Prediction: 6-6 (3-5)
A healthy Wes Lunt leads Illinois to a strong start out of the gate, but plateaus mid-way through the season. Lunt cements himself as a top-4 B1G quarterback, but Mike Dudek’s injury leaves the receiving corps without a top-notch threat, allowing opponents to stack the box and prevent Josh Ferguson from breaking many big plays. Ferguson again breaks 1,200 all-purpose yards, but sees a decrease in average yards per touch. Dudek’s return from injury comes later than anticipated and he doesn’t quite regain his sensational 2014 form. The defense shows moderate improvement, but remains a liability on the ground.
A 6-6 record with three wins in a strong — albeit top-heavy — Big Ten should be enough for this squad to squeak into a bowl game, much like it did in 2011 and 2014.
Another bowl victory means Beckman will likely stick around for the fifth and final year of his contract.
Anything short of that should seal his fate.
A healthy Wes Lunt leads Illinois to a strong start out of the gate, but plateaus mid-way through the season. Lunt cements himself as a top-4 B1G quarterback, but Mike Dudek’s injury leaves the receiving corps without a top-notch threat, allowing opponents to stack the box and prevent Josh Ferguson from breaking many big plays. Ferguson again breaks 1,200 all-purpose yards, but sees a decrease in average yards per touch. Dudek’s return from injury comes later than anticipated and he doesn’t quite regain his sensational 2014 form. The defense shows moderate improvement, but remains a liability on the ground.
A 6-6 record with three wins in a strong — albeit top-heavy — Big Ten should be enough for this squad to squeak into a bowl game, much like it did in 2011 and 2014.
Another bowl victory means Beckman will likely stick around for the fifth and final year of his contract.
Anything short of that should seal his fate.
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