Moderator: I'm on the bus in Nashville, heading to the Memorial Gym for the Illinois shootaround.

Let's get to the questions.

John, Champaign, IL: Brian,

what has surprised you the most about this football season?

Moderator: John,

Probably the biggest thing is the up and down nature of it. You think you've turned a corner, like the win at Michigan, then you lose to Minnesota. You get a big win over Indiana and then you can't keep thte momentum going against Wisconsin.

Those are the main things, not knowing what to expect week to week.

Trent, Urbana, IL: Brian,

there is always a lot of talk about friendships that coaches have. With Weber its Stallings, Keady, Painter, etc. Do you have any good friends in the broadcasting business? Have a

mentor(s)?

Moderator: Trent,

That's a good question. The guy who got me started is still the voice of Liberty University, Jerry Edwards. He taught a sportscasting class in college. He taught me the basics.

A guy that really got me interested in doing this because of the way he calls the game is Woody Durham at North Carolina. It was his tapes that I would listen to in college that encouraged me. I got to do the championship game with Illinois against North Carolina and he was still doing the games.

In the Big Ten, people like Gary Dolphin over at Iowa and Dave Eanet at Northwestern are friends. The announcers in the Big Ten get along. It's a real good group and we can share stories or notes with each other.

Chris Roberts, Mahomet, iL.: Hi Brian,

Do you like the way the BCS bowl system is now or would like a change? Keep up the great work with the calls on the radio network.

Moderator: Chris,

What I would like to do is have an eight-team playoff, using the traditional Jan. 1 bowls as the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. They're already doing it now with two teams and the five bowls.

Take all the teams you have any way and maybe a couple at-large teams.

Grady, Saint Joseph, Illinois: As a fan...in your opinion...what are the best and worst things about going to a football game at Northwestern?

Moderator: Grady,

The best thing is Mustard's Last Stand, which is near Ryan Field. The stadium sits in an older neighborhood near the lake.

The worst is the wind and the cold. It's too bad we can't play that game earlier. It seems like the weather is never that great for this game.

Craig, Peotone, IL: Brian

Is Zook on the hot seat as Mike Nadle says?

Moderator: Craig,

No, I don't think so. We're not anywhere near that yet.

Other programs have had a breakout year and then the next year don't live up to expectations. It's not that uncommon. With all the recruiting he's done and the forward progress they've made, I can see him being here for quite a while.

Moderator: I'm going to cut off. We're in downtown Nashville near the Vanderbilt campus.

Tune in tonight for the pregame with Steve Kelly at 5:30. The network coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. Steve Kelly is interviewing Ron Zook today and we'll have that at halftime of the basketball game.

Eric, Champaign, IL: Brian,

Whether this is reasonable or not, I have some high hopes for Meacham this year. Last year, he seemed to play well in non-conference games and then look a bit lost against better competition in the Big Ten.

What do you expect from Trent this year?

Thanks. Go Illini!

Moderator: Eric,

I think he's comfortable now. He's settled in as a senior playing in his hometown. He's done some things this year, taking charges and stuff like that. I think he's going to have a really good senior year.

John, Champaign, IL: Does Vandy play here next year?

Moderator: John,

Vanderbilt does play here next year. The date will be set later.

Moderator: Now, I really going to sign off. Listen to the game tonight and I'll chat with you next week.