Illinois enters the game with an overall record of 10-5. They finished their non-conference slate at 10-3 and had two Big Ten games in the middle of the non-conference in which the Illini dropped both in overtime.
There is no question the Illini need to start the regular conference schedule off strong. They are already behind the eight ball with a 0-2 record and then you have to add in the fact four of the first five games of the conference slate are on the road.
Let’s take a look at some numbers first and then we can see where to attack.