"I think we're pretty good upfront [on defense], but we haven't played a game," Beckman said. "We'll see how good we are when we play against a team that's going to throw about 60 times a game. We have guys that are good players. But if you don't play team defense, it really doesn't matter."

A lot will depend on how Illinois gets out of the gate. It has escaped with three-point victories the last two times its first opponent, Western Michigan, came to Champaign. Three of the Illini's next four opponents are similarly murky. And so are their last three.

What that means is a lot will depend on the staff Beckman has assembled. And the staff features an intriguing blend of youth and coaches who have worked with Beckman, plus some independent veterans.

Herb Gould