CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- When Illinois players talk about the differences between this summer and last, they talk about excitement and calm.They use both words to describe changes that have begun under their first-year leader, longtime NFL coach Lovie Smith. And both words illustrate the sharp contrast between this summer and last, when their coach was fired just a week before the opening game.I think thats a great feeling. Its a feeling we havent felt in a while, just as players, senior quarterback Wes Lunt said.Part of Smiths job has been trying to repair both the reputation of Illini football and the teams morale, both damaged when Tim Beckman was fired last summer amid allegations that he mistreated players and interfered in medical decisions.Of course, Smith is at Illinois to do more than polish a tarnished brand. Under Beckman and replacement Bill Cubit, wins were scarce. Cubit was thrust into the interim role when Beckman was fired and the team finished 5-7 (2-6 Big Ten). Illinois never won more than six games in Beckmans three seasons.We were a five-win team last year, I understand that, Smith said. I know were going to be a better team.A few things to keep an eye out for as Illinois prepares to open the season:A LOAD OFF LUNTLunts history of injuries and a lack of proven pass-catchers -- another anterior cruciate ligament tear is expected to sideline Mike Dudek for a second straight season -- mean Illinois will need to be able to run the ball. That means sophomore KeShawn Vaughn, the only experienced back on the roster, will see a lot of carries.In order for us to have success at the running game Keshawn Vaughn has to have a good year. He realizes it, Smith said.Vaughn carried the ball 157 times for 723 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman.DEFENSE FIRSTSmith pointed out before preseason workouts that defense should be Illinois strength. But the Illini lost a half-dozen starters from a defense that was ranked eighth in the Big Ten in points given up at 23.3 per game and ninth in yards allowed at 350.8. The emergence of Dawuane Smoot at defensive end gives Illinois a strong pass rusher. He led the team with eight sacks and 15 tackles for losses in 2015. Transfer Hardy Nickersons arrival from Cal -- his father, also Hardy Nickerson, is the defensive coordinator -- should strengthen a thin group of linebackers.KEY GAMESIf the Illini can finish the nonconference schedule 2-1 with wins over Murray State and Western Michigan, the Big Ten schedule offers four games that would not require dramatic upsets to win. Illinois hosts Purdue and faces Rutgers on the road. If the Illini win those, the Oct. 29 home game against Minnesota and the Nov. 26 game at Northwestern could be make-or-break games for a bowl berth.PREDICTIONThe Illini are energized by their new coach and his NFL pedigree, but this is essentially the same team that was 5-7 last season, minus a number of key starters. Lunts ability to stay healthy will be a major factor. The home-heavy schedule and a handful of winnable Big Ten games give Illinois a path to a bowl game. But given the likelihood of injuries and first-season hiccups for a brand-new coaching staff, 5-7 and sixth in the Big Ten West seems about right.SEASON OPENERThe Lovie Smith era begins at home on Sept. 3 against Murray State. The Illini and Racers have never played. The Racers, a Football Championship Subdivision school, were 3-8 last season.---Online: AP College Football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org/---Follow David Mercer on Twitter: (at)davidmercerAP Adidas Stan Smith Womens Cheap . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Stan Smith Clearance . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. http://www.cheapstansmith.us/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Cheap Adidas Stan Smith China . The team says the Spain international has a muscle pull in his right leg. Barcelona hosts third-division side Cartagena in the return leg of their round-of-32 tie after winning their first meeting 4-1. Cheap Stan Smith Shoes . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. CLEVELAND -- Rick Porcello is somewhat of an afterthought on Detroits deep and talented pitching staff. On Friday night, he was second to none. Porcello pitched seven sharp innings, Jhonny Peralta and Victor Martinez drove in two runs apiece and the Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians for the sixth consecutive time, winning 7-0 to extend their lead in the AL Central. Porcello (5-6) allowed five hits and was never really threatened until Carlos Santana flied out to the warning track in centre field to end the sixth. The right-hander set the tone for the Tigers, who dominated the opener of the four-game wraparound series between the divisions top two teams. "His mound presence tonight, with a packed house, on the road and a team right there with you, was the best Ive seen," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. With their fourth straight win, the Tigers moved 2 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland, which returned from an 11-game road trip to just its second sellout crowd at Progressive Field this season. But more than 40,000 fans had to settle for $1 hot dogs and a postgame fireworks show as Porcello overpowered the Indians. Ramon Santiago had a two-run single in the second inning off an ineffective Justin Masterson (10-7), who allowed six runs and seven hits in 4 2-3 innings. The Tigers improved to 7-2 this season against the Indians, who must figure out a way to slow down Detroit before the defending AL champs pull away. "That ballclub has a lot of fight in them," Porcello said. "At any given time they can come back and beat you no matter how big the lead is. Youve really got to make pitches throughout the game. Theres no easy outs in that lineup." About the only bright spot for Cleveland was Jason Kipnis pushing his hitting streak to 16 games. The matchup between Masterson, a probable All-Star, and Porcello seemed to favour the Indians. However, Detroits No. 5 starter, who had lost his three previous starts and is often overlooked on a staff with Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, silenced the Indians and a sedated a huge crowd that came out to see if this Cleveland team was ready to challenge the defending division champs. At least on this night, the Tigers were too much for the Indians, who are just 18-29 against teams with winning records. Before the game, Leyland and Clevelands Terry Francona both dismissed the idea that this four-game set was critical. "I dont really pay that much attention to the standings until September," Leyland said. "If this was a four-game series in September, Id say its probably a big series but I would not say that on July 5." Porcello took a three-hitter into the sixth when Kipnis and Nick Swisher singled with one out. Porccello could have ended the inning with a double play, but his throw to second was high, allowing Michael Brantley to reach on a fielders choice.dddddddddddd Santana followed with a drive to deep centre that Austin Jackson ran down a few feet short of the wall, ending Clevelands best threat off Porcello. "He worked ahead," Francona said of Porcello, who won for the first time since June 14. "He threw strike one. He reached back for extra velocity when he needed it." Peraltas two-run double in the fifth put Detroit ahead 6-0 and chased Masterson, who had pitched his major league-leading third shutout in his previous start against the White Sox. Andy Dirks walked with one out and moved up on a wild pitch before Masterson retired Miguel Cabrera on a grounder for the second out. However, Prince Fielder drew a four-pitch walk and Martinez followed with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Up came Peralta, who had gone just 1 of 17 (.059) with zero RBIs in his career against Masterson. But he lined a 1-0 pitch into the gap in right-centre to easily score Fielder and Martinez, the Tigers two slowest runners. Cabreras RBI single put the Tigers up 3-0 and continued Detroits trend of quickly jumping ahead of the Indians this season. Dirks doubled leading off and Cabrera followed by grounding a hard single under diving shortstop Asdrubal Cabreras glove and into left-centre for his 86th RBI. Through nine games so far in 2013, the Tigers have outscored the Indians 32-10 in the first four innings. Santiago, who entered the series batting just .169, helped Detroit get off to a fast start. The Tigers loaded the bases in the second on a fielders choice, single and two-out walk before Santiago, with just one hit in 14 career at-bats against Masterson, lined the first pitch to centre, scoring Peralta and Don Kelly. "When the sinker is up, anyone can hit it," Masterson said. "It doesnt matter what the numbers are." NOTES: Kipnis also has reached base safely in 36 games in a row. ... Following the game, the Tigers activated RHP Anibal Sanchez (strained shoulder) to start Saturday. Hell face Indians RHP Carlos Carrasco, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus. To make room for Sanchez, the Tigers optioned LHP Jose Alvarez to Triple-A Toledo. The Indians sent down RHP Joe Martinez. ... Indians RHP Zach McAllister threw a 60-pitch bullpen session, an important step in his recovery from a sprained right middle finger. "This was a big one for me," said McAllister, who plans to throw breaking balls off flat ground Saturday and pitch three innings to minor leaguers Monday. ... Santiago was 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position before his second-inning single. ' ' '