MACOMB - It's a trap that swallowed the Illinois State football team whole last season. Entering today's 1:05 p.m. Gateway Conference game against Western Illinois at Hanson Field, the Redbirds are hoping the strikingly similar circumstances illuminate a warning sign that will not go unheeded.

ISU was flying high last season before a 31-17 loss to Western Illinois at Hancock Stadium derailed the Redbirds' Division I-AA playoff chances.

Currently ranked No. 3 nationally, ISU is 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Gateway. Smarting from three straight losses by seven points or less, the Leathernecks are 3-4 and 0-3, respectively.

"Last year we were so close and Western got in our way. It so happens they are our next game," Redbirds' defensive end Alex Filin said. "We're off to a pretty good start, but you lose once or twice and that could go down the toilet pretty quick."

ISU coach Denver Johnson said Western Illinois is looking a lot like his team did last season. The Redbirds followed two three-point losses by knocking off two nationally ranked teams.

"It's scary. They are exactly where we were a year ago," said Johnson. "With four games left, they are winless in the Gateway and I feel like they are as good as anybody in the conference. I don't think there's much difference in most of us in the league right now."

The Leathernecks also boast a five-game winning streak over ISU.

"That team has been our nemesis the last several years," Johnson said. "We need to break out of that. It will be difficult to do on the road."

"It's generally been a touchdown or so," Western coach Don Patterson said. "I can't say we've dominated Illinois State. That is simply not the case."

Both teams have explosive, balanced offenses. Led by quarterback Luke Drone, the Redbirds average 30.8 points and 398 yards per game. With quarterback Steve LaFalce completing 63.5 percent of his passes, the Leathernecks check in at 32.6 points and 374 yards.

ISU tailback Pierre Rembert has rushed 812 yards, while Western's Herb Donaldson has 777.

"One obvious difference (from last year) is they have a different running back scheduled to play," Patterson said of Rembert, who missed the 2005 Western game because of injury. "Luke is playing with more confidence than a year ago. They have an outstanding fleet of receivers even if (Laurent) Robinson is less than 100 percent."

Robinson, ISU's preseason All-America receiver, has been bothered by an ankle injury. He may sit out today's game after seeing limited action in last week's win over Southern Illinois.

"Even without Robinson, we've been pretty productive in our throwing game," said Johnson. "That speaks to our system and the great job our offensive coaches do making a plan and teaching that plan every week. But it mostly speaks to our kids fighting and executing and making the plays we ask them to make."

Illinois State vs. Western Illinois

Site: Hanson Field, Macomb

Kickoff: 1:05 p.m.

Records: ISU 5-1 overall, 2-0 in Gateway Conference; Western 3-4, 0-3 in Gateway

Coaches: ISU's Denver Johnson has a 37-36 record in his seventh season and a 58-48 record in 10 seasons as a head coach. Western Illinois coach Don Patterson is 53-35 in his eighth season with the Leathernecks.

Illinois State leaders: Rushing: Pierre Rembert (812 yards, 7 touchdowns); Passing: Luke Drone (93-157, 1,412 yards, 12 touchdowns); Receiving: Pierre Jackson (28 catches, 524 yards, 4 touchdowns); Scoring: Pierre Rembert (7 TDs, 42 points); Tackles: Cameron Siskowic (71)

Western Illinois leaders: Rushing: Herb Donaldson (777 yards, 10 touchdowns); Passing: Steve LaFalce (101-159, 1,241 yards, 9 touchdowns); Receiving: Marco Thomas (41 catches, 524 yards, 4 touchdowns); Scoring: Herb Donaldson (10 touchdowns, 60 points); Tackles: Jerome Bennett (61)

Illinois State injuries: Offensive tackles Barry Hartman (back) and Jonathan Lyon (knee) and safety Nick Passarelli (shoulder) are out for the season. Wide receiver Laurent Robinson is questionable with an ankle injury.

Western Illinois injuries: None of significance reported.

What to watch for

- Western Illinois handled the ISU offense last season with a three-man defensive front. The Leathernecks also use a four-man front on occasion. How the Redbirds' offense adjusts to what the Leathernecks show them will be crucial.

- ISU tailback Pierre Rembert, who has rushed for six straight 100-yard games, will try to exploit a Western defense that allowed 266 yards on the ground to Youngstown State's Marcus Mason last week.

- As always, turnovers will be a key. Both teams have been effective in that department thus far. Western leads the Gateway with a plus nine turnover ratio, while ISU is second at plus six.

Points of interest

- ISU junior quarterback Luke Drone needs 27 yards passing to move past Dusty Burk into third place on ISU's career list.

- ISU is gunning for the state directional trifecta, having already defeated Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois.

- Heyworth High School graduate Ken Duffy has one reception for Western Illinois. It was a 31-yard touchdown grab.

Talking the talk

- "Part of what you worry about when you're having some success and people around town want to slap you on the back is sometimes you can lose focus and forget how you got there. Our kids are pretty focused. I think these guys are maturing. We've got great leadership on this team. It seems to me like we're keeping our wits about us. I think the kids are buying into that, and hopefully it will continue to pay dividends for us." - ISU coach Denver Johnson

- "Being ranked third in the country doesn't make us a better team, it makes us a bigger target. Until the playoffs, your rank doesn't matter." - ISU center Jonathan St-Pierre

- "Illinois State has every reason to be a very confident team. They have played so well. They are playing as well as anybody in I-AA on both sides of the ball. If you feel sorry for yourself, the way this world works, it's going to roll right over you. Our character is such we will get up for each of our last four games." -Western Illinois coach Don Patterson

Compiled by Randy Reinhardt