Author: Tom Knuppel

Title IX- Gender Equity is Not Making Sense

Tom Knuppel Other
Title IX- Gender Equity is Not Making Sense

 

Yes, we all know that the impetus of Title IX is that there needs to be the same number of sports for the men and women. That is fine and dandy but that is a poor business model.

 

If a college wants to have sport, then it should be self-sufficient or they shouldn’t have it. Forget the gender equity part of this.

 

The following represents spending and revenue as obtained by the Equity in Athletics for NCAA division I schools from 2003-2009. On average across all 135 universities only basketball and football make profit, and almost cover the loss in revenue from all other sports.

While greater than 80% of the schools have a team for baseball, basketball, track, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball, the other sports are much more rare. Regardless, averages posted were taken only on teams that existed.

Investigating female vs male sports, there is a large discrepancy in spending and earnings, though much of this might be due to the large impact that college football has.

If you can’t pay for it on it own, then discontinue the sport. Doesn’t matter if it is mens or womens. Just cut it.

Crony Capitalism- How Did It Happen?

Tom Knuppel Society
Crony Capitalism- How Did It Happen?

 

There is no doubt that crony Capitalism exists. There is little doubt that it is a detriment to our economy and that if left to live it will cripple the American economy. How did this happen?

  1. First, the government has become a more dominant player in the economy, greatly expanding the potential for special interest groups to exert their influence over the economy to their advantage. The government has become more important both through its taxation and spending policy as well as through its increased regulatory reach. As recently as the mid-1960s, total US federal and local government spending amounted to less than 25 percent of GDP. Over the past three years, that ratio has been in excess of 35 percent. This large increase in public spending has been dwarfed by the explosion in government regulation. Whereas in 1950 there were fewer than 20,000 pages of federal regulations, today there are in excess of 165,000 pages, and the economic cost of these rules runs into the hundreds of billion dollars.
  2. A second factor contributing to the rise of crony capitalism has been the rapid rate of increase in the cost of election campaigns, which has made politicians particularly dependent on fundraising and forced them into a permanent campaign mode. In 2000, the total cost of the presidential and congressional campaigns was a little more than $3 billion; by 2012 the total cost had more than doubled to almost $7 billion. By 2012, the estimated average cost of winning an election to the House of Representatives had increased to $1.5 million, while the average cost of a successful Senate race had increased to almost $9 million.
  3. A third factor in crony capitalism’s rise has been a marked increase in lobbying activity as a channel by which large vested interests and deep pockets can legally influence the legislative process to their favor. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, over the past 15 years the amount of money spent on lobbying has more than doubled to its present level of around $3.2 billion. Equally disturbing has been the acceleration of the revolving-door between Congress and K Street. Prior to 1973, barely 3 percent of former members of Congress took up employment on K Street upon leaving the Hill; today around 40 percent of former US representatives and 50 percent of former senators lobby after stepping down from the Hill.

The roots of crony capitalism are undoubtedly deep. Any real solution must reduce the size of government. The smaller the government and the less involved it is in the functioning of the economy, the less leverage there is for crony capitalism to undermine the proper functioning of the free market. In addition, basic electoral campaign finance reform should be undertaken to free elected officials from their dependence on fundraising. Finally, the lobbying system itself might be reformed to reduce the excessive influence lobbyists presently exercise over the legislative process.

If left unchecked, crony capitalism will continue to sap vitality out of the US economy and to undermine public support for the American model of capitalism. In an increasingly competitive global economy, that is something that America can ill afford. This adds urgency to the task of finding ways to combat cronyism if America’s special brand of capitalism, which has made it the most prosperous and free nation on earth, is to endure.

Elections Have Consequences

Tom Knuppel Other
Elections Have Consequences

 

In a democracy, there’s no such thing as an election without consequences. We are not satisfied with today’s Democratic Party; we wish it was more populist and more progressive. But it is absurd to argue that little will change if Republicans take the Senate. A lot will change—and it will be for the worse. A Republican Senate, working with a Republican House, will be a wrecking crew.

GOP control of the House and Senate could be catastrophic for the environment, for workers, for women and for minorities.

Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, has already promised the Koch brothers that “we’re not going to be debating all these gosh-darn proposals…like raising the minimum wage…extending unemployment…the student loan package.” And it won’t just be progressive proposals that are stymied. Consider the judges who will never make it to the bench, including the highest, if Chuck Grassley, not Pat Leahy, is in charge of the Judiciary Committee. Consider the destabilizing political circus Republicans will create if Darrell Issa’s hyperpartisan investigations into fake scandals spread from the House to the Senate.

GOP control of key Senate committees will reorder the debate. What happens, for example, if Senator Pat Toomey, former president of the right-wing Club for Growth, takes over Sherrod Brown’s subcommittee overseeing financial institutions and consumer protection? What happens to nuclear negotiations with Iran if McConnell, Lindsey Graham and John McCain are deciding when to bring up a sanctions bill?

But a GOP takeover is not a threat just because of what Republicans will do. Progressives should also worry about the many areas of potential agreement between Obama and a GOP-controlled Senate. It is Harry Reid, for example, not Republicans, who is denying the president fast-track authority on corporate trade deals. Without Reid in the way, pacts like the Trans-Pacific Partnership—which labor leaders describe as “NAFTA on steroids”—are likely to become the law of the land. Likewise, Obama and Republicans could agree to pursue lower corporate tax rates—as opposed to infrastructure investments and job creation—as their primary economic-development initiative. And let’s not forget that Obama has repeatedly floated Social Security cuts as a bargaining chip in negotiations with GOP leaders.

Perhaps the most worrying consequence of a GOP-controlled Senate will be the extension of the damaging austerity agenda. Think, for example, about the next debt-ceiling fight. Republicans have repeatedly used the debt ceiling to hold the economy hostage, but they have relented each time because they knew that they would be blamed for the consequences—not the president. But if Republicans take control of the Senate, that calculus will change. What happens when they send Obama a bill to prevent default on our debt at the eleventh hour, attached to a bill that ravages Social Security? The Republicans will be able to force the president to choose between impossible options.

They will also be able to advance the Keystone XL pipeline, ban abortions after twenty weeks, decimate an already-weak Dodd-Frank Act and shred the torn social safety net.

 

Remember to Vote.

NHL Standings Predictions for 2014-15

Tom Knuppel Other
NHL Standings Predictions for 2014-15

Hockey starts tomorrow. Let’s get to it!

 

EAST

Metropolitan

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

2. Columbus Blue Jackets

3. New York Rangers

4. Washington Capitals

5. Philadelphia Flyers

6. New York Islanders

7. New Jersey Devils

8. Carolina Hurricanes

Atlantic

1. Boston Bruins

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

3. Montreal Canadiens

4. Florida Panthers

5. Detroit Red Wings

6. Toronto Maple Leafs

7. Ottawa Senators

8. Buffalo Sabres

WEST

Pacific

1. Los Angeles Kings

2. Anaheim Ducks

3. San Jose Sharks

4. Vancouver Canucks

5. Arizona Coyotes

6. Edmonton Oilers

7. Calgary Flames

Central

1. Chicago Blackhawks

2. St. Louis Blues

3. Dallas Stars

4. Minnesota Wild

5. Colorado Avalanche

6. Nashville Predators

7. Winnipeg Jets

Liking me some hockey….

Tom Knuppel Other
Liking me some hockey….

It’s gonna be a great year for college hockey. Here are the Top 50 College Hockey Prospects.

1. Jack Eichel, Boston University – Dynamic center will challenge for first overall in 2015 draft and lead the U.S. world junior team’s offense.

2. Noah Hanifin, Boston College – Big, poised blueliner a near lock to go third in 2015 after Connor McDavid and Eichel. And he’ll start the year as a 17-year-old.

3. Mike Reilly, Minnesota – Columbus pick is a great mobile defenseman who will take a shot at the Hobey Baker Award.

4. Dylan Larkin, Michigan – Talented freshman center is a Detroit first-rounder who will bring speed and character to Wolverines.

5. Jon Gillies, Providence College – Towering junior goaltender is a Calgary pick who will determine how far a great-looking Friars team will go.

6. Zach Werenski, Michigan – Freshman defenseman has great offensive ability and is up for the 2015 draft – like Hanifin, he’s still only 17.

7. Alex Tuch, Boston College – Freshman Minnesota first-rounder has a power forward’s build, great hands and a blistering shot.

8. Riley Barber, Miami – Incredible offensive prowess has boosted the Washington pick’s stock since he came to RedHawks; look for more of the same from the junior.

9. Jordan Schmaltz, North Dakota – St. Louis first-rounder is a maturing, mobile defenseman who doubled his points as a sophomore last season.

10. A.J. Greer, Boston University – Big prep school power forward jumps up to Hockey East for his NHL draft year.

11. Kyle Rau, Minnesota – Small but ultra-talented, the Florida prospect led the Gophers in scoring as a junior last year and will likely do so again.

12. Nick Schmaltz, North Dakota – Jordan’s younger bro joins him in Grand Forks. The Chicago first-rounder is blessed with a number of sick offensive moves.

13. C.J. Motte, Ferris State – Senior goaltender is a rare free agent on the list, but NHL scouts have been circling him for a couple years now.

14. Thatcher Demko, Boston College – Can the Vancouver pick replicate his incredible freshman season with Eagles? World juniors also on the checklist.

15. J.T. Compher, Michigan – Gritty, annoying and talented, Compher is a Buffalo prospect who will be key to Team USA’s forward corps at the world juniors.

16. Hudson Fasching, Minnesota – Tank-sized power forward was brilliant at 2014 world juniors. Rights strangely traded from Los Angeles to Buffalo last season.

17. Jonny Brodzinski, St. Cloud State – Gifted goal-scorer will once again light the lamp large for the Huskies; he’s a Los Angeles selection.

18. Josh Jacobs, Michigan State – New Jersey second-rounder will bring a good dose of skating and athletic ability to the Spartan blueline.

19. Jack Dougherty, Wisconsin – The Nashville second-rounder has a knack for offense and getting the puck through from the blueline, plus he has good size.

20. Kevin Roy, Northeastern – The Anaheim pick is one of the most dangerous goal-scorers in the land and will propel the Huskies attack again.

21. Evan Cowley, Denver – With Sam Brittain gone, Cowley can put his stamp on the crease with the Pios. The big netminder is a Florida pick.

22. Devin Shore, Maine – Vision, playmaking and production are all hallmarks of Shore’s game. The Black Bears center is a Dallas selection.

23. Cameron Hughes, Wisconsin – Last of the first-time draft-eligibles, Hughes is a gifted skater who will use his college time to bulk up.

24. Mark Friedman, Bowling Green – A slick offensive defenseman, the Philadelphia pick is one of the more high-profile Falcons commits in recent years.

25. Warren Foegele, New Hampshire – Carolina grabbed the raw winger in the third round this summer; Foegele has great size and skates like the wind.

26. Tyler Bird, Brown – The Columbus prospect is a power forward who played on a line with Greer (No. 10) and Devils pick J.D. Dudek at Kimball Union prep last year.

27. Jake Guentzel, Nebraska-Omaha – Smaller Pittsburgh pick had an outstanding freshman season with the Mavs and they’ll need his playmaking prowess again.

28. Andy Welinski, Minnesota-Duluth – Mobile Anaheim pick with great size led the Bulldogs in points from the blueline as a sophomore.

29. Adam Wilcox, Minnesota – The Tampa Bay pick was a rock in net for the Gophers and no doubt has a national title on his mind as a junior.

30. Brandon Hickey, Boston University – Calgary’s third-rounder this summer brings size and speed to the Terriers blueline.

31. Brett Pesce, New Hampshire – Big Carolina third-rounder experienced a huge jump in offense from the blueline as a sophomore.

32. Connor Hurley, Notre Dame – Buffalo pick set for his freshman season with Irish, where he’ll bring speed and vision up front.

33. Zane McIntyre, North Dakota – Boston prospect formerly named “Gothberg,” will hold down the fort in net for UND as the team eyes a national title.

34. Jaccob Slavin, Colorado College – The Carolina prospect is much bigger than he was when the Canes drafted him and he plays all situations on the back end.

35. Quentin Shore, Denver – The third of four hockey brothers, Shore is an Ottawa prospect who brings some nice scoring punch back to the lineup.

36. Anthony Florentino, Providence College – Buffalo pick looked great as a freshman on defense. He hits hard and can contribute in all areas of the game.

37. Michael Matheson, Boston College – Entering his junior campaign, the Florida prospect will once again bring skating and smarts to the blueline.

38. Paul LaDue, North Dakota – A late-blooming defenseman snagged by Los Angeles as a depth pick, LaDue was great as a freshman, grabbing all-conference rookie honors.

39. Colton Parayko, Alaska-Fairbanks – The St. Louis prospect has a huge frame and plays a great two-way game for the Nanooks.

40. Teemu Kivihalme, Colorado College – Incoming freshman boasts a crazy set of wheels from the blueline; he’s a Nashville pick.

41. Cliff Watson, Michigan Tech – The San Jose prospect is a huge shot-blocker and Tech’s reigning defensive player of the year, winning as a freshman.

42. James De Haas, Clarkson – Mobile defenseman with great size is a Detroit selection who is also steady in his own zone.

43. Jimmy Vesey, Harvard – Nashville prospect was Harvard’s leading scorer as a sophomore and returns with an eye on rounding out his game.

44. John Hayden, Yale – Chicago pick is a big center with puck protection skills who can handle himself in the defensive zone as well.

45. Aidan Muir, Western Michigan – Raw Edmonton project kicks off his college career in Kalamazoo; he boasts size, speed and skill.

46. Michael Downing, Michigan – Defensive defenseman is a Florida selection who can bring the pain when opponents encroach on his turf and add some offense.

47. Sean Kuraly, Miami – San Jose prospect was known for his responsible side early on, but now the big forward has added offense, too.

48. Ryan Collins, Minnesota – Incoming freshman boasts great size and all-around ability; he a Columbus prospect.

49. Michael Prapavessis, R.P.I. – A smart defenseman who is valuable on the power play, the incoming freshman is a Dallas pick.

50. Joey LaLeggia, Denver – The skilled offensive blueliner is an Edmonton pick primed to put up big numbers as a senior.

(reprinted from The Hockey News)

Good Morning Central Illinois!

Tom Knuppel Other
Good Morning Central Illinois!

Good Morning Central Illinois!

Today is the 265th day of the year and also the Autumnal Equinox will occur today.

Sun rises at 6:48 A.M. and sets at 6:56 P.M. There will 12 hours  and 7 minutes of sunlight possible.

Today’s forecast looks really good:

  • Expect sunny skies with a high of 69 degrees with winds light and variable. Tonight we have mostly clear skies with a low of 47 and light winds.

What is the Autumnal Equinox?

  • Fall begins on the 22nd at 10:29 P.M. The autumnal equinox is defined as the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from north to south. The celestial equator is the circle in the celestial sphere halfway between the celestial poles. It can be thought of as the plane of Earth’s equator projected out onto the sphere. Another definition of fall is nights of below-freezing temperatures combined with days of temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The word equinox means “equal night”; night and day are about the same length of time. The spring equinox is in late March. In addition to the (approximately) equal hours of daylight and darkness, the equinoxes are times when the Sun’s apparent motion undergoes the most rapid change. Around the time of the equinoxes, variations in the position on the horizon where the Sun rises and sets can be noticed from one day to the next by alert observers

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, our next Full Moon will be October 8th.

 

Tuesday’s Weather:  Sunny skies. High 74F. Winds light and variable. Highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 50s.

2014 Week 1 Big Ten Football Scores and Predictions

Tom Knuppel Other
2014 Week 1 Big Ten Football Scores and Predictions

      SCORE ZONE

Here are the predicted scores for Week 1 in Big Ten football.

 

Minnesota 31    EIU  13

Rutgers  27     Washington St. 34

MSU 38     Jacksonville State 10

PSU 28   UCF 21

Illinois 40   Youngstown State 24

Indiana 34    N. Iowa 13

Michigan 30   Appalachia State  14

Purdue  38    W. Michigan 24

Ohio St. 34    Navy 20

Maryland 40   James Madison 20

Nebraska 41   Fl Atlantic 9

Northwestern  21   Cal 28

Wisconsin 24   LSU 30

Top Five Quarterbacks to Watch in the Big Ten- 2014

Tom Knuppel Other
Top Five Quarterbacks to Watch in the Big Ten- 2014

 

Nate Sudfield- Indiana

Sudfield is a junior out of Modesto, California that stands 6’5” and is 228 lbs. During his sophomore season in 2013, he completed 194-of-322 (60.2 percent) for 2,523 yards with 21 touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 142.0 pass efficiency rating and started eight games and appeared in all 12 .He ranked  fourth in TDs and completion percentage, seventh in yardage and ninth in completions on IU’s single-season lists . In the conference, Sudfield ranked third in the Big Ten in yards per completion (13.0) and yards per attempt (7.8), fourth in passing yards per game (210.2) and completions per game (16.2), tied for fourth in passing scores, fifth in pass efficiency, passing yardage, total offense per game (207.4), completion percentage and points responsible for per game (11.2), and sixth in yards per play (6.9)

Christian Hackenberg- Penn State

Back for his sophomore season, Hackenberg left some eye-popping stats from his freshman campaign for pundits to devour. He broke one Penn State overall passing record and 12 school freshman passing records, including the rookie marks for game and season passing completions, attempts, yards and touchdown passes. For the season, he was 231-of-392 for 2,955 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He had a long completion of 68 yards to Adam Breneman, good for a touchdown in the big win at No. 14 Wisconsin. Hackenberg also ran for four touchdowns and accumulated 2,887 yards of total offense, an average of 240.6 ypg. Hackenberg’s tremendous season was recognized nationally, as he garnered first-team True Freshman All-America accolades from 247Sports.com. He was selected a second-team Freshman All-American by Athlon Sports, Phil Steele’s College Football and CollegeFootballNews.com, with Heisman Trophy-winner Jameis Winston claiming the first-team nod. Hackenberg earned Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Week five times during the season, the second-highest total since the honor began in 2010. He also was named the Athlon Sports National Freshman-of-the-Week twice, following the wins over Michigan and at Wisconsin. Hackenberg finished third overall on the Penn State season passing yardage chart (2,955) and fourth on the season completions list (231).

Connor Cook- Michigan State

In 2013, Cook posted a 12-1 record as the starting quarterback  and was named second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches along with honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the media He also garnered All-Big Ten accolades from ESPN.com (second team) and Athlon Sports (second team) and was an Academic All-Big Ten selection. He completed 59 percent of his passes (223-of-380) for 2,755 yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions and ranked among MSU’s single-season leaders in touchdown passes (tied for second with 22), total offense (fourth with 2,831 yards), pass attempts (fourth with 380), passing yards (fifth with 2,755), pass completions (tied for sixth with 223) and passing yards per game (14th with 196.8 ypg.) In conference, Cook ranked among the Big Ten leaders in touchdown passes (tied for second with 22), pass completions (third with 223), passing yards (fourth with 2,755), passing (fifth with 196.8 ypg.), total offense (sixth with 202.2 ypg.) and passing efficiency (eighth with 135.5 rating) and tied for the fewest interceptions (6) among starting Big Ten quarterbacks.

Wes Lunt- Illinois

Lunt is a sophomore from Rochester, Illinois that sat out the 2013 campaign after transferring from Oklahoma State. His 2012 season for the Cowboys say him make five starts for the Cowboys as a true-freshman, the first three games of the season and two in the middle of the season, before injuries ended both streaks. He was the first true-freshman QB to start a season-opener at OSU since at least 1950, completing 11-of-11 passes for 123 yards in less than a quarter of play in an 84-0 win over Savannah State. Lunt followed with a 436-yard, four-TD performance at Arizona in his first road start and on the season, completed 81-of-131 passes (61.8 percent) for 1,108 yards, six touchdowns and seven interceptions in six games.

Devin Gardner- Michigan

The Wolverines website has the Detroit native at 6’4” and 216 lbs which is a big quarterback. He is currently a graduate student at Michigan. Gardner is a three-year letterman that has appeared in 37 contests at quarterback and wide receiver, making 21 starts, including 16 at quarterback and has accounted for at least two touchdowns in 14 of his last 17 games .In 2013, he completed 208-of-345 passes for 2,960 yards and 21 touchdowns and carried the ball 165 times for 483 yards and 11 touchdowns.

 

 

Top Wide Receivers in the Big Ten- 2014

Tom Knuppel Other
Top Wide Receivers in the Big Ten- 2014

Top Wide Receivers in the Big Ten- 2014

The season begins in a few days so let’s examine some of the top wide receivers in the league.

Stefon Diggs- Maryland

A 6’0” junior, Diggs is a Maryland native and loving every minute of the attention he is receiving. Probably the best WR in the Big Ten and likely the most coveted by the NFL, he had a terrific 2013 season. An honorable mention All-ACC selection by the media and coaches despite suffering a season-ending injury at Wake Forest (10/19) … a member of the team’s leadership council … missed the final six games of the season … began his sophomore campaign with an impressive game against FIU (8/31), recording 98 yards receiving, one touchdown and 70 yards on three kickoff returns … his impressive play carried over against Old Dominion (9/7) by recording a career-best 179 yards receiving and a touchdown … was named ACC Receiver of the Week following the Old Dominion game … had 110 receiving yards and a touchdown against  Connecticut (9/14) … caught six balls for 96 yards against Virginia (10/12) … caught eight balls for 67 yards against Wake Forest (10/19).

Devin Funchess- Michigan

A Farmington Hills, Michigan native he will begin his junior season for the Wolverines. In 2013, Big Ten Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year … All-Big Ten first team (media) and second team (coaches) … Sporting News All-Big Ten Team … earned second varsity letter …appeared in 13 games at tight end, making nine starts … his 748 receiving yards are the most all-time by a U-M tight end in a single season … also tallied six touchdowns

Shane Wynn- Indiana

Wynn caught 46 passes for 633 yards (13.8 average) and 11 touchdowns and  finished second in Big Ten and tied for 19th nationally with his 11 TDs, which are third on Indiana’s single-season list He also added one rushing and a 58-yard punt return score for 13 total touchdowns, which led team, shared fourth in league and are tied for sixth in school history Wynn posted 1,158 all-purpose yards with 415 on kick returns (18 returns), 98 on punt returns (seven returns) and 12 on rushes (four carries) and averaged 52.8 receiving yards and 96.5 all-purpose yards per game and 23.1 yards per kick return and 14.0 yards per punt return while starting all 12 games. He is a Cleveland, Ohio native.

Kenny Bell- Nebraska

Bell attended high school in Boulder, Colorado before accepting a scholarship to Nebraska to play football. He started 12 games and finished with a team-high 51 receptions for 577 yards and four touchdowns. He caught five or more passes five times, including each of the final three regular-season games. Bell’s 52 catches ranked seventh on the NU single-season reception list, giving him two of nine 50-catch seasons in Husker history.

Leonte Caroo- Rutgers

The junior caught 28 passes in 2013 for 478 yards and nine touchdowns. He had 17-yards per reception average. He will begin facing tougher competition in the Big Ten.

Tony Jones- Northwestern

Ranked sixth in the Big Ten with 4.6 receptions per game and he grabbed a team-best 55 passes. Jones also ranked 12th in the conference with 52.5 receiving yards per game He caught at least one pass in 11 of 12 games. He hails from Michigan.

 

For our analysis of the top running backs, click here.

For our article on Rutgers in the Big Ten, click here.

Top Ten Running Backs in the Big Ten-2014

Tom Knuppel Other
Top Ten Running Backs in the Big Ten-2014

 

Here are the Top Ten Running Backs in the Big Ten in my opinion. They are listed in the order that I believe are the best of the ten first.

 

Melvin Gordon- Wisconsin

Kenosha born Gordon has had an outstanding career at Wisconsin. He is the fastest player in Wisconsin history to reach 1,000 career rushing yards (104 attempts) and owns more runs of 20-plus yards (24) than negative yards (19) in his career. Also, he has accumulated 16 career rushing touchdowns have covered an average of 29.8 yards. Gordon’s only lost fumble in career came on lateral play in 2014 Capital One Bowl as he has never lost a fumble across 288 rushing attempts, 3 receptions or 8 kickoff returns (299 total touches) At Wisconsin, he ranks No. 13 in history with 2,328 career rushing yards and owns 10 career 100-yard games, including nine of 140-plus yards.

He ranked 10th in the country and second in the Big Ten with 1,609 rushing yards, setting a UW sophomore record and scored 12 rushing TDs. Also, he led the nation and set UW single-season record at 7.8 yards per attempt which is just the sixth player in UW history to rush for more than 1,600 yards in a season and the only player in the country to have three runs of at least 70 yards. Gordon tied for the most runs of at least 60 yards (4) of any FBS player and rushed for at least 140 yards in 8 of Wisconsin’s 13 games in 2013.

Ameer Abdullah- Nebraska

The 5’9” 195 lbs. senior from Alabama will complete his final season of eligibility with some fantastic numbers to his credit. Last season, Abdullah ran for 1,690 yards and nine touchdowns on 281 carries. Abdullah topped 100 yards in 11 of 13 games, including a career-high 225 yards against Illinois. He had a streak of eight straight games with 100 yards, and topped 85 yards in all 13 games.

He averaged 130.0 rushing yards per game to rank second in the Big Ten and seventh nationally. In conference games, he was even better, averaging 137.9 yards per game to again rank second in the conference.

Abdullah was also Nebraska’s third-leading receiver with 26 receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns. His all-around ability placed him first in the conference and 13th nationally in all-purpose yards per game, averaging 153.8 yards per game.

He also averaged 6.0 yards per carry and carried the ball more than 20 times nine times in 2013, including each of the final six games. While showing the ability to carry a heavy load, Abdullah also provided a big-play threat in the running game. He had eight runs of 30 yards or more, ranking among the national leaders in that category.

 

 

Jeremy Langford- Michigan State

The fifth year senior returns for his final season after spending time for the Spartans at several positions in his career. Now going into his second season as running back, Langford has recorded some outstanding numbers from his 2013 season. He started all 14 games at tailback during a breakout season in 2013 in which he led the team in rushing yards (1,422), carries (292), total touchdowns (19), rushing touchdowns (18), scoring (114 points) and all-purpose yards (1,579) . Langford also led Big Ten in total touchdowns (19) and carries (292) .and was ranked among the FBS leaders in rushing yards (16th with 1,422) and rushing (27th with 101.6 ypg.) He ended the season also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in scoring (third with 8.1 ppg.), rushing yards (fifth with 1,422), rushing (sixth with 101.6 ypg.) and all-purpose yards (eighth with 112.8 ypg.).

 

Tevin Coleman- Indiana

A Tinley Park, Illinois native, he left the state and found plenty of playing time for the Hoosiers. His 2013 season was tremendous as he rushed for 958 yards on 131 carries (7.3 average) with 12 touchdowns and caught 19 passes for 193 yards, returned six kicks for 124 yards and finished with 1,275 all-purpose yards. He also averaged 106.4 rushing yards and 141.7 all-purpose yards per game and started the first nine games of the season and missed the final three due to an ankle injury. Coleman tied for second in the Big Ten (T-14th nationally) in yards per attempt, third (22nd) in all-purpose yards per game, tied for third in total yards per play (7.3, T-26th), fourth (T-20th) in yards from scrimmage per game (127.9), fifth in rushing yards per game (22nd) and scoring per game (8.0), tied for fifth in rushing TDs and tied for sixth in total scores.

David Cobb- Minnesota

Hailing from Killeen Texas, this senior running back has an outstanding 2013 season as he led team in rushing with 1,202 yards (12th all-time in program history and 27th in the nation last season) on 237 carries (10th all-time in program history and 18th in the nation last season) and became the first Gopher to rush for more than 1,000 yards since Amir Pinnix in 2006 (1,272 yards) He tied for team lead in touchdowns with seven (all rushing) and  finished season with 1,376 all-purpose yards (1,202 rushing and 174 receiving), which is the most for a Gopher since 2009 (most for a running back since 2006) and is tied for 16th all-time in program history Elliott had six 100-yard rushing games (team was 5-1), which was the most by a Gopher since Laurence Maroney had eight in 2005  He rushed for more than 100 yards in wins against Northwestern, Nebraska, Indiana and Penn State.

 

The other top performers for 2014:

Ezekiel Elliott- Ohio State

Josh Ferguson- Illinois

Corey Clement- Wisconsin

Mark Weisman- Iowa

Raheem Mostert- Purdue