Juice And Jacob Leading The Illini Over Minny

Juice started today's game and played well but then went down with an ankle injury. Jacob Charest has since led two scoring drives to put the Illini up 28-7 at the half.

Charest is throwing some nice balls. That's my observation of the game so far.

I Forgot To Mention That Illinois Beat Michigan Last Saturday

That Terry Hawthorne play was just outstanding.

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.

Illini Travel To Indiana To (Hopefully) Administer A Beatdown

Last season the Illini rolled over Indiana 55-13 in Champaign, with Juice completing 16-22 passes for 271 yards and 3 TDs, Benn catching 7 passes for 130 yards, and then true freshman Jason Ford rushing for 173 yards on 19 carries.

What are the odds any one of those things happens tomorrow when the Illini head to Bloomington?

I'd say slim and none based on what I have seen from the offense to this point in the season.

But I remain optimistic.

Get r dun, Juice.

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.

I Have No Idea What Will Happen In the Illinois - Ohio St. Game

That's right. I have absolutely no clue about what will happen today when the Illini play Ohio St. at the Horseshoe.

First of all, it seems like forever since the Illini have played a game. They lost the opener to Mizzou, then came back a week later and won against Illinois St., a game that can't be considered a real contest. I didn't watch that game, and just read about the injury to Juice on the first play from scrimmage, the up and down play of Eddie McGee and the questionable defensive play, even against an ISU offense that is objectively terrible.

Secondly, even though the Illini are coming off a bye week, injuries raise a big question mark. Juice has the quad (or is it a hammy?) issue, and Benn has the sprained ankle he suffered against Mizzou. Martez is out for the season and a redshirt freshman, Evan Frierson, is starting in his place at middle linebacker. If Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes can't exploit that matchup, they aren't worthy of their AP #13 ranking.

All that said, the Illini have a lot of talent and have won in Columbus recently, against a better Ohio St. team no less. Here are the few keys I see for the Illini to be competitive:

1. the defense - especially Sirod, Josh Brent, Doug Pilcher and Corey Liuget on the D Line, and Evan Frierson and Ian Thomas in the linebacking unit - must contain Pryor when he leaves the pocket as he so often does;

2. Juice needs to complete a few passes downfield to Benn, Jeff Cumberland, Jarred Fayson or one of the other guys in the receiving unit, in order to open up the option run that Juice ran to perfection in 2007;

3. Juice needs to throw no more than 1 pick;

4. the DBs - I'm looking at you Donsay Hardeman - need to prevent Pryor from making a big play deep and, almost as important, avoid making foolish late hit personal foul penalties; and

5. the Illini can't give up. Against Mizzou they clearly were outclassed in terms of heart, drive and will to win. If the Buckeyes smack the Illini in the face early today, which they may very well do, the Illini need to stand right back up and throw a stiff forearm shiver right across the jaw of the Buckeyes. That's what a man would do, and that's what the Illini need to do today.

I'm looking forward to this.

Juice And Rejus And The Boys Aren't Ready

Objectively speaking, that was the worst Illini performance - in every single facet of the game - since the 33-0 drubbing the team took at Rutgers in September 2006.

I have nothing more to say about that.

Juice And Rejus And The Boys Are Ready

It's not often - at least in Illini country - that your favorite squad brings back two legitimate superstars that are leaders, that have experience and that have the talent to absolutely dominate the league. No one in the national media is mentioning it, but both Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn are Heisman capable. Rejus Benn will be a top 10 NFL pick next season and Juice, by the end of this season, will hold every single relevant quarterback record in the history of Illini football.

What. A pair. Of beasts.

But the Illini don't stop there. Zook has given new offensive coordinator, Mike Schultz, a stunning array of depth on offense. At QB, if something were to happen to Juice, Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest are waiting in the wings, Eddie with proven ability and Jacob, by all accounts, a kid with a big-time arm.

At running back, the Illini go at least four deep: Daniel Dufrene (who may be out today against Missou), Troy Pollard, Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford, will all get carries and all have big game skill. True frosh Justin Green is a pure burner that may be the best of the bunch. No shortage there.

Receiver is an embarrassment of riches. It starts with Benn but #2 guy, Jerred Fayson, the Florida transfer, is another stud who has been waiting patiently for a year to step on the field and make plays. You can't double team Benn because of Fayson and that's going to open up some huge plays. Let's not forget A.J. Jenkins, Jeff Cumberland, Jack Ramsey, Fred Sykes, Chris Duvalt, Cordale Scott and tight-end Michael Hoomanawanui. All are monsters and make up one of the deepest receiving units in the country. Juice just has to decide where to throw and the rest will take care of itself.

The O-Line returns 3 starters and is filled with big guys with experience: Jon Asamoah, Ryan Palmer, Eric Block, Randall Hunt, Jeff Allen, Jack Cornell, Corey Lewis, Craig Wilson and Graham Pocic. All are capable of moving mountains. All are mountains. Juice should have time to throw and room to run all season.

I like the defenese too. The D-Line has some legit, albeit young, talent. Josh Brent and Corey Liuget could be first team all Big Ten. Doug Pilcher and Sirod Williams add upper-class experience. Then you toss in Clay Nurse and Antonio James, and you have a solid core group. A lot is riding on these guys to plug the middle and put pressure on opposing QBs. If Brent and Liuget are as good as I think they are, this unit will surprise people.

Linebacker might be the key to the entire season. If Martez Wilson - taking over the MLB position from Brit Miller - plays like the Simeon Rice-type athlete he is, then all will be good in Illini-land. He has the strength and moves to get to the QB from anywhere on the field and the speed and quickness to track down running backs from sideline to sideline. The rest of the LBs - Ian Thomas, Aaron Gress, Nate Bussey, Russell Ellington, Evan Frierson - are all pretty young and lack extensive playing experience. Their developing maturity and playmaking skill, as I wrote above, may be the key to the defense's success or failure this season.

The secondary loses Vontae but may be improved overall. It's a shame that Miami Thomas went down and is out for a second straight season, but the unit still has talent. Tavon Wilson, Donsay Hardeman and Dere Hicks have playmaking skill. Highly rated frosh Terry Hawthorne, recruited by many as a wideout, has good hands and good speed and may get playing time at DB. Frosh Joelil Thrash also impressed coaches in training camp. One or both of those guys will have to contribute for the DB unit to succeed on the field.

As for today against Missou, I see a few keys to the game for the Illini:

1. Juice must limit his picks. If Juice has two or more TD passes than he does picks, the Illini will win. My guess is he will have 4 TD passes and 1 pick today. I can live with that ratio.

2. Martez has to make some tackles in the backfield. If Martez gets to the Missou running backs a few times behind the line, that should set the tone for the defense the entire season.

3. The DBs need to show they can cover the Missou wideouts. Chase Daniel carved up the Illini last season, and the new QB, Gabbert, also has a big arm. Someone in the Illini defensive backfield has to make a play today.

Overall, I say the Illini win 42 - 24.

Get r dun Juice and Rejus.

Get R Dun, Juice!

Juice,

I just heard that you got engaged to be married. Way to get after it, man. I've been married for just over a year and I'm not even a beast quarterback. You'll probably be really good at marriage.

Something else caught my eye in that article mentioning your engagement. It said, and I quote, "Williams will likely end his Illinois career as the school's leader in passing and total offense. If he has a big season, he can pass Drew Brees as the Big Ten's career total offense leader."

Really? The Big Ten's career total offense leader? Surpassing Drew Brees? That's big stuff, Juice. Anytime you pass Drew Brees - incidentally, what a beast - you know you're doing something right.

I sense good things for your senior season. And for your life.

Best,
Bevormo

Microcosm

Somebody said it. Maybe it was Andre Ware, or maybe Mark Tupper wrote it. But yesterday's loss to the Buckeyes was a microcosm of the Illini season. Some big plays, obvious talent, but some critical mistakes. Just coming up short.

Now a bowl game is in doubt even with a win next week against Northwestern.

Utter disaster.

Illini Win Opener Against Eastern Washington

The Illini played a strong second half last night to pull away from Eastern Washington and win their 2008-2009 season opener. Trent Meacham hit three threes on his way to 18 points and Chet Frazier added 13 points. Those may end up as single game point highs for those two guys all season. (Ouch! So cynical these days are Illini hoop fans!)

The sellout streak at Assembly Hall ended last night, but there is some optimism around the program after last Wednesday's big signing day. Also I get a sense this season's team, in stark contrast to the Shaun Pruitt-Brian Randle led team of the last two years, might have the type of heart and staying power to close games out. That would be nice.

Oh, by the way, the Illini are currently down 23-13 to Ohio St. at the half. But for two Juice turnovers the Illini may be winning this game. Matty Eller has boomed two big field goals to get the game to within 10. Let's see if Juicer can work some magic in the second half.

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.