Illini vs. Wisconsin Preview: Ron Zook's Last Stand?

 

But does Mike Thomas agree?

One of the most painful outcomes for Illinois football in recent years came in the 2009 season finale against Fresno State.  Nearly two years later, it's still difficult to believe that our Senior Day was ruined on a last-second, tipped-pass-for-a-two-point-conversion reception by a Bulldogs offensive lineman.  That loss capped off a 3-9 season for the Illini (Ron Zook's second straight losing season), and it seemed all but certain that we would never see Zook on the Illinois sideline at Memorial Stadium again.  But thanks to the generosity, insanity, and/or stupidity of then-AD Ron Guenther, Zook survived, and we've now seen him coach an additional 13 games at Memorial Stadium.  This Saturday's clash against #15/#17 Wisconsin will be his 14th since that Fresno State game.  But unless the Illini can score a victory over the Badgers, it's difficult to believe that current AD Mike Thomas will give Zook the opportunity to extend that number, no matter what Thomas is saying now.  By the way, I've heard that ESPN was planning to bring the blimp to Champaign for Saturday's broadcast, but in a cost-cutting move they've instead decided to get their aerial shots of the game by strapping cameras to the vultures circling over Zook's head.

Given that atmosphere, is there any hope for the Fighting Zookers on Saturday?
If the Illini are to spring the upset, they'll need a heroic performance from their defense, which is ranked 12th in the nation in points allowed.  That's not too far behind where the Badgers' defense ranks (#6 in the nation).  When you consider that Wisconsin's defense isn't constantly being stressed due to the inability of their offense to move the football forward, I'd argue that the Illini defense has actually been more impressive than Wisconsin's.  Of course, as well as Vic Koenning's crew has played this year, his defenders will have their hands full trying to contain Wisconsin's offense, which is both potent (#4 in the nation in scoring, at over 46 points per game) and balanced (1st in the Big Ten in rushing; 2nd in passing).  And I just can't see Paul Petrino's "negative three yards and a cloud of dust" offense, which has been shut out in four straight first halves, suddenly finding itself against the Badgers' defense.

Prediction
Somehow, the Badgers are only 14 1/2 point favorites on Saturday, even though (1) they are a couple of Hail Mary passes away from being on track to play in the BCS Championship Game, and (2) the Illini haven't won a game since Columbus Day.  That's not a promising combination, and unfortunately, it looks as if a fourth consecutive graduating class will have its Senior Day spoiled.

Wisconsin 41
Illinois 10