G.T.'s 'Ten for Tuesday'

New Year/Rose Bowl Edition

By Greg Taylor

[December 31, 2007]  Tomorrow, the Illinois football team will play in their biggest game in 24 years, when they play No. 7 Southern California in the granddaddy of them all -- the Rose Bowl. And while I wish I could be writing this article from beautiful and sunny Pasadena, Calif., instead, like most of you, I'll be watching the game right here in God's country -- central Illinois. The scheduled kickoff is 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, and this week's article is dedicated to 10 keys to an Illini victory:

1. Control the time-of-possession category: This might be the most important key, in my humble opinion. While Illinois definitely has their fair share of quick-strike weapons, the Illini are at their best when they methodically control the clock on offense and force the opposition to panic when they finally get the ball. Illinois beat Ohio State at the Horseshoe because they had possession of the football for over 13 minutes of the fourth quarter.

2. Win the turnover battle: This goes without even stating, but Illinois is a pretty good team when they hold onto the ball. Against Missouri and Michigan, it was turnovers that did them in. On the road against Iowa, it was a key late turnover that was the difference between a win and a loss. Win the turnover battle and Illinois dramatically improves their chances for a victory.

3. Develop an "Us against the World" mentality: No BCS has been more disrespected than Illinois this bowl season. It's been a national trend. All the "geniuses" think Illinois will get destroyed -- and they could. In a recent ESPN fan poll involving thousands of responses, 89 percent picked USC to beat Illinois. If I'm Ron Zook and staff, a bulletin board full of disrespect is all my boys would see for the next 36 hours.

4. Make smart coaching decisions: On Saturday, Zook won the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year award -- so maybe I have nothing at all to worry about. But Zook, Mike Locksley and crew will need to be at their very best against a USC team that is more talented than any team Illinois has faced this year -- including Ohio State. Zook did great most of the year, but came under some scrutiny after the Iowa game for declining penalties that would have resulted in fourth downs, only to see Iowa convert on third-and-long situations. Zook really seemed to out-coach Jim Tressell in the Ohio State game and will need to do the same on Tuesday.

5. Put John David Booty on his booty: Simply put -- hit USC's quarterback early and often. The quarterback has been prone to injury, and some early contact (legal, of course) from Will Davis, Chris Norwell and crew could begin to put doubts in Booty's mind. Illinois was again at its best when they put opposing quarterbacks on their rear ends -- especially in wins against Penn State and Ohio State. Zook will probably have to blitz in order to accomplish this against USC's very good offensive line.

6. Establish Rashard Mendenhall early and often: Mendenhall is probably headed for the NFL next year, and nothing would help his stock more than a huge game on the national TV. My guess is Southern Cal will stack the line early in the game and force Juice Williams to throw the football, but Illinois must keep calling Mendenhall's number (along with RB Daniel Dufrene).

7. Give Benn and Vontae return opportunities: No disrespect at all to Jacob Willis, Will Judson or Kyle Hudson, but I say give stars Vontae Davis and Regus Benn every return chance they can on Tuesday. These two might be the best future NFL prospects on the roster because of speed and quickness, and the more chances they touch the ball, the more opportunities to make big plays.

8. Throw early to the tight ends: In Illinois' spread offense, it is almost unfair to throw to the tight end, and that is why Illinois' tight ends are almost always open. While Jeff Cumberland is lining up in the slot much of the time, his body still says tight end, and he and Michael Hoomanawanui (better known to many simply as Oh-Oh) form an excellent duo at the position for Illinois. If I were offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, I might call plays for the tight end three or four times in the first quarter alone -- and that alone might help open up the running game.

9. Continue to play eight to 10 defensive linemen: Illinois has an eight-to-10-man rotation on the defensive line, and while guys like Will Davis and Chris Norwell are probably a little bit better than some of the others, the Illini have really appeared stronger at the end of games on defense because of the rotation of fresh players. This should continue Tuesday -- especially considering the athleticism of the USC Trojans.

10. Make sure special teams are truly special: Jason Reda will conclude his incredible Illinois career as placekicker, and he should continue to be a very consistent part of Illinois' scoring attack. The punting game, while better in '07 than in '06, is still nothing to write home about -- but hopefully can at least hold its own Tuesday. And it goes without saying that punts must be fielded and not fumbled, and illegal blocks in the back cannot happen. However, a blocked punt like the one from the Missouri game would be a nice late Christmas present for Illini nation.

And so there you have it -- 10 keys for an Illinois victory on Tuesday. But, in many ways, win or lose, Illinois has already won so much -- going from a team that won just eight games the past four seasons to a team that won nine games, beat the No. 1 team in the land, featured the Big Ten's MVP (Mendenhall) and the national coach of the year.

And because 2008 is upon us, I close today with 10 fearless predictions for 2008:

1. The New England Patriots DO NOT win the Super Bowl.

2. 2008 will be the nastiest presidential election in history -- but in the end, the Giuliani-Huckabee ticket just beats the Clinton-Richardson duo.

3. Lincoln HS, Illinois and the Chicago Bulls will do better in January, February and March than they did in October, November and December.

4. Tiger Woods will win at least two majors.

5. Tony Stewart will win the NASCAR Chase.

6. The Cubs will win the National League -- and lose in seven games to the Red Sox in the World Series.

7. The Cardinals won't finish above the .500 mark.

8. Illinois football will field a better team in 2008 -- but win fewer games.

9. Kobe Bryant will be traded to the Bulls during the summer of 2008.

10. The Bears win 12 games and return to the playoffs.

There you have it -- have a safe and happy New Year -- and let's get a big Rose Bowl victory Tuesday!

[By GREG TAYLOR]

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