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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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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 19: The game officials huddle before the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 19: The game officials huddle before the game between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

The first Big Ten game for the Illini this season is against Nebraska. This game is actually at home so Illinois has the advantage in that sense. This is a rematch from last year when the Cornhuskers beat down the Illini 31-16.

Negative

The strength of this Nebraska team is the defense. This has been the case for as long as the Cornhuskers have had a football program. That continued last season as they ranked No. 30 in the nation in total defense only giving up 363.7 yards per game.

There are some key players returning from that defense. Nebraska has Joshua Kalu coming back who was third on the team in tackles with 66 in 2016. They also have Freedom Akinmoladun returning who had three sacks last season which was good enough for third on the team as well.

Kieron Williams is coming back for Nebraska too. He led the program in interceptions with five on the year. Illinois quarterback Chayce Crouch might have his hands full with this talented defense.

Positive

Nebraska lost a lot of talent from last season. When I say a lot, I mean a lot. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. departed. He was their leading passer with 2,180 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. He was also the second leading rusher with 512 yards and 8 touchdowns.

The Cornhuskers now turn to Tanner Lee as the starting quarterback who sat out last season after transferring from Tulane. He was a two-star recruit who played two seasons for the Green Wave. His best year with them was in 2015 where he threw for 1,639 yards, 11 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. I am confident Illinois can really give him troubles this season.

Terrell Newby also departed from the Nebraska program. He was the leading rusher for the Cornhuskers last year with 879 yards and 7 touchdowns. Those weren’t eye-popping numbers but now Nebraska has to rely on their third leading rusher in Devine Ozigbo who only rushed for 412 yards and 5 touchdowns last year.

Prediction – W 24-14

Originally, I was going to have Illinois lose to Nebraska but as I break the game down, I think to myself how winnable this game really is for the Illini.

Illinois needs to still play well but they can beat this Cornhuskers team. Nebraska lost a lot of talent and their quarterback situation is going to help the Illini. The Orange and Blue start the Big Ten season off with a home victory, 24-14.

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