After a much-needed break, Illinois will try to get it going against high-powered Penn State.

Ron Zook saw his team win its first two games of the year to gain some fire to start the season, but the Illini have been badly outplayed in their past four games.

They have dropped their first three Big Ten games and have been outscored 136-23 in the process. Still, Zook believes some progress is being made and does not have the beleaguered look that dogged former coach Ron Turner in 2003 and '04.

For example, in a 36-13 loss to Indiana Oct. 8, the Illini stayed in the game for three quarters and Zook liked much of what he saw. "There were some good things at Indiana," he told the Chicago Sun-Times. "The bad thing is, the negatives override any positives. And obviously we're going to have a huge task against Penn State."

But it's not just a matter of handling the matchup problems the Illini will undoubtedly have with Penn State. The teaching aspect of the game is what Zook has to concentrate on. Illinois players don't seem to be getting better at midseason and that's the biggest problem for this year and the future.

One of the biggest problems for Illinois has been the lack of impact made by the running game. In addition to veterans Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey, the Illini hauled in one of their flashiest recruits in years when they brought in RB Rashard Mendenhall. However, he has not had much of a chance to display his talents.

Through the first six games of the season, Mendenhall has 20 carries for 102 yards. He is a spectacular athlete with big-play ability, but he has not had much of a chance to display that talent.

If Mendenhall or one of the other backs could shake loose, that would take a ton of pressure off QB Tim Brasic. The Illini have 933 rushing yards for the season -- far below the 1,336 yards that their opponents have rushed for.

Brasic looks quite comfortable at quarterback. Not only can he stand in under pressure, he knows how to take charge in the huddle. He has completed 132-of-206 passes for 1,271 yards with seven TDs and seven interceptions. I

He needs more help from the running game and it wouldn't hurt if his receivers stepped up as well. If both of those scenarios don't happen quickly, the Illini could have a winless Big Ten season on their hands.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Illini thought they would have a solid offensive team this year if QB Tim Brasic proved a solid leader. He has been a presence in the huddle and done a nice job throwing the ball, but the Illini rank 60th in total offense and 53rd in rushing. That's a major disappointment. Ron Zook thought that Pierre Thomas, E.B. Halsey and Rashard Mendenhall would provide a credible ground game, but they have been quite ordinary so far.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Illini have given up huge yardage totals in losses to California, Michigan State and Iowa. Tackling and positioning are big issues. The Illini simply don't have the same kind of athletic prowess that their opponents bring to the field. Illinois ranks 109th in total defense and 115th in run defense. Those are nearly impossible numbers to overcome.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "No. 1, we're going to continue doing what we're doing. We have to continue to evaluate who's on the field and make sure we have the right guys." -- Head coach Ron Zook on his desire to not make any wholesale positional change just because the Illini is struggling.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: vs. Penn State, Oct. 22. The Nittany Lions almost certainly will be angry after losing on the last play of the game at Michigan, upping the ante for struggling Illinois.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Pierre Thomas -- He has rushed for 369 yards and three touchdowns. The Illini need Thomas to become a big-play threat and he has just been a decent performer. Thomas is averaging 5.1 yards per carry so Ron Zook needs to make a concerted effort to get him the ball.

QB Tim Brasic -- He has completed 132-of-206 passes for 1,271 yards with seven TDs and seven interceptions. Brasic is really not getting much help from the running game or the team's ordinary crew of wide receivers. He is hanging in there and playing respectable football.

LB J Leman -- He is a hard hitter who forced a fumble at Indiana. Leman has 30 tackles, 2.5 TFL and two forced fumbles. He is one of the few Illini defenders who plays with emotion every game.

DB Kevin Mitchell -- The leading Illini tackler with 35 stops. He also has two TFL and two passes defensed.

ROSTER REPORT: The Illini are relatively healthy as they get ready to host Penn State.