Beat writer Scott Richey previews the Illini’s final nonconference game of the season with Central Michigan ahead of Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium in Champaign (Peacock, WDWS 1400-AM, WDWS 93.9-FM, WHMS 97.5-FM):
Three big storylinesAvoiding ‘trap game’ on homecoming
A shutout in Week 1 followed by limiting a Top-25 team in Week 2 has the Illinois defense in a far different place than a year ago. The struggles of 2023 have yet to be repeated this fall. The Illini bottled up Eastern Illinois for four quarters, dominating the turnover battle, and then did the same last week against then-No. 19 Kansas in a high-profile home win. Handling that success was a topic of conversation between defensive coordinator Aaron Henry and his players this week.
“We had a long conversation (Sunday) about how to handle it,” Henry said. “Everybody is about to pat these guys on the back. This next game we’re about to walk into, most people would label it as a trap game. If you come in sleepwalking, the team we’re about to play is a really, really, really talented team.”
Illini defense playing with an edge
Illinois’ secondary has been the leader defensively through two weeks. Matthew Bailey, Xavier Scott and Miles Scott are all in the top five in tackles alongside linebacker Dylan Rosiek (the team leader with 11) and defensive lineman Dennis Briggs Jr. The two Scotts have a pair of interceptions apiece and have both forced a fumble. Torrie Cox Jr. has the team’s fifth interception. The edge that group has played with through two games is something first-year cornerbacks coach Corey Parker saw when he arrived.
“They were guys that were eager to be coached,” Parker said.”They were eager to be loved up on. They were eager to be held accountable. … It’s been great to see how those guys have taken that level of saltiness, that toughness, that nastiness, but that level of confidence I wanted to bring into the room. To say, ‘Hey, we can check these guys. We’ve just got to believe.’”
Injury update ahead of Saturday
Just two players — tight end Carson Goda and outside linebacker Daniel Brown — were ruled out for last week’s game against Kansas. Cornerback Tyler Strain was limited in his return from a soft-tissue injury in training camp, but did make his season debut. Running back Aidan Laughery also saw limited action against the Jayhawks with his own soft-tissue injury issue. This week’s injury report projects to be clear beyond the players out with season-ending injuries (tight end Cole Rusk and outside linebacker Mason Muragin).
“From a health standpoint, we’re probably going to be healthier than we were last week,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “T-Strain played a couple snaps last week on special teams, but he’ll be playing from the line of scrimmage and will start on a couple phases (of special teams) for us. Everybody else, there were some things coming out of the game, but nobody is going to be limited as of right now. We’ll see where we get to on Saturday.”
Two key matchupsIllinois secondary vs. Central Michigan quarterback Joey Labas
Labas looked great in Week 1, completing 75 percent of his passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns. Then he actually played an FBS defense in Week 2. The results probably have the Illini defensive backs salivating. Labas did throw for two touchdowns last Saturday against Florida International in a 52-16 loss in Miami, but the five interceptions that went with them were kind of a problem.
Illinois run game vs. Central Michigan run defense
The Chippewas rank 112th nationally in rushing defense giving up 189.5 yards per game. Florida International averaged 5.6 yards per carry last week in its lopsided win and had four different players score a rushing touchdown. That’s the kind of effort Illinois could use after its run game was mostly bottled up by Kansas. A bounce-back game by Kaden Feagin and Co. is important.
One stat that matters
Illinois is tied for first nationally with Oklahoma and California with eight takeaways (five interceptions and three fumble recoveries). That’s put the Illini more than halfway to last year’s total through just two games. The offseason emphasis on taking the ball away has clearly translated to the field. Equally as important? Illinois is also tied with Sooners and Golden Bears for first in turnover margin at plus-seven.
Illinois will win if …
the penalties, turnovers and mental errors that have been mostly avoided in the first two weeks continue not to be an issue. The Illini are 181/2-point favorites against Central Michigan for a reason. Every advantage is theirs. Giving the game away because of mistakes is the only way Illinois doesn’t finish its nonconference slate without a loss.
Central Michigan will win if …
it trends more toward the run than pass offensively. At minimum, that could help the Chippewas avoid another blowup game from Labas. But it would also target what’s not exactly been an Illinois strength so far this season. Leaning on running back Myles Bailey, who’s averaged 7.2 yards per rush through two games, might be Central Michigan’s path to success.
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Publish date : 2024-09-12 23:00:00
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