SAGARIN SAYS: Playing Washington State helped Illinois in Jeff Sagarin''s computer rankings, which run each week in USA Today. The Illini moved up 20 spots, from No. 82 to 62. Big Ten teams Indiana (73) and Minnesota (78) now trail Illinois. Florida State holds the top spot, followed by Tennessee, Ohio State, Nebraska, Colorado and Penn State. Michigan dropped from sixth to 10th after an opening loss to Notre Dame.

   Iowa is 24th, followed by Wisconsin (28), Purdue (33), Northwestern (44) and Michigan State (45).

   Washington State, which edged Illinois 20-13 in the opener, is at No. 21. Saturday''s opponent, Middle Tennessee State, is 176th. Louisville, which visits Illinois on Sept. 19, stands at No. 89 after getting blasted by Kentucky in its opener.

   GOOD TIMING: Normally, at 8:18 p.m. Illinois coach Ron Turner is working hard. Luckily for him, he wasn''t Tuesday night.

   Turner turned off the tape machine for a couple minutes to visit staff member Doug Green''s office. Green had the St. Louis-Chicago Cubs game on television, and Turner stopped to watch Mark McGwire''s 62nd home run.

   "I was happy," Turner said. "I''ve been following him since I was at (Southern Cal) in ''85. I used to follow him with the A''s."

   I''M SORRY: Having watched his team make plenty of mistakes against Kentucky, Louisville football coach John L. Smith admitted making one by saying his team looked like "a bunch of girls."

   The first-year Louisville coach apologized in a letter addressed "To anyone within earshot of my postgame frustrations."

   Smith described his choice of words as "poor" and said he did not intend "to offend anyone, especially the female athlete."

   Smith''s comments after his team''s season-opening 68-34 loss to Kentucky on Saturday were broadcast over the large video screen in the north end zone at Papa John''s Cardinal Stadium.

   He was frustrated by the Cardinals'' defense, which gave up a school-record 801 yards of offense and allowed quarterback Tim Couch to tie a Kentucky record with seven touchdown passes.

   After visiting Utah this weekend, the Cardinals play at Illinois.

   WHO''S HURT? Linebacker Eric Guenther was held out of practice with a hamstring injury. His status is uncertain. Running back Jameel Cook was out with turf toe. He could be back today. If Guenther isn''t able to play Saturday, he will be replaced by Robert Franklin.

   UP NEXT: The Illini return to practice at 3:35 p.m. today. Practice is closed to the public and the media.

POLLING PLACE

Record: 4-7

   "I believe with a year of adjusting that they could surprise some team that might have a letdown against them."

    Harold Tincher, Urbana

Record: 4-7

   "There''s a lot of starters coming back, and they''ve got a rather weak schedule."

    Mark Melone, Champaign

Record: 3-8

   "Not much optimism for this season. Still rebuilding."

    Richard Wickert, Knoxville, Tenn.

Record: 1-10

   "I can''t believe the program has slipped so far so quickly. Ron Turner is worried about the condition of the practice field? Look out. Look for a 1-10 campaign with the hapless Illini beating Indiana or Middle Tennessee State. They''ll have to do it without me in the stands for a second straight year. I''m sorry, but I have better things to do with $24."

    Adam Nielsen, Normal

Record: 1-10

   "There''s always next year."

    Neal Kuester, Onarga

COUNTDOWN TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE ST.: 2 DAYS

   HOME OPENER HIGHLIGHT: It''s been eight years since Illinois beat a ranked team in its home opener. John Mackovic''s 1990 team edged Colorado 23-22 at Memorial Stadium. Colorado led 17-3 late in the first half. Jason Verduzco cut the deficit to 17-10 with a touchdown pass to Elbert Turner. Illinois tied the game 17-17 on Verduzco''s short pass to Shawn Wax. Colorado went ahead on a safety late in the third quarter. The Buffaloes kicked a field goal to go up 22-17. Howard Griffith gave Illinois the win on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:48 left. Verduzco finished 23 of 29 for 222 yards. Colorado''s Eric Bieniemy ran for 127 yards. Despite the loss, the Buffs went on to win the national title.