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Game Thread Illinois 0, at tOSU 30 (Sep 26, 3:30, ABC/ESPN)

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Q: What was more the reality for Illinois; the Rose Bowl season of 2007 or last year's disappointment? Is the offense going to still be all Juice, all the time? What's the most important position battle to watch for this spring?

A: By Frank Frangie of InsideIllini.com - I was more surprised by last year's collapse than the 2007 season. They played tight last year, like a team that finally had escaped the abyss and didn't know what to do now that they were out. They panicked at playing with a target on their chest, so unlike the year before when they were free and easy. Most agree that is the big thing.

This year, I think you will see the offense simplified. Because Juice was so good toward the end of the 2007 season, Locksley put in stuff he probably can't do -- lots of reads, lots of progressions in the passing game, etc. It will be back to basics under Mike Schultz.

But they love their receivers. Arrelious Benn, one of Illinois' few five-star recruits, has been the only real star since he got there, but Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, another five-star, may be just as good. And last year as a freshman, A. J. Jenkins showed he may have star potential. Plus they have very good depth there. So with that position so loaded, they have to go down the field some.


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The halftime ceremonies for this game will include the introduction of the newest members of the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame.

The class includes Michael Redd, and football players Andy Katzenmoyer, the late Neal Colzie, and Dick LeBeau.

Dispatch

Redd, Katzenmoyer head Hall of Fame class

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Former defensive back Neal Colzie was an All-American who remains among the top 10 in many OSU interception and punt-return categories. Colzie, who died in 2001, was a first-round draft pick in 1975 by the Oakland Raiders.

London, Ohio, native Dick LeBeau was a standout two-way football player from 1956-58, then went on to a long NFL playing and coaching career. He is credited with inventing the zone blitz defense, and as the defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he owns two Super Bowl rings.

Also named to the class were: Robert Gary (cross country/track and field), Bob Hopper (swimming), Pandel Savic (football), Kaja Fiserova (rowing), Allison Hanna (golf), Vanessa Immordino (field hockey), Emma Laaksonen (ice hockey) and Jim Montrella (women's swimming coach).

The inductions will take place Sept. 25, and the new class will be introduced at halftime of the football game against Illinois on Sept. 26.
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Two things concern me.

Someone will get Zooked every year and their ability to throw could be a matchup issue with our secondary early in the season.

Lets hope 2007 used up our turn in the getting Zooked rotation for a while.
 
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Tony Gerdeman looks at the Illini.

Ozone

Big Ten Countdown - No. 4 Illinois
By Tony Gerdeman

Predicted Finish
9-3 (6-2)

Two Cent Overview
A four-year starter at quarterback with an arsenal of air and ground weapons pitted behind 60% of a veteran offensive line . The defense is replacing three starters on the front four and hoping there are linebackers who can make plays. The secondary will come together provided the safeties can limit the big mistakes.

Schedule
Sep.05 Missouri (at St. Louis) (W)
Sep.12 Illinois State (W)
Sep.26 at Ohio State (L)
Oct.03 Penn State (W)
Oct.10 Michigan State (W)
Oct.17 at Indiana (W)
Oct.24 at Purdue (W)
Oct.31 Michigan (W)
Nov.07 at Minnesota (L)
Nov.14 Northwestern (W)
Nov.27 at Cincinnati (L)
Dec.05 Fresno State (W)

Goal
Win every game they?re favored in and one or two that they?re not.

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BB73;1521733; said:
Tony Gerdeman looks at the Illini.

Ozone
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Best Player
Wide receiver Arrelious Benn. There?s nobody else like him in the Big Ten. He?s big, he?s strong, he?s fast. If Tim Tebow played wide receiver, we would probably call Benn the ?Poor Man?s Tim Tebow?. That?s how good this guy is!
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God I wish the Tebow comparisons would stop. I honestly don't even understand this one.
 
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