Illinois Football: Illini schedule prediction after week 4

Now that the dust has settled from week four, let’s take a look at how the Illinois football team could finish the 2023 season.

It has been an interesting start to the season for the Illini. 2-2 through four games isn’t terrible, considering the two losses under our belt are against No. 6 Penn State and No. 24 Kansas.

Illinois hasn’t played A or B football this season, though. I would say we are sitting at a solid C for the season thus far, but 2-2 with that type of play should have fan’s hopes skyrocketing for the future.

Here is how the rest of the 2023 season could play out for the Illinois football team

• Illinois football at Purdue (1-3) – Win

The Illini offense started to click a bit against Florida Atlantic, especially in the final three quarters. Purdue’s defense hasn’t been able to stop anyone just yet. They are giving up 32.25 points per game.

Purdue’s offense is turnover-prone as well. I expect the Illinois defense to force a couple of turnovers. This game could easily go in the favor of the Illini.

• Illinois football vs. Nebraska (2-2) – Win

Nebraska is 2-2, but their two wins didn’t come easy, and they were against bad teams like Northern Illinois and Louisiana Tech. Their two losses were to an average Colorado team by 22 points and to Minnesota, who just fell to Northwestern.

Illinois’ defense should feast on one of the worst offenses in the country. This will probably be fairly low-scoring, but the Illini should come away with another win against the Cornhuskers.

• Illinois football at Maryland (4-0) – Loss

A 4-0 record looks impressive, but Maryland is pounding some pretty average to below-average teams. They have started slowly in multiple games this season as well.

This game doesn’t scare me, but the fact it is on the road is what might doom the Illini. It will be close, but Maryland’s defense might give Illinois some trouble.

• Illinois football vs. Wisconsin (3-1) – Loss

Wisconsin is starting to settle into their new head coach. Their only loss is on the road against a top-25 Washington State team as well.

Over the last two games, the Badgers are averaging 36.5 points per game. This is the offense I thought they were going to have the entire season. Wisconsin can attack you from multiple areas on offense. That will be too much for Illinois to handle.

• Illinois football at Minnesota (2-2) – Win

For some reason, people thought Minnesota was going to be good this season. Their quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is pretty bad, and they lost an NFL-caliber running back to the next level.

Minnesota’s only saving grace was their defense, and they just gave up 37 points to a horrible Northwestern team. I could see the Illinois defense shutting down anything the Golden Gophers have going on offense. This should be a big win for the Illini.

• Illinois football vs. Indiana (2-2) – Win

Next up on the Hot Garbage Express is the Indiana Hoosiers. I thought this team would be bad in 2023, and it looks like I am right. They pounded a bad Indiana State team and had to go to four overtime to take down Akron.

If you take away the FCS team the Hoosiers played, they are scoring 15.3 points per game against FBS teams this season. Illinois’ defense has hit a stride in the last couple of weeks, and I expect Jer’Zhan Newton to feast on Indiana. This could be back-to-back games Illinois wins by double-digits.

• Illinois football at. Iowa (3-1) – Win

Before the season started, I thought Cade McNamara would be a savior for Iowa’s offense. I was wrong. This Hawkeyes team is not that good, despite having a 3-1 record.

Iowa just got blown out 31-0 against Penn State, and they barely beat Iowa State, who lost to Ohio this season. Against power-five programs, the Hawkeyes are averaging 10 points per game. Iowa’s defense is the only thing I worry about, but Illinois should have more things figured out on offense when this game rolls around.

• Illinois football vs. Northwestern (2-2) – Win

Northwestern is not a good program, and they are on board the Hot Garbage Express as well. The Wildcats are 2-2 this season, which is okay, but they could easily be 1-3 if it wasn’t for a 21-point fourth quarter against a bad Minnesota team.

Illinois’ defense should be able to handle the Northwestern offense. I think the Wildcats’ defense isn’t great either. Look for another Illinois blowout, similar to the 2022 game that we won 41-3.

At this point in the season, I could see Illinois finishing 8-4. That isn’t out of the question by any means. The schedule looks favorable, and the Illini defense has really tightened up.