Ron Zook and the Fighting Illini are Fighting for Bowl Scraps

Earlier this year, the Illinois Fighting Illini were reveling in their first Rose Bowl appearance in 24 years. My, how things have changed. Illinois now finds itself fighting for the scraps when it comes to the college football bowls. Ron Zook's squad is 5-6 heading into Saturday's season finale at rival Northwestern and needs a win to become bowl eligible. In season's past, a win over Northwestern could be considered a distinct possibility. But this season, the Illini are scuffling along and by most accounts, have underachieved after representing the Big Ten in the "Granddaddy of Them All" out in Pasadena, Calif. Northwestern takes a 8-3 record into the contest and the Wildcats' program has been rejuvenated under the direction of former Wildcat All-American linebacker Pat Fitzgerald. There have been Illinois losses to quality teams like No. 6 Missouri (52-42 to open the season), No. 11 Ohio State (30-20 last week) and No. 12 Penn State (38-24). But there have been frustrating defeats at the hands of Minnesota (27-20 at homecoming in Champaign) and Wisconsin (27-17). Then on Nov. 8, the Illini couldn't beat Western Michigan (23-17 loss) of the Mid-American Conference at Ford Field in Detroit. Ironically, if Illinois is able to beat Northwestern on Saturday, it could find itself making a return trip to Detroit for a spot in the Motor City Bowl. The Big Ten has a bowl agreement with the Motor City Bowl to play a team from the MAC. There are others that Illinois could be a candidate for should it find a way to reach the .500 mark. The Alamo Bowl, Insight Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl are possibilities, too.