Charley, I don't recall an Illini season that DIDN'T start with injuries in camp. It looked like this might be a good year when the team left Rantoul, and then we see Aikens dropped, Becker set back and the two secondary blows, Sanni and Hawthorne. That's a really bad start. Loren

Charley, I always thought Denny Marcin did an exceptional job with his defensive linemen. A guy like Sean Payton wasn't around long enough to know.
At this point, I'd say Petrino has a good chance ... IF Scheelhaase can stay healthy and produce. The rest of the offensive unit appears solid. But it's a new offense so this is purely a guess.
Illini secondary concerns case a shadow over Koenning's first UI defensive unit, although there is optimistic talk about Green's move. He could be another Hawthorne. Loren

Tim, considering the strong feelings by a group of critics, it takes more courage to write what I believe about Guenther, than what you believe.
If you don't think what he has accomplished, fine. But compare what he's done to his predecessors ... Mackovic, Stoner, Vance, Coleman, Vance, Mills. I don't consider $300 million in improvement as minor. And I don't blame Guenther for the failing of coaches who have his full support.
You have plenty of people who agree with you. Why pick on me? You know where I stand. Loren

Jim, it is extremely unlikely that Scheelhaase will have the kind of success Gabbert did. Gabbert had played behind Chase Daniel the previous year, was installed in an established offense, and was surrounded by better players who actually reached No. 1 in the nation briefly in 2008. Gabbert has a much stronger throwing arm than Scheelhaase. UI hopes hinge on him taking advantage of his running backs and being successful on rollout passes. Gabbert's biggest asset is his arm. Scheelhaase's biggest asset is his speed. Loren

Jeremy, stranger things have happened but, no question, this is a blow to the defense and in the position where the Illini were already most vulnerable.
But before you question Green, remember that he has extraordinary speed and was recruited by Ohio State as a defensive back. Maybe he can make the switch as easily as Hawthorne did last year.
In case you haven't noticed, Missouri has a list of suspensions and injuries that, if these happened at Illinois, the fans would already be waving a white flag. Loren

Terry, it certainly looks that way. But Illinois has some veterans in Tavor Wilson and Travon Bellamy, a JC transfer in Trulon Henry, and a half-dozen other guys who can fill in until Green is ready. And maybe Green will be ready Saturday.
I'm not trying to be optimistic because Illinois was a two-TD underdog before these injuries hit, but let's not look at it as impossible. Missouri isn't really as good, what with graduation losses, suspensions and injuries, as you might think. That's why their fans aren't showing up in previous numbers. Loren

Matt, I'd say under, but it'll probably be over 300 ... just as it was last year. But you are right, in the calm atmosphere of the dome, Gabbert is going to fill the air with passes.Loren

Concerned, you have a right for your nickname. Everybody is concerned. I'd say the depth chart will be set this week with Tavon Wilson at a corner, Bellamy or Green at the other corner, Trulon Henry at strong safety and Jim Turpin at weak safety. What do you think?
As for Green, because of what the coaches are saying, and because he is such an exceptional athlete, I think he might play this week.
Here's the question I don't know the answer to. How much better was Supo Sanni than guys like Pat Nixon-Youman and Jolil Thrash? And is Miami Thomas back to his past form? We'll see. Loren

Steve, the secondary situation has been pretty much explained. When you have a problem, it is at least good to be able to pinpoint it.
Koenning likes Martez Wilson so far. Martez is particularly adept at the blitz, and in chasing folks from side to side. I don't see any reason to be negative just because you weren't satisfied with him two year ago. Players improve. Maybe he will. He should be an asset on pass defense. He seems very positive mentally. Loren

Harold, he has a stress reaction, as opposed to a stress fracture, and the hope is that he can return in time for Ohio State. That may be wishful thinking but he should be OK for the majority of the season.
Yep, they've lost Edwards and Flowers and Hardeman and Aikens, not to mention Hopkins and Hicks ... while moving Ashante Williams to linebacker. Loren

Marty, why the big deal about picking games for an entire season when we see, just this week, that we don't even know who'll be playing.
Situations change every week. Players come and players go. Teams improve and teams falter. I just don't get it. Why would anyone care what anyone else thinks? What is this obsession with picking games? I don't even play attention when anyone does it. It is meaningless.
Ohio State has always been strong in football, maybe not quite as strong as Michigan during some eras, but always a powerhouse. I tried to pick out the biggest UI wins, based on the circumstances and the quality of opponents, and that's how the article turned out. But remember this, the undefeated 1951 champs didn't beat Ohio State (it was a tie) and Butkus-Grabowski teams never beat Ohio State. Any win over the Buckeyes has always been special. Loren

Mike, sorry, I don't know who blackcat is. But if you're talking about the defensive backfield, you surely know the Green and Hull moves. And Jack Ramsey is getting a look after enjoying three exceptional weeks as a receiver. Loren

Dave, last I heard, Denny Marcin was living in the New York area. But I have nothing current.
As for Saturday, Missouri is a legitimate two-touchdown favorite ... but this team is rated as highly as two years ago. By the way, I just noted that Illinois was a slight favorite to win last year, and succumbed, 37-9. Again, I'm not in the prediction business. I just don't think that way. Loren

James, the UI has an exceptional medical staff beginning with doctors Kyrouac and Gertler. After repairs, it is up to the injured athletes to follow the recuperative rules and suggestions. The trainers are, as you suggest, overworked ... just as they are on every campus.
From what I've seen, Missouri has had a tough preseason as well. Loren

Jerry, the comments relative to Wisc-Iowa and Mich-OSU are pretty solid when they come directly from Alvarez and Gee. They ought to know. Where it goes from there, however, is anyone's guess. And maybe Alvarez and Gee were simply sending out feelers to see what the reaction would be.
But let me say this: If OSU and Michigan are in opposite divisions while still assured of annual meetings in their rivalry, it makes sense to line up the other rivalries as well: Ill-NU, Ind-Purd, Penn State-MSU, Minn-Nebraska and Iowa-Wis. But who knows what they're thinking. In my mind, they're taking a simple problem and making it too complicated. What other conference has a more natural geographic alignment than the 12 teams in the Big Ten? But it now appears that geography will be no factor in the divisions. Loren