Every football weekend is extremely important but, for the Illinois football team, this weekend might be the biggest of the season.
No, the Illini aren’t hosting big-time recruits in Champaign. They likely won’t land a game-changer for the class of 2019 this weekend either. This weekend, the Illini take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
People reading this might be thinking I am wrong, high or just plain stupid. A game against Rutgers usually isn’t a big deal for teams across the college football world. But, for the Illini, this game has turned into one that is a must-win.
Illinois enters this game 2-2 on the season with their wins coming against teams they should have beaten and their losses coming in heartbreaking fashion. The Illini should have taken down South Florida, but they blew a fourth quarter lead. Illinois was right there with Penn State as well. They were only down four going into the fourth quarter before the Nittany Lions turned on the afterburners.
I believe this Illini team has shown some real progress this season compared to last. They are better at the quarterback position, even with injuries to starter AJ Bush. Their running back situation is finally healthy and dominating. Illinois’ defense is trying to improve as well. They have some good pieces and are growing by the week.
But, now the Illini are heading into a game against a bad Rutgers team. Illinois is favored, on the road, by about five points. Rutgers is 1-4 this season with a 41-point loss to Kansas and a 29-point loss to Buffalo. This needs to be a win for Illinois.
The progression this Illinois team has shown through four games, the great recruiting class coming in, this could all be tested this Saturday. The Illini lost to this Scarlet Knights team last season by 11 points. Illinois needs to start winning the games they are supposed to win. This will show me they are truly progressing as a program.
Even if Illinois falls to Rutgers this weekend, I will still root for this team. I take pride in the Orange and Blue. But, falling to the Scarlet Knights would be terrible for the program. It would be terrible for recruiting. And, honestly, I would start to question some things about what this coaching staff is doing on the field. This is a must-win for the Illini.