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Illinois Football: How the Big Ten will shake out for the Illini

By Rees Woodcock

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 21: The Big Ten logo on a yardage marker at the game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 09: Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) runs the ball during a non-conference college football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, September 09, 2017, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Illinois won, 20-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 09: Illinois running back Mike Epstein (26) runs the ball during a non-conference college football game between the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, September 09, 2017, at Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL. Illinois won, 20-7. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Illinois Fighting Illini 7-5

There are a lot of people saying Lovie Smith is on the hot seat because Illinois hasn’t won much in the first few years of his regime. But, that assessment of what is going on in Champaign is completely off. There is a different feel with this team.

Illinois brings in a quarterback who has an okay arm and can blow past defenders with his legs. They have a really good running back and wide receiver corps to help the quarterback situation as well. The defense is still young and will give up big plays at times, but they are developing nicely too. They also have some great experience on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker and safety.

It helps Illinois that their non-conference isn’t strong this season. They play Kent State, Western Illinois and South Florida. The first two should be easy wins by double-digit points. I see many people saying South Florida is going to beat the Illini, but they lost so much talent including their quarterback and running back from 2017. I see Illinois coming away with a win here and starting 3-0.

The next game for the Illini is against Penn State. This is a good measuring stick to see where the program is in their development. I think Illinois competes in this game but falls short at the end. The following two games are against Rutgers and Purdue. Illinois dropped both of these games last season, but they are better than the Scarlet Knights and I think Purdue takes a step back in 2018. I see Illinois coming away with a win in both of these games.

If you are counting, I have the Illini starting 5-1 this season. But, the second half of the year is going to be rougher. They go up against Wisconsin, which is a loss. The following two games are against Maryland and Minnesota. I think they will actually win both of these games. That would bring them to 7-2 on the season.

Illinois should win the Nebraska game but they always drop one of these head-scratchers every season, so I have them losing to the Cornhuskers. The Illini will then drop the final two games against Iowa and Northwestern to bring the record to 7-5 and, finally, a bowl appearance.

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