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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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The Wisconsin Badgers enter the 2017 season ranked as the No. 9 team in the nation but I am not quite sure why. This is a team that lost some talent from last year. Despite the talent depletion, I still see Illinois struggling. The Badgers beat the Illini in 2016, 48-3.

Negative

Wisconsin does return starting quarterback Alex Hornibrook. He led the Badgers in passing last season with 1,262 yards, 9 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. With his experience, Illinois might have some troubles with Wisconsin’s passing attack.

No matter who graduates for Wisconsin at running back, they always seem to insert another talented player and he does great things. The leading rusher from 2016 for the Badgers is Bradrick Shaw who rushed for 457 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The big impact for Wisconsin is their defense. They averaged giving up 301.4 yards per game which ranked No. 7 in the nation. That is a tough number to crack and they are returning some talented players.

TJ Edwards is back and he led the Badgers in tackles and interceptions, so the team won’t miss a beat on defense. Illinois needs to be prepared for a long day against this Wisconsin defense.

Positive

If you want to look for some vulnerable areas on the Wisconsin team you can look at the offense. While Hornibrook is returning to the Badgers, he didn’t have a great 2016 season. He almost had more interceptions than touchdowns, and the Illini defensive backs have a chance to take advantage of their bad quarterback play.

I am also curious about the running back situation for Wisconsin. I mentioned they can pretty much insert anyone in the running back slot and they will be great, but this season could be different. Shaw only averaged 5.2 yards per game last season so, hopefully, Illinois can contain him.

Prediction – L 28-14

Illinois was pummeled by Wisconsin last season, 48-3. The game won’t be such a blowout in 2017 because Illinois is more experienced now and the team knows the playbook.

I still see Wisconsin winning this game, though. They will pull away in the second half and beat the Illini 28-14.

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