Some time ago a then famous quartet ended each gig with:

    "And, so it's over.  Where did the moments go?  Oh, yes, it's over, we hope you liked the show.  So long, so long, so long."

     And, so it is with the 2008 Illini football season.   Yes, there are two games remaining and miracle wins do happen, but Illinois will be an underdog to both Ohio State and Northwestern. 

     Where did the moments go?

     The expectations felt at Camp Rantoul are but a distant memory.  The Rose Bowl joy was to be followed by another successful season.  Perhaps not as good as last year - because the early schedule was tough - but certainly a bowl season, perhaps even a New Year's Day game in some nice, warm city.

     The clues came early - we just didn't see them.   After all, Missouri was going to be a contender for the national championship - no shame in losing to them.   The national champion may come from the Big 12, but it won't be the Tigers.

     Wins over Michigan, Indiana, Eastern Illinois, Louisiana-Lafayette and Iowa didn't do much for the RPI.   But, it did put the Illini within one game of becoming bowl eligible.

     We hope you liked the show.

     Then came Western Michigan.  Thankfully only 12,000 or so saw it in person.  The TV audience had to be small, too.  Our radio guys did their best, but a swiss-cheese offensive line and an erratic passer spelled doom.

     The old cliche is "The other team wanted it more."   Why?   Surely everyone on the coaching staff and the football roster knew what was at stake.  How could the other team have wanted it more?

     Illinois teams in the past - including last year's - have done well against Ohio State.  However, the 2008 team has given no indication it will do so.   The best chance would be to upset Northwestern and become 6-6 - perhaps to be considered for another trip to Detroit.  If not:

     So long, so long, so long.

     We hope you liked the show.