The Fighting Illini will have a new look about them with Bret Bielema taking the wheel as the team’s new head coach. No one is expecting things to magically get better overnight, but there is hope that Illinois could show some legitimate progress.
What better way of doing so than knocking off Nebraska in a pivotal season opener?
The Huskers are expected to be improved on defense this season, which is one of the reasons why Bielema is going with senior Brandon Peters as the starting quarterback. Just having someone behind center with experience should smooth over the transition to Bielema’s way of doing things. Peters wasn’t airing the ball out, but he was accurate in his last run-in with the Huskers—18-of-25 passing for 205 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 36 yards and another touchdown.
It’s unlikely he’ll have the luxury of working off of five turnovers like he did in that previous meeting. So he may have to methodically work his way down the field to get points. There are some question marks for the Fighting Illini at the receiver position, and you have to believe the Huskers will devote most of their attention to shutting down the run.
Can Peters hit his targets if the run game fails and Nebraska gets pressure in his face? This could be a situation where he’ll have to lean directly on his experience and poise as a veteran player.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Fighting Illini need to keep Adrian Martinez in the pocket and force him to use his arm to beat them. That’s obviously easier said than done when the team allowed an average 230.1 yards per game on the ground last season. It’s going to be a painfully long day for the defense if they can’t at least limit the run and get off the field.
Both of the injuries for Illinois are on the defensive side of the ball with Roderick Perry II and Jamal Woods listed as questionable to play on Saturday.
EARLY LEAN: Illinois +7.5
