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Illinois Football: 3 key numbers for the Illini to beat Wyoming

By Rees Woodcock

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Joshua McCray #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 23: Joshua McCray #0 of the Illinois Fighting Illini carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 23, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) runs with the ball as Penn State Nittany Lions safety Ji’Ayir Brown (16) defends during overtime at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois football plays their first regular season game of 2022 today, and it is time to get pumped!

This is the most optimistic I have been for the Illini in quite some time. I fully expect Illinois to have a solid year and make a bowl game. But everything starts with game one against Wyoming.

The Cowboys aren’t a good team, and we need to show that from the first snap until the end of the game. Let’s show our dominance early and often.

I will be keeping an eye on a few numbers that Illinois could expose on Saturday. These numbers could be key in the Illini blowing Wyoming out of the water.

Here are three key numbers for the Illinois football team to beat Wyoming.

1. 187.6 yards

It has been a long time since I have been able to see an Illinois football team play and instantly know what their identity is on the field. This season will mark the first time in a long time I have been able to do that.

Illinois is clearly a running team, and that was established in Bret Bielema’s first season as the head coach. That tremendous running game should be on display against Wyoming. This is why I think 187.6 yards is an important number for Illinois to beat the Cowboys.

187.6 is how many yards Wyoming surrendered on the ground per game in 2021. They ranked No. 99 in the nation in rushing yards allowed. This is a number Illinois needs to expose to the highest degree.

It all starts with Chase Brown and Josh McCray. Statistically, Northwestern was similar to Wyoming when it comes to rush defense last season. Brown and McCray were able to rush for a combined 26 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns against the Wildcats. I am hoping to see even better numbers than that against the Cowboys.

As long as Illinois can get the running game going early and often, then this game should be a blowout. We have the offensive firepower to put Wyoming away. Let’s expose their bad rush defense.

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