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The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
The independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871

The Daily Illini
Alabama running back Derrick Gore runs for a touchdown in the second half against Florida during the Southeastern Conference championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Saturday. Alabama won, gaining a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Breaking down the College Football Playoff Picture

By Dan Escalona, Columnist • December 7, 2016
Penn State running back Andre Robinson darts past Michigan State defenders for a fourth-quarter touchdown at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa., on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Penn State won, 45-12. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/TNS)

Penn State, Ohio State and the limits of the College Football Playoff

By Dan Escalona, Columnist • November 30, 2016
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) is sacked by Penn State linebacker Jason Cabinda (40) late in the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa. Penn State won, 24-21. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/TNS)

Michigan and Ohio State’s paths to playoff heading in different directions

By Dan Escalona, Columnist • November 16, 2016
Penn State cornerback Grant Haley (15) recovers a blocked field goal and returns it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Ohio State on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pa. Penn State won, 24-21. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times/TNS)

Despite struggles, Buckeyes still in prime playoff position

By Dan Escalona, Columnist • November 3, 2016
Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt (12) falls during the game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln).

Undefeated Nebraska ready to play spoiler for Ohio State, Michigan

By Dan Escalona, Columnist • October 19, 2016
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh encourages his players coming off the field late in the first half against Penn State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016. Michigan won, 49-10.

Michigan, Ohio State dominance drawing parallels to 2006

By Dan Escalona, Staff writer • October 5, 2016
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett hands the ball off to running back Ezekiel Elliott during the game against Illinois at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14. Illinois lost 28-3.

Big Ten East proves its strength over weekend

By Dan Escalona, College football columnist • September 21, 2016
Five overreactions from Week One of Big Ten football

Five overreactions from Week One of Big Ten football

By Dan Escalona, Staff writer • September 7, 2016
Michigan quarterbacks Shane Morris, Wilton Speight and John O'Korn go through drills during a practice session at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, March 26. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

Quarterback battle at Michigan will decide Big Ten

By Dan Escalona, College football columnist • August 24, 2016
Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) slides between Penn State safeties Jordan Lucas (9) and Marcus Allen (2) for a second-quarter touchdown at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015.

Ten bold guarantees for a wild, wacky Big Ten season

By Dan Escalona, College Football Columnist • August 22, 2016
Oklahoma's Buddy Hield, right, drives to the basket against Oregon's Elgin Cook during the first half in the finals of the NCAA Tournament's West region at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Oklahoma advanced, 80-68. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

A neutral observer’s rooting guide to the Final Four

By Dan Escalona • March 29, 2016
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo watches second-half action on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

Your guide to choosing the perfect NCAA bracket

By Dan Escalona • March 15, 2016
Illinois' Michael Finke drives to the basket during the Illini's 84-70 victory over the Boilermakers at State Farm Center on Sunday, January 10.

Big Ten tournament last chance to make impression

By Dan Escalona • March 8, 2016
Illinois' Khalid Lewis gets blocked on a layup by Wisconsin's Khalil Iverson during the game against Wisconsin at the State Farm Center on Sunday, January 31. The Illini lost 63-55.

The case for and against the Big Ten bubble teams

By Dan Escalona • March 1, 2016
Maryland's Melo Trimble (2) is trapped by North Carolina's Kennedy Meeks (3) and Joel Berry II (2) during the first half on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. The host Tar Heels won, 89-81. (Robert Willett/Raleigh News & Observer/TNS)

Tricky Terps: The frustrating case of Maryland basketball

By Dan Escalona • February 23, 2016
Wisoconsin's head coach Greg Gard watches his team from the sidelines during the game against Illinois at the State Farm Center on Sunday, January 31. The Illini lost 63-55.

Beware of the Badgers: Wisconsin basketball is rising

By Dan Escalona • February 16, 2016
Indiana head coach Tom Crean yells instructions to his players during the first half against Minnesota on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016, at Williams Arena in Minneapolis. Indiana won, 70-63. (David Joles/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)

Hoosiers’ final exam beginning a month early

By Dan Escalona • February 9, 2016
The Big Ten campaign is in full swing

The Big Ten campaign is in full swing

By Dan Escalona • February 2, 2016
Michigan State's Denzel Valentine celebrates after a 74-65 win against Maryland on Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

The futility of doubting Michigan State

By Dan Escalona • January 26, 2016
Michigan State's Eron Harris, left, is defended by Iowa's Dom Uhi during the first half at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Mich., on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016. Iowa won, 76-59. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

Iowa on its way to owning Big Ten in 2016

By Dan Escalona • January 19, 2016
Michigan State running back LJ Scott (3) dives in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. The Spartans won, 16-13. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

Spartans drive and reach toward playoff, setting up Big Ten-SEC showdown with Crimson Tide

By Dan Escalona • December 8, 2015
Alabama running back Derrick Henry, middle, breaks away from Georgia defenders Dominick Sanders (24) and Aaron Davis (35) for a touchdown in the first half on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, at Sanford Stadium in Athens. Alabama won, 38-10. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Championship week chaos leaves opening for two Big Ten team playoff

By Dan Escalona • December 1, 2015
Oklahoma wide receiver Jeffery Mead (15) tries to get under a Baker Mayfield pass in the third quarter against Kansas State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan., on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015. Oklahoma won, 55-0. (Bo Rader/Wichita Eagle/TNS)

College football weekend seems primed to put pressure on the selection committee

By Dan Escalona • November 17, 2015
Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook runs for a first down against Indiana during the first half on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

Spartans’ defeat should serve as a warning to playoff contenders

By Dan Escalona • November 10, 2015
Iowa defensive back Desmond King gets tackled during a punt return in the game against Illinois at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Unbeaten and under the radar, don’t sleep on Iowa

By Dan Escalona • November 3, 2015
Baylor, 2015’s version of Ohio State?

Baylor, 2015’s version of Ohio State?

By Dan Escalona • October 27, 2015
One botched punt sends Spartans, Wolverines on divergent paths

One botched punt sends Spartans, Wolverines on divergent paths

By Dan Escalona • October 20, 2015

Top Big Ten teams unworthy of playoff spot

By Dan Escalona • October 13, 2015
Illinois' Mason Monheim (43) and T.J. Neal (52) tackle Northwestern 's Treyvon Green (22) during the game at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. The Illini won 47-33.

Wildcats’ stout defense ready to stifle Big Ten West

By Dan Escalona • October 6, 2015
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh gives instructions to his team during first-half action against Oregon State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015. Michigan won, 35-7. (Diane Weiss/Detroit Free Press/TNS)

Michigan football: Big Ten’s spoiler

By Dan Escalona • September 29, 2015
Rutgers coach Kyle Flood reacts during second-quarter action against Central Florida at Bright house Networks Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013. UCF defeated Rutgers, 41-17. (Joshua C. Cruey/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

The Big Ten’s nightmarish Rutgers problem

By Dan Escalona • September 22, 2015
Spartans defeat Ducks, increase chances of making College Football Playoff

Spartans defeat Ducks, increase chances of making College Football Playoff

By Dan Escalona • September 16, 2015
Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg is sacked by Temple defenders Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015 game against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Temple won 27-10. (Abby Drewy/Centre Daily Times/TNS)

Dissecting a wild week one in the Big Ten

By Dan Escalona • September 9, 2015
Bright NFL futures await Big Ten's premier 2015 season talent

Bright NFL futures await Big Ten's premier 2015 season talent

By Dan Escalona • September 1, 2015
Illinois' Eaton Spence (27) tackles Northwestern's Austin Carr (80) during the game at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. The Illini won 47-33.

College football revolution stalled, for now

By Dan Escalona • August 25, 2015
Illinois' Mason Monheim (43) tackles Ohio State's Braxton Miller (5) during the game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. The Illini lost, 60-35.

A new era of prominence for Big Ten football has arrived

By Dan Escalona • August 17, 2015
USC quarterback Cody Kessler (6) escapes the grasp of UCLA defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa in the second half on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won, 38-20. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Four storylines to keep an eye on as spring football practices kickoff

By Dan Escalona • March 11, 2015
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo moves the ball against Team USA during the FIFA World Cup at the Arena Amazonia Stadium in Manaus, Brazil, on June 22, 2014.

Responsibility falls on soccer community to demand action on Qatar World Cup

By Dan Escalona • December 3, 2014
Champions League not kind to Premier League so far

Champions League not kind to Premier League so far

By Dan Escalona • November 12, 2014
Real Madrid's Pepe stops AS Roma's Adem Ljajicin, right, in the Guinness International Champions Cup at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.

First El Clásico may just be the beginning for Barça, Real

By Dan Escalona • October 29, 2014
Luis Suarez is a welcome sight for Barcelona, soccer

Luis Suarez is a welcome sight for Barcelona, soccer

By Dan Escalona • October 22, 2014
Donovan’s retirement signals end of an era for U.S. soccer

Donovan’s retirement signals end of an era for U.S. soccer

By Dan Escalona • October 15, 2014
Ronaldo should take a hint from Jeter and Konerko

Ronaldo should take a hint from Jeter and Konerko

By Dan Escalona • October 1, 2014
Four must-watch Champions League storylines

Four must-watch Champions League storylines

By Dan Escalona • September 17, 2014
As a result of weak roster, rebuilding process bogged down at Old Trafford

As a result of weak roster, rebuilding process bogged down at Old Trafford

By Dan Escalona • September 3, 2014