Power of Recruiting: Fighting Illini

[Water Pony]

Ron Zook is making an impact in his third year in Champaign. Considered a big time recruiter who was fired by Florida, Ron is getting this players and fans to buy into his upbeat, we will win strategy:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/s ... id=3051881

[The Spaz]

Well, the win against Wisconsin did really boost morale around here. The town went nuts afterwards...

[ponyte]

Before we all get giddy, a little reality check. Last spring, I was talking to a friend that also happens to be a former Illinois football player. He predicted this season would be a good one for Illinois. The reason is that Illinois had resumed its former practice of dirty recruiting. He was matter of fact about it. Hewas even somewhat smug about it as if Illinois was joining the other Big 10 schools. One got the impression that he had been disgusted with the 'clean' program and was now quietly satisfied that business as usual had returned. Now given that the NCAA no longer investigates or punishes BSC schools, the Illinois will be sweet until one of its sister conference schools turns them in.

This is not a model for us. The NCAA wil give out the Death Penalty again if the NCAA can catch SMU doing what other schools do.

[Water Pony]

I understand the concern and the possibility of dirty recruiting. However, their isn't any evidence of that. Big Ten and other BCS schools were claiming fowl without specifics. Could be true, could be jealousy.

The point is the important of recruiting is breaking a long cycle of under-performance. This make good coaches, great coaches. Average FB teams, great FB teams, e.g. Top 25.

[mustang1108]

I honestly dont see the ncaa giving out any more death penalties. there have been several schools caught cheating like arkansas, alabama, and especially ou. at most the ncaa just takes away scholarships these days and wont let a team go to a bowl game. as for smu we dont exactly have that problem so i say do whatever it takes.

[J.T.supporta]

Zook LOVES to TEXT ... dirty recruiting or not, that Illini team has great team speed and athletic talent. Juice, Mendenhall, and Benn are the of the best in the big 10