Fourth-and-blog

19 days to 2009 opener

Posted by: Bob Asmussen

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 7:39 PM

The Big Ten Network is coming. The Big Ten Network is coming.

It's always a treat to see Howard Griffith, Gerry DiNardo and Dave Revsine. They will be in Champaign and Rantoul on Wednesday, taping and interviewing for a show that airs at 9 p.m. Set the DVR.

Former Illini Griffith has good insight on the Illinois program. And DiNardo understands human nature. A year ago, he told me Illinois would have a difficult time following up its breakout 2007 season. He couldn't have been more right.

I'll be curious what the former Indiana, LSU, Vanderbilt coach has to say about the 2009 Illini. Because he will have seen six other schools on the tour, he'll have a way to gauge the talent he sees.

Though not everything is perfect, you'd have to say the Big Ten Network has outperformed most projections. Fans get to see every football and basketball game they want and non-revenue sports have a dedicated television venue.

We know that at least two Illinois football games will be on the Big Ten Network: the home opener Sept.12 against Illinois State and the home closer Dec. 5 against Fresno State. Count on a few more Big Ten network games in between.

To read Day 20, click here.

To read Day 21, click here

To read Day 22, click here.

To read Day 23, click here

To read Day 24, click here

To read Day 25, click here

To read Day 26, click here.

To read Day 27, click here.

To read Day 28, click here

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