Skinny - Juice Williams was supposed to turn Illinois around and to a degree he has, but he has one final chance to push over the top and become the Heisman type quarterback everyone believed he could become. He threw for over 3000 yards last year, which is quite an accomplishment considering many believe he is a run first type of threat evidenced by his 700+ yards on the ground last season. However he had less than a 60 percent completion percentage and he had 16 picks a season ago, which is a recipe for a lack of offensive consistency. He gets Arrelious Benn back, which always eases the pressure. The offense started last season rolling, but started fading down the stretch and the record did with it. After an impressive turnaround by Ron Zook, the team took a step back last season from their breakout season in 2007. I don't expect Zook and crew to fall back into the cellar, but they haven't proven they can play up with the conference heavyweights yet.
Strength - Gamebreaking ability
Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn both single-handedly have the potential to turn a game around. Benn is not only a threat at the receiver position, but a gamechanger on special teams with his return abilities. Benn only had 3 TDs last season from the receiver position, but mark that with an asterik. Benn is build large at 220 pounds and is the definite number 1 receiver for the Illini. He had to overcome double teams last season, but he still eclipsed 1000 yards and this year he has a serious complement in Jarred Fayson. Fayson will expose team's weaksides and only give Benn more opportunities, as defenses have to respect the second option. Williams is prone to mistakes and costly turnovers, but if there's one quarterback in the country that has the most athletic ability it is arguably Williams (Robert Griffin and Terrelle Pryor may disagree) and he's a senior so he's seen it all in his first three years and he can beat someone over the top or with his legs if he has to. He has the package to be the best quarterback in the country, but its a matter of how much he has evolved.
Weakness - Linebacker
Martez Wilson is extremely talented in the middle and is in no part a reason for this unit being a weakness for the team, but its the uncertainty on the outside that may make Illinois fans cringe. Wilson was able to practice in the spring despite being stabbed, so he should be fine come the regular season, but the players surrounding him better be ready. No seniors seem primed to take over the starting roles and they may be occupied by sophomores and freshman. Ian Thomas, Justin Staples, and Russell Ellington are the top candidates between the three positions. The experience inside the group is minimal, but the Illini do have history on their side. They've recovered fine from the loss of J Leman recently and fans are hoping they can do the same with the loss of Brit Miller.
Key Game - 9/26/09 @Ohio State
This is not a must win for the Fighting Illini, but they need to keep it close and gain some confidence because this game starts an incredibly difficult Big Ten season opening stretch. After leaving the Shoe, they get Penn State and Michigan State consecutive weeks, potentially leaving them at 0-3 in conference play. Considering this was a team that struggled down the stretch last season, they must prove themselves at the beginning and believe that they can finish the season strong. If they really do start 0-3 in conference play, they'll be on the outside looking in when bowl season comes around and they're left out.
Key Player - Jason Ford
Daniel Dufrene had a solid ypc average last season and should challenge for the leading role this season, but he also put a goose-egg up in the touchdown category and fellow back Jason Ford managed to put up 8 as a freshman. While Dufrene may be a quicker back and this could ultimately become a two-back system, Ford has the opportunity to seperate himself from the pack in the offseason as Dufrene nurses injuries. Williams led the team in rushing last season, and the team wasn't terrible finishing 38th in the country in rushing but if the team wants to go somewhere the running attack needs to be top-20 with Juice at the helm.
Impact Freshman - Justin Green
Predicted Big Ten finish - 6th
Top 5 Players
1. WR Arrelious Benn
2. LB Martez Wilson
3. QB Juice Williams
4. RG Jon Asamoah
5. DT Josh Brent
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