I would agree with the above with the exception of Northwestern. I have never gave NW a second thought for decades. It has just been a recent big push (last 20 years or so) by the media to create a rivalry here (or intensify the ever so small existing rivalry) where one did not really exist prior.
I started following the Fighting Illini programs as a die hard fanatic around the late 50's , early 60's and the mildcats were an afterthought in FB and BB as a counted W before said season started...........Then they started advertising themselves as the state's B$G program , which drew more than a lol from me that bordered on a serious belly guffaw........
the last few years , for me , when they have had some victories against us has been hard for me to fathom as to the long period before of them being non-competitive against us......With this serious fiasco they are going through I fully expect a return to the earlier days of large margins in the score when we meet that will return order to the past.....
Will it happen ??.............I sure hope so , or that result will bring a lot of worry on my feeble little aged brain....And that's the last thing I need now.......I will keep that subject to myself as it's nobodies business but my own.......BTW , my collection of bikini & TR pics has grown in volume immensely and I enjoy them every single day ........I REALLY REALLY DO................................
" Teacher says every time you hear a bell ring , pru is adding a bikini or TR pic to his enormous collection . "
"She really really did....."
). In all, last year was a good one. The story lines and draft success were fun and marked a great year for Illinois football. Thanks Coach B.