Illinois Football: 9 Items on the Summer 'To-Do' List
With the 2011-2012 college football season rapidly approaching, teams have a little over two months to be ready for opening kickoff come September 3rd.
For the Fighting Illini, their are a lot of questions surrounding a team that went 7-6 overall and 4-4 in Big Ten Conference play.
Illinois lost some close games to say the least, and they easily could have been a 10-3 team had they been able to close out their competition better.
Illinois will play six of their first seven games at home this year, so the opportunity is there for an impressive start if the Illini can check off some questions on their summer "to-do" list.
9. Find the Right Running Back, or Backs
1 of 9
The Fighting Illini lost their star running back, Mikel Leshoure, to the NFL draft this year and it is vital for the success of the offense to find his replacement.
Leshoure rushed for over 1,700 yards last year and accounted for nearly 40 percent of the team's offense, so who is next in line for the job?
Jason Ford, who will be entering his senior year, showed some ability last year with 480 yards on 99 carries and seven touchdowns and seems to be in the lead for the starting running back position.
Ron Zook will most likely use multiple backs the first few games of the season before deciding on which two to go with for the majority of the carries on such a deep, talented running back roster.
8. Tavon Wilson and Trulon Henry
2 of 9
Tavon Wilson and Trulon Henry need to be anchors for the Fighting Illini defense.
They both are seasoned veterans and when the Illini needs a big play on defense, one of them needs to step up and make it.
Henry had 63 tackles last year for Illinois and Wilson accounted for 48 tackles.
The two only combined for four interceptions and it would be a great sign for Illinois if the two could force a few more turnovers on defense to set the offense up with good field position.
In close games when the Fighting Illini needs stops, these two need to make the prime-time plays.
7. Offensive Line Must Continue To Improve
3 of 9
To put it simply, Illinois loves to run the ball. For the Illini to be a successful team, they must have a great rushing attack and that starts with the play of the offensive line.
This year's offensive line should be a good, experienced one led by seniors Jeff Allen and Craig Wilson with two juniors and one sophomore likely filling out the line.
If the line can continue to develop and build chemistry this summer and into the fall, the running game could be great for whichever running back is carrying the ball.
More importantly to the running game, quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will benefit most with great offensive line play that could lead to a better passing attack in 2011.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
6. Continue Development of Nathan Scheelhaase
4 of 9
The super athletic Scheelhaase had a solid year for the Illini in 2010 but he needs to continue to get better and show signs of improvement in the 2011 season.
As a redshirt freshman Scheelhaase threw for over 1,800 yards last year, while rushing for nearly 870 yards and accounting for 22 total touchdowns.
If Scheelhaase can improve on those numbers and limit his mistakes, he could have a special year not only for Illinois next year but overall in the entire nation.
5. Balance on Offense
5 of 9
With a deep crop of running backs, a young talented quarterback and an experienced offensive line, the Illini need to have a balanced attack in 2011.
If Illinois is able to beat teams through the air and on the ground consistently next year, they have the potential to be the best offense in the Big Ten.
The offense must be able to score points because the defense is most likely going to be giving up a lot of them again this year.
4. Improve Defense
6 of 9
Illinois needs to be better all around defensively than they were in 2010.
Despite showing signs of improvement from 2009, the defense still was never anything to really count on week in and week out.
Giving up 67 points to Michigan and only one time holding an opposing team under 10 points is not going to cut it.
The defensive unit will need to find replacements for their two best players, Corey Liuget and Martez Wilson, and that will be tough to do considering their production from last year.
3. Closing out Close Games
7 of 9
Illinois lost three games last year by four points or less, including a two-point loss in triple overtime against the University of Michigan.
If the Illinois can close out those games that go down to the wire, they have a chance to have a very good 2011 season.
Last year, Illini would have been 10-3 had they finished games stronger so it's up to Ron Zook to not only keep his players focused late in games, but to put his team in the best possible winning situations late in games.
2. A.J. Jenkins
8 of 9
Simply put, the Illini need to get A.J. Jenkins the ball.
Jenkins put together an impressive junior season with 52 receptions for nearly 750 yards and seven touchdowns.
Once again, it gets back to the offensive line for Illinois.
If they can create time for their young quarterback to make plays not only with his feet, but with his arm, A.J. Jenkins should be on the receiving end of more touchdowns this year.
1. Win at Home
9 of 9
It sounds easy and a bit of a given, but if the Illini win all of their home games this year, the worst they could finish is 8-4.
As hard as it is to win on the road with a young team, the Illinois football team must take advantage of their games at home and capitalize on them with wins.
There is a real chance the Fighting Illini will be 6-0 when they will get a chance to face Big Ten foe the Ohio State University at home.
If the Illini are able to protect their home field and win that one, the 2011 season could be special.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
