CHAMPAIGN - One sure-fire way to click on that mid-summer heat is to get on with the start of football practice.

What better way to end the unseasonably cool weather that has graced Central Illinois throughout most of July?

The University of Illinois will at least tempt the weather fates when it begins practice next Thursday in Champaign. And after two sessions each on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (and after the annual media day activities on Sunday, Aug. 9), the team will pack up and head north for 13 days at Camp Rantoul.

That stay will include a public intrasquad scrimmage at Rantoul High School on Saturday night, Aug. 15.

Fan Appreciation Day is scheduled for Aug. 29 at Memorial Stadium, then it's into Game Week as the Illini zero in on the season opener, Sept. 5 against Missouri at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Sound like a lot?

That opener will be here before you can say, "Red Grange."

Speaking of which, the university is excited to be unveiling a statue of "The Galloping Ghost" that will be placed on the outside of the west entrances to Memorial Stadium.

The concrete platform that will hold the stature is under construction and the statue itself could be brought into place as early as next week. It will include a plaque commemorating the former Illini great and be ready for photo ops in plenty of time for the home opener Sept. 12 against Illinois State.

Meanwhile, the start of practice means answers will begin coming in for the many questions that surround all teams this time of year.

For Illinois, those mostly boil down to questions about improvement. After winning nine games and going to the Rose Bowl in 2007, Illinois slipped to 5-7 and did not go bowling last season.

Many of team's internal concerns in the off-season have centered on improving team chemistry, leadership and togetherness, elements the coaches and players believe deteriorated last season.

"We were not always on the same page," admitted quarterback Juice Williams, a senior who has been front and center in the push for greater leadership. "But we have worked harder and tried to take everything more seriously this year. Last year was kind of a wakeup call."

Most observers agree that the offense, led by Williams, All-American receiver Arrelious Benn and a loaded list of big-play pass-catchers, has the potential to be a powerhouse.

The defense is far less certain, although there are enough talented and athletic players in place to answer most of those questions.

If special teams are at least adequate, Illinois should be back in the bowl picture.

Some other questions as the start of practice draws near:

Q: There are three new coaches including a new offensive coordinator. How has the transition gone?

A: By all accounts, it has gone very well.

Mike Schultz came in from Texas Christian to replace popular offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. Joe Gilbert arrived from Houston as the new offensive line coach. And Keith Gilmore, who was at Cincinnati last season, is the new defensive line coach.

"It may have been tough for (Schultz), but it wasn't for us," said Williams, who will be running Schultz's plays. "He had to learn about 50 new players. We just had to learn a little about him, because we stayed with the same offense and the same terminology."

"It's a tribute to the coaches and our players," Zook said of the change. "Our players received them with open arms. The transition was unbelievably smooth."

Q: With Daniel Dufrene, Jason Ford, Mikel LeShoure and Troy Pollard, there appears to be a logjam at running back. Is that a good thing?

A: Zook thinks it's a very good thing.

"I don't know that you need to have a running back who takes over," Zook said. "Daniel (Dufrene) has had a great off-season. He shows signs that he could be the guy.

"One of the great things about having a stable full of running backs is that they are all healthy now. And all of them are guys we feel we can win with. I don't know if you can have too many great running backs."

The wild card has yet to see his first practice, and that's incoming freshman Justin Greene from Louisville, Ky., who shunned Ohio State, where his brother, Marcus, had played, in favor of a chance to play at Illinois. He is a two-time Kentucky state sprint champ at 100 meters.

Q: What's the reshuffling at linebacker going to look like?

A: From the minute he walked onto campus, the expectations were off the charts for Martez Wilson, the linebacker from Chicago Simeon.

He may be Illinois' most heralded recruit ever, having turned down Southern Cal, Ohio State, Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame, Florida and Michigan.

A player with superb speed, Zook started him at outside linebacker and he played there as a freshman and sophomore with mixed results.

But now, with middle linebackers J Leman and Brit Miller out of the way, Wilson moves into the middle.

"If you go back and look at J and Brit, it was really their junior years before they came on and had the type of year we were all expecting," Zook said.

"Martez had a great spring and a great off-season. He understands those expectations. He knows how to play the game and when he knows what to do, he's as good as I've been around and I think he wants to pattern himself after Brit and J."

If Wilson can thrive in the middle, it will make things easier for the outside linebackers, which going into camp appear to be high-energy Ian Thomas and sophomore Russell Ellington.

Q: There's also a backlog of wide receivers. How can they make everyone happy?

A: To quote Al Davis of the Oakland Raiders, "Just win, baby. Just win!"If Illinois wins, there will be smiles all around. If Illinois struggles, that's when players start to complain about playing time.

Never in the history of the program does there appear to be such a roster of talent at the wide receiver position. Benn, Florida transfer Jarred Fayson and big Jeff Cumberland all have NFL potential. But it doesn't stop there with Chris Duvalt, A.J. Jenkins, Jack Ramsey, Cordale Scott, Fred Sykes and Chris James also vying for time.

And that says nothing of two promising freshmen, Terry Hawthorn and Steve Hull.

Plus senior tight end Michael Hoomanawanui looks poised for a big year.

Q: How does the schedule look?

A: Put simply, it's front-loaded and Illinois will need to get off to a decent start. It opens against Missouri in St. Louis, where Illinois has yet to win. And the first three Big Ten games are at Ohio State and at home against Penn State and Michigan State.

How did the media pick the Big Ten race in a preseason poll? Ohio State was picked to win, followed by Penn State and Michigan State.

It won't be easy. And it starts with training camp next week.

mtupper@herald-review.com|421-7983