Ron Turner expects to roam the Illinois sidelines against Rutgers on September 3, 2005 and does not think Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther has decided Turner’s future, he said at a press conference Monday.

“Yeah I do,” Turner said when asked if he expected to be back next year.

Turner, in his eighth year at Illinois, is under contract for two more years.

He has compiled a 35-56 record at Illinois and has led the team to two bowl games – the 1999 Micronpc.com Bowl and the 2002 Sugar Bowl. Since the 2001 season, Illinois has won nine games in three years.

Turner and Guenther meet regularly and discuss how the Illini are doing this year. Turner said his job status has not been a topic of conversation between the two.

Illinois (3-7) and Northwestern (5-5) play at 11 a.m. Saturday in Evanston, Ill. With a win, Illinois will end the season with two conference victories and spoil the Wildcats’ bowl hopes.

Northwestern needs to beat both Illinois and Hawaii on Nov. 27. Northwestern plays 12 games and must win seven to become bowl eligible.