Illinois Fighting Illini 2009 College Football Predictions, Picks & Odds: A surprise in 2007 and reaching the Rose Bowl, Illinois was a big disappointment in 2008 and failed to reach a bowl game of any sort. Coach Ron Zook continues to bring in talented recruiting classes and it is time for those players to produce on both sides of the ball. If they do not, the Fighting Illini could fail to reach a bowl game again this season. Odds makers at Sportsbook.com have college football predictions on Illinois Fighting Illinilisted at 200 to 1 odds to win the BSC 2010 National Championship.
Juice Williams’ place among the top quarterbacks in Illinois history is only getting better as the senior will become the school’s total offense and passing yardage leader this season. With his sixth start, Williams will become the school’s career starts leader for a quarterback. With 4,238 yards in 2009, Williams would pass Purdue’s Drew Brees atop the Big Ten’s career total offense chart. There is no reason for this not to be the best offense in the Big Ten. Arrelious Benn has another year of experience, he should be one of the best receivers in the nation. After tallying 1,055 yards as a sophomore, Benn is in for a huge campaign. Illini UNDER 8 WINS for the season is among the top college football picks on the board currently at Sportsbook.com.
Defensively, senior Doug Pilcher has started 24 games at end and is the leader at the position. The other starter will come from a group that includes Whitney Mercilus, Jerry Brown, Antonio James and Clay Nurse. With new line coach Keith Gilmore favoring a rotation, many will play. The defensive back of the year at Illinois honor went to cornerback Dere Hicks, who returns for his senior season and plans to take an aggressive leadership role. Sportsbook.com has college football picks on the Illinois Fighting Illini to win the Big-10 Conference at a +500 odds.
Matt Eller returns as the kicker after a standout first season. He hit 15-of-20 field goals, including 8-of-10 from 40 and beyond. With Benn and Fayson working as returners, the Illini figure to get better field position. Zook wants to see improved coverage teams.
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