Last year, I had a copy of NCAA 2009 from EA Sports (XBOX360) and simulated upcoming Illinois football games.  I plan on doing that again this year, but there’s just one problem.  I’m not going to own a copy of NCAA 2010 this year.  I’m going to instead get Madden 2010 (thanks to a ridiculously sweet deal from Sports Illustrated).  Once I figure out how I will get this done, here is how the simulated games will be set up.

-5-minute quarters (these games play faster than in real life)

-Heisman skill level

-Injuries turned off.

-Players will be adjusted to make sure those who are really playing are playing in the simulation.

I will also provide a prediction of my own and write about why I feel the way I do about it.  You guys are also welcome to comment below with your own predictions and simulations if you like, and if we get enough predictions, maybe we can keep track of how well we're all doing.  I think this could be a fun little game, so speak up!  I always enjoy hearing from you.

Ok, time to talk scrimmage.  I have no idea how I’m suppose to feel about these scrimmages.  I hear about the Daniel Dufrene 80-yard TD run and I hear about the 91-yard TD pass from Juice to Jeff Cumberland and I don’t know how I should react.  Should I say, ‘wow, this offense is just getting started, can’t wait for the season!’ or, ‘Man, our defense already looks like wet toilet paper.  I hope they can tighten things up before Mizzou.’  I guess the first string offense went against the second string defense more often than not, but I’m still have some concerns.

The offense doesn’t worry me one bit.  Their going to rack up yards and hopefully that leads to point.  But the defense……….well………I see them allowing a lot of yards, and unfortunately, points.  Here’s how I see it.  If the defense if just as good as it was last year, we are making a bowl game.  The offense is better, and that will make up for some of the defensive shortcomings.  If the defense can somehow improve, than this could be a special year for Illinois.  They got to get more turnovers.  Having only six interceptions for a whole season again won’t get it done.  Let’s hope the aggressiveness of the defense increases, and gives the Illinois offense a chance to do its thing. 

Once again, when we get closer to the start of the year, I’d like to hear you guys and your predictions.  I think I will set up a blog entry on a Monday giving you five days or so to come up with a prediction.  Sorry, no prizes or anything with this (maybe I can work on that, who knows ;) ).  I’m just curious to see what you all think about this team this year.  

I-L-L…