2006 Illinois Fighting Illini Football Preview

2006 Illinois Fighting Illini season preview from Maddux Sports. Features an indepth look at the team, some info about the university, and the 2006 Illinois Fighting Illini Football Schedule. When you go to handicap NCAA football in 2006 consider using Maddux's College football spread picks for the added edge over your bookie this year. In addition don't forget to bookmark our free live College odds feed for the upcoming season.

Coach: Ron Zook (2nd year at Illinois)
Team Name: Fighting Illini
2005 Overall Record: 2-9
2005 Big 10 Conference Record 0-8
Returning Starters: 19

This team scored an average of 17 PPG, while allowing opponents almost 40 each contest. It’s tough to win more than 2 games a season doing that and that’s exactly how many the Illini won in 2005.

The offensive front line was pervious last year, and QB Tom Brasic got the ball to defenders as many times as he found the end zone—11. Brasic, a senior, connected for 61% of his throws in 2005. He’ll have four seasoned receivers to hit, each with 13 receptions or more last season. Seniors Pierre Thomas (664 YDS, 5 TDs) and E.B. Halsey (38 REC, 185 YDS, 2 TDs) share the running game.

Last season the Illinois defenders forced only 8 turnovers, placing them in the national cellar in that stat. They also had the worst rushing “D” and third worst total defense. For 2006, the team brought in Vince Okruch from Colorado as their new defensive coordinator and also found three new defensive players.

Much of the front line is back but reconfigured. That may help. The secondary looks strong and the linebacking contingent has a few seasons behind them. There could be improvement.

The Fighting Illini should beat Ohio and Eastern Illinois and also have a chance against Syracuse and Ohio. If they notch 4 wins this year, that will double their output from last year.

Illinois Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	Eastern Illinois	Home
Sep 9	Rutgers	Road
Sep 16	Syracuse	Home
Sep 23	Iowa	Home
Sep 30	Michigan State	Road
Oct 7	Indiana	Home
Oct 14	Ohio	Home
Oct 21	Penn State	Road
Oct 28	Wisconsin	Road
Nov 4	Ohio State	Home
Nov 11	Purdue	Home
Nov 18	Northwestern	Road

 

For more info on this years 06 Illinois football team visit the Illini official athletic site, or read up on their competition via all of the big 10 team previews below.