Illinois Football Offseason Preview

In 2021, one of the worst yet longest college football games of all time was part of the story of the season. Illinois was involved in that game. The 20-18 win over Penn State on the road was a victory which took nine overtimes to finish. It was pure agony, and it’s good that Illinois did win, but the game became a national source of derision and mocking laughter. The game was as ugly as Illinois’ season. The Illini had one of the most impotent offenses in the country. They started their season with a win over Nebraska, but then it became apparent that Nebraska was not a significantly improved team. Illinois lost its next four games and five of six after that Nebraska win. The Illini averaged just 20.2 points per game, which made them one of the 20 worst scoring teams in major college football. Head coach Bret Bielema knows where he needs to make progress with this team.

Key Personnel Lost

Tight end Daniel Barker, receiver Donny Navarro, and receiver Deuce Spann will not return this season. It’s true that Illinois did not have an imposing or dynamic offense last year, but not having the benefit of several veteran performers makes it that much harder to establish cohesion and continuity on offense. The reworked 2022 roster will need to get an infusion of production and energy from newcomers, not just veterans. Illinois didn’t have much with its collection of offensive players last year. The newly constructed roster has to provide dimensions which didn’t exist in 2021.

Important Incoming Freshmen

Receivers Shawn Miller and Eian Pugh will try to give Illinois the pass catching and the downfield potency the Illini lacked last season. Illinois has to find a reasonable amount of vertical, field-stretching skill in the passing game in order to keep opposing defenses honest. There’s no way the Illinois running game can function well if opponents don’t respect the passing game. They can stack the tackle box and take away the run, knowing they won’t get punished on downfield throws. Miller and Pugh are the two new receivers on the roster who have the best chance of giving Illinois a fresh start in its passing attack. If at least one of the two has a big year, Illinois’ offense is going to be noticeably better in 2022, and the Illini might be able to forge a .500 (6-6) season.

Key Position Battles

Receiver and offensive line are the main position battle areas for Illinois, with quarterback also being a possibility. Every offensive position group provides an important roster competition, because Bielema and the rest of the Illinois staff need to know what they have going into Week 1. If the staff can’t make the right evaluations, this attempt to remake the Illinois offense won’t get off the ground.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

Illinois scored 25 points or more in only three games last season. That’s horrendous. Bielema needs an offensive overhaul, and so he needs to see players he knows can make a difference. Illinois has to improve every offensive position group from 2021 by a considerable margin. The offseason has to create substantial progress in Champaign.