It’s really this simple. Rutgers has a coaching staff that is capable of improving on the assembled talent. Illinois doesn’t. To break it down a little more, drives against the Illini defense tend to end in either touchdowns or turnovers. The ‘Gers offense is not completely broken like it was last year, so they’ll move the ball against this defense. Noah Vedral has been modestly effective and has taken good care of the ball. Expect Bo Melton to make a number of wide open catches with room to run, not because he’s elite but because he’s playing against an Illini secondary that will be trying to figure out what their assignments are right up until the snap.
TCR Staff Predictions: Illinois at Rutgers
