It may be cliché, but it really does all start up front.
No matter how talented a team’s quarterback, running backs, and wide receivers are, the overall output of an offense is going to be limited by the offensive line’s ability to make holes and protect the passer. Illinois has been spoiled with exceptional offensive lines over the past few years, which have been led by many players who are currently in the NFL.
Now the Illini face the largest roster turnover on the offensive line that they have seen since 2017, but Bret Bielema and Bart Miller still have some serious talent at the position.