Illini Unit Breakdown, the Offensive line.

Sure they don't score touchdowns, run routes or get any of the sexy stats like the skill players, with the exception of QB there may not be any more important facet to an offense than its line. Even the most explosive and stellar offense will grind to a halt if you cant pass block. Is it a coincidence that aside from having Heisman QB's OU and Florida also had two of the premier O-lines in the nation. Good lines make a QB, and they make a running back. Juice is at his finest when he has time to make a play, or at least block for him well enough for him to make a move with his feet. Given the sacks that would often kill our drives, (see: Western Michigan) the development of the O-line should be of particular importance to the success of the offense and thus the team. So, are we any better than last year?

Who will be starting? Well, the short answer to the question is, I would assume so. last year we started 2 true freshmen in Corey Lewis and Jeff Allen, this year they return as sophomores with alot of experience at left and right tackle respectively.  Given the fact that both had less than one year in the offensive scheme and still essentially the same size as they were in HS, you would have to assume that they would only improve from last year.

Eric Block is moving to Center from guard to replace one of the best linemen from last year Ryan McDonald. I'm not entirely sure how the position change will effect him, but he is by far the most experienced lineman returning from last year.  Also with a name like "Block" how can he not be a great O-lineman?

Jon Asamoah is large (315) experienced (started all 12 last year) and more than likely will not be the weak link of the line.

That leaves only one position undefined, Left Guard. If we are to listen to CFN we should expect Randall Hunt, a serviceable and experienced back up to take the lead. But Phil Steele begs to differ, projecting the stellar recruit Graham Pocic, who redshirted last year. I tend to listen to Phil Steele, because he knows more about the last place Sun Belt team than most of us know about our Alma Maters.

 

Possible Star. Its tough to become a "star" on the O-line, but if I had to make a guess, it would be Pocic, who will more than likely win the job at Rantoul and if he lives up to the hype he could be the anchor of the line for much more than just this year. If Jason Ford starts picking up 25 yard chunks next year running behind Pocic, don't be surprised.

What to expect. With an offense like this, the most important thing is pass blocking, it suffered last year from shortcomings in that area. If the team wants to be successful it cannot happen like that again. Juice is a play maker, with alot of weapons around him, he doesn't need a Florida or OU line in front of him to be successful. However he is going to be throwing the football more, possibly even more than last year, if the O-line has  improved from last year the offense could put up even bigger numbers than last year.