Missouri 37, Illinois 9. There were three keys to Illinois reversing last year's tailspin and returning to the '07 form that took them to the Rose Bowl: a) Winning the turnover margin; b) Finding a consistent running threat to complement Juice Williams; and c) Finding a way to keep Arrelious Benn involved in the offense at all times.So 0-for-3 then: The Illini finished –2 in giveaways, the leading rusher finished with 39 yards on a long of 11 and Benn left the game with an ankle injury. For good measure, starters Jason Ford and Jarred Fayson limped off the field, as well; at least Fayson returned, but he couldn't keep the Illini from sinking to their lowest point total in 18 games. Ron Zook's new record through four years and one game: 18-31.. Juice is 15-19 as a starting quarterback.
To Missouri: Your superfreak freshman quarterback was everything his recruiting stars said he would be, with no appreciable drop-off from Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin et al; I might have guessed both by the end of the year, but not right out of the gate, against what was supposed to be a quality team. Maybe Missouri quarterback really has become a glamour position that makes a star of everyone who steps into it; we'll find out when Blaine Gabbert comes across a stiffer defense that Illinois' (Oklahoma State made a pretty good case in that department), but the preseason assumptions about the Tigers' standing in the Big 12 North are pretty much null and void already.
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