First Look '09: Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois has gone to a paltry two bowl games this decade. But, oddly enough, both of them were BCS bids (Sugar '02, Rose '08). So if there were ever a better example of inconsistency in a football program, you'd be hard pressed to find one that doesn't wear the Orange and Blue.

Heading into this season, Illinois is getting a lot of hype as a Big Ten title contender, and could finally live up to expectations. It will be Ron Zook's fifth season at the helm, and has what could be his best team yet. But what do we really know about the 2009 Illini? Let's find out, in today's First Look.

The Fightin' Zookers - Ron Zook came to Illinois after being booted from the University of Florida. In Gainesville, he led the Gators to mediocre records and no BCS bowl games. But he was a fantastic recruiter, highlighted by the fact that it was mostly his players that won the 2006 BCS Championship Game for second-year head coach Urban Meyer.

Now in Champaign, Zook has led the Illini to steady improvement. Illinois' 2007 Rose Bowl run was one for the ages, especially considering the Illini were 2-10 in 2006. Zook's team is primed for another big season, due in no small part to his and his staff's recruiting efforts the last four years. Even if they are not officially the "Fighting" Illini anymore, Zook has definitely restored the fight to this program.

Pitch and catch - While still a bit erratic, Juice Williams has become one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten, having thrown for almost 6,500 yards, and running for 2,000 more in his career so far. In 2007, he did just enough to keep the offense going; last year, it was his show to run. But his success can also be attributed to his favorite target, Arrelious Benn.

Benn is by far the best returning wide receiver in the Big Ten. Penn State fans know just how dynamic he can be, accounting (virtutually single-handedly) for two touchdowns in Illinois' 2007 upset of the Lions; in 2008, Benn again did more than his fair share to shred Penn State's secondary (even in the losing effort), with 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Expect Williams and Benn to continue to be a big thorn in Penn State's side.

Road to the Rose - This team is much, much better than the 2007 Rose Bowl team. But the thing is, the 2009 Illini don't even need to be better than the '07 team to get to Pasadena. The Sept. 26 trip to Columbus and the Big Ten home opener a week later against Penn State seem to be the only scary games on this year's slate. Then again, Illinois beat both of those teams in 2007.

Illinois just has to show up this season, and it could win six games. The opener against Missouri in St. Louis will be a good gauge for the rest of the year, even if the Tigers are not the same team of late. The next two weeks will host Illinois St. (FCS) and a bye week before PSU and OSU. Michigan State could catch a tired Illinois team, particularly if they lose to PSU and OSU, or have very tough games. The first half of this schedule will determine if this team is for real.

From enemy territory:

I talked to Joe, of Hail to the Orange, about this season's Illini. He said he really liked the offense going into this season, and not just Williams and Benn.

"An offense that made huge steps last year and is returning almost everyone. All 3 of the top running backs from last year, the starting and backup QB's, standout wide receivers Arrelious Benn, Jeff Cumberland, A.J. Jenkins and Tight End Mike Hoomanawanui all return to an offense that led the Big Ten in passing yards last season. Whats more they add HS All American WRs Terry Hawthorne and Jarred Fayson, so the offense should only get better."

But all is not rosy on defense, in Joe's mind. The Illini did lose a great linebacker in Brit Miller, and cornerback Vontae Davis, a first-rounder in this year's NFL Draft.

"Defense loses two starting linebackers and have inexperienced replacements. The secondary was inconsistent last year and loses its best defender, to top it off, the best defensive tackle may be sidelined due to legal trouble. All in all, I would say that the defense is a question mark."

Oh yeah, about that legal trouble stuff, Illini atheletes seem to have trouble staying out of trouble at a place called FuBar (yeah, that's really the name). Although, that trouble doesn't always mean it's the Illini on the wrong side of the law.

"The team's returning tackle leader Martez Wilson, was stabbed last December while attempting to help his former teammate D'Angelo McCray, who was being jumped.

"The bar at which this occurred, FuBar, is the exact same bar that only a few months earlier basketball player Jamar Smith was arrested for violating his probation leading to his dismissal from the team. A lesson to all athletes, stay away from Fubar."

For more on the Illinois Fighting Illini:

2009 Illinois Schedule
Illinois Spring Practice Review
First Look '08: Illinois

More from First Look '09:

Iowa Hawkeyes
Temple Owls
Syracuse Orange
Akron Zips