Big Game Hunting: Illinois, Northwestern get Week 12 shots to lock into bowl position

Illinois’ Isaiah Williams celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning touchdown at Minnesota, the last game the Illini played on the road. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Fire Kirk Ferentz!

Were Iowa fans demanding that in 1999 or 2000? Some of them probably were, though it was so long ago it’s hard to remember. Those were Ferentz’s first two seasons as the coach of the Hawkeyes, and he went 1-10 and 3-9. Predecessor Hayden Fry, whose teams had gone to six bowl games in the 1990s alone, must have turned over in his BarcaLounger.