In one way, Illini playing better football this year

Ron Zook is a reverse clairvoyant. He knows what you're not thinking.

As Illinois' fourth-year coach evaluates his team going into Saturday's regular-season finale at Northwestern (2:30 p.m., Big Ten Network), he knows you're not thinking what he's thinking about his guys.

"I'm not going to go back on what I said earlier in the year," Zook said Tuesday. "We're a better football team right now than we were a year ago.

"People think, 'How can you say that?' Well, I believe that. But obviously we're not having the success that we had a year ago."

Illinois is an undisputable 3 wins off last year's pace (8-3 vs. 5-6) going into the finale with Northwestern.

But do other metrics support Zook's contention?

After 11 games last year, Illinois owned a 304-212 advantage in points. This year, Illinois has outscored opponents 334-292.

OK, that's a clear sign the 2007 Illini were better. But what do you make of this?

Through 11 games last year, Illinois averaged 412.6 yards per game and surrendered 353.3 yards per game.

This year? The Illini put up 448.3 yards per game and give up 351.4 per game. They've improved their total margin by 37.6 yards per game.

Why aren't the yards and the points matching up? Let's look at that great equalizer known as turnover margin.

The Illini are minus-7 in turnover margin compared to a plus-1 margin at this point last year.

The big difference? Juice Williams has thrown 15 interceptions this year as opposed to 9 at this point in 2007.

"He's like any other football player," Zook said. "He's done an awful, awful, awful lot of great things, good things for us this year.

"And then there's been some things that haven't been quite as good. Once again, I think a lot of times, he gets a lot of blame that's not necessarily his fault.

"And it gets exaggerated when things aren't going right, particularly with a football team that's maybe expected to play a little bit better and do a little bit better and be a little bit more productive than we have been."

Miller the leader: Senior middle linebacker Brit Miller leads the nation in tackles with 124.

However, since he has played one more game than most guys across the nation, he's regarded as the nation's No. 3 tackler with 11.3 per game.

It seems unlikely Miller can catch New Mexico State's Derrick Richardson (12.9 per game) for the national title.

If Miller equals his career-high (17) at Northwestern, then Richardson would need 26 tackles in his last two games to top him.

Bill of health: Every Illini who was questionable after Saturday's loss to Ohio State seems fine.

Zook noted that defensive tackle Josh Brent (sprained knee) and quarterback/slot receiver Eddie McGee (turf toe) ran around fine on Monday.

Hard-hitting safety Donsay Hardeman has a stiff neck, but nothing that should affect his play Saturday.