’s Greg Eslinger and Wisconsin’s Joe Thomas claimed the honored in 2005 and 2006. They might as well call it the Big Ten interior lineman award Read the rest of this entry »

In an article by ESPN that was done a few days ago, columnist Mark Schlabach likes the Big 10 to have as many as eight teams in bowl games for the upcoming college football season, and even has Ohio State back in the national championship against Georgia. While the Big 10 typically boasts a strong number of teams every year in the postseason, I personally was surprised to see that many teams named, much less that the conference would be the leader of the pack–well, at least the co-leader (he thinks the SEC will have 8 teams as well). Read the rest of this entry »

Purdue fans have come to expect quite a bit from their football team. I believe the last time the Boilers didn’t make a bowl the world hadn’t yet been introduced to Monica Lewinsky (or something like that). Anyways, the team generally has followed pretty much the same formula–score more than their opponents. Joe Tiller’s offense is one of the better ones in the Big Ten, much less the country. With his last year at the helm, that certainly gives Purdue much more of a reason to play harder this year, but will it make a huge difference in the end?

On the offensive side, the quarterback and running back positions are more than solid. The problem is that their are more question marks on the offensive line and at wide receiver than the Kennedy assassination. Whereas Greg Orton will definitely be the primary target at wideout, his groin injury at the end of spring practice is really something to keep in mind as practice begins in the fall. They also lost a lot when Dustin Keller left for the NFL, but overall, a lot of pressure will be simply on Curtis Painter to make the plays needed to get Purdue over the top.

Defensively, the Boilermakers are surprisingly good this year. With six returners including Anthony Heygood and Jason Werner, who may be the best linebacking tandem in recent memory in West Lafayette, the defensive tackle position is deep and the secondary is definitely above average. Werner had an outstanding spring and figures to potentially be this year’s J Leman in the Big Ten if he can continue the momentum.

Last year the Boilermakers finished 8-5, and this year may not be too far off. The nonconference games are a bit more than what most teams have to go through with Oregon, Central Michigan, and Notre Dame, and they also play Ohio State on the road. However, they do get Michigan at home and do not have to play upstart Illinois this year. It won’t be a terrible year, but don’t expect for a huge swan song for Tiller–the Boilers just don’t have the depth to really make a heckuvalot of noise this year overall.

If you watch the Big Ten Network for just random games, or just love to watch the Big Ten in general, the network certainly loves you! However, for those of you that are rock-chalk solid as just watching one team and one team only (and of course the other team that plays), the BTN is putting together 24 hours of highlight for each school in the Big Ten set to start airing next week. It’s a good way to celebrate all of the 2007-08 things that happened to your school’s team in a very condensed way! Read the rest of this entry »

Alright, alright, I know that the Big 10 is known for the big moneymakers for college sports, that being basketball and football. While the conference has good strengths in normal non-revenue sports like wrestling, volleyball, tennis, and what not, baseball has always been one where there just doesn’t seem to be a whole heckuvalot of success overall. And judging by the prognostication by the experts for the Major league Baseball draft to be held on June 5-6th, there’s not much faith in the individual players from the Big 10 either. Read the rest of this entry »

Although Penn State seemed to have a decent offensive day in the second round of the tournament versus Purdue, it was no match for the day that Dan Black had, as he bombed 2 HR and 6 RBI to lead the Boilermakers to a seemingly easy win over the Nittany Lions 15-6. (It kind of helps when you score 9 runs in the first innings, doesn’t it?)

This was a surprise more than likely for Purdue fans, as Penn State normally has a solid pitching staff, proving it in a opening round 6-1 win over Indiana. However, the Boiler bats were rocking from the start, and it was a downward spiral for the Nittany Lions after that. Seven of the nine starters had more than one hit, and Black was never retired, going 4-4. Of course, the sun was also an ally for Purdue, as the Penn State outfielders lost two fly balls in the early going in the blinding light, which aided in Purdue’s huge opening.

The win propels Purdue through the “winner’s” bracket against Michigan. The loss for Penn State puts them in the elimination bracket and they will face the winner of Indiana-Illinois. Maybe Penn State can hope for a dreary day

While #1 seed UCLA came out firing in the NCAA Women’s Golf Central Regional, ending up at five under as a team. However, sixth ranked Purdue hasn’t backed down, standing in third after day one at even par. While the draw they had wasn’t exactly the best in the world as UCLA has long been the favorite, the Boilermakers still have a great chance at taking the title if they can remain consistent and not believe the hype about the Bruins (or maybe just step it up!) Read the rest of this entry »

Purdue and Maryland have not met for over 11 years in women’s basketball, but throughout that course of time, both programs have remained strong and in the national spotlights. With the 2008 ACC/Big 10 challenge match ups released today, they will get a chance to see who’s program has come along the most as they square off in one of the marquee matchups of the annual head-to-head competition. Both teams figure to finish in the top three of their conference and preseason wise should be pretty high up there in the national rankings as well, so if you get a chance, don’t miss this game. Read the rest of this entry »

So, the NFL draft is a couple days away. While some conferences will be able to boast perhaps more players drafted than the Big 10, they won’t be able to claim the number 1 spot, which is overwhelmingly in favor of Jake Long, the behemoth offensive tackle from Michigan. (The Miami Dolphins were reportedly already negotiating terms). Some mock drafts even have the number 2 pick going to Vernon Gholston, the speedy defensive end from Ohio State. If that happens, you had better bet Big Ten coaches will be smiling ear to ear. Read the rest of this entry »