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CHICAGO — Can the Illini keep it up?

The University of Illinois had a breakout football season last year, but coach Ron Zook's goal now is to build a program that has some staying power.

"The mood out there is, 'Is it just going to be a one-and-done year for Illinois?' " Zook said Friday, July 25, at the Big Ten media event.

The Illini, who were picked by the media to finish third in the Big Ten, went 9-4 last season after going 2-10 and 2-9 in Zook's first two years. But they were splattered by Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl, leading many to suspect last year's showing could be a fluke.

"Two things we said when we got back from California: One, we said, 'Guys, when you watch the tape, you're going to be really disappointed. We didn't play the way we're capable of playing.' ... And the No. 2 thing is, we know what people are saying," Zook said. "That's why, if we can take a freshman class and go all four years and win, then you can say you've turned the corner."

Soft schedule defended

Third-year Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema had to answer for his team's daisy-like nonleague schedule: Akron, Marshall, Fresno State and Cal-Poly.

"What you have to take into perspective as a reporter is, find out when those games were scheduled," said an edgy Bielema, who pointed out that the only game he arranged was the latter one.

"The reason I scheduled Cal-Poly was because before we play Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State back-to-back this season, I was set to play Virginia Tech, and that didn't seem like a good idea for me when you have those games. I got out of playing Virginia Tech."

The Badgers now have a bye before running that gauntlet of league powers and will end the season against Cal-Poly on Nov. 22.

Bielema added, "The reason I think we've been successful is because we've had good scheduling."

Gophers aiming high

Minnesota won the last of its 18 Big Ten championships in 1967, but second-year coach Tim Brewster is confident the program can return to its dominant ways.

"We're committed to winning championships," he said. "As I travel Minnesota, I feel the state's pain and the fact that we haven't represented the Big Ten in a long time in Pasadena. That's a tremendous challenge for me, our staff and our school. ... Without question, we believe we can make an impact in the Big Ten."

Wildcats not happy

Standards have risen at Northwestern, whose 6-6 record last season satisfied no one.

"When I arrived in 1993, if we would have had six wins then, we would have had a parade down Central Street. We would've shut it down and had a purple party in Chicago," said coach Pat Fitzgerald, once a star linebacker for the Wildcats. "But things have changed — it's taken 13 years — and we're not where we need to be."