2007 BIG TEN PREVIEW: ILLINOIS

With Big Ten Media Day just over a week away, we decided it’s time to start breaking the conference down team-by-team. Starting in reverse order of projected finish, we lead off with who else? Illinois.

2006 Record: 2-10 (1-7 Big Ten)
Projected 2007 Finish: 11th
Returning Starters: 19
Head Coach: Ron Zook
Best Player: LB J Leman

5 Reasons for Optimism
- Two words: Arrelious Benn
- Rashard Mendenhall is supposed to be a star in the making
- The domain name fireronzook is still owned by Florida fans for now
- 8 wins in the last 4 years – it can’t get worse
- Ummmm…. we’re all out

5 Reasons for Pessimism
- Z Money called the school "Illinoise" in his introductory press conference
- How long until Benn's dorm is found full of Zook's coked-out hookers?
- Juice Williams completed 40% of his passes last year and only got worse
- In what could determine last place, they play at Indiana - tough draw...
- No Chief Illiniwek to get the team fired up!

Realety
Unless Juice Williams becomes Jeff George, a long season awaits