CHAMPAIGN - You know what's the craziest thing about Illinois' 31-26 victory over fifth-ranked Wisconsin on Saturday?

It didn't seem all that difficult.

Don't get me wrong. It's been 18 years since Illinois beat a top-five football team, and Saturday's impressive showing at Memorial Stadium will certainly vault Illinois into today's new Top 25.

And I'm sure taking out the Badgers was a long, long way from easy. It was a brutally physical game with some bone-jarring collisions. When Illini safety Justin Harrison of Bloomington hurled his body at Wisconsin's Garrett Graham at the goal line in the fourth quarter, Harrison went down in a heap, looking like he'd been blindsided in crosstown traffic.

"I'm still a little stiff and dizzy," Harrison said after the game, the cobwebs still clouding his recollection. "But that's just part of the game."

What I mean is that Illinois built a 17-0 lead early with an almost systematic domination, unleashing tailback Rashard Mendenhall for 88 first-quarter yards and sending an instant message that told the Badgers their 14-game winning streak - the longest in the country - would not be going back to the land of milk and cheddar.

Yes, Illinois gave up a bundle of yards through the air. But at no time did I believe Illinois' stranglehold on this victory was in doubt. And in winning its fifth straight game, Illinois has positioned itself for all kinds of fun-to-imagine possibilities. That list now includes:

n Bowl bonanza

Forget wishing for a bowl game. That's going to happen. Start thinking about a good one, a warm-weather game with a big payday, maybe on New Year's Day. The Big Ten might be lousy, but someone from the league has to fill those committed slots. Suddenly, it makes perfect sense to ask, "Why not Illinois?"

n Heisman campaign

Illinois' Sports Information Department probably won't be mass producing Rashard Mendenhall bobblehead dolls to send to Heisman Trophy voters, but Illinois' junior tailback is a legitimate candidate for a number of awards. In six games he has carried 114 times for 772 yards, an average of 6.7 yards per carry. His three touchdowns Saturday give him 12 for the season with six games to go.

n How many victories?

Good question. Before the season, I thought five victories was the over-under number for a successful run. Zook & Co. have reached that at the halfway point.

There are no gimmies, but it seems conservative to project eight wins. Raise your hand if you had this team winning eight games before the season began? Thought so. No one.

n Lucky, to boot!

Two of Illinois' key players were injured Saturday. Wideout Rejus Benn left in the third quarter when he reinjured his right shoulder after administering a stiff arm. Then quarterback Juice Williams hyperextended his knee and left in the fourth quarter. In each case, though, Zook said he expects the players to be ready for action next week when Illinois visits Iowa. A little luck never hurts.

I know, I know. All this talk about lavish bowl trips, Heisman campaigns and sky-high victory totals has us sounding drunk on success and still a bit dizzy from a football turnaround that has created whiplash with its suddenness.

Even Zook warned about proceeding with caution as the frenzy builds.

"I told our team, 'Fellas, this is uncharted ground for all of us,' " Zook said. "It's going to be important that we manage it correctly. We have to take care of us.

"As everyone knows, I'm a big proponent of having a bye week, and we don't have one this season. I told them this is going to be a big week, and I suggested maybe taking Monday off. The players said, 'No, coach, no!'

"I think it shows they are hungry."

I think it shows that after being starved for any crumb of success, winning five in a row and barging into the Top 25 has made this football team crave more.

In the past, suggesting an unexpected day off would have brought cheers and high-fives. But not this season. Not this team.

Heck, no. These players don't want to miss a thing.

At Illinois, football is fun again.

Mark Tupper can be reached mtupper@herald-review.com or 421-7983.