The University of Cincinnati football team gathered to eat Thanksgiving dinner Thursday night.
It was the usual fare of turkey, stuffing, beans and potatoes. The kind of meal the players have eaten for years. The meal might be forgettable. Their mission Friday afternoon is not.
They're about to play another big game in a season of big games. They just got bigger every week as UC stayed undefeated and remained in the national championship discussion.
They'll be featured on national television because of what they've accomplished. Football fans want to see if this UC team is for real. If it deserves to be in title contention.
Illinois comes into the game with a 3-7 record, but Ron Zook's team is only two years removed from a Rose Bowl appearance. They have some dangerous players and a dangerous attitude. They have nothing to lose. They could feel good about this season by coming to Cincinnati and pulling off an upset.
It's a situation UC football has never faced before. They've always been the hunters, not the hunted.
So far, they've handled the spotlight very well. They seemed prepared for any opponent. But now the pressure mounts because the signficance mounts.
Hope they had a great meal. Hope the feast continues on Friday.
