Tim Beckham returns for year two after winning one game over a FBS in his debut campaign. The Illini lost one game by less than 14 points including an embarrassment vs Louisiana Tech. It didn’t take long fo Beckham to learn things are a little tougher in the Big Ten than in the MAC while at Toledo.
On offense, Nathan Steelhaase returns and will likely be the signal caller come the opener in late August. Steelhaase had an excellent freshman year but since then has had difficulty determining if he was a running quarterback or pocket passer. Ryan Lankford leads a veteran although underwhelming receiving core. Donovan Young and Josh Ferguson will be the duo in the backfield trying to relieve Steelhaase of some of the offensive burden.
The Illini defense appears to be undersized and inexperienced across the board. Linebacker Johnathan Brown figures to be the leader of the defense despite missing much of 2012 due to injury. The secondary could be an outright disaster with very little experience or talent to be found.
The schedule finds some moderate non-conferences challenges with matchups against Washington, Miami OH and Cincinnati scheduled. Illinois misses Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota during conference play and starts with a tough trio of Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan State.
PREDICTION: 1-3 non-conference, 0-8 conference, 1-11 overall.
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