The 2009 Fighting Illini enter their fifth season under Ron Zook looking to prove that they belong amongst the elite teams in the Big Ten. Since joining Illinois in 2005, Zook as led Illinois to an unremarkable 18–30 record (9–36 if you remove their 2007 Rose Bowl campaign).

The 2007 Illini team looked like it had arrived as a power in the conference behind Juice Williams, Rashard Mendenhall and Arrelious Benn. Victories over Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin and a trip to the Rose Bowl made Illinois a trendy, pre-season pick in the Big 10 going into 2008.

But 2008 turned out to be major disappointment in Champaign. Mendenhall left early and was d...

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