Big Ten Football 2015: Ranking the schedules
By Mark Rogers
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
7. Illinois Fighting Illini
The Fighting Illini face 2015 with a new face on the sideline, at least, as head coach. Offensive Coordinator Tim Cubit takes over just one week prior to the season as Tim Beckman was dismissed for what the school administration termed “preliminary results of an investigation into allegations of player mistreatment and inappropriate behavior.” The Illini were a mere 4-20 against the Big Ten under Beckman so sudden change may prove to be good in this case.
Illinois goes with a pair of Group of 5 games vs Kent State and Western Illinois to open the season before a date at North Carolina. The Tar Heels and Illini both finished 6-7 last season, but UNC’s prospects look much brighter this fall with dual threat Senior Quarterback Marquis Williams and new Defensive Coordinator Gene Chizik in place.
Illinois draws a difficult Eastern Division assignment with a trip to Penn State and a visit from Ohio State highlighting a rough closing stretch that includes Wisconsin, Purdue and Minnesota before the annual matchup with Northwestern.
Next: Nebraska