A Few Thoughts On Illinois - SIU

The Salukis come to Champaign-Urbana tonight for a primetime showdown with the Illini. I don't have many thoughts on the game, but I have a few:

1. Pressure from Nurse and Liuget. The Illini defense looked solid for most of last week's game against Mizzou. Only a few small hiccups in the second half allowed Gabbert to get touchdowns on the board. But now starting Bandit Michael Buchanan is suspended for underage boozing and driving, and the secondary is still depleted with injuries to Supo Sanni and Terry Hawthorne. That's all the more reason why pressure from Clay Nurse, who will take over at Bandit, and Corey Liuget, the Illini's best defensive lineman, is critical to stopping the Saluki offense.

2. O-Line Improvement. Hugh Thornton and the rest of the offensive line looked like a swinging door for much of the second half last week. Nathan Scheelhaase was scampering for his life, resulting in errant and poorly timed throws. Hugh and the boys need to give Nathan a semblance of time so he can relax and make some throws from the pocket.

3. Scheelhaase's touch. This relates to point 2, but Nathan needs to put the ball in his receiver's hands. He missed Eddie McGee twice in the second half last week on crucial third-down plays. We know Nathan can run, but completing those third-and-short pass plays can make all the difference between winning and losing. Between LIVING AND DYING!

4. Halftime adjustments. It might not matter much tonight, but once the Big Ten starts, Zook, Koenning, Petrino and the rest of the coaches can't keep getting out-strategized at halftime. Gary Pinkel watched the first half last week, made adjustments, and came up with a plan that completely shutdown the Illini in the second half. Zook and his team need to counter those moves going forward.

Kickoff at 7:30 EDT. Big Ten Network.

I Forgot To Mention That Illinois Beat Michigan Last Saturday

That Terry Hawthorne play was just outstanding.

S-S-S Signing Day!

Way to get r dun today, Zook! Signing day always measures an 11 on the stress-chter scale but I get the sense its one of your favorite days of the year.

You're so cool.

All in all the class seems strong, albeit not spectacular. It would have been nice to top off the class with a 5-star like, say, Jelani Jenkins, but I'm not complaining. As I look over the class I see a lot of guys who look like "football players." They're talented sure, but maybe not so talented that they'll arrive in Champaign and coast. They look like guys who have a little something to prove.

They look like guys with a little bit of hunger.

Here are the main storylines I see with this class:

1. Terry Hawthorne. Getting Hawthorne in the fold was huge. Some experts say he might start opposite Arrelious as early as next September. At a minimum it will be interesting to watch the built-in rivalry with his high-school teammate, Kraig Appleton, who bailed on the Illini for the 'Sconsin Badgers.

2. Nathan Scheelhaase. By my count, now that Nathan has signed, the Illini have four stud quarterbacks on the roster: Nathan, Juice Williams, Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest. I like the way you operate, Zook.

3. Defensive Linemen. Craig Drummond and Tank Carradine were notable drop outs from the class in the last week but I still like what I see here. Lendell Buckner reeks of studlydom, and Michael Buchanan was a choice last-minute addition when he picked the Illini over the Annoilermakers. Not to mention Akeem Spence and Tim Kynard, two guys who I get the feeling fell under the radar but will bloom in college.

4. Running Backs. Bud Golden and the coup of the day, Justin Green. Me likey. Golden seems like an athletic, do-everything back that can make plays, not to mention he has an awesome name. And Green is an absolute speedster who might also run track at Illinois when he's not galloping toward the end zone on Saturday afternoons in the Fall. I sense good things from these two guys.

There are a few more stories with this class, but I'll leave it at that for now. Can't wait to see these guys at Camp Rantoul.