No. 12 Illinois has claimed a spot within the preseason Prime 25 ballot for the primary time since 2008.
That is a very long time in the past, but it surely pales compared to the final time Illinois pulled off back-to-back glorious seasons. That hasn’t occurred since John Mackovic was in cost, when the Jeff George-led 1989 workforce posted a 10-2 document and the next 12 months’s squad completed 8-4.
This 12 months’s Illini welcome again 16 starters from a 10-3 workforce that wound up twentieth within the closing School Soccer Playoff rating. Hopes are excessive for a season that eclipses 8-4 and, certainly, lands Illinois its first CFP invitation.
The journey begins Friday night time when Western Illinois, an FCS college picked to complete in the midst of the Large South/OVC pack, visits Champaign.
Illinois’ offense boasts nearly everyone from final 12 months’s group with the notable exception of prime receivers Patrick Bryant, the Denver Broncos’ third-round choose, and Zakhari Franklin.
Third-year beginning quarterback Luke Altmyer straightened out his senior-year NIL deal in December, then ignored SEC overtures that reportedly would have doubled his cash.
“Luke has continued to be very spectacular at quarterback,” mentioned Illinois coach Bret Bielema. “The vast receiver room, in all probability the one we’re most interested by, Collin Dixon and Hank Beatty simply proceed to indicate up daily. Very spectacular dudes.”
If there’s an Opening Night time concern for Illinois, it is on the offensive line. The Illini retain all 5 starters, however third-team all-Large Ten left deal with J.C. Davis — one of the best of the bunch — has been taking it simple to settle down a case of plantar fasciitis. Proper deal with Melvin Priestly, in the meantime, missed a number of days with a sprained ankle.
“Actually not overly involved, particularly with a man like J.C.,” Bielema mentioned. “Generally these moments are literally a blessing in disguise.”
Western Illinois struggled with its Large Ten purchase recreation final September – Indiana hammered the Leathernecks 77-3 – however second-year coach Joe Davis’ squad has made massive strides since. The Leathernecks completed 4-8 final 12 months whereas main their nine-team league in whole offense (427.5 yards per recreation) and rating second in scoring (31.0 ppg).
Western Illinois was acclaimed for bringing in one of the best recruiting class within the Large South/OVC, which helped result in a fifth-place nod within the preseason ballot. It will not take lengthy for the Leathernecks to know the place they stand. After dealing with Illinois of their opener, they go to Northwestern the next Friday night time.
“I can promise you this,” Davis mentioned. “This workforce will not blink and we’ll be able to go. We have now the expertise to be very aggressive in these video games.”
Senior quarterback Chris Irvin takes over for the graduated Nate Lamb, who threw for 3,332 yards and 21 touchdowns. Irvin accomplished 17 of 29 passes final 12 months for 174 yards and three scores.
Illinois visits Duke on Sept. 6. The Illini open the Large Ten slate on Sept. 20 at Indiana.
–Discipline Degree Media
