vs. Missouri (St. Louis) Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Most students don’t have their first exam until around October, but quarterback Juice Williams is going to be tested early against an experienced Mizzou secondary. Last year, these teams lit up the scoreboard, and I don’t see that being any different this season . . . maybe just a different result.

vs. Eastern Illinois Sept. 6, 11 a.m., Big Ten Network

The Panthers once had a man under center named Tony Romo. Now they have Bodie Reeder. I don’t think Reeder is dating Jessica Simpson, but that probably won’t be helping Eastern Illinois in this game anyway. Oh yeah, and did I mention the Memorial Stadium reconstruction will come full circle? Not a good day to be a Panthers fan.

vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Sept. 13, 11 a.m., Big Ten Network

The battle of teams with Adjective-Noun nicknames comes to Champaign to decide who’s more ferocious: the Fighting Illini or the Ragin’ Cajuns. ULL has also lost three of its four starting defensive lineman from last year, so the Recruiting Zookers should be able to get their rush attack in order before conference play.

at Penn State Sept. 27, 7 p.m., ABC, ESPN or ESPN2

Linebacker U has got some serious problems at QB, so I’m officially putting Vontae Davis on stud watch for this game. A big win on the road can fuel the Illini’s fire for the rest of the Big Ten season while a loss will expose their most pressing deficiency.

at Michigan Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m., ABC

When was the last time anyone said the Illini have a star at quarterback and the Wolverines don’t? Rich Rodriguez’s offense in Ann Arbor just doesn’t seem like the right fit (for now) and Illinois should be able to take advantage of that. Then again, it is the Big House. Gulp.

vs. Minnesota (Homecoming) Oct. 11, 11 a.m., ESPN, ESPN2 or BTN

Two words: trap game. After an emotional road trip, Illinois finds themselves ready to tee-off against the Gophers, but too much confidence (or lack there of) might cause the Illini to come out flat and unprepared. Minnesota can’t hold a candle to Illinois talent-wise, but this game will tell us plenty about how mentally mature this team has become.

vs. Indiana Oct. 18, 7 p.m., Big Ten Network

Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 214 yards against the Hoosiers last season, but his departure means someone else is going to have to step it up. If defensive end Will Davis can have as much success this year as he did last season against Indiana (four sacks and a forced fumble), then the offense shouldn’t have to do much scoring to get the win.

at Wisconsin Oct. 25, 11 a.m., ESPN, ESPN2 or BTN

I believe House of Pain said it best: “Pack it up, Pack it in. Let me begin. I came to win. Battle me that’s a sin.” The Illini Big Ten road show through Hell makes its last tough stop in Madison to do battle with the Badgers. Wisconsin is also suffering at the QB position (are we seeing a trend here?) so defense will be key to pulling out a victory.

vs. Iowa Nov. 1, TBA

Outside of the games against Ohio State and USC, I hear more Illini fans talk about last year’s loss to Iowa than any other game. There was no doubt the team was in a funk that day. Sometimes it just happens. But two years in a row, at Memorial Stadium and with Iowa actually becoming a worse team? I don’t think so.

vs. Western Michigan (at Ford Field) Nov. 8, 11 a.m., TBA

Some might be wondering how this game came to be. Well I’m looking at it as a nice late-season vacation … to Detroit. I hear it’s beautiful there in November. The Broncos have a solid defense and playing on a neutral field can only help. But I’m sure Zook will be preaching to his players the importance of not looking past Western Michigan to the monster waiting for them next.

vs. Ohio State Nov. 15, TBA

So we meet again. If all goes right, these teams will be playing for the top spot in the Big Ten. Everyone has been talking about how tired they are of Ohio State sitting on dominating the conference, but who would have thought a few years ago that Illinois might have a chance to take their spot?

at Northwestern Nov. 22, TBA

My biggest concern for the Illini is an emotional fallout. The brawl against Ohio State could be the biggest game of the year in the conference, so Ronny-Z and the Blue Chips will have to fight off any Buckeye hangover in order to (hopefully) keep a BCS bowl berth alive.