5 Illinois football stats poised for a huge improvement in 2024

5. 47.24% possession - #110 in the nation

When you can’t move the ball down the field, the other team will get it back and score more points. The more you have the ball, the better off you are.

Just look at some of the best teams in time of possession. Utah is No. 1 and Georgia is No. 2. Both programs are great. You can go down the list and see some big-time teams in the top 20.

Illinois was not one of those teams, though. We only possessed the ball 47.24% of the time. Not only was this not the top 20, but we failed to crack the top 100. Illinois ranked No. 110 in the country in time of possession in 2023. I look for that number to change drastically in 2024, though.

Biggest Factor #1: Offensive knowledge

I touched on this a bit in an earlier slide, but offensive knowledge is going to be key in improving time of possession. Nearly all of Illinois’ offensive starters have been in the Barry Lunney offense for a season, so they know what to do. This isn’t a new group of players.

That offensive knowledge will help with timing. Getting the timing and cadence down should improve the ability to move the football. Securing more first downs and moving the ball down the field will help with time of possession.

Biggest Factor #2: Offensive line play

In the last side, I mentioned the key additions to the Illinois offense line. These additions will help keep Luke Altmyer upright and not injured.

With the offensive line improved from the 2023 campaign, I think Illinois should be able to move the ball better down the field. Altmyer will have time to pass the ball, and our improved blocking should enable him to scramble more efficiently.

I think our run blocking could be good too. Kaden Feagin will have a chance to plow through some nice holes in the Illinois offensive line. With the offensive line getting back, the offense should be able to hold on to the ball longer. This will improve the time of possession.