Illinois coach Tim Beckman is in his first year with the team after guiding Toledo to a record of 21-16 over three seasons. He inherits a team that has routinely produced multiple NFL draft picks but failed to turn that talent into on-field success.

It all starts: Illinois started preseason practice Aug 6. The Fighting Illini open the season on Sept. 1 against Western Michigan.

Three questions to answer in camp:

  • Can RBs Donovonn Young and Josh Ferguson shoulder the load? The pair are each in their second year with the team but have a meager 101 career carries between them. One needs to emerge as the primary back as they will be counted on to replicate the success of last year when the team finished 41st nationally in rushing, averaging nearly 172 yards per game. “People around here are starting to call us 'The Dynamic Duo,’” Young told The News-Gazette. “I think we've got something good going on."
  • Will QB Nathan Scheelhaase become a pocket passer? The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder averaged 48 rush yards per game last season, but the constant pounding he suffered in the pro-style offense took its toll on his accuracy. The junior, who completed 63.2 percent of his passes last year for 2,110 yards with 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions, now needs to learn a new spread attack that likely will value precision over scrambling. Either way, errant passes will lead to a spot on the bench.
  • Who will replace DE Whitney Mercilus? The first-round NFL draft pick led the country last year in sacks per game as he averaged 1.23 per game and amassed 16 for the season. It likely will fall to senior DL Michael Buchanan, who finished fourth in the Big Ten with 7.5 sacks last year, to replace his production on a defense that averaged more than three sacks per game last season.

Player who needs to step up: Senior OL Hugh Thornton is spending the preseason with the first team at left tackle after starting at guard the past two seasons and playing atright tackle in seven games as a freshman. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder will be counted on to lead a unit that was 102nd nationally last year in protecting the quarterback, giving up a stunning 36 sacks.

Potential breakout player: Senior DB Terry Hawthorne earned honorable mention All-Big Ten last year as recorded a league-leading 11 pass break-ups to go with a team-high three interceptions in 11 starts. The 6-foot, 190-pounder also is expected to be one of the team’s top kick returners as well as earn time on offense in special packages due to his elite speed.

No ad available

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow@CBSSportsBigTen.