Big Ten Preview: Illinois

August 27, 2008 at 10:49 pm | Big Ten, College Football, Illinois
By: StevieY19

College football season is approaching and for the next couple of weeks I’ll be giving you some quick previews of the Big Ten. All ten….ummm eleven teams will be featured. Today is the one all (three) of you have been waiting for: Illinois.

First, let me get this out of the way…ZOOOOOOOOOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, good. Last season was great for the Illini. Big wins over Wisconsin and Penn State, a Zooknormous upset at Ohio State, and a Rose Bowl appearance. But last season is gone and so is Big Ten Offensive POY Rashard Mendenhall. Oh, and so is J Leman. J Leman!!!!

Still, expectations are high in Champaign as the Illini return the likes of Juice Williams, Aurrelious Benn, and everyone’s favorite tight end Michael Hoomanawanui. Those are three sweet names. At running back, it will be senior Daniel Dufrene filling in for Mendenhall. Double D averaged 6.3 yards a carry last season on only 47 carries. Trent Meacham had more carries for Illinois last year. Zing!
Defensively, Illinois is losing its leader in spirit, mullets, tackles, and resemblence to God in J Leman. DT Chris Norwell is also gone as are safeties Justin Harrison and Kevin Mitchell. What Illinois is losing in experience, they are gaining in athleticism and Zookyism. Linebacker Martez Wilson is an absolute stud and freshman safety Donsay Hardeman isn’t far behind him. DE should be another area of strength with Doug Pilcher and Derek Walker returning.
Things will get interesting early for Illinois. If you know what college football is and you are breathing, you know that Illinois-Mizzou is the game of the first week. The rest of the non-conference is easier than easy. The Big Ten season starts with a night game at Penn State, which is always fun, then a trip to Ann Arbor. A trip to Wisconsin and a home date with OSU are the only other two games of note, unless the Illini want to pull another huge embarrassing failure against Iowa.
The key to the season? Offensively, it’s up to Juice. The media seems to be annointing him as a QB on the rise, citing Juice as the reason to fear the Illini. Well he tossed 13 TDs last season and threw 12 interceptions, so there will need to be marked improvement this year if Juice is to carry the offense. Just throw it to Benn! Defensively, the young guns need to be as athletic as advertised and still have the discipline and strength to stop Big Ten offenses. Still, Illinois has a squad that can contend for another BCS Bowl appearance and should finish in the top three or four in the conference.


Ballhype: hype it up!

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Comments

Comment from real stadiums have roofs
Time August 27, 2008 at 11:54 pm

wisconsin is going to beat williams into a fine pulp. thank you, i’ll be here all night. literally.

Comment from Stormin’ Norman Disciple
Time August 27, 2008 at 11:59 pm

NQTC all night long. I’ll be here late as well. Kent has retarded scheduling. There, I said it.

Comment from StevieY19
Time August 28, 2008 at 12:42 am

If you don’t have Juice jokes, I don’t want to hear it.

Comment from real stadiums have roofs
Time August 28, 2008 at 12:52 am

illinois will be good if their quarterback can just concentrate

Comment from StevieY19
Time August 28, 2008 at 1:19 am

Williams should be able to squeeze out a few wins.

Comment from real stadiums have roofs
Time August 28, 2008 at 1:24 am

he’s just so fluid throwing the ball

Comment from StevieY19
Time August 28, 2008 at 1:27 am

That’s certainly a glass-half-full view of his delivery.

Comment from real stadiums have roofs
Time August 28, 2008 at 1:33 am

i heard the receivers can’t hear the plays in the huddle because he can’t hit that high c

Comment from Stormin’ Norman Disciple
Time August 28, 2008 at 3:35 am

There’s no way Illinois can win any games unless they have 100% Juice.

Comment from danimal
Time August 28, 2008 at 3:36 am

no mention of all american candidate Vontae Davis?

Comment from StevieY19
Time August 28, 2008 at 3:41 am

If Vontae Davis is an all american at the end of the season, I’ll write five posts in one day about him.

Comment from Stormin’ Norman Disciple
Time August 31, 2008 at 12:41 am

Not mentioning Vontae Davis was retarded. He is filthy. Get ready to write 5 posts in one day. I’m holding you to that.

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