Before every game, I ask a reporter who covers the Gophers upcoming opponent to give us a view from the opponent’s perspective.
This week, I asked Doug Bucshon from Orange and Blue News six questions about the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Minnesota travels to Champaigne on a three game winning streak. This will be the 77th meeting between the two programs. Minnesota leads the all-time series with a 40-33-3 record.
Huge thanks to Doug for giving us his thoughts!
1. After going to a bowl game in 2022, the Illini finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 5-7. They finished fourth in the Big Ten West with a 3-6 record in conference play. The 2024 season is Bret Bielema’s fourth year in Champaign. What were the expectations of this team heading into the season? In your opinion, have they met those expectations?
That has resulted in the Illini exceeding expectations. Most preseason prognosticators had Illinois as a borderline bowl team. Sitting at 6-2, they have a chance to greatly outperform those predictions.
Stil, the last four games will be the difference between a good season and a great season. The Illini are bowl-bound but now have loftier goals. All four games left on the schedule are both winnable and loseable.
2. The Illini Illinois is coming off a loss to No. 1 ranked Oregon after winning two in a row against Purdue and Michigan. Their only other loss is to another ranked opponent in Penn State. What has gone right for the Illini this season that has led them to six victories? Are there any patterns that have shown in their losses?
Illinois has won the close-tossup games, something that didn’t’ go their way a year ago, and held serve at home. In the wins, they have made big plays at key junctures in games on both sides of the ball; sacks, takeaways, deep balls in the passing game, etc. They made plays in overtime in wins against Nebraska and Purdue.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer is having a solid season for the Illini and has made game-changing plays with his arm and his feet. His passing efficiency rate (147.1) ranks 6th in the Big and has thrown 15 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. Two of the INTs were last week against Oregon.
Illinois has been beating at the line of scrimmage in its losses to Penn State and Oregon. Its rushing yards per attempt dip to 2.59 yards in the losses, while the defense has yielded 234 rushing yards per game in those games, most in the Big Ten. The Illini also has a -1.5 turnover margin in losses, which may be the most impactful stats.
3. Illinois got dinged up against the Ducks last week. Receivers Malik Elzy and Pat Bryant both left the game due to injuries. Defensive back Kaleb Patterson had to be helped off as well. Any idea on their status for the game against Minnesota? Are there any other players that could potentially miss the game?
Elzy re-entered the game and should be okay, but Bryant’s status won’t be known until the Big Ten availability report comes out two hours before the game on Saturday. He was in concussion protocol at the beginning of game week. If Bryant can’t go, it’s a big loss for the Illini. He’s the leading receiver and a big-play threat.
Injuries in the back end of the secondary could be even more painful and have a major impact on the game. In addition to Patterson, starting corner Torie Cox Jr. also left the Oregon game and didn’t’ return. With Minnesota QB Max Brosmer coming off his best game of the season, the Illini may need the backups in the secondary to step up to the plate.
4. The Illinois offense averages 356.5 yards per game, which is 12th best in the Big Ten. Their 27 points per game is the 10th best in the conference. What are the strengths of the Illini offense? What impact players should Gophers fans know about when Illinois has the ball?
Illinois has a middle-of-the-pack offense in just about every measurable area. Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. strives for balance. They try to establish the run to set up the pass game and put Altmyer in favorable third-down situations. Sometimes it has clicked, and sometimes it hasn’t.
With Bryant possibly sidelined, the top receiver to watch is Ole Miss transfer Zakhari Franklin. He’s a polished route runner with great hands who has been very good on the intermediate routes. The Illini will also rely on tight end Tanner Arkins, especially in the read zone.
5. The Illini defense is giving up 367 yards per game, which ranks 13th in the conference. Linebacker Dylan Rosiek is in the Top Ten in the conference in tackles, while Gabe Jacas is second in the conference in sacks. Can you give us a quick scouting report on Rosiek and Jacas? What is one area of the Illini defense that they need to improve at?
Rosiek has been up and down. He’s a stat stuffer, though many of his tackles have come after positive gains for the offense. He’s primarily an in-the-box defender, and he can be good against the gap running plays. If you stretch him out, he’s not really a sideline-to-sideline defender. He’s had some great games and some rough games.
Jacas is the one guy the Gophers can’t let take over the game. He’s a force as a bull rusher off the edge and a future NFL Draft pick. The Gophers will likely need to double him. The Illini make it tough on defenses by lining him up at multiple positions. Jacas dominated at the point of contact two weeks ago against Michigan en route to national and Big Ten defensive player of the week.
When Illinois has success on defense, they turn it over and slow down the running game. They are giving up 155 rushing yards per game, ranking 16th in the Big Ten, and yielding 3.52 yards per carry. They do have 14 takeaways, and that will be a big stat against the Gophers.
6. No one needs to tell Gophers fans that Bret Bielema has never lost to Minnesota as a head coach. He is 10-0 against Minnesota, and his last win still haunts Gophers fans as Minnesota collapsed against Illinois at home last year. Minnesota travels to Champaign as three-point favorites after the opening line favored Illinois. What does Illinois need to do to beat Minnesota this Saturday? What is your prediction for the game?
Throw out the history. It’s 2024 Minnesota against 2024 Illinois. It’s a tossup game, with Minnesota playing better football of late and Illinois putting together a good season and undefeated at home.
Key injuries could tip the scales to the Gophers. Illinois may be playing without Bryant and two starting DB’s. Still, I’ll be a homer and go with the home team in a barn burner. Altmyer has a bounceback game to lead the Illini to victory to improve to 7-2.
Illinois 24 Minnesota 23