College Football: 5 Things the Illini Must Improve to Compete for Big Ten Title

Ask any coach, and they'll tell you that the ability to improve week-to-week and consistently get better is what separates the good teams from the great teams. Many teams have great players, but it isn't until they get better every week that they achieve something special.

No team is immune to this. From the bottom-feeders of the conference to the national contenders, every team must get better if they want to win their conference and more.

Illinois is off to their best start in 60 years, and have been playing very well, but like any other team, they can find ways to improve. The Illini have benefited from five home games against equal or inferior competition, but with road games and big names such as Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan on the horizon, the Illini must improve in order to compete for the Big Ten title.

Under Ron Zook, Illinois seems to perform to the level of their competition. That is, they hang close with teams they shouldn't, and lose to teams they should beat.

In the Rose Bowl year of 2007, Illinois lost to Michigan and Iowa between wins against Penn State, Wisconsin and No. 1 Ohio State at the Horseshoe. In 2008, the Illini finished 5-7, which included losses to Western Michigan and Minnesota.  Last year, the team won at Penn State and hung with Ohio State, but lost to Minnesota (as 21 point favorites) and Fresno State to settle for a 7-6 record.

The problem seems to have manifested itself again this year. After playing an emotionally charged game against Arizona State on Sept. 17, the Illini looked somewhat sluggish against Western Michigan and Northwestern.

Against Northwestern, the Illini fumbled the opening kick, then made a foolish decision to bring the ball out. As a result, they started their first drive from the five yard line. There was no intensity, no sense of urgency and no indication that it was a homecoming game against their rival. 

Luckily, the Illini found themselves approximately two-and-a-half or three quarters into the game and won. That being said, they are a better team than Northwestern and should not have put themselves in a position where they needed a last minute drive to win.

I am not worried about the team playing well against Ohio State, Wisconsin or Michigan. I'm worried about a road game against Indiana this week. Or, a trip to Purdue in two weeks, which comes sandwiched between Ohio State and Penn State. Or, the finale in Minneapolis.

Last week was homecoming for the Illini. They were playing as a 4-0 team for the first time in 60 years against arguably their biggest rival, in the first conference game of the season. If they couldn't get emotionally charged for that game, I'm worried they won't be able to for lesser opponents with smaller stakes.

Illinois is averaging 35.7 yards per punt. That is good for 115th in the nation.

Certainly, this needs to improve. What is more worrisome, however, is the style in which they punt. Ron Zook has had freshman Punter Justin DuVernois adopt a rugby style punt. This has already lead to many near misses on opposing teams' efforts to block the punt.

If there is a positive from the punting game, it is that opposing teams are only averaging 2.4 yards per return. While that is astonishingly low, it still leads Illinois to place only 85th in the nation in net yardage.

Illinois has only punted 18 times this year, tied for 78th in the nation, so the problem hasn't had a chance to hurt them, yet. However, as they begin to play better teams with better defenses, they will have to punt the ball more. They will lose field position against any team they play in the Big Ten, and worse yet, they have shown that they could be susceptible to a blocked punt.

Note: By comparison, the team that Illinois plays with the highest average is Wisconsin, averaging 43 yards per punt. The highest in the Big Ten is Nebraska, averaging 47.9. The worst in the Big Ten, other than Illinois, is Indiana, at 37.5 yards per punt.

The Illini have turned the ball over eight times in the last three games. They were able to lose the turnover battle against Northwestern and Western Michigan and escape with wins. They won't be as fortunate against the better teams.

The turnovers against Northwestern couldn't have come at a worse time (if there's ever a good time). The first was a Nathan Scheelhaase interception in the endzone. After a long drive, the Illini stalled on a First and Goal from the Northwestern 4. On third down, Scheelhaase rolled left, and floated an easy pick up to Brian Peters.

The final one came as the Illini attempted to run out the clock and ice the game. The Illini took over at their own 36 with 3:04 left, winning by three. A few first downs, and the game would be over.

Instead, on the first play, Jason Ford was rocked, and he fumbled the ball. Northwestern took over, and scored five plays later. This led the Illini to have to go on a six play drive in 1:05 to take the lead back.

These are mental mistakes. You cannot fumble the ball when you are trying to seal the game, and you cannot throw interceptions in the endzone, which takes sure points off the board.

Additionally, two meltdowns have cost the Illini time. Against Western Michigan, tackle Jeff Allen was kicked out of the game near the end of the first half for getting in a scuffle (although replays showed nothing conclusive). After review from the Big Ten offices, he was ruled eligible for the game against Northwestern.

Then, against Northwestern, linebacker Jonathan Brown delivered a blatant knee to a Northwestern player's groin. He was flagged for the act, but was somehow not ejected from the game. Illinois has suspended Brown for the game against Indiana.

These two actions belong in the same vein. Whether it is turning the ball over when you absolutely cannot turn it over, or losing your cool and kneeing another player in the groin, you have to keep your cool and stay mentally strong.

This may sound odd, as the Illini's running game has been their strength in recent years.  Admittedly, it is the Illini's strength again this year...but it has to be much better.

The Illini are 24th in the nation in rushing yards, averaging 209.8 per game. But, they only rushed for 82 yards against Northwestern and 105 yards against Arizona State.

The offensive line has a lot of promise, as all members are 6'5" or greater, and four of the five are over 300 pounds, but they have yet to gel perfectly. As a result, starting running back Jason Ford is averaging only 3.2 yards per carry.

It isn't all bad in terms of the rushing game. Troy Pollard has skyrocketed up to take hold of the team's rushing lead. Pollard has rushed for 269 yards on just 28 carries. But, take away longs of 61 and 49, and you see that he averages a more realistic 6.11 yards per carry, compared to his current 9.6 average.

Additionally, Freshman Donovonn Young has emerged as perhaps the team's most powerful runner. Young has four touchdowns, but only carried the ball eight times against Northwestern, and just twice against Arizona State.

The Illini have four rushers that have tallied over 200 yards, so any dissection of the running game might seem like I am splitting hairs. I realize that it remains Illinois' strength, but it can, and has to get much better. In order to win in the Big Ten, you need to be able to run the ball and stop the run.  Don't expect a repeat performance of the 392 passing yards Scheelhaase put up against Northwestern.

A.J. Jenkins has been absolutely incredible in five games for the Illini. He has caught 40 passes for 633 yards and five touchdowns. His 12 catch, 268 yard, 3 TD performance last week earned him co-national receiver of the week. He is well on his way to earning first team All-BigTen honors, and perhaps All-American honors.

After him, however, there isn't a consistent threat.

The next leading receivers are Darius Millines and Spencer Harris, each with 10 catches.  Millines did not play against Northwestern and is out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his foot.

Harris had his best game against the Wildcats, catching six passes for 63 yards. The six passes he caught exceeded his previous total for the season. It would be a huge bonus if Harris could continue to contribute in such a way.

The only other threat so far this season is Tight End Evan Wilson. He's caught only five passes, but two have gone for touchdowns. He had one catch against Northwestern for 36 yards.

It is obvious that the Illini need to develop another weapon. Enough can't be said for Jenkins' performance thus far, but again, as competition improves, and opposing teams scout the Illini, Jenkins' presence will be neutralized some. It is unreasonable to think that Jenkins will continue at the torrid pace he has set. Once he regresses a bit, who will step up for the Illini?