Louisville's fine for a horse race. Or minor league baseball. Or a boxing match for that matter, what with Muhammad Ali growing up there.

But football?

CHAMPAIGN – The go-to guy.

He's easy enough to spot. Look in the media guide for the biggest player section and you'll usually find him. Usually.

It's Thursday afternoon and Paul Schudel sits in his Virginia football office, chomping on a peanut butter sandwich while getting ready for another win.

He doesn't have many worries, at least not the kind he had as Illinois offensive coordinator.

This week''s guest: CB Asim Pleas

After one of the worst performances of his Illinois career, quarterback Mark Hoekstra had a good week of practices, coach Ron Turner said.

If Texas had followed his contract, John Mackovic would be in Manhattan, Kan., on Saturday. Instead, he'll sit in ESPN2's studio at Bristol, Conn.

Fired after last season, Mackovic has three years left on his Texas deal. The school owes Mackovic $600,000 a year, minus the small amount ESPN2 pays him.

   They''re losing as often as the Chicago Bears.

   Fans are grumbling. Players are frustrated. Coaches are in denial.

   Wait a minute. Didn''t Illinois end its losing streak Saturday?

>Want to see Illinois coach Ron Turner in a bad mood? Check him out after a team returns a kickoff 99 yards against the Illini for a touchdown. It happened Saturday night for Middle Tennessee State, Sulecio Sanford racing past the Illinois coverage team.