Illinois football update

[Carpet]

In the spirit of the up coming NCAA Football season
I thought I would provide my fellow members with
my continued Illinois information.................

Today Kraig Appleton a stud reciever from
east saint louis IL has committed for the 2009 class.

Rivals ranks him as the 10th best receiver of the
class of 2009. Ohio State, LSU and a host of many
others wanted this kid.

I know East Saint Louis HS personally and my only
concern is this young mans academic status,
can he pass the SAT....????

If he can Coach Zook keeps his pipeline building

Carpet

[Carpet]

FROM CAMP RANTOUL

WR Jeff Cumberland of Illinois will be
out 2-4 weeks with a stress fracture of the foot.

His size and skill set will certainley be
hard to replace.

Jeff may be ready for the Mizzou game but
I think it is more probable he will be back for
the Penn State game in 5 weeks.

Carpet

[Carpet]

ILLINOIS RANKED # 20 AP

AP Poll: Illinois #20.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Illinois Ranked No. 20 in Associated Press Poll
Illini to Face Four Teams Ranked in Preseason Poll

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - After a No. 19 ranking in the coaches poll earlier this month, the University of Illinois football team solidifies its place in the preseason ratings with a No. 20 pick in the Associated Press poll. Four of Illinois 2008 opponents are also found in the top 25. It is the first time the Illini began a season in the top 25 since 2002.

The Illini ended the 2007 season with a ranking of No. 18 by the coaches and No. 20 by the Associated Press. The team's highest rating of 2007 was 13th heading into its Rose Bowl game against USC. Illinois faced five ranked teams last season, posting a 3-2 record vs. the top-25. Head coach Ron Zook's squad was the only in the country to defeat two top-5 opponents with upsets of No. 5 Wisconsin and No. 1 Ohio State.

This year's schedule features some of the best competition in college football as the Illini start off the season with No. 6 Missouri in St. Louis, Mo., in the State Farm Arch Rivalry on Aug. 30. They also face a ranked opponent in No. 22 Penn State on Sept. 27. On Oct. 25, Illinois travels to No. 13 Wisconsin and then hosts No. 2 Ohio State on No. 15.

USA Today/Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Georgia (22) 1,528
2. Ohio State (21) 1,506
3. USC (12) 1,490
4. Oklahoma (4) 1,444
5. Florida (6) 1,415
6. Missouri 1,266
7. LSU 1,135
8. West Virginia 1,116
9. Clemson 1,105
10. Auburn 968
11. Texas 966
12. Texas Tech 786
13. Wisconsin 771
14. Kansas 707
15. Arizona State 631
16. Brigham Young 590
17. Virginia Tech 578
18. Tennessee 509
19. South Florida 496
20. Illinois 483
21. Oregon 366
22. Penn State 293
23. Wake Forest 227
24. Alabama 89
25. Pittsburgh 85
Others Receiving Votes: South Carolina 84, Fresno State 83, California 59, Utah 53, Cincinnati 44, Florida State 41, Michigan 36, Boston College 32, Rutgers 32, Michigan State 21, Boise State 17, Arkansas 14, North Carolina 14, Connecticut 10, Tulsa 7, UCLA 6, Oregon State 5, Mississippi State 4, Virginia 4, Arizona 3, Nebraska 2, Notre Dame 2, Hawaii 1, Washington 1.

[Bettorsworld]

Mr Carpet asked that I toss in my 2 cents.....

This is from a Big 10 preview I did a couple of weeks ago.


Illinois Odds 4/1 - Illinois was a blast to root for last year. After consecutive 2 win seasons Ron Zook and company won 9 games, knocking off Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State along the way before being blown out in the Rose Bowl by USC, an unfortunate way to end the year. The illini return 7 on offense and 6 on defense. Unfortunately on the offensive side of things, they lose a major contributor to their success last year, Rashard Mendenhall. They still have Juice Williams at QB to keep opposing defenses on their heels, but the loss of Mendenhall will hurt. Their defense was another key to their success last year. They had a defensive yards per point number of over 17, which is solid. They lose some key players from that unit however, including their 2 best tacklers. They have to play at Penn State, At Michigan and at Wisconsin and certainly won't be sneaking up on anyone this year. I have them winning 7 games this year and that's if they catch one or two breaks along the way. Illini fans figure to be disappointed after last years success but those kinds of years are few and far in between for Illinois Football.

The rest of the article is here -

http://www.bettorsworld.com/2008/big...redictions.htm

[Carpet]

Excellent write up Jeff

Thank you for your keen insight Jeff, you are
right on Point..........

In the next day or so I shall post here my
preseason review of Illinois as they move
closer towards kick off....

All information is welcome here cause the
goal is to be on the winning wager side....

Carpet

[Carpet]

ILLINOIS 2008

A Look at Illinois

OFFENSE

QB Juice Williams continues to mature and at 235
pounds with a rifle arm and great speed is a weapon
all to its self. The growth in this young QB is evident
averaging 37% as a freshmen in completions, improving
to 57% last year>>>>the goal is 70% this year

WIDE RECEIVERS AND TIGHT END

These positions are vastly improved over last year
and I expect that to translate on the field. Regis Benn
is healthy and could have a Break out year as a
Sophmore (hope he stays healthy). Remember the name
BENN of Illinois

KICKING

Losing the best kicker ever for Illinois to graduation
will be hard to fill, currently 2 kickers are vying for
the starting spot but my review is this is an area of
concern......

RUNNING BACK

The loss of Mendenhall to the NFL is big as Jeff
pointed out, but not insurmountable, Illinois
has 3 really good running backs and Dufrene will
carry the load, Coach says it will be RB by committee
early on. Remember last year coming into the season
Mendenhall was over looked by all the experts....
Illinois is loaded at running back position with
talent....

DEFENSE

This is the most talented Defense I have ever
seen for Illinois, they are big, fast and athletic at
every position.

While Illinois lost a great line backer Leman a
leader of the team, the only question is who will step up....

My guess is Brit Miller as a shifts over to the LB
Spot, Miller is STRONG and smart he will be used
to plug the run and will do so....

Also on Defense you have LB Martis Wilson
remember his name this kid is a sophmore
and is fast fast fast. And when you catch the ball
he is gonna drive you 2 feet into dirt.....

FINAL THOUGHTS

Illinois has better talent this year than last year
and the young super stars Coach Zook has brought
to Illinois will shine this year.

A tough schedule awaits I see a 9 game
win season for Illinois, losses to Penn State
maybe Wisky away and Illinois knocking of
Ohio State a game played in our back yard...

Next up a review of the Missouri vs Illinois
game # 6 vs 19

Good Luck all

Carpet

[TGR]

Good writeup Carpet...