Showing posts with label ron zook. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ron zook. Show all posts

Monday, October 26, 2009

The Zooker's one man implosion to continue another year

Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther says Ron Zook is keeping his job for another year.

The Illini are 1-6 and have shown few signs from week 1 that they felt like showing up this year. Florida fans everywhere giggle themselves to sleep at night.

Of course, Guenther then added that the Zooker's coaching staff was going to get a big shake-up in the offseason.

"Let's put one thing to rest," Guenther said. "There's going to be some changes, but there won't be a change at the top. There's a great deal of frustration, obviously, with the program at the moment and that's all I have to say."

Five years in and your highest-paid university employee can't hire his own direct reports? Ouch, Zooker. I would put this last year's salary in a savings account.

And, if anyone still cares, the Illini have evolved an interesting quarterback situation. Juice Williams is still there, barely, but he was benched for Eddie McGee. Except McGee is now playing wide receiver. And redshirt freshman Jacob Charest got to play in last week's loss to Purdue.

And Arrelious Benn spends his days running out routes and considering permanently spraining his ankle until December.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Podcast: Episode 42







Thanks ACC for reminding us once again why no one should take you seriously until basketball season rolls around. Just when we thought Miami, Florida State or North Carolina might be considered BCS title contenders ... all three reminded us why no team from the ACC will ever when the championship (that includes you too Va Tech).

As painful as it was, both the 'Eye and the 'Eer gave Rich Rodriguez credit for Michigan's 4-0 start, but both agree that 1-3 Michigan State will probably win this weekend. Let's not forget about the potential interesting match ups this week - LSU-Georgia, USC-Cal and Oklahoma-Miami. We also have some fun at the expense of Tony Barnhart, Ron Zook and the Iowa Hawkeyes during Quick Hitters.

To all of our Facebook friends, you can click here to listen to our podcast.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Ahh, list journalism. Creating angry fans wherever you go




So, which one of these guys is the better coach?

I've enjoyed the work of Tom Dienhart for years. A former Sporting News editor, Dienhart is now writing college football for Rivals.com.

But this column, smells of the "what can I write to generate hits by really pissing someone off" variety.

Dienhart lists the coaches in the Big 10 as such.

1. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa
2. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan
3. Jim Tressel, Ohio State
4. Joe Paterno, Penn State
5. Mark Dantonio, Michigan State
6. Ron Zook, Illinois
7. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin
8. Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
9. Danny Hope, Northwestern
10. Tim Brewster, Minnesota
11. Bill Lynch, Indiana


I know, I know. Bill Lynch at #11??!?!?! OUTRAGEOUS!

You can read Dienhart's reasons by clicking the link.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Egos galore--Meyer vs. Spurrier

Maybe Urban Meyer should wear a visor Saturday and play golf until kickoff of the Florida-South Carolina game. Why?

He might as well go for the full Spurrier.

Twice in two days Meyer--possibly the most arrogant coach in the NCAA since Rich-Rod has been humbled at Michigan--has referred to himself as "the head football coach." According to The Miami Herald, Meyer did it on Sunday during a teleconference and he did it again on Monday during a press conference.

Let the head games begin. We all know that Steve Spurrier calls himself the "Head Ball Coach," something he started as the Florida Gators czar in the 1990s.

There's no question Meyer is taking shots at Spurrier. It's probably an attempt to fire up his own team, who hasn't played well against Spurrier's South Carolina teams. What Meyer needs to remember is Spurrier built the Florida dynasty that he was handed when Ron Zook couldn't manage it.

Show Steve some respect.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Picks of the Week


Colorado (+5 1/2) over Florida State
This game is technically at a neutral site (Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville), but FSU will have the clear home-field advantage. However, the Noles offense is sputtering with its two-QB system (Christian Ponder and D'Vontrey Richardson). Let's also note that Jimbo Fisher is the most overrated offensive coordinator/future head coach in the country. Colorado is 4-0 and very confident following the upset win over West Virginia last week. I like Buffs QB Cody Hawkins to find a way to beat FSU. He's not the most consistent thrower, but he's gutsy.
Pick:
Colorado 27, FSU 17

Georgia (-7) over Alabama
The Bulldogs don't need a "Black Out" to lower the Tide on Saturday night. Georgia is simply better than Nick Saban's boys. Alabama is better and will continue to improve under sad-sack Saban, but the Tide won't roll this week. Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno will shine inside the hedges in Athens.
Pick: Georgia 28, Alabama 20

Purdue (+1) over Notre Dame
Both teams are 2-1 and this match up has had some memorable games. This game could very easily come down to which quarterback plays better--Purdue's Curtis Painter or Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen. Clausen has improved from last year and he's getting a little more protection, but Painter will win this battle. I hate to take Purdue on the road, but the Boilermakers will make fewer mistakes and pull out the mini-upset.
Pick: Purdue 22, Notre Dame 14

Nebraska (-7) over Virginia Tech
This is a gut pick. I haven't seen enough of the Cornhuskers to pick this one on facts. Here's what I know. Nebraska is more disciplined under Bo Pelini and the Huskers are playing at home. Virginia Tech is young and have struggled each week. Beamer Ball is highly overrated. Frank's a good coach, but his team will cave in Lincoln.
Pick: Nebraska 34, Virginia Tech 17

Upset special

Illinois (+15 1/2) over Penn State
Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I think Penn State is the most overrated team coming into every season. Despite Jo-Pa enjoying a 4-0 start, the Nittany Lions victories are against weak teams. Ron Zook, on the other hand, is developing something with the Fighting Illini. Following a wild 52-42 loss in the season opener against Missouri, Illinois has righted itself against weaker competition. QB Juice Williams has been tough to stop the past two weeks running and throwing. He humbles the PSU defense, which the heads at ESPN are giving way too much credit.
Pick:
Illinois 30, Penn State 27

Last week: 4-1
Season: 4-1