What a treat for Illini fans to see both this team (after the Indiana explosion) and program (after decades of embracing the ineptitude of poor coaching hires and poor leadership ) rise from the ashes and play like a team that knows what they are doing...both players and staff. What is truly uplifting and encouraging, is that this team has the strengths to compete with Ohio State or Michigan for a B1G title. It could happen, but some big hurdles to jump when hosting Purdue and a trip to Ann Arbor. Stay focused, avoid blunders, and it could happen. And I am really beginning to dislike the Hoosiers.
I have fond memories as a kid of watching Craig Morton throw laser strikes of the chests of his receivers as the Illini won a game against an obviously superior offensive Cal squad, of Bob Ferguson literally walking down the field 4 yds. at a time behind a dominating line that could not be stopped...even with the entire Illinois student body in the box, and, of course, the electricity cracking around sold out Memorial Stadium crowds of 75,000+ as Grabowski went up the middle for a first down and Butkus seemingly tackled every rushing attempt by any runner at the line of scrimmage. Those days may return if this standard of play and talent can become the floor for the program. And these players deserve to run out of the tunnel and see a sold out home Stadium when Purdue comes to town against an 8-1 Illini team. They will see that in the Big House.
Another solid performance by a solid Illini team. Stay focused, act like it is the norm, and continue the climb.