Big Ten four downs: Illinois

QUICK LOOK BACK: After its first Rose Bowl since 1983, Illinois followed up with a no bowl. The Fighting Illini won just two of their last seven games, including three straight losses to end the season with a 5-7 record. Western Illinois and Northwestern were included in those losses. The '07 season brought Pasadena. Last year, it was the OTB in Champaign.

Quarterback Juice Williams was brilliant, for the most part. He led the Big Ten in passing (264.4) and total offense (324.3). He led the Big Ten in TD passes (22), but also led it in interceptions (16). He also led the Illini in rushing with 719 yards (4.1 a carry). That probably won't happen again this season. Between Daniel Dufrene, Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford, the Illini should be able to find a steady running back. Ford and Leshoure came to Illinois with stripes. Three starters return on the OL. And llinois still has WR Arrelious Benn. This offense is poised for big things in '09.

Six starters return on defense, including LB Martez Wilson and DT Josh Brent. Wilson was third on the team with 73 tackles along with three sacks. Kicker Matt Eller and punter Anthony Santella return.

FOURTH DOWN -- CONCERNS: Illinois is going to need some growth on defense, specifically the defensive line. Brent and Corey Luiget are capable, but partner Sirod Williams is coming off an ACL. End is sort of up in the air. Doug Pilcher was a part-time starter. Brown led Illini blue with eight tackles and two sacks in the spring game, but he faces academic questions going into the fall.

The secondary returns three, including safety Donsay Hardeman who sat out spring with a neck injury. The Illini were ninth in the league in rush defense last season (152.9). That has to be better for them to have serious intentions.

THIRD DOWN -- STRENGTHS: The Illinois receiving corps will scare opposing defenses like few others in the Big Ten this season. Been is a bona fide playmaker (67 receptions for 1,055 yards and three TDs). This is his third season, so decent stats would likely make it his walk year. He's NFL waiting to happen. After Benn, there's big body Jeff Cumberland (6-5, 255), experienced Chris Duvalt and Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, who practiced with the first team this spring before suffering a foot injury. TE Michael Hoomanawanui has also made himself into a pass-catching threat. He caught 25 for 312 yards last season.

SECOND DOWN -- THE TALK: "I don't think there's any question that Juice has got a chance to be a pretty good football player for us," Illini coach Ron Zook said after Williams lit up the spring game for 150 yards and a TD. "The thing that's great about him is he's a very humble guy. They know that he's leader. The maturity he's developed in terms of wanting to be in that position is exciting, too."

"They just tell me to stay in the film room," aid Martez Wilson, who's trying to replace Brit Miller (132 tackles and six sacks) at middle linebacker this season. "(Middle linebacker) is about knowing your position more than just playing it." In December, Wilson was stabbed. He's since recovered and is 100 percent full-go.

FIRST DOWN -- THE PLAY: This is Juice's team, every which way. He's the arm, the feet, the heart and the brains. All parts helped get the Illini to the Rose Bowl two years ago. Last year, no bowl, but, aside from a bad stretch late, Juice was all right. The Illini's offense will run opponents ragged, but Illinois' defense needs to find something against the run. It was soft with Miller, a warrior LB. Without, it could be the fatal flaw. And then there's that non-conference schedule. Zook, recently voted college football's fittest coach, is gonna go "American Gladiator" on whomever came up with the non-conference lineup of Missouri (a traditional) and then closing at Cincinnati and Fresno State.

"Zooker," that could pass for an "American Gladiator" name.