Illinois Football: 5 keys to beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers

2. Mike Epstein

Let’s be honest, the most valuable player for the Illinois football team through three weeks is true freshman running back Mike Epstein. This kid has been sensational week in and week out. He has potential to be a special player for this team for the next three years after this as well.

The play calling in the South Florida game was suspect to me. They didn’t run the ball enough which would have put the Bulls defense on their heels. This would have also enabled more first downs which would have kept the opposing offense off the field as well. But, that didn’t happen. Epstein only carried the ball eight times. Those eight carries were extremely successful as well. He finished the game with 56 yards and 1 touchdown.

In the first two games this season against Ball State and Western Kentucky, Epstein received 11 carries and 21 carries, respectively. We are now starting to figure out the formula of how many carries he needs to see for the Illini to be successful. I think the number clearly needs to be at least 11 carries per game.

It will be interesting to see if Lovie and Garrick McGee stick with the run in this game against Nebraska as well. The Cornhuskers rank No. 29 in the nation only giving up 109 rushing yards per game. This is a solid run defense like South Florida but Illinois can’t stray away from the fact they have a good backfield.

Epstein is key in this game against Nebraska because as he goes so does the Illinois offense. McGee needs to get him the ball and watch him go to work. Illinois has a special player on their hands.