Steve,

I just put in a call to Jason Heggemeyer, who runs the ticket office. I know that season-ticket renewal forms have gone out and the school is getting some back.
The school will tell you the best way to get the fans involved is to put a good product on the field. I do think the offense will be interesting to watch in 2010. And the defense will be more aggressive, which fans seem to like.
Off the field, the school did a smart thing by not raising ticket prices.
A couple of ideas that the school should put in. First, bring back the fireworks. The cost is a small amount in the grand scheme of things. I think you make money when you spend money.
I really like what Indiana has done at the south end of the field, with a kids zone that has a mini football field. Maybe the school could do that in front of the horseshoe. And I love that fans get to keep the footballs that go into the stands. Again, a few hundred dollars worth of football is a small price to pay for fan friendliness.
And, finally, I would have some of the players return to the field for autograph sessions after each home game. Win or lose. Be good sports and sign until everybody is satisfied.

Chris,

The coaches are allowed in-office time with the players each week. I'm sure they have gone over the new playbooks and drawn plays on the dry-erase boards. The players can also look at video of the Arkansas offense from a year ago and get a good idea of what Paul Petrino expects.
Putting in the offense and defense will be a priority during the spring. And I think the office time will be a help. Bu the time the spring game rolls around, both sides should have most of the basics down pat.

Don,

While you never say never, I think Eddie will be at receiver. The only way this changes is if the coaches aren't satisfied with the work being done by the other quarterbacks and turn to Eddie as another option. But I don't think that will happen.
Eddie provides speed at receiver and a threat to throw the ball. He showed in the Minnesota game his big-play ability. I think he can play an important part in the offense in 2010.

Robert,

On offense, I think Iowa lineman Bryan Bulaga will go very early. On defense, I'll go with Michigan end Brandon Graham. Not his fault the team couldn't win more games.
I really like C.J. Spiller. He could be a superstar in the NFL if he lands on the right team. I think he'll go in the first round. I like the comparison to Johnson.

Dennis,
There will be a junior day during the spring, but I don't know the date. And I'm sure there will be players at the spring game. There always are.
Other than St. Louis, Illinois doesn't get many players from the areas you mentioned. And, because of Chicago, Illinois loses plenty of players to nearby schools. In the past, Indiana has been an important part of Illinois recruiting and it might be again. I don't think Iowa and Wisconsin make a lot of sense for Illinois because those players have strong ties to the state school and the talent level isn't that deep.
One area Illinois should continue to recruit is D.C. Those players have struck around at Illinois, while other areas haven't been as good about retention.

Eduardo,

I think there will be an in-house candidate, Shawn Wax. And I think Jim Phillips will be strongly considered, though he seems pretty locked in at Northwestern. You don't see ADs move from within the conference very often. I think Jim Delany would discourage it.
Who makes the hire? The new president might have a set of ideas that have nothing to do with Wax or Phillips. I don't think Illinois ties are a must, but I think if all else is equal, you go with one of your own.
I'm a Converse guy. I have been since early in life. And they aren't always easy to find.

Frank,

Everybody should be with Loren Tate. He is, after all, the legend. And he has a street named him.
I did a quick count and got to three fifth-year starters for Illinois in 2010. I don't think there will be many more because there aren't that many available.
Honestly, if a guy is capable of playing as a freshman at any school, he gets on the field. So, I don't think you will find more than a handful of fifth-year senior starters at any Big Ten school.

Drew,

It's hard not to like the Twins, but I'll take Team Turmoil, the White Sox. That should help the Twins.

I'm trying to find out about Missouri tickets. Send me an email and I will get you the information ASAP.

Dave,

Unless my brain isn't working right, which is possible, Chandler is right-handed. I've only actually watched him throw a couple of times and the last was at the seven-on-seven tournament.
To your point, the ball does look different to the receivers when it is thrown by a lefty. Some view this as a disadvantage, but I don't buy it. Accurate is accurate and the receivers are more than capable of making adjustments.

Sam,

Great question. I'll go with Jeff Allen, Randall Hunt, Tyler Sands, Graham Pocic and Hugh Thornton. We'll see if that's what the coaches are thinking. The fact that there wasn't a change with Joe Gilbert gives the returnees an advantage.

Scott,

Eddie knew Juice was going to be here when he arrived and took the chance he could beat him out. It looked like it might happen for a time when they were sophomores, but it didn't.
I think Eddie will be a receiver and might get a few throws as an option quarterback. He could become an important part of the offense at receiver. He will benefit from Paul Petrino's coaching.

Spiny,

The players can spend as much time as they want in the offices and I'm guessing they are taking advantage of it. That's one way to build those relationships. They will do it on the field during the spring and again off the field during the summer.
Of course, the relationship building starts with the quarterbacks and the offensive coordinator/quarterback coach. I've heard good things about the new coaches from the quarterbacks. Nathan Scheelhaase and Chandler Whitmer have been impressed. And I've heard that Jacob Charest likes the new guys and thinks they will be a big help to the group.
When you have been losing and somebody offers you a new plan, you tend to be receptive to that new plan. I think the coaches have the undivided attention of the bulk of the players. The spring session might weed out a few guys who aren't ready to buy in, but I think that number will be very small.

Kramer,

I've always heard that Reggie Mitchell did an excellent job recruiting in the state. He has strong ties in Chicago and St. Louis. I think the lack of succcess in recruiting has more to do with the team losing games than it does with any of the guys involved in recruiting.
I haven't had a chance to talk to Coach Nord about his recruiting philosophy. Generally, assistants take their ideas from the head coach. And Ron Zook's preference is to recruit closer to home.

Sam,

I've been told that Martez Wilson will be the middle linebacker. Period. Could he play Bandit? Of course. But the team feels he best suits the defense at middle linebacker.
I would like to see John Dergo play football, but I think he is moving on with his life. From what I understand, his wrestling career is over too.
Thanks for the kind words on the brackets. You're right, everybody is struggling. But nobody made me pick Arizona State to win the NIT.