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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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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 18: Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Lovie Smith looks at the scoreboard during game action between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Ohio State Buckeyes (8) on November 18, 2017 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Illinois 52-14. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Illinois vs. Western Illinois

The second game of the season for the Illinois football team finds them matched up against a solid FCS program in Western Illinois. While this is a good team at the FCS level, it would be embarrassing to not just pound them into the ground.

Positive

There are a lot of positives to take away from the game against the Leathernecks. Western Illinois plays in the FCS, so naturally, the talent level is not there to compete with an FBS program. Illinois should be able to handle this team easily.

Western Illinois was also middle of the pack when it comes to offense and defense in the FCS. Their rush defense is solid, though. This is where Illinois should shine, but watch out for the Leathernecks defense against the run to potential give the Orange and Blue some troubles.

I am looking for the Illini to explode in the passing game. They need to hone this part of the offense and get ready for the tough schedule to follow. Western Illinois averaged giving up 220.2 yards per game through the air in 2017.

Negative

Western Illinois’ offense isn’t terrible. They can run the ball averaging 156.6 yards per game on the ground last season. They aren’t bad through the air as well averaging 241.3 yards per game. The area the Leathernecks could attack is the run game. Illinois was awful at stopping the run giving up 218.5 yards per game on the ground.

Keys to the Game

The keys to the game for the Illini consist of efficiency. They need to play fundamental football and not turn the ball over, and they should come out with an easy win. This is AJ Bush’s chance to show what type of arm he has and how he has developed. I look for him to throw a few deep touchdowns to the Illini wide receivers.

I could also see the Illinois defensive line let lose in this game as well. Western Illinois hasn’t seen an FBS defensive line in a few years. This could be a shock to their system.

Prediction

Illinois 42 – 17 Western Illinois

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