University of Illinois Football Recap

Currently in the 2022 football season, the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign has seven wins and three losses, their biggest wins being against Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Mark Schlabach of ESPN said, “I think the Illini will finish 5-7 overall and a Big Ten record of 2-7.” Mike Levitan, an Illinois fan said, “I think a good season would be five wins and seven losses like last season.” Illinois has surprised many people by having seven wins in eight games. They have had three tough losses to Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana, but even with those three losses they still have had an overall good season and have surprised many people with their level of play. 

So why has this team proved many people wrong? The Illini have the FBS (Football Bowl Series) leader in rushing yards, Chase Brown. Also transfer quarterback Tommy Devito. Gavin Brown, a sophomore at Champaign Central High School, said “He is the big reason we have success with Tommy Devito replacing Artur Sitkowski.” Tommy Devito has the sixth highest completion percentage in college football. The Illini also has a defense that has been really impressive. They have only given up thirteen touchdowns this season, which is the second best in college football. Also, they only allowed an average of 4.19 yards per play, which is also one of the best in college football. They have the ninth best red zone defense in college football. One of the leaders of Illinois defense is Kendall Smith, a defensive back. He has four interceptions this season, which is one behind first and tied for sixth.  

Ryan Walters is the defensive coordinator for the Illini. This is his second season as the Illinois defensive coordinator and he has made a name for himself this season as Illinois has the best defense in college football. Many say he is going to be a big name for open head coaching spots across college football. 

So what is ahead for this Illinois football team? They are one against Purdue from being BIG Ten West Champions and they will play either Ohio State or Michigan in the championship game. For a bowl game Schlabach of ESPN said, “I think the Illini will be in the Capital One Orange Bowl in Miami Florida against North Carolina.” To get in the bowl a team must have one of the best records in college football. While Bonagura of ESPN said, “I think Illini will be in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa Florida against LSU.” This is not as competitive of a bowl as the capital One Orange but still hard to achieve. Some of these predictions are long shots because Illinois still has to play Michigan, number three in the nation, on the road, as well as a Northwestern team.