The Illinois Fighting Illini are looking to reach a bowl game this season in head coach Tim Beckman's third year. With some favorable games on the 2014 Illinois Fighting Illini Football Schedule, they could reach their goals this season.
Illinois finished with a 4-8 record last season after going 2-10 the year prior. Illinois finished 7-6 in 2010 and 2011, making bowl games in both contests.
The past few years, Illinois has definitely taken a step back. The defense lsat year allowed more than 35 points per game and gave up more than 480 yards per game to opponents. They won just a single game in the Big Ten Conference and need to figure out a way to get better at the point of attack and especially on defense.
Oklahoma State transfer Wes Lunt, a big-armed quarterback that takes over for Nathan Scheelhaase, has both accuracy and the talent to make the Fighting Illini a team that can find the end zone this season. The wide receiver corps isn't the best, but there are some new faces in skill positions that could help Lunt and Illinois get better.
Tailback Josh Ferguson gives Illinois a chance at making an impact on the ground as well. He ran for nearly 800 yards and seven TDs last year.
Illinois wants to play in a bowl game and the only way they can do that is to get better defensively. We think the offense will be good enough to win them some games, now the defense has to do its part for this team which has a lot of youngsters on it.
2014 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule
Aug. 30 Youngstown State
Sept. 6 Western Kentucky
Sept. 13 at Washington
Sept. 20 Texas State
Sept. 27 at Nebraska
Oct. 4 Purdue
Oct. 11 at Wisconsin
Oct. 18 Bye week
Oct. 25 Minnesota
Nov. 1 at Ohio State
Nov. 8 Bye week
Nov. 15 Iowa
Nov. 22 Penn State
Nov. 29 at Northwestern
Phil Steele Joins Pregame.com
Steve Fezzik and Brady Kannon take a look at Pregame.com's recent signing of College Football expert Phil Steele.
$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
$10,000 Match Marco Baseball Challenge — During the 2010 MLB season, Pregame Pro Marco D'Angelo won an unheard of 25 straight baseball games, never laying more than -$120! This contest replicates Marco's feat — CLICK TO JOIN
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for Major League Baseball with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!