Check your email.  There’s one last season ticket renewal reminder in your inbox, isn’t there?  You’ve been putting it off, haven’t you.  You’re not sure what to do. Renew. I know the last two years have been frustrating.  I know the decision to play Western Michigan in Detroit cost us more than just a bowl [...]

Why don’t we have Zeke Markshausens? Who’s Zeke Markshausen?  Northwestern’s senior wide receiver last year.  1 catch for 6 yards in his first 3 years.  And then 91 catches for 858 yards as a senior. 91 catches for Zeke Markshausen, and 38 catches for Arrelious Benn.  I want to cry. Joey Elliot – over 3,000 [...]

Fan fests and season ticket promotions.  Chicago scrimmages and St. Louis dome games.  Quality opponents and flashy video intros.  All in the name of “promoting excitement and enthusiasm around Illini Football”. Just win, baby. Flashy recruiters and a solid recruiting budget.  Mining the greater DC and Jacksonville areas for talent.  A two-story weight room and [...]

Want to know why I think our special teams have been among the worst units in the Big Ten over the last 5 years?  You do?  Sweet.  I’ma tell you. I don’t think anybody owns their role.  OK, besides Aaron Gress.  And maybe Erique Robertson a few years ago before he went all wild west.  [...]

We need a spotter. I’m not a NASCAR guy, but I know enough to know that NASCAR drivers have spotters.  Since I couldn’t tell you much more than that, I’ll use my friend Google to find a good quote about NASCAR spotters.  Here’s one: A NASCAR spotter watches his assigned car and protects it as [...]