I don’t have very many issues with Bob’s players ranked 11-20. Mostly because it’s easier now – just put the starters in order.  But I will take issue with said order. Jeff Allen at #18? He’s probably our most important player at the position with the most question marks. Anyway, here’s mine:

#20 Ryan Palmer – Appeared to win back his starting right tackle job.  Except this time he didn’t beat out Jeff Allen – he beat Corey Lewis. Right now he’s the third tackle of a three-deep tackle depth chart, which means he’s probably the backup on both the left and right sides.  Craig Wilson appears to be a distant fourth, which means Lewis will be very valuable next season.  Wait, we’re talking about Palmer.  Um, solid feet, solid motor. Overall, solid Big Ten tackle.

#19 Jason Ford – I was really, really excited about Ford last year after the Indiana game.  But as the next 5 games proved, it was the Indiana game.  His great hops made him an asset in goal line situations. But he seemed to slowly disappear the rest of the season, often hesitating once he found the corner, waiting for a hole to develop.  Here’s hoping his new-found aggression this spring carries over onto the field this fall.

#18 Doug Pilcher – I might like Bob’s placement (#8) better than my own.  Because with each Jerry Brown grade card and Josh Brent police report, Pilch becomes more and more important. He needs to have a huge senior season, both in leadership and in sacks.

#17 Matt Eller – As worried as I am about the punting situation this fall, I’m just as confident about the kicking game. (Well, that’s not entirely true. Anthony Santella is the holder this fall.) Eller seemed to make every 40+ yard kick last year, and only really struggled in tight with tough angles from the college hash marks.  The kid seems to have some swagger, so I feel good about him kicking the ball the next three autumns.

#16 Garrett Edwards – I’m the only Garrett Edwards fan I know. Yes, I know, he struggled with his tackling angles. Yes, I know he sometimes looked lost out there.  Yes, I know, Zook personally called him off the field in the Ohio State game after a blown zone assignment.  But sophomores are sophomores.  With a year under his belt, I’m expecting Edwards to be the rangy, athletic safety that Illinois football has always been lacking.

#15 Anthony Santella – Why #15?  Because if he kicks like he did last year, saving his shanks for the really important punts, we’re in big trouble.  Like, could-lose-two-games-just-because-of-our-punter trouble. He simply HAS to mature to the point where he is confident he can make the big kick.  He’ll boom eight consecutive 45+ yarders in warm-ups… and then angle a 29 yarder towards the near sideline the first punt of the game.

#14 Josh Brent – Should be leaving jail right… about… now.  Our boy Bob needs to do what every great hometown beat writer does – write a puff piece about how much the jail stay changed Brent, and how he’s a new man.  Because we really, really, really need him on the field against Missouri.  Simply put, Liuget and Brent can be a top-5 tackle tandem.  Not in the Big Ten – in the country ((dramatic music)).

#13 Dere Hicks – Needs to do what third-year starting cornerbacks do: make us say “Wow, that was Dere Hicks that made that play? Where has THAT been the past few seasons?” He knows the D, he’s seen every scenario – now go out and find a spot on the second team All Big 10.

#12 Jon Asamoah – I’ve been a huge Asamoah fan since the Penn State game in 2007.  I was breaking down game film (yes, I “break down game film” by watching internet highlights at least a dozen times, spot shadowing each player) and Asamoah put an absolutely devastating block on Sean Lee 10 yards downfield to spring Rashard Mendenhall for an additional 15 yards.  “A guard who can pull like that as a sophomore” I said to myself? “He should be first team All Big 10 as a senior.” Well, Phil Steele has him on the second team, so we’re close.

#11 Jarred Fayson – I can’t remember being this excited to see an Illinois player take the field.  I remember being giddy about Eric Jefferson in 1996, but he never played a down.  Maybe Rashard. I couldn’t wait to see all his supposed speed + power.  But a bona fide 5-star wideout from Florida that we can pair with our bona fide off-to-the-NFL-soon receiver to catch passes from our 4th-year starting QB? Pinch me. When Fayson drops back to return a punt in the Missouri game, I might pee a little bit.  TMI, I know.  But TWO FIVE STAR RECEIVERS!! Wearing ORANGE AND BLUE!!!