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Illinois Football: Predicting all 12 games for the Illini 2022 season

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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Sep 17, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema looks on from the sideline against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Illinois football season is quickly approaching, and it is time to be optimistic about the possibilities.

I feel like the Illini have a team that could do some damage in the college football world. We reloaded at quarterback, have talented running backs, and Ryan Walters has the Illinois defense playing at a high level.

But does Illinois have enough firepower to win enough games to get to a bowl game? Can we do even better than just qualifying for a postseason bowl? It is possible to have more than six wins in a season?

Here is a prediction of all 12 games for the Illinois football 2022 season.

Illinois football vs Wyoming

The first game of the season is this Saturday against Wyoming. However, this isn’t the same Wyoming team that went to a bowl game and beat Kent State 52-38 in 2021.

Wyoming has a new quarterback under center. I project that Andrew Peasley is going to be the one taking snaps for the Cowboys. He doesn’t have much experience against power-five programs, as he transferred into the Wyoming program from Utah State.

I think Wyoming’s defense is going to struggle on Saturday as well. They lost five out of their top seven leaders in tackles, sacks, and interceptions from the year prior.

Illinois is coming in with a ton of players returning to the roster. I expect the Illini running game to feature Chase Brown and Josh McCray frequently. They will be a tough one-two punch to stop.

Tommy DeVito is Illinois’ new quarterback. He should be the starter heading into game one. DeVito, when a starter at Syracuse, was better than any quarterback Illinois has had in the past decade. I look for him to have one final great year in the college game.

I think there is a chance Illinois beats up on a new Wyoming crew. Look for the Illini to jump out to a big lead and never look back. I have the Orange and Blue taking this game 45-17.

Illinois wins – 45-17

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