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Illinois Fighting Illini win projections, strengths and weaknesses, quarterback spotlight and more

After a very successful 2022 season in which the Fighting Illini finished 8-5, the team came crashing down with a 5-7 record in 2023. And that, unfortunately, now means that Illinois has finished with a losing record in 11 of the last 12 seasons.

If Bret Bielema’s squad is to bounce back, it’ll likely be due to its defense. Even after losing star defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, the Fighting Illini’s front seven projects to be the team’s strength.

Still, Illinois will need its new skill position players on offense and quarterback Luke Altmyer to raise their games in order to make a bowl game.

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Biggest Strength: Run defense

Illinois earned top-40 team-level grades in both run defense (38th) and tackling (27th) last season. The Fighting Illini return five of their nine front-seven players who played at least 300 snaps in 2023 and also added former Florida State interior defensive lineman Dennis Briggs Jr. from the transfer portal to play a major role.

Biggest Weakness: Can Illinois get anything going offensively?

Illinois lost four of its top five receivers and top rusher Reggie Love III. Luke Altmyer is back at quarterback, but he finished only 87th among FBS signal-callers in passing grade (67.3) in 2023.

2023 Team Overview

Offense
EPA per play	Yards per play	Successful play rate	Explosive run play rate	Explosive pass play rate
-0.025	5.9	35.3%	14.4%	15.0%
74th	56th	T-62nd	85th	61st
Defense
EPA allowed per play	Yards allowed per play	Successful play rate allowed	Explosive run rate allowed	Explosive pass rate allowed
0.044	5.4	36.5%	14.3%	13.3%
96th	T-54th	96th	49th	50th