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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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Nov 27, 2021; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema (right) is congratulated after a 47-14 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois football @ Northwestern

Entering the 2021 campaign, Illinois had lost six straight games against Northwestern. It was one of the most embarrassing streaks for the program in my lifetime.

But everything changed last season. Illinois welcomed in Northwestern and absolutely destroyed them. The Illini ended up winning the game 47-14. Illinois dominated this game in every form and fashion.

Overall, Northwestern struggled in 2021. The team would finish 3-9 and would lose the final six games of the year, five of which were by double-digit points. I don’t think things will get much better for the Wildcats in 2022 either.

The only player returning to the Northwestern roster who threw more than four passes in 2021 is Ryan Hilinksi. He finished last season with 978 yards, three touchdowns, and four interceptions. I fully expect him to start again for the Wildcats.

Northwestern does have an okay running game. Evan Hull led them in rushing with 1,009 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021, and he returns as the starter this year. So, Northwestern is bringing back roughly the same offense that averaged 16.6 points per game in 2021, which ranked No. 125 out of 130 programs.

The hope for the Wildcats is their defense. Linebackers Owen Bergin and Bryce Gallagher both return, and they led the team in tackles. They also return their leader in sacks, Adetomiwa Adebawore, who should be good on the defensive line.

Even with those returning starters, Northwestern was still shredded in 2021 for 29 points per game, which ranked No. 89 in the country. They were a bad defense and are returning the players from that bad defense.

Illinois will, hopefully, not have a problem with taking care of Northwestern once again. We torched them through the air and on the ground in 2021, and that should happen again in 2022. Illinois has a well-balanced offense, and it will be on display for the final regular season game of the year.

Illinois wins – 48-20

The final record for the Illinois football program – 8-4 overall, 6-3 Big Ten

Next. 3 key Illini players against the Wyoming offense. dark

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