Illinois Football 2010 Preview

Illinois Football 2010 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2010 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2010 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2010 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2009 Record: 3-9 Big 10 Record: 2-5 2010 Returning Starters: 14: 5 Offense, 7 Defense, Kicker, Punter

Coach: Ron Zook (Illinois: 21-39, 5years)

Offensive Coordinators: Paul Petrino Defensive Coordinators: Vic Koenning

2010 Illinois Players to Watch: QB Nathan Scheelhaase, RB Mikel LeShoure, WR A.J. Jenkins, LB Martez Wilson’, CB Terry Hawthome, DE Clay Nurse, DT Corey Liuget

2010 Illinois Strengths:
If everybody’s available, Illinois’ talent base is better than it looks. That gives the new assistants personnel to work with, especially on offense, where Scheelhaase has a chance to surprise. Illinois is athletic enough in all the right places, especially receiver and running back, and It has gifted defenders, if Wilson and Hawthorne put things together.

2010 Illinois Weaknesses:
Anew quarterback is always a”show me” deal. The defense is short on quality depth, especially at linebacker, and the safeties will need to prove themselves. Zook brought In six new assistants. How will that transition go?

2010 Illinois Offense:

Despite the departure of quarterback Juice Williams and receiver Arrelious Benn, the situation isn’t all that dire for new offensive coordinator Paul Petrino, who inherits a talented set of receivers and running backs. With the right quarterback, an offense that managed 18.5 points per Big Ten game, last in the conference, could bounce back. The frontrunner is shifty and smart redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase, who looked sharp in spring practice. Scheelhaase, a top recruit from Kansas City, showed great leadership potential, a knack for running the offense and the ability to run, period. Sophomore Jacob Charest and strong-armed true freshman Chandler Whitmer will try to unseat him. P~trino, known for his high-powered pro-style attacks at Louisville and Arkansas, said he has no problem adjusting to the strengths of a mobile quarterback like Scheelhaase, and that’s what he did in spring practice. Mikel LeShoure, who fInished strong last fall, heads a solid group of runners. A.J. Jenkins, Jarred Fayson and converted quarterback Eddie McGee head up a promising cadre of receivers.

2010 Illinois Defense:

Like Petrino on offense, new coordinator Vic Koenning has a thick playbook for Illinois’ new defense. It will be multiple, with looks that include a 4-3, 3-4 and a 4-2-5. It all depends on what the personnel does best, what opponents are trying to do .., and the new coordinator has thrown a little bit of everything out there so he doesn’t tip his hand. One big key is whether Martez Wilson, who missed last season with a herniated disc in his neck after making nine tackles in the opener vs. Missouri, can fInally deliver on his major-impact promise. One of Ron Zook’s most ballyhooed recruits, the 6-4, 250-pound junior linebacker can rush like an end and cover like a defensive back when he’s right. Wilson is one of several players who could be signifIcant contributors after missing spring or being limited. Others are defensive end Clay Nurse, who’s coming off shoulder surgery after leading the team with 5.5 sacks last season, and defensive tackle Josh Brent, who was trying to regain his academic eligibility at a Champaign Junior College. Another question: Can cornerback Terry Hawthorne, who moved from receiver in training camp a year ago, use his dazzling speed to excel in the secondary?

2010 Illinois Special Teams:

Junior Derek Dimke, who grabbed the placekicker job late last season from a slumping Matt Eller by making 5 for 5 field goal attempts in Illinois’ last three games, returns. So does Eller, who was a solid 15 for 20 in 2008 before slipping to 4 for 11 a year ago. Fourth-year punter Anthony Santella is also back.

2010 Illinois Predictions:

Zook is on the hot seat, but it might not be as hot as some suggest. Illinois needs to show enough progress to give him and his new assistants another season. Given athletic director Ron Guenther’s resolve, a .500 season ought to do it. But given another rugged fIrst-half schedule, that won’t be easy.

2010 Illinois Betting Odds:

Illinois Current odds to win a National Championship: 100-1

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