CEFL Photo Essay: Chapter II – The Big Ten Conference

A New Sheriff in the Big Ten

It became clear that the Big Ten was up for grabs right from the start. Under a new format, each of the 5 Big Ten teams would play each other Big Ten Team and one Independent school. In Round 1, Michigan pulled an upset over defending Rose Bowl Champion Michigan State.

Although Ohio State looked very good in pre-season scrimmages, once the Buckeyes took the field against Penn State, they were soundly beaten by a Nittany Lion squad that was hungry to find the dominance it had demonstrated in Season I. With Illinois losing to an Army team that came out with a strong rushing attack of its own, the stage was set for Penn State to show that the big dog was back on top when it played the Wolverines in a Round 2 matchup.

PSU showed that its line was strong, but Michigan, picking up where it had left off at the end of Season II, held its own, and demonstrated the ability to open rushing lanes in the Lion defense, even if they were not able to push PSU backwards. By the end of a 7-7 grudge match, the surprising Michigan squad emerged victorious by a slim margin…outgaining PSU by only 8 yards!!! Both teams were held under 100 yards for the game.

New Big Ten Champion

By the time Round 4 was over, Michigan had wrapped up the Big Ten Championship with a 4-0 record (including a non-conference victory over Independent Syracuse) and was the #2 ranked team in the CEFL nation with only #19 Illinois (1-3) left to play. Although Penn State was 3-1, UM had a tie-breaker over the Nittany Lions based on the head-to-head victory. MSU, meanwhile, had fallen on hard times at Watts Field and was 0-4. UM still needed a strong showing in week 5, though. The Big Ten Champion would normally receive an automatic bid to the Sugar Bowl. Unless, that is, an Independent team makes it through the season with a better record. This year, not one but two Independent teams were sending shock waves through the 4 traditional CEFL conferences. Navy and Notre Dame were both 5-0 by the time they played their games at the beginning of Round 5 - and threatening to wreak havoc with the bowl picture.

#2 Michigan at #19 Illinois

It looked like Michigan would be headed for a date with Notre Dame, if it could topple Illinois in Round 5 at Champaign. Michigan powered over the Illlini defense for a touchdown on UM’s first possession. But Illinois sent a message when it came back with some big running plays against a Michigan defense that was ranked #2 in the nation and had only allowed 2 touchdowns in the prior 4 games. The teams were tied at 7 by halftime.

Still feeling confident, Michigan streamrolled downfield in the 3rd quarter, driving down to the Illinois 11 yard-line. Then Michigan’s #38 suffered the unthinkable…FUMBLE… In the CEFL fumbles are rare, but devastating. This fumble was only the 4th all season long. The ball popped out of #38’s arms and bounced right near Illinois #21.

If that had been the end of the story, Michigan could have sent out its defensive squad with orders to prevent Illinois from marching about 70 yards. Michigan could still win a tie breaker based on yards if the score were 7-7 at the end of the game and Michigan had two long drives under its belt.

But that was not the end of the story. Illinois #21 is a hall of fame caliber safety/running back that nearly propelled Illinois to two prior Rose Bowl appearances and he had an open field ahead of him as he had been playing up at the line to try and stop the vaunted Michigan running attack. Illinois #21 scooped up the ball and rumbled toward the endzone. After what seemed like a lifetime for Michigan, a former Heisman winner: Michigan #89 cornerback/WR somehow managed to run Illinois #21 down from behind and make a game saving tackle. Unfortunately for Michigan, the tackle was made at the Michigan 30-yard line.

In the CEFL, a team may attempt a field goal only if it is at or past the other team’s 30-yard line. Michigan still had a chance. Illinois had to decide wether to go for the long field goal attempt on 1st down, or run an offsensive drive and risk being pushed beyond field goal range by the #2 ranked defense in the country. Illinois had no hope of winning the game based on yards, because fumble return yards do not count in the total yards tally. Illinois also had nothing to lose, with a 1-3 record. Illinois decided to go for it to try and get better field goal position.

Michigan’s defense dug in its heels with orders to push Illinois behind the 30-yard line, with a long hoped for Sugal Bowl appearance potentially at stake. After 3 plays, Illinois had managed to gain 6 yards on the ground. The ball rested on the Michigan 24-yard line.

Illinois sent up a field goal attempt….up….and….good!!!!!!!!

Big Ten Mayhem

After two years of heartbreak, Illinois managed to beat the mighty #2 Michigan 10-7, all thanks to #21 and “The Great Rumble After the Fumble.” Michigan still claimed the Big Ten Conference Championship and ended its season with a very respectable, if bittersweet, 4-1. All hope seemed lost for a Bowl appearance. But…there is always hope in the crazy world of EF!!!

Can Michigan make an argument for a Bowl appearance with a 4-1 record? How were the other CEFL conferences shaking out this year? Would Florida or Alabama be in line for a second Bowl appearance in school history? Did the 5-0 Independent schools get off easy by playing lower ranked teams?

Find out in CEFL Season III: Chapter 3 – the SEC Conference