2008 Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini college football program was last year’s Cinderella in the Big Ten, beating the Ohio State Buckeyes to earn a trip to the BCS Rose Bowl. A 17-49 loss to the USC Trojans is one they’d like to forget, and it also questions the strength of the Big Ten conference as a whole. But head coach Ron Zook has this team headed in the right direction with another solid finish likely in the Big Ten this season. Take a look at our 2008 Illinois Fighting Illinis football predictions and see if you agree on where we have placed them among their conference.
Offense:
Juice Williams showed why Ron Zook was so high on him as a recruit by throwing four touchdown passes to lead the Illini to an upset win at Ohio State, catapulting his team into the Rose Bowl. But he was much of a co-star in that game, watching Rashard Mendenhall carry the load in a run-heavy zone-spread offense. Now offensive coordinator Mike Locksley must recreate the attack with Mendenhall gone to the NFL. But injuries to tight end Michal Hoomanawanui, center Ryan McDonald and fullback Rahkeem Smith put a halt into the reconstruction in April.
Locksley feels Williams will be much more comfortable as a pocket passer in his junior year. The protection was excellent in the spring with left tackle Xavier Fulton emerging with pro potential. Star receiver Arrelious Benn and converted tight end Jeff Cumberland are strong over the middle and also have the speed to stretch coverage. Replacing Mendenhall looks to be a running-back-by-committee. Daniel Dufrene and Mikel LeShoure averaged about two yards per carry combined in the spring game, clearly not a good sign for this offense. Troy Pollard will have to recover from a knee injury to hopefully figure into the mix as well.
Defense:
Coach Ron Zook’s background on defense helped him in recruiting a unit that has built incredible defensive line depth in a short span. End Will Davis bulked up 20 pounds in the offseason, and tackles Josh Bren and D’Angelo McCray have great athleticism to fend off incoming freshmen such as Corey Luiget. Along with end Clay Nurse, linebacker Rodney Pittman was voted the team’s most improved player this spring. That’s great news to a defense that must replace five seniors. Pittman and outside linebacker Martez Wilson have great range and will ease the loss of pro J Leman.
Star cornerback Vontae Davis could be a future first-round pick. But Zook made his presence felt by placing Davis on second-team defense, citing a lack of motivation from him in offseason drills. Davis should be fine and is plenty capable of shutting down the Big Ten’s top receivers. Safety Travon Bellamy and junior college transfer Donsay Hardeman round out the starting secondary.
Illinois Fighting Illini Predictions at Info Plays: 3rd in the Big Ten
The Illini need to start fast with a tough opening game on August 30th against Missouri. This is the case because three tough road games at
Penn State,
Michigan and
Wisconsin will be tough to overcome. Zook has built a serious contender, and with a splash or two from another great recruiting class, Illinois can at least repeat last season’s success. Make sure and circle a Nov. 15 home games vs. Ohio State as the Buckeyes look for revenge.
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