Hawkeyes & Illini Preview For Iowa’s Homecoming Game
By Devin Keller
This special Homecoming game against the Fighting Illini of Illinois will be a very important game for the Hawkeyes. Not only is this a must-win, but it is definitely a momentum booster.
In 2016, Iowa went to Champagne, IL, for the match up against the Illini. The Hawkeyes won the game 28-0, being one of the only shutouts we’ve seen in quite a long time. What does this game mean for the Hawks? A must win. Not only will this bring our team back to life after a miserable last two weeks with some red L’s, but will bring some momentum heading into the prime Big Ten season.
The Hawkeyes have a 91.5% chance to win, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. Defensively, the Hawkeyes need to again, stop the passing game. Illini quarterback Chayce Crouch has thrown four interceptions on the season already, with only 1 touchdown accounted for, combining air & ground. Crouch has thrown for only 427 yards compared to Nate Stanley’s 1,043 yards on the season with 12 touchdowns, and only one interception. Again, for a first-year sophomore, those are some extremely impressive numbers.
The Illini rushing game consists of RB Mike Epstein with 50 carries for 263 yards on the season and 3 touchdowns. This is nearly identical to Iowa RB Akrum Wadley’s stats, with three touchdowns with 368 yards. Although, Wadley has nearly double the amount of carries, with 96. Overall defensively, the Hawkeyes need to stop the passing game, which should be no problem considering Illinois hasn’t been the best passing team so far this season. RB Mike Epstein may be the biggest factor in this game for Iowa. So far this season, Iowa has been farely capable of the run game defense. I believe they will contain Epstein well in this game, holding him to under 50 yards.
The Hawkeye offense should have this game in their hands fair and square throughout the entire afternoon.
This should be a fun one. Offensively, Iowa should have no troubles against the Fighting Illini defense. Illinois has given up 25.8 points per game compared to Iowa’s 19.2. Illinois has given up 427 total yards compared to Iowa’s 376. Although, Illinois hasn’t played Saquon Barkley yet, so I hope that’s a fair pass, right? The Illini have given up nearly the same amount of pass yards as Iowa, with 248 (Iowa 242). Rushing, Illinois allowed 179 yards. After seeing these stats, it is clear that Iowa’s goal to winning this game is through the air, and the use of Akrum Wadley on the ground.
Overall, this game should be a very fun game with some amazing, dominating Hawkeye plays we all love and enjoy. I see this game ending in a very solid Iowa victory of 34-14.
This will be the game that gives the Hawkeyes the momentum boost heading into the hardest schedule remaining for the rest of the 2017 football season. And hopefully, overall, this game will be a final test run for the final big prime time games against the Badgers and Buckeyes. Is it Saturday yet?