QUARTERBACKS

Juice Williams will be under the microscope this weekend. His performance against Western Illinois had some Illini fans concerned and looking for backup Eddie McGee. The sophomore should settle into the offense this week against one of the statistically worst passing defenses in the nation. Sophomore Andrew Robinson is the full-time starter for the first time this season. Against Iowa last week he went 7-for-20 for 79 yards. He needs more experience.

ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS

RUNNING BACKS

The Rashard Mendenhall-Daniel Dufrene combination is as good as advertised. Mendenhall is averaging 6.4 yards per carry in his career, almost a yard more than Pierre Thomas’ Illini record of 5.6 yards per carry. Syracuse’s Curtis Brinkley has rushed for 40 yards on 18 carries this season and he may be more dangerous as a receiver where he is averaging more than 15 yards a catch.

ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS

WIDE RECEIVERS

Arrelious Benn is a triple threat. He can stretch the field, turn short passes into big gains and even carry the ball. Last year’s top receiver Kyle Hudson should begin to see more catches and yards as teams key on Benn. The Orange’s Taj Smith has eight catches this season for 84 yards and is Syracuse’s best on the outside. He returned this season after missing eight games with a broken collar bone in 2006.

ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Illini line deserves credit for the running backs’ big day against the Leathernecks. Illinois ranks ninth in the conference in sacks allowed with 2.5 per game. Syracuse’s front line has a combined 48 starts and is anchored by junior guard Ryan Durand. The Orange have had difficulty establishing the running attack and average just 16 rushing yards a game.

ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Illini front stopped the opposition’s rushers in each of the first two games and should have its way this week against a Syracuse team that’s struggled to run for positive yards. The Illini, however, rank ninth in the conference with only two sacks this season. The Orange defensive front is led by senior Jameel McClain. The Nagurski Award candidate had 9.5 sacks a year ago and forced a fumble last week. Syracuse played eleven different linemen at Iowa last week and is allowing 210 rushing yards a game.

ADVANTAGE: DRAW

LINEBACKERS

Senior J Leman is third in the nation with 15.5 tackles per game. His tackle last week on fourth-and-1 stopped the Leathernecks in Illinois territory. The Illini corps played well last week and perhaps freshman Martez Wilson will see more playing time this week. Syracuse’s middle linebacker Jake Flaherty matched a career-high six tackles against the Hawkeyes. The Orange’s trio of junior linebackers is experienced but can’t match the Illini’s talent.

ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Dere Hicks scored the Illini’s first interception of the season last week agaisnt Western. Justin Sanders and Kevin Mitchell helped the defense notch a shutout and allowed 71 passing yards. Syracuse’s senior cornerback Dowayne Davis has started 25 consecutive games for the Orange. He had seven tackles in Iowa City last week in a game the Orange allowed Hawkeyes to throw for 290 yards.

ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Jason Reda is still looking for his first field goal attempt of the season. Punter Anthony Santella should improve on his 33.8 yard average from last week. The Orange lead the nation in kick return average this season. Freshman Max Suter is averaging 24.7 yards a return. Freshman punter Rob Long ranks 22nd in the nation with a 43.3 yard average.

ADVANTAGE: SYRACUSE

HEAD COACHES

This is year three for both coaches and neither has glowing records. Ron Zook is 5-20 in Champaign as is Syracuse’s Greg Robinson. Zook is still banking on his back-to-back top-30 recruiting classes. Robinson’s claim to fame is his years as the defensive coordinator for the 1997 and 1998 Denver Broncos.

ADVANTAGE: DRAW