Before the start of Illinois football's training camp on Aug. 2 in Champaign, beat writer Bob Asmussen is counting down the Top 50 teams heading into the 2019 college football season:
Coach: Jeff Brohm
2018 record: 6-7
Projected 2019 record: 8-4
Circle the date: Nov. 9 at Northwestern
Bowl trip: Armed Forces
Why No. 37: Who ordered up the friendly conference schedule? After playing Ohio State and Michigan State last season, the Boilermakers avoid the Buckeyes, Spartans and Michigan this season.