The top three? Unquestionable. Even CFN agrees that Juice, Rejus, and Tez are our three best players. No matter what order you put them, the success of the 2009 Illini rests on their three Lou-sculpted shoulders. But after that, well, CFN and Bob are wrong, and I’m right. Unquestionably. #10 Michael Hoomanawanui – Yes, I [...]

I don’t have very many issues with Bob’s players ranked 11-20. Mostly because it’s easier now – just put the starters in order.  But I will take issue with said order. Jeff Allen at #18? He’s probably our most important player at the position with the most question marks. Anyway, here’s mine: #20 Ryan Palmer [...]

Bob was doing so well.  Randall Hunt at #27. A beefed-up Russell Ellington at #26. And then… Ashante Williams at #25?  What? Zook talks to Loren Tate, they discuss Flowers, Edwards, Sanni, and Bellamy as the guys who are fighting for the other starting safety spot opposite Donsay Hardeman, and then Bobby lists freshman-converted-corner-trying-safety-for-the-first-time Ashante [...]

So as my old buddy Bob Asmussen continues to get it wrong (I mean, seriously, a starting cornerback at #34? One spot behind the long snapper? Really?)  So here’s the next 10 on my list: #40 Troy Pollard – I’ve been impressed with Pollard every time he finds the field… which hasn’t been very often.  [...]

So the News Gazette football beat writer, Bob Asmussen, is counting down the 50 most important Illini Football players for 2009.  Because he’s already way off – and since he’s a diehard Nebraska fan which eliminates him from having a valid opinion about Illinois football – I’ve decided to make my own top-50 list.  I [...]