3 big changes Illinois football can make to beat Penn State
On Saturday, the Illinois football team enters one of the biggest games in recent memory.
Just days ago, the Illini took on a top-25 Nebraska program. This was the biggest game in the Bret Bielema era of Illinois football. It was the marker of whether Bielema was going to show he could win the big games or if it would let Illini fans know that we were just going to continue getting let down.
Illinois managed to beat the Cornhuskers, and now we enter a big week where we have to travel to Penn State to take on the No. 9 ranked Nittany Lions.
These two teams played in 2023 with Penn State coming out of the game with a victory. But things can change, and if Illinois cleans up their game this time around, the result can be different.
Here are three big changes Illinois football can make to beat Penn State
1. Correct the turnovers
It was one of the most painful games of the 2023 season, as the Illinois football team coughed up the game to Penn State. This didn’t have to be a loss, though.
Illinois turned the ball over like it was a hot potato. This was by far Luke Altmyer’s worst game as an Illinois quarterback to date. He was 15-of-28 for 163 yards and zero touchdowns. The thing that put the Illini behind the eight ball the most was the fact that Altmyer threw four interceptions.
Interceptions were by far the biggest program for the Illini in that game, but we also fumbled the ball once. Giving Penn State a couple of turnovers is too much, let alone five giveaways in a game. The fact we only lost 30-13 is an incredible feat.
The one turnover on the ground is a fluky thing. You can’t predict that, but you just have to be better. Now the four interceptions by Altmyer are something we can correct.
Last season, it was only Altmyer’s third game as a full-time starter and an Illinois quarterback. He was still getting used to everything, and then he ran into a tough Penn State defense.
This time around should be different. Altmyer has looked great to start the season, as he has thrown for 862 yards, 10 touchdowns, and zero interceptions through four games. He is more poised in the pocket, and he knows his receivers. Look for Altmyer to correct his bad game from 2023.