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Behind Enemy Lines: Scouting the Illinois Fighting Illini
Keeping It Heel talks to fellow FanSided site Writing Illini about Saturday’s game between the Tar Heels and Fighting Illini
It’s time for week two of the college football season.
While the schedule overall might be bad, especially compared to the great one we had last weekend, there are still a few key games. One of those being in Champaign, Illinois between the Tar Heels and Fighting Illini.
The two teams met last season with UNC winning 48-14 in Chapel Hill. But this year it’s a different story.
Illinois is led by new head coach Lovie Smith who is seeking his first big win for the program this year. Then there is UNC, who is seeking its first win of the season.
We talked to Fighting Illini to get a different perspective of the Tar Heels opponent this week.
Enjoy.
Keeping It Heel (KIH): Lovie Smith had a nice run in the NFL, taking the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2007. Now he’s looking to excel in the college game. How can he do that with Illinois’ program?
Writing Illini (WI): Well, honestly, his mere presence among the Illinois football program has already change so much about the program.
In just the six months that Lovie has been the head coach of the football team there has been a
Sep 19, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) runs the ball during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Last year this game was pretty ugly. To prevent that from happening in 2016 the Illini must do two things well.
The first thing they need to accomplish is to stop Elijah Hood.
Hood tore the Illini up last season going over 100 yards and scoring a touchdown. He also was a threat in the passing game as well.
Illinois needs to shut Hood down frequently to have a chance in this game.
The other thing Illinois needs to do well is run the ball. This is where North Carolina is the weakest.
Last week, Illinois ran the ball well against Murray State. But, I expect this week will be a little tougher, although, North Carolina did give up a big chunk of yards to Nick Chubb.
Illinois running backs Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Kendrick Foster both need to be on point for the offense to score some points.
KIH: What one thing defensively must Illinois do to beat UNC?
WI: Illinois needs to stop the run. To do this the defensive line needs to live up to the expectations that are set for them.
The Illini have arguably the best defensive line in the Big Ten. They have Dawuane Smoot on the end along with Carroll Phillips. Both of these players will be crucial in keeping contain against Hood.
Rob Bain and Chunky Clements need to make sure nothing gets up the middle as well. If Illinois can do both of these things then they have a chance against UNC.
KIH: What one thing offensively must Illinois do to beat UNC?
WI: The offense needs to run the back effectively against North Carolina on Saturday. That is a given and needs to happen frequently.
But, the main thing Illinois needs to do on offense is not turn the ball over.
Giving North Carolina more chances to score is bad. They need to hold onto the ball and make sure they run the clock out with their running backs.
KIH: Which offensive player should UNC fans look for on Illinois to have a big impact?
WI: Starting running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn would usually be the answer here. But, last week backup Kendrick Foster had a huge game.
Vaughn will get his touches and, hopefully, will eclipse the 100-yard mark.
I think the difference maker could be Foster, though. He is the change of pace back that can wreak havoc in second level of the defense.
Getting Foster on track early in the game would make him the player to watch out for this Saturday.
KIH: What defensive player should UNC fans look for to make an impact?
WI: Since UNC’s bread and butter is the running game right now, I would say the defensive impact player for the Illini would have to be Dawuane Smoot.
Smoot is projected to be a first round NFL Draft pick next year. He is a great defensive end that could hurt the Tar Heels.
I think Smoot is the player that North Carolina fans should look to make an impact. If he has a dominant game then the Tar Heel’s running game could suffer.
KIH: What are the weaknesses of Illinois both offensively and defensively?
WI: The main weakness on offense for the Illini has to be the ineffective pass game at times.
There are times when quarterback Wes Lunt has the mojo going but then there are times where you can almost call the play from your seat.
Illinois tends to get conservative in the offense and that can hurt a team because there are a lot of three and outs.
The main weakness on defense is probably the defensive backs. Even though I think the Illinois defensive backs don’t receive enough credit, they are the weakness.
Illinois has some pretty good defensive backs but the experience isn’t there and they have a new system in place.
I think once they get more accustomed to their roles the more the defensive backs will gel with the rest of the defense.
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