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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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PISCATAWAY, NJ – APRIL 13: Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash looks on during the Rutgers Scarlet and White Spring Game on April 13, 2019, at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – APRIL 13: Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash looks on during the Rutgers Scarlet and White Spring Game on April 13, 2019, at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, NJ (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

W – Illinois vs Rutgers – November 2

The Illini will get a big win on the road against the Purdue Boilermakers and then come back home and take on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Rutgers isn’t a good program, so this shouldn’t be too difficult of a game for Illinois.

Artur Sitkowski was the starting quarterback for Rutgers last season but struggled mightily. He threw the ball for 1,158 yards, 4 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He is back for his sophomore season, but he might not get the starting nod. There is a chance McLane Carter, who was a graduate transfer from Texas Tech, is going to start for the Scarlet Knights.

Carter played some snaps with Texas Tech in 2017 and 2018. For his career, he has thrown for 677 yards, 4 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. It isn’t much to shake a stick at, but it is better than what Rutgers had last season.

Rutgers also has their top two running backs returning. Raheem Blackshear led the way last season with 586 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. He only rushed for a 4.1 yards per carry average, though. Backup Isaih Pacheco could push for the starting job this season as he rushed for 551 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2018.

The defense for Rutgers isn’t much of a help either. They averaged giving up 31.4 points per game in 2018, which ranked No. 84 in the nation. Overall, Illinois shouldn’t have a tough time here. I feel like our roster is better and we have more experience than Rutgers. We need to win this game by double-digits.

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