CHAMPAIGN – It’s not quite game time yet, but the Illini football opener is just around the corner.

Coach Lovie Smith has already shut down the bulk of practices to media and fans. The real preparation for Lovie’s first season in Memorial Stadium is getting into high gear. But let’s take a look back at the players who made a big move during preseason drills.

We’ll call them the Picks to Click.

We’re not going with the obvious choices. Quarterback Wes Lunt, running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn, defensive end Dawuane Smoot. Those guys are too easy to pick. We wanted to mention some up and comers.

So let’s rely on the analysis of Doug Bucshon, the Orange and Blue publisher who leads the coverage of Orange and Blue News. He’s spent more time watching the Illini than just about anybody in the last few weeks.

He’ll give us some insight on just what to expect this fall from the Picks to Click, i.e., five guys to watch over the next few months as the Illini try to make a run to bowl eligibility in Lovie’s first trip through Big Ten country.