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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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STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 05: Akrum Wadley
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 05: Akrum Wadley /

The Iowa Hawkeyes had a solid season in 2016 and they also beat down the Illini 28-0. This was an embarrassing loss last season and Iowa didn’t lose a ton of talent. They finished the season with 8 wins and I could see them being about that good again.

Negative

Iowa has a really good defense. They ranked No. 23 in the nation in total defense only allowing 351.2 yards per game. This stellar defense is returning for the Hawkeyes. Josey Jewell led Iowa last year in tackles with 124 on the season and he is returning this season. He will help Iowa tremendously.

Iowa also returns Anthony Nelson who had six sacks last season which ranked No. 2 on the team. He will come back and cause chaos in the Illini backfield. Brandon Snyder is also back for the Hawkeyes. He led the team with three interceptions in 2016.

The offense wasn’t as good for Iowa last year. One bright spot for the Hawkeyes was running back Akrum Wadley. He led the team with 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He was also great as a pass catcher as well. He is the returning leading receiving with 315 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2016.

Positive

The one big struggle for Iowa over the last decade has been the offense. Last season, the quarterback position really had a hard time. CJ Beathard was the leading quarterback with 1,929 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He didn’t exactly light the world on fire but he has since departed.

Iowa is unsure who will start at quarterback this season. This is positive news for the Illini. In all likelihood, Nathan Stanley will get the nod for the Hawkeyes. He was only 5-of-9 for 62 yards last season, so there isn’t much experience there. Illinois will need to take advantage of this shaky quarterback situation.

The Hawkeyes aren’t returning much in the way of pass catchers either. Like previously mentioned, Wadley was their leading receiver in 2016 and he was the running back. The leading wide receiver returning is Matt Vandeberg and he only had 284 yards receiving last season.

Prediction – L 28-17

Iowa lost some talent from 2017 but not enough to make a huge difference. I wasn’t a fan of Beathard and he was the only big loss of the offensive side of the ball.

This game is also at Iowa and last season Illinois was skunked. I see another Fighting Illini loss to the Hawkeyes, 28-17.

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