Beat writer SCOTT RICHEY highlights four items ahead of today's 2 p.m. start at Memorial Stadium:
1. An actual spring game is a byproduct of the Illini actually having enough players available unlike years past. "Years when we didn't, we didn't have the numbers," Illinois coach Lovie Smith said. "We just couldn't. You've got to at least be two-deep on offense and defense to be able to have a spring game."
2. Don't get too caught up in the defined Team Grange (first-team offense and second-team defense) and Team Butkus (second-team offense and first-team defense).