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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 11, 2021; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Joshua McCray (0) is tackled by Virginia Cavaliers free safety Joey Blount (29) in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Joshua McCray (0) is tackled by Virginia Cavaliers free safety Joey Blount (29) in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois football vs Virginia

I could make an argument this is going to be one of the toughest matchups for the Illinois football team all season long. Virginia has a really good team, and it all starts with quarterback, Brennen Armstrong.

If you are an Illinois fan, you remember the drubbing Virginia put on us in 2021. The Cavaliers came out and beat down the Illini by a score of 42-14. This was the worst defeat in the Bret Bielema era thus far. Things in 2022 might not be any easier.

Virginia is returning their start quarterback this season. Armstrong is back and ready to put up a dark horse Heisman campaign. He threw for 4,449 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2021. What is even more impressive is his 65.2% completion rate.

In the Illinois game alone, Armstrong would go for 405 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception through the air. He also added 31 yards on the ground. He was unstoppable in that game.

I fully expect the game against Virginia this season to be closer. Illinois now knows more of the playbook and the quarterback situation is a little more stable. We also got away from our game plan early on in the game. Illinois had 45 pass attempts to just 27 runs against the Cavaliers.

This season, the Illini should establish the run early on. We know that Chase Brown and Josh McCray are our horses. I think Tommy DeVito is a better quarterback than what we had in 2021. Expect the Illinois defense, now that we have more tape on Armstrong, to be better at not letting him shred us as much.

With that being said, I think Virginia is poised to have a big year. Armstrong might be the best quarterback we see in 2022. The Cavaliers probably take this game.

Illinois loses – 28-21

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