You're like, "ok Captain Obvious." Not so fast my friend, I was saying this in August too. I thought my local media friends would find that assertion crazy given all the BCS preseason hype Notre Dame was getting, and the fact that Illinois was getting zero votes in either poll. But the truth is Notre Dame is 2-2, and very mediocre, while the Illini are this year's … [Read more...] about Why the Illini Will Win More Games than Notre Dame
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Questioning Ron Zook’s Very Questionable Play-Calls, Rationale
Fans of the Florida Gators will understand this piece. Actually non college football fans will probably understand it even. It feels like we publish this column every season. Last year, we did the "Did Ron Zook's play-calling cost Illinois a win?" story after the Illini had a chance to upset then #2 Ohio State at home in the Big Ten conference opener. Go here to brush up … [Read more...] about Questioning Ron Zook’s Very Questionable Play-Calls, Rationale
Illinois Loses to Minnesota
So. I suppose that headline really says it all, doesn't it? I mean...what more is there to say when a team that was 1-9, 0-6 in the Big Ten, and had lost to a 1-AA team, comes into your house and beats you. Well, maybe there is one more thing to say: We're not going to a bowl game, folks. … [Read more...] about Illinois Loses to Minnesota
Did Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook Blow The Ohio State Game?
Is there any more activity over at fireronzook.com? After Saturday's "moral victory" loss against #2-ranked Ohio State, it definitely should be. While the Illini were not expected to be close, and weren't supposed to win the game, they were driving to tie late in the game, and had a chance to completely turn the college football world on its ear. That's when Zook … [Read more...] about Did Illinois Head Coach Ron Zook Blow The Ohio State Game?
A Glimpse Into The Illini Future: Quarterback Jacob Charest
By Paul Schmidt While the Illini were falling to the Northwestern Wildcats, essentially ending their long shot run at a bowl bid, Illini fans did get an extended look at next year's early leader in the starting quarterback race, Jacob Charest, the redshirt freshman out of Butler High School in Matthews, North Carolina. Charest posted some modest numbers but, after being … [Read more...] about A Glimpse Into The Illini Future: Quarterback Jacob Charest
Will Illinois Dismiss Ron Zook?
By Paul M. Banks and Paul Schmidt Read on as our two resident Illini experts discuss the tenure of Ron Zook and speculate on his and the University's next move. (PBanks) It's eerie how similar the Illinois tenure of Ron Zook is following the exact same story arc as another Ron, the man who preceded him, Ron Turner. Zook got off to a very rough start in Champaign, going … [Read more...] about Will Illinois Dismiss Ron Zook?