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| | Sunday, September 3 New faces on 'D' key to success | |||||
| By Jeff Potrykus Special to ESPN.com Illinois Fighting Illini 1999 record: 8-4 (4-4 Big Ten) Coach: Ron Turner Returning starters: 13 (9 offense, 4 defense) Outlook Losing sophomore wide receiver Brandon Lloyd (30 receptions) for the season because of a broken leg will hurt the passing offense, No. 3 in the Big Ten in '99. However, the bigger concerns loom on defense, where coordinator Tim Kish must replace seven starters. Illinois' offense will have to compensate for the personnel overhaul in two ways. First, the Illini must improve their time of possession from a year ago (30:23). Second, they must keep their turnover total down. Last season, the Illini gave the ball way just 14 times, the third-lowest total in the Big Ten. Keep an eye on ... Kurt Kittner. All Kittner did as a sophomore was pass for 2,702 yards and 24 touchdowns -- with just five interceptions. However, not everyone is convinced that the Kittner of 1998 (782 passing yards, one touchdown and seven interceptions) won't reappear. "Kurt can definitely improve and be one of the top quarterbacks in the country," Turner said. "I don't know necessarily if his touchdown-to-interception ratio is going to be equal or better. But that is not the No. 1 sign to him being better or successful." It's a good season if ... Illinois' 63-21 victory over Virginia in the Micronpc.com Bowl sparked talk of a New Year's Day bowl this season. A 5-3 Big Ten mark should be the primary and more realistic goal. Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
ALSO SEE Big 10 preview: A toss-up for title | |||||