Maybe it is time people starting giving more credit to Ron Turner as the offensive wizard in his family. Brother, Norv, still has his hands full with the Redskins while Ron continues to build balance in his attack. The Illini are a threat to put thirty points on the board against anyone. While Kurt Kittner, the most improved player in the nation last year, gets the headlines, Antoineo Harris and Rocky Harvey keep slugging along to keep the chains moving. The Illinois offense is the most balanced in the Big Ten and it will serve them well during the colder weeks of the season when passers have some difficulty. With ten starters returning this year, Turner has this unit in top form already.

Game Plan: No. 17 Illinois

Offense: No hits on quarterback early in game. Be ready for run and pass blitzes. Hit the holes fast and hard. Defense: Blitzes up middle are not good. Contain the bootleg passes; get someone in QB's face. Tackle and strip the ball. Kicking: Pressure Epstein on every kick. Kick away from David Terrell. Watch for fake punt near 50-yard line. Players: Strap it on! This game goes to the toughest. Play hard; ignore mistakes and keep going. Must play all 60 minutes to win. Coaches: Poise and confidence throughout the game. Make adjustments quickly; do not wait until half time. Enjoy being part of this battle.

Tackle Marques Sullivan and guard Ray Redziniak lead the offensive front. They will get their most severe test of the year from Michigan with its quickness and stunts. This forward wall must protect a gimpy Kittner and make some holes for Harris and Harvey. Michigan also is noted for its run blitzes on early downs to get an offense in long yardage; alert calls at the line are a necessity. The first quarter is critical with the pass protection, as Michigan is very aggressive early in the games against good passers; they like to send a message.

If Kittner is limited or unable to play, Turner will turn to Dustin Ward, who finished in the game against Cal last week. The offense took a dramatic turn to conservatism with Ward, something surely noticed by the Michigan coaches. The Illini offense will need to have two sets of plans ready this week, which means extra work in the classroom.

Illinois is again playing clash-bang type defense that Dick Butkus and Ray Nitschke once played in Memorial Stadium, and they are having fun doing it. The stats are not overly impressive, but they are not allowing teams to score, and that's the important thing.