ESPN College Football

Illinois

2009 overall record: 3-9

2009 conference record: 2-6 (9th)

Returning starters


Offense: 5, defense: 6, kicker/punter: 2

Top returners

RB Mikel LeShoure, WR Jarred Fayson, LT Jeff Allen, DT Corey Liuget, DE Clay Nurse, LB Ian Thomas, LB Martez Wilson, CB Tavon Wilson

Key losses

QB Juice Williams, WR Arrelious Benn, LG Jon Asamoah, TE Michael Hoomanawanui, WR Jeff Cumberland, DE Doug Pilcher, S Garrett Edwards

2009 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Mikel LeShoure* (734 yards)

Passing: Juice Williams (1,632 yards)

Receiving: Arrelious Benn (490 yards)

Tackles: Ian Thomas* (95)

Sacks: Clay Nurse* (5.5)

Interceptions: Garrett Edwards, Tavon Wilson*, Russell Ellington*, Doug Pilcher, Terry Hawthorne* (1)

Spring answers

1. Scheelhaase steps up: Illinois didn't announce its starting quarterback this spring, but anyone who watched practice or talked with the coaches knew that redshirt freshman Nathan Scheelhaase took the lead. Scheelhaase is an exceptional athlete who shows good maturity and made big plays in several spring scrimmages. He still needs work as a passer but brings some dynamic skills to the backfield.

2. Jenkins emerges at receiver: A.J. Jenkins nearly left Illinois after a disappointing 2009 season. He comes out of spring practice as the team's No. 1 wideout and a potential successor to Arrelious Benn. Jenkins was "a changed man," according to head coach Ron Zook, and clicked immediately with new offensive coordinator/receivers coach Paul Petrino. He should be a major asset for the new starting quarterback this fall.

3. Defensive line builds depth: Illinois loses veteran defensive lineman Doug Pilcher but the squad should be better and deeper up front in 2010. Zook singled out defensive tackles Akeem Spence, Glenn Foster and Daryle Ballew for their play this spring. They join returning starters Corey Liguet and Clay Nurse, who participated in everything but full-contact drills this spring following shoulder surgery. Liuget and Nurse are natural leaders up front, and if Josh Brent returns from his academic struggles, Illinois could be very good along the line.

Fall questions

1. Quarterback: Jacob Charest isn't out of the race for the top job, but he'll need to close the gap with Scheelhaase during the summer and early in preseason camp. True freshman Chandler Whitmer is also in the mix, though the coaches say he's behind Charest and Scheelhaase. Illinois has some good leadership at other spots (receiver, defensive line, linebacker), but it must identify the No. 1 guy at the top position on the field.

2. Offensive line: Corey Lewis' torn ACL could be a big blow for a group adjusting to a new offense and new assignments for the guards and tackles (strong side/weak side). Illinois needs a strong preseason camp from Ryan Palmer, the favorite to fill the starting spot opposite Jeff Allen. The Illini need to run the ball with their talented backs and protect their young quarterbacks as well as they can, so building chemistry along the line is huge.

3. Safety squeeze: I still think Illinois' defense hasn't been the same since safeties Kevin Mitchell and Justin Harrison departed following the 2007 season. The Illini look pretty solid at cornerback with Tavon Wilson, Terry Hawthorne and several others, but the safety spot remains a question mark. Travon Bellamy and Supo Sanni are the top options coming out of spring, but they must continue to be pushed, especially if Walter Aikens isn't reinstated.

This isn't how Illinois defensive end Doug Pilcher envisioned his final collegiate game taking place.

For starters, Pilcher, like the rest of his Fighting Illini teammates, entered the season fully expecting to play beyond Saturday's contest against Fresno State (Big Ten Network, 12:30 p.m. ET). Illinois had both talent and depth, and was widely projected to end up back in a bowl game after a one-year hiatus.

But nothing went according to plan, and a senior class that has endured an unusual tenure in Champaign will receive its sendoff Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

“The season didn't go as well as we'd hoped," said Pilcher, who ranks second on the team in both sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (7.5). "We had high expectations. But you can’t really change it. It is what it is. Right now, we just focus on Fresno State and working hard to get that win. We want to go out with a bang."

The fourth-year seniors were part of head coach Ron Zook's first full recruiting class to Illinois. Juice Williams, a raw but talented quarterback from Chicago, headlined the group, along with other heralded prospects like Vontae Davis, Chris Duvalt, Chris James and Jeff Cumberland.

Illinois fourth-year and fifth-year seniors were part of the team's surprise Rose Bowl run in 2007. They also have experienced plenty of losing. Remove the 2007 season, and Illinois has gone 12-34 since Zook's arrival.

"They've done an awful lot of good things and an awful lot of bad things," Zook said this week. "One thing this class has done is show us where we can be and where we need to get back to. When they came here, it wasn't necessarily the popular thing to do, so I have a special place in my heart for that. As I told our football team after the [Cincinnati] game, they basically recruited everybody in this room.

"We owe it to them to do everything in our power as a football team and as a coaching staff to do everything we can do to win this game."

Zook recited the play-every-play-like-it's-your-last cliché during a team meeting Monday, but he further explained his point.

"Why do you think you talk about playing every play like it's your last play?" Zook said. "Because eventually it's going to be, and as I said, for some of these guys this is it. You will never play football again. ... The only thing they're guaranteed is one more game."

Though Illinois is playing strictly for pride Saturday, Pilcher doesn't expect any letdown. Fresno State boasts the nation's leading rusher in junior Ryan Matthews (149.1 ypg), who is cleared to play after missing the Bulldogs' last two games with a concussion.

"It’s always great to compete against the best," Pilcher said. "Everyone's fired up to play. It's important for us to get this win and send the underclassmen out on a high note."

My biggest problem with college football awards is that they're often based too much on preseason hype rather than on what happens between September and December.

That's why it was nice to see Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan added to the watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's top defensive end. Kerrigan's name didn't appear on the 30-man preseason watch list, but the Boilermakers junior earned his way on with a strong performance this fall.

He leads the Big Ten and ties for eighth nationally in sacks with 11. Kerrigan is tied for third in the league in tackles for loss (16.5) and earned national defensive player of the week honors after leading Purdue to an upset victory against Ohio State on Oct. 17.

Hendricks Award finalists will be named in the coming weeks, and the winner will be announced Dec. 9. The preseason watch list included seven Big Ten players: Michigan State's Trevor Anderson, Michigan's Brandon Graham, Illinois' Doug Pilcher, Ohio State's Lawrence Wilson, Northwestern's Corey Wootton and Indiana's Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Clay Nurse is not a golfer, but he borrows a term from links lingo to pinpoint Illinois' current state of mind.

"There’s no mulligans in football," the Illini junior defensive end said. "You can’t go back and do it over."

	AP Photo/Paul Battaglia
	Illinois defensive end Clay Nurse is coming off a career-best performance for the Illini.

Nurse first heard the saying from fellow Illinois defensive lineman Doug Pilcher, and it has quickly caught on. For the Illini, there's no point in looking back on both the good and the bad this season.

Illinois has won back-to-back Big Ten games for the first time since 2007, when it rattled off four consecutive victories to reach the Rose Bowl. The team's slim chances for a bowl appearance remain alive with games left against Northwestern, No. 5 Cincinnati and Fresno State.

Nurse is coming off of his best game at Illinois, a four-sack effort in the team's 35-32 victory against Minnesota. The four sacks tied for the second-highest single-game total in team history, behind only five sacks recorded by All-American Simeon Rice in 1994. Performances like those don't come around every Saturday, but don't expect Nurse to start turning cartwheels.

"It was something that I felt great about on Saturday, forgot about on Sunday and I’ve continued to forget about it," he said. "I want to go into games with the mentality that I haven’t achieved anything. I want myself to stay hungry. It’s not something to dwell on.

"At the end of the day, we’re still 3-6. That’s nothing to hang your hat on."

Nurse's response to success might seem cold, but he takes the same approach with failure, which is a welcome change for Illinois. As the team stumbled out of the gate, dropping six of its first seven games, all by 10 points or more, players would let mistakes linger.

Bad plays would turn into bad sequences and, eventually, bad games.

But the Illini are learning to move on from their errors. Two weeks ago against Michigan, Illinois allowed a 76-yard pass play before cornerback Terry Hawthorne tracked down Roy Roundtree just shy of the goal line. Rather than lament the big play, Illinois stuffed Michigan four times to regain possession.

"We’re playing with a nothing-to-lose type of mentality," Nurse said. "So you made a mistake? Let it go. Just let it slide, man. Because honestly, what can you do? Play in the now, play in the present, don’t worry about it."

The attitude suits Nurse, who only started playing football midway through high school after immigrating from Guyana with his parents. It has taken time for him to acclimate to the game, but playing alongside teammates like Pilcher, Josh Brent and Corey Liuget has helped.

The 6-3, 260-pound Nurse leads Illinois in both tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (5.5), and he ranks second in forced fumbles (2).

"When I play with those guys, it allows me to go out and do things I normally wouldn’t have the confidence to do," he said. "I know, ‘You know what? These guys have my back. I can be loose.’ And if I’m making mistakes, so what? Just play the next play."

The 1-6 start took several goals off the table for Illinois, but the players are focused on what's in front of them.

"It’s kind of living on the edge," Nurse said. "You don't want to go backwards because you know you’re going to fall. You've got to keep pushing ahead because you know that's where the success is."

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Illinois Fighting Illini

Record: 1-5 (0-4 Big Ten)

How did it get so bad so fast? It is a question being asked throughout the Illinois program, from head coach Ron Zook to the assistants to the players. Despite a very disappointing 2008 season, Illinois returned the Big Ten's most experienced quarterback in Juice Williams, seemingly one of the nation's best wide receiving corps and a defense with several exciting playmakers. But things have gone downhill since the season opener against Missouri, and the Illini still haven't reached rock bottom. Illinois' five losses have come by an average of 19.8 points. Williams already has been benched and reinserted as the starter, but the offense doesn't resemble the unit that shined at times last season. The defense also has fallen on hard times and lost starting middle linebacker Martez Wilson to a season-ending neck injury after Week 1. Two more losses will eliminate Illinois from postseason contention for the second straight year after the Rose Bowl run of 2007.

Offensive MVP, RB Jason Ford -- No one really deserves this distinction, but at least Ford has produced when healthy. The sophomore is averaging 8.2 yards a carry but still doesn't get the carries of a featured back.

Defensive MVP, DE Clay Nurse -- The Illini defense isn't immune from the struggles, but Nurse has done his part in the first half. The junior leads Illinois with five tackles for loss to go along with a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. Honorable mentions go to defensive linemen Doug Pilcher and Corey Liuget and cornerback Tavon Wilson.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Juice Williams sounded like a man exhausted and exasperated by a search for something that couldn't actually be found.

But when a team melts down the way Illinois did in Saturday's 37-9 loss to Missouri, an explanation isn't merely desired, but demanded.

Did the Illini get thrown off by losing star wide receiver Arrelious Benn to a sprained ankle on the third play of scrimmage?

Was the offense's rhythm out of whack without running backs Jason Ford or Daniel Dufrene?

How much did the secondary miss cornerback Vontae Davis, or is the unit missing leadership at safety for the second straight year?

“It’s really hard to explain," a subdued Williams said Monday on a teleconference with reporters. "It’s not really one thing you can pinpoint and set aside, say that’s the reason we didn’t play well. It was a combination of things."

For now, the outside world will have to settle for this from the senior quarterback: "Obviously, something happened between us leaving Champaign and going down to St. Louis for kickoff. Something happened and we obviously weren’t quite as focused and we weren’t at the point we needed to be to go out and dominate the game like we thought we should have."

Both Williams and linebacker Martez Wilson pointed to a lack of focus and intensity in the Missouri game. Head coach Ron Zook was even more pointed Sunday, saying, "The thing that got me most upset -- we didn’t go fight."

The 2009 Illini aren't knocked out after Saturday's loss, but they're certainly a bit staggered. Benn should return this weekend along with Ford and possibly Dufrene for a game against Illinois State, an FCS program, but things begin to get a lot tougher.

Illinois opens Big Ten play against Ohio State (road), Penn State (home) and Michigan State (home). If the Illini don't put up more of a fight soon, they'll be down for the count.

“It was a very humbling experience for this team," Williams said. "Hopefully, it works out for the better. ... Losing the way we lost, it definitely puts a team in a situation where you kind of second-guess yourself and you kind of lose sight of what you’re trying to do. The important thing for us is to regain the focus that we had throughout the entire fall camp and be confident in ourselves."

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Defensive end was unquestionably the Big Ten's strongest position in 2008, and a look as who's returning this fall shows another strong group. Sacks leader Aaron Maybin has moved on to the NFL, but a host of standout ends are back. 

The Ted Hendricks Award committee seems to agree and included seven Big Ten defensive ends on its preseason watch list of 30 players. There will be a midseason watch list that eventually gets narrowed down to several finalists. The winner will be announced Dec. 9.

Here's the rundown from the Big Ten:

• Trevor Anderson, Sr., Michigan State
• Brandon Graham, Sr., Michigan
• Jammie Kirlew, Sr., Indiana
• Greg Middleton, Sr., Indiana
• Doug Pilcher, Sr., Illinois
• Lawrence Wilson, Sr., Ohio State
• Corey Wootton, Sr., Northwestern

Of these players, three jump out as potential front-line candidates for the Hendricks Award: Graham, Wootton and Kirlew.

Graham led the Big Ten in tackles for loss last year (20), while Kirlew ranked second in tackles (10.5) and third in TFLs (19.5). Wootton might be the league's best all-around defensive end, recording 16 TFLS, 10 sacks, seven quarterback hurries, an interception, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. 

Indiana returns one of the nation's most accomplished sacks tandem in Kirlew and Middleton, who led the nation in sacks (16) in 2007. It's interesting to see Ohio State's Wilson get the nod over junior Thaddeus Gibson, though Wilson can be effective when healthy.  

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

They're baaaaack. Many of you who checked out colleague Heather Dinich's ACC position rankings asked when I'd be doing the same for the Big Ten. Well, Big Ten media days are done and we have a bit of a break before the first preseason practice begins Aug. 6 at Illinois. This seems like the perfect time to rank the positions heading into the season.

Defensive line is up first. There's only one elite group on paper, but no truly bad units, either. Really not much difference between Nos. 4-11.  

1. Ohio State -- The group has drawn comparisons to the 2002 line that helped Ohio State win a national title. Ohio State looks loaded at defensive end with Cameron Heyward, Thaddeus Gibson and Lawrence Wilson, a one-time starter who comes off of two major leg injuries. Gibson should have a big year after coming on strong late last fall. The tackles have been a bit iffy in recent years, but Doug Worthington boasts a ton of experience and should shore up the middle with Todd Denlinger, Dexter Larimore and Garrett Goebel.

2. Penn State -- Larry Johnson's body of work is simply too powerful to overlook, even though Penn State loses a lot from a group that led the Big Ten and ranked eighth nationally against the run (93.2 ypg). Jared Odrick is the Big Ten's most dominant interior defensive lineman, and he'll lead a group of promising young players. Hopes are extremely high for sophomore end Jack Crawford, and juniors Kevion Latham and Eric Latimore hold down the other end spot. Depth is a bit of a question, but Penn State should get a boost from a healthy Jerome Hayes. 

3. Iowa -- The Hawkeyes are another team dealing with major personnel losses as four-year starting tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul depart. But what Iowa loses inside, it makes up for on the edges with ends Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard. Clayborn recorded eight tackles for loss last year and should contend for All-Big Ten honors. It'll be interesting to see how Karl Klug and Mike Daniels adjust to playing more on the inside.

4. Northwestern -- A lot depends on Corey Wootton's durability after the senior defensive end tore his ACL in December. Wootton is probably the Big Ten's most versatile lineman, applying pressure to quarterbacks and also clogging pass lanes with his 6-foot-7 frame. Sophomore Vince Browne is primed for a big season at the other end spot. Replacing standout tackle John Gill won't be easy, but the Wildcats have veterans in Corbin Bryant, Marshall Thomas and Adam Hahn.

5. Wisconsin -- I'm taking a bit of a chance here, seeing how the Badgers lose three multiyear starters up front. But the line dominated Wisconsin's offseason program and boasts several exciting pieces, including Central Michigan transfer J.J. Watt, who can play either end or tackle. O'Brien Schofield is a solid leader at defensive end, and young linemen Brendan Kelly and Louis Nzegwu should blossom.     

6. Illinois -- The Illini lose their top four sacks leaders from last year, but they should be much better against the run, an area that really hurt the defense in 2008. With Josh Brent back in the fold, Illinois boasts arguably more depth at defensive tackle than any Big Ten team. Corey Liguet showed a lot of potential as a true freshman, and senior Sirod Williams returns from a torn ACL.  There are some questions at end aside from Doug Pilcher.

7. Michigan -- Senior end Brandon Graham should be the Big Ten's most dominant pass-rusher this fall, and if he gets some help from his teammates, he'll be even better. Michigan is very young elsewhere on the line but boasts a good deal of talent. Sophomores Ryan Van Bergen and Mike Martin showed promising signs in the spring, and it'll be interesting to see how much true freshman William Campbell gets on the field. 

8. Michigan State -- This is the only area of Michigan State's defense that doesn't wow me, but senior end Trevor Anderson leads a decent group. Anderson should build off of a nice junior season (8 sacks, 10.5 TFLs), but the Spartans need a second pass-rusher to emerge. Brandon Long and Justin Kershaw will be missed, and it'll be up to Colin Neely, Oren Wilson and others to fill the void. 

9. Minnesota -- The Gophers tied for the league lead in sacks last fall (34) but lose standout end Willie VanDeSteeg, who accounted for 10.5 of those sacks. Minnesota's strength is inside with senior tackles Garrett Brown and Eric Small. If Cedric McKinley or someone else develops into a reliable pass-rusher, Minnesota should finish the year higher on the list.

10. Purdue -- It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Purdue finished the year much higher on the list, but there are quite a few questions entering the fall. The Boilers know what they have in end Ryan Kerrigan and tackle Mike Neal, but the other two spots are mysteries. There are high hopes for Kawann Short and Gerald Gooden, but I need to see more evidence in games before bumping up the Boilers.     

11. Indiana -- We all know the Hoosiers can rush the passer with standout ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton. But can Indiana stop the run? There are some major question marks at defensive tackle entering preseason camp, and Bill Lynch needs a bona fide run-stopper to emerge. Junior tackle Deonte Mack needs to step up after missing spring ball with a hip injury.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

While Michigan held its annual spring game, other teams around the Big Ten conducted scrimmages this weekend.

Here are some highlights from around the league.

ILLINOIS

• The Illini held their third annual Chicago area scrimmage at Oak Park-River Forest High School, where former Illinois coach Robert Zuppke served before coming to Champaign.
  
• Illinois' offense scored three touchdowns on five drives, including a 27-yard scoring pass from Juice Williams to Jarred Fayson and a 4-yard run by Mikel LeShoure. LeShoure continued his stellar spring with 14 carries for 123 yards, while Fayson is closing in on a starting wideout spot.
  
• After struggling in Wednesday's practice, Williams completed 13 of 20 passes for 167 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions.
  
• Defensive end Doug Pilcher and linebacker Russell Ellington each recorded two sacks. Linebacker Nate Bussey, a converted safety, tallied a team-high nine tackles.
• For more on the scrimmage, including linebacker Martez Wilson's first comments this spring, click here and here.

INDIANA

• The Hoosiers' ground game surged for the second consecutive scrimmage, racking up 169 yards on 30 carries (5.6 ypc), and the defense bounced back from a slow start to record three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble.
  
• Quarterback Ben Chappell completed his first eight pass attempts and hit Damarlo Belcher for a 22-yard touchdown. Chappell and the passing attack continued to progress, as 10 different receivers hauled in receptions.
  
• Trea Burgess is making a strong push for Indiana's top running back spot and racked up 69 rush yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Redshirt freshman running back Darius Willis, a heralded recruit, participated in his first scrimmage after battling a groin problem and had 20 rush yards.
• Cornerbacks Chris Adkins and Richard Council recorded interceptions, and linebacker Jamie Lukaszewski forced a fumble.
  
• For more on the scrimmage, click here (subscription required).

NORTHWESTERN

• The good news for projected starting quarterback Mike Kafka is he gets to work against one of the Big Ten's top defenses this spring. But that's the bad news, too. Kafka struggled in Saturday's 82-play scrimmage, failing to lead the first-team offense to the end zone on 11 drives. On the second play of the scrimmage, he threw an interception that cornerback Jordan Mabin returned for a touchdown.
  
• Northwestern's defense forced three turnovers, as Mabin and safety Brian Peters recorded interceptions and safety Jared Carpenter forced a fumble.
  
• Quarterback Dan Persa and the second-team offense fared better, scoring two touchdowns, including a 45-yard pass from Persa to Zeke Markshausen. Persa completed his first eight pass attempts and finished 10-for-14 for 104 yards and a touchdown.
  
• Keep an eye on sophomore running back Jeravin Matthews, who continued a strong spring with 113 rush yards, including a 49-yarder, on 15 carries for the second-team offense. Matthews, a converted wide receiver and one of only two true freshmen to play last season, might be the team's fastest player and will push Stephen Simmons for the starting job.
  
• For more on the scrimmage, click here.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

On their way to winning a Big East championship last fall, Cincinnati's defensive linemen came up with a motto, which lingers with their former coach. 

"Get sacks, get stacks," Keith Gilmore recalls. "Guys thought that third down was the money down, and we prided ourselves on rushing the quarterback in those situations. And I'll carry a lot of that over."

After coaching a line that led the Big East and ranked ninth nationally in sacks (40), Gilmore took the same position at Illinois, which is looking for better results after a 5-7 season. Fighting Illini head coach Ron Zook dismissed D-line coach Tom Sims and brought in Gilmore, who helped Cincinnati produce a top-20 rush defense last fall.

Zook also had a catchphrase with the defensive line in 2008. Before the season he openly labeled the line the strength of the team, and with good reason.

Despite having several NFL prospects in Will Davis and Derek Walker, Illinois finished ninth in the Big Ten in both rush defense (152.9 ypg) and scoring defense (26.6 ppg). Illinois too often lost the battle at the line of scrimmage, and Zook brought in Gilmore to change things. 

"We really didn't talk about what happened last year," Gilmore said. "He expects me to coach these guys hard and be demanding and confront negative performances and demand that they play well. I'm all for that, so it wasn't a big deal."

Gilmore takes over a group that he admits is young but boasts a few veterans, namely end Doug Pilcher and tackle Sirod Williams, both fifth-year seniors. Another key contributor, tackle Josh Brent, is indefinitely suspended after a DUI arrest in February. 

Pilcher, who recorded 2.5 sacks last fall, has helped Gilmore organize young players during spring practice and even eased Gilmore's transition to a defensive system run by co-coordinators Dan Disch and Curt Mallory.

"If I've got a question on a few techniques or things they've done in the past, he's the guy that I'll bounce those type of things off of," Gilmore said. "He's real mature about it."

Williams returned to the field this spring after tearing his ACL in preseason camp. He's participating in all drills so far but might be limited in contact later this spring.

Also back is sophomore tackle Corey Liuget, who saw significant action as a freshman following Williams' injury and recorded 26 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. 

"In the first day of [spring] practice, he used his hands really well and ran to the football," Gilmore said. "He's a guy who's been coached. All I've got to do is keep trying to polish him up and take him to the next level." 

Gilmore has mentioned Cincinnati's motto from 2008 to his new players, and he expects them to brainstorm their own rallying cry when the season rolls around.

"It's all about what they identify with," Gilmore said. "I'm sure during the course of the spring and summer camp, we'll come up with something. But it's got to mean something to them."  

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Illinois did a lot of learning last fall, even if it didn't do a lot of winning.

"I learned an awful lot last year," head coach Ron Zook said Tuesday morning. "Our coaches learned an awful lot last year. More importantly, our players learned an awful lot last year."

Zook hopes the learning experience pays off for the Fighting Illini in spring practice, which opens this afternoon in Champaign. The team comes off an extremely disappointing 5-7 season, one that began with a top-20 ranking and tons of national buzz following a run to the Rose Bowl.

Illinois returns the Big Ten's most experienced quarterback (Juice Williams), its most NFL-ready wide receiver (Arrelious Benn) and talented players at other spots, but Zook doesn't take much for granted after last season, where the team won consecutive games only once. Team chemistry wasn't a strong suit for Illinois in 2008, but Zook already has seen major progress in that department.

"This is a team," he said. "These guys are all excited about the University of Illinois football program. ... We all learned an awful lot last year. We got away from what's important. We started worrying about winning instead of letting the wins and losses take care of themselves.

"They're excited about being type of team they know they can be."

Here are some other nuggets from Zook's pre-spring news conference.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

A great weekend of Big Ten games is on tap, and not just the big one at the L.A. Coliseum (ABC, 8 p.m. ET). I expect all of you to gain a few pounds sitting on your couches throughout Saturday and into Sunday morning. Anything less will be unacceptable. I get a rare Friday night at home -- fiancee is happy -- before hitting the road early Saturday to watch Purdue and No. 16 Oregon go at it (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

A quick disclaimer about this post because I've gotten a lot of nasty e-mails. These are the best 10 things to watch on a given Saturday, not the best thing to watch for each team. There often will be two items for a marquee game -- like the one in L.A. -- and multiple teams won't make the rundown, especially those playing weak competition. That's how it works.

Here are 10 things you don't want to miss:

1. Beanie watch ends: Ohio State running back Chris "Beanie" Wells is listed as doubtful for the matchup against top-ranked USC, but nothing will be settled until kickoff. Coach Jim Tressel doesn't want to risk further injury to Wells in September, but if the Heisman Trophy candidate can contribute, the Buckeyes will use him. If not, get ready for a guy (Dan Herron) nicknamed "Boom." Unfortunately, that's also the sound Rey Maualuga makes when he connects with ball carriers.

2. Pryor restraint: Buckeyes freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor will play a role against the Trojans. How significant a role largely depends on Beanie Wells' availability. If the offense stalls like it did last week without Wells, Pryor could get extended time in an effort to throw off the USC defense. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound freshman is a special talent, but can he handle the spotlight of such a marquee game?

3. Badgers hit the road: Wisconsin has survived slow starts against inferior opposition, but it can't afford to drag against Fresno State. Keep your eyes on Badgers quarterback Allan Evridge, who makes his first road start since 2005. Coach Bret Bielema gets two big pieces -- tight end Travis Beckum and linebacker Jonathan Casillas -- back on the field following injuries, but both players could be a bit rusty.

4. 'Hell' with the victors: Michigan players saw Charlie Weis' words around their training room this week. The Wolverines head to South Bend hoping to hand Weis and Notre Dame a third humiliating loss in the last three years. Quarterback Steven Threet gets the start and needs to show greater consistency, but he'll get help from a veteran defensive line that swarmed Jimmy Clausen last year.

5. Track meet at Ross-Ade -- Purdue has marveled at Oregon's team speed all week, and the Boilers have to find a way to keep pace Saturday afternoon. This will be the first of several defining games for Purdue senior quarterback Curtis Painter, who will set plenty of records but needs signature wins to complete his resume. The Boilermakers' back seven has improved but will play without speedy linebacker Jason Werner. Oregon's Jeremiah Johnson could capitalize.

6. Backer bonanza: NFL scouts will be drooling as arguably the nation's best linebacker tandems take the field at the L.A. Coliseum. Ohio State's James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman hope to continue their takeaway trend against Mark Sanchez, while the "scary" Maualuga and Brian Cushing bring the pain to the Buckeyes offense.

7. State pride on the line: This is more than a rivalry game for Iowa. Iowa State provides the first significant test for the Hawkeyes, who have looked dominant against shoddy competition. Sophomore quarterback Ricky Stanzi has a grasp on the starting job and the support of Iowa fans, but he'll need to continue to make progress against the Cyclones. The home team has won the last four Cy-Hawk trophies, a good sign for Iowa.

8. Rush hour in East Lansing: Michigan State's defensive line has yet to break out, and Saturday would be a fine time to do so. Sun Belt champ Florida Atlantic and standout quarterback Rusty Smith come to town, and the Spartans need to apply pressure to avoid problems. With uncertainty in the secondary, Michigan State needs big things from end Trevor Anderson and tackle Justin Kershaw.

9. Illini D-line under the gun -- Illinois ranks 101st nationally in rush defense (201 ypg), a troubling sign as Louisiana-Lafayette's dynamic quarterback Michael Desormeaux comes to town. Can veterans like Will Davis, Derek Walker, Doug Pilcher and David Lindquist shore up the defensive front? This would be a perfect time as Illinois inches closer to a tough opening stretch in league play.

10. Orange could be feeling blue: What was once a great rivalry could get ugly Saturday at the Carrier Dome as Penn State's high-powered offense faces the worst BCS team in the country. Syracuse should be pumped for the game: coach Greg Robinson desperately needs a positive showing: but Daryll Clark, Evan Royster and the 17th-ranked Nittany Lions should put up some ridiculous numbers in this one.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

I didn't get around to breaking down every depth chart released Monday, so let's do it. Wisconsin's and Iowa's came out last week, and there were no major changes there. Still waiting for Michigan State and Minnesota (Purdue doesn't play until Week 2).

PENN STATE

• As stated earlier, quarterbacks Daryll Clark and Pat Devlin are both listed as potential starters.
  
• Andrew Quarless is listed as the third-string tight end behind Mickey Shuler and Andrew Szczerba. Quarless, a former starter, was suspended for spring practice following a DUI arrest and has had several off-field problems at Penn State.
  
• Cornerback Tony Davis secured a starting job, and the other cornerback spot will go to Lydell Sargeant or A.J. Wallace. Sargeant started the first 10 games at cornerback last year and looked to be the starter with Wallace, instead of competing against him.
  
• Sophomores Ollie Ogbu and Abe Koroma are listed as the starters at the defensive tackle spot, which was thinned by two dismissals and an injury to Devon Still. Junior Jared Odrick is listed as Koroma's backup and likely will play plenty this fall.
• Tyrell Sales and Bani Gbadyu are listed as the starting outside linebackers, with Josh Hull in the middle. Promising sophomore Chris Colasanti is listed as Hull's backup.
  
• Evan Royster remains the top running back with speedy redshirt freshman Stephfon Green behind him.
  
• Junior Dennis Landolt is listed as both the starting right tackle and the backup left tackle behind Gerald Cadogan.
  

ILLINOIS

• As expected, junior Daniel Dufrene is listed as the starting running back ahead of Troy Pollard. Freshmen Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure continue to compete for the third-string spot.
  
• Junior Chris Duvalt and sophomore Chris James have joined Arrelious Benn as starters at wide receiver. Sophomore walk-on Alex Reavy is listed as Benn's backup, and freshmen Fred Sykes, Cordale Scott and A.J. Jenkins all are on the two-deep.
  
• A bit of a surprise as both Doug Pilcher and Derek Walker are listed as starters at defensive end opposite Will Davis. The "OR" designation is common for depth charts, but you don't usually see "AND" separating two possible starters. Walker has started the last three seasons but could play less with Pilcher's emergence and greater depth on the line.
  
• Sophomores Bo Flowers and Travon Bellamy secured the starting safety spots. Bellamy was a shoo-in, but Fowers beat out Nate Bussey and Donsay Hardeman for the job.
• Sophomore Josh Brent will start at defensive tackle following Sirod Williams' season-ending knee injury. Freshman Cory Liuget is listed as the backup at the other tackle spot.
• Four players remain in the mix for the starting place-kicker spot, with freshman Derek Dimke listed first.
  

There were a couple of notes from Wisconsin's news conference Monday.

• Cornerback Aaron Henry (knee) will miss the opener against Akron, and freshman linebacker Kevin Rouse will miss the majority of the season following shoulder surgery. Tight end Travis Beckum (hamstring), linebacker Jonathan Casillas (knee), fullback Chris Pressley (thumb) and cornerback Antonio Fenelus (ankle) could play Saturday and will be evaluated later in the week.
• Offensive linemen Jake Current and Kevin Zeitler, running back Bradie Ewing, tight end Jake Byrne, defensive end Brendan Kelly, punter Brad Nortman and defensive back Kevin Claxton are the freshmen expected to play this fall.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

More than once in recent months, Illinois coach Ron Zook has called the defensive line the strength of his team.

Quarterback Juice Williams, wide receiver Rejus Benn and cornerback Vontae Davis might garner greater hype, but as a unit, the D-line rises above the rest. The Illini return starting ends Will Davis and Derek Walker, starting tackle David Lindquist and several others (Doug Pilcher, Josh Brent) with at least a pinch of game experience. The season-ending loss of tackle Sirod Williams will hurt, but it frees up opportunities for Brent and heralded freshman Corey Liuget.

Co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch expects to use a rotation of up to nine players up front.

"We're pretty deep there compared to our other positions," Disch said. "We've got some kids that have been around, that's the key. We're looking to them to get us through the first couple weeks."

First up is Saturday's season opener with Missouri (8:30 ET, ESPN), a team against which the Illini line looked anything but superlative last season. Quarterback Chase Daniel passed for 359 yards as Missouri outlasted Illinois 40-34.

Lindquist recorded one of two sacks against Daniel, but the Missouri star attempted 54 passes and proved too much for the Illini defense.

"He doesn't give up on the play, no matter what," Davis said of Daniel. "If it's a broken play, he's going to find a way to make something out of nothing. But at the same time, the defensive line and the defense in general, we bring more speed to this game than we did last year."

Davis, a converted tight end, leads the charge after recording 9.5 sacks last season. Walker enters his fourth season as the starter after leading the team in sacks in 2006.

Lindquist led the Big Ten in fumble recoveries (4) as a sophomore before starting every game last fall.

Another year of experience should help a group that watched Missouri score 37 points in the first two-and-a-half quarters last season.

"Last year, we were still trying to find each other as a team," Walker said. "We were confident, but we weren't sure. This year, we know we can be good. We know if we play how we're supposed to play, we'll be one of the best D-lines in the nation. We just have to go out there with that mind-set and prove it to people."

They get a chance to prove it right away.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The rankings switch to the defenses today, and things begin up front. Like their offensive trench mates, defensive linemen are best graded as a unit, so that's where we'll start. But because there are so many standouts in the Big Ten, I'll follow-up with individual rankings for interior linemen and defensive ends. Examining the personnel at Penn State, Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa, defensive line is arguably the league's strongest position group.

Here's the rundown:

1. Penn State -- It's tight at the top, but the Nittany Lions get the nod with an experienced and talented group. Defensive ends Maurice Evans and Josh Gaines lead the way after combining for 26.5 tackles for loss and 16 sacks last season. Aaron Maybin provides depth at end, and the interior line features Jared Odrick, Ollie Ogbu and the reinstated Chris Baker.

2. Illinois -- Coach Ron Zook was extremely high on this group coming out of the spring, and for good reason. The Illini are stacked at end with All-Big Ten selection Will Davis, Derek Walker and Doug Pilcher. They must replace mainstay Chris Norwell at defensive tackle, but former walk-on David Lindquist comes off a strong 2007 in which he recorded 4.5 sacks.

3. Ohio State -- It's rare to see the Buckeyes outside of the top two, but they certainly have the talent to jump up the list. The main concern is the loss of defensive end Vernon Gholston, who tied for third nationally in sacks last fall. But the Buckeyes have a capable replacement in Lawrence Wilson, who returns after breaking his leg in the 2007 opener. Blossoming end Cameron Heyward helps the pass rush, and Ohio State has four capable interior linemen.

4. Michigan -- All four starters are back, and the line should be Michigan's strongest position group entering the season. End Brandon Graham had a strong summer after recording 8.5 sacks last season. He'll team with Tim Jamison to provide a formidable pass rush. The Wolverines will use multiple fronts but should operate mostly out of the 4-3, giving senior tackles Terrance Taylor and Will Johnson the chance to do damage.

5. Wisconsin -- Health and depth are the major questions entering camp, but there's little doubt the Badgers have loads of talent up front. End Matt Shaughnessy earned second-team all-conference honors last season and should have a stellar senior year if he recovers from a broken fibula. Senior tackles Jason Chapman and Mike Newkirk also come off injuries, as does end Kirk DeCremer, who recorded 5.5 sacks as a freshman.

6. Iowa -- The Hawkeyes boast the league's best interior line with senior tackles Mitch King and Matt Kroul. King has started the last 32 games, and Kroul's starts streak stands at 37. If Iowa can find disruptive pass rushers to bookend King and Kroul, it will shoot up the list. The spotlight will be on sophomores Christian Ballard and Adrian Clayborn, who had their moments as reserves last fall.

7. Indiana -- Greg Middleton headlines the group after leading the nation in sacks last season with 16. Indiana's challenges will be identifying a second pass-rushing threat and becoming sturdier against the run (159.7 ypg allowed in 2007). Junior end Jammie Kirlew recorded 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season, numbers that should increase with the double-teams Middleton will draw. Senior Greg Brown and the Burrus twins (Keith and Kevin) must solidify the interior.

8. Purdue -- Cliff Avril's departure hurts, but the Boilermakers return several experienced players up front and could easily leapfrog some teams by the end of the season. Seniors Alex Magee and Ryan Baker could be the best defensive tackle tandem in coach Joe Tiller's tenure, and Keyon Brown finished last season with 2.5 sacks in the Motor City Bowl.

9. Michigan State -- I'd be surprised if Michigan State doesn't jump up the list, but it's hard to minimize the losses of standout ends Jonal Saint-Dic and Ervin Baldwin. Trevor Anderson, a transfer from Cincinnati, steps into one spot and gives the Spartans a proven pass rusher. Hopes are high for tackle Justin Kershaw in his senior season, and sophomores Antonio Jeremiah and Oren Wilson will compete at the other tackle spot.

10. Northwestern -- With four multiyear starters back for the fall, the Wildcats should be much higher on the list. But a disappointing 2007 season leaves the group with plenty to prove. Tackle John Gill is a fail-safe NFL prospect and 6-7 end Corey Wootton provides size on the edge, but the line simply doesn't make enough plays. Northwestern must finish off sacks after collecting only 18 last season, and senior end Kevin Mims must step up opposite Wootton.

11. Minnesota -- This will be a familiar spot for Gophers defenders until they prove otherwise. Minnesota generated a league-low 11 sacks last season and got gashed for 229.3 rushing yards per game. Defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg tries to regain his 2006 form (10 sacks) after a disappointing junior season. New coordinator Ted Roof must find two capable tackles and could look to the team's crop of junior-college transfers.