The plans are taking shape to make Oct. 20 a night that Illinois football fans never will forget.
The Illini will get a visit from Michigan. It will be a night game. The Block “I” student section will go mental. There will be enough orange body paint to make a pumpkin jealous.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew might come along for the ride. A network official contacted Illinois this week to set the table for a visit.
One major thing stands in the way of all that fun — Saturday’s visit to Iowa.
If you have been following Big Ten football, you know Iowa has taken a stunning fall into the league’s bottom rung. The 2002 and 2004 conference co-champs have lost eight straight Big Ten games.
The Hawkeyes’ offense was so bad last Saturday at Penn State, its first 10 series ended in punts. Iowa didn’t turn the ball over a single time and still lost 27-7.
So why would Illinois coach Ron Zook, whose team has won five straight, possibly be worried about losing to Iowa? Because it could happen easily.
“We have no doubt we’re going to get Iowa’s best game,” Zook said. “They’re backed up in a corner. We will definitely get their best game.”
Do you like it that way, coach?
“No, I’d rather get their worst game,” he replied in an appreciated bit of honesty.
Iowa has lost its top three receivers to injury or suspension, and its offensive line is a quilt. But Iowa hasn’t lost its pride, certainly not at Kinnick Stadium.
Illinois, meanwhile, has yet to win in a tough atmosphere on the road. This is a young team that has to be basking in its early success — and perhaps envisioning its big night against Michigan.
The formula is there, but I’m predicting a scare, not an upset. Call it Illinois 19, Iowa 17.
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tgreenstein@tribune.com
