If there’s one thing I know in life, it’s that Illinois college football never ever conforms to your expectations. No one saw their two BcS appearances coming (2001, 2007); and since they followed both seasons up with sub .500 choking, both these bowl appearances are now looked upon as fluky. Whenever Illinois has been predicted to do well (2000, 2002, 2008, 2009) they fell … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Ilini Season Preview: Defense
corey liuget
Can the San Diego Chargers Put Disappointing 2010 Behind Them?
True, the San Diego Chargers missed the NFL playoffs for the first time in the last five years, but was the season really that bad? A 9-7 record isn’t the worst thing in the world and there were a lot of positives with the team last season. With a bit of fine tuning and some luck they could easily turn things around in 2011. They helped themselves out in the draft by taking … [Read more...] about Can the San Diego Chargers Put Disappointing 2010 Behind Them?
NFL Draft’s First Two Rounds Will Feature Some Illini
For the fourth year in a row, the first couple rounds of the NFL Draft will feature a couple names from your Illinois Fighting Illini. Tailback Rashard Mendendall went in the first round in '08, cornerback Vontae Davis was the 25th overall pick in '09, and last year, wide receiver Arrelious Benn was just a couple picks off from being a first round selection. With all this … [Read more...] about NFL Draft’s First Two Rounds Will Feature Some Illini
Indianapolis Colts 2011 NFL Draft Preview
If there's one thing that can be expected when it comes to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Draft, it's the unexpected. Don't believe what any mock draft says; chances are it won't be right. Why do the Colts annually defy seemingly conventional wisdom each April? It historically has worked, but is Indianapolis no longer executing its own strategy well enough? By Drew … [Read more...] about Indianapolis Colts 2011 NFL Draft Preview
What we Learned from Fighting Illini Football Spring Game
A small select group of things are certain in life- death, taxes, and Fighting Illini football seasons ending up much different than what you expected in the preseason. Last year's team wasn't expected to really do much- Yet the finished 7-6 (despite a very difficult schedule) and with a quite decisive bowl victory. Conversely, in '08 and '09, expectations were sky-high … [Read more...] about What we Learned from Fighting Illini Football Spring Game
Fighting Illini Spring Football Game Preview
Now that Mikel Leshoure left the Illini early for the NFL Draft, (and who can blame him really? He will be one of the first three running backs taken next week) Illinois college football is now headlined by sophomore QB Nathan Scheelhaase. It's his team. And if he continue to makes strides like he did from the season finale to the Texas Bowl, things will be fine. The 15 … [Read more...] about Fighting Illini Spring Football Game Preview
Breaking: Illini LB Martez Wilson Entering NFL Draft
And the first of the three Illinois Fighting Illini dominoes falls. Linebacker Martez Wilson, the player with the lowest draft stock of the three, is declaring for the NFL Draft. This is a big surprising to me, as he had a good, but not great season in 2010. And his junior season was much more productive than his other two years in school. Still, you know the NFL scouts love … [Read more...] about Breaking: Illini LB Martez Wilson Entering NFL Draft
Illini Football Next Level Defenders: Corey Liuget and Martez Wilson
Don't be surprised if the Illini run the table the rest of the way. Even if they don't, already at 5-3, (3-2 in Big Ten) they have greatly improved upon last year's 3-9 mark and will likely make their way into a pretty decent bowl. This season is a pleasant surprise to say the least. The MVP of 2010 is probably newly installed defensive coordinator Vic Koenning. The Illini … [Read more...] about Illini Football Next Level Defenders: Corey Liuget and Martez Wilson
Illinois Fighting Illini Showing a VASTLY Improved Run Defense
Through the first three games of the season, there's one facet of the 2010 Illinois Fighting Illini football team that is GREATLY improved over the 2009 squad- run defense. The Illini were terrible against the run last year, finishing ninth in the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed per game, and within the bottom third nationally. Through the first two games, the Illini ranked … [Read more...] about Illinois Fighting Illini Showing a VASTLY Improved Run Defense