2009 Illinois Fighting Illini College Football Predictions

2009 Illinois Fighting Illini Predictions
2008 Record: (5-7, 3-5)
Coach: Ron Zook, 5th year (18-30 at Illinois; 41-44 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Mike Schultz (1st year)
Def. Coordinator: Dan Disch (5th year) and Curt Mallory (4th year)
Returning Starters: 16 (8 offense, 6 defense, punter, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: Yes (Juice Williams)

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Offense: Illinois led the Big Ten in passing last year and that was due to the maturation of senior QB Juice Williams (6-2, 235). Williams threw for 3,173 yards last season (also rushed for 719 yards). Williams has plenty of talent at the skill positions, partially due to head coach Ron Zook and former off. Coordinator Mike Locksley, now head coach at New Mexico. Enter Mike Schultz, who was hired from TCU, to take over as offensive coordinator. They’ll continue to run the read-option offense that suits the strengths of Williams. At receiver, junior Arrelious Benn (6-2, 220) has a great talent (1,055 yards receiving) and could really explode this year. Senior Jeff Cumberland (6-5, 255) is one of the nation’s biggest receiving targets. At running back, returning starter senior Daniel Dufrene could get pushed by sophomores Jason Ford and Mikel Leshoure. The offensive line returns three starters and could jell as they underachieved last season due to injuries.

Defense: Here was the main problem last season. The Illini scored 28.7ppg, but the defense allowed 26.6ppg and 350.3ypg (56th in the nation). They also ranked 89th in turnover margin, which was part of the reason for a 5-7 record. The line returns two of the four starters including senior tackle Sirod Williams (6-0, 295), who redshirt because of a knee injury in 2008. Junior DT Josh Brent (6-2, 315), who started eight games last year, is serving a 60-day sentence for a DUI in February and should be back in the middle of camp. However, his status with the team is up in the air. Unfortunately, the top four starters on defense from last season are gone including CB Vontae Davis. The heart-and-soul of the linebacking corps was Brit Miller and he also graduated. At linebacker, junior Martez Wilson (6-4, 240), who had 73 tackles last season, will have to become the focal point of the defense after moving to the middle. The secondary returns both corners along with senior free safety Donsay Hardeman (6-2, 210), who is coming off neck surgery.

Outlook: Illinois was a tough team to figure out last season. They seriously underachieved, but this season, the expectations are much lower. The offense is dynamic, but the defense needs work. They face Missouri in St. Louis to start the season along with Illinois State at home, Cincinnati on the road and Fresno State at home. Not an easy schedule, which also includes Ohio State on the road and Penn State at home.

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