The Fighting Illini had its first winning season since 2011 last year. They also won five games in the Big Ten which is something they haven’t done since 2007. Head coach Bret Bielema has his work cut out for him as he is losing a key part to his defense from a season ago. Furthermore, his defensive coordinator left to go be the head coach over at Purdue. Can Bielema get this team to bring another winning season to Champaign? Here is the preview for the 2023 Illinois Fighting Illini.
Offense
For the third straight season, Bret Bielema has a new quarterback lining up under center. He brings in Luke Altmyer (Ole Miss) to create a good transition from losing Tommy DeVito. Altmyer has to get some chemistry early on with this Illinois offense. They have to not only replace their starting quarterback, but they also have to replace their star running back who rushed for 1,643 yards last year. That is a huge void to fill, but guys like Reggie Love III and Josh McCray have to try and fill it. Love III averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season in his limited touches a season ago. He is going to have to take a leap forward for this offense to get balanced.
Illinois brings back three of their top four receivers from a season ago back in 2023, including converted quarterback to receiver Isaiah Williams. Williams led the team in receptions last year (82) and will look to take another step forward in 2023. Two other targets on this team are Pat Bryant and Casey Washington. One of them is going to have to step up to be a dominant number two for Altmyer. Freshman Malik Elzy is a name that I am going to keep my eye on as well. Illinois brings back three starters from the offensive line in left tackle Julian Pearl, left guard Isaiah Adams, and right guard Zy Crisler. They are going to need their offensive line to be stellar again and they are going to need this offense to be a well balanced unit just like coach Bielema likes it.
Defense
With Ryan Walters departing to go to Purdue, Bielema needed a new defensive coordinator. Instead of going out and getting one, he promoted secondary coach Aaron Henry to be their new defensive coordinator. Henry is planning to keep the same defensive scheme since they were a solid group in 2022. The 3-4 defense that the Fighting Illini play will be good with defensive ends Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph Jr leading the charge up front. Newton led the team in tackles for a loss (14) and sacks (5.5). He was also a second team All-American last year.
This linebacker group that Bielema has might be one of the best he has had during his great coaching career, led by freshman All-American Gabe Jacas, who comes back for his sophomore campaign. If he can follow in the footsteps of some of the Fighting Illini greats at the position like Simeon Rice and Whitney Mercilus, Jacas can be one of the Fighting Illini’s all-time greats at the linebacker position.
The secondary is one part of this defense that’ll need the most work. Losing Devon Withersppon to the NFL is going to hurt. However, they have safety Matthew Bailey coming off a great freshman season. Illinois also brings in two guys from the transfer portal to help add depth to this secondary. They brought in Nicario Harper (Louisville) and Kaleb Patterson (Pearl River CC) to help add depth. Someone is going to need to step up to replace Witherspoon’s role as the team’s lockdown corner. They will look to Tahveon Nicholson to try and fill that void. If they can get their lockdown corner, this defense is going to be playing at a high level again in 2023.
Win Total Bet
The win total is set at 6.5 on the FanDuel Sportsbook, with the over odds being set at -118 and the under odds set at -104. The Fighting Illini are a team that will put up a fight in the 2023 season. If they get the offense situated, they should be a bowl team in 2023 again. I see the Illini just getting over the 6.5 win total. I am taking the over 6.5 win total at -118 odds for one unit. The Fighting Illini defense is going to be stellar again and once the offense gets going, this team will thrive. Ride the over on this win total for Illinois, as Bielema has a good thing going in 2023.
Schedule Predictions
Win vs Toledo (1-0)
Loss at Kansas (1-1)
Loss vs Penn State (1-2)
Win vs Florida Atlantic (2-2)
Loss at Purdue (2-3)
Win vs Nebraska (3-3)
Win at Maryland (4-3)
Loss vs Wisconsin (4-4)
Win at Minnesota (5-4)
Win vs Indiana (6-4)
Loss at Iowa (6-5)
Win vs Northwestern (7-5)