Illinois Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 15: Cheerleaders for the Illinois Fighting Illini run onto the field before a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 17-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

It is hard to predict the results of the Illinois football schedule for 2017.

This schedule consists of some games that should be wins, could be wins and miracle if they do win. That is pretty much how the Illinois schedule is every season but this year feels different. This will be the second season under the tutelage of Lovie Smith and his coaching staff.

Last season, the Illini struggled to three victories and there were only one or two they could have possibly won that they didn’t. But I chalk last season up as a year of observation. Lovie needed to know what he had and what he needed to recruit. That is why having a good class of 2017 was important and he accomplished that goal.

Lovie brought in some great pieces to fill in the missing holes in the Illinois depth chart. The team has also had a full year with the playbook and now they know what they are doing. The first year under any new head coach is a difficult learning process.

This season seems to be different. There is a different feel to this team and I think they can improve on their three-win performance from 2016. They have the talent and the coaching, now they just need to execute their game plan.

Here is the game-by-game prediction of the Illinois football 2017 season.

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