The belated Big Ten football season will officially kick off on Friday night with a West Division battle between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the no. 14 Wisconsin Badgers. At home, the Badgers are a hefty 20-point favorite with the over/under set at 51 points.
Heading into the season, the Badgers will fancy themselves as a potential College Football Playoff dark horse. They are coming off 10 wins and a Rose Bowl appearance last season, and double-digit wins in five of the last six years. In a short season with an adjusted schedule, Wisconsin is the kind of program that could take advantage of the circumstances.
Meanwhile, Illinois is hoping to build off a breakthrough season under Lovie Smith. Despite being 15-34 since coming to Champagne, Smith guided the Illini to a 6-7 record last year, including an upset of Wisconsin. With things moving in the right direction, Illinois hopes to keep things going and surprise the Badgers for a second straight year.
Great Pete
Illinois has high hopes for 2020 because they have a returning starter at the quarterback position in Brandon Peters. The Michigan transfer was solid if unspectacular last season.
However, the Fighting Illini have surrounded him with a much better supporting cast this year thanks to the addition of USC transfer Josh Imatorbhebhe at wide receiver and the return of running back Mike Epstein from injury. Illinois also has a veteran offensive line that should help the offense take a step forward.
That being said, the Badgers had one of the best defenses in the country last season, shutting out four of their 14 opponents. To be fair, Wisconsin has some holes to fill, especially at linebacker. However, the defensive line and the secondary at Wisconsin could be among the best in the Big Ten this season, so the Badgers will put up plenty of resistance.
The Next Generation
With incumbent quarterback Jack Coan suffering a foot injury in practice, the door is open for Graham Mertz to take over as the starter. While Coan brings experience and a steady hand, Mertz is easily the more talented quarterback.
The Badgers won’t see Coan’s injury as a huge setback. The bigger question for the Wisconsin offense is how they’ll replace 2,000-yard rusher, Jonathan Taylor. It could take some time to sort out the backfield, although the Badgers have an experienced offensive line to help pave the way for a multitude of ball carriers.
As for the Illinois defense, they could be set up to defend the run with a talented group of linebackers. A veteran secondary also has a chance to match up well against Wisconsin’s largely unproven wide receivers. However, it remains to be seen if the Fighting Illini have difference-makers on the defensive line who can help them win in the trenches.
Put Up a Fight
Wisconsin has high hopes for the season, but the Badgers have a tricky season opener. The Fighting Illini have the players to be even better than last season when they knocked off Wisconsin.
Even if they don’t pull off another upset, bet on Illinois to at least beat the 20-point spread.
