Illinois #56 in the Rivals preseason countdown

Illinois has momentum, and it's vital for Zook to keep the ball rolling. There are some good building blocks on offense, led by a strong line and Scheelhaase. But the unit must pass better and find a running back. The defense has bigger issues, needing to replace four of the front seven. No Big Ten school was hurt more by early departures to the NFL than Illinois. But Zook's staff should be up to the task and Illinois has enough to play in back-to-back bowls for the first time since a five-year run from 1988-92.

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