Oct. 23—***
Memories of the long ago games are getting a bit fuzzy. But the ramifications of 1990s Illinois-Oregon matchups remain crystal clear.
If you reverse the results of Illinois losses to the Ducks in 1993 and 1995, the fate of Lou Tepper's tenure might have been altered dramatically,
Illinois dropped a 13-7 home game against Oregon in 1993 that included a controversial call. The game was a week after Illinois lost 16-14 at home against Arizona. Illinois probably didn't need consecutive noncon games against the Pac-10.
The 1993 team opened the season 0-3 and could never recover, though it did beat ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor. Illinois finished 5-6 and home for the holidays.
In 1995, Illinois followed a loss in the opener against Michigan with a game at Oregon. Kevin Hardy and Simeon Rice's final team led by double digits in the fourth quarter before Oregon rallied for a 34-31 victory.
The '95 Illini, with the second and third picks in the NFL, draft didn't go bowling. The postseason hopes ended with a 3-3 tie at Wisconsin, the last one in FBS history.
Had Tepper's team won against Oregon in 1993 and '95, it would have been bowl-bound four years in a row. His career in C-U would have certainly extended beyond the '96 season.
That's a lot of buildup for what comes next: My pick for Saturday's Illinois-Oregon game at Gies Memorial Stadium: Illinois 34, Oregon 31. Call it Tepper's revenge, though the good-guy coach doesn't begrudge anyone or anything.
Instead of losing a lead late like in 1995, my guess is Michael Clayton II rallies the Illini after an early deficit.
What do you think? Here is your chance to tell me in prediction form. Send an email to with your predicted score for both teams. Include your name, where you live and if you are an alum. Add anything else that strikes your fancy.
Don't forget the 2 p.m. kick time, so enter early. The winner will be announced next week in this space. If you hit the final score on the button, you win a $50 gift card to Papa Del's.
If you care to make my life easier, please put your score prediction on the subject line.
Good luck and have a great weekend.