Here's an overview of what some of the specialty football pubilcations are saying about Illinois this season:

Preview Sports

No Illini are on either the All-American or All-Big Ten lists. ... The team is picked 11th in the Big Ten, with a projected 0-8 record in the league and 3-8 overall. Preview Sports is saying the Illini will sweep Washington State, Middle Tennessee State and Louisville. ... According to the magazine, Neil Rackers will be displaced by Brent Peterson, a freshman who has been injured most of training camp. Mike Flaar, no longer in school, is also listed as a starter in place of Marques Sullivan. Remember, preseason magazines are written in April. ... Magazine picks Steve Havard as the "New One To Know" because he is replacing Robert Holcombe. Safe pick.

Athlon Sports Big Ten

Spotting a trend, no Illini on the All-American or All-Big Ten lists. Robert Holcombe was mentioned in many magazines last summer. ... Minnesota deemed the only Big Ten team worse than Illinois. ... Junior college transfer Terrance Smalls listed as the team's Rising Star. Magazine must not have known about incoming junior college receiver Connie Moore. ... Magazine names a Mr. Football for each school. No surprise that Illinois' is Red Grange. Others include Iowa's Nile Kinnick, Michigan's Tom Harmon, Michigan State's Bubba Smith, Minnesota's Bronko Nagurski, Northwestern's Otto Graham, Ohio State's Archie Griffin and Purdue's Bob Griese. ... Projects Syracuse joining the Big Ten and the league splitting into two divisions. Lucky Illinois gets to play with Michigan, Michigan State and Syracuse in the Lakes Division.

Lindy's Big Ten

Magazine rates all 112 Division I-A schools and Illini are listed No. 90. That puts them behind Temple, Duke, San Jose State, Nevada-Las Vegas, Ohio and Western Michigan. Northern Illinois is last. ... All-American lists go 25 deep at each position. That isn't enough to include any Illinois players. ... In the recruiting section, Antoineo Harris is listed among the top six incoming freshman running backs. Harris isn't eligible. ... Quarterback Kurt Kittner is among the Freshmen of Influence. Good call. ... Ron Turner's recruiting class is put seventh in the Big Ten. ... No Illini are on two All-Big Ten teams. ... Mark Hoekstra is called the team's most important player. Danny Clark is named the emerging star. Connie Moore is listed as top newcomer. And Steve Havard is picked as unsung hero. ... The Illini are picked last in the Big Ten standings. Of the unit rankings, none are listed higher than No. 8, with quarterbacks, running backs and kicking game placed last.

Street and Smith's

No Illini make the long lists of All-American candidates. None are on the All-Big Ten team either. ... Junior college transfer receiver Terrance Smalls is named top newcomer. ... The Illini are picked last in the Big Ten standings, right behind No. 10 Indiana and No. 9 Minnesota. The magazine goes out on a limb and puts Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State 1-2-3. ... In the recruiting section, ineligible running back Antoineo Harris is listed among the top freshmen. He is the lone Illini mentioned. ... The magazine predicts an end to the Illinois losing streak in the home opener against Middle Tennessee State. ... The magazine pokes fun at the Illini with "the scoreboard operator in Memorial Stadium can look forward to some nice naps again this fall, though the line will have the benefit of more experience."

Sporting News

Lindy's is kinder to the Illini than The Sporting News. In its overall rankings, the magazine puts Illinois at No. 98. That's behind Alabama-Birmingham, Akron, Texas-El Paso and Northern Illinois. Idaho is listed at No. 112. ... Needless to say, no Illini among the expanded All-American lists. ... The Illini recruiting class is picked eighth in the Big Ten. The magazine gives Illinois credit for ineligible running back Antoineo Harris. ... The Illini are ranked No. 11 in the Big Ten. Travel companion Indiana is No. 10. ... In the unit rankings, only the linebackers are above ninth. Tim Kish's group is No. 4. The special teams and backfield are ranked 11th. ... Receiver Terrance Smalls and cornerback Johnny Rogers are named top newcomers. Ryan Schau and Marques Sullivan are listed as top offensive players. Linebackers Danny Clark and Michael Young are honored on defense.