Off Tackle Empire, for Big Ten coverage

Team Speed Kills takes a look at another North-South showdown in our almost completed series. The most unlikely Big 10 Champion of the last decade matched up against Nick Saban's LSU Tigers before they achieved powerhouse status. A pre-game comment made one ABC commentator a savant when he said - "... the combination of the teams' aerial attacks and the dome's electric atmosphere could turn this contest into an instant classic." The ensuing shootout produced 81 points, 958 yards (huh?), beers being thrown on the field by a nutso LSU crowd, and a vicious Illini comeback that fell short. Illinois Stars Brandon Lloyd Kurt Kittner Walter Young LSU Stars Rohan Davey Josh Reed (Biletnikoff Winner) Domanick Davis Bradie James Michael Clayton LaBrandon Toefield

The Steve Bellisari comeback game, aka Columbia v Columbus, ruined by a late interception and a game winning field goal for the Gamecocks. One hell of a game for anyone who likes to see Ohio State lose and probably SC's high point of the last 10 years? Tressel was so enraged he ordered the Buckeye's to win the National Championship the following year, which they did. Holtz was so inspired that he ordered the Gamecocks to go 5-7 in consecutive seasons, which they did. Law Buckeye and I greatly enjoyed our stop in Columbia, SC, this Spring. It's a great town and if you visit, make sure you stop at Maurice's BBQ for some of the best South Carolina BBQ you'll ever taste. Just don't ask Maurice his opinion on liberals, segregation, or the Civil Rights Act. Here are the countdown games so far... #6 -- Iowa v LSU, 2005 Capital One Bowl #7 -- Georgia v Purdue, 2000 Outback Bowl #8 -- Michigan State v Florida, 2000 Citrus Bowl #9 -- Florida v Iowa, 2006 Outback Bowl #10 -- Wisconsin v Arkansas, 2007 Capitol One Bowl

Lewis's fall from an All-Big 10 sophomore QB to wide receiver was odd enough, but his recent (read:yesterday) dismissal certainly throws a wrench in Bill Lynch's plans for success at Indiana. It's not really the actual loss of Lewis, it's the concept of your former star/leader not being part of the team anymore. What does that say about the situation in Bloomington? Recruits will think: Do I want to play for a school that can't nurture the development of their star playmaker and work to keep him healthy and eligible?

Malcolm Jenkins, Vontae Davis, Beanie Wells, Aaron Maybin are projected in the first round, with Ohio State's Brian Robiskie making a surprise appearance in the 2nd round. On the subject of Shonn Greene no longer being in the top 64 picks, apparently running back is not a big need and worries linger about him being a one year star. This SBN website, Mocking the Draft, is a fantastic source for in-depth looks at every single recruit, mock draft, and team draft history. I can spend 20 minutes on this site, no problem, which is dangerous.