Big Ten Spring Practice: Biggest Question for Each Team

Dec 26, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Wes Lunt (12) throws a pass before the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the Heart of Dallas Bowl at Cotton Bowl Stadium. Louisiana Tech beat Illinois 35-18. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Illinois Fighting Illini

Biggest Question: Can Wes Lunt get back into a rhythm after his injury last season?

Tim Beckman might have saved his job by squeaking into a bowl game with a strong finish to the season, and the momentum was so high from that to the point that a 35-18 loss to Louisiana Tech did not matter in the slightest.

But going into spring practice, Wes Lunt has got to get fully healthy and take enough reps with the first team to develop more chemistry. In the games he did not play, the Fighting Illini went 2-3 with their only wins coming against Minnesota in an upset and Northwestern.

Reilly O’Toole was not terrible, but the offense belongs to Lunt. And now he needs to get back into his groove and get fully healthy because he was not even himself when he returned at the end of the season.

That needs to be the entire focus of this spring practice.

If things go well, Lunt could be one of the best passers in all of the Big Ten next year with the open offense Illinois likes to run. That makes getting healthy even more crucial with a still suspect defense.

Next: Indiana Hoosiers Spring Practice