The Illini have struggled the past three years and it finally got to the point where athletic director Ron Guenther made the change and fired Ron Turner and brought in Ron Zook to turn the program around. While there are many who questioned the choice of Zook - he didn't exactly tear it up during his run at Florida - he is expected to bring much more emotion and fire than the beleaguered Turner did.

It's not that Turner had a negative or demeaning personality. The opposite would be the truth. However, as the losses mounted in 2003 and 2004, Turner knew in his heart of hearts what was coming. That translated to his players and could have been a key factor in their struggles.

Zook will run around at spring practice as if he were shot out of a gun. His attitude and energy should help, but the real key to turning the Illinois program around on a consistent basis is upgrading the talent level. If he can put a few more wins together in his first year, the recruits should start to come. If he can't make progress, recruiting will be much more difficult.

The most important early decision for Zook will be deciding on his quarterback. Chris Pazan and Brad Bower will fight it out during the spring and Zook would like to make his decision by the end of practice. The inability to stay with his starting quarterback cost Turner badly the past couple of years.

Kendrick Jones and Lonnie Hurst are likely to be two of the key receiving options this year. Jones led the Illini with 47 catches for 687 yards and one touchdown last year. Hurst was limited by injuries last year and caught just two passes. He has the size and strength to win the battle and Zook will impress on him how important it is to do just that.

The running game looks like it could be among the best in the Big Ten. The 1-2 punch of E.B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas combines toughness and speed with more than just a little know-how. If the Illini defense can start to show some improvement, Zook may have a chance to come up with 4-6 wins - which would be a major step up the ladder.

BUILDING BLOCKS: The running game appears to be the most dependable aspect of this team. Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey both appear to be big-time players as they head into their junior seasons. Thomas ran for 893 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry a year ago, while Halsey had 461 yards and averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Oh, yes, there's also freshman Rashard Mendenhall, one of the best RB prospects in the nation. He averaged 9.1 yards per carry as a senior at Niles West (Ill.), rushing for 1,453 yards on 160 attempts and 14 touchdowns.

COACHING CAROUSEL: Athletic director Ron Guenther sent Ron Turner packing at the end of last season and he brought in former Florida coach Ron Zook to turn things around. Zook won't have anywhere near as much talent as he did at Florida, but expectations are nowhere near as high either. Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley and defensive coordinator Mike Mallory - a holdover from the Ron Turner regime - will be under significant pressure to get their respective units to play harder and with more consistency.

SCHEDULE SITUATION: The schedule appears much kinder this year than in the past. Start with non-conference games against Rutgers and San Jose State that are both winnable. The Big Ten opener at home against Michigan State could be the key to the year. A win there would give Illinois a significant boost and set them up for a possible 6-5 season. To get there, they would need to beat the three teams just mentioned along with Indiana, Penn State and Northwestern.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's the job of myself and our coaches to build this football program to similar heights (of the basketball program). It may take time, but that's our goal: to build it the right way, with hard work and integrity. We want to be the absolute best the university can be." - Illinois head coach Ron Zook on his goals for the program.

STARS OF 2005: P Steve Weatherford - No smugness intended here because Weatherford is just a sensational punter who averaged an amazing 45.4 yards per punt and put 23 of his kicks down inside the 20. He has a legitimate chance to be an All-American this year.

RB Pierre Thomas - He is a legit breakaway threat who ran for 893 yards, averaged 5.9 yards per pop and scored eight touchdowns last season. He can accelerate through a crack and take the ball a long way. If he can continue to run the way he did in 2004 that should help QBs Chris Pazan and Brad Bower.

TOP NEWCOMERS: RB Rashard Mendenhall - A sensational recruit for this program because Mendenhall has been one of the best high school running backs for the last three years. He combines power and speed and should be a star once he starts to get consistent opportunities to play.

ROSTER REPORT: The biggest decision head coach Ron Zook has to make is at quarterback where Chris Pazan and Brad Bower will battle for the starting position.