Moderator: Welcome to todays chat.

Tom, Urbana, IL: Guys,

whats your impression of

A) the football teams season, and chances this Saturday and

B) the basketball team thus far

Moderator: Tom: Illinois was picked third in the preseason poll. I don't think there is any way to describe this season other than disappointing. A win Saturday and a possible bowl bid would cure a lot of ills.

As for basketball, we will learn a lot Thursday by playing a good Vanderbilt team on the road. The team is picked to finish in the middle of the pack and anything better than that would be a bonus. The goal is always to get to the NCAA tournament. Jim

Jim Pieschel, Rockford, OHIO: Jim & Loren.

You guys have been around the block. You both have seen a ton of Illini football games.

I am just shocked that the two of you never want to bring up the quality of officiating in the Big 10. Seriously, is there a bigger farce when it comes to Big 10 football?

I am certain that the two of you feel that 'calls even themselves out'. Total crap. While Illinois certainly received breaks last year in Columbus, how about: 2000: Mike Doss decapitates Kurt Kittner, and no penalty. 2002: Walter Young with the TD grab in the end zone. Ruled a bobble, Illinois loses. 2008: Juice INT should have been pass interference. Penalty on Hardeman. Fumble on Ohio State over ruled.

With that said, what are your thoughts?

Moderator: Jim: Don't say never. I have often been criticized for criticizing the officials. But there is no long-range benefit to questioning men who are doing their best and, with the advent of TV replays, are shown to be as wrong as umpires trying to judge home runs that the human eye can't detect.

Yes, I feel the calls will even out. Yes, I don't think the refs favor Ohio State. Do they make mistakes? Certainly. They're unavoidable. As for the overruled fumble, the replay clearly showed his knee was down. What are they supposed to do? Overlook it?

There are no conspiracies. Loren

Tom, Urbana, IL: Will the Chief issue ever go away?

Moderator: Tom: The Chief issue will not go away as long as 90 percent of Illini Nation favors maintaining the 80-odd year tradition. The emphasis now is not on the 41/2-minute halftime dance but rather on maintaining the relationship with certain Native American tribes. I cannot see the Chief issue going away any time soon and why should it? Jim

Mark , Catlin, Il: Morning, Hey I noticed something this Saturday, so I am sure that the other team was smart enough to figure it out. When Eddie McGee was brought in at quarterback he had gloves on both hands and all he did was run the ball. When he was in for Juice later in the game he did not have a glove on his throwing hand and he threw the ball. I think this needs to be passed on to Zook as I am sure Northwestern will see this also.

Thanks

Moderator: Mark: Good catch. The first two times he came in, it was a called running play. I'm sure the coaches will remind him so that he doesn't give away the play if he comes in at Northwestern. Loren

Tom, bloomington, IL: Given this year's underachievement what should we expect next year? Will we improve enough to get 7 or more wins?

Also, will Vontae declare or stay for next year?

Moderator: Tom: I don't know what to expect because turnovers and special teams failures carry such weight, but I would project Illinois will have better talent than most of the teams on the 2009 schedule. Linebacker will be a concern but isn't hopeless. Usually, when an Illini team has a very good season, it drops off the next year, and then rebounds the following year to a certain extent. I would expect that to happen.

Vontae wouldn't come out for interviews Saturday because so many questions are related to him turning pro. Yes, I think he will put his name in the draft. Loren

Quinton, Bloomington, IL: Who do we play at QB? Eddie or Juice? I want to say Juice, but at the same time I am very curious what Eddie can do if he is given the time to settle into our offense. He is faster and may have a more accurate arm than Juice. Who knows though, it could mean taking a step back this year while he settles in. What do you guys think?

Moderator: Quinton: I don't think experimentation with Eddie McGee in Saturday's very important game will happen. We must remember Juice is leading the Big Ten in passing yards and total offense. However, he must limit his interceptions if Illinois is to have a chance to win. Locksley stated emphatically that Juice is the starting quarterback and will remain so. Jim

Jim, Bloomington, IL: Under Ron Zook, have the Illini ever rallied to win after trailing in the second half of a game?

Moderator: Jim: Illinois rallied to beat Michigan State with a late TD drive two years ago. The Illini didn't rally to beat OSU last year but certainly preserved the game with a great fourth-quarter drive. And they broke a tie with Iowa this year. But you are correct in your impression that the Illini have lost more games late than they have won. And they blew late opportunities against Minnesota and Western Michigan by failing to score from the 25 and 18-yard lines in the final minute. Loren

Scott from Chicago, Glencoe, Ill: Does Zook have any plans to bring in kickers or at least a punter? Because we have what amounts to the worst special teams in D-1. You can time our punter with a calendar, and the kick offs are just as bad.

These 2 "special" teams have cost us all year long.

Any plans to upgrade? I know they don't usually give LOIs to punters, but make an exception, please!

Moderator: SCott: We are not aware of plans to bring in a kicker or punter. They already have a punter on scholarship who will be back for another year, and he isn't punting. But you're right. Special teams has been a killer, and Santella is average at best. To be honest, we are not aware of Zook's recruiting plans in that regard. Jim

Kyle Orton, Chicago, IL: Hoops Question:

In your opinion what lineup give us the best chance to win games? Here is mine.

5.Rich S.

4.Mike D.

3.Calvin B.

2.Trent M./Alex L.

1.DMAC

Moderator: Kyle: Here is Jim's: Trent, McCamey, Davis, Chester and Tisdale.

Here is Loren's The same four with Keller in place of Tisdale.

Both of us have Brock coming off the bench. When Legion arrives, he'll add to the backcourt depth.

gary, decatur, ilinois: any news on craig going to the sunday game with your caller?

why has he become apologetic?

Moderator: Gary: Auler offered him a seat. Don't know if it took place.

Craig bases his change of attitude on the four incoming recruits. It is difficult to understand why he is changing his mind now because Illinois has had verbals from those four for a long time, and they have repeatedly confirmed that they are coming to Illinois. Jim

Marcus, Colorado Springs, Colorado: Jim & Loren,

Do you think we will lose Locksley after this season. The telecast kept saying that he is an excellant canidate for a head coaching position.

Marcus

Moderator: Marcus: It is doubtful that Locksley lands a major job although Syracuse just joined the list of school's looking for a new coach. Even though Juice tops the Big Ten in total offense, this hasn't been a good year for Locksley and the team. Still, his recruiting will be taken into consideration. He is making too much money at Illinois to take a lesser job. Loren and Jim

Jim, St. Louis, Mis-ery: We appear to be VERY weak against accurate passing teams. It appears that we are afraid to go one on one. Maybe it's time to make an asst. coaching change or two. We give up too many long plays...your thoughts?

Moderator: Jim: Again, Illinois didn't give up long pass plays against Ohio State. The Buckeyes only threw 10 times and completed six. Most of the year, the Illini have been vulnerable to short passes and have generally been successful in avoiding the long bomb.

Will assistants be shuffled? That could happen. It often happens after a disappointing season. Jim and Loren

Moderator: Thanks, our time is up. We'll talk to you next week. Jim and Loren