Loss bumps Illini down in BCS
Had Illinois managed to knock off Iowa on Saturday, Ron Zook's crew would have ranked among the nation's top-15 teams in the Bowl Championship Series standings unveiled Sunday.
Instead, the Illini's 10-6 loss at Kinnick Stadium tumbled them all the way out of the Top 25 -- but barely so.
According to calculations at CollegeBCS.com, Illinois' poll votes and computer rankings added up to being No. 26 with five weeks to go in the regular season.
Who edged out the Illini for No. 25? None other than Michigan, which will show up Saturday night at Memorial Stadium for a Big Ten showdown that will be televised nationally on ABC.
The Illini are one-half game behind Big Ten co-leaders Michigan and Ohio State. The Wolverines (5-2, 3-0) have won five in a row by an average of 18.6 points.
Ohio State, by the way, sits at No. 1 ahead of South Florida and Boston College.
"I never really thought there was anything wrong (with Michigan)," Zook said Sunday. "They had a little bump there in the beginning of the year. There's no doubt in my mind they're as good a football team as there is in the Big Ten."
Speaking of no doubts in Zook's mind, he reiterated Sunday that he believed he made the right calls when he accepted a pair of third-down penalties.
One decision led to Iowa's touchdown, while the other seemed destined to lead to at least a field goal until the Hawks fumbled at Illinois' 11.
"I would do it exactly the same way," Zook said. "They were going to go for it on fourth-and-2 (in the third quarter)."
And when he accepted a fourth-quarter holding call that turned a fourth-and-4 from midfield into a third-and-14 -- and led to a 29-yard pass for a first down?
"In general, you never turn down a 10-yard penalty," Zook said.
On the Big Ten Network's "Football Saturday: The Finale" show, former Indiana coach Gerry DiNardo and ex-Illini running back Howard Griffith disagreed with Zook's rationale.
Show host Dave Revsine started the conversation by asking DiNardo what he thought of Zook's first decision.
"Well, I don't like it," DiNardo said. "It was fourth-and-2 on the 15 or third-and-7 on the 20. In general practice, if you decline the penalty and it puts the opponent in fourth down, that's usually what you do. I believe this is what Ron should have done."
Added Griffith:
"This is something that Coach Zook is definitely going to be thinking back about and having second thoughts about."
Apparently not, though several fans made sure to send their thoughts to Zook.
"We got a few e-mails that I told my wife, 'Gosh, we're back in Florida,' " Zook said.
QB status quo: Ron Zook reasserted Sunday that Juice Williams remains the team's starting quarterback.
Backup Eddie McGee, who hasn't played before the fourth quarter since Williams' first-half injury against Missouri, might see some time earlier than normal.
"That's something we talked about a few minutes this morning," said Zook, referring to the coaches' staff meeting.
But Zook and offensive coordinator Mike Locksley continue to believe Williams' skill set, which includes superior running ability, better fits the Illini's best offensive traits.
"Overall, you've got to play the person that gives your football team the best chance to be successful," Zook said.
OK injuries: Illinois should be at full strength for its first night game with Michigan since the infamous 2000 meeting at Memorial Stadium.
Wide receiver Kyle Hudson (concussion) seemed the most affected, according to Zook, but even he should be ready by midweek.
Zook said fullback Russ Weil (ankle), receiver Arrelious Benn (shoulder) and quarterback Juice Williams (knee) were all fine.
One last stat: In each of Illinois' four Big Ten games, the Illini have had fewer total yards and fewer first downs than their opponent.