Illinois Football: Experienced Illini offense is set up to win now

The Illinois football team is entering a pivotal season in the tenure of Lovie Smith and the future of the program.

Why do I put so much emphasis on the 2020 campaign? There are a few reasons you can toss around about why this season is crucial. The momentum building off the bowl appearance last season is important. The proof of concept for the coaching staff is important. But you can peel back those layers to get to the simple answer; we have an offense that is built to win now.

I would make the argument that this is the best offense Illinois has put on the football field this decade. Some people might think that statement is crazy, but I have my Orange and Blue shaded glasses off. This offense should be able to put up some eye-popping numbers.

Let’s take a look at the Illini starters. Senior quarterback Brandon Peters was a five-star recruit who was the No. 61 player in the country. He was able to throw for 1,884 yards, 18 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in his first full year as a starting quarterback. Those numbers aren’t bad but are sure to improve in 2020.

Peters will be throwing to some amazing weapons. Josh Imatorbhebhe, Ricky Smalling and Trevon Sidney will start at wide receiver and are all seniors.

Imatorbhebhe was a four-star and ranked as the No. 158 player in the country. He caught 33 passes for 634 yards and 9 touchdowns in 2019. Sidney was a four-star and ranked as the No. 143 player in the country. He dealt with injuries last year but still finished with 16 catches for 123 yards and 1 touchdown. Smalling was a three-star and ranked as the No. 358 player in the country. He had 24 receptions for 225 yards and 1 touchdown in 2019.

Those three wide receivers will make the Illini offense run like a well-oiled machine. But we have a new addition to the pass-catching bunch. Tight end Luke Ford is now eligible to catch passes for the Orange and Blue. Ford was a four-star and the No. 51 player in the country. He joins the Illini after a short stint with Georgia. Look for this kid to be one of the best tight ends in the country.

With these tremendous targets, Peters will need time in the pocket. That is where our experienced offensive line will step in.

I have penciled in four senior starters on the offensive line and the other position would be a junior. Vederian Lowe should be our starting left tackle. He has started 26 straight games for the Illini. Our right tackle should be senior Alex Palczewski. He has started 36 straight games for the Illini.

Starting at left guard, I have junior Kendrick Green. He is coming into the season with 25 straight starts. The right guard position should feature incoming graduate transfer senior Blake Jeresaty. He played 29 games in three seasons for Wofford and was an All-American his final season. And then we get to senior center Doug Kramer. He has started 28 straight games for the Illini.

When I say Illinois’ offense is poised to win now, I am not just talking to hear myself talk. I have 8 out of the 11 starters for the 2020 campaign being seniors for the Illini. The other three positions are tight end (Ford), running back (Mike Epstein) and right guard (Green). All three of the non-senior positions I am comfortable with as well.

This is the season for Illinois to make a huge splash in college football. We will find out if the coaching staff is on the right track or not. We won six games and made a bowl game in 2019. There is no reason we shouldn’t hit the eight-win mark in 2020. Expectations are high because we have the talent to win now.