From the Eyes of the Chucks - Part II

Shizzle shammy! There are only eight days left until the start of the 2008 college football season. The anticipation and anxiety continues to build as we move closer and closer to opening day against #6 (AP) Mizzou. The Illini are ranked #20 in the latest AP polls and #15 in the Football Writers Association of America poll. They will face Heisman candidate Chase Daniels at the Edward Jones Dome in Saint Louis. Kickoff is slated for 7:30PM.

Illinois Football: The Journey
The Big Ten Network will be filming a series that follows the Zook and the Illini throughout the season as they continue on their journey towards success. The series will provide an in depth look at the Illini football program both on and off the field. The series is set to debut at 8:30PM CST on Sept. 2.


Renaissance Celebration
The rededication of Memorial Stadium will commence on Sept. 6, which is the home opener against Eastern Illinois. There will be an arsenal of old school players on hand for the ceremony including Dick Butkus, Jeff George, my boy Kurt Kittner, Harold 'Red' Grange, Kevin Hardy, Dana Howard, J Leman, Rash Mendenhall, Ray Nitschke, and many more. The team will don throwback jerseys similar to those worn during the infamous Butkus era. This game has not yet sold out but is very close. Four of the six home games for the 2008 season have sold out.

Illini Players to Watch

Arrelious 'Rejus' Benn #9
Position - WR & PR/KR
Walter Camp 2008 Player of the Year Watch List


Isiah 'Juice' Williams #7
Position - QB


Vontae Davis #1
Position - DB
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List


Martez Wilson #2
Position - LB
Butkus Award Watch List


Sam Carson III #43
Position - LB


Will Davis #81
Position - DL


Dere Hicks #28
Position - DB


Dustin Jefferson #53
Position - LB


Will Judson #13
Position - WR


David Lindquist #94
Position - DL


Brit Miller #44
Position - LB


Doug Pilcher #95
Position - DL

Next Friday is College Colors Day. Wear Orange or be prepared to suffer the consequences. GO ILLINI!

From the Eyes of the Chuck - Part I

If I listen closely enough to the voices in my head, I can hear the beloved announcer welcoming Illini fans to another football filled Saturday at Memorial Stadium. It is almost time.....25 days and counting. Season and single game tickets are in high demand and selling faster than anyone could have ever imagined two short seasons ago.

Illinois football raised the bar last year higher than ever before despite the outcome of the Rose Bowl. They made leaps and bounds last year making headlines across the nation. This season they will face three of the tough Big 10 teams on the road, and the 2008 schedule is one of the most challenging schedules in several years. The psychics of college football are predicting a 6-6 season and a 3rd place finish in the conference. The offensive and defensive squads took a hit with the loss of Mendenhall, Harrison, and Leman. In order to have a successful season, Zook and his staff must find a way to fill the gaps and expand the offense.

Illinois is ranked #19 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll.

The official schedule for the 2007-2008 schedule goes as follows:

8/30 Arch Rivalry Game vs. #7 Mizzou @ the Edward Jones Dome - St. Louis

In case you haven't heard, this game sold out in five minutes.

9/06 Home opener vs. Eastern Illinois (puhshaw to you, filthy Panthers!)

9/13 vs. Lousiana-LaFayette .... uh who?

9/27 at Happy Valley vs. the infamous Joe Paterno and the # 22 Nittany Lions of PSU....we are Penn State!

10/4 at the Big House vs. #24....bring on the maize and blue of Michigan! MUCK FICHIGAN!

10/11 vs. Minnesota....I've got nothing.

10/18 vs. those damnable Indiana Hoosiers. Say how is that basketball coaching position shaping up? (SOLD OUT)

10/25 at Camp Randall Stadium - home of Bucky the walking popcorn box.

Think I'm kidding?

11/1 vs. the pink locker room bandits of Iowa (SOLD OUT)

11/8 at Western Michigan

11/15 vs. none other than #3 THE Ohio State University.... O-H...Oh no! (SOLD OUT)

11/22 vs. Northwestern and the purple cats


....and so it begins.

Check out the links below and follow the team as they prepare for the upcoming season at Camp Rantoul.

Camp Rantoul Day 1

Camp Rantoul Day 2

Up next.... the skinny on key Illini players to watch, fantasy prospects, and more.

Getcho popcorn ready because here comes the Illini!