The gents at Rock M Nation put their thinking caps on over the past few weeks and went through Mizzou's '09 positional breakdown, but what might be my favorite part of that feature: '09 and beyond (!!).
True freshman Blaine Dalton is booted from the Tiger football team, this time, for real. Via Dave Matter.
Missouri has dismissed quarterback Blaine Dalton from the football team, citing a violation of team conduct policies, a press release from the football program said Friday morning. A source with knowledge of the situation has told the Tribune that Dalton was arrested for drunken driving late Thursday night. Details to come.
Of course, Dalton was busted for having some beer and Rx in his car a couple months ago, and was cleared. This time? Not so much. Leaves the QB depth about what it was- Gabbert, Jimmy Costello, Ashton Glaser, and Owen Lenander. Just guessing that Glaser redshirts, so bump up Lenander.
As we embark on another edition of the Arch Rivalry, I got a chance to throw some questions to friend of the site, Will Leitch, who holds the titles of New York Magazine writer, Deadspin.com founder, author of God Save the Fan, and most importantly; Illinois alum. Just as he did last season, he lays down the good, bad, and ugly of the Illini.
I know I asked this last year, but maybe the feelings have changed- Ron Zook: Idiot savant, just an idiot, or pure genius.
Idiot savant? More idiot than savant? Mostly he's just entertaining which, whether he's winning or he's not, is more than I can say for most Illini coaches over the last decade or so. (I loved Lou Tepper, but losing while being earnest and dull is so much worse while being crazy and water-skiing.) If he misses a bowl the next three years, I might feel differently, but for now, Ron Zook is a reason to keep an eye, even a wary one, on Illinois football. It has rarely been like that.
The media magicians say Zook is on the hot seat. Rightly so, and if so, how hot? Would any bowl game save his job?
I think if he makes a bowl game, he can miss next year. If he misses one, he'll need to get one the year afterwards. Remember, we're a basketball school: Bruce Weber, no matter how well he does, will always have more scrutiny than Zook. I do think we need a bowl game this year, just so that he doesn't turn into Ron Turner. But, as a rule, we're a fanbase with a high tolerance for football mediocrity.
Is Rejus Benn the best athlete to come out of Champaign in the last 15 years?
Football-wise, I'd put him second, behind Simeon Rice. I had a class with that guy, and he was the biggest, most gregarious, effortlessly charming and monstrously imposing fellow I've ever met. Simeon Rice was just ungodly.
Not to kick you in the nuts, but where were you at when you first heard about the Western Michigan game last year? First thought?
Fortunately, I was at a wedding in Delaware, so I was receiving updates from my phone. If there were ever a football game that deserved increasingly sporadic checkins from an iPhone, I'd say it would have to be Illinois-Western Michigan at a mostly empty Ford Field would be it.
Not that preseason polls count for much, but Illinois and Mizzou both missed out on being ranked in either poll. While I can't speak for Illinois fans, Mizzou fans feel this team should be in the 22-25 range or at least receive more than three votes in the AP. Of course, being Mizzou fans, we are used to being overlooked. Should Illinois be ranked in your mind, and does the Illini fanbase think people are overlooking the Illini?
I think they're overlooking what this team COULD be. I was talking with Tommy Craggs from Deadspin, another Illini kid, about the importance of the Missouri game. An Illini friend of his said, very seriously, "11-1." We laughed and scoffed and all that. Then he said, "OK, 11-1 if we beat Missouri. Otherwise, 7-5."I'd go with 5-7 if they lose to you guys. I don't think Illinois is a No. 22 team. I think they're either a top 15 team ... or 5-7. It's what life with Zook is like.
Props again to Will, and you can check out Will's work for New York Magazine and purchase the updated, paperback version of God Save the Fan among his other works. Read God Save the Fan on a quick getaway vacation, and I'll highly recommend it, even if you read the hard cover.
We now have legit Big 12 athletes across the board, and it will show, especially up front. We will run the ball down their throat, and score at will, as we did last year. They will look good in flashes on offense, but in the end we will wear them down. We are too big and too athletic.
Obviously a photoshop, but a very well intended poke at the dick garages that have have been going back and forth complaining about how far out they're parking and tailgating, this classic showed up on TigerBoard. It looks like instead of getting shitfaced at the Reactor, you'll be getting faced somewhere just east of Anchorage.
According to our buds over at BetUS.com, as of Thursday morning, Mizzou is a 7-point dog to Illinois at EJD next weekend, with the Over/Under at 60 1/2 total points. Four straight wins over the Illini, and they are returning basically the same team that's lost the past two. Just sayin' the dog is looking pretty good right now.
Looks like Vegas is taking the odd score of 34-27.
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I know I asked this last year, but maybe the feelings have changed- Ron Zook: Idiot savant, just an idiot, or pure genius.
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 