** 2024 Opponent Preview : Illinois (Game 4) **

Not really sure what to make of them this year overall. Feels like a grind it out offense that will bully some teams and put up big numbers in a few games, but really struggle against teams with good run defense. The defense will be stout, but they need somebody to make the leap from really solid to difference maker like they've had with Witherspoon at CB or Newton at DT. Some guys who might make that leap are CB Terrance Brooks, EDGE Seth Coleman, EDGE Gabe Jacas, or LB Dylan Rosiek. It's a Friday night game, but both teams will be coming off of games against weaker opponents.

Offensively, I don't think Altmyer is great. But last year was his first year playing, so he should be marginally better. They clearly have a type at RB - Feagin is 6'3, 250, McCray is 6'1, 235, and they have another kid who is listed at 6'4, 240. But their "lightning" (Reggie Love) transferred to Purdue, and the other big play threats (Isaiah Williams, Casey Washington) are gone. Pat Bryant is still a really solid WR, and Zhakari Franklin was a big pull from the portal - he put up huge numbers at UTSA. But his transition to P5 football did not go well at Ole Miss last year (injuries were a factor). They also need somebody else to step up at WR, and it might be our one-time recruiting target Malik Elzy who got his feet wet last year. The OL/TEs are huge but probably not elite, and supplemented by experienced transfers from lower levels. They probably need Altmyer to run more like he did at the end of last year, but that means he probably won't make it through the year. 

Defensively, I don't see the star power they've had recently in the secondary (Witherspoon/Sydney Brown) or on the DL (Newton/Randolph). But they did add a lot of transfers (including a 13-game starter at CB from Texas), built some experience in the secondary last year, and will get back Matthew Bailey who had 3 picks as a true freshman and then had a season ending injury in the first game last year. They're always going to play old-school Big Ten defense, but I don't know if the transfers on the DL and returners at LB are special. The secondary should be  very good though, and it's going to be a tough defense overall.

 
Note that Kansas committed four turnovers on offense and was then -3 in the turnover margin for the game. Probably the big story of how the Illini found a win in this one.

Illinois only had 79 yards rushing for 2.3 yards per carry. Those are stats that don't bode well for you when you face our defense.

Not being cocky, I think those are just facts.

 
Undone said:
Note that Kansas committed four turnovers on offense and was then -3 in the turnover margin for the game. Probably the big story of how the Illini found a win in this one.

Illinois only had 79 yards rushing for 2.3 yards per carry. Those are stats that don't bode well for you when you face our defense.

Not being cocky, I think those are just facts.
Click to expand...
I only watched a few series and I was surprised how bad Kansas offense looked.

 
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