2013 PAC-12 Know the Opponent: Illinois

The Illinois Fighting Illini is the next team that we’ll give a look to as we begin to close the month of July up. Tim Beckman having a rough opening campaign in Champaign would be quite the understatement after he came over from Toledo.

Illinois Fighting Illini and senior quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase will host Washington September 14 at Chicago’s Solider Field. Photo Credit: Bradley Leeb-USA TODAY Sports

After a week three win over Charleston Southern the Illini lost their last nine games including going winless in Big Ten competition. Illinois lost all but three games by 14 plus points while losing by fourteen against Indiana/Minnesota than a three point loss to Purdue.

What can fans expect this season? Well after going 2-10 and 0-8 in the Big Ten hopefully much more. Senior Nathan Scheelhaase looks to be the starting quarterback but expect junior Reilly O’Toole to push/get a fair shake at the job.

In addition to the quarterback spot the Fighting Illini return eight total starters on offense with four on defense. PAC-12 fans will get a chance to see them when Washington travels to Chicago’s Soldier Field on September 14 kickoff is scheduled for 3 pm on the Big Ten Network.

Fighting Illini 2013 schedule: Aug. 31 v. Southern Illinois, Sept. 7 v. Cincinnati, Sept. 14 v. Washington (Chicago), Sept. 28 v. Miami (OH), Oct. 5 @Nebraska*, Oct. 19 v. Wisconsin*, Oct. 26 v. Michigan State*, Nov. 2 @Penn State*, Nov. 9 @Indiana*, Nov. 16 v. Ohio State*, Nov. 23 @Purdue*, Nov. 30 v. Northwestern*

* = B1G Game

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