The Illini football team is facing a big challenge this weekend at Memorial Stadium....an angry Penn State team that is fresh off of a loss at home to the Iowa Hawkeyes in not-so-Happy Valley.

Illinois has some issues to address.... and the coaching staff is working hard to figure out what has happened to a sputtering offense that was predicted by many (including me) to be a high-powered scoring machine .  The staff is also working to tighten up a defense that gave up too many yards on the ground in the rain to Ohio State on Saturday .....and too many through the air in the dome against Missouri..

When times are tough, players and coaches have to rally around each other and not listen to the critics that say the Illini season is already over after 3 games. There is still a lot of season left and a bowl season can still be accomplished. But the coaches can only do so much.   The players need to do their part as well.

That means it will be important for the leaders on this year's Illini team  to help guide their teammates through a tough week of practice and onto the field Saturday afternoon to play  with a lot of passion against a favored opponent. I am confident they will.

Ron Zook told me before the season started that he liked the leadership on this year's team.  He has a good group of seniors that were a part of a Rose Bowl team 2 seasons ago.  Those guys will  want to make sure the Illini dont slip further behind in the Big Ten standings. 

As we reach October ....your senior leaders become more important than ever. Especially when you are 1-2.

By the way...will this be Joe Paterno's last trip to Memorial Stadium?  I doubt it...but you never know. 

Talk to  you on the Ron Zook Radio Show Thursday night and from Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon!