Writing Illini
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 13
Next
PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Chris Ash of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Chris Ash of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights looks on against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at High Point Solutions Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Illinois’ third game of the Big Ten season is back at home against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. This is one of the few wins the Illini had last season 24-7. Rutgers only had two wins last year and they haven’t improved much.

Negative

There really aren’t a lot of issues Illinois will have with this Rutgers team. They did crack the top 100 in total defense, though. They averaged giving up 450.7 yards per game and that ranked No. 97 in the nation.

Rutgers is also getting back Trevor Morris on defense as well. He led the team with 102 tackles in 2016. Besides for Morris, there weren’t any defensive players who jumped off the page.

The Scarlet Knights didn’t have a great offense last season but they are returning their starting quarterback, running back and wide receiver.

Giovanni Rescigno is back for the Scarlet Knights. He threw for 880 yards, 5 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Running back Robert Martin is also back. He rushed for 625 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jawuan Harris led the team in receiving with 481 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Positive

Rutgers is a really bad team and they will continue being a bad program. Their quarterback isn’t great and he will likely struggle again this season. The Scarlet Knights averaged 138.3 yards per game through the air last season and that ranked No. 123 in the nation. Illinois should be able to shut down the Rutgers passing game once again.

The Scarlet Knights were also bad on the ground as well. They averaged 144.9 rushing yards per game which ranked No. 103 in the nation in 2016. Illinois has a young, inexperienced, defensive line and going up against a struggling offense should help.

Illinois should be able to move the ball well against Rutgers as well. They are going up against a lackluster defensive squad that barely cracked the top 100 in total defense. They also lost Anthony Cioffi and Julian Pinnix-Odrick who led in interceptions and sacks, respectively.

Prediction – W 31-14

This game was a victory for the Illini last season, 24-7. Illinois has likely improved slightly and Rutgers is still a really bad team. This game is also in Champaign, which is another big benefit to the Illini.

I see Illinois coming away with a victory over the Scarlet Knights, 31-14.

Home/Illinois Football