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Illinois Football: 3 key players for the Illini to beat the Kansas Jayhawks

By Rees Woodcock

CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 22: Ailym Ford #0 of the Chattanooga Mocs is tackled by Seth Coleman #49 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - SEPTEMBER 22: Ailym Ford #0 of the Chattanooga Mocs is tackled by Seth Coleman #49 of the Illinois Fighting Illini during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Jan 2, 2023; Tampa, FL, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half in the 2023 ReliaQuest Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Illinois football has a big test on Friday night, as we travel down to Lawrence to take on the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Illini are coming off a tough win in week one. It came down to a last-second field goal, and Illinois emerged victorious. A win is a win, and now we are 1-0 on the season heading into the Kansas game.

Illinois did have a tough time in a few areas against the Rockets. These areas will need to be fixed or Kansas is going to have a lot of success against the Illini. There are also a few players who I think are keys for us to come out victorious.

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

1. Taz Nicholson

If Illinois wants to come away with a victory on Friday night, I think Taz Nicholson is going to need to step his game up a bit.

Nicholson is Illinois’ best cornerback right now. He finished the Toledo game with five tackles, three of which were solo. He didn’t have any interceptions, and Dequan Finn was able to have a decent game through the air.

I am expecting more out of Nicholson on Friday. Kansas has a good running attack, and with Jalon Daniels back behind center, this Jayhawks unit becomes more dangerous.

The Illini will probably bring more guys into the box, which leaves our defensive backs on an island at times. There will be plenty of one-on-ones without help over the top. Nicholson is going to have to be okay with that. He is going to have to not be beaten by his man just in case Daniels drops back instead of handing the ball off or running it himself.

Illinois struggled with the run-pass option against Toledo. We are playing, roughly, the same offensive scheme in week two, but this time it is with better players. I hope our defensive backs, especially Nicholson, are ready for some tough matchups.

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