The Illinois Fighting Illini finished the 2021 college football regular season 5-7 overall and 4-5 in Big Ten play. Illinois has been given a projected wins total of 4.5. Illinois has suffered through 10 consecutive losing seasons but is expected to be more competitive in their second year under head coach Bret Bielema. Illinois added Barry Lunney Jr as its new offensive coordinator.
Tommy DeVito transferred from Syracuse and is likely the starting quarterback for Illinois. DeVito suffered through an injury-filled season last year with Syracuse, but in 2019 passed for 2,360 yards and 19 touchdowns. Artur Sitkowski, who transferred from Rutgers, will be DeVito's backup. The offensive line for Illinois has been rebuilt with the exception of returning starters Julian Pearl and Alex Palczewski.
Chase Brown will be the starting running back for Illinois and last season led the Fighting Illini with 1,005 yards and five touchdowns. The top receiver for Illinois this season will be Isaiah Williams, who last season caught 47 passes for 525 yards and four touchdowns. OC Lunney is expected to focus on getting Williams more opportunities over the middle and down the field. Casey Washington returns and last season had 294 yards receiving.'
Illinois had a tough defense last season that finished 29th in the nation in points allowed and 46th in total defense after finishing 114th in 2020. The top two tacklers from last season return as do five of the top seven. Linebacker Calvin Hart Jr will be the strength of the defensive unit. Tarique Barnes will start alongside Hart, giving the Illini a very strong linebacker corps.'
On the defensive front line, Keith Randolph Jr will be the top player returning from last year after having four quarterback sacks. A group of returning backups, new recruits and transfers will play alongside Randolph. The Illinois secondary will be led by returning starters Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown.
Free NCAAF Pick:
Over 4.5