A Win is a Win, Right?

The Illini football team completed the directional school portion of their schedule by hanging on for a 28-22 win over Northern Illinois. Not very impressive, but at least it was better than a couple of other Zook-era efforts against MAC teams. Trying to catch everyone off-guard, Illinois changed up their lack of discipline problem this week; they played turnover-free football but piled up 85 yards in penalties. And as radio announcer Brian Barnhart noted during the game, these weren't cheapies like false starts. For example, a roughing the passer penalty took away what would have been the game-clinching interception, which led to a late NIU field goal and a nerve-racking on-side kick (which, fortunately, the Illini recovered).

Whatever the means, the result is a 2-1 record for the Illini - the first time they've been over .500 since beating Iowa in November, 2008. It should also be noted that the last time the Illini had a close shave against NIU in Champaign, they went on to win the Big 10 title outright and earned a berth in the Sugar Bowl. So I see no reason we can't do the same this year, provided that we can get Kurt Kittner, Brandon Lloyd, Rocky Harvey & Co. back into uniform. Barring that, I think I'll just enjoy the upcoming bye week, since I get the feeling I won't enjoy what comes after that.