The Jacob Charest Era?

Who would have thought a month ago that Juice Williams' senior season would coincide with the beginning of the Jacob Charest era? Not me, for sure, but apparently that may be happening as soon as this Saturday in the Illini's tilt with the Boilermakers.

Maybe this is what was supposed to happen this season. Juice was meant to fail, as was Eddie McGee, and when things seem darkest, a young redshirt-freshman stallion emerges to lead the Illini on a monster win streak to become bowl eligible, thus ushering in a golden age of Illini football.

Yep, I'm pretty sure that's going to happen.

Eddie McGee Is Starting The Homecoming Game During Juice's Senior Season

This can't be how Juice envisioned things a few weeks ago. The team struggling, the offense unable to move the ball, and he riding pine for the Homecoming game against the Spartans.

A shame. It was nary a month ago this Illini season was filled with so much promise.

The Illini can still turn things around - with games at home against Michigan St. and on the road against Purdue and Indiana, three straight wins are a possibility - but for the time being they'll attempt to do so with Eddie McGee at the helm.

Either way, I just want the Illini to win football games.

Illini Do Iowa

The Illini held on and beat Iowa last Saturday. That was a good thing because Iowa had been a spoiler for the Illini of late, and also because Iowa is inferior to Illinois just as a general matter.

I kid the Iowans. Great state over there. Always enjoy visiting Iowa City and I had a friend growing up who was from Bettendorf. One of my other friends married a Hawkeye graduate. Also my sister once got caught using someone else's credit card in Iowa so, you know, it's good to know the Iowa police are on top of things.

One thing I liked about Saturday's game was the use of Eddie McGee as a slot receiver. He is tall and athletic and, according to T.V. reports, Zooker rewarded him for being one of the players who cares most about the team. I believe Illini football will be in good hands two seasons from now when Juice is playing in the CFL and Eddie is quarterbacking the squad.