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Illinois Football: Game-by-game prediction of the 2023 Illini season

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the second quarter in the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Illinois Fighting Illini looks on during the second quarter in the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 12: A detailed view of a Big Ten end zone pylon seen before the Illinois Fighting Illini and Michigan Wolverines game at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Week 10 – Illinois vs. Indiana

Illinois is going to have a chance to get revenge on Indiana in 2023. The Hoosiers come to Champaign on Saturday, November 11 at a time still to be determined.

The most confusing and embarrassing loss last season for the Illini was the first game of the season to Indiana. I don’t think that is going to happen again, though.

Indiana is coming off a 4-8 campaign, and they have lost most of the talent from that squad. Starting quarterback Connor Bazelak decided to transfer to Bowling Green. Indiana brought in the brother of Trayce Jackson-Davis, Tayven Jackson, as a transfer. He hasn’t played in college yet.

The Hoosiers also lost its top two running backs from 2022, which isn’t much of a loss since they combined for 990 yards and 10 touchdowns. Indiana is also missing two out of the top four wide receivers from the team last season. Mind you, they lost this much talent off a team that scored 22.2 points per game, which ranked No. 95 in the country.

Things get even worse on defense. Indiana gave up 35 points per game in 2022, which ranked No. 118 in the country. From that poor defense, they lost 10 out of the top 11 players in tackles, three out of the top four in sacks, and four out of the top six in interceptions.

  • Prediction – Illinois beats Indiana, 52-7

This could be one of the ugliest seasons in Indiana football history, and that is saying a lot. They have had some bad teams in the past, but this one could take the cake.

I think Illinois gets revenge on the Hoosiers. We should be able to come into this game and tear apart a bad Indiana squad. I see this as the biggest blowout for the Illini in 2023.

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