Jim Rossow
Sports editor Jim Rossow's take on Saturday's contest
First impressions
– That game-winning drive against Michigan State seems like years ago.
– Not only is Ron Zook's second team going to miss the postseason, it's going to have a hard time staying competitive the rest of the way. A nasty road trip to Penn State and Wisconsin is followed by home games against high-scoring Ohio State and Purdue. By the time the Boilermakers roll into town for Senior Day on Nov. 11, the home crowd is going to make Saturday's intimate gathering of 34,328 look enormous.
Ten questions for John Cooper
John Cooper used to hear it from fans as coach at Ohio State. Now the 69-year-old grandfather of two caters to fans as a television analyst for ESPN Plus, flying from his home in Columbus, Ohio, to a studio in Charlotte, N.C., each Friday to work alongside Mike Gleason. Sports editor Jim Rossow caught up to Cooper to discuss the Buckeyes, his dislike of the Bowl Championship Series – "I hope we get three unbeatens this year" – and instant replay.
Gordon saga finally ends
INDIANAPOLIS – When Indiana holds its Hoosier Hysteria tonight, the Hoosiers will introduce a new coach in Kelvin Sampson.
But the bigger draw will be new recruit Eric Gordon.
Rossow: Upon further review
– Scratch those bowl thoughts. Illinois needs four wins in its final six games to play in Orlando, Fla., or Phoenix and will be an underdog in five of those games. Unless they improve tackling, play-calling and special teams in a jiffy, Illinois might have trouble even reaching the four-win mark.
Ten questions for ... Mike Slive
As commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, Mike Slive felt the sting when unbeaten Auburn was denied a spot in the 2005 Bowl Championship Series title game. In his new role as BCS commissioner, Slive is open to idea to prevent similar controversy. With the season's first BCS poll due out Oct. 15, Slive took time to discuss Fox's involvement, the SEC's dominance and New Orleans' resurgence with News-Gazette sports editor Jim Rossow:
Rossow: Upon further review
– It's OK to admit you're an Illinois football fan again.
– Juice Williams put up some wonderful numbers, throwing another long touchdown pass and rushing for 103 yards. But what we'll remember about his first win as a college quarterback was the way he handled himself on the game-winning drive. Clutch. Cool. Commanding. All the things you want your quarterback to be.
Rossow: Upon further review
– There were too many incompletions, fumbles and interceptions. But what he lacked in efficiency, Juice Williams more than made up in potential. Ron Zook didn't name his starting quarterback after Saturday's game, but the question didn't really need to be asked. The freshman got better by the quarter, looking like he belonged in the Big Ten by 2 p.m. or so. By the time Indiana comes to town for homecoming, he'll be comfortable enough to make the alumni happy (for a change).
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