Making the cover of Sports Illustrated isn't always a good thing, jinx experts will tell you. So it's no surprise some Iowa fans are nervous to see Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Wade Leppert on the cover of this week's SI. My question: Since SI started regionalizing its covers, does the notion of a jinx still float? After all, Iowa made the cover on SIs distributed in only nine Midwestern states (including Illinois). Derek Jeter is the cover boy in 41 states.

For the next two days, HQ recruiting expert Jeremy Werner will analyze where Illinois stands with the prep football stars still looking for a school.

Notre Dame vs. Boise State

We were all set to put Penn State in this spot. But what happens if Ohio State beats the Nittany Lions this weekend, then loses at Michigan State in the season finale? Then, it's off to the Capital One Bowl for JoePa. Which leaves an open spot in the BCS for the Irish. But only if they win the rest of their games to get to 10-2. That means winning at Pitt and Stanford. Possible.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico President David Schmidly said Wednesday an attorney representing an assistant football coach sent a letter offering “continued media silence” for a $500,000 settlement in a dispute with head football coach Mike Locksley.
Schmidly said the overture was rejected.

Staff writer Bob Asmussen's weekly look at the game he loves:

CHAMPAIGN – Josh Brent, the UI's large defensive tackle from Bloomington, spoke honestly about a confusing football season: "I can't put a finger on why we weren't winning, and I don't know what happened Saturday because we didn't really change anything (in defeating Michigan)."

Confusing? Well, consider that Minnesota drew a Big Ten-record 17 penalties Saturday and, calling up reserves to replace injured star Eric Decker, produced 416 aerial yards to rock Michigan State 42-34. Adam Weber fired five TD passes, matching Juice Williams' total for the season, with three of them coming from 62, 59 and 37 yards.

Twice a week, we'll spotlight an Illini-related video on YouTube.

Today: Danny Clark goes shopping in New York City.

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota defensive back Michael Carter will be allowed to play against Illinois despite his arrest this week outside a campus pizza parlor.