Moderator: Welcome to another football chat. Before I get to the questions, I'd like to thank Illinois baseball coach Dan Hartleb for his chat earlier today. We will try to get other Illinois coaches to chat with you in the near future.

Let's get to the questions.

Chris , Columbus, OH: Bob, read your MSU spring recap. With Dantonio arriving in East Lansing, the progress is evident with the Spartans. In your opinion, are the Spartans eclipsing Illinois as "the team to watch" in the Big Ten? How would you contrast Zook's work at Illinois vs. Dantonio's at MSU? How would you compare the talent levels now between the two teams? It seems to me that the level of competition and quality of play is rising across the league, led in large part by the major changes in Champaign and East Lansing, whereby these two teams have jumped up and are fighting to potentially win the league - - or at the very least can go toe to toe with anyone.

Moderator: Chris,

I'm not sure I'd use the word "eclipsing." I think "competing with" is the more appropiate term.

In the past two years, each team has gone to a Jan. 1 bowl game. Unlike Illinois, the Spartans also went to a bowl in the other year.

I think the work done by the coaches is similar, though I think the hill Zook had to climb was much bigger than the one faced by Dantonio. Not to discount the great work done by Dantonio in East Lansing. He definitely has the program going the right direction. I think you'd say the same about Zook at Illinois.

Normally, you would say Michigan State has a harder time staying up because of the competition in the state. But Dantonio has taken advantage of the drop at Michigan. He doesn't run the state, but he isn't as far behind as past Michigan State coaches.

I think the talent levels are similar. Michigan State took a huge graduation hit, but Dantonio still has enough talent to compete for a spot in the upper half of the Big Ten.

Illinois has as much talent at the skill positions as it has had in years.

I agree with you about the level of playing going up in the Big Ten. The league has major graduation/early departure losses to overcome, but there is still plenty of talent.

One question for Michigan State is what happens to Dantonio if Jim Tressel were to decide in the next couple of years that he has done enough? Dantonio might be tempted by Ohio State.

Jaimoe, Batavia, IL: Dear Bob:

I cannot figure the Wildcats out. They never seem to sign any one of note during recruiting/signing period, but they seem to be getting stronger as time goes on. Is this the sign of Coach Fitzgerald having installed a system which works for the type of player he recruits....much like Coach Firentz does at Iowa?

Moderator: Jaimoe,

You described it perfectly. Pat Fitzgerald can't get every kid into Northwestern. So, he has to look for players who meet the special academic/athletic requirements of his school. Basically, he's looking for a bunch of Pat Fitzgeralds. He is looking for players maybe a bit undersized or underrated who will work hard in Evanston.

I don't think you will ever see a Top 20 recruiting class in Northwestern, but it won't matter to Fitzgerald.

Knowing what a competitor Fitzgerald is, you have to wonder if he might tire of playing with lesser talent and look to a place where he can win at a higher level. I've asked people with inside knowledge and they think Fitzgerald is there for the long haul. I hope that's true.

He still looks about 25, which has to help with recruiting.

J-Ran, C-U, Illinois: Bob, love these chats. My concerns this season are on the defensive side of the ball. I think the defensive line play, particularly up the middle, needs to improve and not get pushed back as much. I also think the tackling needs to get better across the board. Is the coaching staff also concerned about this? Who do you think is the best tackler on the team right now? Who are the starting defensive tackles and will we continue to see a rotation on the line?

Moderator: J-Ran,

Thanks for the kind words. Losing three starters on the defensive line is a cause for concern for the coaches. But they hope to have Josh Brent back, which would lessen the blow. Corey Liuget is going to be a superstar if he continues to work like he has. And Illinois has enough ability to compete at defensive end, starting with Doug Pilcher.

Best tackler on the team? That's a tough one. It might be Martez Wilson, the leading returning tackler. But it might also be Pilcher or one of the other ends. It would be interesting to see how good Jerry Brown could be as a tackler if he could fix his off-the-field issues.

I think Brent will be back with the team in 2009 and will start with Liuget at tackle.

BW, Tyngsboro, MA: So Bob, are the Illini going undefeated, winning each game by at least two touchdowns, and taking the NC by 10 points?

Moderator: BW,

If that happens, better start building Ron Zook/Juice Williams/Arrelious Benn statues on the west side of the stadium.

I don't think Illinois will go undefeated ... or winless. It will fall somewhere in between.

I keep revising my opinion about the Illinois record based on what I hear about other teams.

Here's how I'd break it down, all subjec t to change and me being wrong a lot:

Wins (3): Illinois State, Indiana, Purdue

Likely wins (2): Michigan, Fresno State

Tossups (5): Cincinnati, Northwestern, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan State

Likely losses (2): Ohio State, Penn State

I keep moving the games from category to category. Ask me right now and I'd tell you Illinois will be 7-5. I will change my mind, either up or down, in two weeks.

Jim, St. Louis, Mis-ery: Do you know what Rocky Harvey is doing these days? He was special to watch..who will ever forget the come from behind TDs at Michigan and the touchdown against Penn State in C-U? Is this RB Green in the same class speed wise?

Moderator: Jim,

I talked to Rocky during the 2008 season about the Illinois win against Michigan in 1999. He was living in Indiana and playing arena football for a team in Fort Wayne. He has played for several indoor teams.

He was one of my favorite players to cover. A great guy who always had something interesting to say.

I think Justin Green is faster than Rocky (especially now). He is a sprint champion and should come in as the fastest guy on the team.

ubbenholdthekraut, chicago, illinois: Bob,

Can you talk about the offensive line a little bit?

Obviously, Asamoah is the most talented.

Is Jeff Allen the next most talented?

How has Block done at Center?

Who do you see as the key reserves?

What can we expect from the line this year?

How will it be different than last year?

Thanks.

Moderator: ubbenholdthekraut,

I do think Jon Asamoah is the most talented offensive lineman. He can also play different positions, which should help him as he tries to move into the NFL.

Eric Block played well in the spring. Having him back allows Illinois to move him to center, which is his best position. He could have a big senior season.

I think Illinois has three tackles for the two spots, with the third guy being the first off the bench. It's between Jeff Allen, Corey Lewis and Ryan Palmer, who had a good spring. I think they will all play.

The left guard should be Randall Hunt. The top reserves inside are Graham Pocic and Jack Cornell. I think Pocic will be the first off the bench at the guard spots.

I've heard great reports about Joe Gilbert. The players like the way he coached them and his style. He has changed some of the stuff they do technique-wise and that might help the offensive line improve.

Craig, Herscher, IL: Who's the next recruit to become ORANGE & BLUE!

Moderator: Craig,

I know Chandler Whitmer hopes the answer is his buddy "Kyle Prater."

More likely, it will be one of the remaining in-state prospects. The bulk of your early, early commits are from within your own borders.

Maybe Zach Fulton, Xavier's brother. Illinois already has an offensive lineman commitment, so the spots are filling up. If Fulton wants to follow his brother to C-U, he might decide to not wait any longer.

Of course, I'm poor at predictions. It will probably be some kid from Hawaii or Alaska.

Jimmy, Dallas, TX: Bob, any news on Josh Brent?

How is Miami Thomas doing with his rehab?

Moderator: Jimmy,

I've talked to Ron Zook and he's awaiting the court decisions before he moves forward with Josh. I get a stronger sense Coach Zook wants Brent back on the team and that the player won't be treated harshly within the program. If Brent is back, don't count on a suspension, though one is possible.

The school will also have a say in Brent's future. The Jamar Smith case doesn't help Brent any, even though Brent's case is different. Like all legal situations.

Miami Thomas had a double whammy of shoulder and knee injuries. But he looked good during spring ball. I'm expecting him to be back for Camp Rantoul. If he regains the explosiveness he had before the injuries, he will have a major impact on the secondary.

Gregg, Pittsburgh, Pa: Which redshirt Freshman makes the biggest impact next year?

Moderator: Gregg,

Two jump into my head: Ashante Williams at safety, which is a need position and Jack Ramsey at receiver.

Both were very good during the spring and will be major contributors.

Gregg, Pittsburgh, Pa: What is the latest on injury news of the following: Hardeman, Fayson, Miami Thomas, Sirod Williams?

How about Josh Brent?

Moderator: Gregg,

Hardeman is awaiting final clearance from the doctors to have contact. After talking to Ron Zook, it sounds like the coaches expect him back. Donsay has to get comfortable with the idea of putting a hard hit on somebody. If he gains that confidence, he will be on the field.

Jarred Fayson was on crutches for a couple of weeks with a sprained foot, but will be ready for the summer workouts. Miami Thomas was doing well at the end of the spring and should be available in the summer.

About halfway through spring ball, Sirod Williams said his knee was 70 percent. He's got nothing but time.

Josh Brent is a wait-and-see situation. We are having a difficult time tracking it through the court system. I have a feeling that he will be cleared to play.

Eric, Kincaid, IL: Bob....Illinois definitely has talented personnel. Juice is an unbelievable athlete but not a pure quarterback. If a more pure quarterback started for the last four years, would the Illini be more of a contender?

Moderator: Eric,

I have long thought that Juice Williams was the right guy at the right time for Illinois. I don't think a change at quarterback would have meant any more wins for Illinois in 2008. And I think if you take Juice off the team in 2007, Illinois doesn't get close to the Rose Bowl.

Williams is going to finish as the career total offense leader at Illinois and can break the Big Ten record. I don't know what more he could do.

The quarterback usually gets too much credit for wins, but I think in this case, the quarterback gets too much blame for the losses. Special teams and defense also played a major part in the team going from nine to five wins.

Illini CB, Northbrook, IL: Is there any reason to think the punting will be significantly better this Fall?

Moderator: Illini CB,

Can you punt?

Actually, about the only way to go is up. I think Anthony Santella can do the job, but if he isn't consistent during practice and early in the season, the coaches will look for options.

Incoming freshman Steve Hull, who is a talented receiver, was a very good high school punter. I think he will get a long look at Camp Rantoul.

Moderator: I'm going to call it a day. Thanks again for all of your great questions. I will be back next Tuesday with another chat.