No. 6 (tied) – Illinois
This is the fifth in a series of previews on the 11 teams in the Big Ten in the order I predict them to finish.
ILLINOIS
Predicted finish in Big Ten: 6th (tied), 4-4
So you are saying after reading my first four Big Ten previews that it was pretty standard stuff. Nothing too earth-shattering in terms of my predictions…until now. While just about every preseason publication has Illinois as one of the top three teams in the Big Ten, including the sports writers who cover the conference, I just don’t see it happening.
First of all, Illinois starts the season taking on a Missouri team destined for the top-10 in all of the major preseason polls. Then the Fighting Illini has to play their first two Big Ten games on the road, at Penn State and at Michigan. It’s very possible after five contests that Illinois could be 2-3.
Another aspect that I feel will undermine the Illini this season is that they will surprise no one, since teams will have a better game plan to defend Ron Zook’s spread offense.
One other thing, Illinois lost two players that really stirred the drink on both sides of the ball. Running back Rashard Mendenhall was one of the top ball carriers in the nation last year, who rushed for 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns before he was selected in first-round (23rd overall pick) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in April’s NFL Draft.
Defensively, J (No Period Needed) Leman was a very underrated middle linebacker, though he was named consensus All-American. Leman had 132 total tackles, 10.5 of those for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Leman went undrafted but was signed by the Minnesota Vikings.
But Illinois still has some key personnel returning which will make the Fighting Illini competitive.
Starting quarterback Juice Williams enters his junior year after passing for 1,743 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions during his sophomore campaign. He’s also the Illini’s top returning rusher after gaining 755 yards on 165 carries and seven more scores in 2007.
But how much will sophomore backup quarterback Eddie McGee play, who’s supposedly the better passer? He played in 10 games last year and chucked 55 balls downfield, completing 29 of those for 444 yards with two TDs and three INTs.
Replacing Mendenhall in the backfield is junior Daniel Dufrene, who in limited duty last season gained 294 yards on 49 attempts and two touchdowns. Ohio State fans will remember him from last year as he was the one who ran 80 yards down the far sideline in the first quarter against the Buckeyes and fumbled before going out-of-bounds, but the play was never reviewed.
2007′s Big Ten Freshman of the Year Arrelious Benn is Illinois’ top returning receiver after catching 54 passes for 676 yards and two TDs. He just may be the most dangerous deep threat in the conference, but there’s not much experience after him.
Three starters return on the offensive line that includes senior left tackle Xavier Fulton, senior center Ryan McDonald, and junior right guard Jon Asamoah.
The defense returns six starters, three on the defensive line with second-team, All-Big Ten end, senior Will Davis, who led he team with 9.5 sacks a year ago. On the other side, senior defensive end Derek Walker also returns, as well as senior defensive tackle David Lindquist.
The biggest question marks on defense are in the linebacking corps with just one starter retuning. Senior Brit Miller moves from outside to inside linebacker, taking the place of Leman. Sophomore Martez Wilson will likely be one of the starters on the outside, and will be joined by either senior Rodney Pittman or freshman Ian Thomas for the lone spot left in the lineup.
In the secondary, two starters return with junior cornerback Vontae Davis, who is one of the best cover corners in the nation, along with junior cornerback Dere Hicks.
Illinois’ strengths last year were running the football and defending the run, but I think there are too many uncertainties when it comes to those aspects of the game to expect the Fighting Illini to have a repeat performance of 2007.
Big Ten Schedule
Sept. 27 @ Penn State, Loss
Oct. 4 @ Michigan, Loss
Oct. 11 vs. Minnesota, Win
Oct. 18 vs. Indiana, Win
Oct. 25 @ Wisconsin, Loss
Nov. 1 vs. Iowa, Win
Nov. 15 vs. Ohio State, Loss
Nov. 22 @ Northwestern, Win
