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Illinois Football: 5 things the Illini need to do to beat South Florida

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen on the sidelines during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 01: An Illinois Fighting Illini helmet is seen on the sidelines during the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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15 OCT 2016: Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of the game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini played at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway,NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
15 OCT 2016: Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Jake Hansen (35) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of the game between the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Illinois Fighting Illini played at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway,NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Win the turnover battle

I know this seems like an obvious one, but Illinois needs to win the turnover battle. This will be a huge deciding factor in the game this weekend. Both teams are really good at taking the ball away and whoever wins the takeaway game could easily win the game on the scoreboard.

Through two games this season, Illinois has an average of two takeaways per game. This ranks No. 24 in the nation. I am happy with this stat and think they will continue taking the ball away. Lovie Smith has taught this with every team he has ever coached. But, statistically, they aren’t as good as South Florida.

The Bulls are averaging three takeaways per game right now, which ranks No. 13 in the nation. They are able to change momentum fairly quickly with taking away the opposing teams possession. If they can do this against Illinois, it could be a long day for a young Orange and Blue program.

One area of turnovers that South Florida specializes in is interceptions. They have four interceptions on the season. This goes back to the previous key to victory for the Illini. AJ Bush has to be crisp. He can’t have off-target passes. South Florida is going to be ready to take the ball away, and Bush can’t allow them easy picks.

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