Illinitalk: Seniors' Saturday v. tOSU

Friday, November 14, 2008

Seniors' Saturday v. tOSU

Seventeen Illini seniors will be playing their last game at Memorial Stadium Saturday. And it won't be an easy game. The Ohio State University Buckeyes have had a very good season, despite their crushing loss to USC early in the season and the Penn State loss. The Buckeyes have had a couple impressive games, including a big win over Northwestern last week.

The Illini seniors have fought through a couple really tough seasons, an amazing run to the Rose Bowl, and this season -- which hasn't quite lived up to expectations. But the potential for this Illini team is there. They can play like the team that upset #1 tOSU in Columbus last year, except that often they don't.

So what do we need to see to make it 2 in a row over the Buckeyes?

Fewer mistakes -- as in interceptions, fumbles and penalties. The Illini hold the distinction of the most penalized team in the conference. But those types of mistakes can be minimized.
Solid protection for Juice. He needs time to throw, or a hole for the ball carrier to run through. He didn't get much of that last week, and I'm sure Jim Tressel shared some of those highlights with his defense.
Brit Miller to outplay James Laurinaitis. Miller has had an outstanding senior season, but he hasn't gotten much recognition. Laurinaitis has earned the reputation of one of the best in the country. But if Brit and company can hassle young Pryor more than James and his boys get to Juice, the Illini will be in pretty good shape.
Solid play on special teams -- and at least one outstanding play. Special teams haven't been all that special this year, but we know we have the speed for a kick-off or punt return for a TD. Or a blocked kick. Or something else. And we will need to see that.
A loud, supportive crowd. This game is sold out, according to the Illini ticket department. But it's going to be a bit on the chilly side (wind, rain/snow, high somewhere in the 30s). Illini fans need to show up, cheer loud and do their best to stick it out with the Illini all game. I'll be there (my first visit to the new Memorial Stadium) ready to cheer on Ron and his team.

A win will be a challenge, but this should be an "on" week in the every-other-week pattern the 2008 Illini have fallen into. Besides the statement that beating the Buckeyes would make, bowl eligibility is once again on the line...

Go Illini!

Labels: Illini football

# posted by Alma Mater : 6:22 PM

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Friday, November 14, 2008

Seniors' Saturday v. tOSU

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