Illinois Fighting Illini need a bounce back season in 2024

It’s never too early for a “way too early” Big Ten power ranking! Things will change. Players will hurt the portal, players will transfer in, and injuries will happen but for the most part, we have a pretty good understanding of rosters after National Signing Day and so much transfer portal movement.

In each part of this series, we will unveil where each of the 18 teams in the new look conference begins. We started at No. 1 with the revamped Ohio State Buckeyes. Then, the Oregon Ducks come in at the second spot. Coming in at No. 3 were the defending National Champion Michigan Wolverines, who are in a bit of a transition period.

At No. 4, we unveiled the Penn State Nittany Lions, who are returning a lot of talent from their 2023 roster. Then we made way for the old reliable, the Iowa Hawkeyes. At No. 6, another new addition to the conference, the USC Trojans. Next up at No. 7, the Wisconsin Badgers came in, followed by the Washington Huskies at No. 8 in the ranking.

Coming in at No. 9, another pretty consistent program with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They come into the 2024 season as a real wildcard. Speaking of wildcards, there may not be a bigger one than the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They come in at No. 10 on the ranking.

Following Nebraska is the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at No. 11, coming off a bit of a breakout season in 2023 under head coach Greg Schiano. A team in transition, but an exciting one, is the Indiana Hoosiers. At No. 13 is the Michigan State Spartans, who are another team in transition. Then you have the Purdue Boilermakers at No. 14 who enter the second year under former Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters.

Another new entrant into the new look Big Ten conference, the UCLA Bruins enter with a lot of uncertainty at No. 15. Coming in at No. 16, the Maryland Terrapins have a more familiar face in Mike Locksley heading into year seven, followed by the Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 17.

Bret Bielema had the team heading in a great direction in 2022, showing an elite defense and lots of signs that the program is being built well. Unfortunately, they took a step back in 2023, limping to a 5-7 record. In 2024, the team will have to lean on the defense, which returns a lot of talent. They should be led by pass rushers Seth Coleman and Gabriel Jacas, both of whom are on NFL radars.

Offensively, there is a lot of doubt about how good Illinois could be. They have two huge defections on the offensive line, but did grab former New Mexico offensive tackle JC Davis the portal who is one of the more underrated players at his positional national. Davis will be helping to pave the way for sophomore running back Kaden Feagin, who is a load at 240 pounds.

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