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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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Iowa junior linebacker Jack Campbell runs an interception back for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.20211120 Iowavsillinois
Iowa junior linebacker Jack Campbell runs an interception back for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.20211120 Iowavsillinois /

Illinois football vs Iowa

Do you want to see an underrated most lopsided matchup in college football? Illinois has been so bad against Iowa over the past 22 years. The last Illini win against the Hawkeyes came in 2008. We are 1-13 in the last 14 matchups and have lost eight straight.

The big question is, will that trend change in 2022? Last season, the Illini fell to No. 17 Iowa, 33-23. It was a closer matchup, but it was still a loss. Iowa’s quarterbacks are never that strong. I assume Spencer Petras is back under center for his final season with the Hawkeyes. He threw for 1,880 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2021.

Iowa’s running game wasn’t tremendous last season, and they lost two of their top three leading rushers. I think Gavin Williams is going to get the start this year. He rushed for 305 yards and had a 4.7 yards per carry average in 2021.

The defense Iowa brings to the table is usually what gets Illinois. Last season, they averaged giving up 19.2 points per game, which ranked No. 13 in the country. Illinois has scored over 23 points just one time against Iowa since 2001, and that was the only victory where we put up 27 points.

So, can Illinois break through Iowa’s defense? Well, the Hawkeyes return a ton of talent on defense. Linebackers Jack Campbell and Seth Benson are both back. They led the team in tackles last season with 140 tackles and 105 tackles, respectively.

Dane Belton, Iowa’s leader in interceptions in 2021, is gone from the program. But they do have Jermari Harris and Riley Moss back at cornerback. They were No. 2 on the team in interceptions with four apiece.

The moral of the story is Iowa’s defense is going to be one of the best in the country once again. This could end up being a pretty low-scoring game. I think Illinois can win, but with the trends in the past and the fact Iowa’s defense is so good, I think the Hawkeyes squeak this one out.

Illinois loses – 13-7

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