Illinois Football

New York Giants guard David Diehl (66) talks with New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) quarter in their NFC Championship game against the New Yorl Giants at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California, on Sunday, January 22, 2012. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Former Illini David Diehl questions Eli Manning benching

Illinois Football: Wins are still there for the Illini in 2019

Illinois Football: Breakdown of the Eastern Michigan defense

Illinois Football: Breakdown of the Eastern Michigan offense

EAST HARTFORD, CT - SEPTEMBER 07: Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) reacts to a call during the game between the UConn Huskies and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 7, 2019 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Projected Illini depth chart against Eastern Michigan

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 27: An Illinois Fighting Illini football helmet during a college football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Capitol One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 27, 2018 at College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Illinois Football: Wole Betiku has helped Illini to hot start

EAST HARTFORD, CT - SEPTEMBER 07: Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Brandon Peters (18) goes for the pass during the game between the UConn Huskies and the Illinois Fighting Illini on September 7, 2019 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini quarterback Brandon Peters is in rarefied air

EAST HARTFORD, CT - NOVEMBER 10: SMU Mustangs running back Ke'Mon Freeman (2) looks to run while defended by UConn Huskies linebacker Omar Fortt (27) during the game between the UConn Huskies and the SMU Mustangs on November 10, 2018 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Breakdown of the UConn Huskies defense

UConn Huskies quarterback Mike Beaudry (12) drops back to pass against Wagner on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Breakdown of the UConn Huskies offense

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 19: General view of an Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2013 in Champaign, Illinois. Wisconsin defeated Illinois 56-32. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Projected Illini depth chart against UConn

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 15: Illinois Fighting Illini running back Mike Epstein (26) runs with the football in action during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the South Florida Bulls on September 15, 2018 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini RB Mike Epstein will come back stronger than before

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 04: An Illinois football helmet sits on the field before the start of the Big Ten Conference game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 4, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini starters named for the Akron game

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 06: Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) during the College Football Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 6, 2018, at HighPoint.Com Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Defensive expectations for the Illini against Akron

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 06: Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) runs and scores a touchdown during the second quarter of the College Football Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 6, 2018, at HighPoint.Com Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Offensive expectations for the Illini against Akron

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 22: Quarterback Zeb Noland #4 of the Iowa State Cyclones throws under pressure from linebacker Brian Bell #10, and linebacker Josh Ward #8 of the Akron Zips in the second half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa State Cyclones won 26-13 over the Akron Zips. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Breakdown of the Akron Zips defense

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini flag is seen during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 24, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Game-by-game predictions for the 2019 season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 24: Andrew Luck #12 of the Indianapolis Colts walks off the field following reports of his retirement from the NFL after the preseason game against the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Former Illini weigh in on Andrew Luck’s retirement

AKRON, OH - NOVEMBER 17: Akron Zips quarterback Kato Nelson (1) throws a pass as .Bowling Green Falcons defensive lineman Karl Brooks (17) applies pressure during the fourth quarter of the college football game between the Bowling Green Falcons and Akron Zips on November 17, 2018, at Summa Field at InfoCision Stadium in Akron, OH.(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Breakdown of the Akron Zips offense

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Doug Kramer #65 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini name team captains for the 2019 season

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 24: Illinois Fighting Illini running back Reggie Corbin (2) runs the ball during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 24, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Projected Illini depth chart against Akron

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 14: University of Miami defensive back Derrick Smith (25) tackles A-back Nathan Cottrell (31) during an NCAA football game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the University of Miami Hurricanes on October 14, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated Georgia Tech 25-24. (Photo by Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini pick up huge transfer in Derrick Smith

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 13: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet sits on the sidelines during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 13, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Weekly (8/23) update on 2020 Illini commits

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 06: Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) during the College Football Game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 6, 2018, at HighPoint.Com Stadium in Piscataway, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini getting the linebacker position right

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Lovie Smith talks about Illini QB situation

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 06: Reggie Corbin #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs in for a touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second quarter at HighPoint.com Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Projected Illini offensive depth chart entering training camp

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 16: Jihad Ward #51 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on September 16, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: Illini still representing well in the NFL

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 08: Brandon Peters #18 of the Michigan Wolverines warms up prior to the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Michigan Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: How Brandon Peters compares to Wes Lunt

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 10: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini walks on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)

Illinois Football: 5 sleeper players for the Illini in 2019