Illinois needs to go back to what worked

Illinois’ matchup with the Northwestern Wildcats could appear to be considerably devoid of which means at first look: the Illini are already bowl eligible with seven wins, and the Wildcats have way back misplaced any hope of even getting to 5 wins and a potential bowl alternative by APR. However no less than for the Illini, taking the HAT provides Bret Bielema an opportunity to finish the common season on a excessive be aware and transfer into bowl preparations with momentum. And, after all, an 8-win workforce is extra prone to get picked by a better high quality bowl than a 7-win workforce.

Though the percentages are lengthy, an Illini win on Saturday additionally retains alive Illinois’ hopes for a Large Ten West title, however that might require wins by each Nebraska over Iowa and Indiana over Purdue.

In the meantime, on the opposite sideline at Ryan Discipline, Northwestern is a program in freefall. After a Large Ten West title in 2020, the Cats at the moment are simply 4-19 (2-15) for the reason that starting of the 2021 season. This units the stage for Northwestern to probably escape of its irritating season in an try and handle one final win on their senior day. That makes it incumbent on the Illini to…

Management the Tempo All through the Recreation

Illinois has every thing it must bottle up Northwestern’s offense and rack up factors on its depleted protection. Northwestern has had points on the quarterback place all 12 months, so Devon Witherspoon and the Illini secondary ought to be capable of simply take benefit if the Cats determine to take to the air. Equally, Keith Randolph, Gabe Jacas, and Johnny Newton can be able to comprise the Wildcats on the bottom.

The Illini have the benefit at just about each place group, and they need to be capable of cruise right into a win so long as they keep targeted, carry depth, and don’t permit Northwestern probabilities to interrupt out. This requires Illinois to attenuate turnovers and stop massive performs by the Wildcat offense.

The opposite most important approach to management the sport can be to make it possible for Chase Brown, Illinois’ prime playmaker, has each alternative to rack up speeding yards and eat up the clock. With that in thoughts, I might hope Barry Lunney has each intention to…

Feed CB2

It virtually goes with out saying at this level, however Illinois may have its finest probability to win on Saturday if its offense can hold the ball on the bottom and within the palms of its prime rusher. A give attention to the frenzy sport could also be the very best path to a victory for the Illini, however it does have wider implications as properly.

Chase Brown has the chance to interrupt Illinois’ single season speeding report if he can handle no less than 116 yards on the bottom between the matchup towards Northwestern and the bowl sport. Getting him the report earlier than the bowl sport can be excellent, however further all-purpose yards would additionally add to Brown’s possibilities of successful the Doak Walker Award as properly.

This season could not find yourself leading to 10 or 11 wins like we thought just some weeks in the past, however there’s nonetheless a lot to play for and all of it hinges on a incomes a win on Saturday. For a lot too lengthy, it’s been Northwestern preventing for improved bowl place and an opportunity at a West Division title towards the Illini within the closing sport of the season. It’s so good to lastly have the tables turned in Illinois’ favor.