Dec. 26, 2001

NEW ORLEANS - Coach Ron Turner has already orchestrated one of the most impressive turnarounds in college football history during his five years at Illinois. But he sure would like one more victory this season.

Turner's seventh-ranked Illini hope to complete a dream season with a win in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day when they take on No. 12 LSU in the first-ever meeting between the schools.

All Turner has done during his tenure with the Illini (10-1) is take an 0-11 team in 1997 and transform it into the 2001 Big Ten champions - Illinois' first outright conference championship in 18 years.

This will be the Illini's first trip to a Bowl Championship Series game.

Now the Big Ten coach of the year would like nothing more than to seal the season in grand fashion in New Orleans.

"It would obviously mean a lot to all of us, it would be something we would be very proud of," Turner said. "But we can't get too focused on looking at that. We've got to keep focused on what we have all year, what got us here."

After a dismal 3-19 start in his first two years with Illinois, Turner can reach the break-even mark (34-34) with a victory against LSU (9-3).

The Tigers got into the BCS picture by capturing the Southeastern Conference crown with a stunning 31-20 upset of eighth-ranked Tennessee in the SEC championship game on Dec. 8.

Even LSU coach Nick Saban, a longtime friend of Turner from their days as NFL assistants, believes Illinois is a special team.

"They obviously have a good football team," said Saban. "They have only lost one game and won seven games in a row to get where they are today.

"I think they are going to try to make a claim to fame that if they win 11 games this year they should be in consideration to be national champions. That presents quite a challenge for our team."

Although Turner's miraculous turnaround at Illinois has grabbed national attention, Saban has done quite a restoration job in Baton Rouge, La.

The Tigers were 3-8 in 1999, but are making their second bowl appearance in as many seasons under Saban, not to mention the surprising SEC title they picked up earlier this month.

"If you had asked me when I took the job if we'd be in the position we're in, I would have said I'd be surprised," Saban admitted.

The Illini do not have a legitimate chance to earn a national title, but Turner is glad they were selected to represent their conference in one of the eight elite spots reserved by the BCS.

"Do we deserve to be in a BCS game? Yeah, we do," Turner said. "We're 10-1 and our only loss is against (No. 17 Michigan on Sept. 29). There's no question about it."

While Turner is happy to be in New Orleans, some of his players feel they were deserving of a trip to the Rose Bowl, where top-ranked Miami and No. 4 Nebraska, which also has one loss, will battle for the national championship on Jan. 3.

"That's something that makes me a little mad," Illinois center Luke Butkus said. "But that's something we can't control. We worry about things we can control."

Illini quarterback Kurt Kittner sided with Turner, insisting that an invite to any BCS game should be viewed as a privilege, especially after Illinois stayed home last winter with an unimpressive 5-6 record.

"I've been hearing this the last couple of weeks, people complaining they should be in the Rose Bowl, they should be in this bowl," Kittner said.

"Why are people complaining? They're in great bowls against great teams. You're dealt what you're dealt. You need to deal with it and make the most of it."

Kittner needs to throw for 266 yards to become Illinois' all-time leading passer. Jack Trudeau holds the current mark with 8,725.

Saban's Tigers will be without one of their top players as leading rusher LaBrandon Toefield (992 yards) will sit out after injuring his knee two weeks ago during practice and undergoing surgery.

That leaves Domanick Davis, who rushed for 406 yards on 75 carries during the regular season, to pick up the slack.

After expressing some concern over the health of quarterback Rohan Davey, Saban said the senior will start in the Sugar Bowl despite the strong performance of backup Matt Mauck in the stirring victory over Tennessee.

"Ro is starting," Saban said. "We're pleased with the way Matt's played, but we're also appreciative of the guy who's been our man all year long."

Davey, who is still nursing sore ribs, became LSU's first-ever 3,000-yard passer this season.

Saban, who previously coached at Michigan State, owns a 4-0 career mark against Illinois.