I could have skipped the Illinois football banquet Sunday. There were plenty of other things to do: go get a Christmas tree, clean my office, watch ESPN's endless bowl countdown, listen to Brian Barnhart call the Illinois men's basketball game.
But at 11:45 Sunday morning, I jumped in the Honda Civic and it seemed to drive itself to the I Hotel. That's been the home to the annual team celebration the last half decade or so.
The crew at the I Hotel does a great job putting on the event.
I've been going to the banquets for years.