Football
Big Ten Countdown - No. 9, Illinois
By Tony Gerdeman

9. (tie) Illinois 5-7 (2-6) (predicted finish)

Two Cent Overview

Nearly everybody is back from a pretty terrible team. All of the skill on offense returns, as does most of the offensive line. Tim Brasic is a tough quarterback, but he needs to get rid of the ball quicker and stop taking such a pounding. The Illini bring back a pair and a spare in the backfield and also have some decent talent at receiver. The defense returns ten starters, but not all ten of those returnees will be starting this season. The return game is intact, but they do lose punter Steve Weatherford.

Schedule

Sept. 2 Eastern Illinois (W)
Sept. 9 at Rutgers (L)
Sept. 16 Syracuse (W)
Sept. 23 Iowa (L)
Sept. 30 at Michigan State (L)
Oct. 7 Indiana (W)
Oct. 14 Central Michigan (W)
Oct. 21 at Penn State (L)
Oct. 28 at Wisconsin (L)
Nov. 4 Ohio State (L)
Nov. 11 Purdue (W)
Nov. 18 at Northwestern (L)

Goal

Beat Indiana. If Ron Zook loses to Indiana this year, that may dig them a hole that they can’t get out of. I know he feels like being down 56-3 at the half against Penn State last season was as low as this program can get, but that’s only because he hasn’t lost two straight games to Indiana yet.

Five Questions Looking For Answers

1. When does Zook’s recruiting prowess become tangible?

2. Is returning 21 starters from a team with an 0-8 conference record a good thing?

3. Can Tim Brasic move the ball north and south this season?

4. Can the Illini get all three of their running backs (E.B. Halsey, Pierre Thomas and Rashard Mendenhall) enough touches?

5. Will the secondary improve on the 26 touchdown passes they allowed?

Something To Look For

The spread defense? When talking about his defense, Ron Zook sounds a little like a bartender mixing together a kamikaze. You ask him what it tastes like, he just looks at you, shakes his head and smiles, saying "I have absolutely no idea." What should we expect from this defense? When addressing the media, his emphasis was on movement. "Our defense will be young but much improved. We've helped ourselves athletic wise. We'll have a defense that moves around and doesn't stay in one spot." Zook also feels that the movement will help them compensate for their lack of size. It's a nice theory (in theory).

Returning Starters

10 on offense, 10 on defense, and the kicker.

Best Player

Running back Pierre Thomas. Thomas has averaged 5.6 yards per carry for his career. In 2004, he split carries with E.B. Halsey and still rushed for 893 yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Last year, his rushing total dropped to 664 yards as Zook's offense called for Tim Brasic to run the ball more. Thomas didn't have a single 20-carry game last season, despite having four in 2004. In those four games, he averaged 143 yards rushing. Zook needs to get the ball out of Brasic's hands and get it to Thomas.

Second Best Player

Offensive lineman Matt Maddox. Maddox was named Illinois’ outstanding offensive lineman of the year in 2005, starting all eleven games at center. In 2003 and 2004 he started every game at right guard, being named to several freshman All-American teams in 2003. Maddox may be moving back to guard this season, but wherever he plays in 2006, he will be the anchor of an experienced offensive line.

Best Chance For a Big Loss

At Michigan State. Last season the Spartans squeaked by the Illini 61-14 in Champaign. This season the game is once again played in September, meaning the Spartan collapse will not have happened yet.

Most Important Game

At Rutgers. Yes, I realize that this isn't a conference game and I realize that the Indiana game is talked about above, but hear me out. If Illinois can somehow go into Rutgers and pull out a victory, all bets are off. The players might actually start to believe the things Ron Zook tells them. Who knows, a win against Rutgers could start Illinois back on the path to eventually becoming the Buckeyes' number two rival again.

Best Road Game To Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To

At Northwestern. It's the shortest drive, and it's the best shot at a road win. If all goes perfectly for the Illini, this game could be for a bowl bid.

Best Reason They Won't Be Undefeated

The refs. Actually, this is one of Penn State's reasons. Please disregard.

Best Reason They Will Be Undefeated

I'm drawing a blank here. Lets move on.

Game They Shouldn't Lose But Could

Syracuse. Syracuse envies Illinois' talent. Illinois envies Syracuse's low standards.

Player People Are Expecting Too Much From

Quarterback Isiah Williams. Williams was Ron Zook’s prized recruit from this past recruiting class. The fans are anxious to see him, and the coaching staff is probably even more so. However, he’s still just out of high school and even when he does eventually get on the field, it’s not like he’ll be able to flip the switch on Zook’s offense.

Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By

Cornerback Alan Ball. Zook was giving Ball rave reviews for his work this spring and summer, saying that he is expecting a lot out of Ball this season. Ball has good size (6’1” 175) and is not afraid to get involved in the running game. He was fourth on the team in tackles last season with 55 and led the team with five PBUs. If the defensive line can get any pressure on the quarterback, Alan Ball could be a very productive corner for the Illini.

Game On The Schedule That Glen Mason Is Jealous That He Didn't Schedule

Eastern Illinois. Remember that scene from Swingers where Jon Favreau just keeps calling and leaving messages for that one girl? That's Mason calling Eastern.

Something They Do Well

Infuse confidence in their opponent.

Something They Don't Do So Well

Protect their house! Last season the Illini were 0-4 against the Big Ten at home. The average score of those four games was 51-17. Yes, the defense is faster and, presumably, better. But are they ten points better? Fifteen? Does it even matter?

What's Improved?

Talent? Though most of the starters are returning, Zook has said that he's going to have a new secondary this year. That's not to say that there is no talent returning in the secondary, because Alan Ball is a very capable corner and safety Kevin Mitchell led the team in tackles last season with 78. One player that they are heavily hoping to contribute is junior college transfer Justin Sanders. Coach Zook is expecting Sanders to start at one of the safety positions right off the bat. There has been mention that the other corner could be manned by a freshman this season.

What's Gotten Worse?

Punting. The Illini lose Steve Weatherford, who was one of the Big Ten's top punters last season. It looks like true freshman Kyle Yelton will get the job this year. He enrolled early, so he won't be nearly as panicky as one would think.

Three Things Gleaned From The Media Guide

1. The Illini have an offensive lineman named Eric Block.

2. Dike Eddleman has the two longest punts (88 yards and 86 yards) in Illinois history. He also has the two longest punt returns (92 yards and 89 yards) in Illinois history. Without doing any more research, I’m going to conclude that nobody else can claim a record like that. (Also, Eddleman, who played in the late ‘40s, was an Olympic hurdler.)

3. In 1903, Illinois was 4-0 against Englewood High School, Osteopaths, Physicians-Surgeons and Chicago Dentistry. They were 1-7 against Big Ten schools. (Note: If Glen Mason is reading this, Osteopaths no longer field a team, nor does Eastern Osteopaths, but nice try.)

Targets for Ridicule in Upcoming Tip Sheets

No doubt Coach Zook will find himself in some wacky capers.

80's TV Show That This Team Reminds Me Of

Alf. Ron Zook was just another football coach at Florida, just like Alf was another Melmac-ian when he was back on Melmac. Then Zook leaves Florida and gets to Illinois and suddenly he’s this thing that everybody wants to see--just like Alf when Alf came to earth, only the Tanners never really told anybody about Alf. And I believe both love cats.

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