Illinois Football: National pundit high on the Illini in 2023

With the college football season right around the corner, many are high on what the Illinois football team could do in 2023.

I am so used to the Illini being a laughingstock of the football world because we were for nearly a decade. But Bret Bielema and his coaching staff have turned this program around.

Illinois would get to eight wins in 2022, which was the most victories for the program since the 2007 campaign. The Illini also sent multiple players to the NFL, including the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

While I am optimistic about the upcoming season, as I have Illinois finishing toward the top of the Big Ten West, I am surprised some national pundits are also optimistic.

On Wednesday, Greg McElroy, host of the Always College Football with Greg McElroy podcast, showed his espousal for the Orange and Blue.

McElroy lays out the big missing pieces for Illinois, but he then goes on to say that new quarterback, Luke Altmyer, is going to be “really solid.” He also touches on the talent of Jer’Zhan Newton and the fact that the Illini will have to replace Devon Witherspoon. McElroy ends the clip talking about how good Illinois’ defense is going to be this season and how they can win the low-scoring, ugly, games.

Greg McElroy nailed it when talking about the Illinois football defense

While McElroy talked about having to replace a great cornerback in Witherspoon, he also mentioned he believes the Illini will still be able to get after the opposing quarterback and put pressure on him.

I think this is true. Illinois has one of the best front sixes in the country. Newton obviously leads the way as a preseason first-team All-American. He will have some double teams this season, which should help leave Keith Randolph Jr. and TeRah Edwards with beatable one-on-ones against the offensive line.

Illinois’ linebackers are going to be sensational too. Gabe Jacas is coming off a freshman All-American campaign. Seth Coleman is a converted defensive end who can fly around the field. And then you have the experience of Tarique Barnes in the middle of the defense.

The biggest worry, which McElroy touched on, is the Illinois secondary. But he alludes that they will be fine because of the pressure that the front six can get on the quarterback. McElroy thinks Illinois is going to have another great year, and I completely agree.