Recruiting is the next critical item on Ron Turner's agenda, one that will help shape the future of his program.

But remember: Unless Chris Morton, whose record-breaking efforts have led Riverview Gardens into Missouri's 5A title game Saturday, lands on this campus with a level of maturity and quarterback skills never previously seen in a freshman at Illinois, success or failure in 1999 will be 95 percent dependent on athletes already here.

We're talking about the same guys who posted a 3-8 record, plus ineligible running back Antoenio Harris and a handful of redshirts. The 210-pound Harris was the top-ranked prep recruited by Turner a year ago and is unquestionably superior to the high school running backs in the state this season. More than that, he is making excellent progress in the classroom and weight room at the UI.

Yes, several raw freshmen made contributions in 1998 – mainly Kurt Kittner, Rocky Harvey, Brandon Moore and Muhammad Abdullah – but all wound up in reserve roles. It turned out the greatest contribution by a newcomer came from punter Steve Fitts.

It won't be much different in 1999. Don't start pinning hopes on 280-pound Rich Central guard Aaron Hodges or Thornwood defensive ace Darrell Campbell, assuming they choose Illinois over Northwestern. They are among the state's elite, but they are names for the future.

Finding a quarterback

"We feel good about the players we have," Turner said, advised that 28 underclassmen started at least once.

"We have good young players who are going to grow up and be good players. We are disappointed to have only three wins in two years, but that's not the only measuring stick. We see progress in many areas."

Stabilization at QB is a priority, and Turner is hoping for the impossible as he tries to settle it in 15 days of spring practice. Confusing the mix could be tall southpaw Walter Young, who'll challenge Kurt Kittner and Kirk Johnson with what Turner calls "tremendous instincts and arm strength. Young just needs to speed up his drop and delivery." Nor is Jeff Ziegler out of the picture, Turner saying Ziegler is reevaluating an earlier decision not to return.

Who'll replace 12 departed seniors?

For starters, Illinois should receive boosts in several areas:

– Johnnie Harris is set to return from Mesa, Ariz., in January to bolster corners Asim Pleas and Tony Francis.

– Ends Tim McGill and Fred Wakefield offer athleticism to the pass rush as they regain strength from early-season setbacks, and injured Eric Guenther will get an extra year at linebacker.

– Aaron Morehead has been wowing the coaches with his catches in practice and will be given a shot at one of the vacant receiver slots.

– Wide-body blockers Luke Butkus and Jay Kulaga project more long-range talent than the former walk-on linemen they'll be replacing, Tom Shau and J.P. Machado.

Big Ten powers on schedule

OK, so how do the Illini stack up with the teams they'll be playing?

The Illini play Big Ten powers Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State but not Purdue and Wisconsin. The Big Ten home slate hardly could be worse for attracting fans because the Illini host Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State and, in the Nov. 20 finale, Northwestern.

It's unattractive, from the fans' standpoint, to play a home schedule without Wisconsin, Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan and Iowa. The downward spiral in season ticket sales could tumble to a new modern low under 18,000, impacting community enthusiasm.

Nor does the nonleague portion offer a big draw. The Sept. 4 foe, Arkansas State, lost Saturday to Cincinnati 51-7 to finish a 4-8 year that showed early promise in a 17-14 loss to Minnesota. Earlier this month, the Indians lost to Northeast Louisiana 69-21.

The second UI home foe is San Diego State, which came on strong to finish 7-4 after an 0-3 start against Wisconsin, Southern Cal and Arizona. The Aztecs will be tough even if they aren't a compelling Midwest draw.

Game No. 3 will provide the final round with former UI-bound QB Chris Redman, who led Louisville to two wins over Illinois and will be coming off a bowl trip this time.

Illinois will need sharp improvement to avoid being an underdog in two of the first three games and perhaps six of the last eight.

Loren Tate writes for The News-Gazette.