Before the game, tune into ... "Saturday Sportsline" on WDWS 1400-AM, which starts at 8 a.m. Co-hosts Loren Tate and Jim Turpin will chat with former Illini great J Leman — who's working the game for BTN — at 8 a.m., grill Illinois AD Mike Thomas at 8:30 and finish off by talking some basketball (former Illini — from Ted Beach to Kendall Gill to Trent Meacham — had a get-together Friday night at the Colonnades Club).

During the game, you'll listen to ... Central Michigan grad Matt Shepard (play-by-play) and former Michigan State quarterback Tony Banks (sidelines) will work hand-in-hand with Leman, the former Champaign Central star who helped the Illini reach the Rose Bowl in the 2007 season. On radio, Voice of the Illini Brian Barnhart (play-by-play) joins former Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner (analysis) and Steve Kelly (pregame, halftime and postgame) in the booth.

Follow along on IlliniHQ with ... staff writers Marcus Jackson and Paul Klee, whose in-game report will start about 10 a.m. and continue until the final whistle. Jackson's postgame video will be posted by 5 p.m., as will a photo gallery featuring a collection from Darrell Hoemann, Rick Danzl and Robert K. O'Daniell.

After the game ... stick with WDWS for the popular 90-minute call-in show hosted by Brian Moline and former Illini Martin O'Donnell. Want to get something off your chest? Call 217-356-9397 or 800-223-9397 to get on the air.

Get there early to ... catch Tim Beckman and his team perform the Illini Walk at 8:30 a.m. starting at First and Kirby (the first time they tried it, rain messed things up). That kicks off Street Fest, including live music by the Boat Drunks at 9 a.m. If you get lost, no worries. Ask one of the thousands of Boy Scouts in attendance, who as everyone knows are prepared to help.

Be in your seat by the national anthem because ... the outcome's going to be decided about the time you belt out "Gave proof thro' the night." Charleston Southern has been outscored 80-24 in its first two games, allowing 527 yards against The Citadel and committing four turnovers against Jacksonville State. "We're just trying to get better, in all three phases of the game," Bucs coach Jay Mills said.

Keep an eye out for ... Kendrick Nunn, the Chicago Simeon superstar who is visiting John Groce's basketball program this weekend. The senior would be a huge get for Groce, who is desperately trying to reopen the Chicago pipeline that was so good to Illinois in years past. Nunn arrived on campus Thursday in time to watch the Bears-Packers game with members of the coaching staff, toured campus Friday and is expected to check out the football Illini today.

43.5

Illini's average point total in 11 games — all wins — against FCS opponents. The high-water mark is 56 against Southern Illinois in 1990 and matched last season against South Dakota State.