Illinois Football: 3 key numbers for the Illini against Florida Atlantic

Illinois football has a big game on Saturday, as the Illini look to get back on track against Florida Atlantic.

The Illini actually played decently well on defense against Penn State, but the offense continued to put us behind the eight ball. This weekend should carry a completely different tone. Illinois is ready to play, and Florida Atlantic is massively overmatched.

Here are three key numbers for the Illinois football team against Florida Atlantic

1. 33.33%

Illinois wants to make sure we come away with a victory on Saturday. This is a game we can’t lollygag through and let Florida Atlantic hang around.

One way to put the Owls away early is by preventing them from moving the ball. The Illini defense has a chance to have a big game, and stopping Florida Atlantic is extremely important.

That is why I believe Florida Atlantic converting just 33.33% of their third downs on the season is a key number. The Owls rank No. 100 out of 133 DI programs in third down conversion percentage.

If this number holds true against Illinois, then I think we can blow the doors off Florida Atlantic. But stopping opposing teams hasn’t come easy for the Orange and Blue this season.

Through three games, the Illini are allowing opponents to convert on 50% of their third downs. That ranks No. 114 in the country.

I think the onus rests on the shoulders of the Illinois linebackers. When the opposing team has three to eight yards to go, they are going to be throwing shorter passes, most likely over the middle. Stopping them from completing those passes is going to be extremely important.

Illinois needs players like Dylan Rosiek and Tarique Barnes to have big games. If they can lock down the middle of the defense, then I have no doubt Florida Atlantic will struggle to convert third downs.