Foul Balls College Football Preview - Illinois Fighting Illini

With the college football season just round the corner, Foul Balls has decided it's about time we busted out our college football previews. Each weekday we will break down a team from the Big Ten Conference and tell you all the important things you need to know about them. After we're done covering the Big Ten, we'll move on to Notre Dame and other Chicago area schools. We'll be going from worst to first, and today it's the Illinois Fighting Illini's turn.

2006 Record - 2-10 1-7 10th Big Ten

2007 Projection - 5-7

Most Important Player - He would also happen to be the team's most exciting player, Juice Williams. He's a very raw quarterback, to say the least and, while he can rely on his legs to make some exciting plays for the Illini, it's his throwing that the team will need. Juice has shown more patience in practice this spring, but he's going to have to learn that not every pass needs to be hurled a million miles per hour. If Juice can control his arm and work on his accuracy, the Illini could be going to a bowl in December.

Who to watch for on offense - Luckily for Williams he has a running back in Rashard Mendenhall who can get to 1,000 yards this season. The Illini aren't as deep in the backfield with the absence of E.B. Halsey and Pierre Thomas this season, but they may be more explosive. There is also Kyle Hudson at wide receiver, who proved to be a valuable asset to Williams and the Illini offense last season. And there's the freshman receiver Arrelious Benn. Benn is the crown jewel of Ron Zook's latest recruiting class, and could have a huge impact from the get go. Of course, if the Illini offensive line doesn't improve from their performance last season, none of this will matter.

Who to watch for on defense - The Illini defense appears poised to become one of the Big Ten's better units. J Leman (pictured) is probably the best linebacker in the country nobody has ever heard of, but he has some help up front. Derek Walker could emerge as one of the conference's most disruptive pass rushers, and Chris Norwell could make a lot of noise inside as well. The secondary is anchored by Vontae Davis at corner, and he's the future star of a very young and promising secondary.

Impact Freshmen - I already mentioned Arrelious Benn, and he could end up being one of the best freshman in the country, let alone conference. Benn has the size, speed, and confidence to become a big time star in not only college, but the NFL as well. If Williams can find a way to get him the ball, he'll make the play. Hell, Williams can miss him by 10 yards, and Arrelious might make the play anyway. He's that talented. Also, keep an eye out for Martez Wilson. He's not in the starting lineup right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is after a few games.

Possible Upset - 9/29 vs. Penn State. The Nittany Lions will be coming off of a game at Michigan, and whether they pull an upset there or not, they could be ripe for the plucking by the Illini. A win in this game for Illinois could be what the team needs to get back to a bowl game.

Coaching - We all know that Ron Zook is an amazing recruiter. Just looking at what he did at Florida and now at Illinois it's obvious. In fact, it's even more impressive in Champaign. Convincing top notch talent to attend Florida can't be that hard of a sell, but Illinois? That's a basketball school! Of course, Zook has never really been able to turn that recruiting genius of his into wins. If the Illini don't make a strong push this season, the Zooker will start to feel some pressure from the fan base.

Bowl Expectations - I'm not all that confident in the Illini this season, but I can't rule out a bowl appearance. If they're able to sneak in an upset somewhere along the line, I can see this team getting to 6 wins and securing one of the Big Ten's many bowl bids.

Previous Previews

• Michigan State Spartans
• Northwestern Wildcats