posted May 29, 2008 at 17:43 EST in NCAA F Betting Trends

Overview

Those college football betting enthusiasts chomping at the bit to get some sports wagering action on the NCAA gridiron going can begin to build there excitement as the we start previewing the teams to place an online betting wager on and the teams to stay away from. Illinois in the Rose Bowl? Don’t tell me you saw that coming. Although they ultimately lost to USC, the Fighting Illini put together a special season last year. Rashard Mendenhall and Juice Williams were a fabulous one-two punch in the backfield and led the Illini the whole way. They were an early and unexpected surprise, which is why most people expected them to fade off as the season progressed, but a stunning win at No. 1 Ohio State emphasized that they are for real.

10 seniors have graduated and Mendenhall left early for the NFL. But Ron Zook can recruit, which is why he believes this year’s team may be even more talented.

Offense

On the offensive line, Randall Hunt and Ryan Palmer will step in for Martin O’Donnell and Akim Millington. O’Donnell was an All-American but the newcomers are talented.

The big shoes to fill will be at running back, where there isn’t a clear option. Mendenhall was the leader on offense and racked up 19 touchdowns en route to shattering all sorts of school rushing records.

Juice Williams will take over as the leader but someone from Daniel Dufrene, Mikel LeShoure or Darius Purcell has to step up at running back.

Arrelious Benn was receiver part of the big-play offense last year and he returns. Jeff Cumberland came on late in the season and should be another weapon for Williams. Tight end Mike Hoomanawanuwai has flashed some good potential this spring as well.

The offensive line is strong, the quarterback is a veteran with experience, the receiving options are there, all that Illinois needs to find is a back. So far, no one has emerge and that could become a lingering problem.

Defense

The defense is stripped of five seniors but no one is focusing on the past in Champaign. The interesting contest on defense will be a battle of experience versus athleticism. Last year, the Fightining Illini were experienced. This year, they have a squad of athletes.

The defensive line is where it’s at for this team, which should allow the new safeties and linebackers to grow into their roles.

Martez Wilson and Rodney Pittman will take over as the outside linebackers and both have more upside than last year’s duo.

Safety is a bit of a concern as three seniors left this group. Travon Bellamy, Nate Bussey and Bo Flowers are left to fight out, but the defense is fairly sound everywhere else.

Outlook

If you are thinking that the Fighting Illini were a one-hit wonder like Carl Douglas, you might want to think again. Ron Zook has been preaching that exact message to his team in an effort to convince them that it is “us against the world”. This figures to be one of the more talented in the Big Ten.

The schedule isn’t easy, though.

Illinois starts with a trip to Missouri and then follows that up with back-to-back road games in Happy Valley and The Big House. They also have to go to Wisconsin. The good news is that they do get Ohio State in their backyard this year and they will likely be a favorite in all of their other contests. Regardless of win total, this team won’t be an easy out each week.

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