Dear Shannon,
For a change, we’re going to see a Northwestern-Illinois football game that means something to both teams. The Wildcats are going bowling, and the Illini need help.
Last season everything fell together, and the Illini surprised the nation as they earned a trip to the Rose Bowl. I’m not surprised they didn’t go 9-3 again, but they should have had a bowl spot wrapped up by now. That loss to Western Michigan was the killer.
As I see it, the question Saturday is whether Northwestern’s confidence as it heads to a possible New Year’s Day bowl is eclipsed by the Illini’s hunger not to become the first Big Ten team to go from the Rose Bowl to no bowl since — are you ready for this? — the 1984 Illini stayed home because of NCAA sanctions.
At 5-6, Illinois needs this one just to become bowl-eligible. But as you remember, Northwestern and Iowa sat home last year with 6-6 records. It would help the Illini if Ohio State beats Michigan to stay alive for the BCS national championship game, which would create another Big Ten bowl spot. The conference already has seven bowl-eligible teams for its seven affiliated games.
There are other scenarios that would get the Illini one more game, but all 7-5 teams must find bowl homes before 6-6 teams that don’t get into one of their conference bowls. For example, the Mid-American and Western Athletic may have 7-5 teams without a conference bowl. Lesser bowls like the Independence, Texas, Poinsettia or Papajohns wouldn’t be too exciting to fans, but it would give Ron Zook 15 more practices — and a head start on making sure this doesn’t happen again next season.
See you Saturday,
TB
