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

By Rees Woodcock

Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2018; Evanston, IL, USA; A detailed view of a Illinois Fighting Illini helmet before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Illinois football
Sep 1, 2023; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jason Bean (9) throws a pass against Missouri State Bears defensive lineman Darion Smith (2) during the first half at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Week one was a nail-biter, as the Illinois football team had to kick a field goal at the end of the game to beat Toledo.

The Illini won’t have a break entering week two either. Illinois travels to Lawrence to take on the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday night. This should be a great game between two rising programs.

There are a few numbers that I think could determine which team emerges victorious. If Illinois can be on the positive side of these numbers, I believe we leave the state of Kansas 2-0.

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

1. 48.0 points

Illinois is coming into the Kansas game on Friday looking to be better on the defensive side of the ball. I honestly didn’t think I would have to utter those words this early in the season.

The Illini managed to give up 28 points to the Rockets, and this was one of the reasons we had to kick a game-winning field goal at the end. Toledo has an okay offense, but giving up 28 points to a MAC team is not ideal.

On Friday, the Jayhawks are bringing another solid offense to the field. Kansas put up 48 points in a week one win over Missouri State. Granted, this game was against an FCS team, but it is still 48 points nonetheless.

I would make an argument that Illinois needs to hold Kansas to about half of that number if we want to win the game on Friday. If we can hold the Jayhawks to around 24 points, then there is a good chance we emerge 2-0.

Kansas looked pretty balanced in week one. They ran the ball well and threw it efficiently. That scares me a bit considering Toledo was able to do pretty much anything they wanted for the majority of the game against the Illini. If we can correct some of the run-defense errors, I think we can hold Kansas to under 30 points.

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