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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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CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 02: The Illinois Fighting Illini helmet on the field after a win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Memorial Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Illinois football vs Chattanooga

Most people aren’t going to worry about Illinois when they take on the Chattanooga Mocs, but this is a game you can’t overlook. If we look past the Mocs, then we could end up being embarrassed by an FCS program.

Chattanooga isn’t a bad squad by any means. Coming into the 2022 campaign, the Mocs are ranked in the FCS coaches poll as the No. 13 team in the country. That means they are a good team, so we should take them seriously.

Just last season, Chattanooga gave Kentucky a scare. The Mocs only lost that game at Kentucky 28-23. In fact, in the fourth quarter, Chattanooga had the lead 16-14 before the Wildcats woke up and won the game. That proves that if you sleep on this team, they can come close to winning.

The best thing the Mocs have going for them is their running attack. Ailym Ford is back this season, and he ran for 1,069 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021. But, thankfully, Chattanooga did lose their backup running back who rushed for 854 yards and nine touchdowns.

Chattanooga’s passing game is kind of a mess. Their leader last year was Cole Copeland who threw for 1,555 yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions. I expect transfer Preston Hutchinson will take over the starting duties. During his career with Eastern Michigan, Hutchinson threw for 2,340 yards, 16 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.

While Chattanooga is ranked No. 13 in the FCS preseason coaches poll, I don’t think they have the talent to beat Illinois. Their quarterback situation isn’t steady, and their running game can be stopped. I would imagine Illinois loads the box to defeat the Mocs.

Illinois wins – 45-10

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