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Overview: The Illini finished last season ranked number 2 in the nation after a dominating win in the Rose Bowl over Pittsburgh 62-24. They finished the year with the number 2 scoring offense and number 1 offense by yards. They were also co-Big 10 champs for the first time in the Herman Boone era. Now with a veteran backfield and experiences skill players can they take the next step and become the national champions?
Offense: The offense should be extremely powerful again this year as they boast two preseason heisman canidates in RB Donovan Young and QB Nathan Scheelhaase. You can expect to see a heavy dose of read option this year as the Illini finished with the number 2 rush offense last year out of their spread offense look. Explosive back up running back Ean Days looks to improve upon his 483 yards and 3 touchdowns last year, the back averaged 10.5 yards per carry on 46 carries. Down field threat Millines opted to enter the NFL draft but big play receiver Ryan Lankford is no slouch, rushing for 640 yards last year and receiving for 640 and 6 touchdowns.
Defense: The defense is full of question marks however the one constant is MLB Brandon Denmark who looks to improve in his senior campaign. Another defensive playmaker the Illini will need to step up is SS Steve Hull, recognized as the hardest hitter in the league he looks to anchor the 3-3-5 defense. RE Darruis Caldwell looks to fill the big shoes by sack master Mercillis and with 4.4 speed at the DE position he looks to fit the billing. All in all this defense is as talented as Illinois has ever seen but with few senior leaders it could be a work in progress.
Special Teams: Illinois returns one of the best place kickers in the game, hitting on 83% of his field goals last year and not missing an extra point. He also produced an astounding 73 kickoffs that were downed for touchbacks. If a game comes down to a field goal he is as good as they come.
The Schedule:
The schedule will push to the Illini to the limit featuring the Big 12 champ, the national champ, and the preseason #1 team. Not to mention a very young, yet very talented Cal team. The one bright spot is no Minnesota unless they two meet in the Big 10 championship!
@ #14 Baylor
@ Cal
#1 Auburn
#7 Oregon State
@ Northwestern
@ #11 Michigan State
Iowa
Penn State
@ Indiana
#10 Purdue
@ #23 Ohio State
Wisconsin
**Big 10 Championship**
Offense: The offense should be extremely powerful again this year as they boast two preseason heisman canidates in RB Donovan Young and QB Nathan Scheelhaase. You can expect to see a heavy dose of read option this year as the Illini finished with the number 2 rush offense last year out of their spread offense look. Explosive back up running back Ean Days looks to improve upon his 483 yards and 3 touchdowns last year, the back averaged 10.5 yards per carry on 46 carries. Down field threat Millines opted to enter the NFL draft but big play receiver Ryan Lankford is no slouch, rushing for 640 yards last year and receiving for 640 and 6 touchdowns.
Defense: The defense is full of question marks however the one constant is MLB Brandon Denmark who looks to improve in his senior campaign. Another defensive playmaker the Illini will need to step up is SS Steve Hull, recognized as the hardest hitter in the league he looks to anchor the 3-3-5 defense. RE Darruis Caldwell looks to fill the big shoes by sack master Mercillis and with 4.4 speed at the DE position he looks to fit the billing. All in all this defense is as talented as Illinois has ever seen but with few senior leaders it could be a work in progress.
Special Teams: Illinois returns one of the best place kickers in the game, hitting on 83% of his field goals last year and not missing an extra point. He also produced an astounding 73 kickoffs that were downed for touchbacks. If a game comes down to a field goal he is as good as they come.
The Schedule:
The schedule will push to the Illini to the limit featuring the Big 12 champ, the national champ, and the preseason #1 team. Not to mention a very young, yet very talented Cal team. The one bright spot is no Minnesota unless they two meet in the Big 10 championship!
@ #14 Baylor
@ Cal
#1 Auburn
#7 Oregon State
@ Northwestern
@ #11 Michigan State
Iowa
Penn State
@ Indiana
#10 Purdue
@ #23 Ohio State
Wisconsin
**Big 10 Championship**