Re: Ohio State
 

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Was there ever a time when Illinois Football wasn't a joke?

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Big Ten Champs and BCS bowl just a few years ago.

Re: Ohio State
 

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Was there ever a time when Illinois Football wasn't a joke?

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Big Ten Champs and BCS bowl just a few years ago.

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Yeah, that was pretty funny... in that 'I'm sad for the state of my conference and what the hell happened here' kind of way.

Re: Ohio State
 

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Who cares. If the NCAA does their job (unlikely) their program will be dealing with sanctions soon anyways. By the time those are done, Illinois will be well into their 3rd consecutive BT championship season under Ron Zook.

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Ron Zook couldnt even win with a talented Florida team...

Re: Ohio State
 

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Illinois will be well into their 3rd consecutive BT championship season under Ron Zook.

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Or at least experiencing some entertaining off-field shenanigans.

Re: Ohio State
 

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Was there ever a time when Illinois Football wasn't a joke?

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Big Ten Champs and BCS bowl just a few years ago.

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Yeah, that was pretty funny... in that 'I'm sad for the state of my conference and what the hell happened here' kind of way.

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As opposed to which conference? Other than the SEC, pretty much every conference has been pretty meh lately.

Re: Ohio State
 

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Ron Zook couldnt even win with a talented Florida team...

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Well, getting talent on the team is a great first step if you are an Illinois fan.

Re: Ohio State
 

much better than last year. returned most starters, with a year of maturity they should be outstanding. The big hump to me is the Texas game, which I think will be decided by the buckeyes defense and the fact that its a home night game in columbus. We dont get many night games here, so the stadium will be electric. After that its Iowa thats the big task, as I believe Tressel will continue owning Michigan.

Re: Ohio State
 

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I believe Tressel will continue owning Michigan.

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Knock on wood.

To answer OP's question, I think the key to this year's squad, as has been the case with each of Tressel's teams, is the offense.

At QB - Zwick looked great in the bowl game against OK St., but Smith was clearly the superior QB. Who knows what this whole McNair football camp thing is about, but he's already out for the season opener. Regardless, I think each will be significantly stronger than last year.

RB - Pittman is really the sole returning RB from last year's joke of a running game. The good news is that he was the most explosive, leading the team in yards per carry. I think he'll develop into a decent feature back. I know he's young too - maybe just a sophomore.

WR - USC fans (maybe even Michigan fans) might disagree, but I'll take Teddy Ginn and Santonio Holmes over any duo in the country. Let's just hope we can get the ball to them.

OL - 4 starters return. The line looked significantly more cohesive in the Michigan and bowl games. I think it will be a solid group.

Defense - Nine starters return. Best linebacking core in the country. I know very little about the D-line. Two veterans at safeties. Cornerback could be a bit suspect. Youbouty is solid, but I would't be surprised to see Ginn play both sides (he was a corner in high school). I've read in numerous spots that this unit will be among the nation's best; considering Tressel's track record and the personnel returning, I won't disagree.

K - I will miss Nugent. In his place is a guy who's in his 6th year (the rare two year red shirt). Who knows. His backup is a red-shirt freshman. I don't think either will be going 5-6 from 50+.

In short, I think the Bucks will be moderately to significantly better. Enough to challenge the usual suspects for the conference title, but not enough to be thinking National Champs.

P.S. Ann Arbor is a whore.

Re: Ohio State
 

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P.S. Ann Arbor is a whore.

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Re: Ohio State
 

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Ron Zook couldnt even win with a talented Florida team...

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Well, getting talent on the team is a great first step if you are an Illinois fan.

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