2009-10 Illinois Fighting Illini Football Predictions: 10-2 (6-2 in Big Ten)

This will be the year that puts Coach Ron Zook’s coaching abilities to the ultimate test. Illinois will know early where they stand, as they open with a brutal schedule and only Illinois State is a guaranteed win from their first five games of the season.

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They open with Missouri, a team that they have lost four straight games too. Missouri lost heavy to graduation and Illinois is a touchdown favorite in this game. That is a 15 ½-point swing from the line in 2008 and I believe Illinois will not only win but cover this game.

After this game it does not get much easier for Illinois, as they will open up Big Ten play facing Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan State. That being said, the Illini have had good success at Ohio State and do host Penn State and Michigan State. As good as this team looks on paper, the schedule may be their undoing and may force them to the middle of the pack in the Big Ten despite having top notch talent.

Strengths: Illinois is loaded at the quarterback position with Juice Williams and Eddie McGee. Williams is the starter but McGee sees action in most games and is a better passer. They also have two strong running backs and a defense with lots of experience. Their special teams are also intact, returning both the kicker and the punter.

Weakness: There’s no question that the Illini have the talent but they must be able to handle the highs and lows of a long season. In 2008 they played well one week and then followed that with a loss to Western Michigan. The offensive line must improve from 2008 and the defense as a whole must get better then in the past.

Favorable line to play: Illinois vs. Missouri in St. Louis (Sept. 5). The Tigers lost heavy to graduation and with QB Chase Daniel gone I do not expect their offense to be strong. I am not afraid to lay this number and this is the year Illinois ends the streak. I also like Illinois against Ohio State on Sept. 26, as the visitor has won eight of the last nine meetings. They will be the underdog and will enter this game off of a bye.

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Favorable line to play against: Illinois at Indiana (Oct. 17). Indiana will likely be coming off of a three-game losing streak and that would mean Illinois would be a big road favorite. Throw in the fact that Illinois will be coming off of three emotional games and a flat spot will likely develop. If this is the case, the underdog would be the only choice.