Illinois Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds
As the 2011 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 2011 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 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.
2010 Record: 7-5 Big 10 Record: 4-4 (T-4th) 2011 Returning Starters: 14; 7 offense, 6 defense, kicker
Coach: Ron Zook, 28-45 (6 years)
Offensive Coordinators: Paul Petrino Defensive Coordinators: Vic Koenning
2011 Illinois Players to Watch: QB Nathan Scheelhaase, WR AJ. Jenkins, RB Jason Ford, OT Jeff Allen, C Graham Pocic, CB Tavon Wilson, CB Terry Hawthome, DT Akeem Spence
2011 Illinois Strengths:
Though the Illini lost three early-entry players in the NFL draft (RB Mikel Leshoure, DT Corey Liuget, MLB Martez Wilson). there is still a solid nucleus of blue-chippers brought in around the 2008 Rose Bowl recruiting time. If Ford stays healthy, the running game should remain elite. The secondary should be above average.
2011 Illinois Weaknesses:
The lIlini have to fill four spots along their defensive front seven with inexperienced players, including offensive line transplant Craig Wilson at defensive tackle. They’re also counting on 11 true freshman (Justln DuVernois) to walk in this fall to take over the punting job.
2011 Illinois Offense:
There is no quarterback controversy at Illinois. Not even close. And probably not again until the 2014 season. Nathan Scheelhaase enjoyed the best year of any freshman quarterback in Illinois history, setting a school record for rushing yards at the position. As a passer, he hit 58.7 percent of his throws with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 17-to-8. Scheelhaase has plenty of help on offense, starting with tailback Jason Ford, who replaces Mikel Leshoure. Ford gained 480 yards and scored seven touchdowns in 2010. Freshman fullback Jay Prosch started six games and was given plenty of credit for Leshoure’s 330-yard game against Northwestern. Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino’s reputation as a receivers guru hasn’t been hurt by his time at Illinois. A.J. Jenkins went from 10 catches in 2009 to 56 in his first year with Petrino as his coach. The coaches are counting on him to at least repeat his 2010 performance. Petrino has great expectations for Floridians Ryan Lankford and Darius Millines. Evan Wilson started 11 games at tight end. Illinois welcomes back three starters on the offensive line. Three-year regular Jeff Allen and two-year starter Hugh Thornton are back at tackle and guard, respectively. Graham Pocic returns for his second year as starting center.
2011 Illinois Defense:
Standout tackle Corey Liuget jumped to the NFL Draft with a year of eligibility remaining. Without Liuget, the Illini will need a big season from Akeem Spence, who earned Freshman All-America honors in 2010. At Bandit (a hybrid end/linebacker position), Michael Buchanan is the team’s returning sack leader with two. The coaches hope to see that number double. The Illini also took a linebacker hit with an early NFL departure. The coaches know they don’t have anybody like Martez Wilson on the roster in 2011. Senior Ian Thomas is the team’s leading returning tackler. With the healthy return of safety Supo Sanni and a full season at cornerback for Terry Hawthorne, the secondary will have its most depth in years. Tavon Wilson, who moved to safety in 2010, is back at corner and expecting a big senior season. Safety Trulon Henry led the team in interceptions and was fifth in tackles.
2011 Illinois Special Teams:
Senior Derek Dimke earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches after converting 24 of 29 field goal attempts. Incoming freshman Justin DeVernois replaces All-Big Ten punter Anthony Santella. Illinois’ mediocre return game should get a boost from Hawthorne’s return.
| 2011 Illinois Football Schedule | Illinois Football Sportsbooks |
2011 Illinois Predictions:
Ron Zook went from the hot seat to the cushy seat. All it took was a winning season, the first bowl victory at Illinois in 11 years and promise of even better times to come. The promise is expected to be fulfilled in 2011. Some Illini fans are even talking about playing in the Big Ten’s first title game. Why all the optimism at a school two years removed from a 3–9 record? Start with the offense, which set an Illinois record for points in a season (423) under Petrino in his first-year as the coordinator. With most of the staff intact and a favorable schedule (eight home games, no Iowa or Nebraska), the Fighting Illini are counting on the school’s first back-to-back bowl appearances in almost two decades.
2011 Illinois Betting Odds:
Illinois Current odds to win a National Championship: +20000
Will the Illinois go to a Bowl Game this season or will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy Illinois Football Betting at our feature sportsbooks. College Football Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of loot placing informed, smart Utah bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.
NCAA Football Handicapping Picks
Check out our weekly Sports Handicapping Picks from the world’s best handicappers. Trust our handicapping experts offering premium and free NCAA Football Picks and packages daily. Also stay up to date with weekly College Football Matchups, and buy some picks to win some BIG cash this football season at our recommended sportsbooks.
Bet on Illinois
If you are looking for the best Online Sportsbook to bet on the Illinois this season, then BetOnline.com with their Better Bonus Guarantee, is the place for you. BetOnline.com has NCAA Football Betting Lines and Odds, along with a tons of futures on the 2011 Season, so get your college football bets in early while the lines are hot!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.