Moderator: Hello, everyone. Tough loss. Should be lots of opinions. Loren and Jim

Dave , Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Iowa: Sirs

What's the best case scenario for Illinois in terms of bowl games? Thanks for these chats!

Moderator: Dave, if you're asking what happens if Illinois wins six straight ... then the bowl offers would be very good, maybe even Jan. 1. If they finish 3-3, we might be looking at Motor City at best. Ron Guenther is always able to get Illinois a better opportunity than most people would expect. But it is way too early for me to even think about it. Sorry, I don't feel like analyzing bowl possibilities after a loss to Minnesota. Loren

TK, tampa, Florida: special teams play has been sub-par all year and really throughout Zooks tenure, and the field position battle is lost almost every game: short fields for the opposing offense vs. 80 plus yards to cover for Juice and Co. Isn't it reasonable to consider a coaching solution in the form of bringing in a coach that has bonafide special teams credibility for next year?

Moderator: TK, Zook is the guy on special teams. He works with Woodford every week on this and gives it special attention. As far as kickoffs are concerned, perhaps we will give up on the idea of kicking off to the corner, considering the two out-of-bounds kickoffs. He said he'll keep changing personnel on the coverage team if it takes him through the last game of the season. Jim

Richard Zollinger, Peoria, Arizona: Loren -- send my best to Lex Peterson, aka, Lex Tate who in an earlier life covered the Unit 4 School Board beat in the mid 80's with professionalism and distinction. All my best.

Rich Zollinger

razollinger1@qwest.net

Peoria, Arizona

Retired - UI fundraiser and ardent UI support

Moderator: OK, Rich, will do. She is still writing ... working on a book about the university. Loren

D.L., Peoria, IL: Why did the DIA feel it necessary to ask fans to make noise? Do other schools do the same thing? I thought it came across as amateurish.

Moderator: D.L. -- We don't know the impetus at Penn State, but somebody orchestrated the cheering, singing and towel-waving operation that worked extremely well there.

The DIA and Zook especially felt that something special was needed to avoid a letdown against Minnesota. It appears the fans AND the players just couldn't get into it. I'd call it a nice try that didn't pan out. As for it being amateurish, I don't know. It works other places ... the White Sox had success with everyone dressing in black and waving white towels.

A lot of our fans prefer to sit and watch.

Loren and Jim.

Michael, Dean, IL: Hey Loren,

This is Michael Dean. I just wanted to say that you and Bob are doing a fanastic job

covering Illini sports. Continue the great work...

Moderator: MIchael, we need more guys like you running out on passes. But, in Benn, I think we have the best pass receiver (and ball carrier) of our time. He stacks up as a bona fide NFL player and will probably go pro after next season. Loren

David, NYC, NY: Does Jim Rossow even watch football? If he saw Northwestern play against MSU and our game against Minnesota, it clearly shows that NU was overrated and got destroyed by a better MSU team and that our loss was a fluke.

Moderator: David: I wouldn't take seriously a point-counterpoint feature in the newspaper which requires one guy to take an opposing position whether he believes it or not. Rossow did watch a game once, I believe it was three years ago (just kidding). Jim

David, NYC, NY: Is Big Ten Co-defensive player of the Week Vandesteeg going to be suspended for throwing a punch on Benn this past Saturday? If not it will upset quite a few Illini fans.

Moderator: David: I haven't heard anything about Willie VanDeSteeg being suspended. We may know more this week, assuming it is even under consideration. Whether UI fans are upset won't figure into the decision.

The key in those situations is not responding.

Loren

Moderator: Have a good day. Maybe it'll look better Saturday night against Indiana. Loren and Jim