Strong lean here towards Rutgers, but any info you have on this rutgers team would help. Here is the best I can do for the Illini. Do not expect too much from this team this year and do not expect Zook to turn this team into the Sugar Bowl team from a few years back. They are putting out a new QB in Tim Brasic, now this kid killed in high school up here in the burbs of Chi-town but he was 3rd or 4th string last year. One QB transferred(Brad Bower) to Ohio and one is in some off the field problems (kisan Flakes), so they chose Brasic because he is more suited for Zook's offense. The one position that they are stacked is at RB. They have 3 that could give anyone problems. Pierre Thomas, EB Halsey and a highly touted frosh in Mendenhall. The O-line is still not where Zook wants it as RT Labonte is still recovering from surgery and they are going to have to start a redshirt freshman in Ryan Mcdonald in his place. They will start 2 JRs and 2 sophs and a rFR on the line. The WRs are a little suspect also as they have converted an athletic QB in Dajuan Warren to wideout and are going to start a true frosh in Mcphearson who originally committed to Florida and followed Zook to Illinois. The defense is horiible and took an even bigger hit noe that SS Justin Harrison is out for hip surgery, he was one of the returning leaders in tackles. They will only have 3 or 4 upperclassmen in the starting D. Illinois does have an all big ten punter in Weatherford but other than that talent is low. I think that Rutgers has the offensive fire power with Leonard and Moses and if Hart can keep the ints to a minimum they should pull out a win. The football games are always packed at Memorial Stadium so environment will favor the Illini obviously. My biggest question for you is how much has Rutgers improved on the defensive side of the ball since last year.
