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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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MUNCIE, IN – NOVEMBER 01: James Gilbert
MUNCIE, IN – NOVEMBER 01: James Gilbert /

The Illinois football team kicks off the 2017 season with the Ball State Cardinals at home on Saturday, September 2.

This is a good starter game for the Illini. They needed a team they could beat with all of the young talent that Lovie Smith and the rest of the coaching staff will be unleashing this season. Ball State should be a perfect warm-up game for this program.

Negative

Ball State ran a fairly balanced attack last season. They ranked No. 66 in the nation in passing and No. 30 in the nation in rushing, and both their starting quarterback and running back are returning in 2017.

I would keep an eye out for James Gilbert, the Cardinals starting running back. He rushed for 1,332 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2016 and will be a menace to the Illini front-four.

Defensive end Anthony Winbush could also wreak havoc on the Illini. He is the Ball State defensive end who is returning after an 8.5 sack season the year before. The Illinois offensive line needs to be on top of their game week one.

The Cardinals are also returning cornerback Marc Walton who led the team in interceptions as well with three in 2016. He will likely give troubles to Chayce Crouch on the outside.

Positive

Ball State plays in the MAC so some of these statistics are a bit skewed. The team still finished 4-8 last year in a weak conference.

The Cardinals also lost their top two pass catchers who combined for 1,477 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2016. This will hurt the Ball State passing attack.

Illinois has a chance put some points on the board during the first game of the season. Ball State ranked No. 116 in total defense giving up 470.3 yards per game. Lovie and Garrick McGee are going to need to find out a good formula on offense and this is the game to do it. They shouldn’t have troubles moving the ball.

Prediction – Illinois W 48-21

This game is likely to be close early on because Ball State will point up some points. But, Illinois just has too much talent for the Cardinals to handle. The Illini pull away in the second half, winning the game 48-21.

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