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Illinois Football: Illini game-by-game predictions for the 2018 season

By Rees Woodcock

IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 07: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 7, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- OCTOBER 07: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 7, 2017 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 21: Nick Allegretti #53 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 21: Nick Allegretti #53 of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on October 21, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Fighting Illini 24-17. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Illinois vs. Minnesota

Last season, Illinois went up to Minnesota and almost came away with a win. Now the Golden Gophers come down to Champaign for a little taste of their own medicine.

Positive

The Illinois football team competed with a Minnesota program that won five games last season and had a nice backfield who ran all over the Illini. That is a positive in itself. It was also on the road and that showed a sign of maturity.

Illinois is also going up against a passing offense that was absolutely terrible last season. They averaged 126.1 yards per game through the air, which ranked No. 122 in the nation. This was one of the worst stats in the nation and the Illinois defensive backs should be able to have a field day.

Negative

The pass defensive for Minnesota was sensational in 2017. They were only giving up 174.5 yards per game through the air, which ranked No. 11 in the nation. Illinois needs to have their quarterback situation figured out by the time this game rolls around. Even then, they might have to rely on a lot of runs from AJ Bush and the running backs.

Minnesota’s run game scares me too. They averaged 182.4 yards per game on the ground last year, which ranked No. 43 in the nation. But, the Golden Gophers ran all over the Illini in the 24-17 victory. They rushed for 290 yards as a team. That can’t happen again.

Keys to the Game

Minnesota lost both of their quarterbacks from last year, so it looks like they will be starting a freshman in 2018. This is great for the Illini as their pass defense is one of their strong points. They should be able to shut down whatever quarterback the Golden Gophers throw at them.

The duo of Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks is returning for Minnesota. They were two of the top three leading rushers. Illinois’ defensive line was shredded last year by these two. If the Illini want to win this game their defensive line needs to show up. I think with more experience and coaching, the defensive line will come through. There is no way Minnesota racks up almost 300 yards on the ground again.

Prediction

Illinois 14 – 10 Minnesota

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