A look at how Bob Asmussen voted in this week's AP poll and how it compares, plus the Harris, Coaches and BCS polls

"I feel bad for those guys," Illini tailback Mikel Leshoure said. "We've got a lot of young guys on the team who don't really know what those guys have been through. The times that they had here at Illinois wasn't all about their Rose Bowl season. They were here when it was two wins. There's not too much I can do now for them."

Final score: Northwestern 21, Illinois 16

CHAMPAIGN -- You can put away your shorts and sun screen. The Illinois
football team, and presumably its fans, will be home for the holidays.

Staff writer Jeff Huth will post his grade for Saturday's game tonight, but we can't wait. Let us know your grade here

WHAT IT MEANS

Illinois won't be playing in a bowl game for the second consecutive year and for the seventh time in eight seasons. Only the 2007 trip to the Rose Bowl breaks up the string. Seniors Jon Asamoah, Dere Hicks, Doug Pilcher, etc., who were hoping for three consecutive postseasons, now can look fondly back at only their sophomore year.

CHAMPAIGN - In those opening seconds, when Illinois' 220-pound package of explosiveness careened off a Northwestern tackler and bounded 40 yards to the Illini 41, you could understand Arrelious Benn's status with NFL scouts.

He remains a projected Top 20 draft pick, ranking alongside Oklahoma State's suspended Dez Bryant as the 2009 receivers with the best professional potential.

llini's slim bowl hopes go poof, while Wildcats bolster their bowl resume. Pat Fitzgerald's new nickname is "Coach Who Owns the Illini."

HOUSTON — The NFL fined Houston Texans safety Eugene Wilson $5,000 for hitting Colts tight end Dallas Clark during last weekend's game.

The former Illini was penalized for unnecessary roughness for the hit, which came in the second quarter and the Colts leading 13-0. Indianapolis won the game 20-17.