Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - 2006 SEASON IN REVIEW: The second year of the Ron Zook era at Illinois began in less-than-desirable fashion, as the Illini showed very little fight in losing three of their first four games. The lone victory during that span came in the opener over Division I-AA foe Eastern Illinois, while setbacks to Rutgers, Syracuse and Iowa left the team at 1-3 heading into the meat of its Big Ten schedule. A 23-20 win at Michigan State was a nice way to bounce back, but that would be the end of the good feelings as seven consecutive losses followed, earning UI a dismal 2-10 record and only one win in conference. It was the second straight two-win season for Zook, and the Illini have won just one Big Ten bout with him on the sidelines. In fact, going back a little further, Illinois has just eight total wins to its credit over the past four years and hasn't been to a bowl game since 2001. To say Illinois' rabid fan base is losing patience is an understatement. Zook is a terrific recruiter and the hope is that another year of bringing in some of the area's best young players will begin to pay dividends.

2007 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: The Illini were pretty much a one-trick pony in 2006, at least from an offensive standpoint, as they ranked among the better rushing attacks in the country with an average of 188.8 ypg. Leading rusher Pierre Thomas is gone, but junior Rashard Mendenhall is back after averaging better than eight yards per carry and matching Thomas with a team-best five TDs. As solid as the UI ground game was last year, the aerial assault was as inept, accounting for a mere 156.5 ypg. Athletically-gifted QB Juice Williams was just a freshman and the jump to major college football was a tough one as he completed only 39 percent of his passes for 1,489 yards, nine TDs and nine INTs. His maturation is crucial to a team that will attempt to put forth a more balanced attack this fall. The UI receiving corps boasts the return of the diminutive but speedy Kyle Hudson, the team's leader in catches (30), receiving yards (403) and receiving TDs (three) a year ago. A guy who could make a huge splash down field this season for the Illini is rookie Arrelious Benn, a 6-2, 210-pounder who is highly regarded and brings a wealth of talent to Champaign. Four starters are back along the line so continuity up front should help both facets of the Illinois offensive attack. In the end, it will be Williams' progress or lack thereof, that will determine the Illini's fate.

DEFENSE: With the team's four top tacklers back for another go, the Illini should be one of the better defensive teams in the Big Ten in 2007. Linebackers J Leman and Antonio Steele combined for nearly 240 tackles in '06, 152 of which belonged to Leman (third most in the country), a 6-2, 240-pound senior who will surely be on everyone's Butkus Award ballot by season's end. The Illini's strength last season was stopping the run, as it allowed 106 ypg fewer than the year before. The defensive line features three returning starters, including 6-6 senior DT Chris Norwell (club leader with 12.5 TFLs and five sacks), so the hope is that trend will continue. Despite logging just 23 sacks as a team, defending the pass also took a turn in the right direction last season, and with guys like CB Vontae Davis, FS Justin Harrison and SS Kevin Mitchell back in the fold, the Illini should make it hard for opposing offenses once again.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Senior Jason Reda is back to continue booting field goals for Illinois after converting 15-of-19 attempts last year. An experienced kicker with an accurate leg, Reda is poised for another terrific season. The same can't necessarily be said about the team's punter, as Zook will likely turn to redshirt freshman Anthony Santella. The return game gets a boost with the arrival of Benn, but any of a number of players could log time back there if the ultra-skilled rookie falters.

OUTLOOK: Up is the only direction the Illini can go at this point but surpassing last year's win total could be difficult, unless Williams shows remarkable progress. Opening the season against Missouri in St. Louis will serve as a measuring stick, but we probably won't get a sense for just how good Illinois is until the conference slate gets underway at Indiana on September 22nd. The Illini have the good fortune of playing most of their tougher league games at home (Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan), and while Leman and the defense will likely keep them in those bouts, getting to .500 on the year will prove a daunting task.