2009 University of Illinois Football Preview: Proving Grounds

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

With nearly the entire offense intact, the defense and special teams will have to improve on last year’s performance if the Illini are going to be a force in the Big 10.

Losing interception-leader Vontae Davis and sack-leaders David Lindquist and Will Davis will make things even more difficult. Fortunately, leading tacklers Martez Wilson and Travis Bellamy return to lead a unit that will rely heavily on several top recruits.

Justin Green enters the Illini secondary as Rivals.com’s seventh highest-rated cornerback while defensive linemen Michael Buchanan and Lendell Buckner should anchor the Illini in the trenches for the next four years.

Special teams are another area of weakness that Zook and the Illini will have to address in 2009. Illinois ranked 10th in yards per punt, 11th in punt return yardage, and 10th in kickoff return coverage.

The Illini offense will need to do a better job holding onto the ball as well. In 2008 Illinois ranked ninth in the Big 10 with a minus six turnover margin. Last year’s Illini also lacked discipline, finishing as the second most penalized team in the Big 10.

Coaching Staff

Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley bolted for the head coaching position at New Mexico. Zook hired TCU offensive coordinator Mike Schultz to replace him and also brought on Houston’s Joe Gilbert to coach the offensive line. Schultz, who groomed LaDainian Tomlinson at TCU, has ample experience developing a powerful rushing attack.

Schedule

Illinois faces one of the toughest schedules in the Big 10. With non-conference games against Missouri (preseason 25 AP), at Cincinnati (12 AP), and always dangerous Fresno State, Illinois will have every opportunity to prove it belongs in a major bowl.

In conference, the Illini travel to Columbus to face Ohio State (9 AP) and then take on Penn State (8 AP) and Michigan State (24 AP) at home.

What’s at Stake

2009 could prove to be a watershed year for Zook, Williams, and the Illinois program.

Williams, back for his senior year, needs a strong campaign to prove he’s NFL ready. A winning season, a bowl bid and Big 10 contention should result in confirmation that Zook has built a contending program in Champaign.

Five Burning Questions

1. Will Juice Williams become an elite quarterback capable of leading a talented Illini team to a major bowl?
2. Who will run the ball? Can freshman Bud Golden and new offensive coordinator Mike Schultz inject life into one of the Big 10’s worst rushing attacks?
3. Who will step up on defense? Are juniors Travon Bellamy and Martez Wilson ready to lead a unit that must improve for Illinois to contend?
4. Can Arrelious Benn live up to his billing as one of college football’s elite wide receivers?
5. Can Illinois survive a grueling opening five weeks which features AP Top 25 teams Missouri, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Penn State?

Prediction

Illinois makes it through its opening gauntlet with a three and two record (wins over Illinois State, Penn State, and Michigan State). Illinois finishes overall with a record of eight and four (six and two in conference play), good for third in the Big 10 and a trip to a solid bowl.

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