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Illinois Football: Game-by-game predictions for the 2019 season

By Rees Woodcock

EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini flag is seen during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 24, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EVANSTON, IL - NOVEMBER 24: An Illinois Fighting Illini flag is seen during a game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Northwestern Wildcats on November 24, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29: A Michigan Wolverines helmet is on the sidelines during the Peach Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Michigan Wolverines on December 29, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29: A Michigan Wolverines helmet is on the sidelines during the Peach Bowl between the Florida Gators and the Michigan Wolverines on December 29, 2018 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

L – Illinois vs #7 Michigan – October 12

Do I think the Michigan Wolverines are a little overrated every season? Yes, but that doesn’t mean they are a bad team. This program has a lot of talented players and they will compete for a Big Ten title yearly.

Illinois has to take on No. 7 Michigan following the Minnesota game. Thankfully, this game is at home so the Illini have that slight advantage. But Michigan fans do travel well, so that is a worry. The Wolverines will also be coming into this game, most likely, undefeated probably ranked in the top five.

Michigan is returning a lot of talent from the year before too. Shae Patterson returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,600 yards, 22 touchdowns and 7 interceptions in 2018. Those numbers will improve and the Illini defensive backs will be tested. The depth is what worries me in the secondary.

One weakness that might be there for the Illini to expose is the fact Michigan lost their two leading rushers from last season in Karan Higdon and Chris Evans. Tru Wilson looks to be slated to start. Sadly, Wilson had a 5.9 yards per carry average last season, which led the Michigan running backs.

On the defensive side of the ball, Michigan always seems to be stout. They only gave up 19.4 points per game in 2018, and I don’t expect that number to change too much this season. They have a solid defense that will give the Illini fits.

My goal for this game is just to keep it respectable. I want Illinois to be down by less than 15 points at halftime and then, if they lose, only fall to the Wolverines by a couple of touchdowns. I think that is progress.

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