2009 College Football Odds: The Illinois Fighting Illini came into the 2008 season with some big expectations. The team had gone 9-4 the previous year and garnered a Rose Bowl bid after finishing second in the Big 10 Conference to the Ohio State Buckeyes. However, things did not go according to plan for Ron Zook's troops as they struggled to a 5-7 finish and missed bowl action altogether.
The mediocre conclusion to last season has not dampened spirits in Champaign-Urbana though; once again the Fighting Illini are being viewed as a contender for the conference title. Count BetUS.com among those looking for an Illini rebound as the online bookmaker has set Illinois' season win total at 7.5 with the over being favored at -155 on the moneyline.
Illinois did not have a terrible season a year ago, but given the hype they garnered over the summer, it was a disappointment to say the least. However, there were many positives throughout the year and those should give Illini fans hope with the 2009 kickoff just around the corner.
While Illinois went just 3-5 in Big 10 play, they outgained their conference foes by an average of 86.5 yards per game. They also posted an average of 27.25 points per game in Big 10 action, at the same time limiting division foes to 25.75 per contest. On the season they averaged 89 more yards per game than they yielded while outscoring teams by an average of 2.1 points per game.
Another ace in the hole for Ron Zook is the number of returning lettermen. Forty-six players who lettered in 2008 will again don the Illini jersey this Fall, including eight offensive and five defensive starters. Among those returning are ultra-talented quarterback Juice Williams, standout receiver Arrelious Benn, and run stuffing defensive tackle Josh Brent.
Williams, who could be a Heisman contender this year, led the team in rushing last season with 933 yards (five TD's). He also passed for 3173 yards and threw 22 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. He will again be throwing the pigskin to Benn, who had 67 receptions for 1055 yards in his sophomore campaign.
Illinois kickoffs their 2009 football schedule with a September 5th contest against the Missouri Tigers at the Edwards Jones Dome in St. Louis. The Fighting Illini lost to Mizzou 42-52 in the season opener last year, despite five touchdown passes from Williams.
BetUS.com Illinois Illini 2009 College Football Odds – BCS Odds 2010
Illinois Illini Season Win Total:
Over 7.5 (-155)
Under 7.5 (+115)
Illinois Illini Odds to Win the Big 10 Conference Championship:
+650
Illinois Illini Odds to Win the 2010 BCS National Championship:
+7500
Juice Williams 2009 Heisman Trophy Odds:
To Win +7500
Bet on sports at online sportsbook BetUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
