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.
2. Load the box
Penn State has a good team, and that has been the case for pretty much my entire life. Last season was no exception, as the Nittany Lions could move the ball through the air and on the ground.
Drew Allar is a good quarterback, but Illinois had much more success slowing him down than the Nittany Lions’ running attack. He was only 16-of-33 for 208 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions last season.
For his career, Allar hasn’t been that accurate of a quarterback. He failed to hit 60% completion in his first two seasons. While he has started this season off better, the running game is still something I fear way more than Penn State’s passing attack.
Illinois also struggled against the run last season when playing the Nittany Lions. They had 40 carries for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Allar is not really hurting Illinois through the air much, so I would like for Illinois to focus more on the run. I want to see Penn State held more in check, as they had multiple big runs against us in 2023.
My thinking is that Illinois should consistently load the box and play more man coverage against Penn State. I like the zone option, but running tends to work better against the zone. Let’s bring some heat to the backfield and either shut down the run or get to Allar. Illinois has the horses to cause chaos.
3. Keep the running backs fresh
The Illinois offense caused a ton of pain for the fanbase last season against Penn State. Not only was Luke Altmyer playing some bad football, but we couldn’t get anything going on the ground either.
Reggie Love III was our leading rusher with 12 carries for 55 yards. A combination of Kaden Feagin and Josh McCray had a combined eight carries for 13 yards. This wasn’t a good running attack.
Overall, the Illini finished the game against Penn State in 2023 with 29 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. It is hard to win a game when, as a team, you are averaging 2.7 yards per carry.
Illinois is different this season, though. We made some changes in the backfield, and not only did the Illini get better, but I think we have a more dynamic running back room.
In 2023, Illinois didn’t have a lot of pop in the backfield. We had a bunch of bruisers who were going to work for every yard they gained. Someone was always going to be on their back.
Bret Bielema has a chance this time around to change things up. Illinois needs to keep the running back rotation fresh, and we have the players who can accomplish this goal.
Feagin and McCray are our bruisers still. Illinois can now add Aidan Laughery to the mix. He has quick bursts and great hips. We are also throwing freshman Ca’Lil Valentine into the mix. He is a smaller running back who is extremely fast and will help change the pace of the game.
Illinois couldn’t get the running game going in the game against Penn State in 2023. If we can keep the running back rotation fresh, then I think we can make progress in winning this game.