…I-N-I!
Although they finished 11th out of the Big Ten last year, my alma-matter, the University of Illinois Fighting Illini (sans the Chief) improved significantly this year, and will (finally, at long last) be making the trip to Pasadena to play USC at the Rose Bowl.
Granted, that’s not quite the same achievement as it was in pre-BCS days, but still, it’s an incredible improvement over the shame of having the infamy of being eleventh in the Big Ten.
I’m sure many Minnesotans would agree. 