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Illinois Football: Illini Team Grades Through 3 Games

By Rees Woodcock

Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; (left to right) Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line coach Luke Butkus, head coach Lovie Smith, and back judge Jim Biddle watch the replay board during the 4th quarter at Memorial Stadium. North Carolina beat Illinois 48 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; (left to right) Illinois Fighting Illini offensive line coach Luke Butkus, head coach Lovie Smith, and back judge Jim Biddle watch the replay board during the 4th quarter at Memorial Stadium. North Carolina beat Illinois 48 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Carroll Phillips (6) celebrates after sacking Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave (2) at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Champaign, IL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive end Carroll Phillips (6) celebrates after sacking Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Joel Stave (2) at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

. DL. 4.33 SPG (3rd), 10.7 TFL (3rd), 158 RYA (70th). DEFENSIVE LINE. B+

The one bright spot of this Illinois football team is their defensive line.  This squad has really made Illini Nation proud with how much talent and heart they bring to every game.

Illinois currently averages 4.33 sacks per game, which ranks No. 3 in the nation.  That is extremely impressive.  The have 13 sacks through just 3 games this season.

Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois Fighting Illini /

Illinois Fighting Illini

The Illini defensive line is also No. 3 in the nation in tackles for loss average per game.  They are averaging 10.7 TFL in each game this season.

But, the defensive line does have a few deficiencies.  While they can get to the quarterback and cause chaos in the backfield, they are having troubles with opposing running backs.

Illinois is currently giving up 158 yards per game on the ground, which ranks No. 70 in the nation.  This isn’t good and it means that opposing offenses control the ball.

To get their grade up higher, the Illinois defensive line is going to need to stop the run.  I do like how they are playing overall, though.

Carroll Phillips leads the team in sacks with 4 this season.  He also has 18 total tackles as well.

Chunky Clements is a nice big body in the middle and he has 2 sacks as well.  He really anchors the middle of that defensive line with Rob Bain.

But, the main attraction is Dawuane Smoot.  He doesn’t have a sack and only has 12 tackles this season, but that is because he draws a ton of double teams from opposing offensive lines.

Despite not having the stats, Smoot is a huge factor because he allows the other four to draw one-on-ones and that helps them get sacks.

Overall I like how the Illinois defensive line is playing.  They need to stop the run a little better, but they are not the reason the Illini are 1-2.

I give them a grade of B+ so far through three games.

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