.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Illinois Football: Time, Injury Report, Predictions Against Nebraska
The Illinois football team has not started off the way many fans had hoped. But, there is still time to turn things around.
Here is the game information.
Illinois Fighting Illini (1-2 Overall) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-0 Overall)
Game Time: 2:30 PM CT (ESPN 2)
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Injuries:
Illinois
WR Mike Dudek – Out For Season
RB Dre Brown – Out For Season
DB Caleb Day – Out For Season
K Ryan Frain – Probable
OL Gabe Megginson – Probable
RB Austin Roberts – Doubtful
Nebraska
OL Jerald Foster – Out For Season
OL Corey Whitaker – Out For Season
OL Tanner Farmer – Doubtful
WR Alonzo Moore – Doubtful
WR Brandon Reilly – Questionable
Keys to the Game:
Illinois: The Illini are entering this game with a 1-2 record. In their last two games, they have gone from a bowl hopeful team to a team that just needs to focus on getting better each week.
This week I want to see a few key things from the Illini. I am not expecting a win, but I think they can do a few things to potentially pull off the upset.
illinois fighting illini
Writing Illini 1 dIllinois Football: Preview of the Nebraska Cornhuskers Defense
More headlines around FanSided:
1 d - Husker Tailgate: Week 5 against the Fighting Illini2d - Big Ten: Football Power Rankings After Week Four2d - Illinois Football: What Ra'Von Bonner Brings to the Illini3d - Illinois Football: Preview of the Nebraska Cornhuskers Offense3d - Illinois Football: Lovie Smith's Career In a NutshellMore News at Writing Illini
The first thing Illinois needs to do is establish the run. Even if it isn’t working all the time, they still need to have the run in the game plan.
If Nebraska sees Illinois abandoning the running game then they will just drop back in coverage and cause chaos to Wes Lunt and the passing game.
The other thing the Illini need to do is keep Tommy Armstrong in check. This sounds easier than it really is, but Illinois needs to load the box to prevent being beaten on the ground. I would rather have Armstrong pass than run.
Nebraska: The main Illinois weakness on defense is their defensive backs. This is the area that Nebraska needs to expose, but Armstrong is not an accurate quarterback. If he can become accurate Illinois will have a long day.
For the Nebraska defense, there are many areas they can attack the Illinois offense.
The Illinois offensive line is weak and injury plagued. Nebraska has a good defensive line and will likely give the Illini a long day of quarterback pressure.
Illinois’ passing game has been struggling as well. As long as the Nebraska defensive line gets pressure on Lunt then their defensive backs should have an easier time causing turnovers.
Prediction:
I will never pick Illinois to lose a football game. I know that is completely bias, but I don’t want them to fall to any team.
I think Lovie Smith gets back to his roots and runs the ball down Nebraska’s throats. Ke’Shawn Vaughn goes for over 100 yards and scores a touchdown as well.
Illinois pulls off the upset 28-21 and moves to 2-2 on the season.
More from Writing Illini
This article originally appeared on 
