#9 Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois will be much improved over last year’s 2-10 record. But they aren’t yet ready to go bowling. Zook will now be on his second big recruiting class and the fans are going to start demanding results. The improvement will be there but questions remain as to whether or not he can actually coach the talent that he is able to bring in. However, it is easy to recruit when you can guarantee Freshmen a starting spot vs. being on the practice squad at a upper level program.

That said the Illini will play better and closer than last year but come up with nothing to show for it as the schedule (Michigan, Wisconsin and @ Iowa and Ohio State) is weighted against them.

Projection: 5-7 (2-6)
Wins over Western Illinois, Ball State, Northwestern and @ Syracuse and Minnesota.

Worst Case: 2-10 (0-8)
Rinse and repeat.

Best Case: 7-5 (3-4)
Add in wins against Missouri and @ Indian and you get a December bowl game, that you’ll probably lose.