allowed 39.5 ppg on the season, 43.9 ppg in conference action, and had the worst rushing defense in the entire country. Despite the return of 18 starters, it’s hard to be optimistic because not a whole lot has changed from last November tSpring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#84 – Illinois Illini 2-9 SU; 4-7 ATS

Fargo’s Take All of the pieces are in place for a huge turnaround at Illinois but those pieces were so bad last year that it might take a minor miracle for that to happen. The Illini went winless in the Big Ten last season and none of those games were even close as the narrowest defeat was by 17 points on two different occasions. The offense should have been better than it was but a very weak offensive line led to numerous sacks and no running lanes. Even worse than the offense was the defense that allowed the most points in Big Ten history. Illinois allowed 39.5 ppg on the season, 43.9 ppg in conference action, and had the worst rushing defense in the entire country. Despite the return of 18 starters, it’s hard to be optimistic because not a whole lot has changed from last November to

t a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#84 – Illinois Illini 2-9 SU; 4-7 ATS

Fargo’s Take All of the pieces are in place for a huge turnaround at Illinois but those pieces were so bad last year that it might take a minor miracle for that to happen. The Illini went winless in the Big Ten last season and none of those games were even close as the narrowest defeat was by 17 points on two different occasions. The offense should have been better than it was but a very weak offensive line led to numerous sacks and no running lanes. Even worse than the offense was the defense that allowed the most points in Big Ten history. Illinois allowed 39.5 ppg on the season, 43.9 ppg in conference action, and had the worst rushing defense in the entire country. Despite the return of 18 starters, it’s hard to be optimistic because not a whole lot has changed from last November t

but those pieces were so bad last year that it might take a minor miracle for that to happen. The Illini went winless in the Big Ten last season and none of those games were even close as the narrowest defeat was by 17 points on two different occasions. The offense should have been better than it was but a very weak offensive line led to numerous sacks and no running lanes. Even worse than the offense was the defense that allowed the most points in Big Ten history. Illinois allowed 39.5 ppg on the season, 43.9 ppg in conference action, and had the worst rushing defense in the entire country. Despite the return of 18 starters, it’s hard to be optimistic because not a whole lot has changed from last November trent occasions. The offense should have been better than it was but a very weak offensive line led to numerous sacks and no running lanes. Even worse than the offense was the defense that allowed the most points in Big Ten history. Illinois allowed 39.5 ppg on the season, 43.9 ppg in conference action, and had the worst rushing defense in the entire country. Despite the return of 18 starters, it’s hard to be optimistic because not a whole lot has changed from last November t allowed 39.5 ppg on the season, 43.9 ppg in conference action, and had the worst rushing defense in the entire country. Despite the return of 18 starters, it’s hard to be optimistic because not a whole lot has changed from last November to now. An easier schedule helps but it will take a lot more than that for the Illini to escape the Big Ten basement.

Returning Starters on Offense – 9 Illinois had seven starters coming back last year but it did little good as the offense averaged a mere 17 ppg, 107th in the nation. Now with nine starters back, there is hope for some improvement but it will all depend on the offensive line. There are five starters back from that line but two of them aren’t even going to start and only one player will be playing in the same position that he was in last season. Reshuffling is definitely a start but with everyone playing out of position, who knows how long it will take the unit to jell. Quarterback, running back and receiver all remain intact as well so if the line comes together quickly, good things can happen. Running backs Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey combine to form one of the best 1-2 combos in the entire conference.

Returning Sta