In the last article, I took a deeper dive on three different reasons why the 2024 football season for the Illini could be a successful one. Now, it’s time to take a look at the other side of the spectrum. It is no secret that this upcoming year is a pivotal year for the Illini Program. The expanded Big Ten Conference will be in its first year, and if the Illini are not careful, they could find themselves at the bottom of the conference once again. Bret Bielema and the staff had done a great job raising the floor of the program, and now it is up to them to continue to raise the performance of the program. Here are three reasons that could cause the Illini to disappoint preseason expectations this upcoming season.
Last Year’s Illini Defense Was Putrid
Last year was a major step back for the Illini defense in just about every statistical category. The regression last year was not a surprise, but it was shocking just how bad the Illini’s defense became. During the 2022 season, the Illini were one of the top defenses in the country. In a league with Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State, it was actually the Illini that had the best defense in the conference. They allowed the fewest points per game that season at 12.8 PPG. That defense was coached by now Purdue head coach Ryan Walters, led on the field by a talented secondary that included 2023 NFL Draft picks Devon Witherspoon (No. 5 overall), Jartavius “Quan” Martin ( No. 47 overall) and Sydney Brown (No. 66 overall) and were solid on the defensive led by 2024 NFL Draft Pick Jerzhaun “Johnny” Newton.
That defensive core led them to an 8 win season, a Reliaquest Bowl appearance. However, at the end of the year the secondary had little returning production and Ryan Walters left for West Lafayette. The Illini promoted Defensive Backs Coach Aaron Henry to Defensive Coordinator and let him control the defense. His first year did not inspire a lot of confidence as the defense struggled to get stops. They were the third worst scoring defense and allowed 29.4 points per game. The Illini are hoping that Coach Henry and the defense learn from their struggles and improve this upcoming season.
Loss of Proven Talent
When looking back at the 2023 season, The Illini had a disappointing season. That team had 4 draft picks that were selected in the 2024 draft, and their most productive player (Isaiah Williams) signed with the Detroit Lions. With all that talent, a top tier Big Ten Offense and a schedule of Big Ten West Teams, it would be easy to assume that the Illini won at least the 6 minimum games it takes to make a bowl game. However, the Illini couldn’t get past 5 wins, and ultimately fell short with of a bowl game.
With the the talent that the program lost, they are now relying on unproven talent in important positions. The defense line last a majority of their starters and are relying on players who are talented, but also unproven. The cornerbacks are also a position of concern. The team has lost last year’s started in Tahveon Nicholson and rotational piece Zachary Tobe. Additionally, they didn’t really add any pieces of impact in the cornerback room and are banking on the development of their young talent to shine through.
The Illini Missed Opportunities of Opportunities
Yes, last year the Illini had 3 come from behind wins. Two game winning field goals against Toledo and Maryland, and a go-ahead touchdown with under a minute left against Minnesota accounted for 60% of the Illini’s wins last year. However, they also blew 4th quarter leads against Wisconsin, Iowa, and Northwestern. Even if they held on to one of those leads, they would have gone bowling for the second consecutive year. When you don’t have the talent level of the elite programs, it is imperative to take advantage of every opportunity you get.
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