Is Illinois football a contender in the Big Ten West?

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Can Illinois football Contend in the west?

CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 5: Jer’Zhan Newton #4 and Calvin Hart Jr. #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini make the sack on Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022, in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Can the Illinois defense remain dominant?

The Fighting Illini not only had one of the best defenses in the Big Ten, it had one of the best defenses in college football. Illinois football was first in scoring defense (12.8 points per game), first in interceptions (24), eighth in pass yards allowed (173.8), 10th in rushing defense (99.2), and third in total defense.

The defense was talented last year. This was a defense that had a top-ten pick in cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Though the Illini lost a lot of talent to the NFL Draft, expect this unit not to lose much of a step in 2023.

One reason is that few offenses can exploit the one question mark about the Illini defense, the secondary. Three members of the secondary were drafted in the top 100.

The front seven loses Calvin Avery and Isaac Darkangelo but should be able to overcome those losses.

The front of Jer’Zhan Newton, Calvin Avery, and TeRah Randolph will wreck shop all season, barring injury. Transfers Demetrius Hill (FIU) and Nicario Harper (Louisville) will help round out a secondary that returns Tyler Strain and Tahveon Nicholson.

The staff loves Strain and Nicholson, two young guys who got snaps last season. Freshman All-American Gabe Jacas could be the best pass rusher the Illini have had since Simeon Rice. Tarique Barnes and Dylan Rosiek anchor the middle of the linebacking corps.

This defense is deep and talented and should experience minimal drop-off from last year.

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