College Football News and Hawkeyes Wire offer predictions for Hawkeyes versus Illini matchup

Riley Donald
·4 min read
5

Saturday night sees the Iowa Hawkeyes hitting the road to take on upstart Big Ten West opponent, the Illinois Fighting Illini. The matchup, which looked rather mundane preseason, has morphed into a bit of a turning point for each team in Week 6.

Iowa is 3-2 overall with a 1-1 Big Ten record. The Illini are 4-1 with a 1-1 Big Ten record. The two are in the thick of things in the Big Ten West and this one could give the winner an early leg up in chasing that crown.

Iowa, while they may not outwardly say it, will be playing with a sense of urgency in this matchup. They know the massive difference 4-2 versus 3-3 in the standings. Illinois is coming off of a dominant showing manhandling Wisconsin in their own home and wants to make another statement to put the Big Ten on notice.

This game has the recipe for a slugfest with two physical, defensive-minded teams and is likely going to be close the entire way. College Football News provided thoughts on how each team can win with a prediction. I also offer a prediction on how this one shakes out.

Things to know

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Iowa is getting loaded with the night games this season. For a team known to play at 11 a.m. CT or 2:30 p.m. CT, this is the Hawkeyes’ third night game in the last four weeks. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.

Like Rutgers doing the “red-out” a few weeks ago, Iowa is drawing another similar scenario as the Illini are calling for an “orange-out” from their fans.

Why CFN thinks Illinois can win

Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK

Illinois doesn’t have an overly complicated recipe on what they want to do. They want to run the ball, kill the clock, and play good defense. So far they have done that well.

The defense is No. 1 in the nation in scoring D allowing just over eight points per game, Chase Brown and the ground attack are ultra-efficient, and more than anything else, the team knows how to maintain control. – Fiutak, CFN.

Why CFN thinks Iowa can win

Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

Should Iowa be able to shut down the Illini run game and Chase Brown, there is a glaring advantage the Hawkeyes have. Forcing Illinois to throw against Iowa’ secondary and pass rush turns the tables towards Iowa.

As long as the Hawkeyes can hold up against the run and force a slew of third and long plays – Illinois doesn’t push the ball downfield at all – this will be a fight deep into the fourth. – Fiutak, CFN

CFN's prediction

(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

College Football News doesn’t see many points in this one and most people likely don’t either. This game will see the clock churning and defensive stands deciding the outcome.

Look elsewhere if you want a slew of points. Neither passing game will take any big chances, both running games will keep giving it the old college try to kill some time, but this will be all about the defenses and field position.

Iowa has the better kicking game, it’s punting game is far superior, and it’s going to keep chipping away as the Illini defense holds firm time and again.

Illinois, though, will get that one second half touchdown Iowa won’t. Illinois 20, Iowa 10 – Fiutak, CFN

My prediction

Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

Iowa is going to do to Illinois as they did to Rutgers. The Hawkeyes will play suffocating defense against the run game and force the Illini into passing downs. Iowa’s secondary can take advantage of a few errant throws and tipped balls for a turnover or two.

More importantly, Tory Taylor shows his dominance and continues to pin the Illini deep in their own territory forcing long fields. Iowa gets enough out of the offense with short fields and a few sustained drives.

Iowa 20, Illinois 10.

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire