Illinois at USC

USC was penciled into the National Championship game long before the season started, so how are they going to be motivated against an opponent that has been given no national recognition for years? You would have to think that if the Trojans made it to the championship game, they would be favored over any team. That's where the problem lies. This team is the most talented in the nation, but at the same time they seemed to take every game as if it was theirs before the first second clicked off the clock. In a dissapointing bowl game against a less-than-expected opponent, why would anyone expect their "A" game? Well, every news columnist, sportswriter, and so-called expert is calling for a USC blowout. We don't think so. This is the biggest game in a long time for Illinois. This is a good young, motivated, hungry and most of all, talented team. Everyone forgets they opened with Missouri, out gained them in total yards, and lost by only six points despite a -3 turnover margin! They have played tough against every top team on their schedule and went to Columbus and did the unthinkable. They not only beat the Buckeyes, but out gained them as well. Illinois also own wins over Wisconsin and Penn State. The fact is that they may not have the name of a team that is in the BCS mix year-in and year-out, but they belong. They are tough on both sides of the ball and can run on anyone. USC lost to lowly Stanford, so when they aren't motivated or on their "A" game they can be very ordinary. Illinois has not lost by this many points to anyone this season and won't here either.