That’s an order. I’m serious.  That wasn’t just a clever “hey Illini fans, make those bowl plans because we’re totally bowl eligible.”  I am urging all Illini fans to start informing friends, family, and bosses that some time around the 1st of January, they will be out of town. Here’s why: The next step to [...]

Continuing the theme of “things my friends text me that capture the moment and make a perfect postgame breakdown post title”, that text from my friend Carter wins for this week. We’re getting ready to run out the clock and on the first play, Jason Ford fumbles.  Every human being on earth who has followed [...]

You’ll have to forgive me.  I’m an Illini football fan.  I’ve never used this whole “a win is a win” phrase, so I’m not exactly sure how to use it. I believe you’re supposed to say “a win is a win” when you squeak out a victory at home over an opponent you should easily [...]

When I arrived back at my tailgate, those were my friend Tom’s first words to me: We NEVER win that game. And we never do.  The close game at home against a solid opponent that can either build or destroy our momentum – we never win that game.  Michigan 2000.  Michigan 1995.  California 2005.  Michigan [...]

2-0.  Two and zero.  Two wins, zero losses. We’ve equaled our win total from 2006.  And 2005.  And beat our win total from 2003.  And 1997. Four wins from a bowl game.  Seriously – just beat Western Michigan, Indiana (who might only win one game this year), Purdue (who lost to Rice yesterday), and Minnesota [...]