It doesn't take a genius – or a dopey sportswriter – to tell you that the St. Louis series against Missouri has been problematic for Illinois. Maybe leaning toward a disaster.

The money has been great, but that's about it. Five losses in five tries. And the expectation of a sixth Saturday.

But the folks in St. Louis aren't done with football. Not even close. They are likely done with Illinois-Missouri for at least the rest of the decade. If ever again.

Missouri has a long-term deal to play Kansas in Kansas City, one that the schools aren't likely to give up. Playing two neutral-site games in the same season never made sense for the Tigers, who need to play at least six in Columbia.

There is an answer, one that can be implemented as early as 2015: have Illinois play every other year in St. Louis. Only, not against Missouri.

In terms of recruiting and fan base, St. Louis is No. 1 for Illinois outside the state. The school has to pay attention or risk losing future players/students/fans.

Illinois doesn't need an annual game in Chicago. The series with Northwestern takes care of that.

But a trip every other year to St. Louis will do wonders for the Illini program. Heck, in recruiting the Illinois coaches can say to the players, "Doesn't seem like Missouri wants to play here." Or something like that.

Helping hand

Starting in 2015, the Big Ten will use a nine-game schedule. The athletic directors want it. The fans seem to want it. The coaches, well, they'd like to play about three conference games.

With the new format, schools will have five conference home games one season and four the next. Those schedules will be known years in advance, helping the schools to find nonconference games to fill the final three openings.

On years when Illinois has five conference home games, it can afford a trip to St. Louis for a nonconference game. All it will mean is buying two home games to make sure there are seven at Memorial Stadium. Say hello to Western Illinois and Louisiana and Arkansas State.

Who to play in St. Louis? There are plenty of options. The key, of course, is that the games don't have to be returned.

Oodles of regional opponents that make sense: Arkansas, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Memphis, Louisville, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tulsa, Houston, etc.

St. Louis wants the games. There isn't a major college football team in the city, so it needs an import. And Missouri isn't an option.

The pay won't need to be a $1 million guarantee, but close. Sell the opponents on the idea of St. Louis exposure in a fancy stadium and they'll bite.

Pick your park

The Edward Jones Dome has been the perfect host to Illinois-Missouri. Conditions are perfect. Nearby hotels are plentiful. The place is less than a three-hour ride from C-U.

There is a Plan B: Busch Stadium. The Cardinal leaders have told St. Louis officials they are willing to host a college football game. In the middle of their season.

The old Busch Stadium had football and baseball tenants. In fact, the football Cardinals would practice on the stadium turf in the afternoon before a night baseball game.

A once-a-year football game at Busch Stadium isn't going to destroy the pretty grass. And it will give the baseball team one more revenue stream. College football fans like to spend money on concessions and parking. The Cardinals know this and need to start finding cash for Albert Pujols.

Sounds too easy. Time to pencil it in: Illinois-Arkansas, Sept. 5, 2015.

Bob Asmussen covers college football for The News-Gazette. He can be reached at 217-351-5233 or at asmussen@news-gazette.com.