Western Michigan Broncos

Illinois Football: Preview of the Western Michigan Defense

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

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The Illinois football team has a big challenge this weekend against the Western Michigan Broncos.

This game is arguably the biggest of the season so far for the Illinois Fighting Illini. A win here would help their standing, but a loss would hamper their bowl chances.

Illinois fans know what the Illini will be facing with this Broncos offense, but what about their defense?

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Here are some key stats for the Western Michigan defense.

1st Downs Allowed: 26 (T-21st)

Fumbles Recovered: 1 (T-49th)

Passing Yards Allowed: 201.5 YPG (60th)

Rushing Yards Allowed: 114.5 YPG (44th)

Red Zone Defense: 4 out of 5, 80% (43rd)

Scoring Defense: 21 PPG (53rd)

Sacks: 2 SPG (61st)

Turnover Margin: +1 (37th)

Stats Leaders

Tackles: Safety Asantay Brown (15)

Sacks: Linebacker Caleb Bailey (2)

Interceptions: None

Pass Deflections: Free Safety Davontae Ginwright (4)

Fumble Recoveries: Free Safety Davontae Ginwright (1)

Forced Fumbles: Linebacker Robert Spillane (1)

The Western Michigan offense is above average but it looks like their defense is lacking behind.

Western Michigan ranks 60th in passing yards allowed per game. This is where Illinois will need to attack in this game.

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Quarterback Wes Lunt has to have a better performance than the one we saw against North Carolina. If he can focus on completing crisp passes to his wide receivers then I think we will be alright.

This also means that Malik Turner and the wide receiver core need to be on the same page as Lunt as well. They will be counted on to perform well and to not drop many passes.

The best cornerback that the Broncos have is Darius Phillips. He is a smaller defensive back so, hopefully, Lunt can still attach him with the size of his wide receivers.

Another area the Illini can exploit is the Western Michigan pass rush.

The Broncos only average two sacks per game right now and that ranks 61st in the nation.

Joe Spencer and the offensive line have been doing well this season and shouldn’t have a problem opening holes for Ke’Shawn Vaughn and creating time for Lunt.

Illinois did struggle getting first downs against North Carolina and that is one specialty for the Broncos.

Western Michigan has only allowed 26 first downs, which is an average of 13 per game. That ranks 21st in the nation.

The Illini, on the other hand, only have 36 first downs on the year or an average of 18 per game. They will need to be more efficient on Saturday to be able to win this game.

Illinois needs a victory this Saturday and the keys to getting that ‘W’ are simple. They need to have an efficient passing game and their defense needs to show up.

If Illinois can accomplish those goals then I think we move to 2-1 on the season.