Football Field Forecasts: Predicting Saturday’s Illinois-Missouri Game

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Illinois quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase (#2) would love to have the debut that Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert (#11) had last season against the Illini.

As enough’s been written about Saturday’s Illinois-Missouri game, now’s the time to predict how things will play out tomorrow afternoon at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.

Continue on after the jump for Writing Illini’s prediction along with some predictions from the traditional media.

As a friendly reminder, kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, with the game televised on Fox Sports Net.

Be sure to follow along on Writing Illini for live play-by-play and analysis, and on our Twitter account for updates and thoughts as the game progresses. And don’t forget to check back in Sunday for a recap of the game.

Hate to Say It, But Got to be Honest

Those who read Writing Illini’s season predictions know that as optimistic as they were, they still have the Illini losing again to Missouri again this year.

With too many injuries on the defensive side of the ball, inexperience at the quarterback position, and other questions with a new offensive and defensive coordinator, Illinois will once fall to the Tigers and begin the season 0-1.

The game will start out in Missouri’s favor, as the Illini take a few downs to get rid of the first game jitters and the Tigers get out to a double-digit lead early in the second quarter.

Once things settle down, Illinois will mount a slight comeback as running backs Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford burst through and continue to build on their impressive 2009 numbers.

However, Illinois’ lack of depth and youth will show in the second half as Missouri’s aerial assault proves too much for the Illini’s depleted secondary to handle.

Final Score

Missouri 38, Illinois 20

Illini Game MVP Prediction

Junior running back Mikel Leshoure

Missouri Game MVP Prediction

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert

Some Predictions from the Credentialed

While some publications haven’t provided predictions yet, I will check back tomorrow morning and try to update before the game.

Student Media

→ (Daily Illini): 58% in favor of Missouri, according to student poll

→ (The Maneater): Missouri by 17

Local Media