AP Nov. 25, 2001
Illinois has two words for Ohio State: Thank you.
The Buckeyes' 26-20 victory over Michigan on Saturday means Illinois doesn't have to share the Big Ten title with the Wolverines. It also means that Illinois is the outright winner of the Big Ten title.
A nervous coach Ron Turner watched the game at his home with his wife, Wendy.
"I told my wife, 'This is a lot harder than being out there coaching,' " Turner said. "My wife says, 'Tell me about it - I do it every week!'
"To be watching something like this with so much at stake, but you have absolutely no control over it, it's definitely a lot harder (than coaching)."
The No. 10 Illini will represent the conference in the Bowl Championship Series at the Fiesta, Sugar or Orange Bowl. This is Illinois' first conference championship since 1983, when the Illini went to the Rose Bowl and lost 45-9 to UCLA.
"(This) just means so much," Turner said. "We felt like we were champions when we won the game on Saturday. Obviously, having it outright and going to a BCS game means so much more. It's going to be great for the future."
The Illini (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) assured themselves of at least a share of the conference crown on Thursday with a 34-28 victory over Northwestern. They posted their best regular-season record since 1983.
There are some critics who say this is a down year for the Big Ten and the Illini may struggle against an elite team in whatever bowl they wind up.
"We're 10-1 and our only loss (Michigan) was to a Top 10 team," Turner said. "Wherever we go, we'll play the best that we can and expect to win."
With Saturday's loss, Michigan might play in the Citrus Bowl for the third time in four years while the Buckeyes could receive a bid to play in the Outback Bowl.
