The Linking Illini can only take so much more off season.

Pieces are in place to solve Missouri - IlliniHQ.com
It may not be the most popular thing to do here in the msm hating blogosphere, but I really enjoy the old timers of college football. You know why I think Joe Paterno is so great, and for all I care Lou Holtz and Beano Cook can pick Notre Dame for the next three MNC's, they make me laugh. In the same vein, but in a much more respectable way I really like Loren Tate. If you are in the Champaign area at all and have listened to WDWS or any of the IlliniHQ podcasts he is a staple on the air. He, unlike most in the business, cuts right through the fat of a story and asks what most people are thinking, and has very little patience for coach speak. He rarely gets swept up in hype, and as of this year has reservations as to whether or not our receivers can live up to their lofty expectations, and whether or not Juice can finally cut down on the INTs. Basically what I am saying is, please read his writing, its will keep you grounded. That said....

The Rivalry, Esq.'s 2009 Closing Argument - Illinois Fighting Illini - The Rivalry, Esq.
The Rivalry ESQ folks seem to be very high on the Illini this year. As you can figure I am a fan of my compatriots over at the ESQ, they have great content and although they are made up of an Ohio State fan, a Michigan fan and of all things an Iowa fan, they have been very kind to me and the Illini this season. Their consensus pick for Illinois is 9-3 and and outback bowl berth against by their estimation UGA. A new years day bowl? I would take that in a second.

10 Questions facing Illini football for 2009 Bloomington Pantagraph
I am not even sure I made it to the end of this article, not because there isn't much left to talk about now that we are only a few days away from real football and leaving the off season behind us. But because the Bloomingpants has what has to be one of my favorite pictures of Zook if all time. Behold.

via bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com

Zook sure does seem awfully protective of that notebook.

What you don't know is, that book contains the whereabouts of the mythical 6th eligible receiver, which he is sure to debut against Mizzou on Saturday.

Updated for most apt and excellent Waterboy reference, thanks Cruiser