Illini breakdown with Hail to the Orange

Penn State goes on the road for the first time this season, to test its meddle against the Illinois Fighting Illini. Both teams are coming off brutal losses, of differing degrees though, to open the Big Ten season.

Today we're happy to have Joe, Hail to the Orange blogger, here to talk about the upcoming game from an Illini view.

ZN: Not to be too frank about it, but Illinois was embarrassed last week in Columbus. I imagine this season isn't shaping up to be what many in Champaign expected. Going into this game against Penn State, how important is it to come out with a win, or would a very strong showing, but a loss, be good enough right now?

HTTO: No, I wouldn't at all say that this is what I or anyone else I knew expected out of the Illini this season. In the two games against FBS opponents so far, the Illini have mustered all of one TD, and have looked really really bad. This week's game, like last week is a chance, I hope not necessarily to steal a win against Penn State, but to just look half way coherent on offense, which is something they have not been able to do so far. Of course we would love a win, but at this point we just want a ray of hope.

ZN: What's been the problem with Juice Williams this season? Has he regressed as a quarterback, or is it something else, out of his personal control?

HTTO: There is a history at Illinois where bringing in a new OC for a senior QB has resulted in disaster, and so far this year could be no different with Juice. I don't know if Juice has regressed really, but it seems like he is being asked to play a game that does not play to his talents. He runs the option and he throws down field, but it seems like this season he is being asked to make short touch passes with perfect timing. Juice was never an NFL QB prospect so I have no idea why Schultz is having him do this. That sad, Juice has characterized this season as "a nightmare from which I cant wake up" and thus far I would have to agree with him.

ZN: Penn State had serious problems with Iowa's defense, and hasn't exactly lit up the scoreboard overall this season. Does Illinois' defense have a chance to really clamp down on Daryll Clark & Co.? And TO follow up on that, how badly has the loss of Martez Wilson hurt this defense?

HTTO: Martez has been out for two games and honestly we do not yet know what impact him not playing will have on the defense, we do know that he was easily the best athlete back there, so it will have some effect eventually. If there was a bright spot from the Ohio State game it would be the defense, which played admirably without any offensive support whatsoever. The caveat being that the rain prevented Pryor from throwing the ball very much, the aspect of the game where the defense has suffered most. Take a look at the Mizzou and Illinois State game and tell me that we can expect more games with low passing yards against this defense. On the bright side the forecast for Saturday in Champaign calls for rain.

ZN: What are three keys to the game this week for Illinois? Talk a little bit about each one.

HTTO: a)Play the game that got them here. Play the option, end read, QB draw and then try and stretch the field. Its not rocket science, even though the offense has made it look about as hard as that of late. Please score, for the sake of the fan base and the stress level of the coaching staff, SCORE!

b) I would say good physical play from the young LBs. Evan Frierson, Ian Thomas and Russell Ellington. They have played surprisingly well early on and I would hope to see more and maybe get some good pressure on Clark on Saturday.

c) I think it would be safe to say that cutting down on the rediculous amounts of stupid penalties would go a long way in helping this team, on both offense and defense. Against Ohio State, it killed an offensive drive and basically handed a TD to OSU. So yeah, I would love to see that fixed.

Many thanks again to Joe, and good luck to the Illini... they'll need it.