Game-by-game prediction for the Illinois football 2024 season

Game 12: Illinois Football at Northwestern Wildcats (Win – 42-14)

The final game of the season is, of course, against Northwestern. Illinois fell two points short of the Wildcats in 2023, which would have put us into a bowl game. It is time for revenge.

Pros

Quarterback Ben Bryant is no longer with the Northwestern program. He threw for 234 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against Illinois last season. He also rushed for 15 yards and a touchdown.

Overall, the Wildcats only return 59% of the production from 2023, which is fourth-lowest in the Big Ten. They didn’t bring in a lot of instant-impact talent either, as they had the No. 122 ranked transfer portal class for 2024.

Northwestern isn’t exactly bringing in a ringer at quarterback. Mike Wright is the projected starter, and in four seasons with Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, he threw for 2,520 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Illinois’ defense should be able to shut him down.

Offensively, Kaden Feagin should have a good day against Northwestern. They gave up 157.5 yards per game on the ground in 2023, which ranked No. 70 in the country. Feagin wasn’t healthy for the game last season, but Illinois’ starter had 23 carries for 106 yards. That can be matched in 2024.

Cons

I don’t see a lot of cons in this matchup. Northwestern doesn’t have a ton of talent, and the little talent they did have at quarterback departed the program.

If anyone does step up, it is probably running back Cam Porter. He ran for 651 yards and four touchdowns last season. With the Illinois defensive line being the weak point of the defense, that might be a point of attack for the Wildcats.

Final

Honestly, I think Northwestern could be one of the worst teams in the country in 2024. Not only do I think they finish at the bottom of the Big Ten, but I think they could struggle to get three wins.

Illinois’ offense should be able to drive up and down the field. We put 43 points on them last season, and we are healthier this time around. Look for this to be the eighth win of the season for the Orange and Blue.

Record: 8-4