Northwestern's quarterback, Dan Persa, is apparently going to play football. Today at practice Pat Fitzgerald said he would be "shocked" if the senior didn't take the field against Illinois.

We made lots of hub-bubs about Persa's health and status and health and status and health and status over the summer as it became clear he might not be healthy. Then he wasn't and we still beat Boston College. Then Northwestern lost to Army and oh Jesus it's so clear that we were all right all summer that we were very concerned about him.

Northwestern is a good team with Persa and a sub-par one without him. It's difficult to stress enough how important he is despite being one man on a 22-person squad. Without Persa, Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian were, like, alright I guess, but weren't going to get the job done. (Look at the fan confidence chart below. It looks like the 1920's stock market.) So this is so encouraging headed into a game against a currently-ranked Illinois team. By which I mean, well, now I think we might win whereas without him I'd expect a blowout.