Football
Big Ten Preview - Number Four - Illinois
By Tony GerdemanPredicted Finish 8-4 (5-3)
Two-Cent Overview
The Illini return junior quarterback Juice Williams, who has been the starting quarterback here since game four of his freshman season. They have to replace running back Rashard Mendenhall, but do return several offensive weapons and three offensive linemen. The defensive line has lost some players expected to contribute this season, but there is still plenty to work with. All-American middle linebacker J Leman is gone, but there is experience here as well. The Illini will have one of the best cornerback duos in the country, but there may be some issues at safety. The special teams may cost them this year as well.
Schedule
Aug. 30 Missouri (St. Louis) (L)
Sept. 6 Eastern Illinois (W)
Sept. 13 Louisiana Lafayette (W)
Sept. 27 at Penn State (L)
Oct. 4 at Michigan (W)
Oct. 11 Minnesota (W)
Oct. 18 Indiana (W)
Oct. 25 at Wisconsin (L)
Nov. 1 Iowa (W)
Nov. 8 Western Michigan (W)
Nov. 15 Ohio State (L)
Nov. 22 at Northwestern (W)Goal
A return to the BCS. Head Coach Ron Zook has talked often about not being a "one and done" type of team when it comes to success and their appearance in the Rose Bowl last season. They want to repeat their success and build on it--not simply reminisce about the "good ol' days".
Five Questions Looking For Answers
1. Can Juice Williams become a complete quarterback?
2. How well can this team replace running back Rashard Mendenhall?
3. How big will the drop off be at middle linebacker from J Leman to Brit Miller?
4. How will Illinois do now that they won't be sneaking up on anybody?
5. Can the Illini avoid losing games they shouldn't?Something To Look For
This season, the Illini will mainly rotate defensive ends Will Davis (9.5 sacks last season), Doug Pilcher (5.5 sacks) and Derek Walker (2.5 sacks) throughout each game. Each of them started at least eight games last season, and they are all nearly interchangeable, though Davis is the designated pass-rush specialist. Expect them to remain fresh and persistent this season, and don't be surprised if we see sophomore strongside linebacker Martez Wilson getting into the mix as well. He has the potential to be the best pass-rusher on the team.
Returning Starters
Eight on offense, seven on defense and the punter.
Best Player
Wide Receiver Arrelious Benn. Benn is one of the strongest receivers in the conference, and probably one of the fastest as well. After being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year last year, much more is expected of him this year. With an improved passing game, Benn should be able to increase his reception total of 54 from last season. Also, in an effort to get Benn the 16 or so touches per game that Ron Zook would like, we will again see Benn lined up in the backfield at times. Been is probably stronger than any of the Illini's existing running backs, so it's not like there will be a power drop off when he's taking hand-offs. If Juice Williams can get the ball in Benn's hands as much as the staff would like, then this Illinois offense could be as dangerous as any in the conference--provided, of course, a running back steps up.
Second-Best Player
Cornerback Vontae Davis. Davis was an All-Big Ten cornerback last season, and there's little doubt that he will be again. He was, however, demoted during the spring, but that was nothing more than a motivation ploy by the coaches. Davis finished fourth on the team in tackles last season with 76 and with the Illini having to replace their top three tacklers from 2007, Davis will need to play even more of a role this season.
Best Chance For a Big Loss
Missouri. Illinois and Missouri have played 21 times going back to their first meeting back in 1896. But it's only been the last forty years or so that these two have really become a rivalry. Back in 2002, the two teams started having semi-annual matchups in St. Louis, allowing the crowds to be split in half. Unfortunately for the Illini, they have lost all three matchups since the venue change. In fact, the only time the Illini have beaten Missouri in St. Louis is back on that inaugural meeting in 1896.
Most Important Game
Ohio State. Depending on how the rest of the season goes, the Buckeyes could come into this game with the Big Ten Championship on the line.
Best Road Game To Pack Up The Family Truckster And Travel To
Missouri. It's the season-opener and the first real chance the Illini fans will have to come out and celebrate the resurgence of Illinois football--unless you count the 12,531 fans that came to the Spring Game.
Best Reason They Won't Be Undefeated
Not everybody will just sit back and wait for Juice Williams to come to them.
Best Reason They Will Be Undefeated
...Because some still will.
Game They Shouldn't Lose, But Could
Minnesota. Throughout Ron Zook's career, there is always a loss on his schedule that shouldn't be there. Last year, it was Iowa beating the Illini 10-6 at home. The year before that, it was a loss to Ohio at home (among others.) It is inevitable. The only question is where it comes from.
Player People Are Expecting Too Much From
Quarterback Juice Williams. Williams is the face and name of this Illinois program and people are expecting the Illini to keep firm hold of their new standing in the Big Ten. However, if Illinois can't find a running game and are forced to use Juice Williams to run the ball even more than usual, the hits could take their toll.
Player People Will Be Pleasantly Surprised By
Linebacker Martez Wilson. Just a true sophomore, Wilson is fully expected to emerge as the new defensive superstar for the Illini. He has defensive end size (6'4" 246) and wide receiver speed. Expect to see him as a dynamic pass-rusher on passing downs and a monster in pursuit when chasing down running backs.
Best Newcomer
Wide Receiver Chris Duvalt. Technically, Duvalt is only a newcomer to the offense, having always played defense before. Now a junior, Duvalt was the star of the spring and it has continued in camp this summer. While not big (5'11" 175), Duvalt provides a target that is athletic and overflowing with agility. Arrelious Benn will always be The Man in this passing game, but expect Duvalt to make a name for himself as well.
Something They Do Well
Protect Juice Williams. Williams was only sacked five times in Big Ten play last season. Amazingly, or perhaps sadly, he was sacked five times by USC in the Rose Bowl alone last year. Perhaps the Big Ten was too tentative in their attack of the Illinois offense last season and maybe some things will change this season. With the loss of Rashard Mendenhall, defenses won't have to respect the run as much as they used to, allowing them to focus their gameplanning on Juice Williams. With three returning starters on the offensive line, and two promising replacements, the protection may have to step up against newer and more varied attacks.
Something They Don't Do So Well
Keep the ball off the ground. Illinois fumbled the ball 27 times last year (28 actually, but who’s counting) and was fortunate to only lose twelve of them (boy howdy). It's not unusual for a team that runs a good amount of option to put the ball on the ground, but it's not a healthy practice for a team with BCS aspirations.
What's Improved?
Juice Williams' passing. In his freshman season, Juice Williams completed just 39% of his passes. Last season, he upped that to 57%. This season, Ron Zook is saying 70% is their target this year. That may mean more shorter and controlled passes, which are obviously easier to complete. It also means that Zook has seen even further improvement in Williams, so much so that he can throw out lofty numbers that really aren't attainable, but not completely implausible either.
What's Gotten Worse?
The Running Game. Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 1,681 yards and 17 touchdowns last season and was also the second-leading receiver on the team with 34 catches. And now he's gone. Yes, this team can repeat last season's success with their current roster, but just think what they could've done had Mendenhall come back for his senior season. Right now, Daniel Dufrene gets the first crack at the workload and after averaging 6.3 yards per carry last season, it’s easy to see there is potential here, but there is nobody of Mendenhall’s caliber on this team right now.
Anything Else We Should Know About?
The kicking game could have some issues. It looks like the Illini will be relying on true freshman Derek Dimke to be their placekicker. That wouldn't be so bad if he had looked outstanding in practice, however, right now it seems that he's merely least worst. For a team that's been involved in nine games decided by a touchdown or less over the last two seasons, the Illini can't afford to be leaving points on the field. They need to capitalize whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Anything Else?
The defensive line has lost some depth. Two possible starters at defensive tackle have left the team since last year as D'Angelo McCray transferred out and Sirod Williams was recently lost for the season due to a knee injury. Now, the depth that once made this a unit of promise, has come to the forefront and will have to carry a heavier load. That load looks to fall on sophomore Josh Brent and returning starter David Lindquist. Also, expect to see starting defensive end Doug Pilcher slide down at times, probably on passing downs as the Illini will look to add more pass rush to their front four when necessary.
One Prediction
Running back Daniel Dufrene will rush for 1,000 yards this season.
Did you know (Media Guide factoid)
In 1892, the 18-man Illinois team played a 14-game schedule that started on October 8 and finished up on November 24. The Illini only had to play 12 games that season, however, because Wisconsin and Beloit both forfeited. Illinois finished with a record of 9-3-2.
Coach Speak
What Ron Zook says, when asked if he's happy about opening the season against Missouri: "Well, they're not going to change it; I might as well be happy about it."
What Ron Zook means, when asked if he's happy about opening the season against Missouri: "What the hell do you think? Moron.”
Return to the-OZone Front Page
(c) 2008 The O-Zone, O-Zone
Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, rebroadcast,rewritten, or redistributed.