While there was no way any of the first four games of the Illinois football season were unimportant, it would seem safe to say that this weekend’s game will mark the start of a series of contests that will determine the Illini’s true worth.

If the Illini can finish what so many times they came up excruciatingly short with last year, they may shine some of the spotlight on themselves that hasn’t been on this program since Kurt Kittner was throwing to Brandon Lloyd.

This weekend’s game has the potential to end one of two ways: an upset that vaults the Illini into bowl consideration, or a heart-wrenching defeat that the Illini fans have come to expect in the years since the departure of that Sugar Bowl team.

There is no doubt that this game will be the hardest of the season to date – with the possibility of it being the toughest on the Illini’s entire schedule – but that hardly disqualifies Illinois from having a chance this week.

The team has shown too much this season for anyone to believe that it will just roll over. Although their hot start was something of a surprise to some, you only need to look back to last year’s games against Penn State, Ohio State and Wisconsin to see that the Illini can play with the Big Ten’s best.

Against Penn State in 2006, Illinois led at halftime, albeit only 9-3. Some untimely miscues and a substantial defensive charge from the Nittany Lions sealed the Penn State victory.

Quarterback Juice Williams was only making his fifth start and created a bad chain of decisions that yielded worse results. While he has made huge strides since then, he knows that he still has more work to do.

Williams will admit that his inconsistent play can be attributed to “nerves and anxiety.” He says he finds himself attempting to make plays when they aren’t necessary – trying to be the hero. Williams knows, however, that when he relaxes, enjoys himself and lets the plays come to him, that he is at his best.

“Keeping the smile on my face in tough situations,” Williams said, “I have to remember to do that.”

Try as he may, it will likely be very hard for Williams to stay positive against a Penn State defense that will be pinning its ears back and coming after him, forcing him to throw.

College defenses, as a rule, try to stop the run first and force a team to become one dimensional. Against a running game like Illinois’ there is little doubt that Penn State will try to stifle Rashard Mendenhall at all costs.

The Illini’s best option to counter Penn State’s attempts to shut down the running game will most likely be to run right at the front four. Against a supremely athletic team like Penn State, running downhill and between the tackles will negate some of the defense’s speed and athleticism.

Another factor working in the Illini’s favor is their spread option. The formation has been a topic of interest of late and likely a viable formation. For those who have been able to see the Illini on their road games, it is easy to tell that they are trying to use the formation more, especially with four wide receivers.

Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley has been questioned about the system as of late and asked why he favors it. Locksley said that it is exceedingly difficult for a team to match up against because the opposition has to account for the receivers, a running back and a mobile quarterback. Trying to account for six skill players in a set like that is something that a defense doesn’t ordinarily face and a difficult task at best.

Games like these are the ones in which game planning and coaching can make a considerable difference. The game will be one of many adjustments, many changes on the fly and at halftime. Expect both head coaches to be storming up and down the sidelines, pleading with their teams for extra effort and with officials for calls that went awry. Though their coaching styles differ, and Paterno has had more success, it’s Zook that has everything to gain for the Illini.

Daniel Johnson is a junior in Communications. He can be reached at [email protected].