By Mr. Thursday Night
The Illini led by Ron Zook head into the 2009 campaign with high expectations which mainly hinge on the right arm of QB Juice Williams who seems likes he's been in Champaign since 2001.
There is no reason for this not to be the best offense in the Big Ten. Quarterback Juice Williams threw for 3,173 yards last year and rushed for 719 more. When he is healthy and making good decisions, Williams is an extremely dynamic playmaker who can make things happen. And now that Arrelious Benn has another year of experience, he should be one of the best receivers in the nation. After tallying 1,055 yards as a sophomore, Benn is in for a huge campaign. The offensive line returns three starters and that should be enough to keep the offense ticking.
The defense was not as good as it could have been last year. And now arguably the best four defenders on the team are gone. Corner Vontae Davis is gone as is linebacker Brit Miller and ends Will Davis and Derek Walker. Without those four why would anyone believe the Illini defense could be any better than it was last year? Miller was the heart and soul of the linebacker corps last year and now that job falls to Martez Wilson. Wilson did a decent job on the outside in 2008, but now he will be asked to move into the middle.
The non-conference schedule has a few tests with Missouri, Cincinnati and Fresno State. I see Juice and Benn leading the Illini to a 4-0 non-conference mark, 5-3 in the Big Ten, 9-3 overall.
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