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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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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats looks on prior to the Music City Bowl against the Kentucky Wildcats at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 29: Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats looks on prior to the Music City Bowl against the Kentucky Wildcats at Nissan Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

4. Northwestern Wildcats 6-6

Another team who could take a step back in 2018 is the Northwestern Wildcats. They have a good program with a really good head coach, but there was some talent that left the program.

Clayton Thorson is back for his final year with Northwestern. He was a solid quarterback last season throwing for 2,844 yards, 15 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The loss of Justin Jackson is going to hurt at running back, though. I do like the Northwestern defense, but that never changes.

Much like 2017, I have Northwestern starting off slow. They will beat Purdue the first game of the season but will then drop their game against Duke. They were pounded by the Blue Devils in 2017. The Wildcats will then rebound against a weak Akron team to move to 2-1.

The next two games for Northwestern are against Michigan and Michigan State. These will both be losses because those are two really good programs in 2018. This moves the Wildcats to 2-3 on the year.

The following two games are against Nebraska and Rutgers. They are both going to be below average in 2018, so I have Northwestern taking down both of these programs. The Wildcats then hit another rough patch.

Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Iowa are the following three games for Northwestern. I don’t see the Wildcats being in any of these contests. They should all likely be double-digit wins for the opposing team.

To get bowl eligible, Northwestern would have to win the final two games of the year against Minnesota and Illinois. I have them winning both games to get to that 6-6 mark. This would be a good season for the Wildcats considering what they lost last season.

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