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Illinois Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

By Rees Woodcock

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)
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) /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 15: David Blough
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 15: David Blough /

The most disappointing loss for the Illinois football team in 2016 was against Purdue. The Illini fell to the Boilermakers in overtime, 34-31. Purdue struggled, much like Illinois, in 2016. They only finished with three wins, and heading into 2017 they have a new head coach.

Negative

Purdue signed Western Kentucky head coach Jeff Brohm. He is known for slinging the ball around the field and this is good news for the Boilermakers and bad news for the Illini.

Quarterback David Blough is returning to the Boilermakers after having a good 2016 campaign. He threw for 3,352 yards and 25 touchdowns for a head coach who was terrible. Blough is now going to be coached by a pass happy leader in Brohm. Illinois defensive backs better be ready for this passing attack

Markell Jones is returning as Purdue’s leading rusher as well. He carried the ball 153 times for 616 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2016. He also had another 215 yards receiving as well. This type of dual-threat running back could give the Illini troubles again.

While Purdue’s defense struggled in 2016, most of their talent is returning for the upcoming season. Markus Bailey is back and he led the team in tackles and interceptions. Gelen Robinson returns as well and he led the team in sacks. So, Purdue has experience on defense in 2017.

Positive

Purdue does have some talent returning but that talent only amounted to three wins in 2016. Their running attack was one of the worst in the nation. They only averaged 96.2 yards per game on the ground and this ranked No. 125 in the nation. Illinois going up against that bad of a rushing attack should help the defense.

The Boilermakers moved the ball through the air but they couldn’t put it in the end zone. They only scored 24.6 points per game which ranked No. 101 in the nation last season. Their defense wasn’t great either. They did crack the top 100 finishing at No. 91 in the nation giving up 445.8 yards per game.

Illinois should have an easy time stopping the Purdue running game. They then have to take advantage of mistakes made by Blough who threw 21 interceptions last season.

Prediction – W 35-17

Illinois needs to win this game because they have lost two in a row heading into this road game against Purdue. I like the matchup for the Illini and I think last season was a fluke loss to the Boilermakers.

The Illini come away with a big victory against Purdue, 35-17.

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