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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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Aug 27, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; iIllinois Fighting Illini players take the field against before a game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; iIllinois Fighting Illini players take the field against before a game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Week 8 – Illinois vs. Wisconsin

Illinois heads back home for the eighth game of the season against Wisconsin. The Badgers come into Champaign on Saturday, October 21 at either 11:00 a.m. CT or 2:30/3:00 p.m. CT.

The Illini are running into so many teams that have switched coaches. After a 7-6 campaign, the Badgers moved on and now have Luke Fickell leading the way. That means you have to throw some numbers out the window.

I think Wisconsin hit the upgrade button on offense. They return starting running back, Braelon Allen, who had 1,242 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. Top wide receiver, Chimere Dike, is also back for the Badgers. The thing that was holding this offense back was the quarterback position, and Wisconsin was able to land the big-time transfer, Tanner Mordecai.

Mordecai threw for 3,524 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for SMU in 2022. He now has a big stage with better talent around him. This was one of the better pick-ups from the transfer portal.

Defensively, Wisconsin returns its top four players in tackles, three of which are at the linebacker position. They did lose the top two players in sacks and two out of the top three in interceptions, though.

  • Prediction – Illinois loses to Wisconsin, 38-34

It sounds like Wisconsin is going to have a much-improved offense this season. If Illinois plays the run too much, Mordecai could tear us up. If we play the pass, Allen could run wild. This will be a big test for the Illini defense.

I think Illinois’ offense could do damage on the Wisconsin defense, though. We won this game 34-10 in 2022, and I think we can put up that many points in 2023. For one of the few times I can remember, the Illinois vs Wisconsin game could be a shootout.

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