Illinois Fighting Illini Big 10 Conference Preview 2008 College Football Predictions: Last season, Illinois finished with a 9-4 overall record including 6-2 against Big 10 teams. This upcoming season, head coach Ron Zook and the Fighting Illini will be ranked among the top 25 teams in the nation. At SportsBook.com Illinois' betting odds to win the BCS National Championship game in 2009 are 75 - 1.

Here’s a list of the top players returning to the Illinois football program: (QB) Juice Williams, (WR) Kyle Hudson, (CB) Vontae Davis, (OT) Ryan McDonald, (C) Xavier Fulton, (CB) Dere Hicks, (DE) Will Davis, and more.

Very much like last season, Illini will have a solid and experienced defensive unit this year. With 6 starters returning to the program, the D will be ranked among the best in the Big 10 Conference. Last season, Will Davis and David Lindquist combined for 14 sacks, as they will be back at it this season. The Illinois Fighting Illini betting odds to win the Big 10 Conference in 2008 is 3rd best at 4 - 1.

On the offensive side of the ball, Illini will be just as good (if not better) than last year. In 2007, the Illinois offense averaged almost 28 points per game behind the play of QB Juice Williams. The betting odds (ML) that Illinois will win OVER 7 games in the upcoming 2008 season is Even. 

Williams threw for 1,743 yards (13 TDs), and also rushed for 755 yards (7 TDs). The only blemish in Williams season was his INTs total, which totaled at 12. The betting odds (ML) that Illinois will win UNDER 7 games in the upcoming 2008 season is -130. 

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