The Awesome Threesome help 2016 find its way out the door with NBC Sports baseball writer Craig Calcaterra talking about hazing in MLB, select Bandwagon year-in-review items, babyracing, Braggin' Rights... you get the picture. 

Illinois is preparing for a home game against Purdue, after losing 31-16 on the road over the weekend to Nebraska.

An old saying in football is that the game is won or lost in the line. On Saturday, Western Michigan's line outplayed Illinois on both offense and defense. The outcome, a 34-10 drubbing of the home team, demonstrated that the Lovie Smith rebuild will take some time.

On the 21st: We talked to Illinois residents taking action to stop the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Plus, we discussed student-athletes' nutrition with sports nutrition experts and heard from an Urbana country band gearing up for the release of their second full-length record.

On the 21st: We discussed the upcoming college football season with reporters Jeremy Werner and Zach Pereles, who cover Illinois and Northwestern. Plus, we talked with Chicago musician Sir the Baptist about his spiritual roots and rising success.