Burden of proof rests on Illini

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

How a champion sounds: "I love being the team that (everyone wants to beat) because it displays the position that you're in. It solidifies you and tells you what you're all about. You want to be that team. You want to be the team that has to try to live up to your standards and is almost unattainable and beyond expectations for other coaches. It separates us. It makes us unique. We learn to dwell in that and it fuels us."

Pete Carroll and his Southern California football team have earned such a reputation, such a badge of intimidation. It happens when you win 75 games over six seasons while ending each in a Bowl Championship Series game. When you are as much part of the annual national championship discussion as that gigantic trophy balancing a crystal football.

Greatness is rewarded with fear from others.

It's on Illinois to overcome such anxiety today. Any perception that pressure to win the Rose Bowl rests in the same ZIP code as USC's sideline is sorely mistaken. The Trojans time and again have confirmed their rank as one of college football's most consistent winners this decade. Losing today won't change that. The Illini only have shown they no longer stink. The burden of proof is theirs alone in Pasadena.

Ironic. The one reason many believe a college playoff is no closer to happening than it was two or five or seven years ago is the same one that allowed Illinois its first Rose Bowl trip since 1984.

Tradition is this game's most powerful symbol, and although BCS rankings at times in recent years have replaced the established Big Ten-Pac-10 matchup with teams from other leagues, those who run the bowl would rather be stuck repeatedly in the head with the thorns of countless rose stems than approve any plan that might permanently change such a recognized alliance.

For this more than anything, Illinois at 9-3 was chosen to oppose USC over a team like Missouri, perceived nationally as more deserving of a trip to Disneyland and being stuffed with prime rib. For this more than anything, the last thing Illinois can do today is perform as the nearly two-touchdown underdog oddsmakers have painted it.

It's not just about the Illini. The Big Ten has departed its last four Rose Bowls losers.

"We have a responsibility to the University of Illinois and a responsibility to the Big Ten," Illinois coach Ron Zook said. "If you have any pride about where you go to school or the conference that you're in, I know people kind of judge where the best football is played by the bowl scenarios.

"... It's important that all the Big Ten teams play the best that they can. I know there are teams in this league that can play with anybody in the country. You can say that, but you have to go do it, and that's what's important to our guys, to understand that we have to go and play it to the best of our ability."

It's doubtful that will be enough. You would think USC's sometimes shaky offensive ways would allow Illinois to keep things closer than the 45-9 pasting UCLA handed the Illini in their last Rose Bowl. But this current team includes the same number of players to have competed in any bowl as there are Las Vegas casinos without slots. Zero.

Some jump. From no personal knowledge of a postseason game to competing in the most hallowed of bowls against the team that will make its 32nd Rose appearance today. Some massive challenge.

The popular belief is that such a moment is too soon for Illinois, that while Zook has produced one of the country's most impressive turnarounds (his first two Illini teams went a combined 4-19) following his firing at Florida in 2004, this is still a program that in 2005 lost a homecoming game 63-10 to Penn State. The popular belief is that Illinois' progression was first suited for a bowl such as the Alamo or Motor City than Granddaddy himself.

Today, Illinois is handed an opportunity to prove everyone wrong. USC has more than verified its worthiness.

"We need to go out there and not lay an egg and get the jitters out, because it is a great stage," Illinois linebacker Brit Miller said. "We have to go out and know that we can play with these guys. We can't get caught up in the moment. Once we found out we were playing USC, we knew that it would be a great challenge for us."

Meeting it could be a different story.

Ed Graney can be reached at 383-4618 or egraney@reviewjournal.com.