3. Illinois

Coach: Ron Zook (fifth year, 18-30 at Illinois)

Top offensive player: QB Juice Williams, Sr.

Scouting the offense: Two years ago, Illinois had perhaps the most dynamic offense in the Big Ten thanks to a lethal option attack involving Williams and RB Rashard Mendenhall. They could milk the clock and frustrate defenses into long drives, tiring them by game's end. When Mendenhall left, the Illini relied heavily on Williams' arm and legs to outscore teams. Problem was, with no proven back, defenses keyed on Williams. This year, both RBs return for the Illini--but none close to what Mendenhall brought-- and they inherit Florida transfer Jarred Fayson to complement uber-talented WR Rejus Benn on the outside. The Illini have the conference's most explosive aerial attack. But in Big Ten land, the absence of a ground game doesn't add up to conference supremacy.

Top defensive player: MLB Martez Wilson, Jr.

Scouting the defense: Illini fans are hopeful Wilson is comparable to J Leman inside, the former tackling machine who manned the middle during their 2007 Rose Bowl year. They come after the quarterback, and will need to continue to do so with questions lingering in a pass defense that ranked eighth in the conference in pass defense efficiency last year.

Overall outlook: They're the sexy pick to overtake Penn State and Ohio State for the Big Ten's automatic BCS berth. If that happens, one of the more overlooked reasons could be new offensive coordinator Mike Schultz. Williams made the trip out to California with Daryll Clark for the Elite 11 Camp, and I really like what a senior quarterback can add to a team.

-Mink