Source: Illinois is hiring Toledo wide receivers coach Mike Bellamy as its new running backs coach. 247 Sports first reported the move, which brings Bellamy back to his alma mater, where he earned All-Big Ten honors before a lengthy NFL career. Bellamy coached Illinois' wide receivers from 2012 to 2015. He replaces Thad Ward, who recently left to join Rod Carey's new staff at Temple.
Iowa held on to defeat Mississippi State, and Kentucky capped its best year since 1977 with a win over Penn State.
Bowl season kicks off today with six games, with Fresno State's prolific QB Marcus McMaryion defeating Herm Edwards' Arizona State Sun Devils early on.
From Dec. 15 through Jan. 7, the Celebration Bowl through the CFP National Championship, Adam Rittenberg picks his winners for bowl season.
Happy bowl season! Here are the key players and storylines for every game, including the playoff.
| EAST | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 7-1 | 10-4 |
| Miami (OH) | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Ohio | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Bowling Green | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Akron | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Kent State | 1-7 | 2-10 |
| WEST | CONF | OVR |
| Northern Illinois | 6-2 | 8-6 |
| Eastern Michigan | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Toledo | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Western Michigan | 5-3 | 7-6 |
| Ball State | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Central Michigan | 0-8 | 1-11 |
| NAME | POS | STATUS | GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Stephens | TE-Y | Signed | 78 |
| Jerjuan Newton | ATH | Signed | 77 |
| Chris'Seon Stringer | WR | Signed | 76 |
| Micah Kelly | RB | Signed | 76 |
| Dequan Finn | QB-DT | Signed | 75 |
