CHAMPAIGN — Here's what we know for sure: 14 seniors will play their last game at Memorial Stadium. With a 15th watching from the sideline, wishing he could be on the field. One more thing: No. 15 Wisconsin needs the win to keep its hopes alive in the Leaders Division.

That's about it.

Everything else is an unknown for the Illinois football team. Starting with the future of head coach Ron Zook.

Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas said the football program will be evaluated after the end of the season. While rumors swirl about Zook's job security, the only person with the answer isn't going to talk about it.

You think you've had a rough week? Check out what Zook has gone through. It all started with a 17-point loss at home against Michigan last Saturday, which extended Illinois' losing streak to four.

At halftime, a fired-up Zook told his team it should be down by seven touchdowns instead of two. He challenged it to play well, and for a time, it seemed to follow his lead.

But a dropped interception by the Illinois defense and one thrown by Nathan Scheelhaase doomed any comeback efforts.

If only it had ended with the loss.

Later Saturday, Illinois freshman receiver Kenny Knight was arrested for aggravated battery and resisting a police officer.

Early Sunday, Illinois senior linebacker Trulon Henry came to the aid of younger teammates at an off-campus party. While trying to take the players away from the scene, Henry was one of the three people shot by an unknown assailant.

Henry won't be able to play today, next Saturday at Minnesota or in Illinois' bowl game.

He was released from the hospital Tuesday and is expected to participate in Senior Day ceremonies. One of the team leaders, Henry has made a dramatic change in his life after spending time in federal prison for armed robbery. He is married with a 2-year-old daughter and hopes to continue playing football in the NFL.

On Tuesday, Zook's job situation became a national story when he threatened to end his news conference if the questioning didn't stick to football. Twenty minutes in, with the session winding down, Zook was asked about his future. He made a short comment to the reporter and, as promised, walked away.

Video from the news conference, spliced together just right, made it look like Zook's threat was followed by an immediate question. That wasn't the case.

The clips were seen on stations across the country, and stories were written about Zook "storming off" from coast to coast.

On Thursday, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Rick Morrissey called for Zook to be fired. The headline read: "Book On Zook: His Time Is Past."

"When your name is Zook, it means it's time to go," Morrissey wrote.

While no decision is expected until after the end of the season, Zook might need a win today against the Badgers to return in 2012.

Zook has two years remaining on his contract, which pays him $1.75 million annually. If the school changes coaches, it will have to pay $3.5 million to Zook, plus a sizable amount to his assistants.

Illinois had an eight-game home schedule this season, including big draws Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin. None of those teams visit Champaign in 2012, replaced by Minnesota, Indiana and Purdue. Will a restless fandom support another season with Zook? That's one of the issues Thomas needs to figure out as he moves forward.

The unknowns extend beyond the future of the coaching staff. Like, who will play quarterback today?

Praised for his play during a six-game winning streak to open the season, Scheelhaase, a sophomore, has caught his share of criticism during the four-game skid. Coming off a career-best 391 yards against Northwestern and a three-touchdown game at Indiana, Scheelhaase has thrown for 159, 217, 63 and 170 yards the last four games. He has three interceptions and two touchdowns during that stretch. He has completed 58 percent of his passes the last four games after hitting 67 percent in the first six.

Throughout the recent skid, Scheelhaase has been quick to blame himself for the failure of the offense. His leadership skills, considered a strength, haven't wavered. But the production has clearly fallen.

If the coaches are considering a change, they have freshman Reilly O'Toole as an option. In limited time this season, the 2010 News-Gazette All-State Player of the Year has completed 22 of 32 passes for 154 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Unlike Scheelhaase, who provides offense with his legs and arm, O'Toole is more of a classic drop-back passer.

The last unknown is the season's final game. And destination.

Bowl eligible for weeks, Illinois has seen its projection go from a BCS game to barely in.

The Big Ten has eight bowl ties: BCS, Capital One, Outback, Insight, Gator, Meineke Car Care, TicketCity and Little Caesars. Eight conference schools are bowl eligible and two more — Northwestern and Purdue — have a chance.

But Penn State, which leads the Leaders Division, might consider withdrawing from bowl consideration because of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual-abuse case. Privately, bowl officials are concerned about inviting Penn State, knowing that the normally happy stories during bowl week will instead be all about Sandusky.

Ohio State is also in a bit of bowl limbo. The Buckeyes face severe sanctions, including a postseason ban, because of violations during the Jim Tressel era. With the 6-4 team potentially finishing 6-6, Ohio State officials could decide to take their punishment now instead of foisting it upon the next head coach.

If Penn State and Ohio State are out of the bowl mix, Illinois moves up the Big Ten's chart. With a pair of wins and some help, Illinois could even work its way back to a Florida bowl.