Illinois Fighting Illini

Illinois Football: Expectations For the Last Four Games

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Illinois football team didn’t start the way we all wanted them to.

Illinois is currently 2-6 on the season, but before the 2016 campaign started I was thinking the record was hopefully going to be more like 6-2.

But, much of my optimism was misguided and a program really has to be given time after a coaching change.

With only two wins on the season, let’s take a look at what I am expecting the rest of the season.

Today, the Illini play Michigan State at home. I was hoping this would be a game of two potentially ranked teams but it is actually completely opposite.

Both teams are sitting at 2-6 on the year, but this game is huge for both teams.

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Michigan State needs a win because they started the season 2-0 but have lost six games in a row. If they lose to Illinois that would be rock bottom for this program.

Illinois needs this win to build confidence in the program and coaching staff. This season is lost as far as a bowl game is concerned, but there is still a lot of learning left to do this year.

The Illini have four games left and I want to see them at least split these games. That means Illinois should go 2-2 in the last four and finish the season 4-8.

That seems like a solid goal and Illinois winning today would go a long way in achieving that goal.

The next three games would be at No. 8 Wisconsin, vs. Iowa and at Northwestern.

This is quite the tough slate, but I think Illinois can win one of these games.

I chalk the Wisconsin game up as a loss because they are a top 10 team in the nation. But, Iowa is down this season and Northwestern is always a good game.

If Illinois can win at home then they will hit the 2-2 goal I am setting. That means beating Michigan State and Iowa, both are realistic possibilities.

That is my mindset the rest of the season. I think they can win at least two more and that would build momentum for the class of 2017 recruiting and the upcoming season.

Don’t worry fans; this program will get back on track and We Will Win.

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