UI PRACTICE NOTES

News and notes from Tuesday''s UI practice:

   SAGARIN SAYS: That playing Middle Tennessee State is bad for your rating. Illinois dropped 17 spots, from 62 to 79, in this week''s Sagarin rankings, which are published in USA Today. Because the computer formula includes strength of schedule, even a win against a I-AA team is costly. Ohio State is the top Big Ten team at No. 3. The Buckeyes are followed by Penn State (No. 7), Michigan (15), Wisconsin (21), Michigan State (33), Purdue (36), Iowa (42), Northwestern (60), Indiana (67) and Minnesota (68). Louisville, which on Saturday visits Memorial Stadium, is ranked 97th.

   SYMPATHETIC VIEWER: Illinois coach Ron Turner watched some of Monday night''s Washington-San Francisco game. Turner''s brother, Norv, is Washington''s head coach. The Redskins took an early lead against the 49ers but lost 45-10.

   "It''s real hard," Turner said. "I was happy when they had that first drive. It wasn''t too good after that."

   The Turners talk each Sunday morning.

   ACHES, PAINS: Defensive end Fred Wakefield will miss his third game because of a virus. Turner said he doesn''t know if Wakefield will be cleared to play Sept. 26 against Iowa. 26. Running back Jameel Cook, who missed the Middle Tennessee State game with turf toe, returned to practice Tuesday. Linebacker Eric Guenther returned after missing Saturday''s game with a hamstring injury.

   UP NEXT: The Illini practice at 3:30 p.m. today. The practice is closed to the public and the media.

    By BOB ASMUSSEN

COUNTDOWN TO LOUISVILLE: 3 DAYS

   Louisville''s last visit to Champaign wasn''t much fun for the Cardinals. Mike White''s Illini defeated Louisville 23-0 in the 1986 game at Memorial Stadium. Illinois'' most valuable player in the game was kicker Chris Siambekos. He kicked three field goals. Lynn McClellan scored the first Illinois points on a 2-yard run. He led the Illini with 59 yards rushing on 17 carries. Shane Lamb, who hit 13 of 24 passes for 223 yards, connected with James Gordon for a 51-yard touchdown strike.