Illinois Football: Game-By-Game Prediction for the 2016 Season

The first Big Ten win of the season will be Lovie’s first Big Ten game of his career.  This game will be against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Nebraska comes into this season with the most experienced quarterback in the Big Ten.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The big worry for the Illinois football team is the quarterback, Tommy Armstrong Jr.

Last season, Armstrong threw for 22 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and 3,030 yards while having 55.2-percent completion rate.

Armstrong was a little wild at times throwing the ball, but he also had the ground game to add to his playmaking ability.

During the 2015 campaign, Armstrong had 400 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground.  These are scary numbers to have to play against and he is back for his senior season.

Illinois won last season’s contest between these two teams 14-13.  That was an ugly game.

Lunt had an average day with 251 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air.  But, his completion percentage was below average.

Vaughn had 98 yards on 24 carries.  He will need to have a better game if he wants to have the Illini win this season.

The Illini held Armstrong in check last season.   He only had 105 yards and 1 interception through the air and only 38 yards on the ground.

I expect the Illinois defense to be even more dangerous this season.  Lovie will have these men ready and I think they move to 4-0 on the season.

Next: vs. Purdue