By Paul M. Banks Heading into this season the talk about the Illinois Fighting Illini program, certainly offensively at least, was about the passing game; and the stellar group of receivers that were allegedly one of the best position groups in the nation. There were lots of questions about the defense and the running game- the latter of which took a big step backward last … [Read more...] about Illini Tailback Situation Part 2 Daniel Dufrene Troy Pollard
Illinois Fighting Illini
Illini Tailback Situation Part 1- Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure
By Paul M. Banks Heading into this season the talk about the Illinois Fighting Illini program, certainly offensively at least, was about the passing game; and the stellar group of receivers that were allegedly one of the best position groups in the nation. There were lots of questions about the defense and the running game- the latter of which took a big step backward last … [Read more...] about Illini Tailback Situation Part 1- Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure
Illinois Season Preview Part 3…Fearless (Fearful??) Predictions
By Paul Schmidt The success and failure of the Illinois Fighting Illini football season isn't a difficult prospect. With the previews in, the necessity of the offense to take care of the ball and the defense to force turnovers and play soundly is pretty well known, but in the end the Illini will have to try really hard to miss a bowl game again this season. The only … [Read more...] about Illinois Season Preview Part 3…Fearless (Fearful??) Predictions
Illini Season Preview, part 2: The Defense
By Paul Schmidt The Illini defense has been nothing if not maligned in the past two seasons. Criticisms of “not fast enough” and “not talented enough” have echoed through the sports pages, and though the team continues to say that they don’t buy into the negativity, it’s hard to say that hearing the comments don’t create a self-defeating attitude. With that possibility in … [Read more...] about Illini Season Preview, part 2: The Defense
Orange Juice (Williams) and Champaign
The Juice Williams Interview/Profile Part 1 By Paul M. Banks On May 10, 2005, Urban dictionary made “juice” the Urban Word of the Day and defined it as such “Respect and credibility on the street. A.K.A. Sauce “I can't be seen with them - they don't have juice.” Sounds like another word for power, connections, a big time reputation- something a star quarterback at a … [Read more...] about Orange Juice (Williams) and Champaign
Exclusive with the Nation’s Best WR Arrelious “Rejus” Benn
The University of Illinois Wide Receiving Corps will be among the best in College Football this year. In this four part series, Paul M. Banks interviews and profiles each of the top four Illini pass catching threats. Part 4: Arrelious “Rejus” Benn Talk about saving the best for last- in the final installment of my interview/profiles of the stellar University of Illinois … [Read more...] about Exclusive with the Nation’s Best WR Arrelious “Rejus” Benn
ESPN Finally Gives Gameday Love to the Illini
By Paul M. Banks For some bizarre reason, the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network ignored the University of Illinois when it came to finding a locale to host their popular "College Gameday" pre-game show. The show has been running for six seasons, and during that period of time, the Fighting Illini were 6th in the nation in total wins! They've been a NCAA Tournament regular … [Read more...] about ESPN Finally Gives Gameday Love to the Illini
University of Illinois Fighting Illini Season Football Preview, Part 1
By Paul Schmidt The 2009 University of Illinois Fighting Illini football team is likely to be something of an enigma. It seems that any time expectations are heaped upon the school, they never live up to those expectations, and when they have no one thinking highly of them they tend to over-perform everyone's opinions. Does that mean that this year's team will fail, … [Read more...] about University of Illinois Fighting Illini Season Football Preview, Part 1
Big Ten Predictions
By the TSB Staff 1.Ohio St. 2. Michigan State 3. Penn St. It will be tight at the top once again this year. Ohio State's Terrell Pryor is going to come into his own this year; combined with an always stout defense, the Buckeyes will be hard to keep from the title. Michigan St. returns 14 starters and will compete for the title if they can find suitable replacements … [Read more...] about Big Ten Predictions
Big Ten Power Rankings
By Paul M. Banks Now that Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago are over, and the cases have been made for the strengths and weaknesses of the league’s 11 teams in the “City of Broad Shoulders,” it’s time to sort the league’s macho men from the weaklings. And, of course these rankings are highly subject to change. Last year’s record (and when applicable, bowl appearance) … [Read more...] about Big Ten Power Rankings