Big Ten Media Day: Illinois Coach Ron Zook

(Iowa does not play Illinois this season. …  The Illini scored more points and averaged 86.5 yards more per game than its opponents in Big Ten play, but went only 3-5 in the conference.  … Illinois is playing Fresno State in Champaign on Dec. 5.)

CHICAGO -- Comments from Illinois Coach Ron Zook Monday at the Big Ten's football Media Day:

"We've got three new (assistant) coaches. -- two line coaches and an offensive coordinator."

"We've made some progress."

"I don't know if you have to have a running back come in and be the guy (regarding RB by committee, the situation Illinois is in.). ... All four of them are guys we feel like we can win with. ... You've got four guys you feel can all play and win with us."

"I feel very good about our running game right now."

"Put the team on Juice's back. Juice can be just who he is."

(Juice is quarterback Juice Williams. He is good.)

(SEC compared to Big Ten) "The Southeastern Conference may have had a few more big people who could run. But I think in this league, there's teams that can play in any league in the country. ... Until we go win the bowl games and win the games out of conference, there's really not a whole lot we can say. ... It still comes down you have to play every Saturday. (Huh?)"

"(On Ohio State being Big Ten champ the last four years) Us personally, we're gonna do the things that give us the best chance to win. ... I think everybody in this league can win the conference."

"You're playing 12 games now and it's hard for guys to go 12 straight weeks. It's hard for coaches to go 12 straight weeks. We're playing December 5th, so we'll have two open dates. ... That's one way we feel like we can help ourselves, get some open dates and rest to help guys heal."