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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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BRONX, NY – DECEMBER 27: Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor (23) during the 2018 New Era Pinstripe Bowl between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Miami Hurricanes on December 27, 2018 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – DECEMBER 27: Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor (23) during the 2018 New Era Pinstripe Bowl between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Miami Hurricanes on December 27, 2018 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

L – Illinois vs #19 Wisconsin – October 19

Every year I think to myself that Illinois has a chance to knock off Wisconsin. The Badgers seem to rarely have a solid quarterback and I always fall into the trap of thinking that will be their downfall. It never works out for me.

Illinois’ schedule is pretty tough in 2019. After playing No. 7 Michigan, the Illini then take on No. 19 Wisconsin at home. The Badgers are, once again, weak at the quarterback position. Their starter last season, Alex Hornibrook, transferred down to Florida State and couldn’t get the starting job. They now have Jack Coan taking over behind center.

Coan was a backup last season for the Badgers. He threw for 515 yards, 5 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. This is a weakness I think the Illini could expose. If we can get pressure on Coan, we might have a chance in this game.

But the one caveat with Wisconsin is their running game. Jonathan Taylor is back, and he is going to take a lot of pressure off Coan. Taylor rushed for 2,194 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. He is my favorite for the Heisman Trophy this year. Illinois is going to have a hard time stopping this kid.

Wisconsin was solid on the defensive side of the ball in 2018. They averaged giving up 22.6 points per game, which ranked No. 27 in the nation. That is about as bad as I have seen a Wisconsin defensive. They are usually top 15 it seems like. Expect their defense to be great again in 2019.

I want this game to be competitive. I think the Illini can hang with Wisconsin for most of the game. If we can keep this to single-digits, that is progress.

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